State of Florida and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Sign First-of-a-Kind Agreement to Expedite Everglades Restoration

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla.-Today, the South Florida Water Management District and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers signed a first-of-a-kind agreement to advance construction of key Everglades restoration projects in South Florida.

Read the Project Partnership Agreement here.

This agreement ensures federal funding will go to the State of Florida for key projects that will line up with the completion of the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) Reservoir by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 2029. These key projects include the state construction of the final EAA Reservoir component (a seepage management pump station) and the Blue Shanty Flow Way Project, which unlocks a vital system to deliver more clean water south across Tamiami Trail and Florida Bay. The signing took place at the Blue Shanty Flow Way Construction Site with many federal, state and local officials in attendance.

"We are acting on our historic agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to expedite Everglades restoration using federal funds and state agility," said South Florida Water Management District Executive Director Drew Bartlett. "Today's signing marks an important milestone in our Everglades restoration efforts, building on our many previous actions to restore the River of Grass. I appreciate the Corps' efforts to match the state's momentum and sense of urgency on these critical projects that will significantly reduce harmful discharges to the northern estuaries and send more water south for the benefit of the Everglades ecosystem and the people of Florida."

"Looking out at this landscape, it is easy to see what is at stake. The work we do isn't just about moving water or pouring concrete; it is about securing the ecological and economic future of South Florida for generations to come," said USACE Jacksonville District Commander Col. Brandon Bowman. "As we sign these PPAs today, we aren't just entering into legal agreements. We are renewing a pact of trust, collaboration, and shared responsibility. Let's continue to make history, let's keep working together, and let's finish the job."

In July 2025, Governor Ron DeSantis announced that the State of Florida and the U.S. Department of the Army reached a landmark agreement to accelerate Everglades restoration, including the "crown jewel" of Everglades restoration-the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) Reservoir.

Successes since the agreement was signed include:

• State of Florida groundbreaking of the Blue Shanty Flow Way, a crucial component of Everglades restoration in September 2025.
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ribbon cutting to celebrate the completion of the inflow/outflow canal and the seepage canal at the EAA Reservoir Project in September 2025.
• State of Florida groundbreaking of the new inflow pump station at the EAA Reservoir Project in November 2025.
• CERP Framework - Implementing the agreement between the Department of the Army, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, and South Florida Water Management District regarding the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP).
• Announcement by Governor Ron DeSantis and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in April 2026 to celebrate that all federally funded contracts have been executed to expedite the completion of construction of the EAA Reservoir by 2029, five years ahead of the original timeline. This ensures that funding and resources will remain secured through project completion.
• Today's announcement of the signing of the Project Partnership Agreement to solidify federal funds for the State of Florida to advance construction of key projects.

During Governor DeSantis' first term as Governor, he signed record investments to protect America's Everglades and support water quality, investing a record $3.3 billion. At the start of his second term, he called for a historic $3.5 billion investment over the next four years. His 2026-27 budget includes $1.2 billion for Everglades restoration and water quality, bringing the total investment during the Governor's second term to $6 billion, and bringing the investment during the Governor's tenure to nearly $9.5 billion.

This includes continued investments in the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP), the landmark dollar-for-dollar commitment between the state and the federal government to restore America's Everglades. Of the $665 million dedicated to Everglades restoration, the budget allocates $475 million for CERP.

This means that all of the remaining components of state-funded portions of the EAA Reservoir and the Blue Shanty Flow Way are fully funded. This investment ensures that the landmark of Everglades restoration is achieved and delivered five years ahead of schedule. Investments in Everglades restoration are paying off:

• Since 2019, the State of Florida and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have completed, launched or reached a major milestone on more than 85 Everglades restoration projects - the most in state history.
• Nutrient reductions now total over 5.6 million pounds of nitrogen and 933,000 pounds of phosphorus from Florida's waterways.
• South Florida's water storage capacity has tripled to 176 billion gallons.
• The C-44 Reservoir is operational, the C-43 Reservoir is operational, and the EAA Reservoir, the "crown jewel" of Everglades restoration, is projected to be finished by 2029.

Media Resources
Download High Resolution Photos from the Signing Ceremony for a First-of-a-Kind Agreement to Expedite Everglades Restoration
Watch Video from the Signing Ceremony for a First-of-a-Kind Agreement to Expedite Everglades Restoration