Gov. Rick Scott signed a bill into law to expand protection of Florida’s environment, providing mass amounts of funding to preserve some of Florida’s largest environmental areas and waterways.
HB 989, co-sponsored by Reps. Gayle Harrell, R-Stuart, and Matt Caldwell, R-Fort Myers, also known as the “Legacy Florida” bill, passed through the Florida Legislature this year. The new law would set aside $200 million a year for Everglades restoration funding. On top of that, the new law will set aside up to $50 million for Florida springs and up to $5 million a year for Lake Apopka.
Scott’s office called the proposal “an historic $880 million water quality plan” which was designed to protect the Everglades, a natural region of wetlands in South Florida. The Everglades is a large system with parts beginning near Orlando with the Kissimmee River, extending all the way down to the Miami-Dade region.
The money for the restoration work would come from Florida’s land-acquisition trust fund.
“I want to thank the Florida Legislature for fulfilling the promise I made to create a dedicated source of funding to restore the Florida Everglades,” Scott said. “Florida is known across the world for our pristine ecosystem and waterways, supporting our economy and quality of life.”
Scott said the state was on the right track to keeping the Everglades in good shape by passing the new law.
“Over the last five years, we have invested more than $688 million for Everglades restoration,” the governor continued. “This legislation will continue our commitment to protecting Florida’s environment so future generations can enjoy all that Florida has to offer. I applaud Senator Negron and Representative Harrell for championing water issues and their work on this legislation.”
Rep. Harrell said the bill’s passage was an indicator of state lawmakers’ efforts to ensure the state would be able to preserve Florida’s natural resources for future generations.
“By passing this legislation to establish the Legacy Florida initiative, the House is ensuring we have a dedicated and reliable funding source to restore the Florida Everglades, the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee Rivers and end the releases from Lake Okeechobee,” she explained in a statement.
Senate President-Designate Negron, R-Stuart, who sponsored the bill in the Senate, said the bill was a step in the right direction for local communities.
“The passage of Legacy Florida is an historic achievement in Florida and will bring much needed relief to communities affected by water releases in Lake Okeechobee and St. Lucie,” Negron said. “I want to thank Governor Scott for signing HB 989 into law today and also recognize fellow members of the Legislature for their joined efforts on this important legislation.”
The bill will go into effect July 1.
Reach reporter Allison Nielsen by email at allison@sunshinestatenews.com or follow her on Twitter: @AllisonNielsen.
