Land Deal Central to Everglades Restoration Efforts at Risk

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.