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When I was hired into the Florida Park Service in 2001, I remember well my first trip out to Camp Helen State Park. I was struck by its historic buildings, sugar sand beaches, pristine dunes, and Lake Powell, one of the largest coastal dune lakes in Florida! These shallow lakes are a rare and fascinating geological feature, freshwater from rain most of the time even though they’re located only feet away from the Gulf of Mexico. And now, there is a proposal to build up to 10 cabins and create 10 glamping sites near the rare and fragile Lake Powell.
This week the Florida Department of Environmental Protection unveiled a startling proposal that calls for adding golf courses, disc golf courses, pickleball courts, and two 350-room lodges, threatening the natural resources of nine state parks located across the state, including Camp Helen.
Unfortunately, there has been little notice of the eight public meetings scheduled for Tuesday, August 27 where citizens can comment. Most of the meetings are occurring simultaneously. NONE of the meetings have virtual options, and devotees of the targeted parks may live hours away or be unable to take off work on short notice to comment.
I am planning to attend the public meeting about Camp Helen State Park in support of our sister chapter Bay County Audubon as well as this magnificent park, but you can support ALL nine parks by sending an email to DEP and Governor DeSantis via an Audubon Florida form. It’s already written, but you can add your remarks as well. Just click the Take Action link below. For more information about the proposed plans, visit the Audubon Florida Action Alert webpage.
Take Action
- Kathleen Carr
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