Protect Critical Wetlands, Florida

Victory! Florida passes bill to inventory critical wetlands. 

On April 27, 2022 the governor signed SB 882, requiring state water management districts to develop a list of critical wetlands for acquisition and preservation. 

Read the full bill text here. 

Wetlands are critical to protecting Florida from the dangers of sea level rise, filter toxins, slow erosion and flooding, and provide critical habitat for wildlife creating huge swaths of diverse flora and fauna. With mass development across the country wetlands are in great peril. In Florida, already 9.8 million acres have been lost. 

The Surfrider Foundation and its chapters and clubs across the state supported the protection and inventory of these special places. The Clean Water Act is part of the legislation in place to protect wetlands from drainage and development by developers. With this state inventory in place, it will be more difficult for areas of importance to be lost forever.

In the 2022 Florida Legislative Session, the Surfrider Foundation supported SB 882 by Senator Brodeur which authorizes the purchase of these state lands through the Land Aquisition Trust Fund for future generations and wildlife recovery.

The Surfrider Foundation supports protections of wetlands throughout the state as well as work on wetland restoration projects.