The Everglades Foundation praised the news from Florida Governor Ron DeSantis earlier this week about additional funding to accelerate construction of the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) Reservoir. Below is a copy of a statement from Everglades Foundation CEO Eric Eikenberg :
I am writing to share an important update on the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) Reservoir, the crown jewel of Everglades restoration and one of the most significant water infrastructure projects in the United States.
Following last year’s landmark agreement between the federal government and the State of Florida to accelerate the completion of the project, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) Jacksonville District recently modified the EAA Reservoir’s embankment contract to ensure construction is completed by 2029.
Today, at the project’s construction site, the Trump Administration announced they secured more than $2 billion in funding for the USACE Jacksonville District to support this accelerated contract and the expedited completion of the EAA Reservoir. This investment provides the financial certainty needed to keep construction on an accelerated track. It also underscores the recognition of the Everglades, a $1 trillion economic asset to Florida’s economy, as a national priority. Once again, America’s Everglades is a unifying bipartisan issue across administrations in Washington.
| The EAA Reservoir is central to restoring the natural flow of water south, reducing harmful discharges to our coastal estuaries, strengthening flood protection for communities, and safeguarding drinking water for millions of Floridians. It is also foundational to Florida’s Clean Water Economy that depends on a healthy Everglades—supporting tourism, fisheries, property values, and jobs across Florida. This milestone is the result of years of science, advocacy, and communications efforts by The Everglades Foundation, and it would not be possible without your support. Thank you for your continued commitment to restoring America’s Everglades. We will keep you updated as this historic project continues to move forward at an unprecedented pace. Sincerely, Eric Eikenberg Chief Executive Officer The Everglades Foundation |
