Posted on April 24, 2024
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed a bill to enforce environmental protection and restore the water quality.
DeSantis held a news conference in West Palm Beach on Monday, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the environment and water quality and the massive improvements made in restoration during his tenure.
He mentioned that nearly 70 environmental projects have either been completed or are nearing completion.
The approval coincides with the governor’s promise to allocate $3.1 billion toward environmental efforts in the Everglades since taking office.
He then announced that his administration is on track to exceed the $3.1 billion goal and hopes to reach the $6.5 billion project goal by the end of his term in January of 2027.
“We as Floridians want to utilize natural resources, and it’s great that people take annual trips here to visit the beaches and fish,” said DeSantis. “We don’t waste resources and take them away from future generations.”
The $1.5 billion will be available for use starting July 1.
DeSantis then listed how the finding will be used:
- $850 million will be used for Everglades-specific projects
- $100 million will be used for the second phase of the C-51 reservoir, supporting the water needs of West Palm Beach and Broward counties
- $530 million for target water improvement projects, reducing harmful nutrients in Florida waterways
- $45 million for Biscayne and Caloshatchee rivers in Southwest Florida
Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Shawn Hamilton attended the news conference.
He spoke about how valuable it is to preserve and ensure resources for future generations to utilize.
Hamilton then championed DeSantis on his efforts to accelerate the time spent investing in the environment and the number of projects completed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
