Today, South Florida Water Management District (District) Chair Chauncey Goss released the following statement regarding the signing of the state budget for Fiscal Year 2026-2027 by Governor Ron DeSantis:
“Unthinkable a decade ago…a true reality now. Governor DeSantis’ final budget shows that accelerating Everglades restoration remains a cornerstone of his administration. The State of Florida continues to lead the way with projects that advance Everglades restoration, improve water quality, ensure water supply for people and the environment, increase the capacity of water storage, reduce damaging discharges from Lake Okeechobee and send more clean water south,” said District Governing Board Chair Chauncey Goss. “Thanks to the unprecedented and unyielding support from Governor DeSantis and the Florida Legislature, we will be able to finish more critical projects that will benefit millions of Floridians. The signing of this budget marks a delivered promise to protect and enhance the unique ecosystems that define South Florida.”
During Governor DeSantis’ first term as Governor, he signed record investments to protect Florida’s Everglades and support water quality, investing a record $3.3 billion. At the start of his second term, he called for a historic $3.5 billion investment over the next four years. The Budget includes $1.2 billion for Everglades restoration and water quality, bringing the total investment during the Governor’s second term to $6 billion, and bringing the investment during the Governor’s tenure to nearly $9.5 billion.
This includes continued investments in the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP), the landmark dollar-for-dollar commitment between the state and the Federal government to restore America’s Everglades. Last year, during the 25th Anniversary year of CERP, we reached a historic agreement with the federal government to accelerate CERP, including critical components of the Central Everglades Planning Project (CEPP) and EAA Reservoir. Of the $665 million dedicated to Everglades restoration, the budget allocates $475 million for CERP.
Within that amount $450 million of those funds directly supports CEPP, fully funding all remaining components of state-funded portions of the EAA Reservoir and CEPP South-Blue Shanty Flow Way. This investment ensures that the landmark of Everglades restoration is achieved and delivered five years ahead of schedule.
In addition, the budget provides $50 million for specific project components designed to achieve the greatest reductions in harmful discharges to the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie Estuaries. The budget also funds $79 million for the Northern Everglades and Estuaries Protection Program and dispersed water storage projects and includes nearly $40 million for the Lower Kissimmee Stormwater Treatment and Recreation Area Project. The budget also includes funding for the Tamiami Trail Culverts in the Western Everglades Restoration Project.