Last week, a federal court of appeals unanimously ruled in favor of Everglades restoration, dealing a blow to big sugar’s attempts to erode the Everglades Agricultural Reservoir. If you’ve followed Captains for Clean Water or Everglades Restoration over the years, you understand just how critical the EAA is—it’s the crown jewel of this work—and you also likely understand the consistent efforts by big sugar to maintain the status quo and continue undermining efforts to restore the natural southernly flow of freshwater through the Everglades, a natural filter of sorts. This case at hand goes back to 2021, when big sugar sued the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers claiming the EAA violated an obscure portion of a 2000 water law and arguing to modify the purpose of the EAA as a tool to mitigate coastal discharges to a source of free water for the already heavily subsidized industry.
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A lower federal court had already rejected those claims, and now the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit unanimously affirmed that ruling, a critical victory for the Everglades and clean water in southern Florida.
“The appellate court just rejected Big Sugar’s absurd claim that growing sugarcane in the middle of the Everglades is somehow more important than protecting the Everglades and South Florida from toxic discharges,” said Capt. Daniel Andrews CEO and Co-Founder, Captains For Clean Water. “This ruling clears the path for the reservoir to be completed and operated as it was always intended—to clean Lake Okeechobee water and send it south where it belongs.”
Here at Flylords, any good news on the clean water front is cheered on, especially these days. That being said, the fight to clean South Florida’s waterways is far from over and needs constant support. Fortunately, groups like Captains for Clean Water remain steadfast toward that goal.
Andrews added “This ruling doesn’t just protect the EAA Reservoir—it sets a powerful precedent that Everglades restoration projects can’t be hijacked by special interests. It makes clear that the court won’t stand for efforts to rewrite the rules in favor of polluters at the expense of Florida’s environment, economy, and way of life.” Kudos to the thousands of supporters who made their voice heard on this issue!
Learn more about Captains For Clean Water here.
Sugar Industry Lawsuit Threat to EAA Reservoir, Actionable Everglades Restoration
Construction Begins for the ‘Crown Jewel’ of Everglades Restoration
