Florida’s newly-elected governor off to a good start

Jan 23, 2019 1 min read

In his first few days in office, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis made two major moves that potentially could improve water quality in Florida. In one move, DeSantis signed an executive order that calls for:

– $2.5 billion for Everglades restoration and protection of water resources over the next four years

– Establishment of a Blue-Green Algae Task Force to immediately reduce its adverse impacts

– South Florida Water Management District to immediately start the next phase of the Everglades Agricultural Area Storage Reservoir Project

– Formation of a new Office of Environmental Accountability and Transparency to organize and direct integrated scientific research and analysis

– Appointment of a chief science officer to coordinate and prioritize scientific data, research, monitoring and analysis needs

In addition, DeSantis asked for the resignation of all the Governing Board members of the SFWMD to best achieve Everglades restoration.

Sarah Ashton and Jim Metzler are the co-chairs for the Advocacy Committee for the “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge. For more information, visit www.dingdarlingsociety.org.