Legislature grants $625 million for Everglades

By SANIBEL-CAPTIVA CONSERVATION FOUNDATION

Florida’s Everglades is one of the rarest and most unique biodiversity hotspots on the planet In addition to its abundant wildlife and plant habitat, the Everglades also provides storm protection from hurricane surge and flooding, as well as supports our economy through Florida’s $9 2 billion saltwater fishing industry

Everglades restoration is a bipartisan issue and key component of dealing with nutrient pollution in the Caloosahatchee watershed that can result in toxic blue-green algae, red tides, seagrass die-offs, and other ecological disasters

We noted in our legislative wrap-up that the final budget had $50 million set aside in the general fund However, when added together, project and funding included in the 2023-24 state budget for Everglades restoration totals $625 million:

∫ $ 4 2 8 m i l l i o n f r o m t h e L a n d Acquisition Trust Fund

∫ $50 8 million from the General Fund

∫ $ 7 6 2 m i l l i o n f r o m t h e N o r t h e r n Everglades and Estuaries Protection Fund

∫ $70 million for the C-51 Reservoir (an Everglades Restoration project through the South Florida Water Management District)

T h i s l e g i s l a t i v e s e s s i o n a l s o s a w t h e