A bill keeps getting worse and worse, Sign Up for the March Lunch with Lagoon Scientist Dr. John Trefry, and more!
- IRNA
- Mar 22
- 8 min read
March 22, 2025 Weekly Newsletter
Florida's Senate Bill 1118: A Developer's Dream, A Community's Nightmare
Several weeks ago, we examined four similar bills designed to make it easier for developers to push projects through with minimal oversight. Now that Florida's legislative session is in full swing, Senate Bill 1118 has emerged as perhaps the most dangerous of the bunch.
This bill, sponsored by Senator Stan McClain (R-Ocala), began as an effort to loosen restrictions for homebuilders. However, a recent 47-page rewrite has dramatically expanded its scope in alarming ways - gutting local control, eliminating voter-approved protections, and delivering major benefits to politically connected developers.
The Worst of SB 1118: Dismantling Local Democracy
The legislation would overturn voter-approved development rules in Orange County that established a "rural boundary" specifically designed to control suburban sprawl. These protections passed in November with roughly 70% voter support.
Even more concerning, SB 1118 would:
Eliminate all local referendums on housing density and municipal boundaries
Retroactively cancel recently approved voter initiatives
Strip counties of their power to veto land annexations designed to bypass development restrictions
Special Interest Handouts Hidden in the Fine Print
Looking at the bill's details reveals several provisions tailor-made for specific corporate interests:
Deseret Ranches (Orange County): The bill directly benefits the Mormon Church-owned Deseret Ranches, which has lobbied extensively on this legislation. This massive landowner previously attempted to get Orlando to annex over 50,000 acres of its land to avoid Orange County's new rural boundary restrictions.
Rayonier's Ethanol Plant: After Fernandina Beach rejected Rayonier Advanced Materials' plans for a $53 million ethanol plant, SB 1118 would override local decision-making by legally redefining bioethanol production as something other than "chemical manufacturing or refining."
Miami Luxury Development: The bill alters existing fuel terminal protection laws to benefit TransMontaigne Partners, which is selling a terminal on exclusive Fisher Island for $180 million to build luxury homes - a sale complicated by current zoning restrictions.
Public Art Defunding: The legislation would eliminate requirements for large developers to contribute to public art programs, cutting funding from cities like Sarasota where developers currently must contribute 0.5% of construction costs to public art installations.
The Broader Threat: Sprawl Without Oversight
Beyond these specific handouts, SB 1118 fundamentally changes how development decisions are made in Florida:
It forces counties to administratively approve massive developments in "agricultural enclaves" and "infill residential" areas, regardless of conflicts with local comprehensive plans
It silences citizen input by eliminating public hearings for many development proposals
It requires supermajority votes to approve stronger environmental protections while making it easier to greenlight new development
Florida's Future at Stake
Florida is already projected to lose 2.2 million acres of agricultural land by 2070 under current development patterns. This bill would accelerate that loss by removing crucial safeguards that protect rural and natural lands.
The legislation was scheduled for a committee hearing on Monday, March 17th (Senate Community Affairs Committee). It did not get better. It is moving through the senate and it is not looking good.
If you value local control over development decisions and want to protect Florida's remaining natural areas, contact your representatives today and urge them to oppose Senate Bill 1118.
State Electeds Contact Information:
Sen. Erin Grall
Phone: 850-487-5025
Email: Grall.Erin.Web@flsenate.gov
Address: 3209 Virginia Avenue, Suite A149, Fort Pierce, FL 34981
Rep. Robbie Brackett
Phone: 772-778-5005
Address: Suite B2-203, 1801 27th Street, Vero Beach, FL 32960
Governor Ron DeSantis
Phone: 850-717-9337
Address: The Capitol, 400 S. Monroe St., Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001
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Lunch & Learn:"What's Running Amuck in the IRL?"
with Dr. John Trefry
You're cordially invited to join us for an enlightening Lunch and Learn session focused on one of the most pressing environmental challenges facing our beloved Indian River Lagoon.
