Because of a brand new settlement between the State of Florida and the U.S. Military Corps of Engineers (the Corps), development of the Everglades Agricultural Space (EAA) Reservoir is slated to be full in 2029 as a substitute of 2034.
Below the brand new settlement, the State, by means of the South Florida Water Administration District (SFWMD), will assume management over key venture parts, such because the influx/outflow pump stations, auxiliary buildings, and the Blue Shanty circulate manner, whereas the Corps focuses on the reservoir’s core basin work. This rebalancing of roles is explicitly designed to hurry up allowing, cut back federal bottlenecks, and compress the venture timeline by a full 5 years.
As a result of these peripheral methods (pump stations, influx/outflow works, circulate methods) typically create regulatory or engineering delays, the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)’s shift of these duties to state companies is meant to streamline coordination and cut back expensive pauses.
This marks a giant shift in Everglades restoration technique. Granting the state extra authority, whereas sustaining rigorous environmental safeguards, gives a path to hurry up years of incremental progress. But, the promise of sooner supply can solely succeed if implementation is clear, science-based, and accountable. Audubon will insist that water high quality requirements, salinity controls, and ecosystem circulate targets for the larger Everglades system are by no means sacrificed for pace. We can even work to make sure different conveyances and parts preserve this pace to forestall bottlenecks, particularly within the southern a part of the system.
Nonetheless, questions stay. Will long-term funding, contracting oversight, and public scrutiny maintain tempo? Audubon Florida plans to stay vigilant, urging common public updates and adaptive administration. If this MOU yields on-time, on-budget outcomes that restore water connectivity southward, it may stand as a daring mannequin — not only for the Everglades, however for large-scale ecosystem restoration nationwide and past. Nonetheless, holding this tempo of funding will probably be a problem for these like us who foyer and advocate for it.
This text authentic appeared within the Fall 2025 State of the Everglades report. Learn the complete report here.
