State Government Despite Concerns and Criticism, New Florida DEP Chief Appointed

Jon Steverson Photo: Northwest Florida Water Management District

TALLHASSEE — Amid controversy over his plans to allow commercial use of state parks by private companies, Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Jon Steverson was voted in as the department's chief on Wednesday after facing questions from Gov. Rick Scott and his cabinet.

Steverson made a proposal in April that portions of inland parks be made available for cattle grazing, timber harvesting and hunting in order to generate revenue for the parks. The new FDEP chief has said that the added revenue would help with funding for those inland parks, who receive fewer visitors than Florida's coastal parks.

Critics of the plan say it is a transparent sell-out of state park resources to private companies. The proposal also received criticism from Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, who told Steverson that his blanket plans for cattle grazing and timber cutting needed more nuance, and suggested retracting the proposal altogether.

In addition, Scott's cabinet said that Steverson has not sufficiently communicated his plan to Florida residents. Despite the criticisms, Steverson has said he will continue to move forward with his proposal.

Also appointed in a unanimous vote last week was Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Rick Swearinger.

Receiving the cabinet's vote with no controversy, Swearinger's predecessor, Gerald Bailey, was FDLE chief for eight years before he was controversially fired by Scott in December. Swearinger was chosen by Scott after Bailey's firing.

The two men now face a Senate confirmation vote in the 2016 legislative session. A Senate vote to not approve of either appointment means removal from office.