JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) on Thursday said it has withdrawn all proposed amendments to state parks that could have added hotels, golf courses and pickleball courts to the protected land.
The official announcement came after Gov. Ron DeSantis said Wednesday that a plan to develop nine state parks was “half-baked” and not “ready for prime time.”
DeSantis said the plan was not approved by him and FDEP, which announced the “Great Outdoors Initiative” on Aug. 19, would go back to the drawing board.
All scheduled meetings for the plan were also canceled on Thursday.
FDEP said the decision came at the governor’s direction and following feedback from the public.
“We will shift to discussions with our local park managers and will revisit any park improvements, if needed, next year,” an FDEP spokesperson said.
Once details of the plans emerged last week, thousands across the state staged protests in opposition. Lawmakers from both parties said they were blindsided and spoke out against the plan.
Was there a legal issue with how the controversial Florida parks plan was released?
After Gov. DeSantis said the initiative was tabled on Wednesday, News4JAX asked lawmakers if the process was done legally.
It caught many Florida residents and leaders off guard and led to local elected officials holding a press conference and local activists protesting.
“Our state parks give us a window into that version of Florida where you can wet a line and catch a redfish or go on a hike and see a great blue heron,” said Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz.
Gaetz stood against the proposed plans that appear to be on the shelf for now. Gaetz said proposals like these have a process, and people’s voices were ultimately heard.
News4JAX asked if the process was done legally.
“I can’t say there was any nefarious conduct in the consternation of this, but I do believe that its review by the public, and the scrutiny that media organizations such as yours have rightly applied, has made the awareness about this really drive the opposition,” Gaetz said.
The pressure was also applied by former Florida governor and current US Senator Rick Scott.
Before the plan was taken off the table, Scott joined fellow Florida Senator Marco Rubio in penning a letter to the state asking for the council, that would have ultimately voted on the changes at state parks, The Acquisition and Restoration Council, to be at the public meetings held for each park.
“When you get elected, people don’t have to agree with everything you’re doing. Give them a chance to tell you why they believe the way you do,” said Scott.
“I think when you set up these councils and commissions that have broad authority to act in the name of our state government, it gets away from the type of transparency and accountability,” Gaetz said.