[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 57 (Monday, March 25, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 18000-18082]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-06458]
[[Page 17999]]
Vol. 78
Monday,
No. 57
March 25, 2013
Part II
Department of the Interior
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Fish and Wildlife Service
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50 CFR Part 17
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Designation of Critical
Habitat for the Northwest Atlantic Ocean Distinct Population Segment of
the Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta); Proposed Rule
Federal Register / Vol. 78 , No. 57 / Monday, March 25, 2013 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 18000]]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
50 CFR Part 17
[FWS-R4-ES-2012-0103; 4500030114]
RIN 1018-AY71
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Designation of
Critical Habitat for the Northwest Atlantic Ocean Distinct Population
Segment of the Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta)
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Proposed rule.
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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, propose to designate
specific areas in the terrestrial environment as critical habitat for
the Northwest Atlantic Ocean Distinct Population Segment of the
loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) under the Endangered Species
Act (Act). The proposed critical habitat is located in coastal counties
in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, and
Mississippi. The intended effect of this regulation is to assist with
the conservation of the loggerhead sea turtle's habitat under the Act.
DATES: We will accept comments received or postmarked on or before May
24, 2013. Comments submitted electronically using the Federal
eRulemaking Portal (see ADDRESSES section, below) must be received by
11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the closing date. We must receive requests
for public hearings, in writing, at the address shown in ADDRESSES by
May 9, 2013.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by one of the following methods:
(1) Electronically: Go to the Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. In the Search box, enter Docket No. FWS-R4-ES-
2012-0103, which is the docket number for this rulemaking. Then, in the
Search panel on the left side of the screen, under the Document Type
heading, click on the Proposed Rules link to locate this document. You
may submit a comment by clicking on ``Comment Now!''
(2) By hard copy: Submit by U.S. mail or hand-delivery to: Public
Comments Processing, Attn: FWS-R4-ES-2012-0103; Division of Policy and
Directives Management; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 4401 N. Fairfax
Drive, MS 2042-PDM; Arlington, VA 22203.
We request that you send comments only by the methods described
above. We will post all comments on http://www.regulations.gov. This
generally means that we will post any personal information you provide
us (see the Information Requested section below for more information).
The coordinates or plot points or both from which the maps are
generated are included in the supporting record for this critical
habitat designation and are available at http://www.fws.gov/northflorida, http://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS-R4-ES-2012-
0103, and at the North Florida Ecological Services Office (see FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). Any additional tools or supporting
information that we may develop for this critical habitat designation
will also be available at the Fish and Wildlife Service Web site and
Field Office set out above, and may also be included in the preamble
and/or at http://www.regulations.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dawn P. Jennings, Deputy Field
Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, North Florida Ecological
Services Office, 7915 Baymeadows Way, Suite 200, Jacksonville, FL
32256; telephone 904-731-3336. If you use a telecommunications device
for the deaf (TDD), call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS)
at 800-877-8339.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Executive Summary
Why we need to publish a rule. Under the Endangered Species Act
(Act), critical habitat must be designated for any endangered or
threatened species, to the maximum extent prudent and determinable.
Designations of critical habitat can only be completed through
rulemaking. This is a proposed rule by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service (USFWS) to designate specific areas in the terrestrial
environment as critical habitat for the Northwest Atlantic Ocean
Distinct Population Segment (DPS) of the loggerhead sea turtle. The
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is reviewing specific areas in
the marine environment as potential critical habitat for the DPS and,
consistent with their distinct authority with respect to such areas,
may propose to designate such areas in a separate rulemaking. A
critical habitat designation does not signal that habitat outside the
designated area is unimportant or may not be needed for recovery of the
species. Areas that are important to the conservation of the species,
both inside and outside the critical habitat designation, may continue
to be the subject of conservation actions implemented under section
7(a)(1) of the Act, and the species in those areas are subject to the
regulatory protections afforded by the requirement in section 7(a)(2)
of the Act for Federal agencies to ensure their actions are not likely
to jeopardize the continued existence of any endangered or threatened
species, and section 9 of the Act's prohibitions on taking any
individual of the species, including taking caused by actions that
affect habitat.
The purpose of this rule. We are proposing to designate specific
areas in the terrestrial environment as critical habitat for the
Northwest Atlantic Ocean DPS of the loggerhead sea turtle.
The basis for our action. Section 4(b)(2) of the Act states that
the Secretary shall designate and make revisions to critical habitat on
the basis of the best available scientific data after taking into
consideration the economic impact, national security impact, and any
other relevant impact of specifying any particular area as critical
habitat. The Secretary may exclude a particular area from critical
habitat if he determines that the benefits of such exclusion outweigh
the benefits of specifying such area as part of the critical habitat,
unless he determines, based on the best scientific data available, that
the failure to designate such area as critical habitat will result in
the extinction of the species.
Description of Proposed Critical Habitat
In total, 1,189.9 kilometers (km) (739.3 miles) of
loggerhead sea turtle nesting beaches are being proposed for
designation as critical habitat in the States of North Carolina, South
Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, and Mississippi. These beaches
account for 48 percent of an estimated 2,464 km (1,531 miles) of
coastal beach shoreline, and account for approximately 84 percent of
the documented nesting (numbers of nests) within these six States. The
proposed critical habitat is located in Brunswick, Carteret, New
Hanover, Onslow, and Pender Counties, North Carolina; Beaufort,
Charleston, Colleton, and Georgetown Counties, South Carolina; Camden,
Chatham, Liberty, and McIntosh Counties, Georgia; Bay, Brevard,
Broward, Charlotte, Collier, Duval, Escambia, Flagler, Franklin Gulf,
Indian River, Lee, Manatee, Martin, Monroe, Palm Beach, Sarasota, St.
Johns, St. Lucie, and Volusia Counties, Florida; Baldwin County,
Alabama; and Jackson County, Mississippi.
The proposed critical habitat has been identified by the
recovery unit in which they are located. Recovery units are management
subunits of a listed entity that are geographically or otherwise
identifiable and essential to
[[Page 18001]]
the recovery of the listed entity. Within the United States, four
recovery units have been identified for the Northwest Atlantic
population of the loggerhead sea turtle. The four recovery units for
which we propose to designate terrestrial critical habitat are the
Northern Recovery Unit, Peninsular Florida Recovery Unit, Dry Tortugas
Recovery Unit, and Northern Gulf of Mexico Recovery Unit.
For the Northern Recovery Unit, we propose to designate
393.7 km (244.7 miles) of Atlantic Ocean shoreline in North Carolina,
South Carolina, and Georgia, encompassing approximately 86 percent of
the documented nesting (numbers of nests) within the recovery unit. For
the Peninsular Florida Recovery Unit, we propose to designate 364.9 km
(226.7 miles) of Atlantic Ocean shoreline and 198.8 km (123.5 miles) of
Gulf of Mexico shoreline totaling 563.7 km (350.2 miles) of shoreline
in Florida, encompassing approximately 87 percent of the documented
nesting (numbers of nests) within the recovery unit. For the Dry
Tortugas Recovery Unit, we propose to designate 14.5 km (9.0 miles) of
Gulf of Mexico shoreline in Florida, encompassing 100 percent of the
nesting (numbers of nests) where loggerhead nesting is known to occur
within the recovery unit. For the Northern Gulf of Mexico Recovery
Unit, we propose to designate 218.0 km (135.5 miles) of Gulf of Mexico
shoreline in Mississippi, Alabama, and the Florida Panhandle,
encompassing approximately 75 percent of the documented nesting
(numbers of nests) within the recovery unit. We do not propose to
designate any critical habitat in Virginia, Louisiana, and Texas
because of the very low number of nests (less than 10 annually in each
State from 2002 to 2011) known to be laid in these States.
The proposed designation includes occupied critical
habitat that contains the physical and biological features essential to
the conservation of the species in the terrestrial environment. No
unoccupied habitat is being proposed as critical habitat.
We are exempting the following Department of Defense
installations from critical habitat designation because their
Integrated Natural Resources Management Plans (INRMPs) incorporate
measures that provide a benefit for the conservation of the loggerhead
sea turtle: Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune (Onslow Beach), Cape
Canaveral Air Force Station, Patrick Air Force Base, and Eglin Air
Force Base (Cape San Blas).
Under section 4(b)(2) of the Act, we are considering
excluding from critical habitat designation areas in St. Johns,
Volusia, and Indian River Counties, Florida, that are covered under
habitat conservation plans (HCP), because the HCPs incorporate measures
that provide a benefit for the conservation of the loggerhead sea
turtle.
We are not considering for exclusion any additional areas
from critical habitat based on economic, national security, or other
relevant impacts at this time. However, we are seeking comments on
economic, national security, and other relevant impacts, and may decide
to exclude additional areas from the final rule based on information
received during the public comment period.
Nesting loggerhead turtles, their nests, eggs, and
hatchlings, as well as any of their nesting habitat not designated as
critical habitat, are still protected under the Act via section 7 where
they may be the subject of conservation actions and regulatory
protection ensuring Federal agency actions do not jeopardize their
continued existence and section 9 that prohibits the taking of any
individual of a species, including taking caused by actions that affect
its habitat.
