Marco Island: What DeSantis’ New Army Deal Means for Everglades Restoration

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis

Florida and U.S. Army Reach Landmark Deal to Fast-Track Everglades Restoration

MARCO ISLAND, Fla. — A transformative and long-awaited environmental restoration project is finally becoming reality. Governor Ron DeSantis announced today a landmark agreement between the State of Florida and the U.S. Department of the Army that will expedite the construction of the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) Reservoir—one of the crown jewels of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP).

“This project, envisioned decades ago, is now not only fully funded and under construction—it’s moving forward faster than ever,” said Governor DeSantis. “The completed EAA Reservoir will deliver critical benefits to Florida’s coastal communities, environment, tourism industry, and future generations.”

A Game-Changer for Florida’s Water System

Located south of Lake Okeechobee, the EAA Reservoir will hold more than 78 billion gallons of water—an area larger than Manhattan—and deliver up to 470 billion gallons of clean, fresh water annually to the Everglades and Florida Bay. It also plays a key role in supporting the Biscayne Aquifer, the main source of drinking water for millions of Floridians.

The agreement allows Florida to take the lead on construction using federal funds, while the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reallocates its resources to accelerate work on the main reservoir basin. Key components like inflow and outflow pump stations and the Blue Shanty Flow Way will now be managed by the State of Florida.

Cutting Red Tape, Restoring Nature

“This agreement highlights a shared federal and state commitment to cutting red tape and fast-tracking one of the nation’s most critical environmental efforts,” said Lee Forsgren, Acting Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works. “It reflects President Trump’s historic commitment in the FY26 budget to move forward aggressively on Everglades restoration.”

The project aims to reverse decades of water mismanagement, which altered the Everglades’ natural flow and contributed to harmful discharges into the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie estuaries. By redirecting water southward—as nature intended—the EAA Reservoir will restore ecosystems, improve water quality, and reduce coastal pollution.

Accelerated Timeline and Proven Results

Thanks to this new state-federal partnership:

• Construction is now scheduled to finish by 2029, five years ahead of the original 2034 target.

• Florida gains authority to construct key components and expedite related CERP projects.

• The state will manage future restoration projects with faster permitting and fewer federal hurdles.

Florida’s leadership in environmental restoration has already delivered impressive results. Since 2019:

• The C-43 Reservoir became operational, providing 55 billion gallons of water storage.

• The C-44 Reservoir, S-333 Expansion, and Old Tamiami Trail Removal were completed ahead of schedule.

• Nutrient pollution reductions total over 1.8 million pounds of nitrogen and 770,000 pounds of phosphorus removed annually from Florida’s waters.

Florida Leads Where Federal Delays Persist

State officials criticized recent delays under the Biden Administration, noting that Army Corps-managed projects have taken up to three times longer to begin construction. In contrast, the Florida-led approach—driven by the South Florida Water Management District—has delivered projects six to seven years ahead of federal timelines, and under budget.

“Floridians know the Everglades better than anyone,” said Alexis A. Lambert, Secretary of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. “This partnership allows us to lead with urgency, commitment, and a deep connection to the land and water that sustain us.”

The announcement was formalized through a Memorandum of Agreement between the State of Florida and the Department of the Army, supported by a Memorandum of Understanding with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Florida DEP, and the South Florida Water Management District.

With this renewed momentum, the Everglades Agricultural Area Reservoir project is finally set to fulfill its decades-old promise—restoring the heart of Florida’s unique ecosystem for future generations.

Top 10 FAQs on the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) Reservoir Project

1. What is the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) Reservoir?
   The EAA Reservoir is a large-scale water storage and treatment project designed to restore the natural flow of water from Lake Okeechobee to the Everglades and Florida Bay.

2. Why is the EAA Reservoir important?
   It aims to improve water quality, reduce harmful discharges into the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie estuaries, and restore ecosystems in the Everglades.

3. Where is the EAA Reservoir located?
   The reservoir is being constructed south of Lake Okeechobee in South Florida.

4. How much water will the EAA Reservoir store?
   It will store more than 78 billion gallons of water, helping regulate water flow and improve environmental conditions.

5. How will the project benefit Floridians?
   The EAA Reservoir will support clean water access, bolster tourism and fishing industries, protect wildlife, and reduce algal blooms in Florida’s waterways.

6. Who is funding the project?
   The project is funded through a partnership between the State of Florida and the U.S. Department of the Army, utilizing both state and federal funds.

7. What is the new agreement between Florida and the Army Corps of Engineers?
   Florida will lead the construction of several components using federal funds, which allows the project to be completed 5 years ahead of schedule.

8. What is the timeline for project completion?
   Originally projected for 2034, the new agreement accelerates the completion date to 2029.

9. What are the environmental benefits of the EAA Reservoir?
   It will restore the natural flow of freshwater southward, reduce pollution, and support the Biscayne Aquifer, a major drinking water source for South Florida.

10. How does this compare to past federal efforts?
    Under Governor DeSantis’ leadership, Florida has outpaced federal timelines by 6–7 years, delivering projects faster and more cost-effectively than past federal efforts under the Biden administration.