DeSantis stops at UF, talks water protection

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and state officials spoke at the University of Florida Tuesday morning about the state's efforts to protect Florida’s waterways.

DeSantis, flanked by Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Noah Valenstein, Chief Scientific Officer-designate Tom Frazer, UF President Kent Fuchs and environmental officials, spoke at UF’s Steinmetz Hall Courtyard atrium about his recommended $625 million environmental budget for Everglades restoration efforts and protection of the state’s water resources.

“We're happy to be here ... we have a high regard for what UF is doing,” DeSantis said. “We've came out of the gate as governor basically fulfilling campaign promises that the water quality in the Everglades (was) something that voters thought needed more attention. I said we would be bold and take action and we have done that.”

DeSantis announced in January his commitment to investing $2.5 billion into environmental efforts by the end of his first term — $1 billion more than was invested to protect water resources in the previous four years.

Before he spoke, DeSantis participated in a roundtable discussion with Fuchs and UF student researchers about red tide, issues facing coral reefs and the creation of a new state blue-green algae task force.

DeSantis said Tuesday the state is looking for blue-green algae task force members and a governor's office spokeswoman said DeSantis is expected to make an announcement about it within a few weeks.

Fuchs, Frazer and Valenstein all commended DeSantis’ efforts.

Frazer, director of the University of Florida’s School of Natural Resources and Environment and previous acting director of the UF Water Institute, was appointed as the state’s first scientific officer on April 1.

Frazer's appointment followed DeSantis' January announcement of water policy reforms and his signing of an executive order that called for the appointment of a chief scientific officer.  It will be Frazer's job to coordinate and prioritize scientific data, research, monitoring analysis needs to ensure alignment with current and emerging Floridian environmental concerns.

"This was part of our environmental roll out where we said, 'We want to know about what works on this stuff,' " DeSantis said. "Red tide, what's causing it? Blue-green algae. What can we do? Coastal resiliency, coral reefs — all these different things. Dr. Frazer is going to work both with my office and the Department of Environmental Protection to provide us advice ... so we can address these challenges."

Frazer told The Sun he was excited to get to work dealing with pressing issues facing Florida's environment.

"It's an honor to be recognized," he said. "The environment faces many challenges. I'm excited to become part of the team and start dealing with these issues."

DeSantis also spoke Tuesday about the overhaul of the South Florida Water Management District board, which oversees the Everglades, and efforts to rid the Everglades of invasive species like pythons, which he called a "total disaster."

"We're spending all this money to restore the Everglades, only to let these pythons ravage all this wildlife?" he said. "That's not acceptable."

DeSantis added that Florida's economy could benefit from the state addressing water issues.

Tom Kay, executive director of Alachua Conservation Trust, said improving the quality of Florida's waterways is key in boosting Florida's economy. Kay said he was excited about DeSantis' first steps toward bettering Florida's environment.

"(DeSantis') administration are taking initial actions necessary to protect these resources that make Florida's natural landscape unlike anywhere else in the world," he said.

DeSantis said he was glad to be in Gainesville and UF, adding he'd have to come back once UF breaks into the top-five list of public universities. The comment caused Fuchs and the crowd to let out a collective chuckle.

DeSantis left UF and was heading to the Florida Keys Tuesday afternoon.