Audubon intervened in court proceedings to support the South Florida Water Management District’s efforts to validate the certificates of participation needed to purchase 73,000 acres of land for Everglades restoration.  On Wednesday, Judge Hafele of the Palm Beach County Circuit Court approved the $650 million in certificates necessary to purchase this land.  The Judge agreed with Audubon’s position that the purchase serves a public purpose.

The River of Grass acquisition can help achieve ecological benefits of Everglades restoration decades earlier than previously planned.  The River of Grass purchase is a bold step toward getting the necessary water from Lake Okeechobee through the Everglades to Florida Bay, reconnecting the river of grass and truly restoring the Everglades.

You can read more on this decision at Environmental Newswire.