The objective of the Palm Beach County Manatee Protection Plan (MPP) is to
improve overall protection for manatees while ensuring adequate public access
to County waterways. Its primary goal is to establish guidelines and policies
that direct new (or expanded) boating facilities to areas posing the least risk
to manatees and away from areas of relatively high risk. Other goals include
protecting manatee habitat, promoting boating safety, and increasing public
awareness of the need to protect manatees and their habitat. The Palm Beach
County MPP relies heavily on education and enforcement as a means of protecting
manatees within the County and mitigating for the effects of new boat slips.
The plan covers all estuarine waters and the portion of Lake Okeechobee within
Palm Beach County.
June 20, 2006: Draft Manatee Protection Plan approved
by
Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners
July 12, 2007 Revised MPP approved by
Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission
August 21, 2007 Revised MPP approved by
Board of County Commissioners
FWC Approved
Palm Beach County Manatee Protection Plan
Palm Beach County
Manatee Protection Plan Update & Meeting Schedule
| May 18, 2004 |
Florida Atlantic University (FAU) Catanese Center for Urban
& Environmental Solutions awarded contract for Palm Beach County Manatee
Protection Plan |
| June 9, 2004 |
Agency Orientation Meeting |
| July 9, 2004 |
Manatee Forum I, St. Petersburg |
| October 13, 2004 |
Key Stakeholder Meetings |
| October 20, 2004 |
SE Florida Manatee Awareness Group Meeting
Okeeheelee Park Nature Center |
| November 9, 2004 |
Manatee Forum in Orlando |
| December 16, 2004 |
Palm Beach County Manatee Protection Plan
Public Orientation Meeting and League of Cities Environmental Subcommittee
|
| January 2005 |
Deliver First Draft MPP to ERM for Review |
| January 5, 2005 |
Waterway tour with marine industry reps and FWC |
| January 12, 2005 |
PBC, MPP Overview - League of Cities Board, West Palm Beach |
| January 26, 2005 |
PBC, MPP Overview - League of Cities Board, General Membership, Delray
Beach |
| March 2005 |
Waterway tour with consultant, FWC and USFWS; MPP briefings-Environmental
Constituency Group; MPP/Waterfront Access Bond coordination meeting. |
| April-June 2005 |
Incorporate 1st Review Comments into 2nd Draft |
| April 2005 |
MPP briefing-Boca Raton Marine Advisory Group and Countywide Coastal Council;
MPP/Waterfront Access Bond coordination meeting; Manatee Awareness Group
meeting. |
| July 28, 2005 |
Present 2nd Draft at PBC League of Cities Environmental Subcommittee Meeting. |
| July 2005 |
Send 2nd Draft to FWC and USFWS for Review |
August 16, 2005
7-9 p.m. |
Public meeting to present 2nd Draft to stakeholders at 3323 Belvedere
Road, Bldg. 509, West Palm Beach, FL 33406. |
| August 24, 2005 |
PBC League of Cities General Membership Meeting |
| September 9, 2005 |
Deadline for written comments. |
| November 11, 2005 |
Review methodology with FWC/USFWS. |
| December 12, 2005 |
Meet with Riviera Beach CRA. |
| November 2005 to March 2006 |
Prepare 3rd Draft to Address Issues Raised by Agencies and Stakeholders
|
March 28, 2006
9:30 a.m. |
BCC Workshop - Status Report |
| May 8, 2006 |
Release 3rd Draft for Public Review and Comment |
May 24, 2006
7-9 p.m. |
Public meeting to present 3rd Draft to stakeholders. |
| May-June 2006 |
Prepare 4th draft to address substantive issues raised during public meeting. |
| June 2, 2006 |
Deadline for written comments |
| June 20, 2006 |
Present 4th Draft to PBC BCC for County approval. |
| June 2006 |
Submit approved plan to FWC/USFWS for agency approval. |
| July 12, 2007 |
FWC approval. |
| August 21, 2007 |
PBC Board of County Commissioners approves Final MPP. |
Municipalities are encouraged to adopt the plan as part of their Comprehensive
Land Use Plans.
Coastal Resources
