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Tip Sheet

Tip Sheet

Image courtesy of Alan Youngblood

New Plan to Invest in Northeast Florida’s Rivers, Springs, and Rural Communities

On January 5, 2026, Florida lawmakers Sen. Jason Brodeur and Rep. Wyman Duggan filed SB 1066 and HB 981 entitled the “Northeast Florida Rivers, Springs, and Community Investment Act.” Most likely the biggest conservation bill of the 2026 legislation session, this bold proposal takes a new approach to Ocklawaha River restoration designed to address the needs of the twelve counties that border the riverway from Lake Apopka to Jacksonville. The bill would expand outdoor recreation opportunities, improve public safety and resiliency, and strengthen the rural economy across the region, while improving the water and wildlife of the Silver, Ocklawaha and St. Johns Rivers and historic Silver Springs.
The bill addresses economic needs, boating and fishing access, diverse recreation users, landowner impacts, water and wildlife concerns, and public safety. Furthermore, it would establish an advisory council involving local stakeholders to provide further input on outdoor recreation plan to guide priorities and investments, community transition issues and solutions, and the economic development program for Putnam and Marion counties. Through existing recreation site improvements, local recreation grants and economic development resources, the bill aims to keep surrounding communities economically strong from restoration start to project completion and beyond.

What the Bill Sponsors Have to Say

“The Northeast Florida Rivers, Springs, and Community Investment Act delivers a fresh approach to restoring the Ocklawaha River designed to expand outdoor recreation and support economic growth. It ensures communities around the Rodman Reservoir remain strong and positioned for long-term success, while bringing broadscale benefits to a 12-county region from the headwaters of Lake Apopka to the Atlantic Ocean near Jacksonville.”

- Senator Jason Brodeur

"The Northeast Florida Rivers, Springs, and Community Investment Act is our region's Everglades restoration, reconnecting rivers, improving fishing and boating opportunities, and benefiting communities along the 217-mile riverway. It’s time to let the Ocklawaha flow again."

- Representative Wyman Duggan

A Broad-based Investment Benefiting a 12 County Region

The legislation establishes a coordinated, multi-agency effort informed by community input to restore the Ocklawaha River, revive 20 long-submerged springs, fuel economic development, and invest in outdoor recreation opportunities. Key elements include:

  • Restoration: Restoring the Ocklawaha river to its natural, free-flowing state, with restoration activities completed by 2032. Reconnects Silver Springs, near Ocala, and the Silver and Ocklawaha rivers to Florida’s largest river – the St. Johns.
  • Economic Development: Facilitated by Florida Department of Commerce, the economic development program would create jobs, attract business investment, and diversify the economy in Putnam and Marion counties.
  • Outdoor Recreation: Local public outdoor recreation projects, as well as a grant program for four counties along the Ocklawaha, Silver and St. Johns riverway would expand public spring and river access with upgraded boat ramps, bank fishing areas, fishing piers, and other projects. 
  • Local Advisory Committee Shapes the Plan: Creation of an advisory committee consisting of local governments, business owners, conservation representatives, fishermen and other user groups along with state agency representatives to assist in developing and implementing plans for local economic development, outdoor recreation, and supporting transition needs for property owners and businesses that may be directly affected by the restoration project.

Benefits to the Local Economy

Restoration will improve conditions in the Ocklawaha, Silver and St. Johns rivers and springs, reveal 20 springs, support popular fish and wildlife that will now move freely through the riverway, and provide state investment in projects designed to expand and diversifying opportunities for:

  • Shore and boat-based fishing
  • Paddling, swimming, and wildlife viewing
  • Hiking, biking and camping
  • Tourism and local businesses

Prioritizing Public Safety and Community Resilience

The Kirkpatrick Dam is classified as “high hazard” by the state, meaning its failure could result in loss of life and threaten more than 500 properties. Breaching the dam removes this risk and restores 7,500 acres of natural floodplain forest capable of absorbing stormwater—reducing downstream flood hazards, future insurance exposure, and contributing to improved water quality downstream.

