Gov. DeSantis Signs Legislation Funded by Seminole Gaming Compact

This initiative, fueled by the lucrative gaming compact with the Seminole Tribe of Florida, is set to channel hundreds of millions of dollars into land acquisition, wildlife preservation, and waterway protection.

A Sustainable Partnership for Florida’s Future

Under the bright Florida sun, Governor DeSantis, alongside legislative leaders and Seminole Tribe Chairman Marcellus Osceola Jr., unveiled the plan that dedicates nearly $750 million annually from the gaming compact towards various environmental endeavors.

The legislation, SB 1638, which sailed through both chambers of the Legislature with unanimous support, outlines a strategic allocation of gaming revenues.

Key funding includes $150 million for the South Florida Water Management District’s operations, $100 million each for upland management, invasive species removal, and land acquisitions to bolster the wildlife corridor, alongside substantial investments in the DEP’s Resilient Florida Trust Fund and the Water Quality Improvement Grant Program.

A Fiscal Foundation for Conservation

The 2021 gaming compact, a financial cornerstone of this environmental initiative, ensures the Seminole Tribe’s commitment to a minimum payment of $2.5 billion over five years. This agreement not only secures a steady revenue stream for the state but also underscores the Tribe’s integral role in Florida’s ecological and economic landscape.

Chairman Osceola’s poignant reflection on the enduring partnership between the Tribe and the state highlights a shared dedication to preserving Florida’s natural resources for generations to come. T

his collaborative spirit is echoed in Governor DeSantis’s pride in his environmental achievements since taking office, emphasizing a pragmatic approach to addressing challenges like climate change without imposing undue burdens on the populace.