BONITA SPRINGS, Fla. – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced future plans for improving and restoring Florida’s waterways, including the Everglades.
The governor was joined by Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Shawn Hamilton, Chief Resilience Officer Dr. Wes Brooks and Chief Science Officer Dr. Mark Rains at Coconut Jack’s Waterfront Grille.
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DeSantis announced an executive order laying out future plans for Florida’s water quality and restoration of the Everglades. Over the last four years, the governor said $3.3 billion went into the projects and he is seeking $3.5 billion for the next four years. The plan is subject to Florida Legislature approval.
“So we now have since, since our efforts we’ve been able to expedite projects and so more than 50 Everglades restoration projects have either been completed, broke ground or hit a major milestone in the last four years and so the pace has been great. And we want to make sure that we’re keeping it up,” he said.
On Jan. 10, 2019, the governor signed the executive order Achieving More Now For Florida’s Environment to first address Florida’s dirty waterways.
DeSantis also said the state plans to establish an Indian River Lagoon protection program and $100 million for projects to improve water quality.
Today, I signed an executive order to build on our historic conservation efforts by:
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) January 10, 2023
- Securing $3.5 billion for Everglades and water resources
- Restoring the Indian River Lagoon
- Strengthening coastal resiliency
- Conserving land for future generations pic.twitter.com/O7WFH8UWK6
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