GOVERNOR CRIST UNVEILS HISTORIC PLAN TO
REVIVE THE RIVER OF GRASS
Background
On June 24, 2008, Governor Charlie Crist announced that the South Florida Water Management District would begin negotiating an agreement to acquire as much as 187,000 acres of agricultural land owned by the United States Sugar Corporation for Everglades restoration. Acquiring the enormous expanse of real estate offers water managers the opportunity and flexibility to store and clean water on a scale never before contemplated to protect Florida's coastal estuaries and to better revive, restore and preserve the fabled River of Grass.
On December 16, 2008, following extensive negotiations, due diligence and public deliberation, the South Florida Water Management District's Governing Board voted to accept the negotiated proposal to acquire at least 180,000 of land for $1.34 billion, contingent upon financing.
On April 1, 2009, after gathering key input from the public, legislators and South Florida's communities and recognizing the nation's current economic climate, Governor Charlie Crist shared details of a revised strategy to achieve this historic acquisition. The revised approach incorporates today's fiscal realities by saving $800 million at closing, providing ready access to strategically located acreage for restoration projects and preserving thousands of jobs. more >
Northern Everglades
Reviving the River of Grass
Everglades Forever
On April 1, 2009, after gathering key input from the public, legislators and South Florida's communities and recognizing the nation's current economic climate, Governor Charlie Crist shared details of a revised strategy to achieve this historic acquisition. The revised approach incorporates today's fiscal realities by saving $800 million at closing, providing ready access to strategically located acreage for restoration projects and preserving thousands of jobs. 
