Governor Ron DeSantis celebrates the groundbreaking of the Blue Shanty Flow Way project as part of ongoing Everglades restoration efforts
Miami Dade, Florida – Governor Ron DeSantis yesterday marked a major step forward in Florida’s ongoing Everglades restoration efforts with the official groundbreaking of the Blue Shanty Flow Way project. This initiative is set to ensure that water from the soon-to-be-completed Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) Reservoir flows south into Everglades National Park and Florida Bay, bolstering one of the state’s most significant environmental restoration programs.
“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.”
The groundbreaking comes just two months after a landmark agreement between the State of Florida and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, signed on July 18, 2025, to accelerate restoration of the Everglades. Under this agreement, the State of Florida assumed responsibility for the Blue Shanty Flow Way and anticipates completing it roughly two years ahead of schedule. The project is the final component necessary to “uncork” the Tamiami Trail as envisioned under the Central Everglades Planning Project, a core element of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan.
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The Central Everglades Planning Project is designed to deliver an average of 370,000 acre-feet of additional water annually from Lake Okeechobee to the Central Everglades. This additional flow is critical to restoring the historic “River of Grass” and ensuring healthier ecosystems throughout the region. The Blue Shanty Flow Way project includes the construction of 8.5 miles of a new levee and the removal of older barriers to allow water to move more naturally across the landscape.
Restoring the natural flow of water will provide significant benefits for the Everglades ecosystem. It will improve habitats for fish, birds, and other wildlife, while also enhancing recreational and ecotourism opportunities in the region. Perhaps most importantly, it will strengthen the connection between the Central Everglades and Florida Bay, helping to safeguard one of the nation’s most iconic natural treasures.
“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 Everglades restoration and water quality a central focus of his administration. On his second day in office, he issued Executive Order 19-12, committing $2.5 billion over four years to water quality and Everglades projects. That commitment was exceeded during his first term, with a total of $3.3 billion invested—more than had been spent in the previous 12 years combined.
In his second term, Governor DeSantis has continued this aggressive pace. The FY 2025-26 budget includes $1.4 billion for Everglades restoration, bringing the total investment in his first three years of this term to $4.6 billion, already surpassing his $3.5 billion goal. Since 2019, nearly $8 billion has been dedicated to improving water quality and restoring the Everglades, funding over 75 projects—the highest number of restoration projects completed or launched in any administration in history.
These investments are already yielding measurable results. Nutrient reductions now total more than 1.8 million pounds of nitrogen and 770,000 pounds of phosphorus annually. South Florida’s water storage capacity has tripled to 176 billion gallons, and major reservoirs—including the C-44 and C-43 reservoirs—are complete. The EAA Reservoir, often called the “crown jewel” of Everglades restoration, is on track for completion by 2029.
The Blue Shanty Flow Way represents the latest chapter in this long-term effort, and state officials are optimistic about the ecological and economic benefits it will bring. By improving water quality, supporting wildlife, and enhancing opportunities for outdoor recreation, the project underscores Florida’s commitment to preserving the Everglades for future generations.
As construction begins, Governor DeSantis and state partners are emphasizing the importance of collaboration between federal, state, and local agencies to achieve these ambitious environmental goals. With accelerated timelines, substantial funding, and a growing portfolio of successful projects, Florida is positioning itself as a national leader in wetland restoration and water management.
