Florida Burrowing Owl Guidelines to be Revised
On August 2 , 2023 , the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission solicited input from stakeholders on draft revisions to the Conservation Measures and Permitting Guidelines for the Florida Burrowing Owl which make the guidelines more stringent and which increase mitigation requirements for impacts to owl foraging habitat , which term is also being expanded to include virtually every type of lowgrowing vegetation , including golf courses , wetlands , ball fields , etc .
Yes , FWC has promulgated guidelines that will require you to write them a check if you redevelop a golf course , grass parking lot , or other already-developed land that burrowing owls may use to find food ! FWC had three webinars on the draft revisions and has put them on a fast track for finalization . Comments were due August 31 , although extensions have been requested due to Hurricane Idalia . The draft changes are expected to be presented to the Commission for adoption at its December 2023 meeting . For a link to the draft revisions , click here .
OCTOBER 2023 • DITCHMEN 13