State Park Bill in Senate Committee Next Week |
Background
Florida’s state parks protect some of the state’s most ecologically significant lands, providing habitat for wildlife, clean water, and recreational opportunities. They are widely enjoyed by Florida residents and are an important part of our ecotourism economy. Recent proposals to build golf courses, sports courts, and hotels within state parks were met with almost unanimous disapproval and highlighted the need for better processes for park planning and management.
What the Bill Does
SB 80, the State Park Preservation Act, will prevent harm to the natural and cultural resources of our state parks by ensuring transparency in park planning and management and by restricting certain types of development. The bill requires public hearings for all updates to land management plans, prohibits hotels and other lodging establishments from being built in state parks, and requires reports on maintenance needs and budgetary shortfalls.
What We Like
- Prohibits hotels and other large lodging developments in state parks. - Prohibits facilities harmful to state park resources, such as golf courses, tennis courts, pickleball courts, ball fields, and other similar facilities. - Aims to strengthen protections for state parks while promoting resource-based recreation. - Brings budget shortfalls and maintenance needs to the forefront.
What Needs Improvement
- Further clarify the terms “to the maximum extent practicable,” “significant harm,” and “avoid” ensuring that decisions will favor the park’s natural resources. - Provide a clear description of the types of buildings, such as rustic cabins and concessionaires that should be allowed. - Include provision that will require reporting of budgetary needs for habitat and natural resource management to ensure comprehensive land stewardship. - Legacy existing facilities, like the historic Wakulla Springs Lodge, and allow rustic cabins that have that have traditionally existed in state parks under the new legislation. - Amend language to state that the Division of Recreation and Parks is the entity responsible for the draft management plan materials not the Division of State Lands as mentioned in the bill.
Use Your Voice
We may need you in the coming weeks to engage with committee members to advocate for state parks. Next week, you can tune in to watch the bill in committee on thefloridachannel.org on Tuesday, February 11, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. |
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