If The Palm Beach Post were correct in its false claim that Florida's governor and environmental agencies are "betraying" the Everglades ("Give Everglades guardian," July 14, and "Short Everglades leash," July 26), then Congress would be right to renege on its promise to finance the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Project. Sugar farmers strongly disapprove of that outcome.

The environmental lobbyists from Florida who went to Washington this spring and summer to stir up political mud prior to the 2004 presidential election may, however, get their way. Members of Congress may pull the plug, and who would blame them? The Washington Post's series on the project a year ago already had sowed considerable doubt on Capitol Hill about the project. Most representatives care more about the rivers, lakes and mountains in their own districts than they do about restoring another million acres of wetlands in Florida to match the existing 1.5 million acres of pristine Everglades.

Now, Floridians are telling Congress not to trust the governor they just reelected. What else can Congress do but believe them? The environmental lobbyists had the power to let this genie out of the bottle, but it remains to be seen whether they can stuff it back in and save the CERP financing. These critics are so blinded by their hatred of the sugar farmers that they will sacrifice anything to get revenge. Even the restoration of the Everglades.