Page 22 - Eric Eikenberg News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

AP Photo State Rep. Chris Sprowls, 35, addresses the Florida House of Representatives, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2019, in Tallahassee, Fla., after the Republican was elected to lead the 120-member chamber. Lawmakers are facing pressure this session to fund environmental projects at the behest of Governor Ron DeSantis. This comes as money is tight due to constraints caused by the coronavirus pandemic. DeSantis is proposing $1 billion to go towards his new Resilient Florida program. He says its purpose is to tackle the challenges posed by flooding, intensified storm events, and sea-level rise. The pro...

Over the past two years, $100 million has been committed to the project.

South Florida Water Management District governing board members approved a substantial $175.8 million contract Thursday to finish their part of a fast-tracked reservoir project south of Lake Okeechobee that is expected to reduce harmful discharges to northern estuaries. The unanimous vote dedicates the money to finish a 6,500-acre stormwater treatment area in western Palm Beach County to filter nutrients from lake water before it goes south to the Everglades. It is part of an ambitious $1.6 billion project that includes the treatment area and a 10,500-acre reservoir, also in Palm Beach County...

The funds will be used to address issues such as sea level rise, floods, and intensifying storms, among other climate change related issues, like wastewater treatment and healthcare.

/ Money for the proposed Resilient Florida grant program would be in addition to $625 million that DeSantis is seeking from lawmakers to continue Everglades restoration efforts and other water-related projects. DeSantis is proposing to spend $25 million for the proposed Resilient Florida grant program, which would include issuing bonds to help provide $1 billion over four years to state and local agencies to address climate impacts. Gov. Ron DeSantis wants to spend $25 million next year and more in coming years to set up a program that would help address coastal flooding and other climate-c...