James Gaddis, a cartographer for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, revealed plans to construct golf courses and hotels in protected state parks, alarming many Floridians.
The plan, dubbed the Great Outdoors Initiative, aimed to increase access and activities in Florida’s state parks but faced strong backlash, highlighting the importance of bipartisan conservation efforts in Florida.
As protests grew and bipartisan criticism mounted, Governor DeSantis, usually assertive in his decisions, had to shelve the initiative, marking a significant policy setback amid his weakened political state.
Reflecting on the backlash, DeSantis acknowledged that the plan was 'half-baked and not ready for prime time,' signaling the need for reevaluation before proceeding with new ideas.
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