U.S. Appeals Court to hear oral arguments about Alligator Alcatraz

COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. (WINK)—The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals will hear oral arguments Tuesday regarding a preliminary injunction to halt construction and operations at a detention center known as "Alligator Alcatraz" in Big Cypress National Preserve.

The lawsuit, led by Friends of the Everglades and the Center for Biological Diversity, argues the facility violated the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and threatens fragile surrounding ecosystems. The lawsuit also claims that the state failed to conduct a proper environmental study.

The hearing stems from U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams' Aug. 21 order granting the injunction to halt construction and begin winding down operations at the facility. The order marked a major victory for environmental groups who believe Florida's imperiled wildlife and ecosystems are threatened by the detention center.

Friends of the Everglades, the Center for Biological Diversity, and the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida won the preliminary injunction.

Federal and state defendants then appealed, and the appellate court paused the district court's injunction for the duration of the appeal. The facility has continued operating since the August ruling.

Tuesday's arguments will inform the appellate court's decision on whether to uphold the preliminary injunction while the conservation groups and the Tribe proceed to trial.

WINK News spoke with Eve Samples months ago about the case. She is the executive director of Friends of the Everglades.

"It's not just about the detention center that has caused environmental harm and not followed the law out in the middle of the Everglades," Samples said. "It's also a litmus test for this fundamental environmental law, the National Environmental Policy Act that we sued under."

Samples said every day the facility is open, the Everglades' fragile ecosystem is being harmed, but she does believe they have a winning case. 

“This facility, which is causing harm to the Everglades, will ultimately be shut down," Samples said. "We believe that there's compelling evidence for that outcome to occur.”

Wink News plans to reach out to Friends of the Everglades after the hearing.