$220 million in federal stimulus funds will help finance the backlog of projects on the Department’s Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan project priority lists. With the stimulus funds, proceeds from bonds DEP recently issued in the Clean Water SRF program, DEP’s yearly capitalization grants from EPA, along with the revenues from repayments on previous loans, we expect to provide a significant amount of money for most, if not all, of the projects on the priority lists. New projects will also be funded now and more will be funded in the future as the backlog of current projects is reduced. SRF low-interest loans help communities upgrade wastewater and stormwater systems and improve drinking water infrastructure.

Another $61 million will go toward cleaning up Superfund hazardous waste sites, specifically directed at cleaning up soils and groundwater contaminated by historical practices.

Smaller but critical amounts of money will be directed at cleaning up leaking underground storage tanks where no responsible party exists and reducing diesel emissions from trucks and school buses.

2. What is a “shovel-ready” project?
Generally speaking, "shovel ready" infrastructure projects are those that have the requisite approvals and permits in place and are ready for construction so that federal funds can be spent as quickly as possible, putting Floridians to work and injecting dollars into the economy. For other projects, “shovel ready” means that contracts or grants can be timely awarded for cleanup projects or diesel emission reduction activities that can then proceed quickly. The various programs funded by the stimulus package all have different deadlines that define how quickly money must be awarded in order to circulate money in the economy and complete projects.

3. How is the Florida Department of Environmental Protection getting the word out about the projects?
DEP is committed to transparency and accountability, which are key requirements of the federal stimulus funding. The process for the selection of projects and award of monies will be made readily available to the public so that citizens can see what has been done and why. Project lists and other information will be made available on this website as we move forward.