Nature-based Methods for Improving Coastal Resilience
H0371 establishes a state framework for using nature-based and hybrid “green-gray” infrastructure to improve Florida’s coastal resilience. It directs the Florida Flood Hub for Applied Research and Innovation at the University of South Florida to develop design guidelines and standards for combining natural systems with traditional infrastructure to address sea level rise and storm surge, model the flood-risk and socioeconomic effects of those approaches, identify areas of significant erosion, and recommend ways to minimize harm to mangroves and other native shoreline vegetation. The Flood Hub must also report its findings to the Governor and legislative leaders by July 1, 2026.
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 coastal resilience. Those guidelines must address threats to mangroves and other native shoreline vegetation, strategies for new development to avoid or mitigate impacts, the protective role of mangroves and living shorelines for barrier and spoil islands, and regions where these approaches could reduce 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 act takes effect July 1, 2025.
The bill’s impact is primarily regulatory and planning-oriented rather than directly imposing new permitting restrictions or mandates on private parties. It expands the responsibilities of the Flood Hub and DEP, adds reporting and guideline-development duties, and is likely to influence future coastal resilience policy, local restoration projects, and state guidance for development near shorelines. It also reinforces statutory attention to mangroves, living shorelines, and other natural infrastructure as tools for erosion control and storm protection.
The available voting history shows strong support in committee, with unanimous votes in both the House Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee and the House State Affairs Committee. No committee transcript is provided, but the bill’s findings and structure suggest broad agreement around the need to address sea level rise, storm surge, and coastal erosion through nature-based solutions. The overall sentiment appears favorable and proactive, emphasizing resilience, environmental restoration, and economic protection for coastal communities.
There is little visible opposition in the available materials, but the main policy tension is between nature-based approaches and conventional hard infrastructure, as well as how much guidance the state should provide to local governments and development interests. The bill specifically seeks to minimize impacts to mangroves and other shoreline vegetation, which suggests concern about balancing coastal development with environmental preservation and habitat protection.
The bill amends section 380.0933, Florida Statutes, to add new duties for the Florida Flood Hub for Applied Research and Innovation, including developing design guidelines for green and gray infrastructure, modeling coastal resilience benefits, identifying erosion-prone areas, and recommending strategies to protect mangroves and native shoreline vegetation. It also creates section 380.0938, Florida Statutes, directing DEP to publish statewide guidelines on nature-based coastal resilience and to encourage local participation in restoration efforts. The bill affects state agencies, local governments, coastal planners, and entities involved in shoreline development, restoration, and flood mitigation.
The bill appears to have broad support and a generally positive reception. It passed the House Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee and the House State Affairs Committee unanimously, indicating little overt opposition at the committee stage. The tone of the bill is forward-looking and policy-driven, focusing on resilience, environmental restoration, and practical adaptation to sea level rise and storm impacts.
No direct opposition is reflected in the available votes or transcripts, but the underlying policy debate centers on how Florida should balance coastal development with protection of mangroves, living shorelines, and other natural systems. Potential points of contention include whether nature-based methods should be prioritized over traditional hardening projects, how prescriptive state guidelines should be for local governments and developers, and whether restoration efforts could affect land use, permitting, or project costs. The bill’s emphasis on minimizing impacts to native shoreline vegetation suggests environmental advocates would favor it, while some development or infrastructure interests may be cautious about added guidance or constraints.