Florida Gains Control Over Key Everglades Restoration Projects
MARCO ISLAND, Fla. — In a significant development for environmental restoration, Florida has secured an agreement with the U.S. Department of the Army to lead crucial parts of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP). This includes taking charge of the much-anticipated Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) Reservoir project.
Governor Ron DeSantis emphasized the project’s importance, stating, “A long-awaited project, first envisioned and authorized decades ago, is finally becoming a reality. The EAA Reservoir is not only fully funded and under construction — it’s moving forward faster than expected, thanks to new state and federal cooperation.” He highlighted the reservoir’s expected benefits for Florida’s environment and economy.
Positioned south of Lake Okeechobee, the EAA Reservoir will have the capacity to store over 78 billion gallons of water, releasing up to 470 billion gallons of clean water annually to the Everglades and Florida Bay. This initiative also aims to support the Biscayne Aquifer, vital for South Florida’s drinking water supply.
Mr. Lee Forsgren, Acting Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works), expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, noting, “The Army is thrilled to sign this agreement with the state of Florida emphasizing use of leveraging authorities to propel faster project delivery by delegating work to the state of Florida.”
The project is designed to restore water flow to the Everglades, countering decades of system alterations intended to prevent flooding but which inadvertently restricted natural water paths. The initiative aims to direct water southward, revitalizing ecosystems and minimizing harmful discharges to nearby estuaries.
Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Alexis A. Lambert remarked, “Floridians understand the Everglades better than anyone else. We live, work and recreate here, and we are committed to the land and water that sustains us.”
The agreement between Florida and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will:
- Accelerate the EAA Reservoir’s completion from 2034 to 2029.
- Authorize Florida to handle the construction of inflow and outflow pump stations.
- Entrust Florida with managing the Blue Shanty Flow Way to ensure clean water delivery.
- Enable Florida to oversee future CERP projects with streamlined permitting.
- Reduce federal bureaucratic hurdles to expedite restoration efforts.
Since 2019, Florida’s proactive approach has led to quicker and more cost-effective restoration outcomes. Notable achievements include:
- Completion and operation of the C-43 Reservoir, enhancing water storage capacity.
- Early completion of the C-44 Reservoir, S-333 Expansion, and Old Tamiami Trail Removal, improving water flow.
- Significant reductions in nutrient pollution, with over 1.8 million pounds of nitrogen and 770,000 pounds of phosphorus removed.
Under the Biden Administration, federal projects have faced delays, with some taking longer to initiate due to leadership changes. However, Florida’s strategies, led by the South Florida Water Management District, have surpassed federal timelines, achieving faster and more economical project completions.
The latest agreements, encapsulated in a Memorandum of Agreement and a Memorandum of Understanding, underline the shared commitment of Florida and the U.S. Army to effective restoration.
To view the MOA, click here.
To view the MOU, click here.
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