The Florida Senate

260.016  General powers of the department.--

(1)  The department may:

(a)  Publish and distribute appropriate maps of designated greenways and trails. The description shall include a generalized map delineating the area designated, location of suitable ingress and egress sites, as well as other points of interest to enhance the recreational opportunities of the public.

(b)  Establish access routes and related public-use facilities along greenways and trails which will not substantially interfere with the nature and purposes of the greenway ¹or.

(c)  Adopt appropriate rules for the use of greenways and trails.

(d)  Coordinate the activities of all governmental units and bodies and special districts that desire to participate in the development of the Florida Greenways and Trails System.

(e)  Appoint an advisory body to be known as the "Florida Recreational Trails Council" which shall advise the department in the execution of its powers and duties under this chapter. The department may establish by rule the duties, structure, and responsibilities of the council. Members of the Florida Recreational Trails Council shall serve without compensation, but are entitled to be reimbursed for per diem and travel expenses as provided in s. 112.061.

(f)  Establish, develop, and publicize saltwater paddling trails in a manner that will permit public recreation without damaging natural resources. The Big Bend Historic Saltwater Paddling Trail from the St. Marks River to the Suwannee River is hereby designated as part of the Florida Greenways and Trails System. Additions to this trail may be added by the department from time to time as part of a statewide saltwater circumnavigation trail.

(g)  Enter into sublease agreements or other use agreements with local governmental agencies for the management of greenways and trails for recreation and conservation purposes consistent with the intent of this chapter.

(h)  Enter into management agreements with other entities only if a federal agency, another state agency, local government, county, or municipality is unable to manage the greenways or trails lands. Such entities must demonstrate their capabilities of management for the purposes defined in ss. 260.011-260.018.

(i)  Charge reasonable fees or rentals for the use or operation of facilities and concessions. All such fees, rentals, or other charges collected shall be deposited in the account or trust fund of the managing entity. All such fees, rentals, or other charges collected by the Division of Recreation and Parks under this paragraph shall be deposited in the State Park Trust Fund pursuant to s. 258.014.

(2)  The department shall:

(a)  Evaluate lands for the acquisition of greenways and trails and compile a list of suitable corridors, greenways, and trails, ranking them in order of priority for proposed acquisition. The department shall devise a method of evaluation which includes, but is not limited to, the consideration of:

1.  The importance and function of such corridors within the statewide system.

2.  Potential for local sharing in the acquisition, development, operation, or maintenance of greenway and trail corridors.

3.  Costs of acquisition, development, operation, and maintenance.

(b)  Maintain an updated list of abandoned and to-be-abandoned railroad rights-of-way. The department shall request information on current and potential railroad abandonments from the Department of Transportation, the ²Interstate Commerce Commission, and railroad companies operating within the state. At a minimum, the department shall make such requests on a quarterly basis.

(c)  Provide information to public and private agencies and organizations on abandoned rail corridors which are or will be available for acquisition from the railroads or for lease for interim recreational use from the Department of Transportation. Such information shall include, at a minimum, probable costs of purchase or lease of the identified corridors.

History.--s. 6, ch. 79-110; ss. 5, 8, ch. 87-328; s. 6, ch. 88-303; s. 5, ch. 91-62; s. 5, ch. 91-429; s. 13, ch. 96-389.

¹Note.--The word "trail" following the word "or" was deleted by s. 13, ch. 96-389.

²Note.--Abolished by s. 101, Pub. L. No. 104-88.