Written by 1000 Friends of Florida Advocacy Center and reprinted with permission
Last summer, Floridians overwhelmingly opposed a plan to develop golf courses, pickleball courts, and hotels in nine state parks. In response to public outcry, that plan was withdrawn, and lawmakers introduced SB 80, the “State Park Preservation Act,” to prevent similar threats in the future.
While this legislation is a step in the right direction, it does not go far enough to protect all of Florida’s public lands. The bill has already passed its first Senate committee, and there’s still time to strengthen the bill—but lawmakers need to hear from you!
Tell Your Legislators to Strengthen SB 80
We need your help to ensure stronger, long-term protections for Florida’s state parks and other public lands. Contact your legislators and urge them to:
- Strengthen conservation intent: Clearly define that state parks exist to conserve natural lands and promote nature-based recreation, not activities that require altering the landscape.
- Remove language encouraging development in ‘disturbed’ areas: Many of these areas provide valuable wildlife habitat and ecosystem benefits when restored and should not be prioritized for development.
- Clarify rules for unsolicited development proposals: The bill should specify what types of privately proposed projects will be considered for state parks and prevent harmful development from being fast-tracked through public-private partnership loopholes.
- Eliminate vague terms that weaken protections: Phrases like “to the maximum extent practicable,” “significant harm,” and “avoid” create loopholes that could allow destructive activities. These should be removed for clear, enforceable protections.
- Add explicit prohibitions and definitions: Clearly list prohibited activities to remove ambiguity in how the law is applied.
- Extend protections to state forests and wildlife management areas: These public lands face similar threats and should receive the same protections as state parks.