Water Quality Is A Top Priority For Florida

Less than 48 hours after being sworn in, Governor Ron DeSantis issued an executive order outlining his bold vision to achieve more now for Florida’s environment. The executive order directs strategic action with a focus on accountability, transparency and collaboration and includes a proposed $2.5 billion investment over four years.

Statewide Efforts

Governor DeSantis directed the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to convene meetings of two task forces, focused on freshwater and saltwater algal blooms to immediately address these critical water quality issues.

 

Blue-Green Algae Task Force

Governor DeSantis took a major step forward in combating blue-green algae within Florida through the creation of the Blue-Green Algae Task Force along with the appointment of its five members. The task force plays an important role in protecting Florida’s water and water-related resources. Each of the task force members is a nationally recognized and well-respected scholar. Their collective scientific expertise and input figures prominently in DEP’s efforts to improve water quality throughout the state.

Blue-Green Algae Task Force

 

Red Tide Task Force

Under Governor Ron DeSantis’ leadership the Red Tide Task Force, also known as the Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Task Force, was re-organized and received funding for the first time in more than 15 years. Coordination of the task force and its activities is carried out by FWC. The Red Tide Task Force will focus on the causes of red tide and seek to provide mitigation solutions, identify research needs and evaluate other actions intended to address impacts from red tide along with other saltwater based algal blooms.

Red Tide Task Force

Timeline

January 25th, 2024
STATE HOLDS RIBBON-CUTTING FOR EAA RESERVOIR STORMWATER TREATMENT AREA
January 18th, 2024
GOVERNOR DESANTIS AWARDS $20 MILLION FOR WATER QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS IN BISCAYNE BAY
January 11th, 2024
GOVERNOR DESANTIS AWARDS NEARLY $10 MILLION FOR INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES TO COMBAT HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS
January 5th, 2024
GOVERNOR DESANTIS AWARDS MORE THAN $30 MILLION TO IMPROVE WATER QUALITY IN THE CALOOSAHATCHEE RIVER AND ESTUARY