TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) — A invoice aiming to guard Florida’s state parks from overdevelopment was unanimously handed Wednesday by the state Home.
The measure obtained huge assist from lawmakers on either side of the aisle in a 113-0 vote, in accordance with a launch from Rep. Peggy Gossett-Seidman’s workplace.
Gossett-Seidman was among the many sponsors who helped craft Home Invoice 209 in response to overwhelming public outcry final summer time in opposition to leaked plans to develop pickleball courts, golf programs, and luxurious lodges at among the state’s most visited marks.
The information sparked protests throughout the state, with the Florida Division of Environmental Safety (DEP) later withdrawing the proposals on the request of Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Lawmakers hope Home Invoice 209 will stop something of the kind from occurring once more by putting “commonsense” limits on sure industrial tasks that would probably threaten native wildlife and ecosystems.
The mission can be a private one for Gossett-Seidman, a Republican who represents District 19. She fondly recalled childhood recollections of visiting Jonathan Dickinson State Park, one of many 9 parks that was probably underneath risk of overdevelopment.
“With my household years in the past, we needed to throw marshmallows to a big gator all the time lingering close to the canoe livery in an effort to move,” Gossett-Seidman mentioned. “His title was Marshmallow, although this exercise could be deemed illegal now.”
Gossett-Seidman and co-sponsor Representatives John Snyder labored with state businesses and environmental organizations to information the laws. Now it’s going to go to the Senate, the place a similar bill has cleared two committees up to now.
