Governor Ron DeSantis recently led a groundbreaking ceremony that marks a significant milestone in Everglades restoration. Speaking at a press conference in Palm Beach County, the Governor highlighted the new inflow pump station, a crucial component of the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) Reservoir project.
“This will have nine pumps and will be one of the largest pump stations in the entire state,” DeSantis explained. “Florida will have the capability to move approximately 3 billion gallons of water per day from Lake Okeechobee into the EAA reservoir. Today’s groundbreaking marks the 80th milestone event in Everglades restoration since 2019.”
Although DeSantis did not take questions during Thursday’s event, his focus on Everglades restoration remains clear. The Governor views the project as a vital investment that will improve Floridians’ quality of life and bolster the state’s economy. It’s worth noting that DeSantis also skipped a press conference on Wednesday, following significant election victories by Democrats on Tuesday night.
The new project has required the state of Florida to collaborate closely with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to expedite construction efforts. “The EAA inflow pump station is more than a construction project. It is a key piece that makes the crown jewel of Everglades restoration possible,” said Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Alexis Lambert, who joined DeSantis at the podium.
Lambert emphasized the environmental benefits of the pump station: “This pump station will move water into the EAA reservoir, helping reduce harmful discharges from Lake Okeechobee and send more clean water south to the Everglades.”
Spanning 17,000 acres — larger than Manhattan — the EAA Reservoir is designed to deliver clean water southward “as nature intended,” according to the official project website. The reservoir will supply clean freshwater to America’s Everglades during the dry season, helping to recharge the Biscayne Aquifer, which provides drinking water to millions of South Florida residents. Additionally, it will help balance the salinity of Florida Bay.
This groundbreaking ceremony represents a major step forward in protecting and restoring one of Florida’s most vital natural resources. As the project advances, it promises to enhance both environmental health and the quality of life for Floridians across the region.
https://floridapolitics.com/archives/764343-gov-desantis-is-eager-to-tout-everglades-restoration-milestone/