Event Details:
Date: Wednesday, March 26
Time: 11:30 AM
Location: Vero Beach Country Club, 800 30th St, Vero Beach, FL 32960
Cost: $25 per person
We’re excited to welcome our guest speaker, Dr. John Trefry, professor emeritus in the Department of Ocean Engineering and Marine Sciences at Florida Tech. Affectionately known as 'Dr. Muck,' he has dedicated his career to studying and understanding the composition and impact of muck in waterways, especially in and around the Indian River Lagoon.
This is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy a delicious meal while connecting with community members who share your interest in preserving and protecting our precious natural resources. Dr. Trefry's expertise and insights promise to spark important discussions about the health and future of our lagoon.
Please note: RSVPs are required for this event. Space is limited, and unfortunately, we cannot accommodate walk-ins.
Questions or trouble RSVPing, email: Info@IndianRiverNA.com
We look forward to seeing you there!
Indian River County ready to spend $25M to buy, conserve sensitive lands (TCPalm) - Indian River County plans to purchase over 560 acres across nine properties for conservation, focusing on protecting wetlands, wildlife habitats, and Indian River Lagoon, with negotiations underway to fairly price the first $25 million in voter-approved funding.
Florida A1A near Vero: Don't taper road lanes; no sidewalk | Opinion (TCPalm) - Residents along State Road A1A in Indian River County voiced strong concerns about Florida DOT's proposed $10.6 million road project, advocating for wider buffered bike lanes, maintained 12-foot driving lanes, better drainage, and targeted sidewalk improvements to enhance safety while minimizing unnecessary changes.
Vero Beach plans for long-term, but is site contaminated? | Opinion (TCPalm) - Vero Beach is addressing environmental concerns at the Three Corners redevelopment site, where minor arsenic contamination and PCB traces in concrete were found, while also managing fallout from a delayed annual audit and an isolated payroll check issue.
Sebastian Unveils Ambitious Riverview Park Master Plan, Public Workshop Scheduled (Sebastian Daily) - Sebastian's proposed $3 million Riverview Park Master Plan includes new parking, relocated playgrounds, an amphitheater, and law enforcement boat slips, but concerns over moving the Veterans Memorial have prompted a public workshop on April 9 before final approval.
Florida growth wave coming to southwest Vero Beach? Speak up | Opinion (TCPalm) - Indian River County faces pressure to expand its urban service area along Oslo Road despite having sufficient housing capacity through 2050, prompting public meetings as residents voice concerns over potential overdevelopment and the loss of the area's rural character.
Mother Manatee Carries Tiny Calf Down The River In Precious Clip (InspireMore) - A viral video captures a mother manatee gently carrying and nursing her two-day-old calf while swimming through a Florida river, delighting viewers with their adorable bond.
Big Sugar's Lobbying Army in Tallahassee
Big Sugar wields significant influence in Florida's political landscape, with at least 48 lobbyists working the halls of Tallahassee, according to information from Vote Water. The industry's extensive lobbying presence helps explain why it often prevails in water policy decisions affecting the state.
This formidable lobbying force includes U.S. Sugar with 21 lobbyists, including Brian Ballard (one of Florida's most influential political operators) and several former legislative leaders like Steve Crisafulli and Mike Haridopolos (our newly elected Congressperson). Florida Crystals maintains an equally impressive roster of 21 lobbyists, featuring former Senate President Ken Pruitt and other well-connected individuals. Smaller but related entities round out the numbers, creating a powerful network that consistently advances industry interests at the expense of environmental concerns.
How many lobbyist does one industry need?
Gardening: Florida Friendly – Water conservation through landscaping (Marco News) - Florida Friendly Landscaping promotes water conservation through creative landscaping by using drought-tolerant plants, efficient irrigation, practical turf placement, and organic mulches to protect groundwater and reduce environmental impact.
