LETTER TO THE EDITOR: DeSantis pledges funding for Everglades restoration and protection of Florida’s waters
To the Editor,
This week, Governor Ron DeSantis signed Executive Order 23-06 (Achieving Even More Now for Florida’s Environment), to further advance the protection of Florida’s environment and water quality.
The Executive Order directs strategic action with a focus on accountability, sound science, progress, and collaboration and includes a proposed $3.5 billion investment over four years for Everglades restoration and protection of our water resources, surpassing the historic investments of the past four years and making it the highest level of funding in Florida’s history.
South Florida Water Management District Governing Board Chairman Chauncey Goss said Governor Ron DeSantis’ Executive Order 23-06 ramps up efforts to accomplish even more to protect and restore Florida’s environment.
This week’s Executive Order builds upon the historic investment and actions taken during the Governor’s first term. Key provisions of Executive Order 23-06 include directing the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to:
• Secure an historic $3.5 billion over the next four years for Everglades restoration and protection of our water resources, including water quality and water supply.
• Prioritize the protection of the Indian River Lagoon (IRL) and secure at least $100 million annually for priority projects to improve water quality in the IRL.
• Expand the existing Wastewater Grant Program by broadening project eligibility to address impacts to water quality from nonpoint sources such as stormwater and agricultural runoff.
• 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.
• 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.
• Strengthen BMAPs, which provide a roadmap to restoring water quality and reducing pollutants, to include the specific projects necessary to meet the requisite water quality standards to achieve restoration goals.
• Ensure continued funding for statewide resilience projects through the Resilient Florida Program.
• Take all necessary steps to expedite the state’s land conservation efforts, including a strategic focus on acquisitions within the Wildlife Corridor.
The order also directs the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) to:
• Continue to expedite Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Program (CERP) projects.
• Make every effort to ensure meaningful progress on Everglades restoration projects undertaken by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), including the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) Reservoir Project.
• Work with the Corps to ensure the Lake Okeechobee System Operating Manual (LOSOM) is implemented in a manner that reduces discharges to the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee estuaries and sends more water south to benefit the environment and meet the needs of our communities.
The office of Gov. Ron DeSantis
Tallahassee
