Florida's Gov. Ron DeSantis is putting the state's money where its mouth is when it comes to environmental conservation. On Thursday, DeSantis inked a bill that funnels a hefty wad of cash into the state's environmental resource management, particularly gunning for water system upgrades and land conservation.
Staking out the South Florida Water Management District in Davie as his backdrop, the governor got down to business signing SB 1638, a move that earmarks an additional $150 million for Central and South Florida's thirst for improved water management. According to NBC Miami, DeSantis claimed this infusion of funds as a significant booster for the local environment. Meanwhile, the state's gaming revenue from the Seminole Tribe's compact, won't be hitting the blackjack tables – it's destined for conservation efforts instead.
It's not just about fixing pipes and pumps; there's a grander scheme at play. Funds are sluiced towards land acquisitions within Florida Wildlife Corridor, invasive species management, and shoring up communities against Mother Nature's worst via the Resilient Florida Grant Program. The Water Quality Improvement Grant Program also gets a slice of the pie, with $79 million allocated to clear up the state's water act. WINK News lays out the plan, detailing the disbursement of funds including $100 million specifically for managing uplands and removing pesky invasive species.
DeSantis trumpeted the bill's benefits during a press conference, saying, "This revenue stream will further enhance our efforts to conserve our natural resources, protect our waterways and make our ecological infrastructure more resilient." Experts are lining up to see whether these greenbacks will indeed translate into greener pastures and clearer waters for Florida.
The governor's play coincides with a 2021 handshake with the Seminole tribe that lets sports betting run the tables within state lines. The deal's expected to rake in around $6 billion by 2030, according to DeSantis' figures. That's a jackpot the environment can bet on, providing it all pans out as shuffled.
