Florida DEP Marks Milestones and Plans for Environmental Progress in 2025
Newly appointed Secretary of DEP Alexis A. Lambert is optimistic about Florida’s environmental future in 2025.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is highlighting key achievements from 2024 as it looks to continue its efforts to protect the state’s natural resources.
DEP Secretary Alexis A. Lambert stated, “From day one, Governor Ron DeSantis has never wavered in support of restoring Florida’s Everglades and improving water quality.” She further explained that with the backing of Governor DeSantis and the Florida Legislature, transformative projects have been initiated and accelerated. These projects are aimed at Everglades restoration, clean water prioritization, natural resource conservation, and flood prevention for coastal and inland communities.
Record-Breaking Investment in Everglades Restoration
- Florida has committed a historic $840.5 million for the 2024-25 fiscal year towards Everglades Restoration, the largest single-year investment in the state’s history. This funding supports multiple restoration projects, significantly improving water storage and quality by removing large amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus.
- Key completed projects include the C-139 Flow Equalization Basin Project and the Central Everglades Planning Project New Water Seepage Barrier Wall, finished eight months ahead of schedule.
- Ongoing initiatives include the Everglades Agricultural Area Reservoir Project, the C-43 (Caloosahatchee) Reservoir Project, and the North of Lake Okeechobee Storage Reservoir.
Enhancing Water Storage and Quality
- Significant progress has been made in increasing water storage capacities, with 63.6 billion gallons added over the past six years and another 55.4 billion gallons expected next year, crucial for Everglades restoration.
- Targeted investments of $2.9 billion over six years have been made to improve water quality in specific areas such as Biscayne Bay and the Caloosahatchee Estuary. Since 2019, over 1,098 grants have been awarded for water quality projects, reducing large quantities of nitrogen and phosphorus each year.
New Legislation and Funding for Environmental Protection
- Governor DeSantis signed Senate Bill 1638 in April to increase funding for environmental protection using revenues from the Seminole Tribe Compact. This bill directs 96% of the revenue towards environmental challenges, including flood control and conservation land management.
- Notable allocations include $150 million for the Central and South Florida Water Management System, $100 million for land acquisitions within the Florida Wildlife Corridor, and $100 million for the Resilient Florida Grant Program.
Strengthening Community Resilience
The Resilient Florida Program has provided $1.8 billion to help municipalities assess and mitigate flood risks, supporting 322 grants for vulnerability assessments and 351 projects to strengthen coastal infrastructure.
- Florida has invested over $68 million for coral reef recovery and restoration since 2019. The Kristin Jacobs Coral Aquatic Preserve has been designated for the protection of the state’s coral reefs.
- More than $636 million has been invested in beach nourishment and inlet management over six years to address eroded shorelines.
Conserving Florida’s Land and Water Supply
- Over $245 million has been invested since 2019 to develop alternative water supplies, with projects expected to produce over 312 million gallons of water daily.
- Florida’s springs have received $380 million in funding over six years for restoration projects.
Expanding Conservation and Recreation
- More than $1.4 billion has been dedicated to land acquisition through the Florida Forever Program, protecting nearly 336,000 acres for conservation.
- Florida’s state parks have attracted over 30 million visitors, generating $3.7 billion in economic impact. Recent expansions include a new state park in Walton County.
Ensuring Air Quality and Responding to Environmental Threats
Florida maintains compliance with National Ambient Air Quality Standards despite its rapid growth. The DEP’s Office of Emergency Response handled over 410 environmental pollution threats and has been active in environmental enforcement since 2019.
For more information on DEP’s environmental initiatives, visit ProtectingFloridaTogether.gov.
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