It never stops: the action by private corporations and their shareholders to squeeze the maximum value from lands, historic Everglades, in the Everglades Agricultural Area. They wanted cities and suburbs, but the overdevelopment they helped to promote and agitated for, by knocking down regulations, intimidating regulators and thwarting enforcement, helped contribute to the worst housing and construction crisis since the Depression. Now they want an "inland port" in the middle of lands they know are essential for restoring water flow to the Everglades, public lands they have polluted with decades of sugar production.
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http://www.evergladesfoundation.org/article2.php?id=324
'Inland port,' Fanjul land change get Palm Beach County's initial OK despite environmental objections
Palm Beach Post
By MITRA MALEK
Monday, April 13, 2009
WEST PALM BEACH — County commissioners this afternoon gave initial approval to two land-use changes that could allow an industrial complex to be built near the southern end of Lake Okeechobee.
Palm Beach County is competing with several other counties to be chosen as the location for an "inland port" that would be a warehousing and distribution center serving South, Southwest and Central Florida's seaside ports, including the Port of Palm Beach.
"We can get into the posture where we are at least facing the possibility of having an inland port if all the stars align," County Commissioner Shelley Vana said.
Both votes were 6-1, with Commissioner Karen Marcus dissenting. Environmentalists had urged the commissioners to delay, saying the changes threaten to hamper Everglades restoration.
Today's action could give Florida Crystals Corp. a leg up in becoming the spot of choice.
Commissioners voted to allow 318 acres of the sugar powerhouse's farmland near South Bay to be used for industrial development. They also changed the county's land use plan to create an industrial designation for nearly 100,000 acres surrounding and including Florida Crystals' land.
"We are in fact favoring one landowner today," said County Commissioner Jess Santamaria, whose district includes the land in question.
Environmentalists urged commissioners to wait until the South Florida Water Management District completes its scaled-back purchase of 72,500 acres from U.S. Sugar. The debate had echoes of a similar controversy a year earlier, in which the commissioners overrode environmental groups' objections to approve more than 10,000 acres of rock mines south of the lake.
Marcus dissented in part over similar concerns today, calling the vote "premature."
But several commissioners said they trusted that the port wouldn't be built if it will cause restoration problems.
"We are for Everglades restoration, but we also are for economic development," Commissioner Burt Aaronson said.
A port would create jobs in the Glades that are sorely needed, said South Bay Commissioner Linda Johnson.
"The Glades needs economic stimulation. Period," Aaronson said.
About 20 residents from South Bay, Belle Glade and Pahokee showed their support by wearing shirts that read: "Save our jobs, Save our Community, Inland port in the Glades."
"I'm tired, tired of everything coming around us," said Belle Glade resident Barbara King Pittrell. "We want to grow too.
Both land-use changes now goes to the state's Department of Community Affairs for review, before commissioners can make them official after holding a final public hearing in August.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/fl-inland-port-jobs122109-20091220,0,6146330.story
Florida Crystals has no right to alter the Everglades Agricultural Area for industrial commercial use on such a huge scale. Nor do they have the right to build a railroad along US 27 to service this remote muck based site, or use public funds for this purpose - and neither does the FDOT. This needs to be stopped at once. Palm Beach commissioners are being completely unrealistic, once again. I guess it is time for the holiday parties and how many commissioners are attending their Crystals benefactor's events...
Why is it I don't get invited to posh fanjul events?
The Fanjuls and their family members are textbook examples for how to control elected officials to get very rich.
The Fanjuls will do anything to maintain their wealth. Pay workers $1 per day? Check. Permanently damage the Everglades? Check.
We never read EOM give examples of how things may be done better. How would you guys work this out?
All you do is complain, complain, complain, yet don't give any reasonable solutions.
Merry Christmas!
I recommend capping all campaign contributions at $100. Max. Personal and corporate. With prison sentences for violators.
Let's focus on the Port of Palm Beach Commissioners. Anyone heard about the problems on the Palm Beach Princess? (the only cruise ship in town small enough to leave from the Port of Palm Beach). Hint hint to the FBI, with all the fun investigators have been having with the PBC and City of Miami Commissioners, the PORT commissioners handing such a decision to the Fanjuls should make finding something fishy pretty easy.
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