Nature-based Methods for Improving Coastal Resilience:
HB 371 would direct Florida’s coastal resilience planning toward nature-based and hybrid “green-gray” infrastructure approaches. It requires the Florida Flood Hub for Applied Research and Innovation at the University of South Florida College of Marine Science to develop design guidelines and standards for combining green infrastructure, such as mangroves and other natural shoreline systems, with traditional gray infrastructure to address sea level rise and storm surge impacts. The Flood Hub would also model the flood-risk reduction and socioeconomic benefits of conceptual green and hybrid designs, identify areas of significant erosion, and recommend strategies to reduce harm to mangroves and other native shoreline vegetation.
The bill also creates a new statutory section requiring the Department of Environmental Protection to develop and publish guidelines by July 1, 2027 on nature-based methods for improving coastal resilience. Those guidelines must address threats to mangroves and other native shoreline vegetation, ways new development can avoid or mitigate impacts, how living shorelines and native vegetation can protect barrier and spoil islands, and where these approaches could reduce coastal erosion. In addition, DEP must encourage local governments to participate in mangrove planting, hydrological restoration, and restoration or enhancement of oyster reefs, salt marshes, and coral reefs.
The bill would amend section 380.0933, Florida Statutes, by expanding the Flood Hub’s duties and adding reporting requirements, and it would create new section 380.0938, Florida Statutes, establishing a statewide framework for nature-based coastal resilience guidance. It does not directly regulate private conduct or impose permitting changes, but it would shape state and local planning, research, and restoration priorities by formalizing guidance on living shorelines, mangrove protection, and hybrid infrastructure. The measure would also require a report to the Governor and legislative leaders by July 1, 2026, and would take effect July 1, 2025.
The bill appears to have been generally favorable in concept, reflecting broad policy support for coastal resilience, habitat restoration, and adaptation to sea level rise. Its findings emphasize the public benefits of Florida’s coastline and the role of natural infrastructure in reducing storm and erosion risks. However, the bill ultimately died on the Second Reading Calendar, indicating that it did not advance to final passage despite the policy support implied by its text.
The main policy tension in the bill is between nature-based solutions and traditional infrastructure approaches, as well as the extent to which the state should formalize guidance versus leaving such decisions to local governments and project designers. The bill’s focus on mangroves, living shorelines, and restoration may raise concerns among stakeholders who favor hard-armoring or who worry about development constraints, while environmental and resilience advocates would likely support the emphasis on habitat protection and erosion reduction. No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so specific member or stakeholder objections are not available.