January 31, 2022 - The Everglades Foundation CEO Eric Eikenberg released the following statement following Governor Ron DeSantis' press conference at the Everglades Agricultural Area Reservoir:
"The Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) Reservoir, to be built south of Lake Okeechobee, is the most important project in the entire Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan, and this is something Governor Ron DeSantis has led on," said Eric Eikenberg CEO of The Everglades Foundation. "There is bipartisan support for advancing this project that will send water south to replenish the Everglades and Florida Bay, while also protecting the water supply for 9 million Floridians. No project will play a bigger role in reducing algae-causing discharges from Lake Okeechobee, with the added benefit of massive carbon sequestration to help mitigate the impacts of climate change. We hope the President’s budget request includes at least $725 million to enable the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District to expedite this project and continue the momentum to restore America's Everglades."