We are preparing an economic analysis of the proposed designations
of terrestrial critical habitat. In order to consider economic impacts,
we are preparing an economic analysis of the proposed critical habitat
designation. We will announce the availability of the draft economic
analysis as soon as it is completed, at which time we will seek
additional public review and comment.
We will seek peer review during public comment. As part of the
public notice, we are seeking comments from independent specialists to
ensure that our proposal to designate critical habitat is based on
scientifically sound data and analyses. We have invited these peer
reviewers to comment on our specific assumptions and conclusions in
this critical habitat proposal. Because we will consider all comments
and information received during the comment period, our final
determinations may differ from this proposal.
Information Requested
We intend that any final action resulting from this proposed rule
will be based on the best scientific data available and be as accurate
and as effective as possible. Therefore, we request comments or
information from other concerned government agencies, the scientific
community, industry, or any other interested party concerning this
proposed rule. We particularly seek comments concerning:
(1) The reasons whether it would or would not be prudent to
designate habitat as ``critical habitat'' under section 4 of the Act,
including whether there are threats to the species from human activity,
the degree of which can be expected to increase due to the designation,
and whether that increase in threat outweighs the benefit of
designation such that the designation of critical habitat may not be
prudent.
(2) Specific information on:
(a) The amount and distribution of loggerhead sea turtle
terrestrial habitat,
(b) Which areas, that were occupied at the time of listing (or are
currently occupied) and that contain features essential to the
conservation of the species, should be included in the designation and
why,
(c) Special management considerations or protection that may be
needed for the nesting beach habitat in critical habitat areas we are
proposing, including managing for the potential effects of climate
change, and
(d) Which areas not occupied at the time of listing are essential
for the conservation of the species and why.
(3) Land use designations and current or planned activities in the
subject areas and their possible impacts on proposed critical habitat.
(4) Information on the projected and reasonably likely impacts of
climate change on the loggerhead sea turtle and proposed terrestrial
critical habitat.
(5) Any probable economic, national security, or other relevant
impacts of designating any area that may be included in the final
designation; in particular, any impacts on small entities or families,
and the benefits of including or excluding areas that exhibit these
impacts.
(6) Whether any of the exemptions we are considering, under section
4(a)(3)(B) of the Act, of land on Department of Defense property at
Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune (Onslow Beach), Cape Canaveral Air Force
Station, Patrick Air Force Base, and Eglin Air Force Base (Cape San
Blas) are or are not appropriate, and why.
(7) Whether any of the areas we are considering for exclusion under
section 4(b)(2) of the Act in St. Johns, Volusia, and Indian River
Counties, Florida, because they are covered by an HCP that incorporates
measures that provide a benefit for the conservation of the loggerhead
sea turtle, are or are not appropriate, and why. The St. Johns County,
Florida, Habitat Conservation Plan (``A Plan for the Protection of Sea
Turtles and Anastasia Island Beach Mice on the Beaches of St. Johns
County, Florida'') is available at http://www.co.st-johns.fl.us/HCP/
[[Page 18002]]
HabitatConservation.aspx, the Volusia County, Florida, Habitat
Conservation Plan (``A Plan for the Protection of Sea Turtles on the
Beaches of Volusia County, Florida'') is available at http://www.volusia.org/core/fileparse.php/4145/urlt/VolusiaHCPDec2007small2.pdf, and the Indian River County, Florida,
Habitat Conservation Plan (``Habitat Conservation Plan for the
Protection of Sea Turtles on the Eroding Beaches of Indian River
County, Florida'') is available at http://www.ecological-associates.com/IRC-Final-HCP-July-2003.pdf.
(8) Whether we could improve or modify our approach to designating
critical habitat in any way to provide for greater public participation
and understanding, or to better accommodate public concerns and
comments.
You may submit your comments and materials concerning this proposed
rule by one of the methods listed in ADDRESSES. We request that you
send comments only by the methods described in the ADDRESSES section.
We will post your entire comment--including your personal
identifying information--on http://www.regulations.gov. You may request
at the top of your document that we withhold personal information such
as your street address, phone number, or email address from public
review; however, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.
Comments and materials we receive, as well as supporting
documentation we used in preparing this proposed rule, will be
available for public inspection on http://www.regulations.gov, or by
appointment, during normal business hours, at the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, North Florida Ecological Services Office (see FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).
Previous Federal Actions
The loggerhead sea turtle was originally listed worldwide under the
Act as a threatened species on July 28, 1978 (43 FR 32800). No critical
habitat was designated for the loggerhead at that time. Pursuant to a
joint memorandum of understanding, USFWS has jurisdiction over sea
turtles in the terrestrial environment and NMFS has jurisdiction over
sea turtles in the marine environment. On July 16, 2007, USFWS and NMFS
(collectively the Services) received a petition to list the North
Pacific populations of the loggerhead sea turtle as an endangered
species under the Act. NMFS published a notice in the Federal Register
on November 16, 2007 (72 FR 64585), concluding that the petition
presented substantial scientific information indicating that the
petitioned action may be warranted. On November 15, 2007, we received a
petition to list the Western North Atlantic populations of the
loggerhead sea turtle as an endangered species under the Act. NMFS
published a notice in the Federal Register on March 5, 2008 (73 FR
11849), concluding that the petition presented substantial scientific
information indicating that the petitioned action may be warranted.
On March 12, 2009, the petitioners (Center for Biological Diversity
(CBD), Turtle Island Restoration Network, and Oceana) sent a 60-day
notice of intent to sue to USFWS and NMFS for failure to make 12-month
findings on the petitions by the statutory deadlines (July 16, 2008,
for the North Pacific petition and November 16, 2008, for the Northwest
Atlantic petition). On May 28, 2009, the petitioners filed a Complaint
for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief to compel the Services to
complete the 12-month findings. On October 8, 2009, the petitioners and
the Services reached a settlement in which the Services agreed to
submit to the Federal Register a 12-month finding on the two petitions
on or before February 19, 2010. On February 16, 2010, the United States
District Court for the Northern District of California modified the
February 19, 2010, deadline to March 8, 2010.
On March 16, 2010 (75 FR 12598), the Services published in the
Federal Register combined 12-month findings on the petitions to list
the North Pacific populations and the Northwest Atlantic populations of
the loggerhead sea turtle as endangered DPSs, along with a proposed
rule to designate nine loggerhead sea turtle DPSs worldwide and to list
two of the DPSs as threatened species and seven as endangered species.
On March 22, 2011 (76 FR 15932), the Services published in the
Federal Register a notice announcing a 6-month extension of the
deadline for a final listing decision to address substantial
disagreement on the interpretation of data related to the status and
trends for the Northwest Atlantic Ocean DPS of the loggerhead sea
turtle and its relevance to the assessment of risk of extinction.
On September 22, 2011 (76 FR 58868), the Services jointly published
a final rule revising the loggerhead's listing from a single worldwide
threatened species to nine DPSs listed as either endangered or
threatened species (50 CFR 17.11(h)). At that time, we lacked the
comprehensive data and information necessary to identify and describe
physical and biological features of the terrestrial and marine habitats
of the loggerhead and found critical habitat to be ``not
determinable.'' However, we stated that we would later propose to
designate critical habitat for the two DPSs (Northwest Atlantic Ocean
and North Pacific Ocean) in which loggerheads occur within the United
States' jurisdiction. USFWS has jurisdiction over sea turtles on the
land, and loggerheads come on land only to nest; therefore, the only
terrestrial habitat they use is for nesting. Since no loggerhead
nesting occurs within U.S. jurisdiction for the North Pacific Ocean
DPS, no critical habitat is being proposed for that DPS in the
terrestrial environment. Because critical habitat can only be
designated in areas under U.S. jurisdiction (50 CFR 424.12(h)) and
because loggerhead sea turtle nesting in the United States occurs only
within the Northwest Atlantic Ocean DPS, we are only proposing to
designate specific areas in the terrestrial environment as critical
habitat for this one DPS. The petitioners filed a notice of intent to
sue on October 11, 2012, and a complaint for declaratory and injunctive
relief on January 8, 2013, to both USFWS and NMFS for failure to
designate critical habitat.
Background
It is our intent to discuss only those topics directly relevant to
the designation of terrestrial critical habitat for the loggerhead sea
turtle in this proposed rule. For more information on the taxonomy,
biology, and ecology of the loggerhead sea turtle, refer to the final
listing rule published in the Federal Register on September 22, 2011
(76 FR 58868), and the Recovery Plan for the Northwest Atlantic
Population of the Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta) finalized on
December 31, 2008 (NMFS and USFWS 2008, entire), which are available
from the North Florida Ecological Services Office (see FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT).
