Habitat Conservation Plan

Goals and Objectives

Following the passage of Hurricane Dennis in 2005, Walton County issued over 250 permits to coastal property owners to allow the installation of temporary armoring structures to protect their homes from shoreline erosion.

Because of these permits, several miles of new seawalls were built along the County's Gulf coast beaches. This caused much debate and astonishment among State and Federal regulatory agencies, environmental groups, beachgoers, and the affected beachfront property owners and managers.

The public dialogue that ensued led to an Intergovernmental Agreement between Walton County, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). The agreement was based on the premise that Walton County would apply for Federal funds to develop a Habitat Conservation Plan and apply for an Incidental Take Permit (ITP).

Guide to the Plan

This guide provides the requisite background information to help stakeholders and the public understand the rationale for applying for the ITP and to view the goals and objectives of the Habitat Conservation Plan.

Questions regarding issues discussed in the guide should be directed to Melinda Gates, Environmental Manager, at (850) 892-8108.

Plan Sections

• I. Endangered and Protected Species Information
• II. Armoring: Permits and Regulations
• III. The Habitat Conservation Plan Solution
• IV. Previous and Future Shoreline Protection

Resources

• Wildlife Lighting Ordinance Number 2009-03
• Intergovernmental Agreement
• Habitat Conservation Plan Draft 4-January 2011
  
  
  
  
  

  Table of Contents	Executive Summary
  Chapter 1-Introduction	Chapter 11-Minimization Measures
  Chapter 2-Plan Preparation Process	Chapter 12-Mitigation Measures
  Chapter 3-Covered Activities & Species	Chapter 13-Voluntary Conservation Measures
  Chapter 4-Goals and Benefits	Chapter 14-Monitoring and Management of Listed Species
  Chapter 5-Plan Area	Chapter 15-Plan Management
  Chapter 6-Protected Species In Plan Area	Chapter 16 - Funding
  Chapter 7-Factors Affecting Listed Species In Plan Area	Chapter 17-Implementation Schedule

  Chapter 8-Anticipated Level Of Take	Chapter 18-Changed Circumstances
  Chapter 9-Alternatives Analysis	Chapter 19-Unforeseen Circumstances
  Chapter 10-Emergency Permitting Process	Chapter 20-Compliance Monitoring and Reporting
  	References/Appendices

  
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