FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

SPECIAL EVENT PERMIT CONDITIONS FOR MARINE TURTLE PROTECTION

Field Permit No. _____________________

1. The following conditions are required for special events for the protection of marine turtles during the marine turtle nesting season. The nesting season is March 1 – October 31 in Brevard, Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin, Palm Beach, and Broward counties, and is May 1 – October 31 in all other coastal counties in Florida.

2. All structures proposed to be constructed in marine turtle nesting habitat and left out overnight shall have 3 feet of clearance beneath them, at least 7 feet of clearance between the supports where they meet the beach, and shall be located as far landward as possible. Any structures or materials not meeting these criteria must be removed by sundown each day. All staging and storage of event equipment and materials shall be off the beach.

3. The use of heavy equipment is prohibited, and the use of street vehicles to transport event equipment is prohibited except on beaches where public beach driving is allowed by local ordinance. A lightweight, ATV-type vehicle with 10 p.s.i. or less ground-to-tire pressure may be used for equipment transport if allowed by local ordinance. Use of vehicles shall be minimized, and restricted to event set-up and break-down.

4. In order to place structures on the beach, surveys for marine turtle nesting activity must be ongoing, and have been conducted daily for 65 days previous to the event date or since the beginning of marine turtle nesting season. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that nesting surveys have been conducted in accordance with the following conditions:

1. All nesting surveys shall be conducted by qualified persons who hold a valid marine turtle permit issued by the FWC pursuant to Florida Administrative Code Rule 68E. No materials or equipment may be set up on the beach until the applicant has coordinated with the marine turtle permit holder. For information on how to contact the area’s marine turtle permit holder, call FWC Bureau of Protected Species Management at (850) 922-4330.

2. Nest surveys shall be conducted daily between sunrise and 9 a.m. during marine turtle nesting season. No activity shall occur in any location prior to completion of the necessary marine turtle nest survey and protection measures.

3. Nests deposited within the event area shall be marked and left in place unless natural factors threaten the success of the nest. Any nests left in the event area shall be clearly marked and the actual location of the clutch determined. A circle with a radius of ten (10) feet, centered at the clutch, shall be marked by stake and survey tape or string. No activities shall enter this circle and no adjacent activities shall be allowed which might directly or indirectly disturb the area within the staked circle. During marine turtle hatching season (July 1 - October 31), no structures or materials which could impede the progress of turtle hatchlings may remain seaward of a nest overnight

5. No lighting associated with the event is authorized after 9:00 p.m. during the marine turtle nesting season.

6. In the event an unmarked marine turtle nest is exposed, or a dead, injured, or sick marine turtle is discovered during the event, the marine turtle permit holder shall be notified immediately such that appropriate conservation measures can be taken. Within 24 hours of any such occurrence, a report of the incident shall be faxed to the FWC Bureau of Protected Species Management at (850) 921-6988.

7. The permittee shall not disturb existing beach and dune topography and vegetation. No excavation of sand landward of the mean high water line is permitted. Any temporary minor disturbances in the sand (including ruts, depressions, holes, or mounds) shall be filled in and raked smooth with hand tools immediately after the end of the event.