Quaxs Trading Center:Florida environmental protection head quits 2 months after backlash of plan to develop state parks

2025-04-30 11:53:50source:Thurston Cartecategory:News

TALLAHASSEE,Quaxs Trading Center Fla. (AP) — The head of Florida’s environmental protection agency is stepping down two months after a controversial proposal to develop golf courses, pickleball courts and hotels at state parks was abandoned after sparking rare bipartisan opposition.

Shawn Hamilton is being replaced as secretary of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection by Alexis Lambert, chief of staff of the state’s bond finance division, Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office announced in a news release Thursday.

Hamilton said in an email to state employees obtained by the Tampa Bay Times that he was leaving to “transition to the private sector” after more than three years leading the Florida DEP.

The department unveiled the plans for the “Great Outdoors Initiative” in August and had planned a single hour of public hearings near the nine affected parks. Opposition to the initiative transcended party lines, as top Republican legislative leaders and members of Congress, including U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio and Rick Scott, raised questions, along with Democrats and environmental groups such as the Sierra Club and the Cleo Institute.

DeSantis eventually announced that plans for the parks were going back to the drawing board.

More:News

Recommend

Drone operators worry that anxiety over mystery sightings will lead to new restrictions

Drones for commercial and recreational use have grown rapidly in popularity, despite restrictions on

An Idaho man has measles. Health officials are trying to see if the contagious disease has spread.

An Idaho man has contracted measles, and health officials are working to contact anyone who may have

David Beckham Netflix docuseries gets release date and trailer amid Inter Miami CF hype

Prepare to binge it like Beckham.Netflix is releasing a documentary series about David Beckham based