US Sugar

U.S. Sugar Corp. Land Transaction

Almost everyone who is a longtime or seasonal visitor to South Florida knows the Everglades burns during the dry season. Fire helps shape the ecology that sustains the River of Grass. However in many years, these burns are too excessive, destroying essential habitat and dashing efforts that the hobbled, water-deprived Everglades ecosystem needs to sustain itself and provide habitat for wildlife and water for human needs.

Foundation scientists devised the water storage solutions and computations that give the Everglades a fighting chance to quell out-of-control seasonal fires, fight water pollution and provide H2O for human needs. These solutions require the acquisition of land in the area south of the Everglades in the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) and most specifically, the lands of U.S. Sugar Corp.

The Foundation's science team has been working on devising blueprints for water storage and water treatment options that when realized, will help protect the Everglades from out-of-control burns and create a water cleaning solution that will give this ecological treasure the best chance it needs to survive.

The flow of abundant clean water through the Everglades is the key to South Florida's tourist, boating, fishing and agricultural industries. Hundreds of thousands of good-paying Florida jobs depend on these industries. The Foundation supports the state of Florida acting to secure U.S. Sugar Corp. land now, while it is available from a willing seller.

The absence of land to move, store and treat water has limited previous Everglades restoration efforts and water supply planning. The flow of abundant clean water through the Everglades is one of the keys to sustaining South Florida's economy.

Public purchase of the land currently owned by U.S. Sugar Corp. is the best and most cost-effective option available to ensure Florida's water and economic security.

For more information on the current status of the U.S. Sugar Corp. land transaction, click here.