March 11, 2010
Today, the governing board of the South Florida Water Management District voted unanimously to extend the contract to purchase the U.S. Sugar lands to Sept. 30, 2010. Without this extension, the contract would have expired March 31 and the deal - vital to the future of the Everglades and South Florida's water quality - would have died.
Speaking briefly before he made the motion to extend the contract, board member Charles Dauray, who represents Charlotte, Collier, Hendry and Lee counties, spoke of 2005 when "we came within a heartbeat of losing the Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge."
"When I weigh the opportunity [of purchasing the land] versus the affordability, I'm 50-50, and I've lost a few hours sleep thinking about this," Dauray continued. "But when it comes to the affordability on the west coast, we cannot afford not to proceed with this contract. ... This is absolutely critical to the economy of the west coast of Florida and to the health and safety of the people who live there, so I am in favor of the extension."
Thirty people spoke during the public comment period, necessitating a reduction of their allotted time from three minutes to one minute. Only three spoke against allowing the deal to go forward. Board Chairman Eric Beurmann said the board had received thousands of calls, letters and emails prior to today's meeting.
PURRE would like to thank everyone who contacted the SFWMD urging them to extend the contract with U.S. Sugar to purchase this much-needed land. It worked! We will keep you posted as developments occur.
Michael J. Valiquette, PURRE Chairman
