st. johns county beaches...with the itp, it allows for the continued practices of diverse beach user...

St. Johns County Beaches Habitat Conservation Plan Workshop

2015 Nesting Season Marine Turtle Patrol Volunteers

The goal is to provide special interest groups, volunteers and stakeholders associated

with St. Johns County Beaches the information and training to successfully collect and report sea turtle nesting data.

To become familiar with the St. Johns County Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) and

Conditions of the Incidental Take Permit (ITP).

To gain an understanding of the HCP/ITP policies and how they will enhance the natural beach environment while improving protected species management.

I. ITP and HCP

II. Partnering Agencies

III. 2014 Summary

a) Nesting

b) Disorientations

c) Beach Lighting

d) Law Enforcement

IV. Daytime Events V. Other reporting VI. Standard Monitoring Plan

ITP AND HCP St. Johns County Environmental Division/Habitat Conservation Section

Photo credit: DEP Photo credit: DEP

Incidental Take Permit (ITP): The take of federally listed species of plants or animals is prohibited under the

Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973.

An amendment to the ESA authorizes the “incidental take” of endangered species related to current law abiding activities.

20 year ITP adopted by St. Johns County.

Habitat Conservation Section is responsible for implementation of HCP/ITP with support from the Department of Beach Services.

ITP and HCP

Partnering Agencies

2013 Summary

Daytime Events

Other Reporting

Standard Monitoring Plan

Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP): Required document in the ITP application.

Minimizes impacts to protected species.

With the ITP, it allows for the continued practices of diverse beach user groups.

The plan specifically protects 5 species of sea turtles and the native Anastasia Island Beach Mice. St. Johns County additionally implements protection for nesting shorebirds.

ITP and HCP

Partnering Agencies

2013 Summary

Daytime Events

Other Reporting

Standard Monitoring Protocol

Background SJC Beaches are home to several federally protected wildlife species:

A variety of user groups utilize the beach in different ways including:

Special events

Commercial fishing

Horseback riding

Natural resource monitoring

Beach driving

Recreational activities

Coastal Construction ITP and HCP are in place to minimize human impact on coastal wildlife habitat.

Loggerhead (Caretta caretta)

Green (Chelonia mydas)

Leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) Anastasia Island Beach Mouse (Peromyscus polionotus phasma)

ITP and HCP

Partnering Agencies

2013 Summary

Daytime Events

Other Reporting

Standard Monitoring Protocol

PARTNERING AGENCIES St. Johns County, FWC, USFWS, DEP, and ACOE

Introduction: The coastal HCP developed by SJC include requirements to develop a Sea Turtle Nesting

Monitoring Plan (Plan)

SJC is to develop the plan in coordination and consultation with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and its authorized Marine Turtle Permit Holders (MTPs).

ITP and HCP

Partnering Agencies

2014 Summary

Daytime Events

Other Reporting

Standard Monitoring Protocol

• Section 6 Agreement

• Marine Turtle Permitting

• Wildlife Rescue and Response

• Anastasia State Park • GTMNERR • Natural Resource

Management

• Endangered Species Protection

• HCP Consultation and Coordination

• HCP Enforcement

• Natural Resource Deputies

• Maintenance/Public Access

• Public Safety • HCP Support Staff

Beach Management USFWS

FWC DEP

ITP and HCP

Partnering Agencies

2013 Summary

Daytime Events

Other Reporting

Standard Monitoring Plan

2014 SUMMARY Sea turtle nesting, disorientations, beach lighting, law enforcement

ITP and HCP

Partnering Agencies

2014 Summary

Daytime Events

Other Reporting

Standard Monitoring Protocol

Sea Turtle Nesting 1989-2014:

0100200300400500600700800900

1000

Year

St. Johns County Nesting Data 1989 - 2014

# of nests

ITP Issued

Photo credit: Judy Coady

ITP and HCP

Partnering Agencies

2013 Summary

Daytime Events

Other Reporting

Standard Monitoring Plan

Sea Turtles Nesting – Loggerhead (Caretta caretta): 442 nests

199 false crawls

364 hatched

32,735 hatchlings

6 washed out

48 clutches not found

88 eggs/nest (mean clutch size)

