TALLAHASSEE, Florida — House and Senate negotiators agreed Monday on a proposed 2024-25 state budget that includes a late proposal to provides $400 million for a massive new reservoir in Central Florida.
They agreed after the Senate on Sunday proposed the $400 million for the St. Johns River Water Management District to buy land for the proposed 7,500-acre Grove Land Reservoir and Storm Water Treatment Area project.
Projected water demand in central Florida far exceeds available supplies, according to the Department of Environmental Protection. State agencies have identified the proposed reservoir in Okeechobee and Indian River counties as a new water source.
Senate President Kathleen Passidomo supported the funding “because she agrees that this is a unique opportunity to purchase thousands of acres at the headwaters of the St. John’s River,” Senate spokesperson Katie Betta told POLITICO.
