Could the state finally move on a major environmental project to restore the Ocklawaha River that’s been controversial for years?

Two influential lawmakers, Sen. Jason Brodeur and Rep. Wyman Duggan, have filed legislation (SB 1066, HB 981) requiring the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to develop a plan to restore the Ocklawaha River by Jan. 1, 2027.

Their identical bills, which they call the “Northeast Florida Rivers, Springs, and Community Investment Act,” would set the deadline to do the work to restore the river by Dec. 31, 2032.

“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,” said Duggan, a Jacksonville Republican.

Margaret Spontak, Executive Director of the Great Florida Riverway Trust, called the legislation one of the biggest conservation bills of 2026.

The legislation would also establish a 15-member panel called the Northeast Florida River and Springs Recreation and Economic Development Council to help develop an outdoor recreation plan that would receive new grant funding by Jan. 1, 2028.

The bill doesn’t say how much funding the Council will target. The outdoor recreation plan would promote fishing, hunting, swimming, paddling, wildlife viewing and hiking in Clay, Marion, Putnam and St. Johns counties.

Some of the members on the Northeast Florida River and Springs Recreation and Economic Development Council would be picked to represent river-recreation businesses, outdoor recreation groups, and environmentalists. State officials representing FloridaCommerce, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and more would also serve on the Council.

The Governor would appoint nine members, with Putnam, Marion, Clay and St. Johns counties also getting a say for the other six members.

In addition, Brodeur and Duggan’s legislation would order FloridaCommerce to create an economic development program for Marion and Putnam counties by Jan. 1, 2028.

“The economic development program must support projects that encourage job creation, capital investment, and strengthening and diversification of each county’s economy. The economic development program must be compatible with the project plan, the outdoor recreation plan, and the grant program,” the measure says.

“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,” said Brodeur, the Senate President Pro Tempore and a Sanford Republican.

“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.”

Flowing north, Ocklawaha River is the primary tributary running into the St. Johns River, Florida’s longest riverway. Restoring the river would eliminate the Rodman Reservoir, which attracts open water fishermen. Another sweet spot for anglers where the fish collect near the Rodman-Kirkpatrick Dam would also go away, so the fishing would follow the river channel.

Restoring the river to its natural flow would let fish and wildlife move more freely through the river, proponents of the restoration plan say.

“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,” according to the Great Florida Riverway Trust. “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.”

Under pressure from anglers upset about restoring the river, Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed $6.25 million in funding for Ocklawaha River Restoration following the 2025 Session.

Environmentalists are hopeful the project to restore the river finally moves forward in the 2026 Session.

“The Ocklawaha River is a Florida treasure that deserves to be restored. Removing the Rodman Dam will not only resuscitate twenty lost springs and help heal the waters of the Ocklawaha, Silver 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,” said Carlton Ward Jr., CEO of Wildpath.

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