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Q & A
Beach Renourishment
Resources
Perdido Key Mouse
Perdido Key Beach Mouse
Proposed Critical Habitat Map
FAQ
about the proposed Perdido Key Mouse Mitigation
PDF file
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Results of Request for Public Comments - Perdido Projects
Q & A - Tim Day, Neighborhood & Environmental Services
Perdido Key Beach Mouse
Habitat Conservation Plan
1. Why are
Escambia County Beaches undergoing a separate HCP when the FWC has been
granted
funding for a Statewide Habitat Conservation Plan for Florida Beaches?
The HCPs have different purposes. The Escambia County HCP is specific to
Perdido Key and
covers the entire Key including areas that would not be covered under the
Statewide HCP. The
statewide HCP only includes activities permitted by the State of Florida
Department of
Environmental Protection at or seaward of the Coastal Construction Control
Line (CCCL). Thus,
projects north of the CCCL, such as property north of SR 292 or
improvements to SR 292, would not
be covered in the Statewide. Additionally, the Escambia County HCP is on a
faster track than the
Statewide HCP.
2. Has a contract
been signed with PBS&J to conduct the area-wide HCP and Environmental
Studies?
A limited Notice to Proceed (NTP) was issued to PBS&J effective September
15, 2007. A grant has
been obtained from US Fish and Wildlife to assist with costs associated
with preparing the Key-wide
HCP.
3. What properties
on Perdido Key are currently included in the contract?
a. Road easements
b. 80 acres of private property
c. 240 acres of private property
d. All of Perdido Key
The Scope of Work (SOW) includes all of Perdido Key in Florida. State or
Federally held lands are
excluded with the exception of the Perdido Key Drive right-of-way.
4. What is the
additional cost to include private property in this study?
The Scope of Work did not differentiate between private and public
property. Benefits to private
property owners include reduction of endangered species permitting time
from a current 18-24
months to normal County permitting timelines and development of a master
permit (Perdido Key
HCP/ITP) with standard permit conditions to reduce marketing issues
associated with uncertainty of
permitting through state and federal agencies.
5. What species
will be included in the Escambia County Environmental Assessments and HCP?
All federally listed and candidate species that are reasonably anticipated
to be impacted by potential
development on Perdido Key (Perdido Key beach mouse, sea turtles (4 species), and shorebirds (2
species)
6. When were the
Sea Turtles, Piping Plover and Red Knot added to the scope of the
area-wide HCP?
By whom? By what mandate?
All federally listed and candidate species that are reasonably anticipated
to be impacted by
potential development on Perdido Key were included from the inception.
While the beach
mouse is the primary focus of the HCP, the County believes it is prudent
to include all
federally listed species in the plan to fully streamline the permitting
process. In coordination
with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, it has been determined that
potential take for these
species to be discountable when conservation measures are incorporation to
protect
nesting sea turtles, non-breeding piping plover and red knot.
7. Will additional
mitigation fees be required for the additional species in the HCP:
a. Loggerhead
Turtle
b. Green Turtles
c. Kemp’s Ridley Turtles
d. Leatherback Turtles
e. Piping Plover
f. Red Knot
None are anticipated. However, there will likely be typical special
conditions/conservation
measures as currently required by US Fish and Wildlife for incidental take
permits in Florida
through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection Coastal
Construction Control
Line (CCCL) permit program.
8. If so, how much
might mitigation cost for these species? What percentage, if any, of
avoidance on
property might be expected for these additional species?
Mitigation cost would be in direct association with implementing standard
conservation
measures (i.e. tinted glass, lighting restrictions, predator proof garbage
containers, seasonal
timing of construction, etc.). Mitigation for these species will not have
a “fee” associated as
formalized through the tri-party agreement for the beach mouse.
9. Will the
$100,000 per acre of impact mitigation and 50% or 75% avoidance for PKBM
cover these
additional species?
One mitigation option for the beach mouse is the referenced $100,000 per
acre of impacted habitat
as determined by US Fish and Wildlife and the incorporation of
conservation measures. Avoidance
criteria has not been formalized by US Fish and Wildlife and will likely
vary on a case-by-case basis.
