South Florida Water Management District Report: April 2009

Governor Crist Announces Reduced Version of U.S. Sugar Acquisition Plan

On April 1, Governor Crist announced a proposal to revise the framework for acquiring land owned by the United States Sugar Corporation for Everglades restoration. Although the goal of purchasing 180,000 acres remains, the initial purchase has been reduced to 72,500 acres carrying a price tag of $533 million. It was reported by the South Florida Water Management District that this change is a result of financial advisement to the District after reviewing current and forecasted economic conditions.

Under the new proposed plan, the District has the option to acquire the remaining 107,500 acres within the first 10 years after the initial purchase. During this time period, U.S. Sugar may entertain offers on parcels that are part of the 107,500 acres and the District must match the offer or lose the option to purchase the parcel(s).

The initial purchase includes 32,000 acres of citrus and 40,500 acres of sugarcane. The acreage is divided up between several counties with 43,000 acres in Hendry County, 26,000 acres in Palm Beach County and 3,500 acres in Glades County. The proposed initial purchase acres are shown in dark green (or dark shading if in black and white) on the map on page 2.

Land lease rates are now $150/acre in the new proposal versus the initial plan that had rates set at $50/acre for the first six years and no fee for year seven. The new lease rates are for a period of ten years. If the District elects not to proceed with acquisition of remaining lands after ten years, the U.S. Sugar lease extends for an additional ten years at market rates.

Governing Board Member Paul Huck Resigns
In a move that was no real surprise to board meeting observers, Governing Board member Paul Huck tendered his resignation to Governor Crist on April 2 due to continued personal conflicts. Mr. Huck’s attendance to board functions has been very sparse since his appointment last year.

Mr. Huck’s seat is solely for someone residing in Miami-Dade County. The board now has two seats vacant. The second seat was occupied by Mr. Bubba Wade who resigned last June in conjunction with the initial announcement of the acquisition plan to purchase U.S. Sugar Corporation. Mr. Wade’s seat has historically represented the agriculture communities around Lake Okeechobee.

A third seat presently being held by Melissa Meeker expired on March 1. The Governor has yet to act on this appointment. Ms. Meeker is seeking reappointment for this seat.

Florida Farm Bureau is actively seeking potential applicants with strong business skills that understand the needs and importance of agriculture to Florida. Please contact me and I can provide additional information regarding the board districts and the application process.

South Florida Water Supplies Dipping to Critical Levels
Lake Okeechobee’s level dove below 12 feet last week and is presently at 11.81 feet NGVD. Although this is 1 ½ feet higher than the stage to date last year, overall water supplies across south Florida are less than in 2008 due to the much lower levels in the water conservation areas which supply water to the urban areas of the lower east coast.

Salinity levels in public water supplies along the east coast are rising with the reduced hydrologic pressure. Several wells monitored by the United States Geological Survey are also at critically low levels.

Although Lake Okeechobee is the bellwether instrument for south Florida water supply, one must look holistically at water levels throughout south Florida to make decisions regarding water use. It is for this reason that Florida Farm Bureau continues to oppose the environmental release of water to the Caloosahatchee River to mitigate salinity levels for grass beds.

Weather Prognosticators Predict Continued Dry Pattern
Florida’s dry season runs from the end of the tropical season by the first of December and runs until the summer afternoon thunderstorms begin to be a regular occurrence around the first of June. Factors including the surface water temperatures in the equatorial Atlantic and Pacific oceans have a measurable influence on when our wet season begins as well as the consistent pattern of rainfall during the wet season.

Based on this data, NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center has developed the following 3 month precipitation probability map that shows much below normal rainfall through mid-June