25 to 172 eggs

83% nesting success; 84% hatchling success

56 days average incubation period

ITP and HCP

Partnering Agencies

2014 Summary

Daytime Events

Other Reporting

Standard Monitoring Plan

Sea Turtle Nesting – Green (Chelonia mydas): 28 nests

14 false crawls

22 hatched

2,109 hatchlings

75 eggs/nest (mean clutch size)

66 to 154 eggs

81% nesting success

90% hatchling success

56 days average incubation period

Photo credit: Dave Macri

ITP and HCP

Partnering Agencies

2014 Summary

Daytime Events

Other Reporting

Standard Monitoring Plan

Sea Turtle Nesting – Leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea): 6 nests

0 false crawls

5 hatched

187 hatchlings

0 clutch not found

73 eggs/nest (mean clutch size)

27 to 108 eggs

56% nesting success

46% hatchling success

84 days average incubation period

ITP and HCP

Partnering Agencies

2014 Summary

Daytime Events

Other Reporting

Standard Monitoring Plan

Sea Turtle Nesting- All species:

1 0 2

4

23

35

40 37

55

38

52

46

41

31 29

10

14

9

1 4

1 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

55

60

4/20

- 4/

26

4/27

- 5/

3

5/4

- 5/1

0

5/11

- 5/

17

5/18

- 5/

24

5/25

- 5/

31

6/1

- 6/7

6/8

- 6/1

4

6/15

- 6/

21

6/22

- 6/

28

6/29

- 7/

5

7/6

- 7/1

2

7/13

- 7/

19

7/20

- 7/

26

7/27

- 8/

2

8/3

- 8/0

9

8/10

- 8/

16

8/17

- 8/

23

8/24

- 8/

30

8/31

- 9/

6

9/7

- 9/1

3

9/14

- 9/

20

9/21

- 9/

27

9/28

- 10

/4

10/5

- 10

/11

10/1

2 - 1

0/18

10/1

9 - 1

0/25

10/2

6 - 1

1/1

Week

2014 Weekly Nesting Totals

# of

Nes

ts

ITP and HCP

Partnering Agencies

2014 Summary

Daytime Events

Other Reporting

Standard Monitoring Plan

Sea Turtle Nesting- All species:

109

133

78

45

22 20 20

49

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

Pont

e Ve

dra

*GTM

NER

R

Sout

h Po

nte

Vedr

a

Vila

no-N

orth

Bea

ch

**An

asta

sia S

.P.

St. A

ugus

tine

Mat

anza

s N

orth

Sum

mer

Hav

en

Permit Holder Zone

2014 St. Johns County Nesting Density

# Sea Turtle Nests

Poly. (# Sea Turtle Nests)

Beach Lighting - Land Development Code Article IV Section 4.01.09: Promotes new lighting technology

Reduces incandescent (yellow bug lights) wattage to 25

Requires the use of amber and red LED bulbs

Requires consultation from Beach Lighting Officer prior to purchase and installation of fixtures

Nighttime survey is required before applicant can receive Certificate of Occupancy

616 AOVs, 20 Inspections

Nathan Otter, Beach Lighting Officer, 904-209-0323, notter@sjcfl.us

ITP and HCP

Partnering Agencies

2014 Summary

Daytime Events

Other Reporting

Standard Monitoring Plan

ITP and HCP

Partnering Agencies

2014 Summary

Daytime Events

Other Reporting

Standard Monitoring Plan

Disorientations: 13 disorientations (38% decrease from 2013)

5 reports – valid lighting violation

Timely reporting is critical

15.4%

15.4%

15.4% 38.5%

15.4%

Disorientation Percentages by Beach Zone

Duval - Corona Rd.

Corona - Sawgrass

Nease Park - STA Inlet

Pope - Crescent

Crescent - Ft. Matanzas

ITP and HCP

Partnering Agencies

2014 Summary

Daytime Events

Other Reporting

Standard Monitoring Plan

Hatchling tracks traveling West Disorientations:

ITP and HCP

Partnering Agencies

2014 Summary

Daytime Events

Other Reporting

Standard Monitoring Plan

Law Enforcement:

2014 Law Enforcement Activity By Beach

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

Ponte Ved

ra

North B

each

Vilano

Bea

ch

St. Aug

ustin

e Bea

ch

South B

each

Summerha

ven B

each

Not Indic

ated

*Total: VW, WW, CC

DAYTIME EVENTS Nesting and hatching

Nesting Attempt/Event County notifies PPH ↔ PPH notifies County. Volunteers, County staff and Law Enforcement requested to stand by. Assist with crowd control – maintaining a 30 foot distance. Cone off driving lanes and provide traffic control.

