Latest news with #JohnSnyder
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
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
These Florida students want to protect our state parks. Their art shows it.
In March, the USA TODAY Network-Florida Opinion team reached out to Floridians, seeking their input into House Bill 209 and Senate Bill 80, introduced to protect Florida state parks from the kind of development proposed in 2024. Back then, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's "Great Outdoors Initiative" proposed to make changes at nine state parks, including Jonathan Dickinson State Park near Hobe Sound. The plan to develop the parks, including adding three golf courses in Jonathan Dickinson, was scuttled in the face of furious public opposition and massive controversy. USA TODAY Network-Florida journalists have reported on this the past year, including efforts by Treasure Coast state Rep. John Snyder and Sen. Gayle Harrell to pass the protection bills. The network's state opinion team has advocated strongly and consistently for protection, but sought all Florida voices in the issue. Few came forward in complete opposition. Many letters from readers were published in April. At the same time, Rory Ellison, an assistant environmental educator at the Pelican Island Audubon Society in Indian River County, where he works as a college intern, reached out to the network and asked if his students could learn more about the issue, then address the effort. Shortly before the eve of a Senate vote April 29 on the bill, the network received a digital package from the Audubon Advocates, an after-school science education program of the Pelican Island Audubon Society. The members are fifth-graders at Indian River Academy, south of Vero Beach. The program is designed for fifth-graders in four Title I schools in Indian River County, and addresses "nature deficit disorder," the society says. Its program website says participants go outside, "kayaking on the lagoon, exploring trails and habitat on conservation areas." They learn "science vocabulary words, resulting in better STEM (science, technology and math) scores as they progress to higher grades." Scientists serve as role models. Ellison explained why he had students work on a project addressing the issue: "I read (editor Adam) Neal's article in the newspaper several weeks ago asking people to speak out in support of the campaign to save the parks and prevent a situation like last year when the state government had a secret plan to put golf courses and hotels on park land," Ellison said in an email. "This is meant to be seen by elected representatives and is part of the campaign to convince them and the Legislature to pass the bill. Twelve kids worked hard on it." While youngsters did their own work — shown in the accompanying photo gallery ― they also submitted the following letter, Ellison said: Opinion: USA Today Network-Florida Opinion campaign to preserve and protect our state parks "We want Florida lawmakers to prohibit inappropriate, damaging development in any of Florida's state parks and to make sure that any planning activities for park usage be transparent and made with public involvement. "Please protect Florida's state parks from harmful development by adopting the strong language of House Bill 209 when its companion, Senate Bill 80, is heard on the Senate floor. "HB 209 has broad support from Floridians and was approved unanimously in the House. It will close loopholes that would leave our state parks vulnerable to environmentally damaging development such as golf courses and hotels. We the People of Florida showed our strength by working together to defeat those threats last year. We need to make SB 80 stronger to be sure plans for bad development on park lands don't re-emerge in the future. "Thank you for standing up for state parks! "The Audubon Advocates of the Pelican Island Audubon Society" This article 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. Email letter, op-eds, even photos to , and we will publish them. Please include your name, city and contact information. This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Protect Florida state parks, student Audubon Advocates say | Opinion
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Florida House passes ‘State Park Preservation Act' after public outcry against development plan
The Florida House made clear Wednesday it doesn't want golf courses and resort-style lodges in state parks. House members unanimously passed a bill (HB 209) that stemmed from a public outcry last year about a now-shelved plan that would have put golf courses, lodges and pickleball courts in state parks. The bill, dubbed the 'State Park Preservation Act,' would prevent building golf courses, tennis courts, pickleball courts and ball fields in state parks. It would allow building cabins that could hold up to six people but not large facilities such as lodges. The bill, sponsored by Rep. John Snyder, R-Stuart, and Rep. Peggy Gossett-Seidman, R-Highland Beach, and a similar Senate measure (SB 80) came after a controversy last year about a proposal that the Florida Department of Environmental Protection dubbed the 'Great Outdoors Initiative.' That proposal, which was pulled back after a public outcry, 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 Stuart's district. 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. Previous Coverage: St. Augustine community protests against proposed major land development at Anastasia State Park House members said Wednesday they were responding to widespread opposition to the proposal from members of the public. 'They spoke loud and clear and told us, 'These are our treasures,'' Rep. Robin Bartleman, D-Weston said. The Senate Agriculture, Environment and General Government Appropriations Committee on Tuesday approved the Senate version of the bill. It would need to clear the Fiscal Policy Committee before it could go to the full Senate. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Florida House passes ‘Park Preservation Act' after public outcry
House members unanimously passed a bill (HB 209) that stemmed from a public outcry last year about a now-shelved plan that would have put golf courses, lodges, and pickleball courts in state parks. The bill, dubbed the 'State Park Preservation Act,' would prevent the construction of golf courses, tennis courts, pickleball courts, and ball fields in state parks. It would allow building cabins to hold up to six people but not large facilities such as lodges. The bill, sponsored by Rep. John Snyder, R-Stuart, and Rep. Peggy Gossett-Seidman, R-Highland Beach, and a similar Senate measure (SB 80) came after a controversy last year about a proposal that the Florida Department of Environmental Protection dubbed the 'Great Outdoors Initiative.' That proposal, which was pulled back after a public outcry, 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 Stuart's district. 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. House members said that they were responding to widespread opposition to the proposal from members of the public on Wednesday. 'They spoke loud and clear and told us, 'These are our treasures,'' Rep. Robin Bartleman, D-Weston said. On Tuesday, the Senate Agriculture, Environment, and General Government Appropriations Committee approved the Senate version of the bill. It would need to clear the Fiscal Policy Committee before it could go to the full Senate. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
