There are many laws and regulations which are environmentally unfriendly, or lead to environmentally damaging actions. A prime example is the Florida Law which allows an annexation to occur with only agreement between a property owner and a municipality. Its effect is multiplied by lack of enforcement of a section which prohibits creation of enclaves, defined as areas of one jurisdiction surrounded by another. In regulations, one is "if A is held to be true", then it is "presumed that B is true". Both A and B are rarely properly examined.
Changing an existing law is no small chore, nor is introducing a new law, but environmental damage will continue until the law is changed or added to. Regulations are somewhat easier, but in both cases there will be opposition from the interests benefiting from "the status quo", combined with the common approach "why change". The following is intended to be helpful in instituting an approach.
For federal and state laws, they must be a sponsor, a member of the law-writing body: sometimes there are multiple sponsors. So one of the necessary steps is to find a member of that body to be the first sponsor. This requires review of voting records and of speeches, probably discussions with associates and friends of a prospective sponsor, and eventually contact with the proposed sponsor(s). But the last should not be attempted until some homework is completed.
The homework is creation of the first draft of the proposed item to sponsor. This can be as simple as deletion or addition of a few words of the existing law, a partial or complete redraft, or a draft of a completely new law. Remember that it is not easy to write a concept which accomplishes your aim without having loopholes for someone to exploit. The staff of the sponsor is a great help here. The draft must be backed up with a clear statement of why the change or addition is proposed, an analysis of the expected effects, the cost involved and who will bear these. A statement of who will support the matter is necessary.
In preparing the draft, it is well to remember that there are two general classes of attorneys: the more common group can give you all the reasons why something will fail, where as the smaller group will give you the way to accomplish the goal. Usually it is best to prepare a draft which seems to accomplish the desired aim, then submit it to legal review. Accept changes which do not compromise the goal: if serious problems appear, see if a lesser immediate goal is possible, leaving the final goal for a future date.
For counties the approach can be the same, but charter counties such as Volusia have another method which is probably easier. This is the charter review process, which can propose additions or changes in laws, which then go to the voters for ratification. Preparations include not only drafting, but also steps to get on the Charter Review Commission, working there, and, especially, developing public support.
Regulations may be easier. For example, in Volusia County the Environment and Natural Resources Advisory Committee has the power to develop minimum standards, which, if adopted, are binding on its municipalities as well as the county operated areas. The practices of regulatory agencies need to be reviewed for best approach.
Where initiative is recognized, direct public action is possible. The process in Florida is cumbersome, first petitions to be recognized, then many more to get on the ballot.