FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 18, 2019

CONTACT: DEP Press Office, 850.245.2112, DEPNews@dep.state.fl.us

Governor DeSantis’ Bolder, Brighter, Better Future Budget Continues Historic Levels of Environmental Funding

~The budget includes recurring funding of $625 million for three years for Everglades restoration, targeted water quality improvements, alternative water supply and innovative technologies~

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today Governor Ron DeSantis released his Bolder, Brighter, Better Future budget, which continues historic levels of funding for the environment, including Everglades restoration, targeted water quality improvements, alternative water supply and innovative technologies.

DEP Secretary Noah Valenstein said, “Thanks to the Governor’s leadership, there is an environmental movement underway in Florida. This budget demonstrates the Governor’s commitment to ensuring DEP has the resources we need to protect our environment. This critical funding will allow us to continue to expedite Everglades restoration, improve water quality, conserve and manage state lands, and advance coastal resiliency.”

On Governor DeSantis’ second full day in office, he issued Executive Order 19-12 (Achieving More Now for Florida’s Environment), implementing major reforms to ensure the protection of Florida’s environment and water quality. The Governor also called for $2.5 billion to be invested over the next four years, which would amount to $1 billion more than was invested in the previous four years.

To meet this pledge, the Bolder, Brighter, Better Future budget includes recurring funding of $625 million for the next three years for water quality improvements, springs restoration, alternative water supply and Everglades restoration. This dedicated funding will ensure our ability to strategically plan and best manage our resources.

Budget highlights include:

• More than $318 million for Everglades Restoration
• $200 million for Targeted Water Quality Improvements, including:
• $10 million for Coral Reef Restoration
• $15 million for protection of the Apalachicola, St. Johns and Suwannee Watersheds
• $50 million for Springs Restoration
• $40 million for Alternative Water Supply
• $20.8 million for Innovative Technologies that address harmful algal blooms; increased Water Quality Monitoring; and support for the Blue-Green Algae Task Force and the Office of Environmental Accountability and Transparency
• $154 million for Florida Forever and Florida State Parks
• $8.5 million for Resilient Coastlines and Coral Reef Protection
• $50 million for Beach Restoration

About the Florida Department of Environmental Protection

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is the state’s principal environmental agency, created to protect, conserve and manage Florida’s environment and natural resources. The department enforces federal and state environmental laws, protects Florida’s air and water quality, cleans up pollution, regulates solid waste management, promotes pollution prevention and acquires environmentally sensitive lands for preservation. The agency also maintains a statewide system of parks, trails and aquatic preserves. Visit the department’s website at https://floridadep.gov/

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/FLDEP/bulletins/26cbc91