On October 3, 2019, The Governor’s office announced that Florida Crystals Corp. voluntarily terminated its controversial lease with the State for sugar 
farmlands needed to build a reservoir project to curb Lake Okeechobee discharges. The lease termination is an important step in meeting the expedited construction schedule for the reservoir project.
Getting the land — over 6,000 acres in southwest Palm Beach County that will be used for a stormwater treatment area. The land lease would have expired in April 2021.
“The important STA component of the EAA Reservoir Project will treat and send more clean water south to the Everglades,” South Florida Water Management District Executive Director Drew Bartlett said in the news release. “We look forward to working closely with the Corps to expedite federal permits so we can immediately begin site preparation work.”
Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Governor Ron DeSantis, the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced the early termination of the Florida Crystals Lease for the stormwater treatment area (STA) component of the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) Reservoir Project.
On Monday, September 30th, the Florida Crystals Corporation sent a letter voluntarily terminating its lease on lands needed to expedite completion of the EAA Reservoir Project. The termination of this lease on the STA footprint is an important step as it is critical for the necessary access for site preparation and will allow the District to meet its expected construction schedule.
“Less than 48 hours after taking office, I charged the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and South Florida Water Management District with expediting critical Everglades restoration projects because we cannot afford to wait,” said Governor DeSantis. “Today’s news is an important step forward in expediting construction of the EAA Reservoir Project and reducing the harmful discharges hurting our coastal estuaries. The EAA Reservoir Project will continue to be a top priority of my administration.”
“Getting the EAA Reservoir Project built and operational is a top priority, and this termination means we can continue to expedite this critical project,” said SFWMD Executive Director Drew Bartlett. “Thanks to Governor DeSantis and the Florida Legislature, construction of the STA is fully funded. The important STA component of the EAA Reservoir Project will treat and send more clean water south to the Everglades. We look forward to working closely with the Corps to expedite federal permits so we can immediately begin site preparation work.”