Audubon and Everglades restoration supporters applauded the South Florida Water Management District Governing Board for its unanimous decision on August 12 to proceed on a purchase of  United States Sugar Corporation lands in the Everglades Agricultural Area.

In a unanimous vote, the Board agreed to readjust its land purchase  in light of the current economic climate and move to acquire almost 27,000 acres of land and the option to purchase an additional 153,200 acres over the next ten years.

The land will be used to increase the effectiveness of existing Stormwater Treatment Areas (STAs) and to create new ones to remove even more nutrients, such as phosphorus and nitrogen, from freshwater destined for the Everglades. The Everglades is naturally a low-nutrient ecosystem, and the natural balance of native plant communities and wildlife are seriously impacted by phosphorus-laden water.