What a difference a year makes. Twelve months ago, state and federal officials brazenly ignored our most fundamental environmental laws to build a mass detention center on hallowed ground in the Everglades.  They dubbed it “Alligator Alcatraz” and slapped the name on t-shirts and stickers. It was always more political stunt than public policy — and it totally backfired. “Alligator Alcatraz” was a failure by every measure: the massive waste of taxpayer dollars; the harm to the Everglades; the disregard for Miccosukee tribal lands and lives; the insult to Big Cypress National Preserve, which encircles the site. It’s been said that national parks were America’s best idea … “Alligator Alcatraz” was one of its worst. The legal action we filed [...]

If we’ve learned one thing since “Alligator Alcatraz” was built on hallowed ground in the Everglades last summer, it’s this: We can’t take government assertions about the detention center at face value.  “Aligator Alcatraz” was planned in secret.  Built in secret.  And, for more than 10 months, it has operated in secret — on sensitive swampland encircled by Big Cypress National Preserve. “Alligator Alcatraz” was built in the footprint of the most recent congressionally authorized Everglades restoration project, the $2 billion Western Everglades Restoration Project, with zero regard for the threat to that taxpayer investment. The secrecy continues now, following reports that the facility is slated to close. On May 7, The New York Times broke the news that [...]