Governor DeSantis Announces Federal Contracts for Everglades Project Have Been Executed

Governor Ron DeSantis joined the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to announce that all federally funded contracts for the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) Reservoir have been fully executed, marking a major step forward in one of the most significant components of Everglades restoration.

Under the agreement, construction timelines for the EAA Reservoir have been accelerated by five years. Florida officials say the state has taken the lead on key project components while continuing coordination with the Army Corps. Critical infrastructure, including an inflow pump station capable of moving 3 billion gallons of water daily from Lake Okeechobee, is already under construction. Agreements for the outflow pump station are nearing completion at a faster pace than traditional federal timelines.

“Today, alongside the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, I was proud to announce that all federally funded contracts have been executed to expedite completion of the EAA Reservoir by 2029, five years ahead of the original timeline,” said Governor Ron DeSantis.

“This milestone brings us a step closer to delivering on our commitment to restore the Everglades. The July 2025 agreement between the state of Florida and the federal government has made all this possible by cutting red tape with an all-hands-on-deck approach. This is a major victory for America’s Everglades and a testament to the progress our joint federal and state teams have made in just nine months.”

The announcement from the Army Corps confirms that all federally managed contracts necessary to meet the accelerated 2029 completion target are now in place, ensuring funding and resources remain secured through project completion.

The project is considered a major milestone in Everglades restoration. The EAA Reservoir includes a planned 240,000-acre-foot storage system and a 6,500-acre-foot stormwater treatment area designed to send cleaner water south into the Everglades, reduce harmful agricultural discharges, and help mitigate drought impacts.

“Everglades restoration is one of the most complex ecosystem efforts in the world, and progress like this only happens when we come together with a shared focus on solutions,” said Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Alexis Lambert.

“By working with our federal partners and staying focused on results, we are accelerating restoration and ensuring this work continues moving forward.”