The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission approved the Imperiled Species Management Plan, addressing 57 species listed in Florida.
Five years in the making, the plan provides direction on conserving imperiled species and encourages partnerships and habitat-scale conservation. The plan also includes a regulatory framework for permitting incidental take of listed species and nest removal under certain circumstances. The Florida FWC’s interpretation of law and policy is also part of the plan.
In addition to the plan, the Florida FWC approved new rules that are consistent with the plan and update the listing status of 38 species (23 changing status from Species of Special Concern to Threatened, and 15 being removed from the list).
The Florida FWC also approved eight species-specific Species Conservation Measures and Permitting Guidelines for the following species:
- Everglades mink
- Florida brown snake
- Florida sandhill crane
- Florida Keys mole skink
- key ringneck snake
- rim rock crowned snake
- Sherman's fox squirrel
- white-crowned pigeon
These permitting guidelines provide specific guidance on species habitat, measures to avoid incidental take, and permitting.
Seventeen of the 57 species in the plan are considered federal at-risk species and may be considered in the future for federal listing under the Endangered Species Act. The Florida FWC hopes that implementation of the plan will reduce the likelihood of those species becoming federally listed.
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We will be monitoring the rule development and implementation of rule.
Anyone interested in learning more contact Gunster environmental law attorneys Luna Phillips (954-712-1478) or Debbie Madden (954-713-6413).
