Released by Governor Ron DeSantis’ Office …
Tallahassee, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis commended President Donald Trump for including $250 million for South Florida Ecosystem Restoration (SFER) in his budget request to Congress for Fiscal Year 2021. This comes after Governor DeSantis recently sent a letter to President Trump requesting that he include $250 million in his request to Congress to build on last year’s $200 million in federal Everglades restoration funding.
“President Trump understands that restoring Florida’s Everglades is critical to the economic growth and well-being of our state,” said Governor DeSantis. “This $250 million in federal funding, combined with more than $300 million of state funding for the Everglades in my recommended budget, will help us achieve our long-term environmental goals. The ball is now in Congress’s court to grant the President’s request so we can continue our efforts of restoring one of America’s most prized natural resources.”
“The Everglades are not only a pivotal part of Florida, but a one-of-a-kind treasure of the United States,” said Noah Valenstein, Secretary of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. “Thank you, President Trump, for exemplifying environmental dedication at the national level and for providing federal support that will expand our efforts to protect Florida’s water quality. I look forward to extending our initiatives past state lines and working with the President and Governor DeSantis to continue defending America’s Everglades.”
“Under Governor DeSantis’ leadership, there is historic momentum for Everglades restoration in both the Sunshine State and Washington,” said Drew Bartlett, Executive Director of the South Florida Water Management District. “$250 million in federal dollars coupled with the Governor’s $625 million request for Everglades restoration and water quality will continue to expedite critical restoration projects including the EAA Reservoir Project. The continued strong partnership between the federal government and the DeSantis Administration is bringing meaningful progress to restoring America’s Everglades.”
For a PDF copy of Governor DeSantis’ letter to President Trump, click HERE.
For a PDF copy of President Trump’s request to Congress, click HERE.