Palm Beach County Manatee Protection Plan

The Palm Beach County Department of Environmental Resources Management has entered into an agreement with CUES to develop the Palm Beach County Manatee Protection Plan (MPP), which includes an updated Boat Facility Siting Plan (BFSP) and review of current Palm Beach County Manatee Education and Awareness programs. The MPP is expected to be approved by the County Commission in the fall of 2005. The goal is to minimize interactions between manatees and boats.

CUES has been working with academic experts and professionals in the field to fulfill the requirements outlined by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Data from a wide array of sources is being collected and analyzed to identify key issues. The 1996 BFSP will be amended based on the following: (1) latest manatee population and mortality data, (2) seagrass data, (3) latest current and future land use maps for current and potential boat facilities, and (4) site inspections of existing boat facilities.  The resulting siting criteria will be used for permitting decisions on development or modifications to existing boating facilities so that impacts to manatees and their habitats can be addressed when applications are reviewed.
 
A draft plan should be available in early spring 2005. Several public workshops are also being held and key stakeholder groups are involved in the process. Please contact Palm Beach County’s Department of Environmental Resources Management at (561) 233-2454 for details.