Sea turtle patrol responsible for marking crawl.

Hatching Event County notifies PPH ↔ PPH notifies County. If sand is “hot to touch” hatchlings are recovered and placed in safe bins. Volunteers, County staff and Law Enforcement requested to stand by. Assist with crowd control – maintaining a 30 foot distance. Cone off driving lanes and traffic control.

ITP and HCP

Partnering Agencies

2014 Summary

Daytime Events

Other Reporting

Standard Monitoring Plan

OTHER REPORTING Beach Services, SJSO Beach Patrol, CSAB Police, FWC

Sheriff’s Department

904-824-8304

Fish Kill Hotline 1-800-636-0511

http://research.myfwc.com/fishkill/submit.asp

HCP Violations 904-209-0331 x7

beachservices@sjcfl.us

Wildlife Violations 1-888-404-3922

Marine Mammals 1-888-404-3922

ITP and HCP

Partnering Agencies

2014 Summary

Daytime Events

Other Reporting

Standard Monitoring Plan

STANDARD MONITORING PLAN Purpose, general procedures, vehicle operation, data management, nest monitoring

ITP and HCP

Partnering Agencies

2014 Summary

Daytime Events

Other Reporting

Standard Monitoring Plan

Introduction: All reporting and monitoring information can be found at:

http://www.sjcfl.us/HCP/Volunteer.aspx

All procedures conform to current or future Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Marine Turtle Conservation Guidelines and can be found at: http://www.myfwc.com/seaturtle/Guidelines/Guidelines.PDF.

ITP and HCP

Partnering Agencies

2014 Summary

Daytime Events

Other Reporting

Standard Monitoring Plan

Purpose: To provide standarized guidance to sea turtle monitoring personnel involved in the surveying

and reporting of nesting and hatching activities within the coastal beaches of St. Johns County.

Marine Turtle Permit Holders (MTPs) are authorized by FWC to coordinate sea turtle monitoring according to FWC guidelines.

Sea turtle monitoring personnel are defined as those authorized by FWC under its marine turtle permit program.

Required Authorizations and Display Format: Monitoring personnel are authorized by FWC to conduct marine turtle monitoring. Personnel authorized to conduct sea turtle monitoring must paricipate in HCP training. Operation of motorized vehicle as part of authorized work must obtain appropriate

beach driving and parking permits from SJC staff after training. Permits must be placed on dashboard of vehicle for the purpose of parking on beach

and within County of Right of Way. All-Terrain Vehicles being used for patrol, permits must be stored within interior compartments of equipment.

While conducting official duties display the organizations name and/or logo in an obvious location on vehicle or clothing.

ITP and HCP

Partnering Agencies

2014 Summary

Daytime Events

Other Reporting

Standard Monitoring Plan

Vehicle Operation: Prior to beach gate openings vehicles should be driven below the high tide line.

During regular beach driving hours comply with directions of travel. Obey speed limit of 10 miles per hour. Maintain a 15’ buffer between dune vegetation and sea turtle nests. Operate vehicle on the seaward side of sea turtle nests. Avoid disturbing shorebirds and seabirds to the maximum extent possible. Avoid making sharp turns and leaving ruts. For the purpose of operating an ATV maintain tire pressure at less than 5 psi.

ITP and HCP

Partnering Agencies

2014 Summary

Daytime Events

Other Reporting

Standard Monitoring Plan

Data Management: SJC HCP nesting data sheets record the following information: Survey date, nest id#, species, observer, FWC survey beach name, type of crawl (nest

or false crawl), GPS coordinates (dd.dddd format), descriptive location, nest or apex of crawl, obstacles encountered, relocation data, horse interactions, predator and human interactions, and reproductive success for a represantitive sample of marked nests as coordinated with FWC.

Daily nesting data can be recorded through the online reporting system, using the smartphone application, or submit summary in digital format.

Daily nesting data is reported by MTP weekly to St. Johns County. Daily/weekly data includes survey date, nest id#, species, observer, survey beach

name, type of crawl, GPS coordinates (dd.dddd format), and descriptive location.