Species Description
The loggerhead sea turtle belongs to the family Cheloniidae along
with all other sea turtle species except the leatherback (Dermochelys
coriacea). The genus Caretta is monotypic (one representative in the
group). The loggerhead sea turtle is characterized by a large head with
blunt jaws. The carapace (shell) of adult and juvenile loggerheads is
reddish-brown. Dorsal (top) and lateral (side) head scales and dorsal
scales of the flippers are also reddish-brown, but with light to medium
yellow margins. Mean straight carapace length (SCL) of nesting females
[[Page 18003]]
in the southeastern United States, the location where the vast majority
of loggerheads nest in the United States, is approximately 92
centimeters (cm) (36 inches (in)); corresponding weight is
approximately 116 kilograms (kg) (256 pounds (lb)) (Ehrhart and Yoder
1978, p. 29). Hatchlings vary from light to dark brown to dark gray
dorsally and lack the reddish-brown coloration of adults and juveniles.
Flippers are dark gray to brown above with distinct white margins. At
emergence, hatchlings average 45 millimeters (mm) (1.8 in) SCL and
weigh approximately 20 grams (g) (0.7 ounces (oz)) (Dodd 1988, pp. 50,
52).
Life History and Habitat
Loggerheads are long-lived, slow-growing animals that use multiple
habitats across entire ocean basins throughout their life history. This
complex life history encompasses terrestrial, nearshore, and open ocean
habitats. The three basic ecosystems in which loggerheads live are the
following:
1. Terrestrial zone (supralittoral [area above the spring high tide
line that is regularly splashed, but not submerged by ocean water])--
the nesting beach where both oviposition (egg laying) and embryonic
development and hatching occur.
2. Neritic zone--the nearshore marine environment (from the surface
to the sea floor) where water depths do not exceed 200 meters (m) (656
feet (ft)). The neritic zone generally includes the continental shelf
(the sea bed surrounding a continent), but in areas where the
continental shelf is very narrow or nonexistent, the neritic zone
conventionally extends from the shore to areas where water depths reach
200 m (656 ft).
3. Oceanic zone--the vast open ocean environment (from the surface
to the sea floor) where water depths are greater than 200 m (656 ft).
The loggerhead occurs throughout the temperate and tropical regions
of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans (Dodd 1988, p. 16).
However, the majority of loggerhead nesting is at the western rims of
the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. The most recent reviews show that only
two loggerhead nesting aggregations have greater than 10,000 females
nesting per year: Peninsular Florida, United States, and Masirah
Island, Oman (Baldwin et al. 2003, p. 219; Ehrhart et al. 2003, p. 169;
Kamezaki et al. 2003, pp. 213-214; Limpus and Limpus, 2003, p. 200;
Margaritoulis et al. 2003, p. 177). Thus, loggerhead nesting within the
Peninsular Florida Recovery Unit of the Northwest Atlantic Ocean DPS is
significant for the conservation of loggerheads worldwide. From a
global perspective, this U.S. nesting aggregation is of paramount
importance to the survival of the species as is the population that
nests on islands in the Arabian Sea off Oman. The loggerhead nesting
aggregations in Oman and the United States account for the majority of
nesting worldwide.
Nesting aggregations with 1,000 to 9,999 females nesting annually
include Georgia through North Carolina (United States), Quintana Roo
and Yucatan (Mexico), Brazil, Cape Verde Islands (Cape Verde), Western
Australia (Australia), and Japan. Smaller nesting aggregations with 100
to 999 nesting females annually occur in the Northern Gulf of Mexico
(United States), Dry Tortugas (United States), Cay Sal Bank (The
Bahamas), Tongaland (South Africa), Mozambique, Arabian Sea Coast
(Oman), Halaniyat Islands (Oman), Cyprus, Peloponnesus (Greece),
Zakynthos (Greece), Crete (Greece), Turkey, and Queensland (Australia)
(NMFS and USFWS 2008, p. I-3).
In the Northwest Atlantic, the majority of loggerhead nesting is
concentrated along the coast of the United States from North Carolina
through Mississippi, although a small amount of nesting also occurs
regularly in Virginia, Louisiana, Texas, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Additional nesting beaches are found along the eastern Mexico coast,
particularly the eastern Yucatan Peninsula coast; in The Bahamas; in
Cuba; and along the coasts of Central America, Colombia, Venezuela, and
some of the eastern Caribbean Islands (Addison and Morford 1996, pp.
32-35; Addison 1997, entire; Ehrhart et al. 2003, p. 160). As post-
hatchlings, Northwest Atlantic loggerheads use the North Atlantic Gyre
and enter Northeast Atlantic waters (Carr 1987, pp. 111-118). They are
also found in the Mediterranean Sea (Carreras et al. 2006, p. 1274;
Eckert et al. 2008, pp. 305-306). In these areas, they overlap with
other loggerheads originating from the Northeast Atlantic and the
Mediterranean Sea (Laurent et al. 1993, p. 1234; Bolten et al. 1998,
pp. 3-5; Laurent et al. 1998, pp. 1535-1537; LaCasella et al. 2005,
entire; Carreras et al. 2006, p. 1274; Monz[oacute]n-Arg[uuml]ello et
al. 2006, entire; Revelles et al. 2007, pp. 268-269; Eckert et al.
2008, pp. 305-306; Monz[oacute]n-Arg[uuml]ello et al. 2010, p. 1878).
Sea turtles spend the majority of their lives in the ocean.
However, they are intimately tied to the land where they must lay their
nests. Loggerheads nest on ocean beaches and occasionally on estuarine
shorelines. Sea turtle eggs require a high-humidity substrate that
allows for sufficient gas exchange and temperatures conducive to egg
development (Miller 1997, pp. 67-68; Miller et al. 2003, pp. 129-130).
Loggerhead nests incubate for variable periods of time depending on
sand temperatures (Mrosovsky and Yntema 1980, p. 272). Hatchlings
emerge from their nests en masse almost exclusively at night
(Hendrickson 1958, pp. 513-514; Mrosovsky 1968, entire; Witherington et
al. 1990, pp. 1166-1167; Moran et al. 1999, p. 260), although secondary
emergences from nests may occur on subsequent nights (Carr and Ogren
1960, p. 23; Witherington 1986, p. 36; Ernest and Martin 1993, pp.10-
11; Houghton and Hays 2001, p. 134). Hatchlings then use a progression
of seafinding orientation cues to guide their movement from the nest to
the marine environments where they spend their early years (Lohmann and
Lohmann 2003, entire).
In the Northwest Atlantic, the nesting season extends from about
late April through early September with nesting occurring primarily at
night. Clutch frequency for loggerheads has been reported as 3 to 5.5
nests per female per season (Murphy and Hopkins 1984, p. 10; Frazer and
Richardson 1985, p. 248; Hawkes et al. 2005, pp. 68, 70; Scott 2006,
pp. 51, 70; Tucker 2008, pers. comm.; L. Ehrhart, University of Central
Florida, unpublished data). Nests are laid at intervals of
approximately 12 to 15 days (Caldwell 1962, pp. 294-295; Dodd 1988, p.
36). Mean clutch size varies from about 100 to 126 eggs (Dodd 1988, p.
40). Egg incubation duration varies depending on time of year and
latitude but typically ranges from about 42 to 75 days (Dodd and
Mackinnon 2006, pp. 7, 19; Witherington 2006, pers. comm.; Dodd and
Mackinnon 2007, pp. 7, 17; Dodd and Mackinnon 2008, pp. 7, 17; Dodd and
Mackinnon 2009, p. 14; Dodd and Mackinnon 2010, p. 15; Dodd 2011, p.
15). Remigration intervals (number of years between successive nesting
migrations) typically range from 2.5 to 3.7 years (Richardson et al.
1978, pp. 40-42; Bjorndal et al. 1983, pp. 68-70; L. Ehrhart,
University of Central Florida, unpublished data). Age at sexual
maturity is believed to be about 32 to 35 years (NMFS and USFWS 2008,
pp. I-18, V-13).
Immediately after hatchlings emerge from the nest, they begin a
period of frenzied activity. During this active period, hatchlings move
from their nest to the surf, swim and are swept through the surf zone,
and continue swimming away from land for approximately 20 to 30 hours
(Carr and Ogren 1960, pp. 23-
[[Page 18004]]
24; Carr 1962, pp. 364-365; Carr 1982, p. 22; Wyneken and Salmon 1992,
p. 482; Witherington 1995, p. 154). Hatchlings swimming from land rely
on an approximately 5-day store of energy and nutrients within their
retained yolk sac (Kraemer and Bennett 1981, pp. 407-409). Orientation
cues used by hatchlings as they crawl, swim through the surf, and
migrate offshore are discussed in detail by Lohmann and Lohmann (2003,
entire) and include visual cues on the beach, wave orientation in the
nearshore, and later magnetic field orientation as they proceed further
toward open water.
Post-hatchling sea turtles are young turtles that have matured to
the point beyond the period of frenzied swimming (Wyneken and Salmon
1992, p. 478). Post-hatchling loggerheads are largely inactive, exhibit
infrequent low-energy swimming, and have begun to feed, no longer
relying on their retained yolk (Witherington 2002, p. 850). As post-
hatchlings, loggerheads are pelagic (spend time more at the surface
than sea bottom) and are best known from neritic waters along the
continental shelf. They often inhabit areas where surface waters
converge to form downwellings, which are associated with linear
accumulations of floating material like Sargassum (Witherington 2002,
p. 844). This neritic post-hatchling stage is weeks or months long and
may be a transition to the oceanic stage that loggerheads enter as they
grow and are carried by ocean currents (Witherington 2002, p. 850;
Bolten 2003, p. 65). Bolten (2003, p. 65) notes that the post-hatchling
transition stage occurs in the neritic environment, and ends when the
small turtles enter the oceanic zone.
