Hundreds Gather Across Florida for 'Save Our Parks' Rallies
On Saturday, February 13, hundreds of Sierra Club supporters and concerned citizens gathered at 11 state parks across Florida to enjoy the award-winning state parks and protest wide-sweeping changes to the park system proposed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
Protesters rally at Hillsborough River State Park.
"Florida's wonderful state parks are under attack by the Scott Administration and lawmakers who want to sell them off to the highest bidder or give them away to private landowners," said Rocky Milburn, Sierra Florida Executive Committee member. "Today Floridians from Tallahassee to Miami are standing up to defend our public lands from this unprecedented threat."
Sierra Club supporters gathered at 11 State Parks across Florida to marvel at the parks' pristine beauty and enjoy the natural habitat. Events were held at Blue Springs State Park in Orange City, Fort George Island State Park in Jacksonville, Fort Pierce Inlet State Park in Fort Pierce, Hillsborough River State Park in Thonotosassa, Hugh Taylor Birch State Park in Fort Lauderdale, Wekiwa Springs State Park in Apopka, Wakulla Springs State Park in Wakulla, Fort Clinch State Park in Fernandina Beach, Oleta River State Park in North Miami, Festival of Trees at the Cultural Plaza, Lake Worth, and Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park in Sanderson.
Have a Heart, Save Our Parks!
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is proposing legislation this session that would implement widespread changes to Florida law dealing with state parks. HB 1075/SB 1290 as drafted would change the standards for managing public lands, and could result in opening state parks to hunting, timbering or grazing or being repurposed for recreation such as golf courses, RV parks or worse. The bill could also allow a private landowner who owns land adjacent to state lands or state parks to take ownership of the public land, thereby removing public access to state lands. These activities would disrupt and destroy the parks' value as tourist destinations, public recreation sites and pristine examples of preserved natural Florida. Further, DEP has changed the land management plan review process to limit public input.
"We must do everything we can to enjoy our pristine parks before it's too late," said Milburn. "Or the next time we show up to our state parks we may see hunting signs, trees harvested, or worse, no trespassing signs."
Miami supporters gather outside Oleta River State Park.
Media coverage:
- Daytona News-Journal at Blue Springs
- News-Leader at Fort Clinch State Park
- Bay News 9 at Hillsborough River State Park
- Orlando Sentinel at Wekiva Springs State Park
State Parks in Peril: Fact Sheet
Why did the protests take place?
Florida’s state parks are facing threats on all fronts, from expanding their uses to include hunting, timbering and cattle grazing to allowing private individuals the ability to manage parks.
What are the specific threats?
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is proposing legislation this session that would implement widespread changes to Florida law dealing with state parks. HB 1075/SB 1290 as drafted would change the standards for managing public lands, and could result in opening state parks to hunting, timbering or grazing or being repurposed for recreation such as golf courses, RV parks or worse. The bill could also allow a private landowner who owns land adjacent to state lands or state parks to take ownership of the public land, thereby removing public access to state lands. These activities would disrupt and destroy the parks’ value as tourist destinations, public recreation sites and pristine examples of preserved natural Florida. Further, DEP has changed the land management plan review process to limit public input.
Why would this affect all parks and not just certain ones?
From Pennekamp State Park in the Keys to Wakulla Springs State Park in the Panhandle, all parks would be subject to being sold to the highest bidder for profit, or handed over to private land owners to be managed. Everything in the bill, HB 1075/SB 1290, would apply to any park in the state.
What can be done to protect the parks?
Members of the public should call their Florida State Representative and Senator to urge them to oppose language in the State Lands bills granting DEP the authority to change the purpose of a state park as part of its land management planning process.
The House bill, HB 1075, will be heard in the State Affairs Committee Thursday, 2/18 at 9 am. Rep. Caldwell is offering an amended version of the bill that addresses a number of issues we have raised, but the potential impact on parks and the land swap language is still in the bill.
The next committee stop for the Senate bill, SB 1290, is the General Government Appropriations Subcommittee where it could be heard as soon as next Wednesday, February 24, at 1:30 p.m. No amendments have yet been filed to SB 1290.