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Objectives:
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It is the intent of the Legislature to establish a collaborative and coordinated effort among public and private research entities to develop restoration technologies and approaches to address the loss of seagrass and the cascading ecological and economic impacts of that loss to communities in this state. The Seagrass Restoration Technology Development Initiative is established within DEP as a partnership between the Aquatic Preserve Program within the Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection, Mote Marine Laboratory, and the University of Florida. In collaboration with the program, Mote Marine Laboratory and the University of Florida shall create a 10-year Florida Seagrass Restoration Plan to implement tools and technologies developed under the initiative. Beginning January 15, 2024, and each January 15 thereafter until its expiration, the initiative shall submit a report that contains an overview of its accomplishments to date and priorities for subsequent years to the Governor, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Secretary of Environmental Protection, and the executive director of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The Initiative Technology Advisory Council, an advisory council as defined in s.20.03, is established as part of the initiative. The advisory council's membership must include marine science, technology development, and natural resource management representatives from this state's aquatic preserves, private organizations, and public or private research institutions. The council shall meet at least twice annually.
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