State postpones public meetings to discuss proposed changes at state parks

Residents will have to wait a bit longer to publicly discuss controversial state proposals to develop conservation land.

In a Friday afternoon post on X, formerly known as Twitter, officials with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection announced the meetings to discuss the 2024-25 Great Outdoors Initiative have been postponed.

Meetings were originally scheduled for Bay and Walton counties on Aug. 27 from 3-4 p.m. Bay's was slated to happen at the Lyndell Conference Center, with Walton's at the Watercolor Inn & Resort.

"Due to the overwhelming interest with the 2024-25 Great Outdoors Initiative, DEP is looking for new venues to accommodate the public," the post reads. "We want to ensure everyone has the opportunity to participate. Public input is vital to DEP decision making.

"... New meeting dates will be announced soon, with meetings expected the week of Sept. 2."

Announced by FDEP on Aug. 19, the 2024-25 initiative has sparked an uproar from many residents, officials and groups who do not believe the moves are in the state's best interest. The state proposes building new lodging options and increasing outdoor activities at a handful of state parks.

More on the initiative: Proposed Florida initiative might create big changes to Bay County's Camp Helen State Park

Area parks that would be affected are including Camp Helen State Park in Bay County, along with Topsail Hill Preserve and Grayton Beach state parks in Walton County.

More information will be released as it becomes available.

This article originally appeared on The News Herald: State postpones public meetings to discuss proposed changes at state parks