All supporting materials can be found at: http://www.sjcfl.us/HCP/Volunteer.aspx

ITP and HCP

Partnering Agencies

2014 Summary

Daytime Events

Other Reporting

Standard Monitoring Plan

ITP and HCP

Partnering Agencies

2014 Summary

Daytime Events

Other Reporting

Standard Monitoring Plan

Data Management (SJC HCP Nesting Data Sheets):

ITP and HCP

Partnering Agencies

2014 Summary

Daytime Events

Other Reporting

Standard Monitoring Plan

Data Management (Online nesting data program):

ITP and HCP

Partnering Agencies

2014 Summary

Daytime Events

Other Reporting

Standard Monitoring Plan

Data Management (Rut removal): To ensure timely rut removal, MTPs shall

report scheduled events such as the date of evaluation, or the date in which the stakes are scheduled to be removed to St. Johns County no later than the morning of the event.

If removal of stakes and/or evaluation occurs unexpectedly, MTPs shall report the event to St. Johns County no later than morning after event.

Rut removal reporting, questions, and/or concerns can be coordinated through your MTP and/or by calling 904-209-0331 x7.

All supporting materials can be found at: http://www.sjcfl.us/HCP/Volunteer.aspx

ITP and HCP

Partnering Agencies

2014 Summary

Daytime Events

Other Reporting

Standard Monitoring Plan

Data Management (Disorientations): Disorientation events shall be reported on day of observed event to St.

Johns County and to the State using the FWC disorientation form: Report to SJC: notter@sjcfl.us and 904-209-0323 Report to FWC: Seaturtlelighting@myfwc.com

All supporting materials can be found at: http://www.sjcfl.us/HCP/Volunteer.aspx

ITP and HCP

Partnering Agencies

2014 Summary

Daytime Events

Other Reporting

Standard Monitoring Plan

Nest Monitoring: All nests in St. Johns County are marked with bright flagging tape and FWC –

issued yellow placard High Use (beach driving and horseback riding): 4 wooden stakes Medium to Low Use (horseback riding and pedestrian beaches): 3 wooden stakes Nest ID markings include: Date (when nest was first observed), nest number, and species code (i.e.

Loggerhead = Cc, Green = Cm, and Leatherback = Dc)

All supporting materials can be found at: http://www.sjcfl.us/HCP/Volunteer.aspx

ITP and HCP

Partnering Agencies

2014 Summary

Daytime Events

Other Reporting

Standard Monitoring Plan

3 stake method

4 stake method

ITP and HCP

Partnering Agencies

2014 Summary

Daytime Events

Other Reporting

Standard Monitoring Plan

Nest Monitoring (Driving beaches): Daily nesting surveys are completed by 8:00 am between May 1 and September 30 (or

after last nest has emerged). If survey is not complete by 8:00 am contact your MTP. St. Johns County needs to be

notified no later than 7:45 am so the opening of beach gates can be delayed. St. Johns County will apply reflective numbers to nest stakes where routine rut removal

procedures occur. If nests are located in driving lane notify MTP so that further protection of nests can be

installed with the use of bright green traffic cones. MTP and St. Johns County will coordinate if assistance is needed.

All supporting materials can be found at: http://www.sjcfl.us/HCP/Volunteer.aspx

ITP and HCP

Partnering Agencies

2014 Summary

Daytime Events

Other Reporting

Standard Monitoring Plan

Nest Monitoring (Driving beaches):

ITP and HCP

Partnering Agencies

2014 Summary

Daytime Events

Other Reporting

Standard Monitoring Plan

Nest Monitoring (Non-Driving beaches): Daily nesting surveys are completed by 9:00 am each morning between May 1 and September 30 (or

after last nest has emerged)

All supporting materials can be found at: http://www.sjcfl.us/HCP/Volunteer.aspx

ITP and HCP

Partnering Agencies

2014 Summary

Daytime Events

Other Reporting

Standard Monitoring Plan

Nest Monitoring (Special Events): Special event applications will be coordinated through St. Johns County. Special event requests will be coordinated with MTP by St. Johns County. During large events St. Johns County staff will be on site to ensure special event permit compliance.

All supporting materials can be found at: http://www.sjcfl.us/HCP/Volunteer.aspx

WE SINCERELY APPRECIATE YOU!!! “The sea turtle mirrors the health of our planet and the struggle for survival for these ancient

creatures is in our own hands.” ~Veronica S. Schweitzer