A long-debated, newly controversial land deal needed to restore water flows to the Everglades is at risk after the regional water district tasked with Everglades restoration supports a plan by Gov. Rick Scott.
Andy Reid reports on a troubled land deal considered by environmentalists as central to ongoing efforts to restore the Florida Everglades: "Buying more Big Sugar land for Everglades restoration could cost taxpayers up to $700 million and slow other efforts to save Florida's River of Grass, South Florida water managers warned Thursday."
The South Florida Water Management District, which leads Everglades restoration projects, "opted to back current Everglades restoration plans and balked at supporting the land deal," according to Reid.
By "current plans," the article is referring to a $5 billion restoration plan proposed by Florida Governor Rick Scott in January. Jenny Staletovich reported on that proposal at the time it was announced.
Environmental groups, such as the Sierra Club, consider the land deal to be a critical measure for the restoration of the Everglades. Reid's coverage also includes details about the history of the land deal, which would have cost significantly less in multiple, earlier iterations. Now the deal has until October 2015 to win legislative approval or it will expire.
For more coverage on the current situation, see also another article by Jenny Staletovich covering the recent actions of the South Florida Water Management District.
FULL STORY: Water district balks at Everglades land deal

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie