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USA Today
4 days ago
- Politics
- USA Today
Fishing. camping, disc golf in, but golf, pickleball out in new Florida state parks bill
When news broke in August about controversial plans to build golf courses, lodges and pickleball courts in Florida's state parks, a Stuart lawmaker began drafting legislation to prevent such proposals from happening again. Republican Sen. Gayle Harrell's district contains Jonathan Dickinson State Park, where the state planned to build three golf courses on 1,000 acres of protected scrubland, along with tearing down the historic Hobe Tower. The plans surprised Harrell just as much as her constituents, she said. 'Back when everyone was so upset about this, I said the first bill I'm going to file is to protect our parks,' Harrell told TCPalm this week. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection also listed "disc golf" for the Savannas Preserve State Park in St. Lucie County that spans over 15 miles from Fort Pierce to Jensen Beach. Catch up: All the news about Jonathan Dickinson State Park golf course proposal Harrell to file bill: Will protect state parks from "misguided ideas" like golf courses On Dec. 4, Harrell filed Senate Bill 80, entitled the 'State Park Preservation Act,' which would specify proper recreational uses for state parks — one of which is not golf. The 14-page bill wouldn't just ban golf courses and other recreational facilities in state parks. The law also would update how public lands are managed and conserved, and how these changes are communicated to the public. All this will be considered when the bill goes before the Florida Legislature during the March-May session. What development is allowed in state parks? When Harrell was drafting the bill, she noted the lack of specifics in existing law about what is and is not allowed in state parks. 'The wording in existing law was too vague,' Harrell said. 'In defining the purpose of a park, it basically said to preserve and protect the natural habitat, but it didn't say what that meant.' The bill states only 'conservation-based' recreational uses are permissible in state parks, meaning activities such as fishing, camping, horseback riding and canoeing. Sporting amenities such as 'golf courses, tennis courts, pickleball courts, ball fields, and other similar facilities' are not listed as conservation based and are prohibited. The difference between undisturbed and disturbed habitat The bill prioritizes the conservation of natural resources in state parks by 'minimizing impacts to undisturbed habitat.' An example of this kind of undisturbed habitat would be the pristine scrublands and flatwood forests of Jonathan Dickinson. These lands have largely been untouched for centuries, save the slight impacts of Native Americans who lived there before European settlers. Disturbed habitat, however, should be used to the 'maximum extent practicable.' An example of disturbed lands in Jonathan Dickinson would be Hobe Tower and Camp Murphy, the World War II-era radar training school, whose remaining structures now act as lodging for park staff. Inside 3 private meetings: Veterans group pitches JD state park golf course plan Harrell said these disturbed regions would be protected regardless, given they are designated historical sites. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection, which Gov. Ron DeSantis oversees, thought otherwise. Hobe Tower and portions of Camp Murphy were among the lands slated for development as part of DEP's Great Outdoors Initiative. DeSantis tabled the project after bipartisan public backlash, but said at an August news conference the 'abandoned military camp' could have been turned into 'something really nice.' Examples of proper use of disturbed habitat would mean subtle development, such as adding parking spaces to Hobe Mountain, Harrell said. Bill addresses 350-room lodge at Anastasia State Park A chief concern about the Great Outdoors Initiative was a 350-room lodge proposed for Anastasia State Park in St. Augustine. SB 80 would ban construction and other activities that "may cause significant harm to the resources of the state park,' including "lodging establishments" other than camping cabins limited to six people. Such cabins must be built without damaging critical habitat, natural resources or historical sites. More transparency When the state park development plans were leaked by a now-fired DEP official, the public was given six days to voice their concerns at public meetings around the state. These meetings were nearly simultaneous, on a weekday during work hours and none of the decision-makers involved in the state park plan would have been present. The bill addresses this by requiring any change to public land be announced 30 days before a public hearing. How land management plans work To make changes to public lands, such as state parks, a proposal must go through many hands. Existing law states the land manager, such as DEP or whoever owns the land, must submit a land management plan that details potential short- or long-term impacts to the environment. The plan is presented to the Acquisition and Restoration Council. a 10-member advisory group with appointees by the governor, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. ARC reviews the plan and sends its recommendation to be voted on by the board of trustees, which consists of the Florida Cabinet, including the governor, attorney general, agricultural commissioner and chief financial officer. Jack Lemnus is a TCPalm enterprise reporter. Contact him at 772-409-1345, or follow him on X @JackLemnus.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Florida's new parks law is just a start. Now DeSantis must enforce it.
It didn't have the pomp and circumstance that it deserved, but Gov. Ron DeSantis did the right thing — albeit grudgingly — by signing legislation into law to protect Florida's 175 state parks from encroaching development. The challenge he and future Florida governors now face is to make sure that the State Parks Preservation Act is both respected and enforced. Floridians have made their feelings known ever since last summer's disclosures that developers wanted to build golf courses, pickleball courts and swanky hotels in nine parks, including the Jonathan Dickinson State Park. The outrage started with irate park visitors protesting in front of the targeted state parks. It only grew from there as more individuals and environmental groups across the state joined the fray. Their outrage prompted local lawmakers, state Sen. Gayle Harrell, R-Stuart, and state Reps. John Snyder, R-Stuart, and Peggy Gossett-Seidman, R-Boca Raton, to file bills — SB 80 and HB 209, respectively — that received unanimous support and approval within the Florida Legislature. Editorial: Florida's new parks law is just a start in protecting our state's environment The public sent a crystal-clear message that they don't want to see the state's natural and undisturbed forests, parks and "wild" open spaces transformed into gaudy tourist traps. The bill may have become law without the fanfare of a public signing event, but the fact that the new environmental protection law now exists shows that DeSantis has gotten the peoples' memo. Floridians will be vigilant in making sure that preservation remains a priority of state government, as evidenced by the thousands of texts and phone calls received by state lawmakers before and during this year's legislative session. Also, by their reaction via emailed Letters to the Editor, op-eds, Facebook posts and more to the USA Today Network-Florida Opinion Group's unrelenting campaign to get the legislation passed and signed into law. Opinion: How Gov. Ron DeSantis can spin signing the FL 'State Park Preservation Act' The debacle that resulted in the new law came from an unlikely source — the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. DEP, designed to be the lead agency for environmental management and stewardship, crafted a seemingly counterproductive initiative. Dubbed The Great Outdoors Initiative, the plan was designed to increase park interest by allowing developers to build attractions and facilities not normally associated with protected natural habitats. Access is one thing, but building three golf courses in the beloved Jonathan Dickinson State Park, as initially proposed, is simply outrageous. Harrell was the first lawmaker to recognize the mounting outrage. In the midst of the public outcry, she announced that she would file a bill to address the mounting concerns of commercializing Florida's parks. She filed SB 80 and that bill, and its House counterpart, won unanimous approval at each committee stop. By the time, the bills reached the floors of the Florida House and Senate, it was obvious that the legislation was heading to the governor's desk. The initial statewide protests caught the eyes of many lawmakers — both state and federal. When confronted with questions about the controversial initiative that clearly came out of an agency he controlled, Gov. DeSantis initially distanced himself from the proposal. He later blamed "left-wing groups" for stirring up opposition to what was very bad plan. Neither reaction slowed the determination of Floridians who wanted their state parks to remain parks. Nine months and a 180-degrees later, DeSantis signed the bill into law, and Floridians now have a new legal layer of park protection. It's both a victory and a start. The task now for the governor, DEP officials and indeed, for all Floridians, is to ensure that the letter and spirit of the new parks law is followed to fullest extent possible. This editorial was written as part of a campaign by the USA Today Network Florida Opinion Group to support Senate Bill 80 and protect Florida's state parks from development. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Florida has a new parks law. Enforcement must be priority | Editorial
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
It was the first bill to pass the Senate and now it's the law; DeSantis signs autism package
Sen. Gayle Harrell (L) and Senate President Ben Alblritton. (Photo by Christine Sexton/Florida Phoenix) A bill that increases early detection opportunities and educational interventions for children with autism and their families (and a top priority for Senate President Ben Albritton) was signed into law Tuesday by Gov. Ron DeSantis. 'Thank you Governor DeSantis for signing this comprehensive legislation into law. With this bill, Florida is offering new support from all angles, coordinating research and training, expanding early detection, and increasing education opportunities and other treatment that will help families navigate a diagnosis of Autism,' Ben Albritton, a Republican from Wauchula, said in a prepared statement. 'As always, parents are in control and equipped to make the best decisions to help children reach their full potential.' The bill directs the Florida Department of Health to provide Florida families with early intervention therapies and services through the Early Steps program until the child turns four. That program provides intervention services to eligible infants and toddlers. Under existing law, children age out of the program when they turn three. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The bill creates two education-related grant programs: one for specialized summer programs for children with autism and the other to support charter schools exclusively serving them. The University of Florida Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment is designated as the statewide hub for autism research, services, and best practices. The center also will be in charge of a grant program to establish charter schools for children with autism. Grants will be prioritized for schools serving rural and underserved areas, those with demonstrable success in establishing and operating a charter school exclusively for students with autism and related disorders, and programs that use existing facilities. SB 112 was the first bill to pass the Senate during the 2025 session. At the time, Albritton said the legislation was the state's response to an outcry from parents of children with autism he has met over his political career. Bill sponsor Sen. Gayle Harrell in a prepared statement called the new law a 'game changer.' 'Research is clear. Early detection and intervention services promote positive outcomes for infants, toddlers, and children with a disability or developmental delay,' Harrell said. 'This bill gives parents the opportunity to continue critical early intervention services provided through the Early Steps Program until their child turns four and begins receiving services at school. Additionally, by developing summer programs designed specifically for children with Autism, we can help parents find summer camps and other activities that can accommodate the specific needs of a child with autism, ensuring year-round continuity of care.' The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), defines autism spectrum disorder as a condition characterized by persistent deficits in social communication and interaction and repetitive behaviors. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as of 2020, one in 36 children aged 8 were estimated to have autism. The bill is policy-driven only. There is no appropriation in the legislation to help fund the new law. The money will have to be included in the state fiscal year 2025-26 budget, which the Legislature has yet to pass. The Legislature is at an impasse over state spending and tax relief. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
CBS News
23-05-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Bill to protect state parks from development of pickleball courts, golf courses signed by DeSantis
After a public outcry last year about a Department of Environmental Protection proposal, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday signed a bill designed to prevent construction of golf courses, resort-style lodges and sports facilities in state parks. Lawmakers unanimously passed the bill during this spring's legislative session, and information on House and Senate websites said DeSantis had signed it. The measure will prohibit building golf courses, tennis courts, pickleball courts and ball fields in state parks. It will allow building cabins but not large facilities such as lodges. The Department of Environmental Protection proposal last year, dubbed the "Great Outdoors Initiative," was pulled back amid public opposition. It would have affected nine state parks. Perhaps the biggest target of opponents was a proposal to add three golf courses at Jonathan Dickinson State Park in Martin County, which is in the district of the Republican bill sponsors Rep. John Snyder and Sen. Gayle Harrell. Other parts of the initiative that drew heavy criticism included proposals to construct lodges with up to 350 rooms at Anastasia State Park in St. Johns County and Topsail Hill Preserve State Park in Walton County.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
How Gov. Ron DeSantis can spin signing the FL 'State Park Preservation Act'
With great fanfare and unanimous support, the Florida Legislature passed the State Park Preservation Act (Senate Bill 80) and sent it to the governor. Kudos to state Sen. Gayle Harrell, and state Reps. John Snyder and Peggy Gossett-Seidman for shepherding this popular bill through their respective chambers, heeding the overwhelming bipartisan call of the citizenry. Now, it is up to Gov. DeSantis to respond, and he has three choices. He can veto the measure and risk an embarrassing override. He can quietly let it slide into law after July 1. Or he can sign it. If he signs the measure, he must give it a proper spin, especially since he is not one to apologize or admit a mistake. Here are some choices for what that spin could look like. Put the blame on others: 'This is what I have always wanted! If it wasn't for the hare-brained plan set forth by the rogue Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and leaked by a couple of clueless bureaucrats, we wouldn't have come to this pivotal point in state park history. I applaud this vital piece of legislation, and I guarantee DEP will never veer off the rails again.' Provide a touch of bitterness and irony after a positive statement: 'The people have spoken, and I work for the people! If they want to deal with heat, ticks and mosquitoes in a crowded campground instead of a luxury hotel, then so be it. But don't expect me to be sympathetic when I start hearing complaints about the lack of accommodations in state parks.' Castigate the bill's supporters while touting yourself as a prophet: 'This bill was propped up by a bunch of bunny huggers who have no foothold in reality. Who wants to hike, kayak or fish when you can play golf or pickleball? Sooner or later, people will be begging to change this act to allow for these popular uses. I was just ahead of my time!' And finally, warn that state parks will be in financial trouble because of this bill while digging at a political opponent: 'I was just trying to make state parks financially secure. So now, without an enhanced revenue stream, state parks might be in real trouble, especially if [Florida] House Speaker Daniel Perez and his cronies get their way in passing their treacherous state budget plan.' Editorial: The futures of Florida's state parks are now more certain because of you Of course, the governor can simply be real with the people: 'I am signing this bill because I am humbled by the support I have seen for our state parks. More than ever before, people have embraced the state park mission of providing 'resource-based recreation while preserving, interpreting, and restoring natural and cultural resources.' From here on, my promise to you is to be a model steward of our state's natural beauty and environment, especially when it comes to Florida's award-winning state parks. And when you hear the words 'Great Outdoors Initiative,' it will be to enhance compatible outdoor recreation for the benefit of our health and tourism-driven economy.' It is not too late for the governor to step up and be the leader we all need. Doug Alderson, author of several award-winning books on Florida's outdoors and environment, recently retired from Florida Department of Environmental Protection where he coordinated the state's system of kayak and canoe trails. This op-ed is part of a campaign by the USA Today Network-Florida Opinion Group to support Senate Bill 80 and protect Florida's state parks from development. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: For DeSantis, the Florida state parks bill can be a win-win | Opinion
