DeSantis attends opening ceremony for Everglades stormwater treatment area

By Owen Girard

Published Jan. 25, 2024, 2:45 p.m. ET | Updated Jan. 25, 2024

Gov. Ron DeSantis at ribbon ceremony for Everglades Agricultural Area Stormwater Treatment Area cell, Palm Beach County, Fla., Jan. 25, 2024. (Video/DeSantis' office)

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Gov. Ron DeSantis attended a ribbon cutting ceremony for the reservoir stormwater treatment area that is part of a major Everglades restoration project.

The event celebrated the filling of the first cell in the 6,500 acre Everglades Restoration Area. The stormwater treatment zone will store and clean water from Lake Okeechobee, before it is moved south to help replenish the Everglades.

“The EAA Reservoir is the crown jewel of Everglades restoration, ensuring that we are sending water south and reducing harmful discharges into our waterways,” DeSantis said.

“The opening of this stormwater treatment cell is a key milestone in the EAA Reservoir project and will help ensure the health of the Everglades for generations to come,” he added.

DeSantis announced the construction launch of the treatment area in April 2020, 12 months ahead of schedule. The zone has two remaining cells that are expected to be filled by summer 2024.

“The EAA Reservoir is a critical component of Everglades restoration and Governor DeSantis has led the charge on getting this project done,” said Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Shawn Hamilton.

“Restoring America’s Everglades is one of the most ambitious hydrological restoration projects ever undertaken and will restore the natural flow of clean water south to where it’s needed most,” he added.

South Florida Water Management District Board Chairman Chauncey Goss said that the ceremony marked a “new dawn of hope” for the Everglades.

“The EAA Reservoir Project is coming to life, and we owe a great deal of gratitude to Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature for the leadership to make today possible,” Gross said.

“Water is the backbone of Florida’s economy, and the EAA Reservoir and STA is a cornerstone project that reduces damaging discharges that harm our coastal communities while providing fresh, clean water to America’s Everglades and Florida Bay,” he added.

“We’re lucky to have a Governor and Legislature who understand this important connection,” Gross continued. “With more than 65 ribbon cuttings, groundbreakings and major milestones on Everglades projects under our belt since Governor DeSantis took office, we are making a measurable difference for the communities and water resources of our region.”

The governor’s office explained that throughout his time in office, DeSantis has issued billions of dollars for Everglades restoration programs, including an additional $1.1 billion in his latest budget proposal.