Brevard County commissioners voted unanimously on July 7 to create a Barrier Island Area of Critical State Concern Land Authority, which will oversee development between south Melbourne Beach and Sebastian Inlet. The move aims to shift more decision-making power to local residents through a five-member citizen advisory board. District 3 Commissioner Kim Adkinson called the authority a way to 'make sure the people who live there are the ones making the suggestions' to the board, adding that she believes the state has been 'slowly taking control' away from residents. The authority will handle land-use planning, property acquisition, grant administration and bond issuance for the area. The vote authorizes drafting the ordinance, with final adoption requiring a separate hearing. Funding will come from new surcharges at Sebastian Inlet State Park, including 50 cents on day passes, $5 on annual passes and $2.50 per night for camping. Florida lawmakers designated the barrier islands as an Area of Critical State Concern in 2023 due to their fragile coastal ecosystem and role as the world's largest nesting ground for loggerhead sea turtles. Mark Francis, executive of the Barrier Island Protection and Preservation Association, which formed in 1990 to monitor development, expressed concerns about the new authority. He did not immediately comment on specific worries but has long opposed changes that could alter the islands' environmental protections. The advisory board will be appointed to guide the commission's decisions, though details on the selection process remain unclear. The authority's creation follows years of debate over balancing conservation with development pressures in the region. Commissioners emphasized the need for local input, but critics argue the state's involvement may limit resident influence. The next steps include drafting the ordinance and holding public hearings before final approval.