Corruption

VoteWater asks appeals court to deny stay in ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ lawsuit

September 3, 2025

VoteWater has joined a coalition of Florida conservation organizations asking a federal appeals court to affirm a lower court ruling that effectively shuts down “Alligator Alcatraz.” Attorneys with The Jacobs Public Interest Law Clinic for Democracy and the Environment at…

Alligator Alcatraz: What was the point?

August 20, 2025

As of this writing, U.S. District Court Judge Kathleen Williams has not yet ruled on whether to shut down “Alligator Alcatraz” so a proper environmental review can be done as required by federal law. That ruling is expected today. Meanwhile,…

Legal challenge filed to halt Big Sugar’s rock mine

August 13, 2025

The Florida DEP planned to issue an Environmental Resource Permit (ERP) for the first phase of the Southland Water Resource Project project this week; but on Monday the Everglades Law Center filed a legal challenge to halt the project, acting…

Sugar smackdown: Former Congressman calls out ‘oligarchy’

July 31, 2025

That’s gonna leave a mark! Former Florida Congressman Francis Rooney (at right) slapped Big Sugar with a rhetorical 2×4 last week, calling out the industry — and the Trump Administration — for pushing policies that reward their political cronies while…

Ag Secretary visits Clewiston as Big Sugar billionaires get richer

July 24, 2025

No doubt about it — one of the big winners in the President’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” was Big Sugar. And U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins’ visit to Clewiston Monday proved it. Rollins met with Big Sugar employees…

Alligator Alcatraz: When Political Theater Costs Millions

July 17, 2025

When the Florida Legislature passed a budget last month that cut spending by 3%, elected leaders crowed. “Floridians,” said Senate President Ben Albritton, “expect us to spend their tax dollars wisely.” Absolutely. But what about “Alligator Alcatraz?” While Florida Attorney…

We oppose “Alligator Alcatraz.” Here’s why – and what we’re doing about it.

July 3, 2025

VoteWater opposes ‘Alligator Alcatraz,” and we’re working to stop it. VoteWater and its partners sent a letter to Gov. Ron DeSantis and Attorney General James Uthmeier urging them to halt this ill-advised project. We are helping to marshall opposition to further construction…

HUGE questions about Southland rock mine at SFWMD meeting

June 6, 2025

The Southland rock mine proposal, on 8,600 acres of Palm Beach County farmland owned by US Sugar and Okeelanta Corp. (Florida Crystals), has been sailing through the county and state approval process. But at the South Florida Water Management District…

Big Sugar’s rock mine gets key DEP permit; but is there a ‘public benefit?’

June 3, 2025

Even as opponents of the Southland rock mine (including VoteWater’s Gil Smart, above) were gathered in Belle Glade last Thursday to speak out on the proposal, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection issued a “Notice of Intent” to issue the…

Palm Beach Commissioners took sugar money. Then they voted to approve Big Sugar’s rock mine

May 27, 2025

Last week Palm Beach County Commissioners voted to approve the rezoning request for the Southland rock mine on 8,600 acres in the Everglades Agricultural Area owned by U.S. Sugar and Florida Crystals. VoteWater’s Gil Smart (above) was one of more…

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