FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 31, 2017
GOV. SCOTT’S “FIGHTING FOR FLORIDA’S
FUTURE” BUDGET FIGHTS TO
PROTECT FLORIDA'S ENVIRONMENT FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Governor Rick Scott’s “Fighting for Florida’s Future” Budget recommends
$3.9 billion to protect and enhance Florida’s environment. The Governor’s
investments will provide a direct benefit to Florida’s environment by improving
water quality, enhancing water supplies, protecting the state’s natural lands
and waterways, and restoring beaches. The “Fighting for Florida’s Future”
Budget recommends continuing Florida’s significant investments in Everglades
restoration, springs protection projects, and Florida’s award-winning state
park system.
Governor Scott said, “Florida is proud to be
home to the nation's most beautiful natural resources, from our freshwater
springs and sandy white beaches to the iconic Everglades. Our environment is
important to our families, our economy and our way of life, and I am committed
to ensuring our natural and water resources remain protected long into the
future. Last year, I signed the Legacy Florida bill to ensure our children and
grandchildren will continue to enjoy these valuable resources, and I’m proud to
continue to build on our commitment to protecting Florida’s environment by
investing nearly $4 billion through the ‘Fighting for Florida’s Future’ Budget.”
Governor Scott’s “Fighting for Florida’s Future”
Budget includes:
-
$225 million for Everglades restoration – Last year, Governor Scott signed the Legacy Florida bill,
ensuring a dedicated source of funding for Everglades restoration and
springs protection projects. His “Fighting for Florida’s Future” Budget
goes over-and-above that commitment by recommending $225 million to
benefit the iconic Everglades ecosystem. This includes significant
investments in key restoration projects, including: $32 million in recurring state funding
that is part of the Governor’s $880 million Everglades water quality plan; $140 million for the completion of
state’s portion of the C-44 reservoir, and the continued investment in the C-43
reservoir, which will together provide 75 billion gallons of water storage east
and west of Lake Okeechobee once complete; and $53 million for other
Everglades restoration projects.
-
$111 million for beach restoration and
renourishment – This is the highest amount of funding
for Florida’s beaches since Governor Scott took office. Recognizing the
importance of well-nourished and maintained beaches for the environment,
economy and way of life, Governor Scott is recommending funding to protect,
preserve and restore Florida’s world-renowned beaches and dune systems. This
includes $61 million to help communities recover from damages impacting their
beaches during this past hurricane season. This is in addition to the $15.8 million in state
funds for emergency beach restoration projects Governor Scott announced last week. Governor Scott is also proposing $50
million to fully fund Beach Restoration and Nourishment Project requests
submitted to DEP’s Beach Management Funding Assistance Program for the upcoming
fiscal year. This funding will be used to restore and maintain critically
eroded beaches across the state.
-
$100 million for alternative water
supply projects – These
projects are essential to ensuring a clean and safe supply of water for
Florida’s natural resources and growing population. Funding will be focused on
critical needs through working with water management districts, local
communities and established regional water supply partnerships.
-
$65 million for springs restoration and
protection projects – Surpassing
last year’s record investment of $50 million, Governor Scott is recommending a
historic investment of $65 million in springs restoration and protection
projects. This funding will build on the state’s investment of $135 million
over the past four years, which has been leveraged with local match funding for
a total investment of more than $267.8 million to protect
Florida’s famous springs for future generations.
-
$60 million for Indian River Lagoon and
Caloosahatchee Cleanup Initiative – The funding includes $40 million for a 50/50
state matching grant program with local communities affected by algal blooms
that the region experienced last year. This voluntary program will provide
funding to encourage residents to move from septic tanks to sewer systems in
order to curb pollution that is currently entering these water bodies. Additionally,
this proposal will support local communities to help build wastewater systems
to meet the increased demand for wastewater services. Funding also includes $20
million for muck dredging and other capital improvement projects needed to
improve water quality and reduce sources of pollution in these waterways.