The oceanic juvenile stage begins when loggerheads first enter the
oceanic zone (Bolten 2003, p. 66). Juvenile loggerheads originating
from nesting beaches in the Northwest Atlantic appear to use oceanic
developmental habitats and move with the predominant ocean gyres for
several years before returning to their neritic foraging and nesting
habitats (Musick and Limpus 1997, pp. 140-142; Bolten 2003, p. 66). The
presence of Sargassum is also important for the oceanic juvenile life
stage, as it offers a concentrated, protected foraging area, with
facilitated dispersal by the associated oceanic currents. Turtles in
this stage use active and passive movements relative to oceanic
currents and winds, with 75 percent of their time spent in the top 5 m
(16 ft) of the water column (Archie Carr Center for Sea Turtle
Research, unpublished data, as cited in NMFS and USFWS 2008, p. I-24).
The actual duration of the oceanic juvenile stage varies, with the
size of loggerheads leaving the oceanic zone varying widely (Bjorndal
et al. 2000, pp. 270-271). In the Atlantic, Bjorndal and colleagues
(Bjorndal et al. 2000, p. 270; Bjorndal et al. 2003, p. 1246) estimated
the duration of the oceanic juvenile stage to be between 7 and 11.5
years, with juveniles recruiting to neritic habitats in the western
Atlantic over a size range of 46-64 cm (18-25 in) CCL (Bolten et al.
1993, p. 50; Turtle Expert Working Group 2009, p. 2). However, Snover
(2002, p. 66) suggests a much longer oceanic juvenile stage duration
for Northwest Atlantic loggerheads with a range of 9-24 years and a
mean of 14.8 years over similar size classes.
The neritic juvenile stage begins when loggerheads exit the oceanic
zone and enter the neritic zone (Bolten 2003, p. 66). After migrating
to the neritic zone, juvenile loggerheads continue maturing until they
reach adulthood. Some juveniles may periodically move between neritic
and oceanic zones (Witzell 2002, p. 267; Bolten 2003, p. 66; Morreale
and Standora 2005, p. 874; Mansfield 2006, p. 124; McClellan and Read
2007, pp. 592-593; Eckert et al. 2008, p. 306).
The neritic zone also provides important foraging habitat,
internesting (between nest-laying events) habitat, breeding habitat,
overwintering habitat, and migratory habitat for adult loggerheads.
Some adults may also periodically move between neritic and oceanic
zones (Harrison and Bjorndal 2006, pp. 220-221). See Schroeder et al.
(2003, pp. 119-122) for a review of the neritic adult life stage for
the Atlantic Ocean.
The duration of the adult stage can be estimated for females from
tag return data at nesting beaches. For the Northwest Atlantic nesting
assemblages, data from Little Cumberland Island, Georgia, show
reproductive longevity, and hence duration of the adult female stage,
as long as 25 years (Dahlen et al. 2000, p. 62). This is likely an
underestimate of the average reproductive life span given tag loss and
incomplete surveys of nesting beaches at night. Comparable data for
adult males do not exist.
In both oceanic and neritic zones, loggerheads are primarily
carnivorous, although they do consume some plant matter as well (see
Bjorndal 1997, pp. 202-204, and Dodd 1988, pp. 60-66, for reviews).
Loggerheads feed on a wide variety of food items with ontogenetic
(developmental) and regional differences in diet. Loggerhead diets have
been described from just a few coastal regions, and little information
is available about differences or similarities in diet at various life
stages.
Recovery Units
Five recovery units (management subunits of a listed entity that
are geographically or otherwise identifiable and essential to the
recovery of the listed entity) have been identified for the Northwest
Atlantic population of the loggerhead sea turtle (NMFS and USFWS 2008,
pp. II-2-II-6). Four of these recovery units represent nesting
assemblages in the southeastern United States and were delineated based
on genetic differences and a combination of geographic distribution of
nesting densities, geographic separation, and geopolitical boundaries.
The fifth recovery unit includes all other nesting assemblages within
the Northwest Atlantic.
The five recovery units for Northwest Atlantic loggerheads are:
Northern Recovery Unit: The Northern Recovery Unit is defined as
loggerheads originating from nesting beaches from southern Virginia
(the northern extent of the U.S. nesting range) south through the
Florida-Georgia border.
Peninsular Florida Recovery Unit: The Peninsular Florida Recovery
Unit is defined as loggerheads originating from nesting beaches from
the Florida-Georgia border south through Pinellas County on the west
coast of Florida, excluding the islands west of Key West, Florida.
Dry Tortugas Recovery Unit: The Dry Tortugas Recovery Unit is
defined as loggerheads originating from nesting beaches throughout the
islands located west of Key West, Florida, because these islands are
geographically separated from other recovery units.
Northern Gulf of Mexico Recovery Unit: The Northern Gulf of Mexico
Recovery Unit is defined as loggerheads originating from nesting
beaches from Franklin County on the northwest Gulf coast of Florida
through Texas (the western extent of the U.S. nesting range).
Greater Caribbean Recovery Unit: The Greater Caribbean Recovery
Unit is composed of loggerheads originating from all other nesting
assemblages within the Greater Caribbean (Mexico through French Guiana,
The Bahamas, Lesser Antilles, and Greater Antilles).
Critical Habitat
Background
Critical habitat is defined in section 3 of the Act as:
(1) The specific areas within the geographical area occupied by the
species, at the time it is listed in
[[Page 18005]]
accordance with the Act, on which are found those physical or
biological features
(a) Essential to the conservation of the species and
(b) Which may require special management considerations or
protection; and
(2) Specific areas outside the geographical area occupied by the
species at the time it is listed, upon a determination that such areas
are essential for the conservation of the species.
Conservation, as defined under section 3 of the Act, means to use
and the use of all methods and procedures that are necessary to bring
an endangered or threatened species to the point at which the measures
provided pursuant to the Act are no longer necessary. Such methods and
procedures include, but are not limited to, all activities associated
with scientific resources management such as research, census, law
enforcement, habitat acquisition and maintenance, propagation, live
trapping, and transplantation, and, in the extraordinary case where
population pressures within a given ecosystem cannot be otherwise
relieved, may include regulated taking.
Critical habitat receives protection under section 7 of the Act
through the requirement that Federal agencies ensure, in consultation
with USFWS or NMFS, that any action they authorize, fund, or carry out
is not likely to result in the destruction or adverse modification of
critical habitat. The designation of critical habitat does not affect
land ownership or establish a refuge, wilderness, reserve, preserve, or
other conservation area. Such designation does not allow the government
or public to access private lands. Such designation does not require
implementation of restoration, recovery, or enhancement measures by
non-Federal landowners. Where a landowner requests Federal agency
funding or authorization for an action that may affect a listed species
or critical habitat, the consultation requirements of section 7(a)(2)
of the Act would apply, but even in the event of a destruction or
adverse modification finding, the obligation of the Federal action
agency and the landowner is not to restore or recover the species, but
to implement reasonable and prudent alternatives to avoid destruction
or adverse modification of critical habitat.
Prudency Determination
Section 4(a)(3) of the Act, as amended, and implementing
regulations (50 CFR 424.12), require that, to the maximum extent
prudent and determinable, the Secretary shall designate critical
habitat at the time the species is determined to be an endangered or
threatened species. Our regulations (50 CFR 424.12(a)(1)) state that
the designation of critical habitat is not prudent when one or both of
the following situations exist:
(1) The species is threatened by taking or other human activity,
and identification of critical habitat can be expected to increase the
degree of threat to the species, or
(2) such designation of critical habitat would not be beneficial to
the species.
On September 22, 2011 (76 FR 58868), the Services jointly published
a final rule revising the loggerhead's listing from a single worldwide
threatened species to nine DPSs listed as either endangered or
threatened species. While we did not publish a prudency determination,
we did find that critical habitat was not determinable and stated that
we would propose to designate critical habitat for the two DPSs
(Northwest Atlantic Ocean DPS and North Pacific Ocean DPS) in which
loggerheads occur within the United States' jurisdiction in a future
rulemaking.
There is currently no identified imminent threat of take attributed
to collection or vandalism of nesting beaches within the Northwest
Atlantic Ocean DPS, and identification and mapping of specific areas in
the terrestrial environment as critical habitat is not expected to
create or increase any such threat. In the absence of finding that the
designation of critical habitat would increase threats to a species, a
prudent finding is warranted if there are any benefits to a critical
habitat designation. Here, the potential benefits of designation
include: (1) Focusing conservation activities on the most essential
features and areas; (2) providing educational benefits to State or
county governments or private entities; and (3) preventing people from
causing inadvertent harm to the species and beaches with active
nesting. In short, because we have determined that the designation of
critical habitat is not likely to increase the degree of threat to the
species and may provide some benefit, we find that designation of
terrestrial critical habitat is prudent for the Northwest Atlantic
Ocean DPS.
