The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) has fired an employee for allegedly leaking plans to add more recreational and lodging facilities throughout Florida's parks, local media reported.

In a termination letter obtained by ABC Action News, FDEP said James Gaddis admitted to leaking the department's plans to build golf courses, pickleball courts and other facilities in state parks, the outlet reported. Reported Tuesday.

“The Ministry has recently learned that you knowingly published unauthorized and inaccurate information. At least one document was prepared, written and distributed by you without instruction or authorization. This information was further confirmed by your oral admission. You admitted to preparing this document using Ministry equipment during work hours,” the letter said, according to the news agency.

“Your actions violated Department of State policies and procedures, which has led us to take this action,” the letter reportedly said in part.

Gaddis said, GoFundMe campaign He was fired Aug. 30 for blowing the whistle on FDEP's secret, fast-tracked plans to build a golf course, a 350-room hotel, disc golf courts and pickleball courts within critical habitat in nine Florida state parks. (Related: 'They didn't want to hear it': Boeing whistleblower accuses company executives of ignoring 'absolute chaos')

F.D.E.P. Announced The plan, called the 2024-25 Great Outdoors Initiative, was announced on August 19th.

The plan promises to add more campgrounds, lodges, cabins and outdoor recreation facilities on park grounds, where people can enjoy games such as pickleball, golf, disc golf and paddling, according to the release.

The initiative was intended to “strengthen the state's commitment to Florida's conservation, outdoor recreation economy, and the quality of life for Floridians.”

According to the GoFundMe page, FDEP instructed Gaddis to create nine maps detailing the proposal.

The GoFundMe campaign slammed the proposed infrastructure as not only “terrible” but “shocking and destructive.” It claims Gaddis then decided to release the map and an accompanying outline of the proposal, a decision that “ended my career with the Florida Parks Service.”

The proposal drew bipartisan criticism in Florida when it was made public, according to ABC Action News. The FDEP reportedly paused the plan and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, a Republican, said he would hear from the public on the matter.

Florida lawmakers translation: And the EOG is calling for “public disclosure of all communications with individuals and organizations involved in this state park project.” https://t.co/thn2uM0tja

— Forrest Saunders (@FBSaunders) September 3, 2024

“I knew sounding the alarm was a dangerous thing to do, but I looked at myself first as a public servant and felt it was the only ethical thing to do,” the GoFundMe page reads.

Gaddis worked in the FDEP's park planning office for more than two years. According to His LinkedIn page.

As of the time of writing, the campaign has raised approximately $200,000, far exceeding its initial goal of $10,000.