NE Florida News

WASHINGTON—U.S. Congressman Aaron Bean, alongside U.S. Senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott, has introduced a new bill aimed at safeguarding Florida's state 404 Permitting Programs. The bill, known as H.R. 8101, the Maintaining Cooperative Permitting Act of 2024, is the House companion to S. 4162 introduced by Senators Rubio and Scott.

"The ability for states to take the lead in regulating their natural resources is vital, especially in the Sunshine State. Florida’s 404 permitting program remains essential for protecting our iconic wildlife and valued wetlands, while reducing wasteful duplication and improving responsiveness to applicants and the communities’ projects they serve," stated Congressman Bean.

Senator Rubio emphasized the importance of state authority in regulatory matters, stating, "The federal government should seek to delegate authority to the states whenever it can, especially when the procedures are clearly provided in law. My bill would codify the State of Florida’s Clean Water Act permitting program, consistent with Congressional intent, to ensure permitting decisions affecting Florida are made by Floridians, not by one-size-fits-all Washington bureaucrats."

Echoing similar sentiments, Senator Scott highlighted the uniqueness of Florida's natural resources and the necessity to protect them locally, stating, "Florida has unique waterways and natural resources that shouldn’t be regulated by a one-size-fits-all federal structure. This bill protects Florida’s Clean Water Act permitting authorities that I fought for as Governor and secured as Senator under the prior administration, and ensures our state has the power to make the best decisions for Floridians while protecting our natural resources for future generations."

In the background of this legislative initiative, in 2018, Florida's Legislature granted the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) the authority to enhance protections for the state's wetlands and surface waters by assuming the federal dredge and fill permitting program. However, a recent federal court order has disrupted this process, impacting over 1,000 pending State 404 permit applications.

The bill introduced by Congressman Bean, Senator Rubio, and Senator Scott seeks to clarify and solidify the permitting programs administered by states like Florida, Michigan, and New Jersey, ensuring that states can effectively regulate their natural resources while adhering to federal laws.

For further details on Congressman Bean's bill, click HERE.