Everglades Law Center is pleased to announce that, on behalf of client National Audubon Society, it has secured a settlement with Cameratta Companies to resolve Audubon’s lawsuit against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service challenging the federal agencies’ review and approval of a Clean Water Act permit for the Kingston development north of Audubon’s Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. This agreement provides for improved conservation outcomes and water quality, the restoration of additional private property and its protection under easement, support for corridors for endangered Florida panthers to move safely across the landscape, and a return to Audubon of easements across its property within two years—thus eliminating the risk of an evacuation route through the Sanctuary.
“While habitat loss remains a serious threat in Southwest Florida, this agreement secures meaningful conservation and mitigation measures that will support Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary and reduce impacts on downstream regional habitat,” said ELC Staff Attorney Francesca DiJulio.
“This settlement advances important conservation goals by supporting the acquisition of additional lands for restoration and conservation adjacent to the Sanctuary, and by creating new opportunities for wildlife corridor protection,” said ELC General Counsel Ansley Samson.
“Audubon is grateful to the extended ELC team for this excellent result on behalf of Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. We entered into this challenge with the goal of benefitting Corkscrew’s habitat, wildlife and the larger watershed, and that’s exactly what this talented team delivered,” said Julie Wraithmell, Audubon’s Florida Director.
ELC deeply appreciates the expert staff at National Audubon, Audubon Florida, and Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, all of whom were instrumental in supporting this litigation and settlement from start to finish. We also thank our indispensable co-counsel and ELC board member, Richard Grosso, Esq.
Read the Joint Media Statement from Audubon and Cam7-Sub, LLC below.