everglades

Alligator Alcatraz: Setting a dangerous precedent?

February 12, 2026

The Everglades immigrant detention center known as “Alligator Alcatraz” is damaging enough in its own right, inflicting untold harms on the site and the greater Everglades ecosystem. But more damaging over the long haul may be the legal precedent being…

DEEP DIVE: 25 years on, CERP is restoring the Everglades. But will it be enough?

February 5, 2026

The Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan is often described as a massive effort to “get the water right.” Unfortunately, CERP isn’t going to “get the water right” right away. On Dec. 11, 2000, President Bill Clinton signed the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration…

DeSantis and the Everglades: What will be his legacy?

September 11, 2025

We’ve recounted many times how Gov. DeSantis came into office with a bang, replaced the entire South Florida Water Management District Governing Board, appointed red tide and blue-green algae task forces and set about securing massive funding for Everglades restoration.…

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…

Defiant Uthmeier vows to keep Alligator Alcatraz open – even as state winds it down

August 28, 2025

Pardon us, but what is wrong with Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier? A week after a federal judge ordered the state to wind down activity at “Alligator Alcatraz,” it looked like the Florida was complying. Kevin Guthrie, the Executive Director…

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,…

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…

Did ‘dirty money’ help win ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ contracts?

July 10, 2025

What we are witnessing, with “Alligator Alcatraz,” is a master class in how “dirty money” works. As multiple media outlets have reported, several companies involved in the construction and operation of the Everglades detention center have donated to Gov. Ron…

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…

‘Alligator Alcatraz’ and Big Sugar’s rock mine – what are we doing to the Everglades?

June 26, 2025

By now you likely know that Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier wants to build an immigrant detention center — “Alligator Alcatraz” — on the grounds of the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport. Once upon a time the world’s biggest airport,…

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