The Florida Senate

Tallahassee, FL – Senator Linda Stewart (D – Orange County) is joining Senator Jason Brodeur (R – Seminole County) in sponsoring SB 106: Florida Shared-Use Nonmotorized Trail Network.

SB 106 expands access to Florida’s Wildlife Corridor by connecting the corridor to Florida’s Greenways and Trails System and the Florida Shared-Use Nonmotorized (SUN) Trail Network. This legislation will also increase funding to the SUN Trail network from $25 million to $50 million.

The bill establishes priorities for funding, including projects that are recommended priorities by the Florida Greenways and Trails Council, projects that have national, statewide or regional importance; projects that complete gaps between existing trails; and projects that support the transportation needs of bicyclists and pedestrians.

“Over the last two years, the Legislature has prioritized its investment in the Florida Wildlife Corridor by allocating $600 million for its preservation and expansion. By connecting the corridor to our trail system, Floridians, and people from around the world, can experience our state’s unique natural habitat, as well as connecting athletes and tourists with trail towns across Florida’s heartland,” said Brodeur. “It is legislation like this that leaves a proud legacy for the future generations of Florida.”

The bill also requires that projects on conservation lands, “to the greatest extent possible,” utilize previously disturbed lands such as abandoned roads or utility rights-of-way, etc.

“I’m glad to see leadership in the Florida Senate pass legislation that prioritizes our natural resources in Florida, and I look forward to seeing the good this will do when it goes into effect,” said Stewart.

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