Today, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), broke ground on the crown jewel of Everglades restoration, the reservoir component of the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) Reservoir Project. This project is the most important Everglades restoration project for reducing harmful releases to the estuaries and sending more clean water south to the Everglades. Read more to see what officials and stakeholders are saying:

“I applaud the leadership of Governor DeSantis in expediting and advancing vital Everglades restoration projects like the EAA Reservoir Project and the commitment of our partners at the South Florida Water Management District and the U.S. Army Corps,” said DEP Secretary Shawn Hamilton. “We look forward to our continued progress as we work together on projects to move water south, reduce harmful discharges and improve water quality.”

“Today’s celebration not only symbolizes the significant forward progress of Everglades restoration to achieve a more natural balance to this unique ecosystem but celebrates and honors all those that have remained steadfast to the vision of a more resilient tomorrow for the tribal lands, the people of south Florida and the fish and wildlife of the Everglades,” said Adam Gelber, Director, Office of Everglades Restoration Initiatives, U.S. Department of the Interior.

“With Governor DeSantis leading the charge, Everglades restoration is a keystone resilience program for the state of Florida,” said Chief Resilience Officer Dr. Wes Brooks. “The EAA Reservoir is a critical lynchpin to enhancing Florida’s ability to better manage precious water resources for the benefit of the greater Everglades ecosystem and so many communities across the region. And because of our robust partnerships and historic momentum that has made project groundbreakings like this increasingly common, South Florida is poised to thrive for decades to come.”

“Today my constituents and friends in Martin County and the Treasure Coast won an enormous environmental victory," said Former Florida Senate President Joe Negron. "The days of ruinous discharges from Lake Okeechobee will soon be a relic of the past.” 

“Today’s groundbreaking marks the beginning of a new era for Everglades restoration,” said Eric Eikenberg, CEO of The Everglades Foundation. “Decades of collaboration and planning between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the South Florida Water Management District now turn to action as the Corps begins construction of the EAA Reservoir. This is the most impactful of all the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan projects. It will provide the necessary storge to reduce harmful discharges to our coastal estuaries and send much needed clean water south to the Everglades and Florida Bay.”

“Audubon was thrilled to attend the groundbreaking for one of the most impactful Everglades restoration projects to date,” said Julie Wraithmell, Executive Director of Audubon Florida and Vice President of the National Audubon Society. “As the crown jewel of the Comprehensive Restoration Plan, this reservoir and stormwater treatment area will send billions of gallons of water south, restoring the ecosystems of the Everglades and Florida Bay, all while improving the health of Lake Okeechobee and the northern estuaries.”

“Our community of supporters across the country is celebrating this momentous occasion," said Capt. Daniel Andrews, Executive Director of Captains For Clean Water. "Following Governor DeSantis’ bold leadership to expedite the STA, we applaud the Army Corps’ diligence to break ground on the EAA Reservoir—the keystone project of the largest ecosystem restoration project in the world. Countless groups and individuals work tirelessly to drive Everglades restoration forward, and today, our efforts are rewarded as we get to celebrate this shared win for clean water and America’s Everglades.”

"The EAA Reservoir is a critical component in the restoration of America's Everglades," said Rob Moher CEO of the Conservancy of Southwest Florida. “Every year, Florida’s west coast suffers from the effects of excessive lake discharges, which result in devastating impacts to our environment, economy and quality of life. The reservoir will reduce damaging discharges in to the Caloosahatchee Estuary from Lake Okeechobee by holding, storing and sending more clean water south where it is much needed. We applaud the South Florida Water Management District for continuing to advance important Everglades projects at an accelerated pace.”

“The EAA Reservoir Groundbreaking is a momentous occasion that has been in the making for over 23 years, and as farmers, we are proud to have had a supportive and collaborative seat at the table throughout its inception and now implementation,” said Jake Fojtik, Assistant Director of Government & Community Affairs of the Florida Farm Bureau Federation. “Farmers look forward to continued progress in restoring South Florida’s ecosystem, while providing food security for our state and nation’s safe, abundant, and affordable food supply. Thank you to the District and Corps, and our leaders in Jacksonville, Tallahassee, and Washington for helping make today a reality.”

“What a great day to celebrate progress on Everglades restoration. This groundbreaking for the EAA Reservoir proper puts us that much closer to moving more clean water to south to help Florida Bay, our coastal estuaries, and the Everglades proper – all of which are essential for healthy fisheries and the waters and habitats that support them,” said Jim McDuffie, President and CEO of Bonefish & Tarpon Trust. “BTT appreciates Governor DeSantis and the Florida Legislature prioritizing and funding this key restoration project and our Congressional delegation and federal partners to ensure matching federal efforts.” 

“The EAA reservoir is the keystone of Everglades Restoration and a critical tool in reducing damaging discharges from Lake Okeechobee to our coastal communities,” said James Evans, CEO of the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation. “We thank Governor DeSantis for making the EAA Reservoir a top priority and the South Florida Water Management District and Army Corps for making it a reality.”

The EAA Reservoir Project is a joint Everglades restoration project between the USACE and the SFWMD. The SFWMD is constructing the stormwater treatment area, which is a 6,500-acre treatment wetland that will allow more water to flow south into the Everglades. The treatment wetland is scheduled to reach completion this year. The USACE is constructing the reservoir, which will be 10,500-acres with 240,000 acre-feet of storage. This project will capture, store, treat and deliver more clean water to the Everglades and Florida Bay, where it is needed, while protecting the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee Estuaries from harmful and damaging releases from Lake Okeechobee.