DeSantis asks entire South Florida water management board to resign | TheHill

Newly sworn-in Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) on Thursday asked the entire South Florida water management board to resign as part of his water policy reform.

In his second day in office, DeSantis thanked the board members for their service but said he had a “bold vision” for the board and asked the members for their immediate resignations.

“I thank you for your service to the State of Florida, but it is time for a clean reset of the leadership of the Board to focus appropriate attention on this bold vision,” the governor wrote in a letter. “Therefore, I ask that each of you tender your resignation from the Board, effective immediately.”

The South Florida Water Management District did not immediately respond to The Hill’s request for comment on the governor’s demand.

DeSantis began his restructuring of Florida management policy earlier Thursday when he signed an executive order to increase funding for Everglades restoration by $1 billion, establish an algae-specific task force, create an Office of Environmental Accountability and Transparency and appoint a chief science officer to coordinate and prioritize data.

“Our water and natural resources are the foundation of our economy and our way of life in Florida,” DeSantis said.

“The protection of water resources is one of the most pressing issues facing our state. That’s why today I’m taking immediate action to combat the threats which have devastated our local economies and threatened the health of our communities.”

The changes are at least partly driven by Florida’s red algae tide crisis.

A widespread epidemic of […]

Full article: DeSantis asks entire South Florida water management board to resign | TheHill