Florida Commits $7 Million to Citrus Waterways
Governor Ron DeSantis announced the state funding to restore and protect Citrus County waterways.
Updated on Nov. 13, 2026 in National Parks
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Governor Ron DeSantis announced $7 million in state funding to restore and protect Citrus County waterways. The investment is aimed at improving water quality and preserving natural resources in the region.
Why it matters
The funding is intended to protect waterways that support wildlife, visitors, and the aquifer. Residents and visitors who rely on Florida's springs and rivers for recreation and drinking water stand to benefit from the restoration effort.
The $7 million for Citrus County is a fraction of the more than $430 million Florida has put into 147 springs restoration projects since 2019. The extraction does not detail which specific Citrus County projects the new funding will cover or when they will be finished.
The players
Ron DeSantis
Ron DeSantis is the Governor of Florida, who has overseen the state's expanded springs and water resource restoration programs.
Friends of Crystal River Refuge Complex
The Friends of Crystal River Refuge Complex is a support group that raises funds to fill gaps in refuge budgets for purchases and restoration in the Crystal River area.
The details
The state funding is directed to Citrus County waterways, with the goal of restoring and protecting them. The Friends of Crystal River Refuge Complex raises funds to fill gaps in refuge budgets for purchases and restoration, and the Three Sisters Springs boardwalk is undergoing a three-phase renovation.
Timeline
November 13, 2026: Article published on the state funding announcement.
Before manatee season (approximately late 2026): Phase one of the Three Sisters Springs boardwalk renovation is due.
April 2027: Phases two and three of the boardwalk renovation are scheduled.
Season Trajectory
The Citrus County funding extends Florida's springs restoration program, which has committed more than $430 million to 147 projects since 2019. It adds to a broader statewide effort that has awarded more than $3.5 billion to over 1,000 local water resource protection projects.
Visitors planning trips to Three Sisters Springs should expect boardwalk work to proceed in phases, with phase one due before manatee season. Those visiting Citrus County waterways may see access and conditions change as the three-phase renovation moves forward through April 2027.
The takeaway
Florida's springs restoration is a multi-year effort, so travelers to Citrus County should check current boardwalk status before visiting. Planning around the phased renovation schedule can help avoid disruption at Three Sisters Springs.
What happens next
Phase one of the Three Sisters Springs boardwalk renovation is due before manatee season, with phases two and three scheduled for April 2027.
Further reading
For more on the state's protected natural areas, explore National Parks coverage across Florida.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Spectrum News Bay News 9.
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