InfoCentral: “Stop the Clock”

On February 27th, 2025, about 40 Islanders gathered to hear details about the ongoing efforts to preserve the Island – the Bocilla Islands Chain Conservation District Act (BICCDA).

PIE Action Committee Co-Chair Meryl Schaffer gave a brief background on its origins. The idea generated from an Info Central town hall last year when the central sewer issue was being discussed: What steps can we take to protect our Island from future “undesirable development”? Taking a model from Boca Grande, the Action Committee drafted a legislative bill to lock in place the existing regulations that restrict growth on the Islands.

PIE has been working in partnership with the Little Gasparilla Island Preservation Alliance and has the support of PIE, LGIPA and the Bocilla Islands Conservancy, Inc. Danny Nix, Florida House Representative District 75, agreed to sponsor the bill in Tallahassee. Mr. Nix was then introduced and his involvement explained. He introduced Jennifer Sweeney, District Aide, who said they will be opening an office in the Charlotte County building in Murdock.

Danny spoke about why it was important that the County first reviewed the bill and provided recommendations to ensure that the bill did not conflict with local regulations. He then explained the bill approval process from start to finish and said that the bill was approved to move forward by a local delegation from the State on January 29th. At this point, the bill will go before several committees in the legislature and then move to a vote by all on the House floor. It is in line to be approved this legislative session. Florida House Representative Michael Grant and State Senator Ben Albritton support the Act.

Q. Is there any significant opposition to the bill?
A. Danny: The only significant questions were from the County, and they are now on board.

Q. Will this affect anything to do with the sewer issue?
A. Meryl: The Act is not designed to impact the current process of the PSC legal action. However, the language of the bill states that “No expansion of infrastructure shall be constructed or approved except to address situations where the public health, safety and welfare are in danger.” If the certificate is approved before the bill is passed, the law cannot be retroactively applied. Danny expressed his support for central sewer but opposition to the current proposal. Meryl spoke about an alternative to central sewer in DWTS technology, on-site systems that perform advanced wastewater treatment.

Q. Would this Act prevent any changes to the Comp. Plan from having adverse impacts on us?
A. Yes, it should since the language of the bill recognizes the more restrictive language.

Q. How fast could the Act pass?
A. Danny: Once the bill is approved through the subcommittees and committees it could be read on the House floor for approval sometime in April. Then it goes to the Governor for signing into law, possibly by July.

Q. In your position as our representative, do you have contact with the PSC?
A. Danny: Yes, but not with regard to any matters that are currently under consideration.

Q. Will the Act impact the potential development of state park land?
A. Danny: No. But there is other legislation in the works related to park land development.

Q. Does this relate to the “Dark Skies” initiative?
A. Danny: It is not a part of the initial goal.

Q. We are losing our mangroves and natural protections on the man-made canals. Can this Act help to protect the mangroves?
A. Danny: He will look into the question of mangrove removal.

Q. How are you making out with Red Tide?
A. Danny: We have a long way to go. He is working with Mote which is devising methods to reduce and/or alleviate red tide. There was a request that our beaches get some support (funding or equipment) for raking up dead fish during times of extreme fish kills. Danny said he will investigate.

Q. We need a maintenance dredging plan for island waterways. What will it take to get one in perpetuity?
A. Danny: We can never do one into perpetuity, but he would like to meet after the legislative session concludes to explore this issue at a later date. It was stated that any plan would need a funding source.

Meryl thanked the PIE Board for their support of the Action Committee and recognized the Action Committee Chairs for their efforts. Danny mentioned several bills that he was sponsoring and/or supporting, looking for community input. He emphasized the importance of communication and responsiveness, stating that he is available to everyone if help is needed. Jennifer will serve as local point of contact for district-related matters.

Next Steps:

• Representative Nix will keep the community informed of the bill’s progress through the legislative process.
• Community members need to be prepared to mobilize and provide support for the bill as needed.
• Representative Nix will continue to monitor the sewer issue without direct involvement due to ongoing litigation.
• PIE will make the Thornton Key-Palm Island-Knight Island-Don Pedro Island Community Plan of 2002 available to Islanders online.

UPDATE: On Friday February 28th, the bill number was posted to the House website. HB 4077 can now proceed to committee review.