Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Halts Development on Conservation Lands

The millions of tourists and residents who visit Florida every year will see that state conservation lands will remain free from development, including golf courses and new hotels, due to a new law signed by Republican Governor Ron DeSantis. This law is a direct response to public backlash against plans to allow more kinds of development on conservation lands, which became public last summer. The governor has since distanced himself from the proposal, saying he never even saw it. The law protects state parks, giving Floridians at least 30 days' notice before public hearings on proposed changes to conservation areas. Environmental groups have hailed the law as a "huge win" over powerful development interests.

Key Takeaways:

• The new law will protect state conservation lands from development, including golf courses and new hotels.
• The law was signed by Governor Ron DeSantis in response to public backlash against plans to allow more kinds of development on conservation lands.
• The law gives Floridians at least 30 days' notice before public hearings on proposed changes to conservation areas.
• The law was unanimously approved by both chambers of Florida's Republican-controlled state legislature.
• The governor's once-rock-solid support from fellow Republicans has eroded, with many sending a strong message that state parks are a priority.
• The push to rein in DeSantis' administration is a sign of growing public concern for environmental issues.
• Republican state Sen. Gayle Harrell sponsored the measure, saying it ensures "no wiggle room" for unwanted development.
• The backlash on the issue pushed it to the forefront, with Harrell saying "it took the entire state of Florida to do that."
• The new law is a sign of democracy at work, according to Harrell.

Statistics:

• 100% of both chambers of Florida's Republican-controlled state legislature approved the new law unanimously.
• 30 days given to Floridians as notice before public hearings on proposed changes to conservation areas.
• Hundreds of nature lovers and conservationists protested at parks across the state last year.
• At least 1 new head of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection has been appointed, Alexis Lambert.

Sources:

• Associated Press
• Republican Governor Ron DeSantis
• Florida Department of Environmental Protection
• Eve Samples, Executive Director of Friends of the Everglades
• Sierra Club Florida
• Jonathan Dickinson State Park
• Report for America Statehouse News Initiative (see Associated Press for more information)