PALM BAY, Fla. – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis held a news conference in Palm Bay, where he announced significant funding aimed at enhancing water quality and conservation efforts across the state.
Joined by Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Alexis Lambert and South Florida Water Management Board Chairman Chauncey Goss, the governor emphasized the importance of preserving state treasures like the Everglades and the Indian River Lagoon.
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Funding for the program will be provided by the Seminole Tribe. In total, $389 million in grants are aimed at improving water quality and supply throughout Florida, including $189 million for water quality improvement grants, $55 million for alternative water supply projects, and $100 million for the Indian River Lagoon Protection Program.
“These investments support our communities and support our larger Everglades restoration projects,” DeSantis said.
The governor also noted that the selected projects would help upgrade wastewater facilities, convert septic systems to sewer, and reduce harmful runoff.
Lambert highlighted the targeted restoration efforts in key waterways, particularly the Indian River Lagoon, where Florida has invested $500 million in community-led projects.
“Collectively, these efforts are projected to remove more than 1.3 million pounds of nitrogen and more than 11,000 pounds of phosphorus annually,” said Lambert.
