SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) – A coastal resiliency measure that includes restrictions tied to the Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve advanced in the Florida House on Monday, according to a legislative update.
A committee substitute version of the bill passed 109-0 on March 9, 2026, at 2:35 p.m.
A bill summary included in the update describes language that would prohibit the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund from approving dredging or filling of submerged lands in the Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve unless it occurs for certain reasons.
The summary also includes other aquatic-preserve provisions, including authorizing certain dredging and filling and shoreline and seawall work within the Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserve, and allowing certain structures in aquatic preserves.
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The Florida Department of Environmental Protection would also be required, by a specified date, to develop guidelines and standards for nature-based coastal resiliency methods and to adopt rules, subject to legislative ratification, for a statewide permitting process.
The bill lists an effective date of July 1, 2026.
The amendment was added by State Sen. Jim Boyd and is aimed at protecting roughly 300 acres of land on Terra Ceia Island known as the Knott-Cowen tract.
“We had to do something to protect that part of the coastline,” Boyd said. “My goal has been from the start and still is to protect that pristine coastline of Tampa Bay and our community.”
WWSB previously reported the bill was scheduled for a Monday vote and included an amendment aimed at restricting dredging tied to a proposed cruise terminal near the preserve’s shoreline.
George Smith, who lives in Manatee County, said the area should be permanently protected.
“The Rattlesnake Key should not be mitigation land. It should be preserved forever,” Smith said.
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