Florida Construction News staff writer
Ron DeSantis joined the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to announce that all federally funded contracts for the Everglades Agricultural Area Reservoir have been fully executed, clearing a major hurdle for one of the most significant components of Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan.
The milestone ensures the project is on track for completion by 2029—five years ahead of its original schedule.
“I was proud to announce that all federally funded contracts have been executed to expedite completion of the EAA Reservoir by 2029,” DeSantis said, crediting a 2025 agreement between Florida and the federal government for accelerating progress through a streamlined, collaborative approach.
The announcement confirms that all federal contracts needed to meet the accelerated timeline are now in place, securing funding and resources through completion.
Adam Telle described the effort as a “modern American mega-project,” highlighting coordination between federal and state agencies, including the South Florida Water Management District.
The EAA Reservoir is a cornerstone project aimed at restoring the natural flow of water south from Lake Okeechobee into Everglades National Park and Florida Bay—a critical step in reviving the historic “River of Grass” ecosystem.
Under the 2025 memorandum of understanding, Florida has taken a leading role in executing federally funded portions of the restoration plan. The agreement has already produced measurable gains, including:
- Accelerating construction timelines by five years
- Advancing major infrastructure such as an inflow pump station capable of moving 3 billion gallons of water daily from Lake Okeechobee
- Fast-tracking agreements for the outflow pump station
- Initiating the Blue Shanty Flow Way, a key “last mile” connection to move water south
Groundbreaking on the Blue Shanty Flow Way began just two months after the agreement was signed, with officials saying the approach is reducing costs to roughly half of original federal estimates.
Alexis A. Lambert said the progress reflects strong coordination among agencies tackling one of the world’s most complex ecosystem restoration efforts.
“By working with our federal partners and staying focused on results, we are accelerating restoration and ensuring this work continues moving forward,” she said.
Since taking office, DeSantis has prioritized Everglades restoration, with the state committing nearly $8 billion to related projects—$3.3 billion in his first term and $4.6 billion in the first three years of his second term. The proposed 2026 budget includes an additional $1.4 billion, which would bring total investment to $9.5 billion.
Officials say the investments have already tripled water storage capacity in South Florida and contributed to environmental improvements, including salinity levels in Florida Bay reaching targets for the first time in decades.
With contracts finalized and construction accelerating, the EAA Reservoir is expected to play a central role in improving water quality, restoring natural flows and strengthening long-term ecosystem resilience across the Everglades.
