Wellbeing

The state of Florida is home to a myriad fragile ecosystems, rich natural resources and an extensive coastline similarly confronted with various environmental issues. With the protection of its iconic Everglades to grappling with climate change and sea-level rise, Florida state government has had a complicated balancing act on environmental issues.

This includes a mix of plans, legal frameworks, conservation projects partnership delivery methods and engagement in connection with the community. These efforts, often spearheaded by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) are designed to tackle a broad cross section of environmental issues ranging from water quality and habitat preservation, to climate resilience, sustainable development and better waste management practices.

Everglades Restoration and Water Quality

By far, the most critical environmental issue for south Florida and particularly the Everglades is water quality. Home to many endangered species and vital for the quality of South Florida’s water supply, Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge is in danger. Unfortunately, fifty years of agricultural runoff, water management practices and urban development have decimated the ecosystem.

In response to these problems, Florida has implemented a number of significant programs designed to restore the Everglades and water quality. The Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan is a massive federal-state partnership to reverse the environmental decline in South Florida. The policies contained within CERP benefit the Everglades by returning natural water flow, increasing system-wide water quality and protecting native habitats. Freshwater projects in the plan include building reservoirs and stormwater treatment areas to collect invasive pollution runoff before it enters the Everglades.

Apart from CERP, the state has undertaken additional regulations on farming methods to minimize runoff of nutrients, especially in sugarcane fields west and south of northern parts of Everglades National Park known as the Everglades Agricultural Area. These regulations consist of a series of Best Management Practices (BMPs) to offset the negative ecological effect that accompanies farm work. The FDEP is also responsible for monitoring water throughout the state to ensure it meets established standards and that Florida waters are saved from being polluted.

Through Climatization and Sea Level Rise

Sea-level rise is already affecting the state and Florida will become ground zero for climate change consequences. Florida is uniquely vulnerable to the impacts of rising seas due in part to an extensive coastline, leading to increased flooding and coastal erosion as well as saltwater intrusion into freshwater aquifers.

Florida, meanwhile, faces a number of climate change – related challenges that the state has responded to through various resilience strategies. In 2019, Governor Ron DeSantis created the Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection within the FDEP to coordinate a response at the state level for sea-level rise and other impacts from climate change. Among other things, this office provides support to local governments in the development and implementation of resilience plans – such as identifying critical infrastructure located within flood-risk areas – and strategies for minimizing risks to those assets.

The state has also rolled out the Resilient Florida Program that provides funding for locally proposed projects to reduce sea-level rise impacts on existing infrastructure and strengthen community resilience. This program provides grants for vulnerability assessments, resilience planning and the building of infrastructure such as seawalls, storm water systems and natural defenses like mangroves.

Florida has also been introducing climate resilience into its building codes and land-use planning. The state promotes the use of resilient construction techniques in flood-prone areas and mandates that localities plan for sea-level rise within their comprehensive planning frameworks, to name a few examples.

Conservation of the Habitat and Biodiversity

As the species suitable for culturing are very diverse, so too is Florida’s geographic diversity in ecosystems like wetlands, forests, crops and croplands abounded throughout the state of Florida as well as estuaries (saltwater/fresh water environments), fire nurtured land forms many types into a mosaic all over the peninsula. Preservation of these habitats and the species that rely on them is a primary focus of environmental policy in the state. The Florida Forever program is the state’s premier land conservation initiative, designed to acquire strategic lands important for protection of wildlife and water resources while providing recreational opportunities.

Since 2001, Florida Forever has conserved over 800,000 acres of public lands-much of these tracts are corridors that allow wildlife to migrate and flourish. The program aims to protect the land that is important for things like water recharge, flood control and endangered species. Financing The Florida Forever program uses a combination of state appropriations and bonds in collaboration with conservation groups, private landholders to achieve the best possible outcomes.

Florida cherishes it marine life, like the coral reefs besides its system and has plans to offer that as well. The state Coral Reef Conservation Program designs research investigations, monitors the reefs and carries out active restoration of Florida’s coral reef-strewn territories. This means preventing threats such as coral bleaching, disease and pollution; encouraging fishing practices that don’t damage the reef in favor of sustainable wildlife tourism.

Sustainability and Sustainable Growth Management

Being one of the fastest-growing states in America, Florida has been fighting a battle between development and conservation. To manage this growth in a sustainable way, Florida has implemented a number of planning and regulatory actions designed to direct development so that it occurs with the least environmental damage.

The Growth Management Act was first adopted in 1985 and mandates that all local governments require a comprehensive plan from which the critical elements of land use, housing, transportation and environmental protection be addressed. These plans must conform to state goals and are subject to review by the FDEP as well as other agencies. The act has greatly encouraged smart growth at the local level and directed land use patterns to promote future development in a more efficient manner appropriate for sound planning at all levels of government, moving inappropriate development away from sensitive areas like wetlands or floodplains and into urbanized edges depending on political decisions dictated by financial lucrative means.

The state also mandates environmental impact assessment for large development projects to demonstrate how they propose mitigating any harm done during the project. This would mean protecting wetlands and green space, avoiding additional water pollution or habitat loss when a development is added to an area.

Florida approach in address environmental topics features a mixture of regulation framework, conservation efforts and climate resilience planning. State efforts to protect water quality, restore the Everglades, address climate change, conserve biodiversity and manage growth appropriately have shown an integrated approach towards environmental stewardship.

That said, as Florida prepares for future growth and rising seas there is a great need for continued innovation, investment in water quality restoration projects and co-management partnerships if we are to sustainably protect the health of this unique system.