Florida, U.S. Sugar land deal on the line

The cost of a $1.34 billion Florida land deal with U.S. Sugar Corp. could reach $3.4 billion once interest on loans has been figured in, a state official said.

The South Florida Water Management District board was to vote on the deal that would tie in 180,000 acres of natural water flows between Lake Okeechobee and the Florida Everglades.

Since the deal was first discussed last summer the state’s revenue projections have dropped and a rival bidder for the land, The Lawrence Group, has increased its lobbying efforts.

The Lawrence Group said it would sell land to the state for environmental restoration and keep sugar production going in the area, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported Tuesday.

The dialog between the group and a water board member has even gotten sultry.

I remember once going to a dance with one girl and leaving with another, district board member Charles Dauray said to investor Gaylon Lawrence Jr.

Well, I would love to be your partner, Lawrence said.

Gov. Charlie Crist appealed to the water board to see the deal to with U.S. Sugar to completion, The Miami Herald reported. The historic nature of this moment cannot be lost, Crist wrote..