Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Secretary Alexis A. Lambert has expressed support for Governor Ron DeSantis’ proposed Floridians First Budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year, which aims to increase funding for Everglades restoration, water quality, and conservation efforts.
“Since taking office, Governor DeSantis has championed efforts that continue to achieve more now for Florida’s environment, and the Floridians First Budget bolsters that commitment with a historic investment in the natural places that make Florida, Florida. That includes accelerating the completion of projects to restore the Everglades, improve water quality, strengthen our shorelines and protect the land around us,” said Secretary Lambert.
“This budget reflects the Governor’s record of following through on environmental promises and investing in projects that matter to Floridians, all while responsibly managing taxpayer resources. I applaud these investments and look forward to working with the Legislature to deliver this budget and leave our state better than we found it for the next generation,” she added.
The proposed budget allocates over $1.4 billion for Everglades restoration and water quality improvements. With this investment, total funding under Governor DeSantis’ administration would approach $9.5 billion for these initiatives.
A key feature is $810 million designated to accelerate Everglades restoration projects, aiming to complete them five years ahead of schedule. Of this amount, $681 million is set aside specifically for completing restoration work, including $586 million intended to fully fund remaining state-funded components of the Central Everglades Planning Project. This project focuses on cleaning, storing, and conveying water through areas such as the Everglades Agricultural Area Reservoir and Blue Shanty Flow-Way.
Additional funds include $50 million directed toward supporting projects in the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie estuaries and $79 million allocated to the Northern Everglades and Estuaries Protection Program.
The budget also repurposes $80 million from existing Land Acquisition Trust Fund allocations—funds no longer needed due to debt reduction—for long-term maintenance of capital projects within the South Florida Water Management District Basin.
For broader water resource protection efforts, $408 million is proposed for targeted water quality improvements aimed at reducing nutrients in important bodies of water. This includes:
– $250 million for grants focused on improving water quality in areas such as Indian River Lagoon and Biscayne Bay.
– $100 million dedicated to stormwater treatment in the Lower Kissimmee Basin.
– $50 million set aside to expedite projects meeting scientific nutrient reduction targets.
Other notable investments are:
– $65 million committed to addressing harmful algal blooms like blue-green algae and red tide.
– $60 million directed at developing alternative water supplies.
– $50 million reserved for restoring springs across Florida.
To support conservation lands, the budget proposes a one-time investment of $150 million as well as restoring recurring funding—$65 million—to Florida Forever by redirecting funds made available through accelerated debt repayment. State park maintenance receives an additional allocation of $70 million alongside pay increases for park rangers and personnel.
Shoreline protection measures include an extra $75 million earmarked for beach nourishment targeting eroded coastlines. The Resilient Florida Program is slated to receive an additional $208 million: $150 million will go toward implementing statewide resilience projects protecting communities from flooding or hurricanes; another portion will be used for design/planning activities as well as coral reef protection.
More information about ongoing environmental initiatives can be found at ProtectingFloridaTogether.gov.
