Shutts & Bowen Orlando partner Dan O’Keefe, Chairman of the South Florida Water Management District Governing Board, was personally commended by Gov. Rick Scott for his leadership of the District.
Mr. O'Keefe and the governor spoke at a joint press conference Feb. 5 in West Palm Beach announcing Gov. Scott’s plan to provide $5 billion to Everglades restoration over the next 20 years.
The Governor personally commended Mr. O'Keefe for his leadership of SFWMD and for his efforts to complete a number of important water projects that had languished for many years prior to Mr. O'Keefe’s arrival on the scene. Mr. O'Keefe has been a member of the District's governing board since 2011 and its chair since 2013.
Gov. Scott's $5-billion plan is part of his 2015-2016 “KEEP FLORIDA WORKING” budget. The proposal includes $150 million for Everglades restoration this year. In addition, Governor Scott’s proposed budget also includes $150 million that will be allocated toward land acquisition and increased land management which will focus in part on protecting land for the Florida panther.