DeSantis signs bill investing in red tide mitigation, celebrates expansion of wildlife corridor
NAPLES, Fla. – Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation on Tuesday investing more funds into red tide mitigation and research.
He also celebrated the expansion of Florida’s wildlife corridor.
“HB 1565, this is gonna continue our red tide mitigation and technology and development initiative,” DeSantis said. “It was set to expire this year, this removes the expiration date.”
“We’re going to continue to deploy innovative technologies to curb harmful algal blooms, like red tide, on our beaches and on our coastline,” he added.
He also announced that he would be signing, as part of the fiscal budget, $20 million towards innovative technologies combatting red tide and algal blooms, as well as over $22 million for red tide research, management and mitigation.
“So we will have now invested in both blue-green algae and red tide mitigation, over $125 million since January 2019,” he said.
Rep. Michael Grant, R-Port Charlotte, sponsored the legislation, and Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota, filed the Senate version.
The governor also explained the advantages of Florida having its wildlife corridor and how it benefits both animal species and humans.
The corridor includes a series of connected tunnels, pathways and land, allowing for various creatures to travel from one side of forests and wilderness, to the other.
“If they go over the road they can get hit by the cars. It’s dangerous for the motorist and for the wildlife,” he said. “So now they go underneath [highways] so they connect on the other side of the road.”
He added that when the state builds more crossings and pathways for animals, it notably reduces the number of vehicle collisions with wildlife.
Shawn Hamilton, the secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection, thanked the governor for his work to combat red tide in the state, as well as his work to fight for Florida’s natural resources.
“Florida is a national leader in land conservation,” Hamilton said. “We’ve had great success over the years, we’ve had great programs, but I’ll tell you know, the momentum that we’re seeing under our conservation governor is unlike anything that I have ever seen.”
The bill is set to go into effect on July 1.
