Crucial victory: “SFWMD Advocates State’s Rights, Wins in Federal Court.”

“These activist groups attempted to use the courts as an end-around to usurp the rights of the Florida citizens”
—SFWMD Governing Board Chairman Dan O’Keefe.


Atlanta, GA — The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) this week experienced a crucial victory in court to protect the right to representation in lawsuits that will impact the use of water in South Florida.
     The 11th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals upheld a lower court’s decision to dismiss a lawsuit filed more than a decade ago by several environmental activism groups including the Florida Wildlife Federation and the Conservancy of Southwest Florida.

and. . .

     These water supply releases are controlled by SFWMD as well as the associated water management system along the river. Any resolution would impact that system and the residents that depend on it. SFWMD attorneys also showed that not only must SFWMD be a party in the lawsuit, but enjoys sovereign immunity from suit in such proceedings in federal court.

and. . .

     “These activist groups attempted to use the courts as an end-around to usurp the rights of the Florida citizens,” said SFWMD Governing Board Chairman Dan O’Keefe. “State residents deserve to be represented by their state agencies in matters that will impact their tax dollars and their lives. They deserve better than special interest groups trying to manipulate the federal court system to force their will on Floridians without their representation.”