TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — State parks can be protected against pickleball courts, golf programs and resort improvement underneath a invoice handed unanimously by the Florida House on Thursday in response to final summer time’s statewide outcry over plans for these sorts of initiatives.
The bill now heads to Gov. Ron DeSantis for closing approval, and his workplace hasn’t stated if he’ll signal it. The Republican governor distanced himself from the proposal following the backlash, saying he by no means noticed or authorised plans to permit resorts and sports activities amenities on state park land. DeSantis leads and appoints the heads of all state companies.
The difficulty created a dilemma for Republican lawmakers who’ve historically defended the governor’s administration, and elevated scrutiny of DeSantis’ report on environmental conservation.
Protections for state parks are mirrored “loud and clear” within the invoice, stated state Rep. John Snyder.
“We’ve put actual plans in place to be sure that, for generations to come back, our state parks will probably be preserved,” stated Snyder, who represents a district about an hour north of Palm Seashore. He famous the parks are loved by hundreds of thousands of residents and vacationers alike.
The invoice doesn’t ban all kinds of improvement. However any initiatives have to be “conservation-based leisure makes use of” that assist issues like climbing, swimming, horseback using, boating, learning nature and different related actions, based on a Home workers evaluation.
Snyder stated the invoice’s language was strengthened by an modification proposed within the Senate, which additionally added a reputation change for a state park in Tallahassee.
The general public first obtained wind that DeSantis’ environmental company was on the lookout for leisure improvement plans in state parks when the Great Outdoors Initiative was leaked final August. A whole bunch of people protested at parks and the state’s environmental safety headquarters, waving indicators like “Parks Over Revenue” and “Save Don’t Pave.”
Earlier than the month was over, the governor stated the Division of Environmental Safety’s plans have been “going again to the drafting board.”
The atmosphere secretary on the time, Shawn Hamilton, finally stepped down after dealing with intensified scrutiny and bipartisan criticism of the initiative. In November, DeSantis appointed a brand new head of the company, Alexis Lambert.
