Before Port St. Joe’s bay is filled up with happy vacationers for the 2026 season, lawmakers are trying to fill the bay with something else. A new bill proposed by Florida State Representative Jason Shoaf aims to revitalize the bay by reopening an old shipping port once utilized by the town, in a pass at bringing new business and industrial opportunity into Gulf County.

However, as ardent appreciators of Gulf County’s natural beauty and rich wildlife, we’re concerned about the implications of grand-scale industrial development on Port St. Joe’s shores. We’ll outline what the bill aims to achieve, and why we’re lending our voice to support local groups such as Gulf County Citizens Coalition in their fight to protect Gulf County’s environmental interests. Before we get started, find the full bill here. You can also check the bill’s progress in the House here.

What is proposed in HB 4105?

Currently, the only proposition in the bill is regarding the current boundary and makeup of the Port St. Joe Port Authority. As it stands, there are five members of the Port St. Joe Port Authority, all residents of Gulf County and active members of the community. HB 4105 would require three members to be replaced with representatives from neighboring counties of Gadsden, Liberty, and Franklin, giving Gulf County community a minority within their own Port Authority.

While not contained within the language of the bill, Representative Shoaf has personally outlined a plan for the port that would likely be enacted should these changes to the board go through. This plan includes reopening the Port St. Joe Port to commercial shipping and rebuilding the currently inactive railroad line that cuts through Gulf County.

How would this affect Gulf County?

The proposed changes to the Port Authority would come into immediate effect, and three new commissioners (one each from Liberty County, Gadsen County, and Franklin County) would be appointed by Florida’s governor. A major concern for Gulf County residents is the reconstruction, dredging, and industrial action that would need to be taken to reopen the Port and railroad.

The bay as it exists today is too shallow to permit modern shipping boats access, so reopening the port would require reshaping the bay and disturbing dioxins from a former paper mill that have laid dormant under sediment. Dredging the bay could have serious health detriments due to these dioxins for the residents of Gulf County, not to mention the environmental ramifications of sending more traffic through a known wildlife habitat, residents of which are nurse sharks, sea turtles, and scallops.

Why are we concerned?

HB 4105 was submitted for review without consultation by local residents and could have long-reaching ramifications for the beloved wildlife and unspoiled environment of Gulf County. The close-knit communities of Cape San Blas and Port St. Joe have spoken out against HB 4105 with real concerns regarding the inclusion of other counties in decisions that primarily affect Gulf County residents.

We love the Cape because of the residents that have worked so hard to preserve the pristine waters and endangered wildlife that calls the area home. Therefore, we support organizations like the Gulf County Citizens Coalition because of their actions to protect Gulf County from rapid expansion. The tourists that visit the Forgotten Coast each season love Gulf County for its small, family-run businesses, quaint, clean streets, and abundant wildlife that can’t be found in other areas of Florida.

Industrial expansion already has its home in hubs like Panama City and Pensacola, so it’s important we protect the wild coasts we love. If you would like to make your voice heard in regards to HB 4105, click here for the contact information of Committee Members in Tallahassee who will be voting on this bill soon.