Florida Senate President Kathleen Passidomo and other Republican lawmakers are expressing opposition to a proposal to develop state parks with golf courses and hotels, arguing it conflicts with preserving natural habitats.

Florida Senate President Kathleen Passidomo has expressed opposition on Thursday to a proposal by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to develop state parks across the state, building on a consortium of Republican lawmakers challenging the plan promoted by Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration.

Passidomo voiced her concerns on social media, stating that while efforts to improve state parks should focus on preserving natural habitats and promoting passive recreational activities like hiking and canoeing, the proposed golf courses and hotels do not align with these goals.

“Our vision did not contemplate the addition of golf courses and hotels,” Passidomo said. “In my view, these are not in line with the peaceful and quiet enjoyment of nature. I am open to other ideas, but from what I know at this time, the proposal should not move forward in its current form.”

The DEP’s proposal, first reported on Wednesday by the Tampa Bay Times, includes the construction of golf courses, hotels, and other recreational facilities at nine state parks, including Jonathan Dickinson State Park and Anastasia State Park. The plan sparked public outcry upon its uncovering, with those in dissent arguing that the developments could threaten the ecological integrity of protected lands.

The Tampa Bay Times further reported that Eric Draper, a former director of Florida’s state parks, alleged that the DEP skirted standard procedures in its proposal by not involving stakeholders, such as park volunteers and citizen support organizations, in the process. He suggested that the DEP may have bypassed the usual steps of convening a citizens advisory committee and holding public hearings, which are intended to ensure public participation.

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson also expressed caution, suggesting that the state must be “really careful” when considering infrastructure projects in state parks.

“Public lands should be enjoyed and protected. We have to be really careful when we talk about building infrastructure in state parks,” Simpson said on Twitter.

Other GOP lawmakers, including Sen. Jay Trumbull, also took to twitter in opposition of the development efforts.

“Our state parks should not be in the business of competing with private enterprise to provide lodging or other commercial amenities,” he said. “Our state parks are a treasure and they should remain focused on their primary mission: offering a refuge for those who seek to experience Florida’s natural beauty in its purest form.”