Critical Habitat Determinability
Having determined that designation is prudent, under section
4(a)(3) of the Act we must find whether critical habitat for the
species is determinable. Our regulations at 50 CFR 424.12(a)(2) state
that critical habitat is not determinable when one or both of the
following situations exist:
(i) Information sufficient to perform required analyses of the
impacts of the designation is lacking, or
(ii) The biological needs of the species are not sufficiently well
known to permit identification of an area as critical habitat.
When critical habitat is not determinable, the Act allows the
Services an additional year to publish a critical habitat designation
(section 4(b)(6)(C)(ii)).
When the Services jointly published a final rule revising the
loggerhead's listing from a single worldwide threatened species to nine
DPSs, we lacked the comprehensive data and information necessary to
identify and describe physical and biological features of the
terrestrial and marine habitats of the loggerhead. Thus, we found
designation of critical habitat to be ``not determinable.''
Accordingly, USFWS has reviewed the available information pertaining to
the biological needs of the species and habitat characteristics where
the loggerheads in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean DPS nest on U.S.
beaches. This and other information represent the best scientific data
available and have led us to conclude that the designation of
terrestrial critical habitat is determinable for the Northwest Atlantic
Ocean DPS.
Under the first prong of the Act's definition of critical habitat,
areas within the geographical area occupied by the species at the time
it was listed are included in a critical habitat designation if they
contain physical or biological features (1) which are essential to the
conservation of the species and (2) which may require special
management considerations or protection. For these areas, critical
habitat designations identify, to the extent known using the best
scientific and commercial data available, those physical or biological
features that are essential to the conservation of the species (such as
space, food, cover, and protected habitat). In identifying those
physical and biological features within an area, we focus on the
principal biological or physical constituent elements (primary
constituent elements such as roost sites, nesting grounds, seasonal
wetlands, water quality, tide, soil type) that are essential to the
conservation of the species. Primary constituent elements are those
specific elements of the physical or biological features that provide
for a species' life-history processes and are essential to the
conservation of the species.
Under the second prong of the Act's definition of critical habitat,
we can
[[Page 18006]]
designate critical habitat in areas outside the geographical area
occupied by the species at the time it is listed, upon a determination
that such areas are essential for the conservation of the species. For
example, an area currently occupied by the species but that was not
occupied at the time of listing may be essential to the conservation of
the species and may be included in the critical habitat designation.
Pursuant to our regulations, we designate critical habitat in areas
outside the geographical area presently occupied by a species only when
a designation limited to its present range would be inadequate to
ensure the conservation of the species (50 CFR 424.12(e)).
Section 4 of the Act requires that we designate critical habitat on
the basis of the best scientific data available. Further, our Policy on
Information Standards under the Endangered Species Act (published in
the Federal Register on July 1, 1994 (59 FR 34271)), the Information
Quality Act (section 515 of the Treasury and General Government
Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2001 (Pub. L. 106-554; H.R. 5658)),
and our associated Information Quality Guidelines provide criteria,
establish procedures, and provide guidance to ensure that our decisions
are based on the best scientific data available. They require our
biologists, to the extent consistent with the Act and with the use of
the best scientific data available, to use primary and original sources
of information as the basis for recommendations to designate critical
habitat.
When we are determining which areas should be designated as
critical habitat, our primary source of information is generally the
information developed during the listing process for the species.
Additional information sources may include the recovery plan for the
species, articles in peer-reviewed journals, conservation plans
developed by States and counties, scientific status surveys and
studies, biological assessments, other unpublished materials, or
experts' opinions or personal knowledge.
Habitat is dynamic, and species may move from one area to another
over time. We recognize that critical habitat designated at a
particular point in time may not include all of the habitat areas that
we may later determine are necessary for the recovery of the species.
For these reasons, a critical habitat designation does not signal that
habitat outside the designated area is unimportant or may not be needed
for recovery of the species. Areas that are important to the
conservation of the species, both inside and outside the critical
habitat designation, may continue to be the subject of: (1)
Conservation actions implemented under section 7(a)(1) of the Act, (2)
regulatory protections afforded by the requirement in section 7(a)(2)
of the Act for Federal agencies to ensure their actions are not likely
to jeopardize the continued existence of any endangered or threatened
species, and (3) section 9 of the Act's prohibitions on taking any
individual of the species, including taking caused by actions that
affect habitat. Federally funded or permitted projects affecting listed
species outside their designated critical habitat areas may still
result in jeopardy findings in some cases. These protections and
conservation tools will continue to contribute to recovery of this
species. Similarly, critical habitat designations made on the basis of
the best available information at the time of designation will not
control the direction and substance of future recovery plans, HCPs, or
other species conservation planning efforts if new information
available at the time of these planning efforts calls for a different
outcome.
Physical or Biological Features
In accordance with section 3(5)(A)(i) and 4(b)(1)(A) of the Act and
regulations at 50 CFR 424.12, in determining which areas within the
geographical area occupied by the species at the time of listing to
designate as critical habitat, we consider the physical or biological
features (PBFs) that are essential to the conservation of the species
and which may require special management considerations or protection.
These include, but are not limited to:
(1) Space for individual and population growth and for normal
behavior;
(2) Food, water, air, light, minerals, or other nutritional or
physiological requirements;
(3) Cover or shelter;
(4) Sites for breeding, reproduction, or rearing (or development)
of offspring; and
(5) Habitats that are protected from disturbance or are
representative of the historical, geographic, and ecological
distributions of a species.
We derive the specific physical or biological features essential
for the loggerhead sea turtle from studies of this species' habitat,
ecology, and life history as described below. Additional information
can be found in the final listing rule published in the Federal
Register on September 22, 2011 (76 FR 58868), and the Recovery Plan for
the Northwest Atlantic Population of the Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta
caretta) (NMFS and USFWS 2008, entire).
Shaffer and Stein (2000, pp. 307-314) identify a methodology for
conserving imperiled species known as the ``three Rs'': Representation,
resiliency, and redundancy. Representation, or preserving some of
everything, means conserving not just a species but its associated
habitats. Resiliency and redundancy ensure there is enough of a species
so it can survive into the future. Resiliency means ensuring that the
habitat is adequate for a species and its representative components.
Redundancy ensures an adequate number of sites and individuals. This
methodology has been widely accepted as a reasonable conservation
strategy (Tear et al. 2005, p. 841). In applying this strategy to
terrestrial critical habitat for loggerheads, we have determined that
it is important to conserve: (1) Beaches that have the highest nesting
densities (representation); (2) beaches that have a good geographic
spatial distribution to ensure protection of genetic diversity
(resiliency and redundancy); (3) beaches that collectively provide a
good representation of total nesting (representation); and (4) beaches
adjacent to the high density nesting beaches that can serve as
expansion areas and provide sufficient habitat to accommodate and
provide a rescue effect for nesting females whose primary nesting beach
has been lost (resiliency and redundancy). Therefore, we have
determined that the following physical or biological features are
essential for the loggerhead sea turtle:
Physical or Biological Feature 1--Sites for Breeding, Reproduction, or
Rearing (or Development) of Offspring
The production of the next generation of loggerhead sea turtles
results from a synergism of the effects of the ecological conditions in
the foraging area on the energetics of the female and of the beach
environmental conditions on development of the embryos. To be
successful, reproduction must occur when environmental conditions
support adult activity (e.g., sufficient quality and quantity of food
in the foraging area, suitable beach structure for digging, nearby
internesting habitat) (Georges et al. 1993, p. 2). The environmental
conditions of the nesting beach must favor embryonic development and
survival (i.e., modest temperature fluctuation, low salinity, high
humidity, well drained, well aerated) (Mortimer 1982, p. 49; Mortimer
1990, pp. 809, 811). Additionally, the hatchlings must emerge to
onshore and offshore conditions that enhance their chances of survival
(e.g., less than 100 percent depredation, appropriate offshore
[[Page 18007]]
currents for dispersal) (Georges et al. 1993, p. 2).
Terrestrial nesting habitat is the supralittoral zone of the beach
where oviposition (egg laying), embryonic development, and hatching
occur. Loggerheads nest on ocean beaches and occasionally on estuarine
shorelines with suitable sand. For a beach to serve as nesting habitat,
a nesting turtle must be able to access it. However, anthropogenic
structures (e.g., groins, jetties, breakwaters), as well as natural
features (e.g., offshore sand bars), can act as barriers or deterrents
to adult females attempting to access a beach. Adult females
approaching the nesting beach may encounter these structures and either
crawl around them, abort nesting for that night, or move to another
section of beach to nest. Nests are typically laid between the high
tide line and the dune front (Routa 1968, p. 293; Witherington 1986,
pp. 16, 27; Hailman and Elowson 1992, p. 5).
Wood and Bjorndal (2000, entire) evaluated four environmental
factors (slope, temperature, moisture, and salinity) and found that
slope had the greatest influence on loggerhead nest-site selection on a
beach in Florida. Loggerheads appear to prefer relatively narrow,
steeply sloped, coarse-grained beaches, although nearshore contours may
also play a role in nesting beach site selection (Provancha and Ehrhart
1987, p. 42).
