South Florida Water District Seeks to Lease Out 'Protected' Everglades Land

Despite $197 million spent on environmental protection, it looks like more business-as-usual down in the Everglades.

Is anyone really surprised?

After funneling tax dollars to U.S. Sugar to buy 26,800 acres, ostensibly to save them, South Florida Water Management Districts board has agreed to explore leasing out almost 18,000 of those acres to citrus growers or other ag operations, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported Thursday.

The agency said apparently unforeseen cash-flow problems prompted the move, which could give bidders at least five years to use the property.

Yep, former Gov. Charlie Crist's Big Sugar boondoggle just keeps giving, and giving.