NE Florida News

U.S. Congressman Aaron Bean has reintroduced H.R. 2030, known as the Maintaining Cooperative Permitting Act of 2025, aimed at preserving state authority over 404 permitting programs. This legislation is designed to protect states like Florida, Michigan, and New Jersey in administering their dredge and fill permitting processes while providing clarity for other states seeking similar authority.

Congressman Bean emphasized the importance of state-led regulation in managing natural resources, particularly in Florida. "The ability for states to take the lead in regulating their natural resources is vital, especially in the Sunshine State," he stated. He noted that Florida's program is crucial for wildlife protection and reducing bureaucratic duplication.

Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Alexis A. Lambert supported the bill, stating it reinforces cooperative federalism by allowing states to manage their resources without excessive federal intervention. "I applaud Senator Moody and Representative Bean for championing this effort to protect responsible state oversight," Lambert said.

In parallel with Congressman Bean's efforts, U.S. Senator Ashley Moody introduced companion legislation in the Senate. She expressed concerns about federal bureaucracy hindering environmental protection efforts under the current administration. "States should have the right to make decisions about their own natural resources," she asserted.

The background context reveals that Florida's Legislature passed a bill in 2018 authorizing its Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to assume control over certain aspects of the federal Clean Water Act’s section 404 permitting program within state waters. However, a federal judge's order on February 15, 2024, halted DEP’s authority to issue these permits in Florida, leaving over 1,000 applications pending.