March 2, 2020

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) and Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) released the 2020 South Florida Environmental Report today detailing progress made on priority environmental restoration projects aimed at improving the Everglades, Lake Okeechobee, Kissimmee Basin and South Florida coastal areas for Water Year 2019 (May 1, 2018-April 30, 2019).

"This has been a banner year of restoration progress under the leadership of Gov. Ron DeSantis. Our efforts are backed up by scientific data and show that the work we are doing is helping to restore and protect South Florida's water resources," said SFWMD Governing Board Chairman Chauncey Goss. "This report serves as one of the most significant data sets on South Florida’s environment and provides the public, stakeholders and researchers even more information about the work we do on the public’s behalf in South Florida.”

“Under Governor DeSantis’ leadership, we continue to make massive strides in environmental progress. This report is prime evidence of our success throughout the past two years,” said DEP Secretary Noah Valenstein. “I am grateful to all the hardworking public servants at South Florida Water Management District and statewide who work diligently to achieve the environmental success characterized by this report.”

Spanning three volumes, the 2020 South Florida Environmental Report consolidates dozens of individual reports. The volumes, plus a summary and highlights, provide extensive peer-reviewed research summaries, data analyses, financial updates and a searchable database of environmental projects.

Highlights of the 2020 South Florida Environmental Report include:

• An update on progress being made to fulfill Gov. DeSantis' Executive Order 19-12: Achieving More Now For Florida's Environment, which directed immediate action to expedite the completion of 29 priority restoration projects such as the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) Reservoir project and the Kissimmee River Restoration Project.
• An update on progress being made to complete the Restoration Strategies Plan that will complete the restoration of water quality in the Everglades.
• An update on conditions efforts to implement protection plans for area including the Lake Okeechobee Watershed and the coastal estuaries
• An update on progress being made by SFWMD to combat harmful invasive species including Burmese pythons, Old World climbing fern and Melaleuca trees.

To view the 2020 SFER Highlights click here.

To view the full 2020 SFER Report click here.

To view a copy of the Transmittal Letter sent to Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature click here.