Latest news with #stateparks
Washington Post
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
Florida's prized state parks are shielded from golf courses and hotels as DeSantis bows to backlash
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The millions of tourists and Florida residents who visit state parks each year will see them remain free of golf courses, new hotels and sports facilities, as Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a law curtailing his administration's plans to allow more kinds of development on conservation lands. The law is a direct response to a bipartisan wave of protests last summer when the plans became public, although DeSantis has since distanced himself from the proposal and said he never even saw it. The governor signed the law protecting state parks on Thursday and it goes into effect July 1. Eve Samples, executive director of Friends of the Everglades, declared it a 'huge win' over powerful development interests. 'People really want to build golf courses on some of our more protected lands in the state,' she said. The law's new guidelines will balance preserving natural resources with ensuring public access for things like boating, camping and swimming, according to the measure's sponsors. It also gives Floridians at least 30 days' notice ahead of public hearings to discuss proposed changes to the conservation areas. The governor's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday. DeSantis signed the law days after another wave of bipartisan backlash scuttled a company's plans to swap some of its properties for state-owned conservation lands. Unlike thorny issues such as abortion, immigration, LGBTQ+ rights, race and guns, state parks apparently hold a place in Floridians' hearts regardless of party. The law was unanimously approved by both chambers of Florida's Republican-controlled state legislature. Organizers for the environmental group Sierra Club Florida called it a monumental victory for grassroots activism in a politically divided state. Last year, hundreds of nature lovers and conservationists thronged to protests at parks across the state, carrying signs with slogans like 'Save Don't Pave' and 'Parks Over Profit.' The push to rein in DeSantis' administration is a sign of how the governor's once rock-solid support from fellow Republicans has eroded. Until recently, it was rare for DeSantis to get pushback on anything from the GOP lawmakers who dominate the state's politics, and he has a reputation for seeking vengeance when they do. But it appears a political line in the sand has been drawn around Florida's beloved state parks, which are a bastion of wildness in a state where vast stretches of beaches and mangrove forests have long given way to high-rise condos, roadside motels and strip mall souvenir shops. Republican state Sen. Gayle Harrell, one of the measure's sponsors, said the safeguards ensure there's 'no wiggle room' for unwanted development. Harrell's South Florida district includes Jonathan Dickinson State Park, where DeSantis' Department of Environmental Protection had proposed building a golf complex. That would have entailed removing a boardwalk and observation tower while relocating existing cabins for visitors as well as the offices and residences for park staff. Harrell said backlash on the issue pushed it to the forefront of the legislative agenda . 'It took the entire state of Florida to do that,' she said. 'This is democracy at work.' The Republican governor distanced himself from the development proposal following the uproar, saying he never approved the plans to allow resorts and sports facilities on state park land. The DeSantis-appointed environment secretary at the time, Shawn Hamilton , eventually stepped down after facing intense scrutiny and bipartisan pushback on the initiative. In November, DeSantis tapped a new head of the agency, Alexis Lambert. ___ Associated Press writer Curt Anderson in Tampa contributed to this report. Kate Payne is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
The Independent
23-05-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
DeSantis signs law limiting development in Florida's state parks after plan drew broad backlash
Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill into law Thursday curtailing what kind of development can happen in Florida's prized state parks — giving his approval to legislation that came in direct response to his administration's push to build golf courses, pickleball courts and hotels on conservation lands. Unlike issues of abortion, immigration, LGBTQ+ rights, race and guns that have divided voters, state parks apparently hold a place in the hearts of Floridians regardless of party. The development plans drew widespread, bipartisan backlash last summer. Hundreds of nature lovers and conservationists thronged to protests at parks across the state, carrying signs with slogans like 'Save Don't Pave' and 'Parks Over Profit.' The law, which goes into effect July 1, was unanimously approved by both chambers of Florida's Republican-controlled state legislature. It specifically bans the construction of golf courses, ball fields and sports facilities in state parks, and requires government officials to give Floridians at least 30 days' notice ahead of public hearings to discuss proposed changes to the conservation areas. The governor's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday. DeSantis signed the law days after another wave of bipartisan backlash scuttled a company's plans to swap some its properties for state-owned conservation lands. Organizers for the environmental group Sierra Club Florida called the state park law a monumental victory for grassroots activism in a politically divided state. 'Today, we celebrate a turning point not just for our environment, but for the future of Florida,' said Javier Estevez, the group's political and legislative director. The bipartisan push to rein in DeSantis' administration is a sign of how the governor's once rock-solid support from fellow Republicans has eroded. Until recently, it was rare for DeSantis to get pushback on anything from the GOP lawmakers who dominate the state's politics, and he has a reputation for seeking vengeance when they do. But it appears a political line in the sand has been drawn around Florida's beloved state parks, which are a bastion of wildness in a state where vast stretches of white-sand beaches and mangrove forests have long given way to high rise condos, roadside motels and strip mall souvenir shops. 'This bill really provides safeguards and protections to our state parks,' said Republican state Sen. Gayle Harrell, one of the bill's sponsors, adding there is 'no wiggle room' for unwanted development. Harrell's South Florida district includes Jonathan Dickinson State Park, where DeSantis' Department of Environmental Protection had proposed building a golf complex. That would have entailed removing a boardwalk and observation tower and relocating the residences and offices of park staff, as well as existing cabins for visitors. Harrell said last summer's widespread protests pushed the issue to the forefront of the legislative agenda. 'It took the entire state of Florida to do that,' she said. 'This is democracy at work.' Eve Samples, executive director of Friends of the Everglades, declared the law's passage a 'huge win' over the state's powerful development interests. ' People really want to build golf courses on some of our more protected lands in the state. Instead, we made it (the protections) stronger,' Samples said. 'We did this. All of us did this together.' The Republican governor has distanced himself from the development proposal following the backlash, saying he never saw or approved plans to allow resorts and sports facilities on state park land. The DeSantis-appointed environment secretary at the time, Shawn Hamilton, eventually stepped down after facing intense scrutiny and bipartisan pushback on the initiative. In November, DeSantis tapped a new head of the agency, Alexis Lambert. ___ Associated Press writer Curt Anderson in Tampa contributed to this report. Kate Payne is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
