Plan and Permit Review
FWC-Imperiled Species Management Section (ISM) staff conduct reviews of manatee protection plans, environmental resource permits, and other types of guidance documents such as comprehensive plans.
Plan and Permit Review
ISM staff conducts reviews of county Manatee Protection Plans (MPP), environmental resource permits, submerged lands leases, and various types of planning documents such as local government comprehensive plans.
ISM permit reviews and MPP efforts are coordinated closely with USFWS. The USFWS participates in the development of county MPPs and provides concurrence with FWC approvals of county MPPs. Because MPPs are implemented by both the FWC and USFWS during reviews of projects, this results in more predictable outcomes for applicants. It also increases efficiencies in permit reviews for counties with approved plans, while still providing protection for manatees and their habitat.
Manatee Protection Plans
Manatee Protection Plans are one tool that can assist in the long-term protection of manatees and their habitat. County-specific MPPs include descriptions of manatee use in the county, boat facility siting strategies, habitat protection and enhancement, manatee-specific education and information programs, and waterway-use regulations. Indirectly, MPPs also may increase boating safety, facilitate recreational planning, and protect aquatic habitat critical to many other species. MPPs may take several years to develop because of the complexity of issues a county must address and the range of information that must be collected. Under §379.2431 (2)(g) F. S., 13 specific counties are required to develop county-wide manatee protection plans. These counties are: Brevard, Broward, Citrus, Collier, Duval, Indian River, Lee, Martin, Miami-Dade, Palm Beach, Sarasota, St. Lucie, and Volusia. As of July 1, 2008, all of the 13 counties have state-approved MPPs. In addition, Clay County voluntarily completed a comprehensive MPP which received state approval in 2006.
Permit Reviews
The Department of Environmental Protection and the WMDs are responsible for issuing state environmental resource permits and submerged lands leases for activities related to coastal development that may impact Florida’s wetland resources. These agencies request assistance in reviewing such activities to determine potential impacts to manatees and their habitat. ISM staff provides recommendations to reduce or eliminate potentially adverse effects of proposed projects. Part of that process may include requests for additional information regarding the project. Once enough information is provided, staff can finalize their recommendations to the permitting agencies or decision making board. These final comments can range from relatively standard recommendations to more critical recommendations. Staff routinely assists applicants and agency processors in understanding the manatee implications of a particular project and, when appropriate, suggest modifications to improve the project design in consideration of manatee impacts.
To view highlights from the 2007–2008 fiscal year, download
Plan and Permit Review 2007–2008 Highlights (PDF File—224 KB)
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