Though the budget designates the most money in Florida history to the environment — almost $7.3 billion of a $116.5 billion total — the decision made about fertilizer is telling, Samples said.

“It doesn’t tell the full story,” she said. “We could allocate all of the money in the world for earthmoving projects. But if at the same time, we’re watering down our environmental protections in Florida, we’re not going to make meaningful progress.”

Jeremy Redfern, a DeSantis spokesperson, clarified the intent behind the approval in an email. It’s an effort to help control the study, he said.

“The purpose of the hold on new implementations ensures that fewer variables are introduced during the study period,” Redfern said.

Miami-Dade County Commissioner Eileen Higgins, who championed the county’s fertilizer ban three years ago after a Biscayne Bay fish kill was brought on by nutrient pollution and extreme heat, said she’s glad the decision doesn’t affect existing bans.

Higgins will keep an eye on the results of the study, she said. In the meantime, Miami-Dade County residents still need to comply with the ordinance — and should do so beyond its expiration.

“No matter what the Florida Legislature says, I would recommend that every single person in the state of Florida who has a yard and has a lawn, not fertilize it,” Higgins said. “Take matters into your own hands. Do the right thing to save our water system. Don’t fertilize. Period.”

Haley Busch, outreach director for environmental lobbying group 1000 Friends of Florida, said she’s wary of how the taxpayer-funded study’s results will be portrayed, especially considering the growing influence of the fertilizer industry on public research.

The positive impacts of fertilizer bans have already been well-studied, she said.

UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, which will be at the helm of the research, declined to comment on the governor’s decision to approve funding for the study.

“We have to ask ourselves about any action the state takes: Are we moving toward additional water quality protections or are we moving backwards?” Busch said. “By reopening study on this topic and tying the hands of our local government leaders, that doesn’t strengthen water quality protections.”

This story was produced in partnership with the Florida Climate Reporting Network, a multi-newsroom initiative founded by the Miami Herald, the South Florida Sun Sentinel, The Palm Beach Post, the Orlando Sentinel, WLRN Public Media and the Tampa Bay Times.