A proposed ban on drilling near the Apalachicola River passes the Florida House
Legislation that could stop a plan to allow exploratory drilling in the Apalachicola River's floodplain has received unanimous support in the state House and is now heading to the Senate.
The Florida House has unanimously passed a measure that aims to protect the Apalachicola River and Bay from the threat of oil and gas drilling.
“We have thriving estuary businesses and thriving aquaculture businesses that need to be protected,” said state Rep. Allison Tant (D-Tallahassee) who’s co-sponsoring the measure. “This bill does that and more.”
Last April, the state Department of Environmental Protection signaled its intent to allow Clearwater Land and Minerals to conduct exploratory drilling within a mile of the riverbank in Calhoun County.
The move led to widespread pushback from residents, small business owners and local elected officials in the Big Bend region. “It was an organic response by people here in this area who just were devastated by this possibility.”
The bill — HB 1143 — would prohibit drilling within 10 miles of the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve, which covers 52 miles of the river and the entire bay. That would protect the area where Clearwater wants to look for oil, potentially frustrating its plans to drill.
After clearing the House without opposition on Tuesday, the bill is now heading to the state Senate for a vote.
If enacted, it would take effect on July 1.
“On the Forgotten Coast, we know about the dangers of oil spills,” said the bill’s sponsor state Rep. Jason Shoaf (R-Port St. Joe) referring to the 2010 BP Oil Spill. “The BP Oil Spill devastated our economy. We’re still carrying those scars.”
Though oil from the spill never reached the shores of Franklin and Gulf Counties, the threat of it polluting the water was enough to deter tourists from visiting the area, Shoaf explained. “And now we face another threat that is really starting to scare the entire community.”
The legislation would also ban drilling within 10 miles of the state’s two other National Estuarine Research Reserves, as well as requiring state environmental officials to consider potential risks to natural resources before approving drilling permits.
“It will safeguard Florida's critical coastal ecosystems,” Shoaf said. “It enhances oversight.”