Big Sugar no more?

In a move that is simply mindblowing in its proportions, U.S. Sugar just announced that it is willing to sell 187,000 acres to the state of Florida for $1.75 billion for Everglades restoration. This would encompass the vast tracts of sugar cane south of Clewiston towards Alligator Alley, and if the deal goes through, would mean the end of sugar production in Clewiston: a staggering economic blow to this historic community, which, if it takes a full five years, could be mitigated in part by working with residents to ramp up ecotourism. Once again, when restoration is complete, Clewiston and South Bay would have the Everglades at their doorstep.  As a avid “Big O” hiker, I’ll be watching this one closely!  I found this breaking story in Florida Trend  (from the St. Petersburg Times)