South Florida Water Management District (District) Chairman Chauncey Goss released the following statement regarding the signing of the state budget for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 by Governor Ron DeSantis:

“Governor Ron DeSantis continues leading the way to protect Florida’s natural resources and advance Everglades restoration projects. Since 2019 when Governor DeSantis took office, the District has celebrated over 70 project completions, groundbreakings, and other major milestones – the most in state history,” said District Governing Board Chairman Chauncey Goss. “The Governor’s vision has been supported by our Legislature. We thank Senate President Kathleen Passidomo and House Speaker Paul Renner for matching the Governor’s commitment to our water resources. Water is the backbone of Florida’s economy and we’re fortunate to have a Governor and Legislature who understand this important connection. Restoring America’s Everglades is the world’s largest ecosystem restoration project, and we are making a measurable difference for the communities and water resources of our region.”
On his second day in office, Governor DeSantis signed Executive Order 19-12 - Achieving More Now for Florida's Environment. This Executive Order called for $2.5 billion to be invested in Everglades restoration and water quality improvements over four years and instructed the District and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to expedite South Florida Ecosystem restoration projects. During the Governor’s first term in office, Florida invested more than $3.3 billion for Everglades restoration and water quality improvements.

At the start of the Governor’s second term, he reaffirmed his commitment to conserving South Florida’s Ecosystem by signing Executive Order 23-06, Achieving Even More Now for Florida's Environment. The Executive Order called for the investment of $3.5 billion in Everglades restoration and water quality improvements over the next four years. The Focus on Florida's Future Budget includes more than $1.5 billion for this initiative, bringing the total investment during the Governor's first two years of his second term to $3.2 billion.

Florida also continues to be at the forefront of resilience planning and actively collaborates with stakeholders, local governments, and experts to develop strategies and project plans that ensure our critical flood control infrastructure can effectively adapt to changing conditions.

Everglades restoration highlights for the upcoming fiscal year include:

$614 million for Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP), including $64 million for the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) Reservoir. $50 million for the Lake Okeechobee Watershed Restoration Project (LOWRP).

$86.7 million for the Northern Everglades and Estuaries Program (NEEPP) and dispersed water storage projects.

$150 million for replacement and refurbishment projects of critical flood control infrastructure within the District’s Central & Southern Florida (C&SF) Flood Control Project - the region’s main water management system.
Media Contact:
Randy Smith | [email protected] | Office: 561-682-6197 | Cell: 561-389-3386