Audubon congratulates the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) for closing the land deal to purchase nearly 27,000 acres of land from U.S. Sugar Corporation.  Audubon and other Everglades advocates have consistently supported this deal and are thankful to see it through to fruition.  The current version of the purchase focuses on the right land in the right location for the immediate needs of water quality improvement, and for the right price -- all without incurring any debt.

Recent decisions by two different federal judges have criticized delays in ensuring that water entering the Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge and other areas in the Everglades meet water quality standards.  This purchase will help meet these standards, allowing more water to be the delivered to the southern end of the Everglades ecosystem where it is desperately needed.

“If we can’t get the water cleaned up, it’s going to be difficult to proceed with the rest of Everglades restoration,” said Eric Draper, Executive Director of Audubon of Florida in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.  “This gives a clear and achievable plan to get water treatment in place.”

Improving water quality throughout the Everglades is a critically important component of restoring more natural flow patterns, and Audubon will continue to advocate for projects that move us closer to achieving true ecological benefits for wildlife and people alike.

We congratulate and thank all of those involved who have finally made this monumental land acquisition a reality!