Legislature OKs bill protecting Terra Ceia waters, hindering Manatee County cruise port proposal

The House has approved a bill aiming to promote nature-based coastal protection strategies while strengthening safeguards for aquatic preserves — including provisions designed to block a developer-proposed cruise port in Manatee County.

Lawmakers approved SB 302 from Miami Republican Sen. Ileana Garcia via a 109-0 vote. The legislation seeks to boost coastal protection strategies that rely on natural systems — including mangrove planting, oyster reef restoration, dune and wetland rehabilitation, and wave-attenuation devices — either alone or combined with traditional infrastructure like seawalls.

The bill also directs the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to develop clearer statewide standards for nature-based coastal protection methods by 2027, including living shorelines, seagrass restoration and other hybrid “green-gray” infrastructure.

In Manatee County, the bill adds protections for the Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve introduced as an amendment by Bradenton Republican Sen. Jim Boyd. The amendment prohibits the dredging or filling of submerged lands there except under limited circumstances such as public navigation projects, public health needs or environmental restoration efforts.

Protections for Terra Ceia match protections for Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserve in Miami, which are also refined by SB 302. Modifications to Biscayne Bay protections allow certain restoration and shoreline stabilization projects, including living shorelines and vegetation plantings, when beneficial for coastal resiliency and environmental quality improvement efforts.

In addition to regulatory changes, the measure directs the state and local governments to promote public awareness and education about the benefits of nature-based coastal protection methods.

Key Largo Republican Rep. Jim Mooney presented the Senate version of the measure, and it was ultimately approved by the House without amendments. He told Representatives on Monday the bill strengthens Florida’s ability to protect its coastlines by “promoting the use of nature-based solutions that work with natural systems to protect Florida shorelines.”

Bradenton Republican Rep. Will Robinson voiced his support for the measure, highlighting the added protections for the Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve. Robinson and Boyd have long worked together to protect the Terra Ceia ecosystem, and were quick to publicly oppose the cruise port proposal.

“It is one of the most pristine areas in our state, and we don’t need mega cruise ships in this area,” Robinson said. “Your bill will do a great-great deal to stop that from occurring in one of the most important environmental areas in our state. Thank you for agreeing to put that language in, it’s a wonderful bill, and maybe one of the more important environmental bills that we vote on this session.”

The measure will next head to the Governor’s Office for final approval. If signed, the legislation would take effect July 1.