Senator Debbie Mayfield Files Senate Bill (SB) 446 Coastal Management Legislation

bill revises the criteria used by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Senator Debbie Mayfield has filed Senate Bill (SB) 446, titled Coastal Management, to help keep Florida’s pristine beaches preserved by addressing erosion control and sand management.

Mayfield is a Republican member of the Florida Senate who has represented the 17th district, which includes Indian River and southern Brevard Counties, since 2016.

The bill revises the criteria used by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to prioritize coastal restoration projects based on need and importance.

Criteria for ranking beach and inlet sand management projects will be refined to better capture the economic importance of healthy beaches to tourism, storm damage reduction and resource protection.

In addition to economic benefits, there are criteria to rank projects based on Federal and local matching funds, recreational benefits, project significance, project mobility, readiness-to-proceed, dune enhancement, habitat protection, and strategies to conserve sand resources.

This legislation will also increase transparency and accountability from DEP by raising their project reporting requirements. SB 446 creates a 3-year work plan so that Florida can maximize federal dollars and local project sponsors can anticipate required funding needs, final design, and secure permits so that projects can proceed to timely construction.

“Coastal management is an integral part of preserving our pristine beaches. This legislation will ensure that our unique natural resources are properly maintained and protected for generations to come,” said Mayfield.

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