The following is from the Florida Springs Council Newsletter.
Not only did our governor choose to leave Rodman Dam intact, he severely slighted environmental funding as explained below.
Comments by OSFR historian Jim Tatum.
jim.tatum@oursantaferiver.org
– A river is like a life: once taken,
it cannot be brought back © Jim Tatum
Springs Funding – A Drop in the Bucket
Once again, there is a major disparity in funding between environmental restoration in North and South Florida, drawing a clear picture of our elected officials’ priorities. In the 2025-2026 Florida Budget, springs restoration has been allocated the minimum amount allowable by law, $50 million. Compared to the roughly $800 million set aside for Everglades restoration, Florida’s springs and rivers continue to be neglected by the Legislature and Governor. It’s no surprise to springs protectors that the health of our springs is declining, and without significant funding, Florida’s springs, rivers, and rural communities will suffer.
Florida Forever Significantly Underfunded at $18 million – A Slap in the Face for Conservation
The past two years conservation organizations have asked the Legislature to allocate a minimum of $500 million from the Land Acquisition Trust Fund for the Florida Forever program, the State’s leading conservation and recreation land acquisition program. Florida Forever is a science-based and transparent program that supports fee-simple acquisitions and prioritizes projects with ecological significance, historical value, water resource protection and recreational value. This year, the budget includes a measly $18 million for Florida Forever, a notable decrease from the $100 million required by Florida law.
Also on the chopping block was Florida Communities Trust, Florida’s state-funded land acquisition program for increasing local recreational opportunities and public access. The Legislature zeroed out funding for FCT’s projects in this year’s budget.
In contrast, the State increased funding for the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, from $100 million to $250 million. Unlike Florida Forever, the Rural and Family Lands Program is limited to conservation easements on agricultural lands. Rural and Family Lands conservation easements do not allow public access or provide the same environmental benefits as acquisitions under the Florida Forever program.
