Governor Ron DeSantis marks official opening of the c-43 reservoir, a landmark in Florida’s Everglades restoration efforts

Hendry County, Florida – Governor Ron DeSantis stood at the forefront of a monumental moment for Florida’s environment, celebrating the official opening of the Caloosahatchee (C-43) Reservoir. This new 10,000-acre reservoir is not just a major feat of engineering but a critical component of one of the most ambitious Everglades restoration efforts in the state’s history. With state, local, and environmental leaders by his side, the Governor expressed his pride in this significant step forward, underscoring its importance for Florida’s ecosystems and communities.

“During my time as governor, we have set new records for investing in conservation, water quality improvements, and Everglades restoration,” Governor DeSantis said during the ceremony. “Today, I was proud to announce the opening of one of the most consequential Everglades restoration projects that Florida has ever undertaken: the Caloosahatchee (C-43) Reservoir. This project will have an impact far beyond the Caloosahatchee. The C-43 Reservoir is a landmark achievement in our broader mission to restore the Everglades, expand Florida’s water storage capacity, and leave this state better to God than we found it.”

The C-43 Reservoir, a crucial addition to Florida’s water infrastructure, has been designed to improve water quality, protect fragile coastal ecosystems, and increase the state’s water storage capacity. Its completion is not just about solving immediate water management issues but also about safeguarding Florida’s future by addressing challenges that have plagued the state for decades.

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The Governor’s remarks were a reflection of his long-standing commitment to the environment. Since taking office, DeSantis has placed a significant emphasis on Everglades restoration and water quality. Early in his tenure, on his second day in office, he issued Executive Order 19-12, which allocated $2.5 billion over four years for water quality and Everglades restoration projects. The goal was exceeded within his first term, with $3.3 billion invested—more than the combined total from the previous 12 years.

Under DeSantis’ leadership, the state’s momentum toward addressing environmental concerns has only continued to grow. In the current fiscal year, the Florida Legislature committed an additional $1.4 billion toward Everglades restoration and water quality initiatives. With this, the state has now allocated a total of $4.6 billion toward these vital projects, well on its way to surpassing the $3.5 billion goal set for his second term. By the end of this initiative, nearly $8 billion will have been invested in the restoration and preservation of Florida’s precious ecosystems.

“Today, I was excited to join the Governor for this major milestone in restoring Florida’s Everglades with the start-up of the C-43 Reservoir,” said Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Alexis A. Lambert. “Under Governor DeSantis’ leadership, we’ve invested more towards restoration and are seeing meaningful results—on time, under budget, and with strong returns for Florida’s taxpayers.”

The opening of the C-43 Reservoir is part of a broader trend of progress in Florida’s Everglades restoration efforts. Since 2019, the state has completed or broken ground on over 75 restoration projects. These efforts have made substantial strides in reducing harmful nutrients in the water, including more than 1.8 million pounds of nitrogen and 770,000 pounds of phosphorus annually. Additionally, South Florida’s water storage capacity has increased dramatically, tripling to 176 billion gallons—an essential development in a region that frequently faces the pressures of flooding and drought.

The C-43 Reservoir features a pump station capable of moving an impressive 650,000 gallons of water per minute, making it a highly effective tool in managing the flow of water throughout the region. This infrastructure will help mitigate the harmful impacts of excessive water runoff and ensure that water is stored for the future when it is needed most.

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Florida’s commitment to the Everglades is also supported by federal partners, with both the state and the federal government sharing a 50/50 funding commitment for these restoration projects. However, Florida has taken proactive steps to accelerate progress and reduce costs for taxpayers. One example of this is the state’s proposal to take the lead on certain federally authorized restoration projects, such as the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) Reservoir. In 2024, Florida broke ground on this project ahead of schedule and completed its portion early. The state continues to engage in discussions with federal agencies, such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, to explore opportunities for even greater implementation and further reduction of taxpayer costs.

As the Governor and other leaders celebrated the success of the C-43 Reservoir, the broader message was clear: Florida’s commitment to the Everglades and water quality restoration is stronger than ever. These projects, while challenging, hold the promise of a healthier, more sustainable environment for future generations. The C-43 Reservoir is just one piece of the puzzle, but it represents a significant leap toward safeguarding Florida’s most important natural resource: its water.

Governor DeSantis’ leadership on this front highlights the importance of environmental stewardship, and his administration’s ability to drive progress in restoration efforts sets an example for other regions facing similar challenges. Florida’s continued investments in the Everglades will ensure that this unique and vital ecosystem remains resilient, offering benefits not only to local communities but to the state’s economy and biodiversity as well.