This mitigation option was formalized through the tri-party agreement
regarding beach mice and
does not address additional species. Please note most conservation
measures for beach mice are
redundant with the conservation measures for other listed species and will
likely satisfy mitigation
requirements (There may be case-by-case variations based on site-specific
conditions).
10. What
percentage, if any, of avoidance on property might be expected for these
additional species?
Additional avoidance is not expected for these species beyond current
limitations (prohibition of
construction seaward of the 1975 Coastal Construction Control Line) as
found in the Escambia
County Land Development Code Article 12.01.00. It is anticipated habitat
avoidance for the beach
mouse will also benefit sea turtles, piping plover, and red knot.
11. Will the
$100,000 per acre of impact mitigation and 50% or 75% avoidance for PKBM
cover these
additional species?
One mitigation option for the beach mouse is the referenced $100,000 per
acre of impacted habitat
as determined by US Fish and Wildlife and the incorporation of
conservation measures. Avoidance
criteria has not been formalized by US Fish and Wildlife and will likely
vary on a case-by-case basis.
This mitigation option was formalized through the tri-party agreement
regarding beach mice
and does not address additional species. Please note most conservation
measures for
beach mice are redundant with the conservation measures for other listed
species and will
likely satisfy mitigation requirements (There may be case-by-case
variations based on site specific
conditions).
12. Does Santa
Rosa Island have habitat consistent with these species?
Yes – with the exception of the Perdido Key beach mouse. Santa Rosa Island
has it’s own beach
mouse (Santa Rosa beach mouse) which is not state or federally listed on
an endangered species
list. Review for the other species of interest (sea turtles and
shore-birds) is conducted through the
Florida Department of Environmental Protection Coastal Construction
Control Line (CCCL) permit
program.
13. Will the HCP
include the coastline of Santa Rosa Island?
No – the primary focus of the Perdido Key HCP is the Perdido Key beach
mouse and it is not found on Santa Rosa Island.
14. How will Santa
Rosa Island be affected be these studies?
Santa Rosa Island will not be impacted by the Perdido Key HCP.
15. Has the grant
from USFW been accepted by Escambia County? When?
No – it is anticipated the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission (FWC) will accept the
grant on behalf of Escambia County in the near future. At that time, the
County will be able to
contract with FWC to receive grant funds.
16. When is the
Environmental Assessment scheduled to begin and when do you plan to have
the HCP
completed?
The Environmental Assessment began with the Notice to Proceed on September
15, 2007. A draft
HCP and draft Environmental Assessment is expected to be presented to the
Board of County
Commissioners by December 15, 2008 from PBS&J.
17. When will the
Steering Committee for the HCP be developed? Who will be appointed? Will
the
meetings be open to the public? When will meetings begin?
The Steering Committee is expected to be developed in the near future. It
is expected to consist of
representatives of regulatory agencies including, but not limited to: US
Fish and Wildlife, Gulf
Islands National Seashore, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission, Florida Department
of Environmental Protection-Bureau of Beaches and Shores, Florida Park
Service, and Escambia
County. Meeting criteria such as timing, location, setting (formal
sit-down or teleconference) has not
been determined.
18. When will the
public meetings with stakeholders be held? How will they be publicized?
Six quarterly meetings are anticipated to be hosted by PBS&J to keep the
public informed on
progress and give the public and stakeholder groups to provide an
opportunity to provide comment
and guidance.
19. When will
public outreach meetings be held? How will they be publicized?
Six quarterly meetings are anticipated to be spread throughout the 14
month HCP development
process. They will be publicized through direct notification of the
Perdido Key Chamber, Perdido
Property Rights, the Perdido Key Association, and District 2 newsletters.
It is anticipated indirect
notification will occur through advertisement in a local newspaper.
20. What is the
web address for updating stakeholders on the HCP development?
The County website has links to HCP development and beach nourishment
here >
21. How can an
individual property owner “opt out” of being included in the area-wide HCP
once it is
completed and concludes that their property is habitat?
An individual may “opt out” and go directly to US Fish and Wildlife if the
final result of the County
HCP is deemed by the individual as not desirable or if they want to pursue
a permit sooner. The
“normal” HCP process and timelines as required by US Fish and Wildlife
would apply. The County
HCP will not provide a determination of whether federally protected
species occur on individual
properties. Currently, species presence and habitat suitability is
determined by US Fish and Wildlife
and fine-tuned through a site visit from US Fish and Wildlife upon request
of the property owner.
