October 30, 2003
Judge jilts Jeb!
Jeb and the sugar industry managed to get the long-serving judge who was overseeing the court ordered Everglades cleanup fired, figuring that they'd do better with someone less familiar with the case. Oops...
A federal judge agreed with environmental groups and an Indian tribe Wednesday to appoint an expert to monitor Everglades pollution cleanup, in a defeat for the Bush administrations in Washington and Tallahassee.Posted by Norwood at October 30, 2003 08:50 AMGovernment agencies and politically powerful sugar growers vigorously objected to the appointment of a special master to consider whether an 11-year-old Everglades restoration pact is being violated or will be soon.
"To delay action would be irresponsible," U.S. District Judge Federico Moreno said in an order issued after business hours. The special master "will offer additional assurance that the Everglades cleanup will proceed in a timely and efficient fashion."
An environmental lawyer will be named in two weeks to supervise all sides, examine the science, monitor cleanup construction projects and report to the court.
