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The Florida Senate

2023 Florida Statutes (including 2023C)

Title XVIII PUBLIC LANDS AND PROPERTY
Chapter 260
FLORIDA GREENWAYS AND TRAILS ACT
CHAPTER 260
CHAPTER 260
FLORIDA GREENWAYS AND TRAILS ACT
260.011 Popular name.
260.012 Declaration of policy and legislative intent.
260.0125 Limitation on liability of private landowners whose property is designated as part of the statewide system of greenways and trails.
260.013 Definitions.
260.014 Florida Greenways and Trails System.
260.0141 Greenways and Trails Program.
260.0142 Florida Greenways and Trails Council; composition; powers and duties.
260.0144 Sponsorship of state greenways and trails.
260.015 Acquisition of land.
260.016 General powers of the department.
260.0161 Coordination with Department of Transportation.
260.019 Florida Circumnavigation Saltwater Paddling Trail.
260.021 Recreational opportunities on mined lands.
260.011 Popular name.—This chapter may be cited as the “Florida Greenways and Trails Act.”
History.—s. 1, ch. 79-110; s. 7, ch. 96-389; s. 2, ch. 2005-87.
260.012 Declaration of policy and legislative intent.—
(1) In order to recognize the benefits 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 this chapter to provide the means and procedures for establishing and expanding a statewide system of greenways and trails for recreational and conservation purposes and which shall be designated as the “Florida Greenways and Trails System.” The standards by which the greenways and trails system shall be acquired, designated, administered, maintained, used, and expanded shall be consistent with the provisions of this chapter. It is the intent of the Legislature that these greenways and trails will serve to implement the concepts of ecosystems management while providing, where appropriate, recreational opportunities, including, but not limited to, equestrian activities, hiking, bicycling, canoeing, jogging, and historical and archaeological 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 or designate lands and waterways 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, special districts, and nongovernmental organizations 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; to encourage, whenever possible, the development of greenways and trails on federal lands by the Federal Government; and to encourage the owners of private lands to protect the existing ecological, historical, and cultural values of their lands, including those values derived from working landscapes.
(3) It is the intent of the Legislature that designated greenways and trails be located on public lands and waterways and, subject to the written agreement of the private landowner, on private lands. Designated greenways and trails located on public lands or waterways or on private lands may or may not provide public access, as agreed by the department or the landowner, respectively.
(4) It is the intent of the Legislature that information produced for the purpose of the identification of lands and waterways, both public and private, that are suitable for greenways and trails be used only for the purposes of:
(a) Setting priorities for acquisition, planning, and management of public lands and waterways for use as greenways and trails; and
(b) Identification of private lands which are eligible for designation as part of the greenways and trails system and are thereby eligible for incentives.
(5) The planning, development, operation, and maintenance of the Florida Greenways and Trails System authorized by this chapter is declared to be a public purpose, and the Department of Environmental Protection, together with other 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.
(6) It is the intent of the Legislature to officially recognize the Florida National Scenic Trail as Florida’s official statewide nonmotorized trail from the Florida Panhandle to the Everglades and the Florida Keys, an approximate length of more than 1,400 miles. The Legislature recognizes the major contributions made in furtherance of the establishment of the Florida National Scenic Trail by the United States Government, including significant funding, and the efforts of private landowners, state government, and not-for-profit entities such as the Florida Trail Association. The Legislature also recognizes the significant economic benefit of nature-based recreation and the contributions to the state’s economy that arise from the creation and completion of the trail. In order to further its commitment to the residents of this state and the United States Government to complete the establishment of the trail in a permanent location, it is further the intent of the Legislature to:
(a) Encourage all state, regional, and local agencies that 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.
(b) Officially recognize the route of the trail for establishment and acquisition purposes as determined by the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, assisted by the Florida Trail Association, in the publication entitled “Preferred Routing for the Florida National Scenic Trail.”
