Advocates for restoring the Ocklawaha River are undeterred by a recent veto setback and are moving ahead and regrouping to get more information out to the public.

Gov. Ron DeSantis on June 30 signed the 2025-26 budget after vetoing almost $600 million in programs and projects from the $115.1 billion spending plan composed by lawmakers. One of the budget casualties: $6.25 million for the study that the Legislature approved to restore the flow of the Ocklawaha River and dismantle a controversial dam.

DeSantis slashed $500,000 to study the potential environmental and economic effects of removing the dam last year.