Gov. DeSantis touts Florida, water quality in Fort Pierce at budget signing
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FORT PIERCE — Gov. Ron DeSantis came to the Pelican Yacht Club on Thursday to sign the state budget − which included $100 million for the Indian River Lagoon − and talk about his presidential campaign, on the edge of the waterway.
“We wanted to be in a nice beautiful backdrop to highlight all that we did in this budget for Florida's natural resources, environmental stewardship, Everglades restoration and a new program that we're going to do for the Indian River Lagoon,” he said.
The $117 billion budget was the state’s largest for the environment, with $7.3 billion. Of that, $1.6 billion is going toward the Everglades and water-quality projects, DeSantis said. The Indian River Lagoon, one of the most biologically diverse estuaries in North America, will get $100 million.
“Clean water is a part of the livelihood of so many of the folks who are here today and so many of the folks who call this marina home,” said Shawn Hamilton, secretary of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
DeSantis signed a law to improve the Basin Management Action Plan that regulates agricultural runoff. It creates and funds the Indian River Lagoon Protection Program with $100 million. It also dedicates $100 million to the Florida Forever Program, which focuses on land conservation and includes the Indian River Lagoon Blueway.
However, environmentalists point out that the bill and past legislation hasn't addressed enforcement for landowners who exceed state pollution limits.
“We're happy that there are steps being taken for environmental protection and for water quality, especially for the Indian River Lagoon, but it doesn't go far enough," said Casey Darling Kniffin, advocacy coordinator at the Florida Oceanographic Society.
Environmentalists are still concerned about:
Not enough monitoring, enforcement and prevention of water pollution, especially agricultural
A ban on fertilizer ordinances that could go into effect as a result of signing this budget
Senate Bill 718, which prohibits citizens’ initiatives or referendums on land development regulations
SB 170, which makes it easier for businesses to sue local governments
A 2022 TCPalm investigation found that BMAP failed to curb water pollution. All 32 drainage basins around Lake Okeechobee with available data exceeded the phosphorus limit. In response, environmentalists called on the state to enforce best management practices for noncompliant landowners, beyond “presumed compliance” and warning letters.
Charter fishing Capt. Mike Holliday said the next step is enforcement.
“In the state, I still don't see them holding anybody accountable for the waters flowing into our rivers,” Holliday said.
Holliday, who’s been a fishing guide on the Treasure Coast since 1986, called DeSantis “a champion of Florida’s environment” and credited him for prioritizing water quality issues during the press conference.
“We've been fortunate to have Gov. DeSantis who, over two terms, has provided leadership for water-resources protection by channeling historic funding towards Florida's environment,” Holliday said. “There's a reason over 60% of the state's population lives among the coast, and why tourists from around the world come and spend time here on our beaches and waterways. We have a water-based economy and we live a water-oriented lifestyle.”
He told TCPalm afterward that the conference was “a dog and pony show” and called on DeSantis to reinstate Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch to the South Florida Water Management District.
DeSantis first appointed Thurlow-Lippisch, a longtime clean-water advocate from Martin County, in 2019. Last month, the Senate failed to confirm her to the board.
“DeSantis should step right up and reappoint her. She has been amazing for the state of Florida and as a representative for our community,” Holliday said. “I don’t know why he hasn’t done it already.”
Holliday guesses DeSantis hasn’t reappointed Thurlow-Lippisch because of the presidential campaign.
“It's got to be horribly difficult to be trying to run two campaigns,” Holliday said.
DeSantis took shots against Democrat-led cities and states such as California, saying Gov. Gavin Newsom is “pussyfooting around” by not announcing his presidential campaign status.
Budget signing: DeSantis signs 2023-24 budget in Fort Pierce, including $100M for Indian River Lagoon
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He also criticized inflation woes under President Joe Biden’s administration while announcing a sales-tax exemption for gas stoves — a heated political debate sparked by a proposal to ban them over health and environment concerns.
Melanie Francisco, granddaughter of former Florida Gov. Daniel McCarty, attended Tuesday’s event with her husband, Craig, as supporters of DeSantis who were excited to see him visit locally amid his announcement of a presidential campaign.
“We like all of his ‘keep Florida free’ policies. Everything he does is really perfect, in our opinion,” said Craig Francisco, Fort Pierce resident.
Katie Delk is a TCPalm environment reporter focusing on issues facing the Indian River Lagoon, St. Lucie River and Lake Okeechobee. You can reach her at katie.delk@tcpalm.com, on Twitter @Katie_delk or at (772) 408-5301.
Lina Ruiz is TCPalm's watchdog reporter for Martin County. You can reach her at lina.ruiz@tcpalm.com, on Twitter @Lina_Ruiz48 or at 321-501-3845.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Gov. DeSantis announces major investment in environment, water quality
