NORTH MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis held a news conference in North Miami Beach on Tuesday to discuss progress and plans for environmental restoration across the state.
Speaking at FIU Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management in North Miami Beach, the governor was joined by Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Alexis Lambert.
DeSantis emphasized the state’s ambitious efforts to restore the Everglades, Indian River Lagoon, and Biscayne Bay.
Focusing on Biscayne Bay, DeSantis announced that the state has reached $100 million in funding for restoration efforts.
The latest $20 million in grants will support eight projects. Recipients include Miami-Dade County and several local cities such as South Beach, Homestead, and North Miami Beach.
“These projects include septic to sewer conversion, wastewater storage projects that will lead to improved water quality of Biscayne Bay,” said DeSantis.
The governor also announced $9.5 million in grants for Florida’s Coral Reef Restoration and Recovery Initiative.
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“In January 2023, we established, through executive order, this initiative aimed at developing the infrastructure, technology, workforce, and logistics necessary to support long-term recovery of Florida’s coral reef,” DeSantis said.
Eleven projects will be funded, involving academic and private partners like the Florida Aquarium, Mote Marine Reef Institute, and several universities.