Nest sites typically have steeper slopes than other sites on the
beach, and steeper slopes usually indicate an area of the beach with a
higher elevation (Wood and Bjorndal 2000, p. 126). Wood and Bjorndal
(2000, p. 126) speculated that a higher slope could be a signal to
turtles that they have reached an elevation where there is an increased
probability of hatching success of nests. This is related to the nests
being laid high enough on the beach to be less susceptible to repeated
and prolonged tidal inundation and erosion. Nests laid at lower beach
elevations are subject to a greater risk of repeated and prolonged
tidal inundation and erosion, which can cause mortality of incubating
egg clutches (Foley et al. 2006, pp. 38-39). Regardless, loggerheads
will use a variety of different nesting substrates and beach slopes for
nesting. They will also scatter their nests over the beach, likely to
ensure that at least some nest sites will be successful as ``placement
of nests close to the sea increases the likelihood of inundation and
egg loss to erosion whereas placement of nests farther inland increases
the likelihood of desiccation, hatchling misorientation, and predation
on nesting females, eggs, and hatchlings'' (Wood and Bjorndal 2000).
Loggerhead sea turtles spread their reproductive effort both
temporally and spatially. Spatial clumping occurs because loggerheads
concentrate their nesting to a few primary locations that are augmented
by lower density, satellite sites. In addition, a few isolated, low-
density sites are known (Miller et al. 2003, p. 126). Loggerheads show
a high degree of nesting site fidelity (Miller et al. 2003, p. 127).
Once an adult female has returned to the region where it hatched and
selected a nesting beach, she will tend to renest in relatively close
proximity (0-5 km (0-3 miles)) during successive nesting attempts
within the same and subsequent nesting seasons, although a small
percentage of turtles will utilize more distant nesting sites in the
general area (Miller et al. 2003, pp. 127-128). Thus, a high-density
nesting beach is the product of site fidelity and nesting success. A
high-density nesting beach produces a large number of hatchlings that
are recruited to the population resulting in a relatively higher number
of females that will return to nest on those same beaches.
Sea turtles must have ``deep, clean, relatively loose sand above
the high-tide level'' for successful nest construction (Hendrickson
1982, p. 54). Sand is classified as material predominately composed of
carbonate, quartz, or similar material with a particle size
distribution ranging between 0.062 mm and 4.76 mm (0.002 in and 0.187
in) (Wentworth and ASTM classification systems). Sea turtle eggs
require a high-humidity substrate that allows for sufficient gas
exchange for development (Mortimer 1990, p. 811; Miller 1997, pp. 67-
68; Miller et al. 2003, pp. 129-130). Ackerman (1980, p. 575) found
that the rate of growth and mortality of sea turtle embryos is related
to respiratory gas exchange with embryonic growth slowing and mortality
increasing in environments where gas exchange is reduced below
naturally occurring levels.
Moisture conditions in the nest influence incubation period,
hatching success, and hatchling size (McGehee 1990, pp. 254-257;
Mortimer 1990, p. 811; Carthy et al. 2003, pp. 147-149). Laboratory
experiments have shown that hatching success can be affected by
unusually wet or dry hydric conditions (McGehee 1990, pp. 254-255).
Proper moisture conditions are necessary for maximum hatching success
(McGehee 1990, p. 251). In addition, water availability is known to
influence the incubation environment of the embryos of turtles with
flexible-shelled eggs by affecting nitrogen excretion (Packard et al.
1984, pp. 198-201), mobilization of calcium (Packard and Packard 1986,
p. 404), mobilization of yolk nutrients (Packard et al. 1985, p. 571),
and energy reserves in the yolk at hatching (Packard et al. 1988, p.
122).
Loggerhead nests incubate for variable periods of time depending on
sand temperatures (Mrosovsky and Yntema 1980, p. 272). The length of
the incubation period (commonly measured from the time of egg
deposition to hatchling emergence) is inversely related to nest
temperature, such that between 26.0 [deg]C and 32.0 [deg]C (78.8 [deg]F
and 89.6 [deg]F), a change of 1 [deg]C (33.8 [deg]F) adds or subtracts
approximately 5 days (Mrosovsky 1980, p. 531). The warmer the sand
surrounding the egg chamber, the faster the embryos develop (Mrosovsky
and Yntema 1980, p. 272).
Sand temperatures prevailing during the middle third of the
incubation period also determine the gender of hatchling sea turtles
(Mrosovsky and Yntema 1980, p. 276; Yntema and Mrosovsky 1982, pp.
1014-1015). The pivotal temperature (i.e., the incubation temperature
that produces equal numbers of males and females) in loggerheads is
approximately 29.0 [deg]C (84.2 [deg]F) (Limpus et al. 1983, p. 3;
Mrosovsky 1988, pp. 664-666; Marcovaldi et al. 1997, pp. 758-759).
Incubation temperatures near the upper end of the tolerable range
produce only female hatchlings while incubation temperatures near the
lower end of the tolerable range produce only male hatchlings.
Loggerhead hatchlings pip (break through the egg shell) and escape
from their eggs over a 1- to 3-day interval and move upward and out of
the nest over a 2- to 4-day interval (Christens 1990, p. 400). The time
from pipping to emergence ranges from 4 to 7 days with an average of
4.1 days (Godfrey and Mrosovsky 1997, p. 583). Hatchlings emerge from
their nests en masse almost exclusively at night, likely using
decreasing sand temperature as a cue (Hendrickson 1958, pp. 513-514;
Mrosovsky 1968, entire; Witherington et al. 1990, pp. 1166-1167; Moran
et al. 1999, p. 260). After an initial emergence, there may be
secondary emergences on subsequent nights (Carr and Ogren 1960, p. 23;
Witherington 1986, p. 36; Ernest and Martin 1993, pp. 10-11; Houghton
and Hays 2001, p. 134).
Hatchlings use a progression of seafinding orientation cues to
guide their movement from the nest to the marine environments (Lohmann
and Lohmann 2003, entire). Hatchlings first use light cues to find the
ocean. On
[[Page 18008]]
natural beaches without artificial lighting, ambient light from the
open sky creates a relatively bright horizon compared to the dark
silhouette of the dune and vegetation landward of the nest. This
contrast guides the hatchlings to the ocean (Daniel and Smith 1947, pp.
414-415; Limpus 1971, p. 387; Salmon et al. 1992, pp. 72-75;
Witherington and Martin 1996, pp. 5-12; Witherington 1997, pp. 311-
319). After reaching the surf, hatchlings swim and are swept through
the surf zone, after which wave orientation occurs in the nearshore
area and later magnetic field orientation as they proceed further
toward open water (Lohmann and Lohmann 2003, entire).
Both nesting and hatchling sea turtles are adversely affected by
the presence of artificial lighting on or near the beach (Witherington
and Martin 1996, pp. 2-5, 12-13). Artificial lighting deters adult
female loggerheads from emerging from the ocean to nest, and
loggerheads emerging onto a beach abort nesting attempts at a greater
frequency in lighted areas (Witherington 1992, pp. 34-37). Because
adult females rely on visual brightness cues to find their way back to
the ocean after nesting, those turtles that nest on artificially
lighted beaches may become disoriented by artificial lighting and have
difficulty finding their way back to the ocean (Witherington 1992, p.
38). Hatchling sea turtles have a robust seafinding behavior guided by
visual cues (Mrosovsky and Carr 1967, pp. 228-230; Mrosovsky and
Shettleworth 1968, pp. 214-218; Dickerson and Nelson 1989, entire;
Witherington and Bjorndal 1991, pp. 146-148; Salmon et al. 1992, pp.
72-75; Witherington and Martin 1996, pp. 6-12; Lohmann et al. 1997, pp.
110-116; Lohmann and Lohmann 2003, pp. 45-47). Hatchlings unable to
find the ocean, or delayed in reaching it, due to the presence of
artificial beachfront lighting are likely to incur high mortality from
dehydration, exhaustion, or predation (Carr and Ogren 1960, pp. 33-46;
Ehrhart and Witherington 1987, pp. 97-98; Witherington and Martin 1996,
pp. 12-13).
For loggerheads, it is important to conserve: (1) Beaches that have
the highest nesting densities (by State or region within a State); (2)
beaches that have a good geographic spatial distribution to ensure
protection of genetic diversity; (3) beaches that collectively provide
a good representation of total nesting; and (4) beaches adjacent to the
high-density nesting beaches that can serve as expansion areas. Since
loggerheads nest on dynamic ocean beaches that may be significantly
degraded or lost through natural processes (e.g., erosion) or upland
development (e.g., armoring, lighting), the designation of occupied
beaches adjacent to the highest density nesting beaches as critical
habitat will help ensure the availability of nesting habitat if the
primary high-density nesting beaches are temporarily or permanently
lost.
Therefore, based on the information above, we identify extra-tidal
or dry sandy beaches from the mean high water (MHW) (see definition at
http://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/datum_options.html) line to the toe
of the secondary dune that are capable of supporting a high density of
nests or serving as an expansion area for beaches with a high density
of nests and that are well distributed within each State or region
within a State and representative of total nesting to be a physical or
biological feature for the species.
