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UPDATE:
Due to outcry from environmental groups, the bill was withdrawn from consideration and permanently tabled.

Florida House Bill 349

Florida House Bill 349 co-sponsored by Martin County’s state representative Toby Overdorf, “would allow coastal developers, — whose projects would have "unavoidable impacts" on the ecosystem, such as seagrass destruction — to buy credits and fund seagrass restoration elsewhere. 

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The principle behind mitigation banking isn't new. Developers already do it for wetlands. And polluters can buy carbon credits to offset their emissions.

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But because the bill doesn't address enforcement or a crackdown on nutrient pollution plaguing the Indian River Lagoon, it was met with criticism during a Dec. 1 House Environment, Agriculture and Flooding Subcommittee meeting.” Max Chesnes https://www.tcpalm.com/story/news/local/indian-river-lagoon/2022/01/05/florida-legislature-2022-environment-bills-manatees-seagrass-bacteria-sugar-pfas-particle-emissions/8980876002/

 

The bill is opposed by HIPI, Florida Conservation Voters, The Sierra Club and Audubon Florida. According to Lindsay Cross, water and land policy director for Florida Conservation Voters, "It is overly broad and does not address the root causes of our seagrass losses, which is dirty water, and could allow for additional impacts to existing seagrasses," she said. "It opens up the potential of using publicly owned sovereign lands to mitigate for seagrass destruction that may benefit private individuals or businesses." 

 

Contact Toby Overdorf: Toby.Overdorf@myfloridahouse.gov

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P.O. Box 1354

Jensen Beach, Florida 34957

info@hipimartin.com 

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