In Judge denies tribe's motion on Glades reservoir Curtis Morgan reported:
“Calling the possibility to ''buy out the polluters'' the most logical solution to cleaning up Everglades pollution, a federal judge won't force work to resume on a stalled reservoir state water managers say could jeopardize financing of the U.S. Sugar buyout.”
Chief U.S. District Judge Federico Moreno late Wednesday denied a motion filed by the Miccosukee Tribe asking him to order work to continue on a partially completed $700 million basin once considered a key Everglades restoration project. But the judge, who heard arguments from the tribe, water managers and environmental groups in his Miami courtroom on Monday, also warned that if the land acquisition didn't happen in a ''reasonable amount of time,'' he would immediately revisit the tribe's request.”
I am at a loss to understand Friends of the Everglades, the only environmental group to join the Tribe's motion. They have been belly-aching about the EAA (Everglades Agricultural Area) for years, Juanita Greene always the loudest voice saying: "Let's buy the sugar land." Now that the buyout is finally on the horizon, 'Friends' joined the Tribe to jeopardize it for a reservoir (yes it is needed, but it would drain money from the buy-out which would give us a bigger bang for the buck in my view). I guess the Judge is saying:"You can't have it all." The FOE group and the Tribe have always been too cozy for my taste.
8 comments:
I guess the Judge is betting on the acquisition of the land. Sucks
What sucks?
What is it that the Mikosukees want, apart from more gambling? Don't they want a "restoration"?
Yes they want restoration. That is what this lawsuit was about...not stalling on promised restoration. However, their needs/views are slightly different than most of the Environmental groups. For instance, the tribe looks at protecting the endangered snail kite and most environmental groups are looking at the health of the endangered seaside sparrow and both have conflicting water level requirements (hope I have that right - someone correct me if i am wrong).
They are both for the same destination, just different paths.
I'm sympathetic to concerns that the government always says they'll do something, and often doesnt follow through. But the possibilities with the U.S. Sugar purchase is so exciting, exatly what the environmental community has been asking for years, that we can't lose sight of the ultimate goal. The Friends of the Everglades should consider that with the sugar lands, we can really achieve meaningful restoration for Everglades National Park. It's NOT going to happen with the EAA Reservior, which is puny compared to what we really need for a healthy everglades.
I took this comment from a Miccosukee spokesperson, Joette Lorion (it was on a listserve 8/2/08 and seemed pertinent here):
The Miccosukee Tribe's motivation is saving the Everglades homeland where they have lived since before anybody even knew what the Everglades was. What is so hard for you to understand about wanting to stop the Everglades from being destroyed by pollution?
I think the analysis is a little simplistic. Why does anyone believe that completing the construction of the CERP approved - Acceler8 advanced - EAA Reservoir will jeopardize funding for the State of Florida's proposed US Sugar buyout?? Oh yeah...the SFWMD says so! Wow! I'm convinced! Friends of the Everglades stands with the Tribe on the issues with which they agree. We stand with Sierra, Audubon, NPCA and others when their positions makes sense and do not compromise the Everglades (which BTW- is most of the time) but this time we respectfully disagree. The EAA Reservoir must be completed without delay. The US Sugar deal should, can and will be completed either way.
Thanks Dave...
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