The Florida Senate

260.012  Declaration of policy and legislative intent.--

(1)  In order to provide the public with access to the use, enjoyment, and appreciation of the outdoor areas of Florida, and in order to conserve, develop, and use the natural resources of this state for healthful and recreational purposes, it is declared to be the public policy of this state and the purpose of ss. 260.011-260.018 to provide the means and procedures for establishing and expanding a statewide system of greenways and trails for recreational and conservation purposes which shall be designated as the "Florida Greenways and Trails System." The standards by which the greenways and trails system shall be acquired, administered, maintained, used, and expanded shall be consistent with the provisions of ss. 260.011-260.018. It is the intent of the Legislature that these greenways and trails will serve to implement the concepts of ecosystems management while providing recreational opportunities, including, but not limited to, horseback riding, hiking, bicycling, canoeing, jogging, and historical and archeological interpretation, thereby improving the health and welfare of the people.

(2)  It is the intent of the Legislature that a statewide system of greenways and trails be established to provide open space benefiting environmentally sensitive lands and wildlife and providing people with access to healthful outdoor activities. It is also the intent of the Legislature to acquire lands to facilitate the establishment of a statewide system of greenways and trails; to encourage the multiple use of public rights-of-way and use to the fullest extent existing and future scenic roads, highways, park roads, parkways, greenways, trails, and national recreational trails; to encourage the development of greenways and trails by counties, cities, and special districts and to assist in such development by any means available; to coordinate greenway and trail plans and development by local governments with one another and with the state government and Federal Government; and to encourage, whenever possible, the development of greenways and trails on federal lands by the Federal Government.

(3)  The planning, development, operation, and maintenance of the Florida Greenways and Trails System authorized by ss. 260.011-260.018 is declared to be a public purpose, and the Department of Environmental Protection, together with other governments and agencies of this state and all counties, municipalities, and special districts of this state, is authorized to spend public funds for such purposes and to accept gifts and grants of funds, property, or property rights from public or private sources to be used for such purposes.

(4)  The provisions of s. 375.251 relating to the liability of persons making lands available for outdoor recreational purposes shall be applicable to ss. 260.011-260.018.

(5)  It is the intent of the Legislature to officially recognize the Florida National Scenic Trail as Florida's official statewide trail from the Florida Panhandle to the Everglades. It is also the intent of the Legislature to encourage all state, regional, and local agencies who acquire lands to include in their land-buying efforts the acquisition of sufficient legal interest in the lands over which the trail passes to ensure its continued existence in a permanent location.

History.--s. 2, ch. 79-110; s. 1, ch. 87-328; s. 3, ch. 91-62; s. 105, ch. 94-356; s. 8, ch. 96-389.