Habitat Conservation Plan Under Development
Walton County is now in the process of preparing the Habitat Conservation Plan.
The plan will describe all of the programs and policies the county will implement to minimize and mitigate incidental take of sea turtles, beach mice, and piping plovers along the Gulf coast related to future emergency shoreline protection efforts and other county-managed/regulated activities.
The Habitat Conservation Plan will include a description of the area to be regulated, the activities to be managed, an implementation schedule, and funding mechanisms.
Over the next few months, consultants will be visiting Walton County beaches to update information on physical beach conditions and natural resources for inclusion in the Habitat Conservation Plan.
The consulting firm DeTect, Inc. will be performing the shorebird survey data gathering for the Habitat Conservation Plan. They will be using two small Kawasaki ATV's to traverse the beach while performing the surveys.
The consultants have performed similar work in conjunction with beach nourishment projects for Okaloosa and Walton Counties. They are aware of turtle nesting season, will conduct the surveys with caution, and will avoid nests. All employees will keep identification and a copy of the authorization letter with them, as well as a company logo on the ATV's for easier identification. They will conduct the surveys only a few days each month and not on weekends.
Walton County has developed a "Guide" to help stakeholders and the public understand the goals and objectives of the Habitat Conservation Plan. This guide, available on the county's website under the Environmental Issues link on the main page, describes what property owners must do to comply with state and federal law based on their particular situation. Included is a description of the different pathways to receiving federal authorization for take of threatened and endangered species depending on whether a structure is installed under a past or future emergency permit.
Interested parties may visit the Walton County website at http://www.co.walton.fl.us to review the public guide, ask questions, and obtain contact information for County staff involved in the project.