-
$50 million for Florida State Parks – This funding includes $40 million for
facility improvements for Florida’s award-winning state park system, which
welcomed a record 31 million visitors last year. This includes an additional $4
million for ADA projects focused on making parks more accessible to all
visitors, and $6 million for other projects important to the maintenance and management of state parks.
-
$55 million for land acquisition – The budget recommends $10 million
for the acquisition of key projects identified as of part of the Florida
Forever program, an additional $5 million for acquisition dedicated to the
protection of the Florida Keys, and $10 million for the Florida Communities
Trust program. It also proposes $30 million for land acquisition to advance the
Northern Everglades restoration effort, which will help reduce harmful
discharges to the downstream estuaries, improve water quality in Lake
Okeechobee and benefit the water supply for Floridians and the state’s natural
resources.
-
$22.2 million for Wastewater
Treatment Facility Storm Preparedness grant program – Following a series
of sewer overflows that occurred during Hurricanes Hermine and Matthew,
Governor Scott directed DEP to investigate the overflows and identify
underlying causes and potential solutions. This funding will allow DEP to
provide grants to local governments and utilities to promote better storm
preparedness and prevent future overflows. The Wastewater Treatment Facility Storm Preparedness grant program
will offer up to a 75 percent state matching grant with local communities and
will be dependent on the size of the facility, with smaller facilities being
eligible for a higher level of matching assistance.
“Through the ‘Fighting for Florida’s Future Budget,’ Governor Scott continues
to make historic investments in our state’s many natural treasures and the
communities surrounding them," said DEP Secretary Jon Steverson. "Florida’s unique environment is known across the
globe and helps attract millions of families to our state each year. DEP looks
forward to continuing to work each day to preserve and protect these natural
resources for future generations to enjoy.”
“It’s exciting to see the recommended funding for
septic-to-sewer projects,” said Eric Draper, executive director of Audubon Florida.
“We hope these funds will provide an incentive to local governments to
address water pollution from septic tanks.”
“The Nature Conservancy appreciates Governor Scott investing in projects that
are important to improving water quality and helping to protect and restore
some of Florida’s most treasured natural places" said Temperince
Morgan, executive director of The Nature Conservancy in Florida.
“Through this budget,
Governor Scott continues to demonstrate that investing in water supply and wastewater projects is vital to the long-term sustainability and
reliability of Florida’s water and wastewater infrastructure, the
health of its communities and the environment,"
said Gary Williams, executive director of Florida Rural Water Association.
"Our coastal communities and local governments are most
appreciative of Governor Scott’s budget commitment to sustaining and repairing
Florida’s beaches. It is further evidence of his recognition and appreciation
of the economic importance of healthy beaches to tourism, storm damage
reduction, and our quality of life," said Deborah Flack, president of Florida Shore & Beach Preservation Association. "FSBPA’s members are further grateful to the Governor for raising
awareness of the need to proactively preserve our beaches. His budget
commitment of over $111 million for supplemental hurricane damages and increased
traditional program funding make him a true champion on behalf of Florida’s
beaches."
“We're grateful to
Governor Scott for his commitment to Florida State Parks, including a focus on
increasing accessibility for all visitors to enjoy the best state parks in the
nation,” said Paula Russo, president of Friends of Florida State Parks.
“We commend the Governor
for his commitment to continuing to support and grow Florida’s famous network
of greenways and trails, especially in small communities,” said Joe Beckham,
president of Florida Greenways and Trails Foundation.
“We are pleased that this
year’s budget will enable significant improvements to the accessibility of our
state parks so that more individuals will be able to enjoy their beauty and
recreational opportunities,” said David C. Jones, president of Florida
Disabled Outdoors Association. “FDOA looks forward to continuing to work with Florida
State Parks on inclusion for all individuals in their pursuit for outdoor
recreation.”
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