The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has been embroiled in controversy following the leak of a proposed plan to develop 45 holes of golf at Jonathan Dickinson State Park and several other parks throughout the state. According to USA TODAY, the plan, which was leaked in mid-August, also includes the addition of pickleball courts, hotels, and disc golf at eight other parks in Florida.
The DEP initially attempted to spin the proposal as part of the "Great Outdoors Initiative," a campaign to increase park visitors. However, the true nature and scope of the plan have raised concerns among many. James Gaddis, a cartographer who worked for the DEP and leaked the plans... alleged that the state's Office of Park Planning was "ambushed" with a directive to map out the projects in late July.
Gaddis claimed that the project was "secretive" and that he and his colleagues were instructed not to discuss the plans with coworkers. Gaddis also suggested that the plans were orchestrated from the top down, with edits coming directly from the governor's office. One of his bosses referred to those directing the plans as "the givers." USA TODAY reported that Gaddis was subsequently fired from his job at the DEP. The true motives behind the plan remain unclear.
Ryan E. Matthews, "a lobbyist who represents the Tuskegee Dunes Foundation.".. was named as an interim secretary of the DEP under former Gov. Rick Scott. Matthews is now with the law firm GrayRobinson. It is unclear whether Matthews was involved in the planning of the development project. The proposal has drawn criticism from environmentalists and park enthusiasts, "who see it as a threat to the state's natural resources." USA TODAY reported that James Gaddis described the plan as "flagrant environmental destruction" and expressed confusion as to why the DEP was tasked with the project.
As the controversy continues to unfold, it --- to be seen how the state will proceed with the proposal and whether it will ultimately be implemented.
Read more: See hereA state proposal to put 45 holes of golf at Jonathan Dickinson State Park was leaked to the public in mid-August along with plans to add pickleball courts, hotels and disc golf at eight other parks throughout Florida. Following the leak, the state tried to get ahead of the controversy, touting the plans as a campaign to increase park visitors called the "Great Outdoors Initiative".
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