Florida Senate Passes Bill To Protect State Parks From Development

Florida Senate Passes Bill to Safeguard State Parks from Development In a significant move to protect the natural beauty of Florida's state parks, the Florida Senate has passed Senate Bill 80, a measure aimed at preventing the development of these public lands. The bill, which was part of a broader effort to safeguard the state's environmental heritage, seeks to establish a transparent and inclusive process for changes to land use in parks, thereby ensuring that the public is informed and involved in decision-making. The bill's passage has been welcomed by environmental advocates, who argue that it represents a crucial step in preserving the integrity of Florida's state parks.

"This legislation is a great first step in really protecting our state parks," said Mary Keith... chair of the Tampa Audubon chapter's Conservation Committee. "There will still be work to do to assure funding and enforcement, but it will be another sign that the people of Florida really do want to keep their state parks as parks, for their native habitat and inhabitants, and that our legislature listened once again to their constituents." The Florida Department of Environmental Protection's (FDEP) 2024-25 Great Outdoors Initiative, "which was announced in August," "had sparked widespread concern among Floridians.".. who were alarmed by plans to develop nine ← →

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Senate Bill 80, a Florida state legislature measure, aims to prevent development in state parks. This bill, passed by the Florida Senate, was designed to deter future initiatives similar to last summer's plans to expand recreation and lodging in state parks. Without such legislation, the public would have limited notice of changes to land use in parks, resulting in reduced public participation.

The bill was met with approval from Mary Keith, chair of the Tampa Audubon chapter's Conservation Committee, who praised the measure as a "great first step" in protecting Florida's state parks. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection's "2024-25 Great Outdoors Initiative," which included plans to add golf courses, luxury lodges, "and disc golf courses to state parks.".. was met with opposition from Floridians concerned about the impact on wildlife habitats.

The initiative was seen as a threat to the unique environments and ecosystems found in these parks... including the Topsail Hill Preserve State Park in the Florida Panhandle.

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The Florida Senate passed Senate Bill 80 — one of two bills meant to prevent development in state parks. This bill deters initiatives similar to last summer, when Gov. Ron DeSantis' plans were leaked to expand recreation and lodging in state parks. Without legislation like SB 80 and HB 209, Florida residents would have short notices on changes to land use in parks, creating limited participation from the public.