Physical or Biological Feature 2--Habitats Protected From Disturbance
or Representative of the Historical, Geographic, and Ecological
Distributions of the Species
Sea turtle nesting habitat is part of the highly dynamic and
continually shifting coastal system, which includes oceanfront beaches,
barrier islands, and inlets. These geologically dynamic coastal regions
are controlled by natural coastal processes or activities that mimic
these natural processes, including littoral or longshore drift (the
process by which sediments move along the shoreline), onshore and
offshore sand transport (natural erosion or accretion cycle), and tides
and storm surge. The integrity of the habitat components depends upon
daily tidal events; these processes are associated with the formation
and movement of barrier islands, inlets, and other coastal landforms
throughout the landscape.
There has been considerable loss or degradation of such habitats by
humans from development, armoring, sand placement, and other activities
to prevent or forestall erosion or inundation from shifting shorelines,
as well as coastal storms and sea level rise resulting from climate
change. Coastal dynamic processes are anticipated to accelerate due to
sea level rise and an increase in frequency and intensity of coastal
storms as a result of climate change.
Since sea turtles evolved in this dynamic system, they are
dependent upon these ever-changing features for their continued
survival and recovery. Sea turtles require nesting beaches where
natural coastal processes or activities that mimic these natural
processes will be able to continue well into the future to allow the
formation of suitable beaches for nesting.
These physical processes benefit sea turtles by maintaining the
nesting beaches through repeated cycles of destruction, alteration, and
recovery of the beach and adjacent dune habitats. Coastal processes
happen over a wide range of spatial and temporal scales. Wind, waves,
tides, storms, and stream discharge are important driving forces in the
coastal zone (Dingler 2005, p. 163). Thus, it is important that, where
it can be allowed, the natural processes be maintained or any projects
that address erosion or shoreline protection contain measures to reduce
negative effects or are temporary in nature.
Therefore, based on the information above, we identify natural
coastal processes or activities that mimic these natural processes to
be a physical or biological feature for this species. It is important
that loggerhead nesting beaches are allowed to respond naturally to
coastal dynamic processes of erosion and accretion or mimic these
processes.
Primary Constituent Elements for the Northwest Atlantic Ocean DPS of
the Loggerhead Sea Turtle
Under the Act and its implementing regulations, we are required to
identify the physical or biological features essential to the
conservation of the loggerhead sea turtle in areas occupied at the time
of listing, focusing on the features' primary constituent elements
(PCEs). We consider primary constituent elements to be those specific
elements of the physical or biological features that provide for a
species' life-history processes and are essential to the conservation
of the species.
Based on our current knowledge of the physical or biological
features and habitat characteristics required to sustain the species'
life-history processes, we determine that the terrestrial primary
constituent elements specific to the Northwest Atlantic Ocean DPS of
the loggerhead sea turtle are:
(1) Primary Constituent Element 1--Suitable nesting beach habitat
that has (a) relatively unimpeded nearshore access from the ocean to
the beach for nesting females and from the beach to the ocean for both
post-nesting females and hatchlings and (b) is located above mean high
water to avoid being inundated frequently by high tides.
(2) Primary Constituent Element 2--Sand that (a) allows for
suitable nest construction, (b) is suitable for facilitating gas
diffusion conducive to embryo development, and (c) is able to develop
and maintain temperatures and
[[Page 18009]]
a moisture content conducive to embryo development.
(3) Primary Constituent Element 3--Suitable nesting beach habitat
with sufficient darkness to ensure nesting turtles are not deterred
from emerging onto the beach and hatchlings and post-nesting females
orient to the sea.
Special Management Considerations or Protection
When designating critical habitat, we assess whether the specific
areas within the geographical area occupied by the species at the time
of listing contain features essential to the conservation of the
species which may require special management considerations or
protection. We have determined not only that special management
considerations or protection may be required, but that they are
required within critical habitat areas to address these threats to the
essential features of loggerhead sea turtle terrestrial habitat.
For loggerhead sea turtle terrestrial habitat, we have grouped the
primary threats that may impact the habitat, thus necessitating special
management or protection, into 12 categories:
(1) Recreational beach use (beach cleaning, human presence (e.g.,
dog beach, special events, piers, and recreational beach equipment));
(2) Beach driving (essential and nonessential off-road vehicles,
all-terrain vehicles, and recreational access and use);
(3) Predation (depredation of eggs and hatchlings by native and
nonnative predators);
(4) Beach sand placement activities (beach nourishment, beach
restoration, inlet sand bypassing, dredge material disposal, dune
construction, emergency sand placement after natural disaster, berm
construction, and dune and berm planting);
(5) In-water and shoreline alterations (artificial in-water and
shoreline stabilization measures (e.g., in-water erosion control
structures, such as groins, breakwaters, jetties), inlet relocation,
inlet dredging, nearshore dredging, and dredging and deepening
channels);
(6) Coastal development (residential and commercial development and
associated activities including beach armoring (e.g., sea walls,
geotextile tubes, rock revetments, sandbags, emergency temporary
armoring); and activities associated with construction, repair, and
maintenance of upland structures, stormwater outfalls, and piers);
(7) Artificial lighting (direct and indirect lighting, skyglow, and
bonfires);
(8) Beach erosion (erosion due to aperiodic, short-term weather-
related erosion events, such as atmospheric fronts, northeasters,
tropical storms, and hurricanes);
(9) Climate change (includes sea level rise);
(10) Habitat obstructions (tree stumps, fallen trees, and other
debris on the beach; nearshore sand bars; and ponding along beachfront
seaward of dry beach);
(11) Human-caused disasters and response to natural and human-
caused disasters (oil spills, oil spill response including beach
cleaning and berm construction, and debris cleanup after natural
disasters); and
(12) Military testing and training activities (troop presence,
pyrotechnics and nighttime lighting, vehicles and amphibious watercraft
usage on the beach, helicopter drops and extractions, live fire
exercises, and placement and removal of objects on the beach).
Recreational Beach Use
Beach cleaning: There is increasing demand in the southeastern
United States, especially in Florida, for beach communities to carry
out beach cleaning operations to improve the appearance of beaches for
visitors and residents. Beach cleaning occurs on private beaches and on
some municipal or county beaches that are used for nesting by
loggerhead sea turtles. Beach cleaning activities effectively remove
``seaweed, fish, glass, syringes, plastic, cans, cigarettes, shells,
stone, wood, and virtually any unwanted debris'' (H. Barber and Sons
2012, entire). This can include wrack material (organic material that
is washed up onto the beach by surf, tides, and wind), the removal of
which reduces the natural sand-trapping abilities of beaches and
contributes to their destabilization. As beach cleaning vehicles and
equipment move over the sand, sand is displaced downward, lowering the
substrate. Although the amount of sand lost due to single sweeping
actions may be small, it adds up considerably over a period of years
(Neal et al. 2007, p. 219). In addition, since the beach cleaning
vehicles and equipment also inhibit plant growth and open the area to
wind erosion, the beach and dunes may become unstable. Beach cleaning
``can result in abnormally broad unvegetated zones that are
inhospitable to dune formation or plant colonization, thereby enhancing
the likelihood of erosion'' (Defeo et al. 2009, p. 4). This is also a
concern because dunes and vegetation play an important role in
minimizing the impacts of artificial beachfront lighting, which causes
disorientation of sea turtle hatchlings and nesting turtles, by
creating a barrier that prevents residential and commercial business
lighting from being visible on the beach.
Beach cleaning occurs in a few locations in South Carolina and
Alabama, but the most extensive beach cleaning activities occur in
Florida, particularly southern Florida. However, a Florida Department
of Environmental Protection permit, which includes conditions to
protect sea turtles, is required. These permit conditions restrict the
timing and nature of beach cleaning to ensure these activities avoid or
minimize the potential for impacts to sea turtles and their nesting
habitat.
Human presence: Human presence on the beach at night during the
nesting season can reduce the quality of nesting habitat by deterring
or disturbing nesting turtles and causing them to avoid otherwise
suitable habitat. In addition, human foot traffic can make a beach less
suitable for nesting and hatchling emergence by increasing sand
compaction and creating obstacles to hatchlings attempting to reach the
ocean (Hosier et al. 1981, p. 160).
Some beach communities, local governments, and State and Federal
lands have management plans or agreements that include addressing human
disturbance to minimize impacts to nesting and hatchling loggerhead sea
turtles. Other beach communities and Federal, State, and local
governments have best addressed human disturbance and presence on the
beach with generally successful ``Share the Beach'' educational
campaigns. The educational message in the campaigns focuses on beach
user behavior when encountering a turtle on the beach--enjoy the
experience but do not disturb the turtle.
Recreational beach equipment: The use and storage of lounge chairs,
cabanas, umbrellas, catamarans, and other types of recreational
equipment on the beach at night can also make otherwise suitable
nesting habitat unsuitable by hampering or deterring nesting by adult
females and trapping or impeding hatchlings during their nest-to-sea
migration. The documentation of nonnesting emergences (also referred to
as false crawls) at these obstacles is becoming increasingly common as
more recreational beach equipment is left on the beach at night. Sobel
(2002, p. 311) describes nesting turtles being deterred by wooden
lounge chairs that prevented access to the upper beach.
