Key Endangered Species Rules Revised in Florida
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) recently voted to adopt revisions to the state’s endangered species listing process, completing a two-year effort by the Florida Home Builders Association (FHBA) to advocate enhancements for these rules. The proposed rules update listing criteria (including program guidelines), add a peer review component and create a process to address selection and approval of members of a panel that will review data and develop the listing recommendation. The new criteria, which were developed by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, will help the commission to “be better equipped to identify which species are in danger, monitor their progress and determine whether the corrective actions we’re taking are working,” said FWC endangered species coordinator Dan Sullivan. In addition to FHBA, the Association of Florida Community Developers and the Florida Chamber led support for the rule, along with the Coastal Conservation Association, the Florida Farm Bureau and Standing Watch. The proposed rules were adopted with no negative votes. The decision by the FWC does not immediately affect the status of any of the 118 animal species listed by the state as endangered, threatened or of special concern. It also will not affect the status of species on the federal list, which follows different criteria. Despite the commission’s confidence in the updated process, approximately 25 speakers opposed the proposed rules. In acknowledgement of those concerns, the FWC pledged to review the listing process if unforeseen problems arise during its implementation. In addition to passing the proposed rules, staff was directed to move forward on pending petitions, including the down-listing of the manatee and bald eagle, and the up-listing of the gopher tortoise. For more information about the updates, click here. | 
