The Everglades will receive what the White House calls the single largest investment in its history.
The Biden Administration announced yesterday that the US Army Corps of Engineers will spend over a billion dollars on Everglades restoration as part of the bi-partisan infrastructure bill.
Florida will receive $1.1 billion in funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which President Biden signed into law on Nov. 15.
But Congressman Brian Mast is not happy that none of the money is being spent on building a reservoir to the south of Lake O to handle runoff and mitigate toxic algae blooms.
Mast said. “Today they announced they wouldn’t allocate even one dollar for the reservoir, cementing the Biden Administration’s massive screw up. It’s clear that Joe Biden has no regard for the wellbeing of South Florida’s environment, economy or public health.”

U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Florida, applauded the announcement.

“Thanks to the leadership of President Biden, Florida will be receiving the biggest infusion of federal funding for Everglades restoration projects in our state’s history,” Frankel said. “The Everglades is a beautiful and delicate ecosystem that serves as drinking water for more than eight million Floridians and home to hundreds of endangered plant and animal species. This new funding will significantly boost efforts to make sure that this unique and vibrant environment is kept alive and thriving for future generations.”

The Everglades Foundation said they are pleased that the federal government is working to preserve the unique ecosystem.

“The Everglades Foundation applauds the federal government’s significant commitment of $1.1 billion for Everglades restoration. For too long, the residents of South Florida have suffered as a result of toxic discharges, algae blooms, fish kills, economic losses and a parched Everglades National Park. In order to maximize the environmental benefits to be achieved by Everglades restoration, the Army Corps of Engineers should direct the funding toward construction of the vital [Everglades Agricultural Area] EAA Reservoir,” said Everglades Foundation CEO Eric Eikenberg. “This reservoir will benefit all of South Florida, slashing harmful discharges to the coastal estuaries while providing the water desperately needed for America’s Everglades and Florida Bay. Furthermore, the EAA Reservoir will boost the carbon sequestration capacity of 3 million acres in the remaining Everglades wetlands. This vital project will also protect the drinking water supply for millions of Floridians. We look forward to working with the Corps and the bipartisan Florida Congressional Delegation to ensure this historic funding achieves the goals of Everglades restoration to store, cleanse and flow freshwater to America’s Everglades and Florida Bay.”