Everglades Restoration

What is DeSantis’s environmental legacy?

October 21, 2026

This week Politico has a piece (in which VoteWater Executive Director Gil Smart is quoted) on the environmental legacy of Gov. DeSantis, and what Florida’s next Governor will inherit. The story proceeds from the assumption that everyone generally agrees DeSantis…

Amendment 3 could have huge impact on clean water, Everglades restoration

September 29, 2026

VoteWater, a South Florida-based clean-water advocacy group, is warning Floridians that Amendment 3, the Homestead Tax Exemptions, Property Assessments, and Spending Restrictions Amendment on the Nov. 3 ballot, could have a devastating impact on clean water and Florida’s natural environment.…

Deep Dive: Florida Bay always one threat away from devastation

September 3, 2026

Florida Bay is thirsty. Yes, a 1,100-square-mile body of water spreading between the southern tip of the Everglades and the Florida Keys can be thirsty – for fresh water. In fact, the bay is “on the brink of devastation” from…

DEEP DIVE: How Florida lawmakers diverted conservation funds to cover routine expenses

August 6, 2026

Despite a failed lawsuit and years of scrutiny, Florida’s Land Acquisition Trust Fund still funds routine agency expenses — even as $750 million meant for conservation sits uncommitted. A DirecTV subscription, 1,000 camouflage baseball caps and a display booth at…

SFWMD budget crunch: What does it mean for Everglades restoration?

July 16, 2026

Last week’s South Florida Water Management District Governing Board meeting featured a discussion about the upcoming budget that suggested the district is being stretched thin — and that could have ramifications for Everglades restoration. The district, which serves some 9…

‘Alligator Alcatraz’ is your legacy, Mr. Uthmeier

July 9, 2026

Jim DeFede, reporter with CBS News Miami, ripped Florida Attorney General James Uthmeieir a new one last week as “Alligator Alcatraz” shut down — and Uthmeier was nowhere to be found. It was Uthmeier, DeFede reminded us, who came up…

Good news for homeowners could be bad news for our water

June 11, 2026

The Florida Legislature last week passed a revised version of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ property tax cut plan, sending a proposed constitutional amendment to the November ballot. If 60% of voters approve, it’ll be a windfall for homeowners — and a…

Would the Legislature really shortchange the EAA Reservoir?

May 21, 2026

You figure the Florida House has to be playing games. As Legislators continue to wrangle over the state budget, one nut proving hard to crack is funding for CEPP — the Central Everglades Planning Project which includes the vaunted EAA…

Alligator Alcatraz: ‘Efficient, low-cost’ debacle is Uthmeier’s folly

May 14, 2026

On July 1, 2025, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier posted on X to celebrate his masterpiece. “Alligator Alcatraz = efficient and cost effective. It’s a one stop shop for immigration enforcement,” he crowed. One stop shop for fleecing Florida taxpayers…

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…

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