A positive step forward.
That's what many in the Glades Community call the dramatic change to the Florida State Senate's plan to solve the algae crisis.
Gone is the plan to buy 60,000 acres south of Lake Okeechobee.
Senate President Joe Negron's new plan proposes to use 14,000 acres of land the state already owns to reduce harmful discharges.
JP Sasser of Pahokee says the original proposal would have been detrimental to farmland. "This is why we exist."
He also wants people to know he's not opposed to a south reservoir.
"What we're opposed to is taking another 60,000 acres," says Sasser.
He says hes cautiously optimistic about Sen. Negron's new plan.
Clewiston Mayor Mali Gardner says the priority should still be the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan authorized by Congress in 2000.
"I don't think we need bills or amendments to get the work done that needs to get done," says Gardner.
Negron's changes would cost around $1.5 billion.
