United States Federal Judge Federico Moreno has ruled in favor of a position recommended by Audubon of Florida in the long-running Everglades water quality litigation.

Audubon recommended deferral of initial plans to build the 16,500 acre A-1 reservoir in favor of a redesign that would allow for consideration of land bought from the US Sugar Corporation as part of a revised plan. Audubon experts in water quality and hydrology testified before the courts special master John Barkett urging that the A-1 reservoir land be redirected to stormwater treatment area construction to reduce phosphorus pollution in the Everglades.

Judge Moreno has now accepted Audubon’s recommendations and this will likely lead to redesigned cleanup efforts to solve the phosphorus problem.

Audubon has been represented in the federal court by attorney Thom Rumberger and Anna Upton and our litigation efforts have been supported by the Everglades Foundation.

**UPDATE: The South Florida Sun-Sentinel has reported on this story, citing Audubon's and the Everglades Foundation's leadership on this critical Florida issue.

Watch Audubon's Charles Lee testify in front of the Technical Oversight Committee in favor of increased protection of water quality in the Everglades: