According to this article, Gov. Charlie Christ of Florida has proposed a controversial plan to buy up Florida land (around 180k acres) to protect the everglades. This land he proposes to buy is from US Sugar Corp, (Sugar production is big business in Florida, and also extremely taxing on the environment). What makes this plan so controversial is the fact that the estimated cost of the project has ballooned since initial estimates. These estimates, originally in the range of $1 - 2 billion have now exceeded $9 billion dollars! The majority of these costs would go to a high tech water storage/movement facility, injecting water deep underground for storage, and having the ability to move 1.2 million acre feet ( 325,851 gallons per acre foot ) of water.
Taxpayers are questioning the governor’s judgment, as most scientists agree that using above ground storage systems and marshes would be significantly less expensive than the proposed $9 billion plan. This plan would also halt some projects to protect the everglades which are already in progress. Scientists have warned that stopping these projects could cause further, irreversible damage to the environment. A good question many raise is: Where is this money coming from? In a faltering economy, how does the State of Florida expect to afford this plan? As taxpayers are already reeling, I can imagine few supporting such an expensive plan. Another troubling factoid is US Sugar is politically connected to the Governor’s office, leading many to believe that the Governor has a higher interest here, and it’s not protecting the everglades. Although ambitious, this is not the time for a project such as this… with the faltering economy and potential scandal looming. If I could give a word of advice to Gov. Charlie Crist, it would be to drop this plan, continue existing restoration projects, and try to save face with the people of Florida.
--Chris Szwedo
