Gov. DeSantis allocates $1.5 billion for Everglades and Florida water quality

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — Approximately $1.5 billion will go toward restoring the Everglades and improving water quality in the state of Florida.

The move was announced Monday by Gov. Ron DeSantis at the Cox Science Museum, where he was joined by Florida Secretary of Environmental Protection Shawn Hamilton.

According to a press release, of the $1.5 billion, $850 million will go to Everglades Restoration Projects, including $614 million to support the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) and the Everglades Agricultural Area Reservoir.

Approximately $100 million will support the water needs of Palm Beach and Broward counties while reducing freshwater discharge into the Lake Worth Lagoon.

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DeSantis’ office goes on to say that of the $1.5 billion investment, $530 million will be used for water quality improvement projects, including $135 million for the Water Quality Improvement Grant. And $100 million will be used to support the Indian River County Lagoon.

Biscayne Bay and the Caloosahatchee Estuary was approved for $45 million as it relates to water quality improvements.