The Blue Shanty Flow Way project in Miami-Dade County has officially broken ground, marking a new step in the ongoing restoration of the Everglades. This initiative is the first to begin under Florida’s recent agreement with the U.S. Department of the Army, aimed at speeding up restoration efforts.
Governor Ron DeSantis highlighted the significance of this milestone. “We are acting on our historic agreement with the Trump Administration to expedite Everglades restoration using federal funds and state expertise,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Today’s groundbreaking on the Blue Shanty Flow Way project in Miami-Dade County is a milestone in our Everglades restoration efforts, building on our many previous conservation actions.”
The start of construction follows a landmark agreement signed on July 18, 2025, between Florida and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to accelerate work in America’s Everglades. The state took over responsibility for completing the Blue Shanty Flow Way and expects to finish it about two years ahead of schedule.
This project is part of the Central Everglades Planning Project within the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan. The plan will allow an average of 370,000 acre-feet more water each year from Lake Okeechobee to reach central parts of the Everglades through infrastructure improvements such as a new levee and removal of older barriers.
According to officials, benefits from this effort include restoring natural water flow southward, improving habitats for wildlife, supporting outdoor recreation and ecotourism, and strengthening links between central areas and Florida Bay.
“With every project, from reservoirs to flow ways, we are delivering real results on time, under budget and with strong returns for Florida’s taxpayers,” said DEP Secretary Alexis A. Lambert. “Alongside our federal partners, state leadership and communities, we will continue driving restoration projects forward.”
Governor DeSantis made Everglades restoration a priority since taking office by issuing Executive Order 19-12 early in his administration that set aside $2.5 billion over four years for water quality initiatives; that target was surpassed during his first term with $3.3 billion invested—more than had been spent in total over twelve previous years.
In his current term as governor, funding has continued at an accelerated pace: $1.4 billion was included for Fiscal Year 2025-26 alone. Since 2019 nearly $8 billion has been directed toward these environmental efforts.
State officials report that more than 75 restoration projects have been started or completed since 2019—an unprecedented rate—and annual reductions now exceed 1.8 million pounds of nitrogen and 770,000 pounds of phosphorous entering local watersheds each year while regional storage capacity has tripled to 176 billion gallons.
Reservoirs like C-44 and C-43 have already been finished while construction continues on what leaders call “the crown jewel”—the EAA Reservoir—which is scheduled for completion by 2029.
