They cut our time short, dismissed our concerns, and approved Big Sugar’s rock mine—the real fight to save the glades begins NOW.
Yesterday, Palm Beach County Commissioners embarrassed themselves, approving Big Sugar’s Southland rock mine in a 6-0 vote, despite overwhelming public opposition and expert testimony urging delay.
Mayor Maria Marino, Vice Mayor Sara Baxter, Gregg Weiss, Joel Flores, Marcia Woodward, Bobby Powell Jr., and Maria Sachs made it clear that public concern over the controversial project was irrelevant. They ignored the facts and refused to let the proper process play out; one specifically designed to protect the public and the environment.
This process includes comprehensive evaluations by agencies like the South Florida Water Management District, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection—agencies tasked with assessing the risks to water quality, wetlands, flood control infrastructure, and endangered species.
By rushing to approve this massive industrial mine without those reviews, the commission sidestepped critical safeguards and approved a project without fully understanding its consequences—consequences that could derail Everglades restoration, jeopardize our drinking water, and increase toxic discharges to the coasts.
It was clear from the beginning that the board had already made up their minds prior to the hearing. Each commissioner acknowledged receiving 6,000–7,000 emails from concerned residents and recognized the large turnout of individuals and organizations prepared to speak.
Despite this overwhelming public interest, they opened the hearing by cutting the standard three-minute public comment period down to just two minutes per speaker—applying the same restriction even to legal and scientific experts who are typically given additional time to present critical information.
When our experts requested extra time to share their deep concerns about the 40-year industrial mining operation, the board refused. Their responses came across as dismissive, even belittling.
Still, our community showed up in force. Supporters and dozens of partner organizations delivered high-impact, impassioned testimony—squeezing every second of meaning into their restricted time.
For hours, we raised red flag after red flag: threats to water quality, risks to Everglades restoration, and more.
Yet the board offered minimal real deliberation. What little discussion did occur following our testimonies felt scripted and superficial, as if the outcome had already been determined.
The approval seemed inevitable—not because the project made sense, but because of the political weight behind it.
In Palm Beach County, Big Sugar’s influence is undeniable, and this vote served as another example of commissioners prioritizing powerful special interests over public good.
When Big Sugar says “jump,” this commission doesn’t hesitate to ask, “how high?” Don’t bite the hand that feeds you, right?
Full stream of the commission meeting. Rock Mine agenda item begins at 1:28:00; testimony begins at 2:24:30.
This broken system isn’t just bad politics, it’s a direct threat to everything we’ve fought to protect: our waters, our communities, Florida’s economy, our way of life, and America’s Everglades.
But this fight is far from over. It’s only just begun.
At Captains, we hold decision-makers accountable when their actions put Florida’s future at risk. Yesterday’s vote was unacceptable, and it sent a shockwave through the clean water movement. We’re going to be shining a light on the corruption that’s greased this project along, and there’s going to be some elected officials who aren’t going to like it a whole lot.
So, stick with us and stay strong against this rock mine. Our next move is already in motion. And when the time comes, we’ll need you.
As you head into this weekend, enjoying time on the water and honoring those who’ve fought for our freedoms, remember: those freedoms include the right to clean water, healthy ecosystems, and the ability to enjoy the outdoors without harm. These rights are worth protecting and there are people in power making decisions that threaten them.
Thank you for standing with us in the trenches. Your support in this fight matters.
They cut our time short, dismissed our concerns, and approved Big Sugar’s rock mine—the real fight to save the glades begins NOW.
Yesterday, Palm Beach County Commissioners embarrassed themselves, approving Big Sugar’s Southland rock mine in a 6-0 vote, despite overwhelming public opposition and expert testimony urging delay.
Mayor Maria Marino, Vice Mayor Sara Baxter, Gregg Weiss, Joel Flores, Marcia Woodward, Bobby Powell Jr., and Maria Sachs made it clear that public concern over the controversial project was irrelevant. They ignored the facts and refused to let the proper process play out; one specifically designed to protect the public and the environment.
This process includes comprehensive evaluations by agencies like the South Florida Water Management District, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection—agencies tasked with assessing the risks to water quality, wetlands, flood control infrastructure, and endangered species.
By rushing to approve this massive industrial mine without those reviews, the commission sidestepped critical safeguards and approved a project without fully understanding its consequences—consequences that could derail Everglades restoration, jeopardize our drinking water, and increase toxic discharges to the coasts.
It was clear from the beginning that the board had already made up their minds prior to the hearing. Each commissioner acknowledged receiving 6,000–7,000 emails from concerned residents and recognized the large turnout of individuals and organizations prepared to speak.
Despite this overwhelming public interest, they opened the hearing by cutting the standard three-minute public comment period down to just two minutes per speaker—applying the same restriction even to legal and scientific experts who are typically given additional time to present critical information.
When our experts requested extra time to share their deep concerns about the 40-year industrial mining operation, the board refused. Their responses came across as dismissive, even belittling.
Still, our community showed up in force. Supporters and dozens of partner organizations delivered high-impact, impassioned testimony—squeezing every second of meaning into their restricted time.
For hours, we raised red flag after red flag: threats to water quality, risks to Everglades restoration, and more.
Yet the board offered minimal real deliberation. What little discussion did occur following our testimonies felt scripted and superficial, as if the outcome had already been determined.
The approval seemed inevitable—not because the project made sense, but because of the political weight behind it.
In Palm Beach County, Big Sugar’s influence is undeniable, and this vote served as another example of commissioners prioritizing powerful special interests over public good.
When Big Sugar says “jump,” this commission doesn’t hesitate to ask, “how high?” Don’t bite the hand that feeds you, right?
Full stream of the commission meeting. Rock Mine agenda item begins at 1:28:00; testimony begins at 2:24:30.
This broken system isn’t just bad politics, it’s a direct threat to everything we’ve fought to protect: our waters, our communities, Florida’s economy, our way of life, and America’s Everglades.
But this fight is far from over. It’s only just begun.
At Captains, we hold decision-makers accountable when their actions put Florida’s future at risk. Yesterday’s vote was unacceptable, and it sent a shockwave through the clean water movement. We’re going to be shining a light on the corruption that’s greased this project along, and there’s going to be some elected officials who aren’t going to like it a whole lot.
So, stick with us and stay strong against this rock mine. Our next move is already in motion. And when the time comes, we’ll need you.
As you head into this weekend, enjoying time on the water and honoring those who’ve fought for our freedoms, remember: those freedoms include the right to clean water, healthy ecosystems, and the ability to enjoy the outdoors without harm. These rights are worth protecting and there are people in power making decisions that threaten them.
Thank you for standing with us in the trenches. Your support in this fight matters.