DeSantis Announces More Than $29 Million for Biscayne Bay Water Quality and Coral Reef Restoration in Florida

 

Photo credit: Gage Skidmore/CC BY-SA 2.0, via Flickr

Florida Governor DeSantis Announces More Than $29 Million for Biscayne Bay Water Quality and Coral Reef Restoration

Tallahassee, Fla., December 9, 2025 — Governor Ron DeSantis on Tuesday announced more than $29 million in new state funding to support water quality improvements in Biscayne Bay and accelerate restoration efforts along Florida’s Coral Reef.

Speaking in Miami, the governor awarded $20 million through the Biscayne Bay Water Quality Improvement Grant Program. The funding will be distributed across eight projects aimed at reducing nutrient pollution, upgrading wastewater and septic systems, and strengthening stormwater infrastructure as population growth puts additional pressure on the bay.

“It was great to be in Miami this morning to announce new investments of almost $30 million to improve Biscayne Bay water quality and support the long-term recovery of Florida’s Coral Reef,” DeSantis said. “Protecting and restoring Florida’s waterways is essential to our way of life. To date, my administration has awarded over $3.5 billion to more than 1,000 local projects aimed at protecting Florida’s water resources.”

Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Alexis A. Lambert emphasized the economic and ecological value of Biscayne Bay, describing it as “Florida’s largest estuary and home to an array of important species of plants and wildlife.”

“By making strategic investments in the bay’s water quality, we are revitalizing waters that support not only our wildlife but also our economy and way of life,” Lambert said.

Since 2019, the DeSantis administration has invested $90 million in targeted water quality projects across Biscayne Bay. The estuary is considered one of South Florida’s most significant natural assets, supporting tourism, recreation, and commercial activity. In 2021, the governor signed legislation establishing the Biscayne Bay Commission to expedite water quality improvements and ensure policy decisions are guided by scientific data.

In addition to the Biscayne Bay investments, DeSantis announced $9.5 million for 11 new projects under the Florida’s Coral Reef Restoration and Recovery Initiative (FCR3). These projects will expand land-based coral propagation, improve data management capabilities, and strengthen long-term reef restoration infrastructure.

The initiative, created through Executive Order 23-06 in January 2023, aims to build the workforce, technology, and logistical network needed to support the full recovery of Florida’s Coral Reef by 2050. The reef is the only living barrier reef in the continental United States and a critical component of the state’s ecosystem and tourism economy.

State officials say the combined investments reflect Florida’s long-term strategy to protect its most vulnerable marine resources and preserve natural habitats for future generations.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How much funding did Governor Ron DeSantis announce for environmental restoration?

Governor DeSantis announced more than $29 million in new funding—$20 million for Biscayne Bay water quality projects and $9.5 million for Florida’s Coral Reef restoration.

2. What is the Biscayne Bay Water Quality Improvement Grant Program?

It is a state-funded program that supports projects aimed at reducing nutrient pollution, improving wastewater and septic systems, upgrading stormwater management, and protecting Biscayne Bay’s long-term water quality.

3. How many projects received funding for Biscayne Bay improvements?

A total of eight projects received $20 million in funding to help improve and protect Biscayne Bay.

4. What types of projects are being funded to improve Biscayne Bay water quality?

Selected projects include:

• Wastewater system upgrades

• Septic-to-sewer conversions

• Stormwater management improvements

• Infrastructure designed to support population growth while protecting the bay

5. What is Florida’s Coral Reef Restoration and Recovery Initiative (FCR3)?

FCR3 is a statewide effort created through Executive Order 23-06 in January 2023. It aims to build the infrastructure, technology, workforce, and logistics required for the long-term recovery of Florida’s Coral Reef by 2050.

6. How much funding was awarded for coral reef restoration?

The governor announced $9.5 million for 11 reef restoration projects focused on coral propagation, data management, and expanding restoration capacity.

7. Why is Biscayne Bay important?

Biscayne Bay is Florida’s largest estuary and home to diverse marine life. It supports fisheries, tourism, recreation, and contributes significantly to South Florida’s economy.

8. How much has the DeSantis administration invested in Biscayne Bay since 2019?

Since taking office, Governor DeSantis has allocated $90 million to targeted water quality improvement projects in Biscayne Bay.

9. Why is Florida’s Coral Reef significant?

Florida’s Coral Reef is the only living barrier reef in the continental United States. It protects coastal communities from storms, supports marine biodiversity, and fuels a robust tourism and fishing economy.

10. What role does the Biscayne Bay Commission play?

Created in 2021, the Biscayne Bay Commission ensures decision-making for the bay is guided by objective and sound science and works to accelerate water quality improvements.