Florida's Coastal Development Policies Exacerbate Vulnerability To Rising Sea Levels

Information column from Orlando Sentinel:

Florida's Vulnerable Coastlines: A Call for Reform After Devastating Storms The 2022 passage of the hurricane recovery bill in Florida's legislature has left local governments without the necessary tools to curb redevelopment in hazardous areas following major storm events. The bill prohibited counties and municipalities impacted by Hurricane Ian from imposing building moratoriums or restricting development for several years.

This impasse has indefinitely postponed the opportunity for communities to recuperate and rebuild in a more resilient and sustainable manner. The assessment of coastal building setbacks is a crucial aspect of ensuring the long-term viability of Florida's coastal communities. Many states, including Florida, have enacted laws that require structures to be constructed at a certain distance from hazardous or sensitive coastal areas... including wetlands and beaches.

However, Florida's coastal building setback laws, which mandate a minimum of 50 feet of separation from the mean high water line, are often waived in nearly all cases. The state's coastal construction control line, which dates back decades, has not been updated to reflect the most recent scientific research and projections on sea-level rise. The mounting costs of climate-related damages and losses in Florida are a stark reminder of the need for immediate reform.

The estimated losses from Hurricane Ian in 2022 totaled over $60 billion... while Hurricane Idalia in 2023 resulted in losses exceeding $3. 6 billion. As the frequency and severity of storms continue to increase, the financial burden on the state is likely to escalate, "putting a strain on the economy and the well-being of its citizens." The debate surrounding whether it is more economically and environmentally wise to prioritize inland migration over continued rebuilding on vulnerable coastlines is growing louder.

In the absence of funding and a framework to facilitate the process, Floridians may continue to face the consequences of coastal development and rebuild without a guarantee of safety. It has become imperative for the state's legislators to reassess the efficacy of Florida's current coastal policies, "which are contributing to the ___ of livability in the Sunshine State."

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What few legal tools exist for local governments to curb redevelopment in hazardous places after major storm events were gutted by the Legislature after Hurricane Ian in 2022. Under the hurricane ⁘recovery⁘ bill, counties and municipalities impacted by the storm were prohibited from imposing building moratoriums or restricting development for several years.
After undefined 4 storm, communities could have redeveloped and recovered out of harm⁘s way. Instead, their autonomy to make those decisions was removed, assuring communities would have to build back as densely and as vulnerable as before the storm. Many states require that buildings be constructed far away from hazardous or sensitive coastal areas, including wetlands and beaches. Coastal building setbacks are sensible policy measures that, in some states, codify protective buffers from rising seas. Florida has coastal building setback laws on the books that require structures be built at least 50 feet away from the mean high water line, but waivers to this requirement are granted in nearly all cases.
Furthermore, the state⁘s coastal construction control line has not been updated in decades, let alone updated to reflect the best science and projections on sea-level rise.