DeSantis approves $1.5 billion of Everglades restoration, water quality projects in budget

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Gov. Ron DeSantis held a press conference on Monday committing to signing $1.5 billion in Everglades restoration and water quality improvements in the state’s upcoming 2024-25 budget.

He also celebrated his previous work in securing funding for the state’s natural resources during his first term in office.

“I have approved another $1.5 billion for Everglades restoration and water quality improvements,” he announced.

DeSantis said when he took office in January 2019, Florida came from a period of “benign neglect” of its natural resources and environmental concerns.

“We set out a very ambitious agenda to be able to tackle these challenges, not just with Everglades, but with water quality more broadly in the state,” he said.

He added how, when he assumed office, he pledged to secure $2.5 billion in Everglades restoration in four years.

“Not only were we able to satisfy that promise, we far exceeded it,” he said. “In the first four years my first term as governor, we were able to do $3.3 billion for Everglades restoration and water quality improvements throughout the state of Florida.”

He added how at the beginning of his second term he pledged $3.5 billion by the end of his governorship.

“In our current fiscal year now, which ends June 30, this is the first since we made that promise, we did almost $1.7 billion alone, just in this current fiscal year,” he said.

DeSantis also celebrated that, as of the press conference, the state has broken ground or completed over 70 different projects relating to Florida’s natural resources since he took office.

Shawn Hamilton, secretary of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, celebrated the governor’s work in protecting Florida’s natural resources.

“The governor mentioned he made a lot of bold promises, but what’s important is that those promises have not only been kept, they have been exceeded,” he said.

Hamilton added how the communities across the the state all benefit from the investment into Florida’s natural resources.

“In order to be good stewards, to leave Florida better than we found it, it’s gonna take a collective and balanced approach to be able to accomplish those goals,” he said. “And Governor DeSantis’ vision, his leadership for the environment, has created an incredible momentum for the state.

Drew Bartlett, the executive director of the South Florida Water Management District, thanked the governor and the legislature for their leadership and willingness to protect Florida’s water resources.