In early August, the Office of Park Planning was directed by the Executive Office of the Governor to compose nine amendments to existing management plans for nine state parks. The office was direct to drop/hold other tasks and compose these amendments as quickly as possible.
Traditionally, management plans and management plan amendments require general public meetings and advisory group meetings. To fulfill these requirements, presumably as quickly as possible, eight public meetings across eight counties are going to be scheduled for August 27, and one advisory group session is going to be on Thursday, August 29. The advisory group session will be held via Teams, where all 9 amendments are to be discusssed.
The Office of Park Planning has been directed to play pre-recored presentations, then receive and record feedback at these meetings without answering questions.
Following this public engament phase, the Office of Park Planning will be submitting these documents to the Acquistion and Restoration Council (ARC) for approval, which would all DEP to being seeking funding and laying the groundwork for construction. The Office of Park Planning is to have these documents submitted to ARC in time for presumed approval in September.
Florida is one of the most biodiverse states in the nation, home to over 3,000 plant species and more than 4,000 animal species, many of which are found nowhere else in the world (endemic). The proposed developments will negatively impact Florida’s ecosystems, endangering imperiled plant and animal species like the Four-petal Pawpaw and the Florida scrub jay. The pristine habitats that make our state parks unique are crucial for wildlife and a significant draw for tourism. Our parks’ natural beauty drives visitors, not artificial recreational facilities.
The construction of golf courses in these parks would introduce harmful chemicals into the environment, contaminating our groundwater, rivers, and soil. These chemicals pose long-term risks to both the ecosystem and public health. It is irresponsible to sacrifice Florida’s natural treasures for short-term gains that could lead to irreversible damage.
If allowed, this initiative sets a dangerous precedent for the exploitation of public lands, undermining conservation efforts and threatening the future of natural Florida.
We are stronger together. Join us in standing up for Florida’s irreplaceable natural heritage. Let’s ensure that our parks remain sanctuaries for wildlife and places of unspoiled beauty for generations to come.
St. Johns County Representatives and Officials:
Florida State Representative for St. Johns County:
- Representative Cyndi Stevenson (District 18)
- Email:Cyndi.Stevenson@myfloridahouse.gov • Phone: (850) 717-5018 • Office Address: 317
House Office Building, 402 South Monroe Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300
Florida State Senator for St. Johns County: - Senator Travis Hutson (District 7) • Email: Hutson.Travis@flsenate.gov • Phone:
(904) 287-4222 • Office Address: 4875 Palm Coast Parkway NW, Suite 5, Palm Coast, FL
32137
St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners: - Commissioner Henry Dean (District 5) • Email: bcc5hdean@sjcfl.us • Phone:
(904) 209-0305 • Commissioner Sarah Arnold (District 2) • Email: bcc2sarnold@sjcfl.us - Phone: (904) 209-0302 • Chairman Christian Whitehurst (District 1) • Email:
bcc1cwhitehurst@sjcfl.us • Phone: (904) 209-0301
Governor’s Office: - Governor Ron DeSantis • Email: flgov.com/email-the-governor • Phone: (850)
717-9337
Planning Manager for Florida State Parks: - Daniel Alsentzer • Email: Daniel.Alsentzer@FloridaDEP.gov
Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Public Comment Emails: - Anastasia State Park: AnastasiaSPublicmeeting@floridadep.gov
