Florida Sen. Rick Scott Senator Rick Scott, along with Senator Marco Rubio, Rep. Brian Mast, and various state and local officials, has urged Flor
Senator Rick Scott, along with Senator Marco Rubio, Rep. Brian Mast, and various state and local officials, has urged Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and members of the Florida Acquisition and Restoration Council (ARC) to allow extended public comment periods regarding a recent proposal that could permit the development of golf courses and hotels within Florida state parks.
In their letter, the lawmakers emphasized the importance of giving Floridians and stakeholders more time and opportunities to voice their opinions on the proposal.
Senator Scott is advocating for longer public comment periods, each attended by ARC members, to ensure that the communities impacted by this plan can thoroughly assess and understand its potential effects.
Following Senator Scott’s request, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection announced additional public comment opportunities.
Senator Scott applauded this move and reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that Floridians’ voices are heard as this proposal is considered.
“Due to the overwhelming interest with the 2024-25 Great Outdoors Initiative, DEP is looking for new venues to accommodate the public. We want to ensure everyone has the opportunity to participate. Public input is vital to DEP decision-making. To gather feedback on your favorite state parks, we’ve launched a dedicated webpage for more suggestions: https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/7983173/Great-Outdoors-Initiative…. New meeting dates will be announced soon, with meetings expected the week of Sept. 2, 2024,” said Florida DEP.
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Background:
Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) launched its 2024-25 Great Outdoors Initiative last week, which aims to enhance public access and expand outdoor activities across the state’s parks.
The initiative enhances visitor experiences by increasing campsites, cabins, lodges, and recreational activities such as pickleball, disc golf, golf, and paddling. These additions are supposed to complement Florida’s state parks’ natural beauty and historical significance.
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