Five state agencies weighed in on proposed development plans in the Greater Everglades area expressing serious concerns ranging from environmental issues to state resources.
State officials are currently considering a development project in Hendry County. The proposed area sits south of Lake Okeechobee—amidst land owned by sugar companies that could be used for Everglades’ restoration.
Environmentalists and some business owners on the east and west coasts of the state have expressed concerns. Mostly, they are worried this could possibly jeopardize future land purchases used to drive water south.
For the most part, state agencies asked to comment on the proposed plan agree.
Rae Ann Wessel with the Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation said she had concerns the plan did not spell out the development’s impact and how it could be mitigated.
“Part of what we felt was really fundamental here is that there are some overriding public interests and state investment issues,” she said. “So, I wasn’t really surprised but I was really heartened that these issues were raised.”
Last week, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the South Florida Water Management District, the Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council, the Florida Department of Transportation and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission all submitted comments to the Department of Economic Opportunity, which will have the final say.
Each agency recommended the current plan not move forward.
Among the many concerns raised were water supply issues, transportation issues and effects on wildlife. According to the FWC’s comments, wildlife at risk in the area include the Audubon’s crested caracara, the Eastern indigo snake and the federally endangered Florida panther.
