Speaking at the Republican Governor’s Association Florida Governor Charlie Crist offered a moving testimonial to the proposed purchase of land for Everglades restoration.  He summarized his remarks in a special column in the St. Petersburg Times on Sunday, November 16, 2008:

"Teddy Roosevelt demonstrated environmental credentials through conservation. Our nation's environment must be protected. Here in Florida, we are doing just that. Yesterday, I was proud to highlight Florida's efforts to purchase more than 180,000 acres from the U.S. Sugar Corp. for Everglades' restoration. America's Everglades, just a short drive from where we sit tonight, is a cherished, national treasure that must be protected.

Our goal is to store, clean and move water from Lake Okeechobee south to Everglades National Park. This movement of water will enable us to emulate the original flow of water through the River of Grass. We must lead on issues relating to our environment and natural resources."

The details proposed purchase of US Sugar’s land in the Everglades Agricultural Area are being negotiated by the South Florida Water Management District, which will buy on own the land.  The land will be leased back to US Sugar to maintain sugarcane production while projects to use the land for storage and treatment of water are being worked out.