BRADENTON — Gov. Ron DeSantis visited Pier 22 on Thursday, where he signed two bills into law, including SB 302, which blocks a proposed cruise terminal near the southern end of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.
"There's not really a need to add another port in the middle of a conserved area and aquatic preserve, especially given that Tampa Bay is already home to three deep-water ports, including SeaPort Manatee right here in Manatee County," said DeSantis. "So, construction of a new port next door, I think, struck a lot of people as being unnecessary."
DeSantis also said that a new fishing pier will be constructed on the Manatee County side of the Sunshine Skyway, part of which was closed last fall after failing FDOT inspections following Hurricane Milton. The Pinellas County fishing pier will also be improved to extend its lifetime by two decades.
DeSantis also signed HB 1417, which he said "streamlines environmental rulemaking by repealing the outdated Environmental Regulation Commission, making it faster to update rules that protect our environment," ratifying rules to ensure adequate water supplies along two north Florida rivers.
DeSantis was joined by Florida Senator Jim Boyd, who proposed an amendment to SB 302 that included protections for the Terra Cia Aquatic Preserve and would scuttle a cruise ship terminal.
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lib224
Even a blind hog occasionally finds an acorn in the forest.
Friday, March 20 Report this
Kneeds2Know+
With DeSantis there is always a reason why and it is usually not what one thinks. While this bill looks like a win for Manatee County, isn’t it instead another tactical maneuver rather than a broad environmental shift?
Yes, the bill protects the Terra Ceia area, but does not address cruise ship expansion or dredging in other vulnerable parts of the state. It simply solves the local political problem of the "NIMBY" (Not in My Backyard) solution while not addressing broader statewide industrial pressure on aquatic preserves. It still allows dredging for "public navigation," "public health," and "maintenance of marinas" with some fearing those exceptions would eventually be used to justify other types of commercial development in the Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve potentially streamlining efforts of other types of coastal development under the guise of environmental restoration.
By signing SB 302 alongside HB 1417, DeSantis made a controversial administrative change by repealing the Environmental Regulation Commission (ERC) shifting its authority directly to his executive branch; another power grab from cities and counties potentially making it easier to weaken standards without public debate.
DeSantis has repeatedly stated that Florida is a "national model" for conservative governance. By continuing to sign laws that centralize power in Tallahassee, he is ensuring his policies on the environment, education, and social issues remain intact even after he leaves office.
All of these bills he has signed or intends to sign are stepping stones towards his future plans to remain a prominent figure in national Republican politics by signing controversial bills to reinforces his brand as a fighter against "woke" ideology and overreaching local governments.
Friday, March 20 Report this
Cat L
While I'm glad to have the unnecessary port scuttled, I have to agree with Kneeds2Know+ about the motives.
This is also more erosion of home rule.
Friday, March 20 Report this
Ladyred4Justice
Needs to know is correct. This bill does NOT stop the Cruiseport. The company already has the permit for the necessary dredging. The State would have to purchase the property to compensate the company for their property. It is well over 100 million, so that isn't going to happen.
The amendment allows for dredging and marinas. The pier the company is requesting will not be any different dredging than is already permitted. Furthermore the company owns the entire Rattlesnake Key and again, they can develop it unless the State is willing to pay for those rights.
The Senator and the Governor just want to get recognized for allegedly trying to stop it. The money from a Cruiseport far exceeds the money at a shipping port. Every ship that docks for the day--every ship--will bring over 1.3 million to 2 million dollars a day to the local community. Ten ships a week is a minimum of $13 million each week coming into Manatee with some for St. Pete and Sarasota as within bus tour reach.
It is enough to bring a major boom to the area when the rest of the country will be in a recession. It will bring in enough money that Manatee, Bradenton and other local cities would be able to update their failing sewage, lift stations, roads, bridges, and have enough left over to build their fancy City Centers.
Do you seriously think this bill will prevent that? Or that either Boyd or Desantis would prevent that immense amount of money from a new industry to enter the state? Heck, it would give local government enough funds that the loss of property tax money probably wouldn't affect them.
We will see, but I don't believe for a minute that the Cruiseport is over. If it were SSA Marine would have announced it. They are still going through the proposal application. Which includes donating the entire 700+ acres of Rattlesnake Key to Manatee County for a wildlife Sanctuary.
Friday, March 20 Report this