Natural Resources
Scrub-Jay Review Package - Territory Search - Review Procedure - USFWS Agreement - USFWS Residential Development Exemptions - Habitat Conservation Plan - Florida Scrub-Jay Species Information
Florida Scrub-Jay – County-wide Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) Development
In an effort to reduce the regulatory burden of this process, Charlotte County Natural Resources was awarded a grant by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to begin developing a County-wide Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) for the Florida Scrub-jay. The HCP will define a reserve network to help ensure long term survival of the Florida Scrub-jay and establish system for alleviating some of the regulatory burden on citizens for mitigating impacts.
A Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) is developed as part of the application for an Incidental Take Permit, under Section 10 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
The HCP outlines what will be done to "minimize and mitigate" the effect of the permitted take or impacts on the listed species. Charlotte County Conservation Plan
The HCP process is a complicated scientific conservation planning tool and will help to provide regulatory certainty for Charlotte County land owners. As part of this process Charlotte County held informational public forums in 2009 to provide citizens with an update on the current status of the HCP development. Additional public forums and BCC workshops will be scheduled in the future.
View the power point presentation:
UPDATE (January 2011): Charlotte, through the Section 6 U.S. Fish and Wildlife grant, is currently processing the statistical modeling data and nearing completion of the initial draft reserve designs. In addition the County is in the process of obtaining a qualified consultant to start development of the economic analysis portion of the HCP’s development. A comprehensive economic analysis would calculate costs associated with economic impacts, with and without a County-wide HCP, over the next 30 years. The economic analysis will also examine other permitting categories, including biological assessments, mitigation costs, legal ramifications of not having a County-wide HCP, time costs, and permit application costs. Additionally, the report will identify potential funding alternatives available to meet projected costs and the feasibility of each alternative.
Public Forum November 2009 - Habitat Conservation Planning
Habitat Conservation Planning Frequently Asked Questions
For more information
Natural Resources
2050 Forrest Nelson Blvd
Port Charlotte, FL 33952-5209
941.613.3220
email: Andy.Stevens@charlottefl.com
