FL S1638

Dedicates 96% of Seminole Tribe gaming compact revenue share payments to environmental purposes, distributing up to $100 million annually each for Florida wildlife corridor land acquisition, upland management and invasive species removal, flooding and sea level rise resilience, and the remainder to water quality improvement grants

Creates the Local Trail Management Grant Program within the Department of Environmental Protection to fund operation and maintenance of trails in the Florida Greenways and Trails System, with priority given to applicants providing cost share and trails within the Florida wildlife corridor

Authorizes the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to enter into voluntary agreements with private landowners for environmental services within the Florida wildlife corridor, including habitat management for species such as the gopher tortoise and Florida panther

Appropriates $150 million in nonrecurring General Revenue funds to the South Florida Water Management District for operations and maintenance, including a contract with the Water School at Florida Gulf Coast University to study the health and ecosystem of Lake Okeechobee, with a report due by January 1, 2025

Appropriates $2 million in recurring funds to the University of Florida to update the Florida Wildlife Corridor and Ecological Greenways Network plans, and $5 million to coordinate with Florida Gulf Coast University on a study identifying regional water quality improvement projects