TALLAHASSEE, (CBSMiami/NSF Governor. Ron DeSantis, on Thursday, resented a controversial Senate bill that critics claim could have an adverse effect on Everglades restoration.
Wilton Simpson (R-Trilby), Senate President, however, defended the bill, saying it protected restoration efforts, which include a large reservoir.
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The Senate Appropriations Committee approved Wednesday’s bill (SB2508). It was opposed by environmentalists, charter boat operators, and other South Florida businesses that depend on clean waterways.
Thursday saw DeSantis inject himself into the legislative process, rejecting the bill, and saying that the state must prioritize funds for the Everglades Agricultural Area Reservoir ($1.9 billion), which lawmakers approved in 2017.
The reservoir was approved partly to reduce the release of contaminated water from Lake Okeechobee to the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie estuaries. These estuaries have struggled in recent times with toxic algae. The plan would also direct water to the Everglades.
DeSantis stated that he was a champion for Everglades restoration. He said that he opposes any measure that hinders progress on harmful discharges being reduced and more water going to the Everglades. I also reject any attempt at depriving the EAA Reservoir south of Lake Okeechobee of its funding. Instead of moving legislation that would make a significant change in policy, SB2508 is being rammed through a budget process. This shortens public engagement and leaves agencies in the dark.
Critics claimed that the bill, which is linked with the Senate’s budget proposal, would eliminate money for the reservoir or threaten it. However, the bill requires the South Florida Water Management District (Sugarcane Growers included) to support bringing more water to agriculture users when applying for state funding for restoration efforts.
Simpson issued a statement Thursday affirming that the proposal would not be reversed nor hinder funding for Everglades restoration or the reservoir.
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Simpson stated that SB 2508 does nothing to change the EAA Reservoir’s goals or reverse any environmental commitments made by the state during my 10 years of service. Governor DeSantis has championed many successful environmental projects. The successful environmental projects Gov. DeSantis has championed were actually begun long ago with funding and policy approvals by the Florida Legislature. I agree with Gov. Gov. agrees with my commitment to the environment. I have also long supported these issues.
Simpson, who is running this year for state agriculture commissioner, has questioned the reservoir’s integrity in the past while advocating for South Florida water purification measures through aquifer storage, recovery wells, and other means north of Lake Okeechobee.
Simpson stated in the statement that the bill would protect funds spent on environmental restoration. Simpson also stated that special interests suggesting that he is reversing on his commitments is not only absurd, but is political gamemanship.
Senators stated that people may have misunderstood the bill and were misinformed by social networks before they approved the bill at Wednesday’s Appropriations Committee meeting.
Wauchula Republican Sen. Ben Albritton, who chairs Agriculture, Environment and General Government Appropriations Subcommittee, indicated that the Senate’s proposed budget included $64 million annually in funding for the reservoir. The related bill seeks to increase accountability from South Florida Water Management District.
Albritton said that Albritton believes you’ve been misled. I believe asking for more accountability from an agency which receives 70% of its funding from the state is good government. That’s good government. We have the ability and the right to do this.
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