Advocacy in Action: Efforts to Weaken the Urban Development Boundary Stall
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
This past month, efforts to weaken one of Miami-Dade County’s most important protections for the Everglades and our water supply were successfully stopped.
Thanks to coordinated advocacy by a broad, bipartisan coalition that included environmental organizations, agricultural leaders, developers, and community advocates, a Florida legislative proposal that could have undermined the Urban Development Boundary (UDB) was halted.
What is the UDB and why does it matter?
The Urban Development Boundary (UDB) is a critical planning line in Miami-Dade County that separates urban development from agricultural land and natural areas.
It serves as a safeguard for farmland and Everglades wetlands that recharge the Biscayne Aquifer, the primary source of drinking water for Miami-Dade, Broward and Monroe counties. By limiting urban sprawl, the UDB also plays a key role in flood protection, water quality, and climate resilience.
Just as importantly, the UDB protects lands essential to Everglades restoration ensuring that billions of dollars in public investment can deliver real results.
Protecting land for restoration
Land outside the UDB is vital for major restoration projects under the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan, the largest ecosystem restoration effort in the world.
Projects like the Biscayne Bay and Southeastern Everglades Ecosystem Restoration Project are planned to be constructed on these protected areas to help restore natural flows to the Everglades and improving the health of Biscayne Bay.
Weakening the UDB would put these lands, and the success of restoration itself, at risk.
A threat in Tallahassee
During this year’s legislative session, State Representative David Borrero introduced HB 399, which would have directed the state to study whether counties could eliminate Urban Development Boundaries altogether.
While framed as a study, the proposal raised serious concerns. Environmental leaders and community stakeholders warned it could open the door to unchecked development near the Everglades, threatening both water resources and restoration progress.
A coalition comes together
In response, a broad and diverse coalition mobilized.
The Everglades Foundation joined forces with environmental advocates, agricultural leaders, major developers, and business organizations to defend the UDB as a commonsense tool for smart growth and environmental protection.
The Foundation’s CEO, Eric Eikenberg, participated in a press conference in support of the UDB led by Miami-Dade County Commissioner and former State Senator René Garcia, alongside local leaders including the mayors of Homestead and Palmetto Bay, elected officials from Miami Beach, and community organizations such as Miami Waterkeeper, South Dade Agriculture and the Florida Farm Bureau.
The Foundation also brought its advocacy directly to Tallahassee. Board Chairman Carlos de la Cruz Jr. and developer Armando Codina lent their voices in support of the UDB meeting with senators during the legislative session and through an op-ed underscoring the importance of protecting the boundary.
Their message was clear: protecting the UDB is essential to protecting Florida’s water, economy, and future.
A successful outcome
Thanks to the leadership of Miami-Dade Senators Ileana Garcia, Alexis Calatayud, Shevrin Jones, and Ana Maria Rodriguez, language related to the UDB was ultimately removed from the legislation.
The outcome represents a significant victory for Everglades protection, and a powerful example of what coordinated, bipartisan advocacy can achieve.
Remaining vigilant
These recent efforts in the Florida Legislature underscore a critical reality: protections like the UDB require constant vigilance.
The Everglades Foundation will continue to lead with science-based advocacy to ensure that:
Everglades restoration stays on track
Critical lands remain protected
Public investments deliver long-term benefits for South Florida