Land Use & Sustainability

Unsustainable land use practices continue to be a major threat to the environment.

A recent study finds that if Florida maintains its current development pace, roughly 7 million acres will be converted to urban use by 2060. Of these lands, 2.6 million acres of native habitat, an area the size of Vermont will be lost.

ELC utilizes litigation and advocacy to advance sustainable land use and protect the greater Everglades ecosystem. Our work seeks to increase the connectivity of Lake Okeechobee to the Southern Everglades by challenging incompatible uses in the Everglades Agricultural Area (such as mining and intense industrial development), challenging major developments that threaten water quality and wildlife habitat in the Kissimmee River basin, and challenging land uses and land use changes that would serve as obstacles to implementation of Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) projects. We advocate for innovative and effective use of regulatory tools to reduce pollution, protect the Everglades ecosystems and advance restoration.

We vigorously oppose attempts by local governments to weaken their land use regulations and move their urban service boundaries. We support local governments seeking to improve their land management programs and oversight practices to minimize water pollution and protect community health. We seek to hold local governments accountable that fail to comply with critical water quality and stormwater management laws.

Land Use News

Picture of Rivergrass Village area

A Win For Better Growth Management

The Second District Court of Appeal (DCA) confirmed the Conservancy of Southwest Florida’s legal right to present evidence at the Circuit Court level against the ...
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everglades canal

We’re Fighting to Protect Smart Growth in Miami-Dade County

On December 2, long-time South Miami-Dade County resident Dr. Nita Lewis petitioned the state for a formal administrative hearing to review the Board of County ...
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live oak over creek

ELC Files Brief to Protect Everglades Lands from Improper Development

On April 7, 2022, ELC filed an amicus curiae “Friends of the Court” brief in Florida’s Third District Court of Appeal in opposition to the ...
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everglades trees

ELC Files Brief to Protect Comprehensive Planning and Everglades Restoration

ELC represented Tropical Audubon Society and Friends of the Everglades in filing an amicus curiae “Friend of the Court” brief in Florida’s Second District Court ...
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kayak at lake worth lagoon

Economic Valuation of Lake Worth Lagoon

The Everglades Law Center (“ELC”) is a nonprofit law firm that has long used advocacy, policy development, and litigation to protect and sustain South Florida’s ...
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everglades flowers

ELC Comments to the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners regarding proposed expansions to the Urban Development Boundary

Letter Opposing Application #7 Letter Opposing Application #8
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everglades fog

ELC Comments to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service regarding planned State Road 7 Expansion in western Palm Beach County and its potential impacts to the endangered Everglade Snail Kite

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live oak over creek

ELC Comments on Expanding Krome Avenue in Rural Miami-Dade County

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