TAMPA, Fla. — The Preserving State Parks Act and its companion in the House are aiming to tighten restrictions on development in Florida State Parks.
Senate Bill 80 is being discussed in legislative committees.
The bill, sponsored by Republican Sen. Gayle Harrell, has bipartisan support and has a companion bill in the House.
What You Need To Know
- The Preserving State Parks Act and its companion in the House are aiming to tighten restrictions on development in Florida State Parks
- Last year's proposal announced by Florida's Department of Environmental Protection to build new sports facilities, hotels and glamping sites at eight state parks across Florida has drawn a wave of opposition, not just from nature lovers and birdwatchers but also from members of Gov. Ron DeSantis' cabinet
- The State Parks Preservation Act, or Senate Bill 80 (SB 80), is a Florida bill that aims to protect state parks from development
- PREVIOUS STORY: Residents ready to push back on potential future development plans at Honeymoon Island (Aug. 29, 2024)
It would require public hearings for conservation and non-conservation land management plans.
The division of recreation and parks would have to comply with provisions when granting leases, and permits and any development would need input from an advisory panel before plans could go forward.
But as many as 60 groups that want the bill strengthened.
Sierra Club of Tampa was one of dozens of groups across the state that fought off a plan by the State to develop state parks with golf course, hotels, pickle ball courts and other amenities.
The proposal last year was eventually tabled by Gov. Ron DeSantis, and now some legislators are hoping the Preserve State Parks Act will help deflect future development plans.
Sierra Club’s Vice Chair Janet Stanko says the bill contains loopholes, and it is now lobbying legislators to strengthen the bill before throwing support behind it.
“If we can get that language changed, and we are lobbying for the language to get tightened up, then we will look at the total package that comes out to the committees, and each committee can change it,” Stanko said. “So we will have to see how it progresses through the committee, and then we will consider endorsing or opposing or not taking a position.”
As Sierra Club’s lobbying efforts continue this week in Tallahassee, it says it is also encouraging people to write their elected senators and representatives to send a strong message about the bill.
“If you are concerned about loose language that con provide loopholes for state parks to be exploited and developed by private enterprise, you can write your state representative and state senators and encourage them to reject this bill until it is worded more carefully to ensure there is not further development into state parks,” said Sierra Club Volunteer Coordinator Todd Randolph.
Both Senate Bill 80 and House Bill 209 would need full votes before being passed to the governor’s desk.
It is unclear if the governor would throw his support behind the bill. The legislative session runs through the end of May.