The appellate court just rejected Big Sugar’s absurd claim that growing sugarcane in the middle of the Everglades is somehow more important than protecting the Everglades and South Florida from toxic discharges. This ruling clears the path for the reservoir to be completed and operated as it was always intended—to clean Lake Okeechobee water and send it south where it belongs.
Capt. Daniel Andrews, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, Captains For Clean Water
This ruling doesn’t just protect the EAA Reservoir—it sets a powerful precedent that Everglades restoration projects can’t be hijacked by special interests. It makes clear that the court won’t stand for efforts to rewrite the rules in favor of polluters at the expense of Florida’s environment, economy, and way of life.
Capt. Daniel Andrews, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, Captains For Clean Water
This is a moment to celebrate, but it’s also a reminder that we must remain vigilant. Big Sugar is attacking Everglades restoration from every angle—lawsuits, land use, even mining. We’re committed to standing guard and pushing forward.
Capt. Daniel Andrews, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, Captains For Clean Water
Justice for Everglades restoration has been realized. The appellate court has further legitimized the importance of the EAA Reservoir to the restoration of America’s Everglades. The scientific and legal process has been found to be sound and accurate. On top of this tremendous result, the court determined the sugar industry’s lawsuit to be both meritless and 'strange.' We agree. The EAA Reservoir will send clean freshwater south to benefit the public’s resources that drive our economy. The Everglades Foundation is grateful for the unwavering support of Florida’s bipartisan congressional delegation who fight each year to secure funding for the Everglades.
Eric Eikenberg, Chief Executive Officer, The Everglades Foundation
This is a huge win for America's Everglades and our coastal estuaries that are dependent on the EAA Reservoir to provide restorative flows to the River of Grass and meaningful relief from damaging flows from Lake Okeechobee. Our coastal estuaries have experienced real, measurable, harm from the high-volume releases from the lake. Over the past two and half decades, the Caloosahatchee estuary and our coastal ecosystems have endured substantial impacts to seagrasses and oyster habitats and the fisheries that depend on them. These losses have also had a direct impact on our local economy. The EAA Reservoir is essential for reducing those damaging discharges to the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie estuaries and moving that water south where it is desperately needed. This ruling will allow the Corps, the State of Florida, and other state and federal agencies, to complete this project and provide the essential relief that our coastal communities are depending on.
James Evans, Chief Executive Officer, Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation
Our members and businesses depend on clean water and a healthy environment. This ruling ensures that the benefits of Everglades restoration will support sustainable tourism and resilient communities.
John Lai, President & Chief Executive Officer, Sanibel and Captiva Chamber of Commerce
