on no! they are digging a giant hole in the Everglades

[ensho]

http://www.ocala.com/article/20080406/NEWS/804060340/1025/NEWS&title=Giant_reservoir_intended_to_help__Glades


Giant reservoir intended to help 'Glades
Project to prevent runoff to ocean


Out here, where turtles lumber across two-lane highways, sugar is king and alligators own the swamp, the silence is broken by the sound of rumbling trucks and earthen explosions.

Construction crews are blowing up rocks and gouging out an area bigger than Manhattan as they work to build the world's largest above ground manmade reservoir — 25 square miles. It will eventually hold 62 billion gallons of water and is a key component to restoring the River of Grass.

-snip-

That's where the massive reservoir just south of Lake Okeechobee comes in. Its intent is to help restore some of that natural flow by keeping water from heading out to sea.

No one disagrees that water storage is key to restoration, but the entire Everglades effort has for years pitted environmentalists against the government, each side wary of the other's intentions.

The Natural Resources Defense Council has sued over the reservoir, claiming the state has not legally committed itself to using the water primarily for Everglades restoration.

While the state says 80 percent of the water will be for environmental purposes, the group fears that without a legally binding commitment, development and agriculture pressures could mean the water may go elsewhere.

"The Everglades and everyone deserves better than that," said council attorney Brad Sewell.

-snip-

Florida's budget is also tight. The state House recently cut all Everglades funding from its proposed spending plan but state water managers overseeing restoration efforts expect some money will eventually be allocated, regardless.

--------------------


can you spell S U G A R. sugar barons are tight with the neo cons

you can bet your booties money will find its way to the hole digging.

(let a bit more ice melting go on and the sea will come and fill that hole with salt water)

[OmahaBlueDog]

1. Actually, it's worse than "tight with the neocons"

The sugar barons (particularly the Fanjuls, who own Okeelanta and Osceola -- two huge holdings east of US 27 and south of Belle Glade) are tight with any politician who will take their money. Although Republican in their leaning and outlook, they have contributed large sums to members of both parties.

[HowHasItComeToThis]

2. I GOOGLED THEM AND LO AND BEHOLD....

http://www.opensecrets.org/pubs/cashingin_sugar/sugar08.html
:hurts:

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

3. Cool! Sounds Like A Really Worthwhile Effort That Should Have Several Benefits To The Area.

[Bill McBlueState]

6. it says 80% of the water will go to environmental purposes

Do you think that's an appropriate amount? Do you think the state will keep its word?

I agree, this seems like a good idea, but I don't blame activists for being suspicious.

[ensho]

4. and the owners of the hole digging equipment is. . . . . .

and the human hole diggers will be from where . . . . .

[Skarbrowe]

5. I was just out at Shark Valley Wednesday. Amazing place.

It's really suffering from a three year drought, but it was fascinating learning about how alligators make the Everglades this whole amazing ecosystem. Sorry, I'm not all that eloquent on the subject. All I know is that if the Everglades, like the Rain Forest and Arctic ice sheets are wiped out from any reason, we are in big trouble.

[Bill McBlueState]

7. the stated intent

The stated intent of the project is to restore the Everglades. I don't blame activists for being suspicious, but this sounds like a good way to keep the Everglades from being wiped out.

[ensho]

8. you can't always see things through rosey glasses

nt

[Bill McBlueState]

9. i know. nt