Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the state of Florida is awarding $20 million in grants for the Biscayne Bay Water Quality Improvement Projects during a press conference in North Miami Beach this week. Specifically, the grants will cover 8 projects, including six new projects in the South Florida area.
The recipients include:
- Miami-Dade County
- South Beach
- Homestead
- Miami Beach
- North Miami Beach Water
- Cutler Bay
- Miami Shores
Gov. DeSantis detailed that the projects will include septic-to-sewer conversion and wastewater storage projects to improve water quality for Biscayne Bay, which is located adjacent to the city of Miami.
Florida has granted $100 million for Biscayne Bay restoration since 2021.
To further water quality improvements in the area, the governor also announced $9.5 million in grants and aid for Florida's Coral Reef Restoration and Recovery Initiative. Specifically, the grant will help fund 11 projects to help coral infrastructure and capacity in the region.
Those recipients include:
- SeaFoundry
- Florida Aquarium
- I.CARE (Islamorada Conservation and Restoration Education)
- Mote Marine Reef Institute
- Plant A Million Corals Foundation
- Reef Renewal USA
- NewFound Harbor Marine Institute
- Fish and Wildlife Foundation of Florida
- NOVA Southeastern
- University of Miami
- Florida Atlantic University Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute
"This will help both the academic and private partners that are doing research to establish, expand, and maintain Florida's in-state coral propagation and grow-out facilities," DeSantis said.
Florida has the only barrier reef system in the continental U.S. DeSantis indicated the reef has been heavily damaged over the past decade, including by Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease, affecting the reef's ecosystem.
Gov. DeSantis signed an executive order in 2023 to help the reef's long-term recovery.
Along with the governor, FIU President Jeannate Nunez, Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Alexis Lambert, and South Florida Water Management District Executive Director Drew Bartlett spoke at the press conference. Several South Florida mayors also attended, including those from Miami Beach, North Miami Beach, and Homestead.
