Senate committee advances bill to partially restore Kirkpatrick (Rodman) Dam and reunite Ocklawaha River
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Summary
A Florida Senate committee reported a committee substitute for SB 1066 favorably after sponsor Sen. Broder described a partial restoration plan for the Kirkpatrick (Rodman) Dam that aims to return natural flow to the Ocklawaha, protect public safety, create recreation grant funding and form a local advisory council.
Sen. Jason Broder told the Senate Environment & Natural Resources Committee SB 1066 would direct the Department of Environmental Protection to undertake a partial restoration of the Kirkpatrick (Rodman) Dam and return natural water flow to the Ocklawaha River, with completion targeted by 2032. He said the bill includes a restoration plan, recreation and economic-development grants and a 16‑member advisory council made up of local officials, business owners, conservationists and state agencies.
"This bill specifically has a restoration plan that directs the DEP to restore the river, including removing parts, not all, of the dam to allow natural water flow, and complete restoration by 2032," Broder said. He estimated restoration costs at about $70 million, with $25 million earmarked for recreation improvements, and told senators the dam is classified as a "high hazard" structure by the state and threatens more than 500 properties if it fails.
The bill drew extensive public testimony. Jay Bailey (reading testimony from Evan Tucker) described long-term ecological decline and called to "let nature do its thing" by breaching the dam and uncovering smothered springs. Margaret Hankinson Spontak, executive director of the Great Florida Riverway Trust, and Sarah Gledhill, CEO of the Florida Wildlife Federation, said scientific studies and a coalition of roughly 60 organizations support restoration to improve multiple ecosystems and regional economies. Vernon Myers, a former Palatka mayor, told the committee the measure advances resiliency and recreation priorities for Putnam and Marion counties.
Opposition came from some local officials. JR Newbold, a Putnam County commissioner, said most calls from constituents favor keeping the reservoir and stressed the reservoir's potential role for future public water supply; he also said the dam is being maintained. A county commissioner identified in the transcript as "Joshua (name variant)" warned repeated drawdowns have caused local wells to pump mud and said removing the reservoir could stress the aquifer and undercut other expensive regional water projects.
Broder offered a late-filed amendment to add a Naval Air Station Jacksonville representative to the advisory council; the amendment was adopted. Broder closed by saying the plan is a monitored, phased drawdown with local input and recreation investments rather than an abrupt removal.
The committee voted to report the committee substitute favorably.