22. Is this option available in writing from USFW?
Per US Fish and Wildlife, any non-federal entity may apply to US Fish and
Wildlife for an incidental
take permit (ITP) regardless of existing ITPs in place. Escambia County
has requested a letter to
confirm and will insist language is inserted in the Perdido Key HCP to
assure the option of bypassing
the County HCP and interacting directly with US Fish and Wildlife is
available to private
landowners.
23. Who directs the guidelines of HCP studies? USFW? FWC? Escambia County?
PBS&J?
The Steering Committee will provide overall guidance with input from
public meetings to PBS&J
regarding needed studies and conservation measures and mitigation required
under the HCP. The
final form of the HCP will be approved by the Board of County
Commissioners prior to submittal forUS Fish and Wildlife review.
24. Has Escambia County obtained written commitment from FWC or USFW that
if the HCP is done to
their specifications that they will allow the county to issues building
permits to private property
applicants according to conformance with the HCP?
It is anticipated US Fish and Wildlife will be a participant on the
Steering Committee and will work
with the County to include all necessary conservation measures and
mitigation requirements in the
HCP. However, the US Fish and Wildlife in its review process of the HCP
and Incidental Take
Permit (ITP) application, including receipt of comments from the public
comment period, may
determine additional measures are necessary. If the draft HCP meets the
Endangered Species Act
issuance criteria, an ITP will be issued to the County allowing the County
to issue certificates of
inclusion to the applicant (building permit). US Fish and Wildlife will
perform annual audits to
monitor the County performance implementing the HCP.
25. How many incidental take permits or building permits have been issued
since the MOU was signed?
To whom? What parcels?
1. Florencia – (Note this project predates the tri-party agreement and was
substantially constructedat the time of review by FWS) 3.5 acre impact fee $ 823
Fee Paid
2. Magnolia West 5.2 acre impact fee $520,000
Waiting for ACOE permit
issuance
3. Palazzo 0.58 acre impact fee $ 58,000
County building permit not
applied for
4. Searinity 0.32 acre impact fee $ 32,000
County building permit not
applied for
5. Retreat 0.21 acre impact fee $ 21,000
County building permit not
applied for
6. Bond home-site 0.17 acre impact fee $ 17,000
Fee Paid – County permit
ISSUED
7. Paradise Island 0.91 acre impact fee $ 91,000
Waiting for ACOE permit
issuance
The following four projects have completed the HCP process and a permit
will be sent to the
applicant for signature in the next 60-90 days.
8. Island Club 0.31 acre impact fee $ 31,000
9. Coquina Caye 0.24 acre impact fee $ 24,000
10. Marquesas 0.50 acre impact fee $ 50,000
11. Lorelei 0.14 acre impact fee $ 14,000
The following seven projects are in the HCP process and have not received
final approval for
acreage to be impacted.
12. Calabria
13. Lost Key
14. Seabreeze
15. Metcalf home-site
16. Miller home-site
17. Mediterraenea
18. Perdido Key Fire Station/Community Center
26. What funds have been collected by Escambia County NESD for PKBM
mitigation?
$17,823.03
Florencia $ 823.03
Bond home-site $17,000.00
27. What expenses have been incurred by Escambia County NESD for PKBM
conservation?
Staff time associated with the development of the tri-part agreement, site
surveys, and developmentof the HCP concept.
28. What is the balance of the PKBM Conservation fund that has been
collecting PKBM mitigation fees
to date?
$17,823.03
Florencia $ 823.03
Bond home-site $17,000.00
29. What will Escambia County do with the collected mitigation fees if the
suit against USFW to
challenge the PKBM habitat is successful?
The Notice of Intend against US Fish and Wildlife appears to be
challenging the designation of the
Critical Habitat expansion and not the Endangered Species Act take
provisions. It does not appear
to challenge the authority of US Fish and Wildlife to exert jurisdiction
on areas not deemed “critical
habitat” and therefore would not impact the outcome of the Perdido Key HCP
Q & A - Beach Renourishment
Timothy Day
Environmental Analysist
Escambia County
Neighborhood and Environmental Services Department
Environmental Quality Division
E-mail
850-595-1144 phone
850-595-3495 fax
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