st. johns county beaches...with the itp, it allows for the continued practices of diverse beach user...
TRANSCRIPT
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, [email protected]
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
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: [email protected] and 904-209-0323 Report to FWC: [email protected]
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