A historic deal for Florida to acquire some 300 square miles of agricultural land for Everglades restoration has been ratified by water managers.

The move Monday paves the way for official negotiations on the potential $1.75 billion purchase. The South Florida Water Management District board unanimously approved the negotiation process for the district to obtain all U.S. Sugar Corp.’s land in the Everglades.

Gov. Charlie Crist announced last week that the state and the nation’s largest producer of cane sugar were close to an agreement on turning over the land for Everglades restoration.

The deal would mean the end of U.S. Sugar’s operations. Officials hope to have a final agreement by November. U.S. Sugar would then be allowed to continue farming for another six years.