Coastal Resiliency

Added a new section prohibiting dredging or filling in the Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve unless it serves specific public needs like navigation or public health.

Created a new statute requiring the Department of Environmental Protection to develop guidelines and a statewide permitting process for nature-based coastal resiliency by January 1, 2027.

Added a requirement for public notice before approving dredging and filling in the Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve.

Updated rules for aquatic preserves to explicitly allow nature-based solutions, such as living shorelines and vegetation planting, as approved structures for erosion control.

Added authority to amend s. 258.397 to allow dredging, filling, and shoreline stabilization projects within the Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserve, including the placement of living shorelines and seawalls.

Added authority to amend s. 258.42 to explicitly permit nature-based solutions, such as living seawalls and vegetation planting, within aquatic preserves.

Changed the requirement for the Department of Environmental Protection to conduct a feasibility study to a mandate to develop design guidelines and initiate rulemaking by January 1, 2027.

Removed the requirement for a statewide feasibility study regarding the value of nature-based solutions, replacing it with a direct mandate to create guidelines and a permitting process.

Added a requirement for the department and local governments to promote public awareness and education on nature-based solutions.

Updated the title and summary of the new statute to focus on 'nature-based methods' rather than just 'solutions' and to emphasize the creation of guidelines and rules.

Added a mandate to streamline permitting after storms for replacing failed infrastructure with hybrid solutions that follow design guidelines.

Added a requirement to model the projected effects of integrating hybrid infrastructure designs, including flood risk reduction and socioeconomic benefits.

Added a requirement to provide guidance on the optimal combination of nature-based and hybrid infrastructure to address sea level rise.

Modified the definition of 'Hybrid infrastructure' to remove the phrase 'to create resilient solutions that are more effective than either approach alone'.

Added an appropriation of $250,000 from the Resilient Florida Trust Fund for the 2026-2027 fiscal year to conduct the feasibility study.

Extended the deadline for submitting the feasibility study report from a generic 'specified date' to July 1, 2027.