On March 7, 2025, Everglades Law Center sent the following letter on behalf of Friends of the Everglades to the Palm Beach County zoning director urging Palm Beach County to hold off on approving the controversial Southland mining project in the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA). The letter points out that the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) hasn’t finished its review of the project, which is required before the County can consider it a legitimate water resource initiative.
Even though Southland is claiming SFWMD has already given them the green light, that’s not the case—so far, the District has only taken the very first step in its evaluation process, and a final decision could take a year or more. Until there’s a formal agreement in place, the project’s impacts on water management, Everglades restoration, and surrounding infrastructure remain unclear.
Friends of the Everglades is asking the County to pump the brakes and avoid any premature approvals that could set a risky precedent for future mining projects disguised as water projects in this sensitive area.
To read the full letter, use the button below.
