Governor DeSantis Issues Executive Order on Water Policy

The order will ensure protection of Florida’s environment

On January 10, Governor Ron DeSantis signed Executive Order 19-12 which reforms Florida’s environmental and water policy.

Called the Achieving More Now for Florida’s Environment executive order, Governor DeSantis said:

“Our water and natural resources are the foundation of our economy and our way of life in Florida The protection of water resources is one of the most pressing issues facing our state. That’s why today I’m taking immediate action to combat the threats which have devastated our local economies and threatened the health of our communities.”

The order has five major components:

• Appropriating $2.5 billion over the next four years to restore the Everglades and water protection.
• The creation of the Blue-Green Algae Task Force which will work to reduce blue-green algae blooms over the next five years.
• The South Florida Water Management District will start the next phase of Everglades Agricultural Area Storage Reservoir Project all according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
• The creation of the Office of Environmental Accountability and Transparency which will organize scientific research so that all agency actions will be aligned with environmental policies.
• The appointment of a Chief Science Officer which will organize, monitor, and collect scientific data to ensure communication between the agencies and Floridians regarding environmental issues.