The State of Florida and Miami-Dade County are launching a $20 million protection and preservation project for Biscayne Bay.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the new project during a news conference Monday in Key Biscayne with Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava.
“It’s not an overstatement to say that our entire economy and our community’s prosperity depends on access to clean water," Levine Cava said.
DeSantis said $10 million will come from the state's $625 million water preservation fund, and $10 million will come from the county.
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Initial projects will include infrastructure updates to help prevent sanitary sewer overflows in Biscayne Bay.
"It's a treasured resource for Florida, for Miami-Dade," DeSantis said. "Protecting Biscayne Bay has to be a top priority."
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Biscayne Bay was experiencing large fish kills over the summer and fall. The kills happen when pollutants seep into the bay, killing off seagrass and growing algae which lowers oxygen levels.
Officials will be tracking progress with a new year-by-year report card. One from December showed chemicals reaching troubling levels in Biscayne Bay.
"It will keep our government accountable every year in this report so we can show the progress we’re making," Levine Cava said.
Here are some of the Miami-Dade water quality initiatives the county is considering:
