Effective use of land for water storage can benefit South Florida agriculture, business, environment and tourism. Effective use of land for water storage can benefit South Florida agriculture, business, environment and tourism.

Affected Industries

Real Estate

Quality of life and access to water are key components in making the Florida lifestyle attractive to residents and would-be residents. Florida’s growth continues to be linked to the number of people moving to the state, buying real estate, consuming goods and services and paying taxes.  The Everglades watershed (the 16 counties that comprise the Everglades watershed run from the Orlando area down to the Florida Keys) accommodates about 7 million residents and water supply sources are already pushed to the limit.  Waterfront property along the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie rivers will be easier to market to sellers as damaging releases of polluted freshwater from Lake Okeechobee will be minimized if U.S. Sugar Corp. land is acquired for Everglades restoration.

The Economics of the Everglades Watershed and Estuaries Report:
PDF Format

Boating

Boating ranks among the most popular of recreational activities in the state of Florida. With 10,000 miles of streams and rivers and nearly 8,500 miles of tidal coastline, many residents spend their leisure time on the water. The Everglades watershed (the 16 counties that comprise the Everglades watershed run from the Orlando area down to the Florida Keys) accounts for 45 percent of the state total of registered vessels according to figures compiled from a recent Florida Atlantic University (FAU) study. Boaters benefit from the opportunities provided to them from a healthy Everglades ecosystem.

The Economics of the Everglades Watershed and Estuaries Report:
PDF Format

Commercial Fishing

The Everglades watershed (the 16 counties that comprise the Everglades watershed run from the Orlando area down to the Florida Keys) creates habitat for recreational and commercial fishing for many well known species including snook and sea trout to bone fish and tarpon. A healthy Everglades Florida Bay for example is dependent on a healthy Everglades to help this area support a $59 million shrimp fishery and a $22 million stone crab fishery.

The Economics of the Everglades Watershed and Estuaries Report:
PDF Format

Construction

Without access to adequate municipal water supplies, construction activities in several major metropolitan areas within the Everglades watershed (the 16 counties that comprise the Everglades watershed run from the Orlando area down to the Florida Keys) would grind to a halt. Municipalities need to secure consumptive use permits from the South Florida Water Management District and unless there are alternative municipal water supply options, certain metropolitan areas would face a moratorium on future development and construction.

Tourism

Tourism is a key Everglades watershed industry. Tourists spent in excess of $76 billion in 2007 alone. An FAU study indicates that outdoor recreation in the Florida Bay area -- which includes bird watching, diving, sailing and recreational fishing -- contributed $4.8 billion to Miami-Dade County and $1.1 billion to Monroe County alone.

Agriculture

Agricultural irrigation accounts for the second largest use of water within the Everglades watershed (the 16 counties that comprise the Everglades watershed run from the Orlando area down to the Florida Keys). Without adequate water storage for supply in times of drought, commercial water use restrictions could be more severe and frequent, crippling the potential of water dependent industries such as plant nurseries and farms to expand and prosper.

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Statement of Support

River of Grass Coalition
River of Grass Coalition Initiative
Statement of Support
Secure Land Now for Florida’s Economy and Water Supply!

As individual citizens, businesses, community leaders, civic organizations, municipalities and trade and professional organizations, we support the River of Grass Coalition Initiative to acquire the land needed to secure clean and abundant fresh water for human and environmental needs.  

The flow of abundant clean water through the Everglades is the key to South Florida's tourist, boating, fishing and agricultural industries. Hundreds of thousands of good-paying Florida jobs depend on these industries.  Florida must act to secure the land now, while it is available from a willing seller.

We support the public purchase of U.S. Sugar Corp. land to convey, store and treat water for the Everglades.  The absence of land to move, store and treat water has limited previous Everglades restoration efforts and water supply planning.   The flow of abundant clean water through the Everglades is the key to South Florida's economy.

Over the last 20, years, we taxpayers have committed billions of dollars to Everglades restoration projects.  Our investment will now be secured by Governor Crist’s initiative.  Public purchase of the land currently owned by U.S. Sugar Corp. is the best and most cost-effective option available to ensure Florida's water and economic security.  

River of Grass Coalition
River of Grass Coalition Initiative
Statement of Support
Secure Land Now for Florida’s Economy and Water Supply!

As individual citizens, businesses, community leaders, civic organizations, municipalities and trade and professional organizations, we support the River of Grass Coalition Initiative to acquire the land needed to secure clean and abundant fresh water for human and environmental needs.  

The flow of abundant clean water through the Everglades is the key to South Florida's tourist, boating, fishing and agricultural industries. Hundreds of thousands of good-paying Florida jobs depend on these industries.  Florida must act to secure the land now, while it is available from a willing seller.

We support the public purchase of U.S. Sugar Corp. land to convey, store and treat water for the Everglades.  The absence of land to move, store and treat water has limited previous Everglades restoration efforts and water supply planning.   The flow of abundant clean water through the Everglades is the key to South Florida's economy.

Over the last 20, years, we taxpayers have committed billions of dollars to Everglades restoration projects.  Our investment will now be secured by Governor Crist’s initiative.  Public purchase of the land currently owned by U.S. Sugar Corp. is the best and most cost-effective option available to ensure Florida's water and economic security.  

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Spread the word. Tell everyone you know about the efforts of the River of Grass Coalition and encourage them to submit a statement of support. It’s easy and effective.

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