Protect Florida State Parks from Development

In September 2024, development plans for nine Florida State Parks were leaked from the Department of Environmental Protection. The plan would have allowed resort-style lodging, golf courses, and pickleball courts to be built on treasured state parks across Florida. Surfrider’s Florida network, our partners across the state, and the public spoke out in widespread opposition to the plan and the threats to our state parks. As Surfrider works to protect beaches, coastal habitats, and recreation areas from the impacts of climate change, and ensure our waters are safe to surf, swim, and play in, we must protect the last vestiges of wild Florida from irresponsible development that leaves our coasts vulnerable and waterways threatened by excess pollution. 

The immediate and adamant public response prevented the terrible development plan from moving forward on its expedited schedule and the plan was pulled. Floridians made it clear that they want to keep our state parks wild. Now, we need to make sure our parks are permanently protected and won’t be in jeopardy again in the future!

State legislators are currently considering “The State Parks Preservation Act” (SB80/HB209), which adds public notice requirements for changes to parks’ land management plans and prohibits some specific uses. While this legislation is a step in the right direction, the current legislation must be strengthened to adequately protect our state parks now and ensure they do not face new threats in the future. In particular, the legislation should:

• Strengthen conservation intent: Clearly define that the purpose of state parks is 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. 
• Clarify rules for unsolicited development proposals: The bill should specify what types of privately proposed development projects will be considered for state parks and prevent harmful, incompatible 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” could be construed to allow the activities the legislation is intended to prevent.
• Add explicit prohibitions and definitions: Clearly list prohibited activities to eliminate ambiguity in how the law is interpreted.
• Extend protections to state forests and wildlife management areas

Floridians visit and enjoy our state parks because they are undeveloped, providing access to wild landscapes that are increasingly rare in a state of exponential growth. These undeveloped lands and waters also provide coastal resilience, water quality, and recreational benefits to nearby communities. They must be protected from unfettered development at all cost. 

Surfrider’s Florida network is working alongside our partners to strengthen the State Parks Preservation Act and urge Florida legislators to adequately protect our state parks from immediate and future threats.

HB209 was amended to strengthen protections for parks and passed the House floor vote unanimously. Thank you Representative John Snyder and Representative Peggy Gossett-Seidman for listening to Floridians across the state asking for strong protections for our treasured state parks. 

Take Action!

SB80 will be heard in its final Senate Committee stop on Tuesday (4/22) at 11:00am in the Fiscal Policy Committee meeting. Senator Joe Gruters (the Committee Chair) has filed an amendment that does not address the gaps and potential loopholes in the Senate bill. Unlike the strengthened, more protective language in the House bill (HB209), which passed the House unanimously last week, this amendment includes subjective language that could leave our state parks vulnerable to development threats. 

Call and email committee members today to urge them not to weaken protections for our state parks!

Senate Fiscal Policy Committee Members:

Chair Joe Gruters: (850) 487-5022; Gruters.Joe.web@flsenate.gov [*filed the amendment]

Vice Chair Rosalind Osgood: (850) 487-5032; Osgood.Rosalind.web@flsenate.gov 

Sen. Kristen Aston Arrington: (850) 487-5025; Arrington.Kristen.web@flsenate.gov 

Sen. Bryan Avila: (850) 487-5039; Avila.Bryan.web@flsenate.gov 

Sen. Mack Bernard: (850) 487-5024; Bernard.Mack.web@flsenate.gov [*bill co-introducer]

Sen. Jim Boyd: (850) 487-5020; Boyd.Jim.web@flsenate.gov 

Sen. Jennifer Bradley: (850) 487-5006; Bradley.Jennifer.web@flsenate.gov [*bill co-introducer]

Sen. Colleen Burton: (850) 487-5012; Burton.Colleen.web@flsenate.gov 

Sen. Alexis Calatayud: (850) 487-5038; Calatayud.Alexis.web@flsenate.gov 

Sen. Tracie Davis: (850) 487-5005; Davis.Tracie.web@flsenate.gov [*bill co-introducer]

Sen. Don Gaetz: (850) 487-5001; Gaetz.Don.web@flsenate.gov [*bill co-introducer]

Sen. Blaise Ingoglia: (850) 487-5011; Ingoglia.Blaise.web@flsenate.gov 

Sen. Shevrin Jones: (850) 487-5034; Jones.Shevrin.web@flsenate.gov 

Sen. Tom Leek: (850) 487-5007; Leek.Tom.web@flsenate.gov 

Sen. Kathleen Passidomo: (850) 487-5028; Passidomo.Kathleen.web@flsenate.gov 

Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez: (850) 487-5040; Rodriguez.AnaMaria.web@flsenate.gov 

Sen. Corey Simon: (850) 487-5003; Simon.Corey.web@flsenate.gov 

Sen. Keith Truenow: (850) 487-5013; Truenow.Keith.web@flsenate.gov 

Sen. Clay Yarborough: (850) 487-5004; Yarborough.Clay.web@flsenate.gov 

Phone/Email Talking Points

For bill sponsor Senator Gayle Harrell:

• Thank you for your leadership and action to protect our state parks after we saw them under threat of development projects like resort-style lodging, golf courses, and pickleball courts. 
• Please do not accept Senator Gruters' amendment because it fails to adequately protect our state parks and would not prohibit development of harmful sporting facility projects like golf courses and pickleball courts.
• I love our Florida state parks and want to ensure the best protections for the long-term health and enjoyment of these incredible spaces. Please continue to fight for the strongest protections for Florida state parks. 

For Senate Fiscal Policy Committee Members (if the senator that represents you is on the committee, prioritize outreach to them!):

• I love our Florida state parks and I'm calling on our state leaders to protect our parks and pass protections that will prohibit reckless development projects and threats. [Include any personal experience at a state park.]
• The proposed amendment for SB80 from Senator Gruters includes language that could still allow unwise development projects -- like golf courses and pickleball courts -- to proceed and harm our state parks.
  • Language like "substantial harm" (line 33) and "maximum extent practicable" (line 20) can be subjective and may fail to adequately protect our parks against harmful development projects in the future.
  • Language in the amendment still encourages development in "disturbed" areas of the parks (lines 19-20). 
• Our state parks not only provide incredible opportunities and experiences in wild, undeveloped lands, they are also significant contributors to resilience, water quality, and species and habitat protection across the state.
• The language in the House bill, HB209, which passed unanimously in the House, offers strong protections for our state parks.
• Please continue to fight for the strongest protections for our Florida state parks. Thank you!