Just days after taking office, Governor DeSantis announced his plan for major water policy reform, explaining that the "protection of water resources is one of the most pressing issues facing our state." He then signed Executive Order 19-12 ("Order"), aiming to combat threats to local economies and the health of communities.

The Order charges the Department of Environmental Protection ("DEP"), the Department of Health, Visit Florida and the Department of Economic Opportunity to secure $2.5 billion over the next four years for Everglades restoration and protection of water resources - the largest amount of funding for restoration in Florida's history and a $1 billion increase in spending over the previous four years. It also calls for the creation of a Blue-Green Algae Task Force to address the adverse impacts of blue-green algae blooms. The algae, which flows into Florida's waterways from Lake Okeechobee, is thought to have contributed to a red tide that impacted the Gulf Coast this past summer. Additionally, the Order instructs the South Florida Water Management District ("SFWMD") to move forward with the next phase of the Everglades Agricultural Area Storage Reservoir Project, which will send clean water south to the Everglades and reduce damaging discharges from Lake Okeechobee.

In addition to assisting in securing funding, DEP is also tasked and will need to work with the Legislature to address a number of items in the Order. Some of those include: 1) establishing a septic conversion and remediation grant program; 2) creating the Office of Environmental Accountability and Transparency to direct scientific research in a way that ensures agency actions are aligned on environmental priorities; 3) appointing a Chief Science Officer to coordinate and prioritize scientific research that aligns with environmental concerns most pressing to Floridians; 4) creating the Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection to help prepare Florida's coast for sea level rise; and 5) taking action to oppose fracking and off-shore oil and gas activities.

On top of the Order, in a separate action, Governor DeSantis called for the immediate resignation of all SFWMD board members following a controversial vote in November to lease land needed for the Everglades Agricultural Area Reservoir Project. Any board member refusing to resign will have to be removed by the Senate. At least one member has already stated his intent to carry out his term.

Our Land Development, Zoning & Environmental team has considerable experience working on water resource issues and will continue to monitor the directives set forth in the Order. For more information, please contact us.