Florida Audubon Society v. Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative of Florida

KHOUZAM, Judge.

The Florida Audubon Society (“Audubon”) appeals the final administrative order entered in favor of the South Florida Water Management District (“the District”) and several sugar cane growers (“the Sugar Appellees”), challenging permits that the District issued to the Sugar Appellees. Audubon argues that the permits violate the Everglades Forever Act (“EFA”). But because the permits align with the District’s permissible interpretation of the EFA, we must affirm.

I. BACKGROUND

As the record reflects, the Everglades ecosystem is one of a kind — an irreplaceable national treasure. It…