Sugar worker unions are adding their voice to opponents of a $2.4 billion reservoir south of Lake Okeechobee.
Groups like the Sugar Labor Management Committee and Florida State Council of Machinists refer to the reservoir as a “job killer” in a letter to lawmakers.
But Everglades Trust executive director Kimberly Mitchell says any talk about major job loss is unfounded.
“Number one, the exact location has not been identified. So, to suggest that any jobs would be lost is conjecture and feeding fear.”
Senate President Joe Negron says the project is needed to deal with massive toxic algae blooms.
A Senate committee on Tuesday passed a bill setting a December, 2018 deadline to buy land from willing sellers. But sponsors say the legislation is likely to change and they're promising incentives to offset any economic losses.
