Law & Policy Information
Online Sunshine
Official site of the Florida state legislature. Search the Florida Constitution, statutes, and laws.
Florida House of Representatives
Official site of the Florida House of Representatives. Search for representatives, committees, and bills.
U.S. Government Printing Office
Official site for federal government information. Search for regulations, bills, laws, etc.
University of Florida Levin College of Law Conservation Clinic, Waterways & Waterfronts
University of Florida Levin College of Law’s Conservation Clinic Waterways and Waterfronts website. Information and tools for the sustainable management of Florida’s waterways and waterfronts.
South Florida Water, Sustainability, and Climate Project
An ongoing research project to improve decision-making related to South Florida’s water resources, including ecosystem service valuation and modeling.
State Government Resources
DEP Beaches and Coastal Systems
The purpose of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Beaches and Coastal Systems program is to protect, restore, and manage Florida’s coastal system. This is achieved through the Coastal Construction Control Line program, the Beach Erosion Control Program, and the Coastal Construction Program, among others.
DEP Coastal Access
The Florida Coastal Management Program has mapped public coastal accesses along the entire Florida coast for this online Coastal Access Guide. Also includes links to relevant information and resources.
DEP Water Management Districts
The DEP manages the quality and quantity of water through the state’s five regional water management districts. This website provides additional resources and contact information.
DEP Guide to Federal and State Assistance Programs for Communities
Links to information about assistance programs for all of the FL DEP program areas, including boating, marinas, coastal conservation, and land trusts.
FWC Boat Ramp Finder
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Public Boat Ramp Finder allows you to search for boat ramps by county, address, coordinates, or freshwater or marine access.
FWC Coastal Wildlife Conservation Initiative
The CWCC is a special initiative of the FWC with the goal to ensure the long-term conservation of native wildlife in coastal ecosystems throughout Florida in balance with human activities.
Florida Oceans and Coastal Council
Created in 2005 through the Oceans and Coastal Resources Act. Develops priorities for coastal research and a statewide ocean research plan.
Federal Government Resources
The resources in this section are provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Coastal Issues
NOAA’s Ocean and Coastal Resource Management program works on a variety of coastal issues, including public access.
Ocean and Coastal Management in Florida
Includes information about the Florida’s Coastal Program, Coral Program, and National Estuarine Research Reserve. Also has links and contact information for Florida’s programs.
Sea Level Rise and Coastal Flooding Impacts Viewer
Interactive map that shows how various degrees of sea level rise will impact coastal communities.
Beach Nourishment
The website can help state and local organizations make informed decisions about beach nourishment. Focusing on the beaches of the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico, the site provides information on all aspects of the nourishment process.
Marine Protected Areas
MPAs are areas of the open oceans, coasts, inter-tidal zones, or estuaries that are protected for a conservation purpose. In the United States, there are over 1,600 MPAs, nearly all of which allow multiple uses. This website includes an interactive map of MPAs, including those in Florida.
Local & County Government Resources
Florida Regional Planning Councils
A statewide list of Regional Planning Councils, including contact information.
South Florida Regional Council, Sea Level Rise Project
This project aims to paint a picture of what South Florida may look like in 200 years if current predictions of global warming cause sea levels to rise significantly.
Beach Conditions Reporting System
An interactive map of beach conditions for Gulf Coast Counties provided by the Sarasota Operations Coastal Oceans Observation Lab.
Bay County, Parks and Recreation
Brevard County, Beach Management Program
Citrus County, Parks & Beaches
Collier County, Beaches and Boats
City of Daytona Beach, Beach Information
Dixie County, Parks and Recreation
Indian River County, Beaches, Parks, & Surfing
City of Jacksonville Beach, Going to the Beach
Pinellas County, Beaches & Beach Access
St. Lucie County, Beaches & Boating
Non-Governmental Resources
Greenhouse Effect and Sea Level Rise: America Starts to Prepare
This website contains a collection of reports compiled by James Titus, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s sea-level rise project manager.
Surfrider Foundation, Florida Chapter
The Florida Chapter of the national organization with strategic initiatives including clean water, beach access, beach preservation, and protecting special places.
Surfrider Foundation, Beach Access Program
Surfrider Foundation is a national organization with strategic initiatives including clean water, beach access, beach preservation, and protecting special places. They are working to protect the right of beach access through several current campaigns.
Beachapedia
Provided by Surfrider Foundation as an educational resource for coastal issues.
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