Last week, Florida reported that after a four-year battle with the sugar industry, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favour of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (“Corps”) and confirmed approval for the Everglades Agricultural Area (“EAA”) Reservoir and Stormwater Treatment Area Project (“EAA Reservoir Project”).
Several coalition groups have praised the court’s decision.
Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation
“This is a major victory for the coastal estuaries that rely on the Everglades and EAA reservoirs in America, providing a resilient flow to the grass rivers and saving meaningful relief from damaged flows from Lake Okeechobee over the past two and a half years,” said James Evans, CEO of the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation.
The captain of clean water
“The Court of Appeal rejected Big Sugar’s absurd claim that growing sugar cane in the middle of the Everglades is somehow more important than protecting the Everglades and South Florida from toxic emissions,” said Colonel Daniel Andrews, the executive director and co-founder of Cleanwater.
Sanibel and Capuchva Chamber of Commerce
“Our members and businesses rely on clean water and healthy environments. This domination ensures that the benefits of Everglades’ restoration support sustainable tourism and resilient communities.”
