Natural Resources Conservation Grant for Tornado Damage from Hurricane Milton

After Jupiter Farms was impacted by a tornado generated by Hurricane Milton in the fall of 2024, the Executive Director and District Engineer applied for a Natural Resources Conservation Service grant to cover vegetative debris removal. The District was approved for a grant in the amount of $702,628.30 for construction services and technical administration of the grant. Funding is from the Emergency Watershed Protection program and work began on September 8, 2025.

The grant is a 100% reimbursement of District funding for vegetation removal work in Canal 3, east of Jupiter Farms Road, and Canal 7, the South Perimeter Canal. 

The second grant allocation from the Natural Resources Conservation Service for Hurricane Milton tornado damages in Canals 3 and 7 has been approved in the amount of $846,737 and together with the initial grant of $702,628, the total Federal contribution is $1,549,365.

For Phase 2 of the grant, the technical administrative cost performed by the District Engineer are not covered. There was a surplus of $2,722.56 from the first phase, and this will be credited towards this cost, which will be be capped at a maximum of $50,000 per the Board of Supervisors.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service grant reimbursement for the first phase was received in the District bank account on March 3, 2026. The contractor, Crowder-Gulf will restart work in Jupiter Farms Canal 7 as soon as water levels allow the use of boats and small barges for removal of debris and vegetation.

This grant was made possible by the Cell Tower Multiplier fund implemented by the District in 2024.