A new Executive Order signed by Governor Ron DeSantis builds on the momentum for environmental protection in Florida and brings additional resources to accelerate Everglades restoration and water quality projects.
On January 10, 2023, Gov. DeSantis signed Executive Order 23-06 (Achieving Even More Now For Florida's Environment) to enhance efforts to expedite restoration projects. The Executive Order calls for a record-setting $3.5 billion over four years to protect water resources and restore America's Everglades. These funding levels will advance Everglades restoration projects on an expedited schedule and support the most ambitious water quality improvements in Florida's history.
Did you know the District, together with our federal, state and local partners, continues to fast-track key projects that are improving the quantity, quality, timing and distribution of water to the Greater Everglades Ecosystem?
More than 50 Everglades projects have been completed, broken ground or hit a major milestone since January of 2019. These projects are making a measurable difference for water quality and the ecological health of South Florida's natural resources.
The District is committed to working together with our partners to implement Executive Order 23-06 and continue this unprecedented progress for the people and the environment of South Florida. These efforts include:
- Continuing to expedite the EAA Reservoir Project and all other Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) projects,
- Advancing water storage and treatment north of Lake Okeechobee, and
- Advancing targeted projects to improve regional water quality.
Building out water infrastructure projects helps to curb harmful releases from Lake Okeechobee, send more clean water south to the Everglades and Florida Bay, provide water to communities, support healthy salinity levels in our estuaries, and ensure the resiliency of the regional flood control system.
We encourage you to follow SFWMD on our social media channels for the latest news on Everglades restoration and updates on our continued momentum.