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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 BqIbtSh/t7MJ8p6aQVwW6ejHoJfDymwq17ILAnloE+mkBk3/R8WWSXXUyrP03kMT
 HxbLDW5HNRWZCQ/xRrJ1oQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001116502-09-000007.txt : 20090105
<SEC-HEADER>0001116502-09-000007.hdr.sgml : 20090105
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20090105171955
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001116502-09-000007
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20081231
FILED AS OF DATE:		20090105
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20090105

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			DONN MICHAEL R SR
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001266596

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-25663
		FILM NUMBER:		09506636

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		6103 SE BLACK OAK LANE
		CITY:			STUART
		STATE:			FL
		ZIP:			34997

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ECOSPHERE TECHNOLOGIES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001071760
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	CONSTRUCTION, MINING & MATERIALS HANDLING MACHINERY & EQUIP [3530]
		IRS NUMBER:				650841549
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			FL
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3515 S E LIONEL TERRACE
		CITY:			STUART
		STATE:			FL
		ZIP:			34996
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5612874846

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3515 S E LIONEL TERRACE
		CITY:			STUART
		STATE:			FL
		ZIP:			34996

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	ULTRASTRIP SYSTEMS INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19990311
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>x1-55791_ex.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-12-31</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001071760</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ECOSPHERE TECHNOLOGIES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ESPH.OB</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001266596</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>DONN MICHAEL R SR</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>3515 S.E. LIONEL TERRACE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>STUART</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>FL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>34997</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Chief Operating Officer</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-12-31</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>80000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>174800</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Represents restricted stock that was granted in lieu of a cash bonus.  The shares vest six months following the date of grant
 subject to continued employment with Ecosphere.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Not Applicable</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Michael R. Donn, Sr.</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-12-31</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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