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DeSantis announces $20 million for Biscayne Bay projects, $9.5 million for coral restoration at FIU event
Summary
At Florida International University, Governor DeSantis announced $20 million in Biscayne Bay Water Quality Improvement grants and $9.5 million for coral-reef restoration projects, saying the program will reach $100 million in total support and tying the funding to statewide restoration initiatives.
Governor DeSantis announced at Florida International University that the state will award $20 million in grants for Biscayne Bay water-quality improvement projects and $9.5 million to support coral reef restoration efforts.
"After today's award, grant awards, we will have reached $100,000,000 in support for Biscayne Bay restoration," DeSantis said, adding the day27s $20 million will support eight projects including septic-to-sewer conversions and wastewater-storage projects for Miami-Dade County, Homestead, Miami Beach, North Miami Beach, Cutler Bay and Miami Shores Village.
Alexis Lambert, secretary of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, said the Bay and the reef generate significant economic activity: "Together, the Bay and the Reef generates $64,000,000,000 in economic output and support 440,000 jobs in the region." Lambert said $9.5 million will fund 11 coral projects prioritized to scale up land-based coral-propagation and grow-out facilities and that the initiative stems from an executive order and legislative support.
Drew Bartlett, executive director of the South Florida Water Management District, said the investments support infrastructure projects already under way, noting the district has advanced dozens of projects and that coastal habitat restoration work will include nearly 4,000 acres south of Miami.
State officials named several grant recipients for the coral work, including Mote Marine Laboratory, Reef Institute, The Florida Aquarium, Newfound Harbor Marine Institute, Sea Foundry, Reef Renewal USA and university partners such as Nova Southeastern and the University of Miami. Officials said grant awards will prioritize projects that convert septic systems to sewer and increase wastewater-storage and stormwater management capacity to reduce nutrient pollution.
Officials framed the awards as part of a broader Everglades and coastal restoration strategy that the governor said has accelerated federal project timelines and produced measurable water-quality gains in Biscayne Bay.
The state did not provide a line-item breakdown for the day27s awards in the remarks transcribed at the event; officials said the department selected applications based on anticipated impact. A public event related to one of the coastal-restoration projects was scheduled for 1:30 p.m. the same day.
