Court upholds continuation of 'Alligator Alcatraz' program

The Aligator Alcatraz detention facility, situated in the world-famous Everglades of Florida, has been given temporary permission to continue its operations. This decision comes after a 2-1 ruling by the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Judge Barbara Lagoa, appointed by President Donald Trump, wrote the majority opinion, stating that the construction and use of the Aligator Alcatraz detention facility do not constitute a major federal action. As a result, the National Environmental Policy Act's requirements for an environmental assessment or a full-bore environmental impact statement would not apply to this facility.

The detention activities at the site are funded and operated by the state of Florida. The ruling put on hold a trial judge's order that Florida should halt further construction and begin taking down the facility. Lagoa's statement implies that the detention facility is not considered a "major federal project."

However, it's important to note that the Governor of Florida responsible for the establishment of the Aligator Alcatraz prison is not mentioned in the available information. The current governor is Ron DeSantis, but there is no record of such a prison under his administration or any other recent governor of Florida.

The majority of the panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reasoned that the detention facility is a state project not subject to a federal environmental law. The court's decision suggests that the detention facility is temporarily allowed to continue operation, contingent on the court's ruling.

This ruling has sparked debate and concerns about the environmental impact of the detention facility, particularly in the sensitive Everglades ecosystem. The future of the Aligator Alcatraz detention facility remains uncertain as the court's decision is appealed or further legal action is taken.