• 22.7 million will go toward water-quality projects involving Biscayne Bay
• DeSantis said more tha $30 million has already been invested in protecting Biscayne Bay since he took office
• In 2021, he signed a bill to establish a commission to focus on the health of the Bay

Governor Ron DeSantis announced seven awards totaling $22.7 million to support water quality improvements and protection of Biscayne Bay.

Speaking at at news conference at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park on Key Biscayne Thursday morning, DeSantis said the projects will be funded through the Biscayne Bay Grant Program include septic to sewer conversions, stormwater management and wetland restoration in areas surrounding Biscayne Bay,

Biscayne Bay is the systems largest estuary with a direct connection to Florida’s Coral Reef. The Bay also serves as an important economic driver for the region as it contains the largest passenger port in the world and is an international sailing destination.

“Protecting our environment has been a priority since the first day I took office,” said DeSantis. “These investments to protect Biscayne Bay will improve water quality and help us preserve one of Florida’s most important natural resources for generations to come.”

The seven projects to be funded include $14.5 million is to Miami-Dade County for water quality and pollution projects, $2.3 million to the City of North Miami for septic to sewer conversions, $2 million to the City of Coral Gables for Phase I Sanitary Sewer improvements, $2 million to the City of Miami Springs for stormwater infrastucture, $700,000 to the Town of Cutler Bay for wetland restoration, $650,000 to the Village of Key Biscayne for stormwater infrastructure, and $600,000 to Miami River Fund, Inc., a non-profit organization that works with local governments on stormwater and marine debris management.

“In the year since we convened the Biscayne Bay Commission, we have improved coordination among stakeholders to develop a path toward restoration of this treasured resource,” said Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Shawn Hamilton. “The investments we are making under the leadership of Governor DeSantis are an important step forward to improving water quality in Biscayne Bay. I look forward to continuing this momentum through our collaborative work with our local partners.”

Funding awarded today brings the four-year total investment in Biscayne Bay water quality and protection to $52 million.

In total, Florida has invested more than $3.3 billion over the past four years in protecting natural water resources and Everglades restoration projects, more than doubling the amount of funding from the previous four years before the Governor took office.