CLEWISTON, FL — August 9, 2005 — In spite of a hurricane season that wreaked havoc on the system, Florida sugar farmers continued to greatly reduce the phosphorous in the water leaving their farms. Farmers’ Best Management Practices (BMPs) reduced phosphorus by 59%, well above the 25% reductions required by the 1994 Everglades Forever Act and above their 10-year average of greater than 50% reductions.

“Even under the extreme weather conditions of the past year, sugar farmers have been able to maintain phosphorus reductions more than twice what is required. That’s further proof that our Best Management Practices are making a real difference in water quality,” said Judy Sanchez, Director of Corporate Communications.

The water quality issues in Lake Okeechobee that were exacerbated by the hurricanes and the above average rainfall this season have made the farmer’s work even more difficult than in past years. Phosphorus in the lake water has averaged more than 250 parts per billion since January this year.

Phosphorus levels in Lake Okeechobee water continue to increase, creating unforeseen problems for the restoration efforts south of the Lake. Pointing to the quality of water farms receive from the Lake, Sanchez said, “It’s like trying to run a marathon with a ball and chain holding you down.”

Yet, farmers continue to work hard at the BMP program, not just to meet the 25% requirements, but to get the water clean as quickly as possible. “The farmers’ BMP program is one of the success stories in Everglades restoration. It is working twice as well as expected. And, the South Florida Water Management District’s stormwater treatment areas (STAs) are also performing better than designed,” Sanchez said.

“This is good news for Everglades restoration,” said Robert Coker, Senior Vice President, Public Affairs. “For more than a decade, the farmers’ efforts have been producing cleaner water for the Everglades and as additional restoration projects are completed, the ecosystem should continue to improve.”

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