Gov. DeSantis grants funding for environmental resource management in Florida

Writer: Nicholas Karsen
Published: Updated:
DeSantis
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signing Senate Bill 1638 into law. Credit: WINK

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a senate bill to protect and preserve the state’s environment during a press conference in Davie.

The press conference was held at 10 a.m. on Thursday at the South Florida Water Management District Fort Lauderdale Field Station.

During the conference, DeSantis stated, “This revenue stream will further enhance our efforts to conserve our natural resources, protect our waterways and make our ecological infrastructure more resilient.”

Senate Bill 1638 will require the Department of Revenue to deposit into the Indian Gaming Revenue Trust Fund within the Department of Financial Services a specified percentage of the revenue share payments received under the gaming compact between the Seminole Tribe of Florida and the State of Florida.

According to DeSantis, $150 million will be allocated toward necessary repairs and upgrades to the Central and South Florida Water Management System.

The bill further directs 96% of the revenue generated from the Seminole Tribe Compact to fund water quality improvement, infrastructure and the continued acquisition and management of Florida’s conservation lands.

According to a press release regarding the legislature’s passing, for the 2024-25 fiscal year, the funding will be distributed to the following Seminole Gaming Compact revenues:

  • $100 million for land acquisitions within the Florida Wildlife Corridor to create crucial linkages for wildlife habitat.
  • $100 million for the management of uplands and the removal of invasive species, which includes:
    • $36 million to the Department of Environmental Protection.
    • $32 million to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
    • $32 million to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
  • $100 million for the Resilient Florida Grant Program, which will guard inland and coastal communities against the impacts of storm damage, surges, hurricanes and flooding.
  • $79 million for the Water Quality Improvement Grant Program.

The signing of the legislature coincides with a compact agreed upon by the State of Florida and the Seminole tribe to allow sports betting within the state.

The 2021 deal is set to generate an estimated $6 billion through 2030 for the state.

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