Brian Mast Vs. Randy Perkins On Repairing Our Rivers

Press Release

Everglades Trust has joined Bullsugar and endorsed Brian Mast for Congress.

They said: "Brian Mast believes that saving the Indian River Lagoon is a non-negotiable priority. Upon taking office, Mast will lead the Congress for its share of the project and supports Senator Joe Negron's plan to move excess water from Lake Okeechobee to a reservoir south of the lake. He is a proud signer of the Now Or Neverglades Declaration. Like us, Brian Mast knows it's #NowOrNeverglades."

Brian Mast is the only candidate in this race who has the full support of those who want to repair our rivers. It is imperative that our next Congressman from District 18 makes this a top priority, like Brian does. Not only does Randy Perkins oppose Senator Joe Negron's plan to send the water South of Lake Okeechobee, he is personal friends with Big Sugar executives who also oppose the plan to help repair our rivers. He even said, "We've done a lot of work for those mills", referencing his work with Bob Coker and the Fanjuls.

Additionally, Brian Mast Signed The "Now Or Neverglades" Pledge And Supports The Negron Plan To Reroute Water South. Randy Perkins Opposes Both. "The sugar industry has been reluctant to sell its land south of Lake Okeechobee, which is integral to a proposal to reduce discharges east to the St. Lucie River and west to the Caloosahatchee River. Mast supports the plan by state Sen. Joe Negron, R-Stuart, to buy 60,000 acres to build a reservoir and reroute the water south to the thirsty Everglades. The state and federal governments would pitch in $1.2 billion each, so it would be crucial for the next Treasure Coast representative to push for the plan in Congress. The plan still needs to clear the state Legislature next year, and Florida Crystals owns most of the land Negron identified… Perkins didn't sign the declaration, according to the group. He said he doesn't support Negron's plan and sees very little chance of it clearing the Legislature." (Isadora Rangel, "Brian Mast and Randy Perkins battle over who's closer to sugar industry," TCPalm, 10/12/16)

Source