Gov. DeSantis met with Monroe County Commissioners in January. The FY22 budget was signed today that included the full appropriation of Stewardship Act funding for the Florida Keys environment

Gov. DeSantis Signs FY22 Budget that Includes Record Stewardship Funding Benefiting Monroe County

MONROE COUNTY, FL – Today, Governor Ron DeSantis signed the Fiscal Year 2022 State budget that includes record Florida Keys Stewardship Act funding benefiting Monroe County. The County received the full appropriation of $20 million in Stewardship Act funding and $5 million for land acquisition.

“This is the first year the County secured the entire $25 million request for Stewardship,” said Monroe County Administrator Roman Gastesi. “This is record funding from the Governor and delegation for the protection of the Florida Keys.”

In addition to the Stewardship Act funding, the state budget also includes $1 million for Monroe County’s vessel pump-out services that helps protect the Florida Keys marine environment.

“I am so pleased the Governor signed the budget, which includes critical funding for Monroe County,” said Monroe County Mayor Michelle Coldiron. “In addition to the funding for Everglades restoration, this budget shows us DeSantis is invested in our economic stability and the future of the Florida Keys.”

The State Legislature enacted the Florida Keys Stewardship Act in 2016. This one-of-a-kind legislation acknowledges the importance of protecting the Florida Keys’ unique and fragile resources, including its coral reef, seagrass beds, and mangroves. Florida Keys communities use the funding to implement water quality projects to protect these resources.

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