Venus Investment Alliance|Florida environmental protection head quits 2 months after backlash of plan to develop state parks

2025-05-05 00:14:15source:AstraX Exchangecategory:My

TALLAHASSEE,Venus Investment Alliance 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:My

Recommend

Woman dies after Singapore family of 3 gets into accident in Taiwan

One woman died after a family of three from Singapore got into a car accident in Miaoli, Taiwan on S

Kali Uchis Is Pregnant, Expecting First Baby With Don Toliver

Kali Uchis is shining a (moon)light on some big news. The singer is expecting a baby with her boyfri

Jelly Roll, former drug dealer and current Grammy nominee, speaks against fentanyl to Senate

Nashville native turned country-rock star Jelly Roll's continued emerging fame has found him kicking