US: Authorities approve contract extension on US Sugar deal
Published: 03/12/2010, 10:31:00 AM
Florida water managers have approved a contract extension for a plan to buy land from the nation's largest cane sugar producer for Everglades restoration, according to WPBF news.
The South Florida Water Management District's governing board voted 8-0, with one abstention, Thursday on a six-month extension. The deadline for the bond validation, which was set to expire March 31, has been extended through Sept. 30.
"This board has a responsibility to continue the public discussion and review of this exceptional opportunity for Everglades restoration," said Eric Buermann, chairman of the SFWMD's governing board. "This contract date extension, brought on only by outstanding legal challenges to the bond proceedings, is simply administrative in nature and allows us to accommodate the Florida Supreme Court hearing and forthcoming decision."
The deal calls for the state to pay US$536 million for 73,000 acres of U.S. Sugar Corp. land in the Everglades.
Critics call it a waste of taxpayer money that will only slow other key restoration efforts, but Gov. Charlie Crist said it's the opportunity of a lifetime to help clean the Everglades, long polluted by fertilizers and urban runoff.
The deal is also being legally challenged. The Florida Supreme Court will review the deal next month.