WEST PALM BEACH, Fla — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Monday that he planned to approve $1.5 billion in funding earmarked for Everglades restoration.

That funding was approved by the state Legislature in the budget for Fiscal Year 2024. 

What You Need To Know

  • Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Monday that he would approve $1.5 billion in funding for water projects and Everglades conservation

  • The funding was included in this year's state budget

  • The governor's office said part of the funds will make up the largest single-year investment in the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan

Of the funding, $850 million will go to general Everglades restoration projects, with $614 million of those funds going to the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) and the Everglades Agricultural Reservoir. 

The governor’s office notes that this is the largest single-year investment in CERP since the program was established in 2000. 

Other funds will go towards targeted water quality improvement projects ($530 million), and money for the C-51 Reservoir. ($100 million).

“I am proud to continue making these investments in Everglades restoration and water quality that will benefit our state for decades to come,” DeSantis said. “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 $1.5 billion is in addition to funding allocated in Senate Bill 1638, which earmarks Seminole Gaming Compact revenue for water quality improvement, infrastructure improvements, and continued land conservation.