Gov. Ron DeSantis announced $100 million in grants to restore Florida's springsheds and water supply while speaking at a press conference at the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge & Visitor Center in Crystal River today.
The funding includes $50 million for spring restoration projects to 23 cities and counties for water quality and quantity protection. The cities are Deland, Hawthorne, Madison, Trenton and Williston - while the counties include Alachua, Citrus, Jackson, Leon, Marion, Orange, Volusia, and Wakulla.Â
It also includes funding for the Homosassa River Restoration Project, Save Crystal River, and the Suwannee River Water Management District.
"These projects will support agricultural best management practices, water conservation, hydraulic restoration, land acquisition, wastewater treatment and storage upgrades, and stormwater treatment," DeSantis said. "The projects receiving funds today are projected to reduce total nitrogen runoff by an additional 55,000 pounds per year."
In addition, Gov. DeSantis announced $50 million in awards in alternative water supply grants to 22 towns and cities to help plan and implement water conservation, reuse, and supply projects.
The communities are Grand Ridge, Dundee, Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Apopka, Melbourne, Daytona Beach, Green Cove Springs, Haines City, Winter Haven, Auburndale, Eagle Lake, and Bartow. It also includes funding to the South Florida Water Management District, St. John's River Water Management District, Marion County Utilities, Jacksonville Electric Authority, and Tampa Bay Water.
"To date, funds from the Alternative Water Supply Program have resulted in the advancement of projects that will produce over 400 million gallons per day once all is completed," DeSantis said.Â
Gov. DeSantis has made other restoration investments, including for the Everglades and Biscayne Bay during his tenure.
