How will Ron DeSantis approach Florida's environmental struggles once he's inaugurated?

On the campaign trail, Gov.-elect Ron DeSantis approached water issues differently than many Republicans have in the past. 

He called for more scientists on state boards. He vowed to get increased federal funding for water storage and water quality projects. He was critical of Florida's sugar industry, which has been incredibly influential in limiting some water projects.  

But now it's unclear what DeSantis will do once he takes office Tuesday. 

He's told reporters and supporters that a top priority is getting funding and starting work on the design and construction of the EAA reservoir south of Lake Okeechobee to reduce harmful freshwater discharges to the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee rivers.

The discharges are largely to blame for toxic blue-green algae blooms that have plagued the estuaries. 

In a meeting of several newly elected governors with Donald Trump in December, DeSantis asked the president to support the reservoir and expedite the approval process with the Army Corps of Engineers. 

A spokesman for the DeSantis transtion team did not respond to interview requests from TCPalm. This story will be updated if they do.

A spokesman for U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, chair of DeSantis' transition team on the environment, redirected all questions to the DeSantis transition.

More: State's ecological problem all about dirty water

DeSantis' environmental transition team has recommended wide-ranging solutions to the state's issues during its three meetings, from strengthening pollution regulations to advocating for so-called "water farms," which pump polluted water out of the canals and rivers leading into the estuaries and store it until it eventually evaporates or seeps into the ground.

If DeSantis does propose massive changes to water quality standards or large-scale projects to store and clean water, he will still face a Legislature that has been hesitant to pass or has weakened bills funding water projects in recent years. 

Multiple lawmakers have filed water-friendly bills similar to those that have not passed in recent years. When DeSantis rolls out his budget recommendations, he could recommend similar bills. 

Temperince Morgan, executive director of The Nature Conservancy in Florida and a member of DeSantis' environmental transition committee, said she's not worried about outside influences stymieing their recommendations. 

"I’m hopeful that recommendations made by the transition advisory committee, who are leaders from diverse backgrounds in environment, natural resources and agriculture charged with advising on protecting the environment, can be supported by the governor and Legislature, and begin 2019 by moving forward on what is best for the environment," Morgan said in an email. 

Everglades Foundation CEO Eric Eikenberg said DeSantis will "shake up" the status quo on environmental issues, saying that's necessary to keep Florida growing. He said he's talked to activists throughout the state who are ready for change. 

"Blue-green algae, droughts, fish kills, loss of tourism and economic revenue and jobs; it doesn't matter if you're a Democrat or a Republican or an independent. These issues are what make Florida special; they're what make Florida great," Eikenberg said. 

"It doesn't matter what party you're with. They want it fixed. They want it changed moving forward, and he has a tremendous opportunity to do it." 

Algae 

DeSantis took multiple trips on the campaign trail to areas on the Treasure Coast and Southwest Florida affected by toxic blue-green algae blooms and red tide. 

He proposed multiple solutions: 

• Create a task force to investigate and oversee the causes of the blooms and propose solutions. 
• Expedite construction of the EAA reservoir south of Lake Okeechobee that would store and clean water, and send it south. 
• Tighten regulations on pollution levels in the Lake Okeechobee watershed. 

Morgan said she supports and will push for DeSantis' administration to add more water storage and treatment projects throughout the Everglades ecosystem. 

She said that includes stormwater management efforts in and around Lake Okeechobee to reduce and improve runoff from both urban and agricultural sources, and septic-to-sewer conversions.

"The DeSantis administration should work closely with legislators, scientists and citizens on cooperative efforts relying on sound science and comprehensive planning to treat and help prevent blooms," Morgan said. "2018’s blue-green algae blooms and red tide events have devastated our waterways, wildlife, livelihoods and quality of life." 

Sugar and agricultural standards

DeSantis has been a longtime foe of Florida's sugar industry. 

While serving in Congress, he voted against price supports as part of the Farm Bill. Since then, he has criticized the industry, ramping up attacks during the primary. 

Florida's two largest sugar companies — U.S. Sugar Corp. and Florida Crystals — contributed more than a half-million dollars to DeSantis' rival in the Republican primary, outgoing Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam. DeSantis capitalized on the donations, referring to Putnam as "U.S. Sugar's errand boy."

After the primary, DeSantis' criticism of the industry waned. While he never received a direct contribution from the industry, business interest groups heavily funded by sugar boosted DeSantis' campaign. 

Environmentalists hope DeSantis and incoming Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, a Democrat who also received little support from agricultural interests, will consider imposing stronger regulations on industry pollution. 

More: Could Ron DeSantis transform water quality standards for agricultural industry?

However, it's unclear if any changes will be made, or if there will be division over how it's done. 

Some members of the DeSantis transition team have supported creating stronger partnerships with agriculture, similar to what Putnam supported while serving as agriculture commissioner.

Others have expressed support for moving components of state water quality regulation from the agriculture department to the environmental protection department.

DeSantis supported the latter during his campaign, but that stance since has been wiped from his website. 

South Florida water management 

On the campaign trail, DeSantis said he would support adding more scientists to water management district boards, a sharp contrast to former Gov. Rick Scott, a Republican who mostly appointed business leaders. 

But soon after DeSantis was elected, the South Florida Water Management District board drew ire from environmentalists and DeSantis' environmental transition chair, Mast, for a vote that lets the district continue to lease sugar farmers land slated for the EAA reservoir.

Mast and DeSantis asked the board to delay the vote so they could have time to review the lease. The board declined, prompting Mast and some environmentalists to call for their resignations.

DeSantis has been mum about his stance on the vote. Three of the board's members have terms that expire in March, and environmentalists hope DeSantis will appoint members with fewer ties to Florida industries. 

Eikenberg said he's optimistic there will be major changes at water management districts, not just on boards but with executive staff members.

"This (DeSantis' inauguration) gives us an opportunity for a new start," Eikenberg said, "and in discussions with the DeSantis transition team, they acknowledge that."