DeSantis Signs Executive Order Pledging $3.5 Billion Over Four Years for Everglades Conservation

BONITA SPRINGS (FLV) – Gov. Ron DeSantis announced he is signing an Executive Order directing strategic action with a focus on accountability, sound science, progress, and collaboration to include a proposed $3.5 billion investment over four years for Everglades restoration and protection of Florida’s water resources.

This investment surpasses the historic investments of the past four years and making it the highest level of funding in Florida’s history.

DeSantis said this will “ensure we continue our historic momentum and conserve Florida for future generations.”

In addition, they will identify projects to expedite water quality restoration in the Indian River Lagoon and work with legislature to expand wastewater protection program.

“We need to leave Florida to God better than we found it,” he said.

“I’m also just glad that we can come back here four years to the day of our initial opening salvo when I first became Governor, and be able to say promises made, promises kept,” said DeSantis.

In addition, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will coordinate with the Department of Economic Opportunity to improve local government long-term comprehensive planning to encourage successful and sustainable growth while protecting natural resources.

They will work to ensure that all wastewater facilities discharging to waterbodies within a basin management action plan (BMAP) area or waterbody not attaining water quality standards upgrade to advanced wastewater treatment by 2033.

The plan will also continue the efforts by the Blue-Green Algae Task and Harmful Algal Bloom Task Forces, along with the red tide emergency grant program and creation of a similar blue-green algae grant program to support state and local government response efforts.

“Under Governor DeSantis’ leadership and with the support of the Florida Legislature, the state has taken unprecedented steps to effectively address our most pressing environmental issues,” said Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Shawn Hamilton.

DeSantis said Florida would not see record tourism and a large budget surplus had it been made a “Fauciville” during COVID.

“That would not have been possible, you know, if we had turned Florida into a Fauciville! It would not have been possible,” he explained.

DeSantis said he previously secured over $3.3 billion in funding for everglades restoration and protection of water resources since fiscal year 2019-2020.

More than 50 everglades restoration projects have hit a major milestone in the last four years, the governor said.