Betty Parker is a freelance writer specializing in politics. Her column appears Saturday in The News-Press and on news-press. news-press/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2013307130015 Ads not all sweet TV ads and postcards from groups supporting Florida’s sugar industry and recent legislation involving Florida’s Everglades have gotten plenty of attention lately, but not everyone is as happy as the ads make it sound. (Page 2 of 3) Some fliers from Florida Sugar Farmers talk about how the industry is “saving the Everglades” and working with others as “partners in restoration.” Another that came out recently from “Everglades Forever Partnership” praised Rep. Matt Caldwell, R-Lehigh Acres, for his work on Everglades restoration and says farmers, government and environmentalists are working together “to restore the Florida Everglades.” Eric Draper, a leader with Florida Audubon is quoted on that flier like this: “... bringing together the sugar growers and the environmental groups …” Draper said this week the quote doesn’t make sense, and he doesn’t know how it was obtained. He compliments Caldwell for work he did on the bill involving the Everglades — the bill that’s been the topic of ads and public debate — but Draper said he objects to the ads’ references to “Everglades restoration.” “The bill is about complying with a court-ordered plan,” that helps clean up water pollution caused by farming before the pollution is released into the ecosystem, Draper said. “That is not Everglades restoration” and it does little, if anything, to help water quality in the Caloosahatchee River. Restoration involves additional and complex issues including water flow patterns, he said. While the bill, controversial even among some environmental groups for not going far enough, is considered by others to offer some improvement, it’s not a final or complete restoration plan, he said.
Posted on: Sat, 13 Jul 2013 10:47:44 +0000
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