WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis held a press conference in West Palm Beach on Earth Day, where he discussed the latest upgrades for the state’s natural and environmental resources and water quality treatment.
DeSantis committed to approving $1.5 billion to support Everglades restoration and water treatment upgrades.
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He spoke from the Cox Science Center and Aquarium and was joined by Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Shawn Hamilton.
“As of January 2025, we are on track to acquire $6.5 billion in upgrades for the Everglades Restoration Project since 2019,” said DeSantis. “We needed a jolt to our Everglades and water quality, so we pledged $3.5 billion which more than doubled in the previous four years.”
“I am proud to continue making these investments in Everglades restoration and water quality that will benefit our state for decades to come,” he added. “I made a promise to Floridians that we would leave this state better to God than we found it, and we are doing that for our future and our children’s future.”
The South Florida Water Management District is also set to receive $150 million for essential upgrades to its water management system. The system serves over nine million residents with drinking water and safeguards parts of the state from potential flooding hazards.
“We as Floridians and Americans want to utilize clean waterways. I want us to enjoy it, but I don’t want to waste resources,” DeSantis said.
“The investments in water quality are the key to our survival and the governor is putting an additional $1.5 billion into its improvement, which will help millions,” said Hamilton.
DeSantis also touted that his administration dedicated the revenue from the Seminole Gaming Company to help with the Everglades Restoration Project.
“Of the $1.5 billion in funding, approximately $850 million will go towards Everglades restoration projects, including $614 million to support the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) and the Everglades Agricultural Area Reservoir. This is the largest state investment in a single year since CERP was established in 2000,” a news release from the governor’s office stated.
The funding will also include $100 million for the second phase of the C-51 Reservoir, which will support the water needs of Palm Beach and Broward counties while also reducing freshwater discharges to the Lake Worth Lagoon.
“I am proud to continue making these investments in Everglades restoration and water quality that will benefit our state for decades to come,” said DeSantis. “I made a promise to Floridians that we would leave this state better to God than we found it, and we are doing that for our future and our children’s future.”
DeSantis confirmed that the grant will go into effect on July 1.
Watch the press conference here: