Bill Overview
Title: South Florida Ecosystem Enhancement Act of 2022
Description: This bill provides support for ecosystems located within (1) the administrative boundaries of the South Florida Water Management District and adjacent coastal waterbodies, including all coastal water landward of Florida's Coral Reef; and (2) Florida's Coral Reef and the associated patch reef, hard-bottom, and seagrass resources.
Sponsors: Rep. Gimenez, Carlos A. [R-FL-26]
Target Audience
Population: People residing in and dependent on South Florida ecosystems
Estimated Size: 8500000
- The bill affects ecosystems in South Florida. Thus, it impacts the population living within or near these ecosystems.
- The South Florida Water Management District encompasses Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Monroe, Hendry, Glades, Lee, Charlotte, Collier, and Okeechobee counties.
- All residents, businesses, and industries reliant on the health of these ecosystems for water, tourism, fishing, and recreation will be impacted.
- According to the U.S. Census, the South Florida Water Management District serves a population of approximately 9 million people.
- The health of Florida's Coral Reef is critical for biodiversity, tourism, and fishing industries, potentially impacting local economies and employment.
Reasoning
- Residents close to affected areas are likely to have a higher impact on wellbeing due to direct environmental and economic interactions with the ecosystems.
- The policy's budget constrains its ability to make immediate widespread economic impacts, but it can improve environmental stability and health over time, gradually enhancing wellbeing.
- Industries such as fishing, tourism, and water management directly tied to ecosystem health are likely to report significant changes in wellbeing.
- Population distribution considerations show a high concentration of impacted individuals in urban areas such as Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach, but rural communities in Monroe may also see significant impacts on traditional livelihoods like fishing.
- The policy may not directly change individual income but can stabilize or increase future economic opportunities by preserving essential ecosystems.
- Residents disconnected from these ecosystems or industries, such as some urban non-industrial workers, will have lower policy impact.
Simulated Interviews
Marine Biologist (Miami, FL)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe the policy will protect critical ecosystems that are at risk.
- As someone working directly with coral, this could positively affect our research outcomes.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 2 |
Tourism Business Owner (Fort Lauderdale, FL)
Age: 32 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The health of Florida's Coral Reef is crucial for my business.
- I am optimistic about the support from this policy.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 3 |
Retiree (Naples, FL)
Age: 58 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Hopefully, this policy will address water quality issues we've been facing.
- Fish populations have been declining and it's concerning.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 1 |
Environmental Science Graduate Student (West Palm Beach, FL)
Age: 27 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is a step in the right direction for supporting necessary scientific research.
- Long-term funding is crucial for sustainable projects.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 3 |
General Contractor (Sarasota, FL)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy might add more regulations, but if it protects the coastlines, it's worth it.
- Environmental sustainability is becoming more important in my field.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Fisherwoman (Key West, FL)
Age: 65 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could help sustain fish populations that our livelihoods depend on.
- I am hopeful for future generations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 2 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 1 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 0 |
Agricultural Worker (Homestead, FL)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Preserving water resources is critical for my job and the community.
- I want more initiatives like this focusing on freshwater management as well.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 2 |
Real Estate Developer (Broward County, FL)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Environmental improvements can enhance property values and reduce risk.
- The policy may bring necessary balance between development and conservation.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Restaurant Owner (Fort Myers, FL)
Age: 38 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've seen how environmental issues affect seafood supply.
- This policy could maintain or improve our menu offerings.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 2 |
Local Government Official (Okeechobee, FL)
Age: 47 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy could bring valuable resources for local environmental projects.
- Collaboration between state, local government, and communities is essential.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 3 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $500000000 (Low: $450000000, High: $550000000)
Year 2: $520000000 (Low: $470000000, High: $570000000)
Year 3: $540000000 (Low: $490000000, High: $590000000)
Year 5: $580000000 (Low: $530000000, High: $630000000)
Year 10: $660000000 (Low: $610000000, High: $710000000)
Year 100: $1200000000 (Low: $1100000000, High: $1300000000)
Key Considerations
- Large-scale environmental restoration projects carry inherent uncertainties and risks related to achieving desired ecological outcomes and containing costs.
- The effects of climate change could complicate restoration efforts or the longevity of achieved outcomes.
- Collaboration with state, local, and regional entities will be critical to ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of the implementation.
- Ongoing monitoring and adaptive management strategies may require additional investments beyond initial estimates.