Supporting State Conservation, Water Quality and Supply Priorities

Restoration strengthens the Florida Wildlife Corridor, reconnecting habitat between the Ocala and Osceola national forests and supporting recovery of imperiled Florida manatee, red cockaded woodpecker, and potential future range expansion of Florida panther, as well as populations of popular game species, including white-tailed deer and turkey. It also restores 20 springs suppressed by the Rodman Reservoir, improves water quality and freshwater flows into the St. Johns River, and provides increased access for fish and wildlife, including species beneficial to Silver Springs – the famed tourist attraction and Florida’s largest freshwater spring group.

Local and State Leaders See a Turning Point :

“This legislation led by Sen. Brodeur and Rep. Duggan would reconnect Silver Springs, the Ocklawaha, and the St. Johns rivers while ushering in new opportunities for Putnam County—more fishing, camping, boating, and wildlife viewing, plus real economic growth and hundreds of local jobs.”

- Linda Myers, Former Putnam County Tax Collector and County Commissioner, and President, the Great Florida Riverway Trust

"The Northeast Florida Rivers, Springs, and Community Investment Act is essential for the health of the St. Johns River and the prosperity of Palatka. This initiative will enhance water quality, support local fisheries, and create new recreational opportunities and jobs that will benefit our community and economy."

- Roberta “Robbi” Correa, Mayor of the City of Palatka

“This act invests in what makes Ocala unique—our famed Silver Springs, rivers, and outdoor lifestyle—while ensuring our community continues to thrive.”

- Jim Hilty, City of Ocala Councilmember

“Hotel and Development Management Group has operated Holiday Inn Express and Suites Silver Springs - Ocala since its opening July 2, 2007, and is pursuing a new hotel venture adjacent in response to growing tourism. Ocklawaha River restoration is an investment in our world-famous Silver Springs and rivers that will generate substantial commercial, environmental and community benefits. Thank you, Florida Senate and House, for advancing this critical project.”

- Navroz Saju, Founder and Principal, Hotel and Development Management Group (HDG)

“Returning the Ocklawaha River’s natural flow is essential to revitalizing a critical 217-mile freshwater ecosystem spanning three rivers and over 50 springs. Ensuring Florida’s waterways remain a foundation for outdoor recreation, thriving communities, and long-term economic growth should be given the highest priority.”

- Jason Schratwieser, International Game Fish Association President

"The proposed legislation is a game-changer for the St. Johns River and fishing in Northeast Florida. Ocklawaha River restoration puts this ecosystem back to the way God intended, while enhancing access to our waterways, boosting economic development, and fostering our outdoors community. This is a pivotal step towards preserving our outdoor heritage for generations to come.”

- Evan Tucker, Cowford Conservation

“Restoring the Ocklawaha River is not just an investment in the environment and resilience of North Florida, it is an endorsement of a landscape and way of life that makes North Florida special. More than 100 years after the ill-conceived Cross Florida Barge Canal was initiated, and 50 after it was abandoned, Audubon is hopeful for real progress towards the restoration of the river and its floodplain. We can’t wait to see the benefits to everything from birds to manatees and their habitats, as well as real investments in the region’s vibrant communities and economies.”

- Julie Wraithmell, Executive Director, Audubon Florida

“The Ocklawaha River is a Florida treasure that deserves to be restored. Removing the Rodman Damn will not only resuscitate twenty lost springs and help heal the waters of the Ocklawaha, Sllver and St John’s Rivers — by reconnecting these rivers, the restoration will also revive vital migration pathways in the heart of the Florida Wildlife Corridor.”

- Carlton Ward Jr., CEO of Wildpath, National Geographic Explorer, & Founder of the Florida Wildlife Corridor Project

Sources for Follow-Up:

  • Linda Myers – (386) 972-9566, President of the Great Florida Riverway Trust and former County Commissioner (1998-2006), Tax Collector (2012-2024) and Chamber of Commerce President (1996) of Putnam County
  • Chip Laibl – (386) 972-1324. Vice President of the Great Florida Riverway Trust and Former County Commissioner (2007-2018), Former President North Florida Regional Council (1998-2008), and Former President City of Palatka Downtown Merchants Association (1997-2002) in Putnam County
  • Roberta “Robbi” Correa – (386) 329-0100. Mayor of the City of Palatka

Additional Resources

Legislation

Ocklawaha River Restoration: Science and Economics Report