Skip to main content
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Linkedin
  • Youtube
  • ASK US
Home South Florida Water Management District
  • Who We Are
    • Governing Board Chairman
    • Open Government
    • Governing Board
    • Budget & Finance Reports
    • Careers
    • Contact Us
  • Our Work
    • Flood Control
    • Water Supply Planning
    • Water Quality Improvement
    • Ecosystem Restoration
    • Python Elimination Program
    • Addressing Blue-Green Algae
    • Resiliency
  • Doing Business with Us
    • Permits
    • Right of Way Permits
    • Procurement
    • Real Estate
    • Grants/Funding Opportunities
  • Community & Residents
    • Water Conservation
    • Recreation
    • Navigation
    • Education Center
    • Everglades License Plate
  • Science & Data
    • Real-Time Data
    • Scientific Publications & SFER
    • DBHYDRO
    • Weather
    • Operational Planning
    • GIS
    • Survey Data
    • Modeling
  • News & Meetings
    • News Releases
    • Public Meetings
    • Calendar
    • Speakers Bureau
    • Photo & Video
    • Fact Sheets
  • Contact Us
  • Careers
  • Locations
  1. Home
  2. news
  3. sfwmd acquire critical everglades wetlands permanently protect lands oil drilling
  • News Releases
  • News Archive (Oct. 2009 - July 2020)
  • Fact Sheets
  • Calendar
  • Speakers Bureau
  • Photo and Video Resources
  • Public Meetings and Forums
SFWMD To Acquire Critical Everglades Wetlands, Permanently Protect Lands From Oil Drilling
bush in Everglades plain

Feb.1, 2020

SFWMD Governing Board Approves Everglades Land Purchase Option Secured by Gov. DeSantis

Today, the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) Governing Board unanimously voted to acquire approximately 20,000 acres of critical Everglades wetlands from Kanter Real Estate LLC. Governor Ron DeSantis recently announced an option agreement to acquire these lands had been reached between the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) and Kanter Real Estate LLC that allowed for the purchase of these wetlands. This land acquisition supports significant restoration efforts and protects more than 60 threatened and endangered species from the threat of oil and gas drilling in the Everglades. 

"This is a historic day for Florida's Everglades,” said Governor DeSantis. “I charged Secretary Valenstein months ago with finding a way to purchase this land to save it from oil drilling. It was a tall order, but I had every confidence we could get it done. We were able to announce the deal a few weeks ago, and today's vote means our plan can move forward. I appreciate the South Florida Water Management District Board's support and stewardship of Florida's Everglades.” 

"We did it. Gov. DeSantis secured a great deal to make this land purchase happen and the South Florida Water Management District swiftly took action to make it a reality," said SFWMD Governing Board Chairman Chauncey Goss. "He found yet another way to protect the Everglades and this Governing Board is proud to do our part by approving this investment in the heart of America’s Everglades." 

“This is what doing more for Florida’s environment looks like,” said DEP Secretary Noah Valenstein. “Our Governor just announced the deal a few weeks ago, and now these important Everglades wetlands are closer than ever to protection from the threat of oil and gas drilling. Under the leadership of Governor DeSantis, we are experiencing continued momentum for Everglades restoration and environmental projects around the state of Florida.” 

The SFWMD Governing Board formally approved the purchase of these lands at today’s Governing Board business meeting in Port St. Lucie, Florida. The acquisition represents the largest wetland purchase in Florida in a decade. 

The property is located in Water Conservation Area 3 (WCA 3) in Broward County. With this acquisition, nearly 700,000 acres in the Water Conservation Areas will be permanently protected in public ownership.

  • ASK US
  • Who We Are
    • Governing Board
    • Big Cypress Basin Board
    • Open Government
    • Public Records Request
  • Our Work
    • Flood Control
    • Resiliency
    • Emergency Management
    • Water Supply Planning
    • Water Quality Improvement
    • Ecosystem Restoration
    • Land Management
  • Community and Residents
    • Water Conservation
    • Year-Round Rule
    • Recreation
    • Educational Center
    • Volunteering
  • Doing Business with Us
    • Permits
    • ePermitting
    • Procurement
    • Real Estate
    • Cooperative Funding
    • Agriculture
    • AVATAR
  • Science and Information/Data
    • Real-Time Data
    • Water Levels
    • Scientific Publications & SFER
    • DBHYDRO
    • Weather
    • Operational Planning
    • Environmental Monitoring
    • Modeling
  • News and Events
    • News Releases
    • Meeting Agendas & Minutes
    • Calendar
    • Photo and Video Resources
South Florida Water Management District

Contact Information

3301 Gun Club Road
West Palm Beach, FL 33406

561-686-8800

800-432-2045 (Florida Only)

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Linkedin
  • Youtube
  • ASK US
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Accessibility
  • Login
  • Contact Us
  • Locations
  • Careers