Gov. DeSantis Holds Press Conference in South Bay

Discusses Army Corps of Engineers projects with federal and state officials

Apr. 13, 2026 at 2:55pm

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A serene, painterly scene of a lone podium set up in an open field, with warm sunlight casting deep shadows across the landscape, conveying a sense of quiet contemplation around the important environmental work being done in this region.State and federal officials gather in the rural Everglades to discuss critical infrastructure projects aimed at restoring the fragile ecosystem.South Bay Today

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis held a press conference in South Bay, Florida on Monday morning. He was joined by Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Adam Telle, Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Alexis Lambert, and Major General Jason E. Kelly to discuss ongoing projects by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the region.

Why it matters

The press conference highlighted the collaborative efforts between state and federal officials to address environmental and infrastructure challenges in South Bay, a rural community in the Everglades region that has faced economic and environmental struggles in recent years.

The details

The press conference took place at the EAA Reservoir Construction Village, a site of an ongoing U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project to build a large water storage reservoir. Governor DeSantis and the other officials discussed the progress and importance of this project, as well as other Corps initiatives in the area related to Everglades restoration and flood mitigation.

  • The press conference was held on Monday, April 13, 2026 at 11:00 a.m.

The players

Ron DeSantis

The Governor of Florida.

Adam Telle

The Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works.

Alexis Lambert

The Secretary of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

Jason E. Kelly

A Major General in the U.S. Army.

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What they’re saying

“The Army Corps of Engineers projects in this region are critical to the long-term health of the Everglades and the communities that depend on it.”

— Ron DeSantis, Governor of Florida

What’s next

The officials did not announce any specific next steps, but indicated that they will continue to work together to oversee the ongoing Army Corps projects in the South Bay area.

The takeaway

This press conference demonstrates the collaborative approach between state and federal officials to address environmental and infrastructure challenges in the Everglades region, highlighting the importance of these efforts for the local community and the broader ecosystem.