Species Permitting Information

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Species Permitting Information

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Florida Scrub-Jay

Sea Turtles

Protection Measures

Artificial lighting is reported as the #1 cause of hatchling mortality. Landward lights can disorient hatchlings that depend upon the illuminated horizon for direction.

Other threats to sea turtles include pollution, temporary structures left on the beach overnight, fishing line and other ocean debris, floating balloons or plastic bags which resemble jellyfish, and dogs running at-large on the beach.

In May 1989, and later amended in June 1998, Charlotte County adopted a Sea Turtle Protection Ordinance (Article XII) which provides standards and criteria for the protection of sea turtle nesting, coastal development, and prohibits artificial lighting on the nesting zone during the nesting season.

In 2005, The Sea Turtle Management Plan was developed to provide clarification and supplemental information on Article XII, Sea Turtle Protection Ordinance. It is the intent of this management plan to provide a balance between the needs of residents and visitors and threatened and endangered sea turtles. This document is also designed to provide the beachfront community a greater understanding of how the County will implement the sea turtle ordinance.

Light Pollution

The Florida Power & Light Company has information about Sea Turtles and Lights.

Light pollution isn’t just a problem for sea turtles, many astronomers are also trying to control light pollution all over the world so they can get a good view of the night sky. Many of the light applications they support can be used near turtle beaches as well. Visit the International Dark Sky Association.

Migratory birds also have problems with light pollution. Information about this subject can be found at the Fatal Light Awareness Program (FLAP).

County Permitting

Properties located in the Sea Turtle Lighting Overlay (available on the County’s GIS map) may require additional review and inspections for compliance with the Sea Turtle Ordinance. For additional information, please see our Sea Turtles and Coastal Development brochure. Contact Susie Derheimer at 941.833.3822 or Suzanne.Derheimer@CharlotteCountyFL.gov with any questions.

Gopher Tortoise

How Can You Help?

If you are planning to develop where there are gopher tortoise burrows, please
call FWC at 863.648.3200 or Charlotte County's Environnmental Specialist at 941.743.1290.

Keep cats and dogs from roaming, since they may harass or even kill young tortoises. Watch out for gopher tortoises and other wildlife while you are driving. Keeping gopher tortoises as pets is illegal unless you have a permit. The gopher tortoise is a protected species and may not be handled.

County Permitting

If you have gopher tortoise burrow/s on your property, you have 2 options:

You can avoid the burrow/s with a 25 foot circumference at all times, which includes all machinery and vehicles that enter the site.

You must provide Charlotte County environmental permitting staff a site plan documenting:

All tortoise burrow/s that will be avoided with a minimum 25 foot buffer.
How the burrow will be protected during all construction activities.
The original Tree Site Plan modified (if applicable) so that no activity occurs within this buffer.

If the tortoise burrow cannot be avoided, then a relocation permit from the FWC must be applied for and the approved permit must be provided to Charlotte County environmental staff.

Once the tortoise/s have been successfully relocated, staff must be informed that the tortoise/s have been successfully relocated and what FWC approved relocation method was used. A site plan must also be provided showing the area where the tortoise/s were relocated to and how that area will remain protected at all times. If the original tree site plan provided shows trees being removed within this protection area, the tree site plan must be modified accordingly so that no activity will take place within the tortoise protection area.**

**Staff conducts random inspections to verify successful gopher tortoise relocations.

For questions or concerns on permitting requirements, you may contact Charlotte County's Environmental Specialist at 941.743.1290 or go to FWC's Gopher Tortoise Permitting Guidelines for more information.

For information on Gopher tortoises you may contact the Charlotte County Natural Resources Division at 941.613.3220 or NaturalResources@CharlotteCountyFL.gov.

Eastern Indigo Snake

Florida Manatee

For additional information contact Tina Powell or Jamie Scudera at 941.613.3220 or NaturalResources@CharlotteCountyFL.gov

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Florida Scrub-Jay

Sea Turtles

Gopher Tortoise

Eastern Indigo Snake

Florida Manatee

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