SFWMD Board Approves $622.2 Million Budget for Everglades Restoration, Flood Control

The South Florida Water Management District governing board adopted its $622.2 million fiscal 2014 budget Tuesday night, funding the agencys core flood control and water supply missions as well as its continued progress to restore the South Florida ecosystem -- and that includes Americas Everglades.

More than 80 percent of the budget is invested in the environment, operations, and maintenance.

This budget provides the means to continue implementing projects that improve Everglades water quality and use new state funding to send water south and help maximize storage to benefit the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee estuaries, said Daniel O'Keefe, SFWMD governing board chairman. In a reflection of our continued commitment to fiscal responsibility, District millage rates have been reduced for the third year in a row.

More than 80 percent of the Districts fiscal year 2014 budget is dedicated to flood control operations and restoration:

$261 million to operate and maintain South Floridas regional flood control system and Stormwater Treatment Areas (STAs), including $50 million toward refurbishment of the primary network of canals, levees, structures and pump stations;

$250.9 million to restore the Everglades ecosystem, improve Lake Okeechobee and protect the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee estuaries. The approved $622.2 million budget contains a significant investment in South Floridas environment, including $67 million appropriated by the Florida Legislature this year to help move key Everglades projects forward. The spending plan also includes $101.6 million to implement the next phases of the governors $880 million Restoration Strategies plan to improve the quality of water flowing into the Everglades, including:

$72.4 million to enhance and expand water treatment facilities and construct more than 100,000 acre-feet of water storage.

For more 2014 SFWMD budget highlights, click here.