Gov. DeSantis signs legislation to enhance coastal protections and fund fishing pier repairs

BRADENTON, Fla. – Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation intended to tighten coastal protections, speed environmental rulemaking, and fund repairs to a damaged fishing pier.

He said the bill would prevent dredging needed to convert the protected area into a commercial port while allowing limited dredging for recreation and water-quality projects.

“I’m going to be signing Senate Bill 302, which will provide additional coastal protections and enhance our coastal resiliency across the state,” DeSantis said.

DeSantis said SB 302 tightens permit review, requires state approval with public notice, and encourages nature-based coastal solutions and new technologies.

DeSantis added that the bill would include projects focused on “new technologies such as 3D printing to supplement ongoing coastal resiliency efforts, including mangrove planning, oyster reef restoration, and wetland rehabilitation.”

He also said he would sign a second bill to streamline environmental rulemaking, “repealing the outdated environmental regulation commission, making it faster to update rules to protect our environment and keep our economy thriving,” DeSantis said.

He and DEP officials said the measure is intended to remove redundant steps and speed updates to water and environmental standards.

The governor also announced repairs to the Sunshine Skyway fishing pier after storm damage. “I’m happy to announce that we will be constructing a new pier adjacent to where the pier currently stands on the Manatee County side and then improving the existing Pier on the Pinellas County side to extend its lifetime for another 20 years,” he said.