New Florida law to block Manatee cruise port may have loopholes. What to know

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 302 into law, which supporters say will permanently block plans for a mega cruise ship port in coastal Manatee County’s Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve.

But critics — including environmental advocates and legal experts — warn the law contains vague language that could actually weaken protections for one of Tampa Bay’s last undeveloped coastal areas.

FULL STORY: Will new law stop Manatee cruise port plans? Some warn it’s a ‘Trojan horse’

Here are key takeaways:

• The law’s intent: SB 302 limits deep dredging that would be needed for a commercial cruise terminal but allows “minimum dredging” for marinas, public boat ramps, piers and docks.
• The key concern: The word “marina” is undefined in the statute, raising fears a large-scale project could still be built in the preserve. One critic, a former state environmental specialist, called the law a “Trojan horse.”
• Local official adds context: Manatee County Commission Chairman Tal Siddique said some of the bill’s caveats are to support a long-planned public boat ramp project near the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.
• Lawmakers knew it wasn’t perfect: State Rep. Will Robinson said the House learned of concerns too late in the session and passed the bill unchanged rather than risk killing it.
• The cruise port companies have gone quiet: SSA Marine did not respond to requests for comment after DeSantis signed the law in March. The project’s website has not posted an update since February.
• Advocates plan to push for a stronger bill: Suncoast Waterkeeper’s Abbey Tyrna said the law likely won’t deliver on its intentions but hopes to work with lawmakers to bring a stronger version next legislative session.

The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The full story in the link at top was reported, written and edited entirely by journalists.