Legislation aims to protect state parks from development

Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc.  Two companion bills recently approved by the Florida Legislature in the recent session and enroute to the governor for signature into law would prevent the erection of golf and pickleball courts and lodges in state parks, among other things. House Bill 209, filed by Republican Rep. John Snyder, of Stuart, and Senate Bill 80, filed earlier by Republican Senator Gayle Harrell, also of Stuart, derive from last year’s massive outcry when the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) released its “Great Outdoors Initiative.” The FDEP initiative detailed upcoming projects at nine parks that included adding golf courses at Jonathan