The Everglades Foundation has announced the groundbreaking of the $3 billion Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) Reservoir project, a significant step toward restoring natural water flow to the Everglades and Florida Bay. The project, which aims to store and treat freshwater, is anticipated to be completed by 2029.

EAA Reservoir Project Advances Restoration Efforts

The EAA Reservoir project is designed to store, clean, and send up to 120 billion gallons of freshwater south annually. This initiative is intended to benefit the Everglades and Florida Bay while also protecting coastal estuaries from harmful discharges, according to the Everglades Foundation.

The EAA Reservoir is the most important thing going on right now in Everglades restoration. I think the Everglades Foundation is a great advocate. They are absolutely helping the cause of restoration, and I do see the value in talking about the economics. And I love their chief scientist (Steve Davis). That organization has to be incredible if he’s still there.

Steve Davis, the foundation’s chief science officer, indicated optimism about the project's success, noting that water flow along the Tamiami Trail has already tripled as of 2024, contributing to the cleaning of Florida Bay. The Everglades Foundation, founded in the early 1990s by George Barley and Paul Tudor Jones, has focused on using science, education, and advocacy to highlight the importance of restoring natural water flow.

Economic Value of the Everglades Highlighted

During a recent gathering in Islamorada, Paul Hindsley, the Everglades Foundation’s chief economist, presented data on the economic significance of the Everglades. He highlighted that the ecosystem provides substantial economic benefits, contributing an estimated $1 trillion over the past 50 years through categories such as real estate, recreation, and water supply. The foundation views the Everglades as a “trillion-dollar asset” essential for tourism and the region's economy.

Eric Eikenberg, the foundation’s chief executive officer, stated that the economic messaging has been well-received in Washington, D.C., garnering supportive responses from members of Congress. Eikenberg also addressed criticisms, including an op-ed in the Miami Herald that suggested the foundation prioritizes politics over science. He firmly rejected these claims, asserting that the foundation works with a strong scientific team and utilizes political engagement to achieve restoration goals, viewing it as a unifying issue.

The foundation's efforts have involved building a broad coalition over more than a decade, advocating for the reservoir project in both Tallahassee and Washington. Legislation supporting the reservoir was passed in 2017, and the project is now expected to be completed under the current administration. Eikenberg expressed pride in the collective efforts that have led to significant progress in Everglades restoration.

Islamorada environmental resources manager Peter Frezza, who attended a foundation event, emphasized the EAA Reservoir's critical role in current restoration efforts and acknowledged the value of the Everglades Foundation's advocacy and economic arguments. The foundation's work is part of a larger, collaborative network of organizations, scientists, tribes, fishing groups, businesses, and government agencies dedicated to Everglades restoration. More information on the foundation's work can be found on their website, The Everglades Foundation. Further details on the broader restoration efforts can be explored through Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission resources.