Governor Ron DeSantis attended the groundbreaking of the Blue Shanty Flow Way project in Miami-Dade County, which marks a significant step in ongoing Everglades restoration efforts. The event is the first major milestone since Florida and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers entered into a new agreement on July 18, 2025, to speed up restoration work in the Everglades.
“We are acting on our historic agreement with the Trump Administration to expedite Everglades restoration using federal funds and state expertise,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Today’s groundbreaking on the Blue Shanty Flow Way project in Miami-Dade County is a milestone in our Everglades restoration efforts, building on our many previous conservation actions.”
Under this agreement, Florida took over responsibility for constructing the Blue Shanty Flow Way and expects to finish it about two years ahead of schedule. The Blue Shanty Flow Way is designed to move more water from the EAA Reservoir—currently under construction—southward into Everglades National Park and Florida Bay.
This initiative represents the last planned effort to remove barriers along Tamiami Trail as part of the Central Everglades Planning Project within the broader Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan. The project will provide an average of 370,000 acre-feet of additional water each year from Lake Okeechobee to central parts of the Everglades. Planned construction includes an 8.5-mile Blue Shanty Levee and removal of outdated levees to restore natural water movement.
Expected benefits include restoring historic water flow patterns, improving wildlife habitat, supporting outdoor recreation and ecotourism, and enhancing connections between central wetlands and Florida Bay.
“With every project, from reservoirs to flow ways, we are delivering real results on time, under budget and with strong returns for Florida’s taxpayers,” said DEP Secretary Alexis A. Lambert. “Alongside our federal partners, state leadership and communities, we will continue driving restoration projects forward.”
Governor DeSantis has made environmental projects a focus since taking office. On his second day as governor he issued Executive Order 19-12 that committed $2.5 billion over four years for water quality initiatives and Everglades projects—a target surpassed during his first term when $3.3 billion was invested.
During his second term so far—with $1.4 billion included in this year’s Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget—the state has committed $4.6 billion in three years toward these efforts. Total investment since 2019 approaches $8 billion for Everglades restoration and water quality improvements.
Since 2019 more than 75 restoration projects have been completed or started; annual nutrient reductions now exceed 1.8 million pounds of nitrogen and 770,000 pounds of phosphorous; South Florida’s storage capacity has tripled; both C-44 and C-43 reservoirs are finished; and completion of the EAA Reservoir is expected by 2029.