(c) With the assistance of the Florida Trail Association and the Office of Greenways and Trails, encourage state land-buying agencies to consider the trail a single project with multiple phases for the purpose of listing and acquisition.
(d) Give positive consideration to the inclusion of private funds used to supplement the state’s contribution in its efforts to acquire fee or less-than-fee interests in lands that contain designated portions of the trail.
(e) Encourage private landowners to continue to allow the use of private property for trail purposes through existing and future incentives and liability protection.
(f) Encourage state and local agencies with economic and ecotourism development responsibilities to recognize the importance of the trail in bringing nature-based tourism to local communities along the trail route and to support acquisition and development activities for completion of the trail 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; s. 3, ch. 98-336; s. 22, ch. 99-247; s. 3, ch. 2005-87.
260.0125 Limitation on liability of private landowners whose property is designated as part of the statewide system of greenways and trails.—
(1)(a) A private landowner whose land is designated as part of the statewide system of greenways and trails pursuant to s. 260.016(2)(d), including a person holding a subservient interest, owes no duty of care to keep that land safe for entry or use by others or to give warning to persons entering that land of any hazardous conditions, structures, or activities thereon. Such landowner shall not:
1. Be presumed to extend any assurance that such land is safe for any purpose;
2. Incur any duty of care toward a person who goes on the land; or
3. Become liable or responsible for any injury to persons or property caused by the act or omission of a person who goes on the land.
(b) The provisions of paragraph (a) apply whether the person going on the designated greenway or trail is an invitee, licensee, trespasser, or otherwise.
(2) Any private landowner who consents to designation of his or her land as part of the statewide system of greenways and trails pursuant to s. 260.016(2)(d) without compensation shall be considered a volunteer, as defined in s. 110.501, and shall be covered by state liability protection pursuant to s. 768.28, including s. 768.28(9).
(3)(a) The provisions of subsection (1) shall not apply if there is any charge made or usually made by the landowner for entering or using the land designated as a greenway or trail, or any part thereof, or if any commercial or other activity whereby profit is derived by the landowner from the patronage of the general public is conducted on the land so designated or any part thereof.
(b) Incentives granted by any unit of government to the private landowner, including tax incentives, grants, or other financial consideration specific to the development or management of designated greenways and trails, shall not be construed as a charge for use or profit derived from patronage for purposes of this subsection and shall not be construed as monetary or material compensation for purposes of subsection (2).
(4) The provisions of subsection (1) shall also apply to adjacent land owned by the private landowner who consents to designation of a greenway or trail where such adjacent land is accessed through the land so designated.
(5)(a) When a private landowner agrees to make his or her land available for public use as a designated greenway or trail, the department or its designee shall post notices along the boundary of the designated greenway or trail which inform the public that the land adjacent to the greenway or trail is private property upon which unauthorized entry for any purpose is prohibited and constitutes trespassing.
(b) Such notices must comply with s. 810.011(5) and shall constitute a warning to unauthorized persons to remain off the private property and not to depart from the designated greenway or trail. Any person who commits such an unauthorized entry commits a trespass as provided in s. 810.09.
(6) If agreed to by the department and the landowner in the designation agreement, a landowner whose land is designated as part of the statewide system of greenways and trails pursuant to s. 260.016(2)(d) shall be indemnified for:
(a) Any injury or damage incurred by a third party arising out of the use of the designated greenway or trail;
(b) Any injury or damage incurred by a third party on lands adjacent to and accessed through the designated greenway or trail; and
(c) Any damage to the landowner’s property, including land adjacent to and accessed through the designated greenway or trail, caused by the act or omission of a third person resulting from any use of the land so designated.
(7) This section does not relieve any person of liability that would otherwise exist for deliberate, willful, or malicious injury to persons or property. The provisions of this section shall not be deemed to create or increase the liability of any person.
History.—s. 4, ch. 98-336; s. 3, ch. 2001-182; s. 48, ch. 2001-279.
260.013 Definitions.—As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) “Board” means the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund.
(2) “Department” means the Department of Environmental Protection.
(3) “Designation” means the identification and inclusion of specific lands and waterways as part of the statewide system of greenways and trails pursuant to a formal public process, including the specific written consent of the landowner. When the department determines that public access is appropriate for greenways and trails, written authorization must be granted by the landowner to the department permitting public access to all or a specified part of the landowner’s property. The department’s determination shall be noticed pursuant to s. 120.525, and the department shall also notify the landowner by certified mail at least 7 days before any public meeting regarding the intent to designate.
(4) “Greenway” means a linear open space established along either a natural corridor, such as a riverfront, stream valley, or ridgeline, or over land along a railroad right-of-way converted to recreational use, a canal, a scenic road, or other route; any natural or landscaped course for pedestrian or bicycle passage; an open space connector linking parks, nature reserves, cultural features, or historic sites with each other and populated areas; or a local strip or linear park designated as a parkway or greenbelt.
(5) “Office” means the Office of Greenways and Trails within the Department of Environmental Protection.
(6) “Trails” means linear corridors and any adjacent support parcels on land or water providing public access for recreation or authorized alternative modes of transportation.
History.—s. 3, ch. 79-110; s. 2, ch. 87-328; s. 4, ch. 91-62; s. 106, ch. 94-356; s. 9, ch. 96-389; s. 5, ch. 98-336; s. 23, ch. 99-247; s. 4, ch. 2005-87.
260.014 Florida Greenways and Trails System.—The Florida Greenways and Trails System shall be a statewide system of greenways and trails which shall consist of individual greenways and trails and networks of greenways and trails which may be designated as a part of the statewide system by the department. The department may establish a program to recognize local communities located along or in proximity to one or more long-distance nonmotorized recreational trails as trail towns. Mapping or other forms of identification of lands and waterways as suitable for inclusion in the system of greenways and trails, mapping of ecological characteristics for any purpose, or development of information for planning purposes shall not constitute designation. No lands or waterways may be designated as a part of the statewide system of greenways and trails without the specific written consent of the landowner.
History.—s. 4, ch. 79-110; s. 10, ch. 96-389; s. 6, ch. 98-336; s. 24, ch. 99-247; s. 1, ch. 2023-20.
260.0141 Greenways and Trails Program.—There is established within the department the “Florida Greenways and Trails Program,” the purpose of which is to facilitate the establishment of a statewide system of greenways and trails. Planning materials, maps, data, and other information developed or used in the program shall not be construed as designation of lands as part of the statewide system of greenways and trails. Identification of lands in such information shall not:
(1) Require or empower any unit of local or regional government, or any state agency, to impose additional or more restrictive environmental, land-use, or zoning regulations;
(2) Be construed or cited as authority to adopt, enforce, or amend any environmental rule or regulation; comprehensive plan goals, policies, or objectives; or zoning or land-use ordinance;
(3) Be used as the basis for permit denial; imposition of any permit condition; or application of any rule, regulation, or ordinance by any subdivision of local, regional, or state government; or
(4) Be construed or cited as authority by any governmental agency to reduce or restrict the rights of owners of lands so identified.
History.—s. 3, ch. 87-328; s. 11, ch. 96-389; s. 7, ch. 98-336; s. 5, ch. 2005-87.
260.0142 Florida Greenways and Trails Council; composition; powers and duties.—
(1) There is created within the department the Florida Greenways and Trails Council which shall advise the department in the execution of the department’s powers and duties under this chapter. The council shall be composed of 21 members, consisting of:
(a)1. Six members appointed by the Governor, with two members representing the trail user community, two members representing the greenway user community, one member from the board of the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation, and one member representing private landowners.
2. Three members appointed by the President of the Senate, with one member representing the trail user community and two members representing the greenway user community.
3. Three members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, with two members representing the trail user community and one member representing the greenway user community.

Those eligible to represent the trail user community shall be chosen from, but not be limited to, paved trail users, hikers, off-road bicyclists, users of off-highway vehicles, paddlers, equestrians, disabled outdoor recreational users, and commercial recreational interests. Those eligible to represent the greenway user community must be chosen from, but not be limited to, conservation organizations, nature study organizations, and scientists and university experts.

(b) The 9 remaining members include:
1. The Secretary of Environmental Protection or a designee.
2. The executive director of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission or a designee.
3. The Secretary of Transportation or a designee.
4. The Director of the Florida Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services or a designee.
5. The director of the Division of Historical Resources of the Department of State or a designee.
6. A representative of the water management districts. Membership on the council must rotate among the five districts. The districts shall determine the order of rotation.
7. A representative of a federal land management agency. The Secretary of Environmental Protection shall identify the appropriate federal agency and request designation of a representative from the agency to serve on the council.
8. A representative of the regional planning councils to be appointed by the Secretary of Environmental Protection. Membership on the council must rotate among the seven regional planning councils. The regional planning councils shall determine the order of rotation.
9. A representative of local governments to be appointed by the Secretary of Environmental Protection. Membership must alternate between a county representative and a municipal representative.
(2) The department shall provide necessary staff assistance to the council.
(3) The term of all appointees shall be for 2 years unless otherwise specified. The appointees of the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives may be reappointed for no more than four consecutive terms. The representatives of the water management districts, regional planning councils, and local governments may be reappointed for no more than two consecutive terms. All other appointees shall serve until replaced.
(4) The duties of the council include the following:
(a) Facilitate a statewide system of interconnected landscape linkages, conservation corridors, lands and waters of the Florida wildlife corridor, greenbelts, recreational corridors and trails, scenic corridors, utilitarian corridors, reserves, regional parks and preserves, ecological sites, and cultural/historic/recreational sites using land-based trails that connect urban, suburban, and rural areas of the state and facilitate expansion of the statewide system of freshwater and saltwater paddling trails.
(b) Recommend priorities for critical links in the Florida Greenways and Trails System.
(c) Recommend priorities for regionally significant trails within the Florida Greenways and Trails System for inclusion by the Department of Transportation in the Florida Shared-Use Nonmotorized Trail Network as defined by s. 339.81. For purposes of this section, the term “regionally significant trails” means trails that cross multiple counties, attract national and international visitors, and serve as an opportunity for economic and ecotourism development; showcase the natural value of this state’s wildlife areas, ecology, and natural resources; and serve as main corridors for critical links and trail connectedness across this state.
(d) Review recommendations of the office for acquisition funding under the Florida Greenways and Trails Program and recommend to the Secretary of Environmental Protection which projects should be acquired.
(e) Review designation proposals for inclusion in the Florida Greenways and Trails System.
(f) Encourage public-private partnerships to develop and manage greenways and trails.
(g) Review progress toward meeting established benchmarks and recommend appropriate action.
(h) Make recommendations for updating and revising the implementation plan for the Florida Greenways and Trails System, including, but not limited to, recommendations for prioritization of regionally significant trails within the Florida Shared-Use Nonmotorized Trail Network.
(i) Coordinate and facilitate land acquisition efforts for lands to be used, in whole or in part, for regionally significant trails on the Florida Shared-Use Nonmotorized Trail Network with the Department of Transportation, the Florida Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and other appropriate entities.
(j) Promote greenways and trails support organizations.
(k) Support the Florida Greenways and Trails System through intergovernmental coordination, budget recommendations, advocacy, education, and any other appropriate way.
(5) The council shall establish procedures for conducting its affairs in execution of the duties and responsibilities stated in this section, which operating procedures shall include determination of a council chair and other appropriate operational guidelines. The council shall meet at the call of the chair, or at such times as may be prescribed by its operating procedures. The council may establish committees to conduct the work of the council and the committees may include nonmembers as appropriate.
(6) A vacancy on the council shall be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term in the same manner as the original appointment. Members whose terms have expired may continue to serve until replaced or reappointed.
(7) Members of the council may not receive any compensation for their services but are entitled to receive reimbursement for per diem and travel expenses incurred in the performance of their duties, as provided in s. 112.061.
History.—s. 25, ch. 99-247; s. 6, ch. 2005-87; s. 121, ch. 2011-142; s. 27, ch. 2012-5; s. 11, ch. 2012-7; s. 2, ch. 2023-20.
260.0144 Sponsorship of state greenways and trails.—The department may enter into a concession agreement with a not-for-profit entity or private sector business or entity for commercial sponsorship to be displayed on state greenway and trail facilities or property specified in this section. The department may establish the cost for entering into a concession agreement.
(1) A concession agreement shall be administered by the department and must include the requirements found in this section.
(2)(a) Space for a commercial sponsorship display may be provided through a concession agreement on certain state-owned greenway or trail facilities or property.
(b) Signage or displays erected under this section shall comply with the provisions of s. 337.407 and chapter 479, and shall be limited as follows:
1. One large sign or display, not to exceed 16 square feet in area, may be located at each trailhead or parking area.
2. One small sign or display, not to exceed 4 square feet in area, may be located at each designated trail public access point.
(c) Before installation, each name or sponsorship display must be approved by the department.
(d) The department shall ensure that the size, color, materials, construction, and location of all signs are consistent with the management plan for the property and the standards of the department, do not intrude on natural and historic settings, and contain only a logo selected by the sponsor and the following sponsorship wording:

  (Name of the sponsor)   proudly sponsors the costs of maintaining the   (Name of the greenway or trail)  .

(e) Sponsored state greenways and trails are authorized at the following facilities or property:
1. Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail.
2. Blackwater Heritage Trail.
3. Tallahassee-St. Marks Historic Railroad State Trail.
4. Nature Coast State Trail.
5. Withlacoochee State Trail.
6. General James A. Van Fleet State Trail.
7. Palatka-Lake Butler State Trail.
(f) The department may enter into commercial sponsorship agreements for other state greenways or trails as authorized in this section. A qualified entity that desires to enter into a commercial sponsorship agreement shall apply to the department on forms adopted by department rule.
(g) All costs of a display, including development, construction, installation, operation, maintenance, and removal costs, shall be paid by the concessionaire.
(3) A concession agreement shall be for a minimum of 1 year, but may be for a longer period under a multiyear agreement, and may be terminated for just cause by the department upon 60 days’ advance notice. Just cause for termination of a concession agreement includes, but is not limited to, violation of the terms of the concession agreement or any provision of this section.
(4) Commercial sponsorship pursuant to a concession agreement is for public relations or advertising purposes of the not-for-profit entity or private sector business or entity, and may not be construed by that not-for-profit entity or private sector business or entity as having a relationship to any other actions of the department.
(5) This section does not create a proprietary or compensable interest in any sign, display site, or location.
(6) Proceeds from concession agreements shall be distributed as follows:
(a) Eighty-five percent shall be deposited into the appropriate department trust fund that is the source of funding for management and operation of state greenway and trail facilities and properties.
(b) Fifteen percent shall be deposited into the State Transportation Trust Fund for use in the Traffic and Bicycle Safety Education Program and the Safe Paths to School Program administered by the Department of Transportation.
History.—s. 2, ch. 2012-198; s. 4, ch. 2019-5.
260.015 Acquisition of land.—
(1) The department is authorized to acquire by gift or purchase the fee simple absolute title or any lesser interest in land, including easements, for the purposes of this chapter pursuant to the provisions of chapter 375, except that:
(a) The department’s power of eminent domain shall be limited to curing defects in title accepted by the board pursuant to subsection (2).
(b) Lists of proposed acquisitions for the Florida Greenways and Trails Program shall be prepared according to procedures adopted by the department.
(c) Projects acquired under this chapter shall not be subject to the evaluation and selection procedures of s. 259.035, regardless of the estimated value of such projects. All projects shall be acquired in accordance with the acquisition procedures of chapter 259, except that the department may use the appraisal procedure used by the Department of Transportation to acquire transportation rights-of-way.
(2) For purposes of the Florida Greenways and Trails Program, the board may:
(a) Accept fee simple title or any lesser interest in lands through methods, including, but not limited to, purchase, donation, grant, dedication, lease, easement, license, or other agreement, to facilitate the establishment of a statewide system of greenways and trails.
(b) Accept title to abandoned railroad rights-of-way which is conveyed by quitclaim deed through purchase, dedication, gift, grant, or settlement, notwithstanding s. 253.025.
(c) Enter into an agreement or, upon delegation, the department may enter into an agreement, with a nonprofit corporation, as defined in s. 253.025, to assume responsibility for acquisition of lands pursuant to this section. The agreement may transfer responsibility for all matters which may be delegated or waived pursuant to s. 253.025.
(3) Easements, licenses, and use agreements upon, over, under, across, or along any land, the fee title of which has been acquired for the purposes of this chapter, may be granted by the department so long as the use of the easement, license, or use agreement does not interfere with the purposes of this chapter.
History.—s. 5, ch. 79-110; s. 4, ch. 87-328; s. 5, ch. 89-174; s. 8, ch. 92-288; s. 18, ch. 94-240; s. 12, ch. 96-389; s. 11, ch. 97-164; s. 7, ch. 2005-87; s. 35, ch. 2016-233.
260.016 General powers of the department.—
(1) The department may:
(a) Publish and distribute appropriate maps of designated greenways and trails.
(b) Adopt appropriate rules to implement or interpret this chapter and portions of chapter 253 relating to greenways and trails, which may include, but are not limited to, rules for the following:
1. Establishing a designation process.
2. Negotiating and executing agreements with private landowners.
3. Establishing prohibited activities or restrictions on activities to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public.
4. Charging fees for use.
5. Providing public access to the greatest extent possible while avoiding unnecessary impact upon sensitive environments such as wetlands or animal habitats, wherever encountered.
6. Providing for maintenance.
7. Any matter necessary to the evaluation, selection, operation, and maintenance of greenways and trails.

Any person who violates or otherwise fails to comply with the rules adopted pursuant to subparagraph 3. commits a noncriminal infraction for which a fine of up to $500 may be imposed.

(c) Coordinate the activities of all governmental units and bodies and special districts that desire to participate in the development and implementation of the Florida Greenways and Trails System.
(d) Establish, develop, and publicize greenways and trails in a manner that will permit public recreation when appropriate without damaging natural resources and avoiding unnecessary impact upon sensitive environments such as wetlands or animal habitats, wherever encountered. The Big Bend Historic Saltwater Paddling Trail from the St. Marks River to Yankeetown is hereby designated as part of the Florida Greenways and Trails System. Additions to this trail may be added by the Legislature or the department from time to time as part of the Florida Circumnavigation Saltwater Paddling Trail created in s. 260.019.
(e) Enter into agreements with any federal, state, or local governmental agency, or any other entity for the management of greenways and trails for recreation and conservation purposes consistent with the intent of this chapter. Such entities must demonstrate their capabilities of management for the purposes defined in this chapter.
(f) 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.
(g) Receive or accept from any legal source, grants for the purpose of providing or improving public greenways and trails, and the department is authorized to disburse funds as pass-through grants to federal, state, or local government agencies, recognized tribal units, or to nonprofit entities created for this purpose. The department has authority to adopt rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to implement the provisions of this subsection. Such rules shall provide, but are not limited to, the following: procedures for grant administration and accountability; eligibility, selection criteria; maximum grant amounts and number of pending grants; dedication requirements; and conversion procedures and requirements.
(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 the importance and function of such corridors within the statewide system as reflected on the opportunity maps and landowners’ willingness to negotiate.
(b) Maintain an updated list of abandoned and to-be-abandoned railroad rights-of-way.
(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.
(d) Develop and implement a process for designation of lands and waterways as a part of the statewide system of greenways and trails, which shall include:
1. Development and dissemination of criteria for designation, including, but not limited to, criteria for prioritization of regionally significant trails within or connected to the Florida wildlife corridor as described in s. 259.1055.
2. Development and dissemination of criteria for changes in the terms or conditions of designation, including withdrawal or termination of designation. A landowner may have his or her lands removed from designation by providing the department with a written request that contains an adequate description of such lands to be removed. Provisions shall be made in the designation agreement for disposition of any future improvements made to the land by the department.
3. Public notice pursuant to s. 120.525 in all phases of the process.
4. Written authorization from the landowner in the form of a lease or other instrument for the designation and granting of public access, if appropriate, to a landowner’s property.
5. A greenway or trail use plan as a part of the designation agreement which shall, at a minimum, describe the types and intensities of uses of the property.
(e) Implement the plan for the Florida Greenways and Trails System as adopted by the Florida Greenways Coordinating Council on September 11, 1998.
(3) The department or its designee is authorized to negotiate with potentially affected private landowners as to the terms under which such landowners would consent to the public use of their lands as part of the greenways and trails system. The department shall be authorized to agree to incentives for a private landowner who consents to this public use of his or her lands for conservation or recreational purposes, including, but not limited to, the following:
(a) Retention by the landowner of certain specific rights in his or her lands, including, but not limited to, the right to farm, hunt, graze, harvest timber, or use the lands for other purposes which are consistent with use as greenways or trails.
(b) Agreement to exchange, subject to the approval of the board or other applicable unit of government, ownership or other rights of use of public lands for the ownership or other rights of use of privately owned lands. Any exchange of state-owned lands, title to which is vested in the board, for privately owned lands shall be subject to the requirements of s. 253.025.
(c) Contracting with the landowner to provide management or other services on the lands.
(d) At the option of the landowner, acceleration of the acquisition process or higher consideration in the ranking process when any lands owned by the landowner are under consideration for acquisition by the state or other unit of government.
(e) At the option of the landowner, removal of any lands owned by the landowner from consideration for acquisition by the state or other unit of government.
(f) Execution of patrol and protection agreements.
(g) Where applicable and appropriate, providing lease fees, not to exceed fair market value of the leasehold interest.
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; s. 8, ch. 98-336; s. 36, ch. 99-13; s. 26, ch. 99-247; s. 31, ch. 2000-197; s. 17, ch. 2003-6; s. 1, ch. 2003-31; s. 14, ch. 2003-394; s. 8, ch. 2005-87; s. 34, ch. 2007-5; s. 36, ch. 2016-233; s. 3, ch. 2023-20.
260.0161 Coordination with Department of Transportation.—
(1) Upon the request of the department, the Department of Transportation shall provide information to the department on abandoned and to-be-abandoned railroad rights-of-way.
(2) The Department of Transportation and the department shall coordinate their evaluations of potential acquisitions and their acquisition priorities with respect to abandoned railroad rights-of-way in order to avoid competing for the same corridors.
(3) After the Department of Transportation acquires abandoned railroad rights-of-way for future transportation purposes, the Department of Transportation shall lease such rights-of-way to a public agency or private organization for interim public greenway or trail use if:
(a) The public agency or private organization has requested use of the right-of-way for interim public recreational trail use;
(b) The public agency or private organization agrees in writing to assume all liability and management responsibilities as defined by the Department of Transportation; and
(c) The use of the right-of-way as a recreational trail does not interfere with the ultimate transportation purposes of the property as determined by the secretary of the Department of Transportation.
(4) If the Department of Transportation determines that an abandoned railroad right-of-way which has been leased for interim recreational trail use is needed for transportation purposes, the Department of Transportation shall work with the leasing agency to accommodate, when feasible, the existing trail use in conjunction with the use of the right-of-way for transportation.
History.—s. 6, ch. 87-328; s. 107, ch. 94-356; s. 14, ch. 96-389.
260.019 Florida Circumnavigation Saltwater Paddling Trail.—
(1) The Florida Circumnavigation Saltwater Paddling Trail is hereby created as part of the Florida Greenways and Trails Program.
(2) The department shall establish the initial starting and ending points by latitude and longitude for the trail segments described in subsection (3) within 180 days after the effective date of this act. Except for the Big Bend Historic Saltwater Paddling Trail, segment 6, the department has the exclusive authority to officially name and locate the remaining 25 trail segments. The department shall name and locate the segments based on logical geographical boundaries, safety to trail users, ease of management, desires of local communities and user groups, and other factors that assist in the overall success of the trail system. The department may adjust the location of any trail segment; give official recognition to specific sites along the trail route; publish official trail guides and literature in cooperation with other governmental and private entities; and resolve conflicts that may arise between competing and conflicting parties over trail issues. The Florida Greenways and Trails Council may advise the department on all matters relating to the paddling trail.
(3) The Florida Circumnavigation Saltwater Paddling Trail shall be composed of 26 segments that start at the Florida-Alabama border on the west and end at the Florida-Georgia border on the east. The general geographic locations of the segments are:
(a) Segment 1: Pensacola/Fort Pickens.
(b) Segment 2: Choctawhatchee Bay.
(c) Segment 3: Panama City Beach/St. Andrews Bay.
(d) Segment 4: St. Joseph Bay/Apalachicola Bay.
(e) Segment 5: Alligator Harbor/Ochlockonee Bay.
(f) Segment 6: Big Bend Historic Saltwater Paddling Trail.
(g) Segment 7: Crystal Bay/St. Martin’s.
(h) Segment 8: Pinellas.
(i) Segment 9: Tampa Bay/Longboat Key.
(j) Segment 10: Sarasota/Venice.
(k) Segment 11: Charlotte Harbor.
(l) Segment 12: Sanibel/Estero Bay.
(m) Segment 13: Rookery Bay/Ten Thousand Islands.
(n) Segment 14: Everglades National Park.
(o) Segment 15: Florida Keys.
(p) Segment 16: Biscayne Bay.
(q) Segment 17: Hollywood/Ft. Lauderdale.
(r) Segment 18: Pompano Beach/Lake Worth.
(s) Segment 19: Palm Beach/Loxahatchee.
(t) Segment 20: Hobe Sound/Ft. Pierce.
(u) Segment 21: Vero Beach/Indian River Saltwater.
(v) Segment 22: Merritt Island/Mosquito Lagoon.
(w) Segment 23: Tomoka/Flagler.
(x) Segment 24: Anastasia/Guana River.
(y) Segment 25: Jacksonville/St. Johns River.
(z) Segment 26: Nassau/Fort Clinch.
History.—s. 9, ch. 2005-87; s. 39, ch. 2010-5.
260.021 Recreational opportunities on mined lands.—The Florida Wildlife Federation, Audubon Florida, and Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, in partnership with the phosphate industry and other mining companies, are encouraged to continue the operation of the nonprofit corporation, Florida Mining-Recreation, Inc., for the purpose of working with industry, government, and private landowners to create plans and assist in the development of recreational opportunities on mined lands in the state. These opportunities should include walking, hiking, use of off-highway vehicles, canoeing, bicycling, equestrian activities, wildlife viewing, and other trail areas along with developing fishing and hunting lands. The board of directors of the corporation is encouraged to be composed of a member, or members, from the companies mining in the state; a member, or members, chosen by the Florida Wildlife Federation, Audubon Florida, and Rails-to-Trails Conservancy; and other members chosen by agreement of the partners.
History.—s. 10, ch. 2005-87.