Florida Fish and Wildlife Using Public Input To Improve Critical Wildlife Area Proposals

By  //  September 14, 2016

400 people attended workshops throughout state

fwa-580
Moving forward, the FWC will continue to work with citizens and stakeholders to better understandconcerns from the public and reduce or eliminate negative impacts where possible.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA–The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) continues to move forward with an unprecedented initiative to conserve some of Florida’s most vulnerable wildlife by designating and modifying Critical Wildlife Areas throughout Florida.

Overall, the public has been largely supportive of this effort. However, FWC staff continues to solicit public feedback and has modified some CWA proposals in order to address concerns.

“The proposed CWAs constitute high-octane, quiet conservation. They are patches of protection in a sea of opportunity,” said FWC Commission Chairman Brian Yablonski.

“The narrowly tailored and discreet designations will help with reproduction and recruitment for significant bird species on our threatened list.”

This summer, staff completed a comprehensive statewide effort to obtain public input on proposals to establish new or improve existing CWAs. More than 400 people attended 14 workshops held throughout the state.

The workshops were designed to explain how CWAs work and why they are needed, address questions from attendees, and gather public feedback about each proposal.

Moving forward, the FWC will continue to work with citizens and stakeholders to better understandconcerns from the public and reduce or eliminate negative impacts where possible.

Brian Yablonski
Brian Yablonski

“Often our enthusiasm to see these birds in large concentration is the very thing that causes the disturbance,” said Yablonski.

“These are Florida’s signature bird species. They are the great wildlife ambassadors of Florida and we owe them this small measure of protection.” – FWC Commission Chair Brian Yablonski

CWAs are established by the FWC under a Florida Administrative Code rule to protect important wildlife concentrations from human disturbance during critical periods of their life cycles, such as breeding, feeding or migration.

“The FWC is committed to doing what is best for wildlife while balancing the needs of the people who recreate or do business in these areas,” said Kipp Frohlich, Deputy Division Director for the FWC’s Division of Habitat and Species Conservation.

VIDEO: Huge Shark Snacks On Small Shark As Fisherman Reels Catch Off PierRelated Story:
VIDEO: Huge Shark Snacks On Small Shark As Fisherman Reels Catch Off Pier

“If you have questions or concerns, we want to hear them.”

The FWC will continue to engage stakeholders living near these areas, conduct additional site visits and accept comments throughout this process.

The specific CWA name should be included in the subject line of the email. The final decision regarding the CWAs will be made at the November Commission meeting in St. Petersburg.

CLICK HERE If you would like to provide feedback.

CLICK HERE FOR BREVARD COUNTY NEWS