The fight over the Florida Everglades in the 2013 legislative session was shorter than expected.
Instead, the sugar industry, environmentalists and lawmakers agreed on the latest plan to restore the "River of Grass."
It defuses what could have been a battle over who pays for the $880 million project. Audubon of Florida Executive Director Eric Draper, said the deal gives restoration efforts a dedicated funding source for ten years longer.
"It looked like we were going to have a big public food fight about the Everglades, and then legislative leadership said, 'Don't have a big fight about this. Sit down and work out your differences and come to us with a bill that you can agree with.'", Draper said.
Brian Hughes, a spokesman for the sugar farmers who dominate Everglades agriculture, also praised the bill. The deal unanimously passed a key Senate committee Thursday and the full House on Friday.
