From the desk of our Executive Director, Eve Samples, your Voice of the Everglades update:
A high-stakes vote is scheduled this Thursday before the Palm Beach County Commission — one that could forever alter the landscape south of Lake Okeechobee and undermine the future of Everglades restoration.
Two industrial sugarcane corporations — U.S. Sugar and Florida Crystals — have joined forces with engineering firm Phillips & Jordan to seek approval for an 8,600-acre rock mine in the Everglades Agricultural Area. They’re peddling it as a “water resources project” and are seeking approval to mine limestone before the impacts on the Everglades have been evaluated.
Southland didn’t emerge through normal channels. Like the recent sneak attack on Florida’s state parks, it was quietly orchestrated behind the scenes by politically connected private interests with ties to Gov. Ron DeSantis. Both were made possible by a state law passed in 2024 that allows government agencies to award contracts for “unsolicited public-private parnerships,” a loophole tailor-made for backroom deals.
But we the people won the state parks battle — and we can defeat Southland, too. Thousands of Floridians, from across the political spectrum, have already spoken out against this scheme.
We need your voice now. Email Palm Beach County commissioners and tell them to OPPOSE the Southland rock mine. We also invite you to show up at the commission meeting at 1 p.m. Thursday at 301 N. Olive Ave. in West Palm Beach to give public comment.
Southland isn’t just a bad idea environmentally, it’s a fundamental betrayal of public trust.
