Released by Governor Ron DeSantis’ Office …
President Trump Signs Federal Budget With $200 Million for the Everglades Requested by Governor DeSantis, Senator Rubio and Senator Scott
Tallahassee, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis applauded President Donald Trump for securing $200 million for Everglades restoration in the federal budget that the President signed into law yesterday. Since taking office, Governor DeSantis has championed historic investments in Everglades restoration and water quality to protect Florida’s precious natural resources. Earlier this year, Governor DeSantis joined Senator Marco Rubio and Senator Rick Scott in asking President Trump to include $200 million for Everglades restoration in his federal budget.
The $200 million federal appropriation secured by President Trump for South Florida Ecosystem Restoration is a $130 million increase in Everglades restoration funding from last year. This important funding advances critical Everglades restoration projects including the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) Reservoir Project, which will help reduce harmful discharges to the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie estuaries and send more water south.
“President Trump has followed through on his promise to deliver for Florida and America’s Everglades,” said Governor DeSantis. “This investment in Everglades restoration will build on our efforts at the state level for critical projects like the EAA Reservoir, the Caloosahatchee Reservoir and the C-44 Reservoir and Stormwater Treatment Area. I look forward to continuing to work with the President and our local, state and federal partners on preserving and restoring Florida’s environment.”
“It is a great day for the Everglades and for all Floridians,” said Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Noah Valenstein. “Thanks to the leadership of President Trump and Governor DeSantis, this federal appropriation coupled with unprecedented state funding will allow us to expedite Everglades restoration, improve water quality and reduce harmful discharges to the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee estuaries.”
“Restoring America’s Everglades is critical to the ecological and economic health of South Florida,” said South Florida Water Management District Governing Board Chairman Chauncey Goss. “That’s why we joined Governor DeSantis earlier this year to urge federal lawmakers to fully fund Everglades restoration and help save our famed River of Grass. Coupled with the Governor’s record-setting state budget proposal, federal funding secured by President Trump will advance some of the most critical Everglades restoration projects including the Caloosahatchee Reservoir and the EAA Reservoir Project. Thank you to Governor DeSantis, Senators Rubio and Scott, and the entire Florida Congressional Delegation for championing America’s Everglades in Washington. It is a great day for the Glades.”
Governor DeSantis’ Fiscal Year 2020-2021 Bolder, Brighter, Better Future budget proposal builds on the state funding success of the past year and will complement the budget signed into law by President Trump. The Governor’s budget proposal includes more than $625 million in recurring funding for Everglades restoration and the protection of vital water resources, positioning Florida to be able to reach the Governor’s goal of investing $2.5 billion in state dollars over four years. Included in the more than $625 million investment is more than $322 million for Everglades restoration projects, $150 million for water quality improvements, $50 million for springs restoration and more than $22 million to combat the harmful effects of algal blooms and red tide.
The federal-state partnership to jointly fund Everglades restoration is critical to protecting Florida’s unique environmental character, preserving the state’s full economic potential and enhancing the resilience of every community south of Lake Okeechobee.