Associated Press
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
DeSantis signs law limiting development in Florida's state parks after plan drew broad backlash
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill into law Thursday curtailing what kind of development can happen in Florida's prized state parks — giving his approval to legislation that came in direct response to his administration's push to build golf courses, pickleball courts and hotels on conservation lands. Unlike issues of abortion, immigration, LGBTQ+ rights, race and guns that have divided voters, state parks apparently hold a place in the hearts of Floridians regardless of party. The development plans drew widespread, bipartisan backlash last summer. Hundreds of nature lovers and conservationists thronged to protests at parks across the state, carrying signs with slogans like 'Save Don't Pave' and 'Parks Over Profit.' The law, which goes into effect July 1, was unanimously approved by both chambers of Florida's Republican-controlled state legislature. It specifically bans the construction of golf courses, ball fields and sports facilities in state parks, and requires government officials to give Floridians at least 30 days' notice ahead of public hearings to discuss proposed changes to the conservation areas. The governor's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday. DeSantis signed the law days after another wave of bipartisan backlash scuttled a company's plans to swap some its properties for state-owned conservation lands. Organizers for the environmental group Sierra Club Florida called the state park law a monumental victory for grassroots activism in a politically divided state. 'Today, we celebrate a turning point not just for our environment, but for the future of Florida,' said Javier Estevez, the group's political and legislative director. The bipartisan push to rein in DeSantis' administration is a sign of how the governor's once rock-solid support from fellow Republicans has eroded. Until recently, it was rare for DeSantis to get pushback on anything from the GOP lawmakers who dominate the state's politics, and he has a reputation for seeking vengeance when they do. But it appears a political line in the sand has been drawn around Florida's beloved state parks, which are a bastion of wildness in a state where vast stretches of white-sand beaches and mangrove forests have long given way to high rise condos, roadside motels and strip mall souvenir shops. 'This bill really provides safeguards and protections to our state parks,' said Republican state Sen. Gayle Harrell, one of the bill's sponsors, adding there is 'no wiggle room' for unwanted development. Harrell's South Florida district includes Jonathan Dickinson State Park, where DeSantis' Department of Environmental Protection had proposed building a golf complex. That would have entailed removing a boardwalk and observation tower and relocating the residences and offices of park staff, as well as existing cabins for visitors. Harrell said last summer's widespread protests pushed the issue to the forefront of the legislative agenda. 'It took the entire state of Florida to do that,' she said. 'This is democracy at work.' Eve Samples, executive director of Friends of the Everglades, declared the law's passage a 'huge win' over the state's powerful development interests. 'People really want to build golf courses on some of our more protected lands in the state. Instead, we made it (the protections) stronger,' Samples said. 'We did this. All of us did this together.' The Republican governor has distanced himself from the development proposal following the backlash, saying he never saw or approved plans to allow resorts and sports facilities on state park land. The DeSantis-appointed environment secretary at the time, Shawn Hamilton, eventually stepped down after facing intense scrutiny and bipartisan pushback on the initiative. In November, DeSantis tapped a new head of the agency, Alexis Lambert. ___ Associated Press writer Curt Anderson in Tampa contributed to this report. Kate Payne is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
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
22-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
DNR warns Memorial Day weekend travelers to be aware of lingering ice storm damage
NORTHERN MICHIGAN — With Memorial Day just a few days away, Northern Michigan is preparing for an influx of visitors eager to enjoy the beaches, trails and historic downtowns of the region. But, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources is advising visitors to be aware of lingering damage from late March ice storms. A Tuesday, May 20 press release from the DNR said 'the unprecedented damage in some areas may be shocking' to those who haven't seen it yet. More: Whitmer submits major disaster declaration request for Northern Michigan ice storm While all state park campgrounds and overnight lodging locations in affected parks have reopened, some day-use areas like boating access sites and park trails could still be closed. Anyone planning to hike on area trails during their visit should also be aware of broken branches and leaning trees. Many limbs are stilling hanging overhead and hikers should be aware of their surroundings. More: 'A heavy lift': Fund launched to help Northern Michigan farms recover from ice storm damage According to the DNR, the ice storms affected nearly 1 million acres of state forest land, including 3,400 miles of state forest roads, 19 state parks, 54 state forest campgrounds, 169 boating access sites and 3,260 miles of trails. Efforts to fully clear all areas of storm debris are still ongoing. 'Crews have been working hard to reopen forest roads and trails and repair state facilities, and they've made a lot of progress so far,' said Kerry Heckman, public information officer for the DNR Ice Storm Response Team, in the press release. 'We know everyone wants to get outside to enjoy Michigan's great outdoors, and we want that, too. But it's critical to use caution, steer clear of closed areas and be fully aware of your surroundings.' For safety updates and closure information, visit the DNR's Ice Storm Response page. — Contact Jillian Fellows at jfellows@ This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: DNR to Memorial Day weekend travelers: Be aware of lingering ice storm damage in Northern Michigan