Saving the Trees for the Forest (Sierra Club) - Environmental advocates in Washington State are fighting to protect rare, structurally complex forests from commercial logging, arguing that preserving these ecosystems is crucial for biodiversity, carbon storage, and climate resilience despite economic pressures to fund public services through timber sales.
How Nature Can Alleviate Pain—and Why Climate Change Could Get in the Way (Inside Climate News) - Exposure to nature has proven physical and psychological health benefits, including pain relief and reduced stress, but climate change and habitat destruction threaten access to these healing environments, potentially diminishing their positive effects on human well-being.
Why move to Florida? Our state parks – protect them | Opinion (Palm Beach Post) - Florida's state parks face increasing threats from development, prompting urgent legislative efforts to protect these vital natural spaces before they are lost forever.
How Cities Like Oslo Are Electrifying the Construction Industry (Bloomberg) - Cities like Oslo are leading the shift to electrified construction equipment, reducing noise and emissions while trial projects, like an electric excavator in London, showcase the industry's transition away from diesel.
State of America’s Birds: Population Declines Continue (Environmental News Network) - North American bird populations continue to decline, with the 2025 U.S. State of the Birds report revealing widespread losses across habitats, signaling ongoing ecological concerns.
Florida's citrus industry is facing an existential crisis due to multiple challenges. The once-thriving orange groves are being squeezed by rapid population growth, particularly in key growing regions like ours, where housing developments are replacing agricultural land. This urban expansion coincides with devastating natural disasters including multiple hurricanes and freezes, alongside the destructive citrus greening disease that has ravaged crops for two decades. These factors have contributed to a staggering 90% decline in orange production, with citrus acreage shrinking from over 832,000 acres at the start of the century to just 275,000 acres last year.
Many growers are reluctantly selling family-owned groves to developers for substantial profits, while others are desperately holding on, hoping for scientific breakthroughs. Researchers have been developing potential solutions including genetically modified trees resistant to the Asian citrus psyllids that spread the greening disease, protective screens, and antibiotic treatments. The stakes are enormous, with the industry supporting 33,000 jobs and generating $6.8 billion in economic impact across Florida. While California has overtaken Florida as the leading citrus producer and major companies like Tropicana struggle with reduced capacity, some remaining growers maintain cautious optimism that scientific advances might eventually turn the tide for this iconic Florida industry.
Solar Energy, Criticized by Trump, Claims Big U.S. Gain in 2024 (The New York Times) - The U.S. added a record 50 gigawatts of solar power in 2024, making it the largest single-year energy source addition in over two decades, despite criticism from the Trump administration.
One in five butterflies lost in the US since 2000, study finds (Mongabay) - Butterfly populations in the U.S. declined by 22% between 2000 and 2020 due to habitat loss, climate change, and pesticides, with some species experiencing drastic drops of over 90%, raising concerns about broader insect declines and ecosystem impacts.
Microplastics Could Be Fueling Antibiotic Resistance, BU Study Finds (Environmental News Network) - Microplastics may contribute to antibiotic resistance, as a Boston University study found that bacteria exposed to them became resistant to multiple common antibiotics, posing a significant public health risk.
Push to close dam safety center spurs backlash (E&E News by POLITICO) - The Trump administration's plan to close the Army Corps of Engineers’ Risk Management Center, citing cost savings, is facing backlash from experts who warn it will weaken dam safety oversight, increase disaster risks, and lead to loss of critical expertise.
How an oil exec got picked to lead the DOE renewables office (E&E News by POLITICO) - The Trump administration has nominated oil and gas executive Audrey Robertson to lead the Department of Energy’s renewable energy office, sparking criticism over conflicts of interest and concerns that the office's clean energy mission could be undermined.
Scrutiny for Florida Agencies Charged with Managing Treasured Waters Sparks Unease (Inside Climate News) - A new Florida bill aims to increase scrutiny of the state's water management districts, sparking concerns that added bureaucracy and budget constraints could undermine Everglades restoration and critical water conservation efforts.
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