Some beach communities, local governments, and State and Federal
lands have management plans, agreements, or ordinances that address
recreational equipment on the beach to minimize impacts to nesting and
[[Page 18010]]
hatchling loggerhead sea turtles. Other beach communities and Federal,
State, and local governments address recreational beach equipment with
generally successful ``Leave No Trace'' and ``Share the Beach''
educational campaigns. The educational message in the campaigns focuses
on removing recreational equipment from the nesting beach each night
during the nesting season.
Beach Driving
Beach driving has been found to reduce the quality of loggerhead
nesting habitat in several ways. In the southeastern United States,
vehicle ruts on the beach have been found to prevent or impede
hatchlings from reaching the ocean following emergence from the nest
(Hosier et al. 1981, p. 160; Cox et al. 1994, p. 27; Hughes and Caine
1994, p. 237). Sand compaction by vehicles has been found to hinder
nest construction and hatchling emergence from nests (Mann 1977, p.
96). Vehicle lights and vehicle movement on the beach after dark
results in reduced habitat suitability, which can deter females from
nesting and disorient hatchlings. If driving occurs at night, sea
turtles could be run over and injured. Additionally, vehicle traffic on
nesting beaches contributes to erosion, especially during high tides or
on narrow beaches where driving is concentrated on the high beach and
foredune.
Beach driving is prohibited on the majority of nesting beaches in
the southeastern United States by law, regulation, management plan, or
agreement. However, some vehicular driving is still allowed on private,
local, State, and Federal beaches for recreation, commercial, or beach
and natural resource management activities. In 1985, the Florida
Legislature severely restricted vehicular driving on Florida's beaches,
except for cleanup, repair, or public safety. Five counties were
exempted from the legislation and are allowed to continue vehicular
access on coastal beaches due to the availability of less than 50
percent of its peak user demand for off-beach parking. The counties
affected by this exception are Volusia, St. Johns, Gulf, Nassau, and
Flagler Counties, as well as limited vehicular access on Walton County
beaches for boat launching. Volusia and St. Johns Counties, Florida,
developed HCPs that minimize and mitigate the impacts of County-
regulated driving and USFWS issued incidental take permits under
section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Act. Gulf County has submitted an HCP to the
Service in conjunction with an application for a section 10(a)(1)(B)
permit that minimizes and mitigates the impacts of County-regulated
driving on the beach.
Predation
Predation of sea turtle eggs and hatchlings by native and nonnative
species occurs on almost all nesting beaches. Predation by a variety of
predators can considerably decrease sea turtle nest hatching success.
The most common predators in the southeastern United States are ghost
crabs (Ocypode quadrata), raccoons (Procyon lotor), feral hogs (Sus
scrofa), foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus and Vulpes vulpes), coyotes
(Canis latrans), armadillos (Dasypus novemcinctus), and fire ants
(Solenopsis invicta) (Stancyk 1982, p. 145; Dodd 1988, p. 48). In the
absence of nest protection programs in a number of locations throughout
the southeastern United States, raccoons may depredate up to 96 percent
of all nests deposited on a beach (Davis and Whiting 1977, p. 20;
Stancyk et al. 1980, p. 290; Talbert et al. 1980, p. 712; Hopkins and
Murphy 1981, p. 67; Schroeder 1981, p. 35; Labisky et al. 1986, pp. 14-
15). In addition, nesting turtles harassed by predators (e.g., coyotes,
red foxes) on the beach may abort nesting attempts (Hope 2012, pers.
comm.). Thus, the presence of predators can affect the suitability of
nesting habitat.
The most longstanding beach management program in the southeastern
United States has been to reduce the destruction of nests by natural
and introduced predators. Most major nesting beaches in the
southeastern United States employ some type of lethal (trapping,
hunting) or nonlethal (screen, cage) control of mammalian predators to
reduce nest loss. Overall, nest protection activities have
substantially reduced loggerhead nest depredations, although the
magnitude of the reduction has not been quantified.
Beach Sand Placement Activities
Substantial amounts of sand are deposited along Gulf of Mexico and
Atlantic Ocean beaches to protect coastal properties in anticipation of
preventing erosion and what otherwise would be considered natural
processes of overwash and island migration. Constructed beaches tend to
differ from natural beaches in several important ways for sea turtles.
They are typically wider, flatter, and more compact, and the sediments
are moister than those on natural beaches (Nelson et al. 1987, p. 51;
Ackerman et al. 1991, p. 22; Ernest and Martin 1999, pp. 8-9). On
severely eroded sections of beach, where little or no suitable nesting
habitat previously existed, sand placement can result in increased
nesting (Ernest and Martin 1999, p. 37). The placement of sand on a
beach with reduced dry foredune habitat may increase sea turtle nesting
habitat if the placed sand is highly compatible (i.e., grain size,
shape, color, etc.) with naturally occurring beach sediments in the
area, and compaction and escarpment remediation measures are
incorporated into the project. In addition, a nourished beach that is
designed and constructed to mimic a natural beach system may benefit
sea turtles more than an eroding beach it replaces. However, beach sand
placement projects conducted under the USFWS's Statewide Programmatic
Biological Opinion for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers planning and
regulatory sand placement activities (including post-disaster sand
placement activities) in Florida and other individual biological
opinions throughout the loggerhead's nesting range include required
terms and conditions that minimize incidental take of turtles.
There are, however, a few important ephemeral impacts associated
with beach sand placement activities. In most cases, a significantly
larger proportion of turtles emerging on engineered beaches abandon
their nesting attempts than turtles emerging on natural or prenourished
beaches, even though more nesting habitat is available (Trindell et al.
1998, p. 82; Ernest and Martin 1999, pp. 47-49; Herren 1999, p. 44),
with nesting success approximately 10 to 34 percent lower on nourished
beaches than on control beaches during the first year post-nourishment.
This reduction in nesting success is most pronounced during the first
year following project construction and is most likely the result of
changes in physical beach characteristics (beach profile, sediment
grain size, beach compaction, frequency and extent of escarpments)
associated with the nourishment project (Ernest and Martin 1999, p.
48). During the first postconstruction year, the time required for
turtles to excavate an egg chamber on untilled, hard-packed sands
increases significantly relative to natural beach conditions. Also
during the first postconstruction year, nests on nourished beaches are
deposited significantly more seaward of the toe of the dune than nests
on natural beaches. More nests are washed out on the wide, flat beaches
of the nourished treatments than on the narrower steeply sloped natural
beaches. This phenomenon may persist through the second
postconstruction year and result from
[[Page 18011]]
the placement of nests near the seaward edge of the beach berm where
dramatic profile changes, caused by erosion and scarping, occur as the
beach equilibrates to a more natural contour.
In-Water and Shoreline Alterations
Many navigable mainland or barrier island tidal inlets along the
Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts are stabilized with jetties or
groins. Jetties are built perpendicular to the shoreline and extend
through the entire nearshore zone and past the breaker zone to prevent
or decrease sand deposition in the channel (Kaufman and Pilkey 1979,
pp. 193-195). Groins are also shore-perpendicular structures that are
designed to trap sand that would otherwise be transported by longshore
currents and can cause downdrift erosion (Kaufman and Pilkey 1979, pp.
193-195).
These in-water structures have profound effects on adjacent beaches
(Kaufman and Pilkey 1979, p. 194). Jetties and groins placed to
stabilize a beach or inlet prevent normal sand transport, resulting in
accretion of sand on updrift beaches and acceleration of beach erosion
downdrift of the structures (Komar 1983, pp. 203-204; Pilkey et al.
1984, p. 44). Witherington et al. (2005, p. 356) found a significant
negative relationship between loggerhead nesting density and distance
from the nearest of 17 ocean inlets on the Atlantic coast of Florida.
The effect of inlets in lowering nesting density was observed both
updrift and downdrift of the inlets, leading researchers to propose
that beach instability from both erosion and accretion may discourage
loggerhead nesting.
Following construction, the presence of groins and jetties may
interfere with nesting turtle access to the beach, result in a change
in beach profile and width (downdrift erosion, loss of sandy berms, and
escarpment formation), trap hatchlings, and concentrate predatory
fishes, resulting in higher probabilities of hatchling predation. In
addition to decreasing nesting habitat suitability, construction or
repair of groins and jetties during the nesting season may result in
the destruction of nests, disturbance of females attempting to nest,
and disorientation of emerging hatchlings from project lighting.
However, groins and jetties constructed in appropriate high erosion
areas, or to offset the effects of shoreline armoring, may reestablish
a beach where none currently exists, stabilize the beach in rapidly
eroding areas and reduce the potential for escarpment formation, reduce
destruction of nests from erosion, and reduce the need for future sand
placement events by extending the interval between sand placement
events. USFWS includes terms and conditions in its biological opinions
for groin and jetty construction projects to eliminate or reduce
impacts to nesting and hatchling sea turtles, sea turtle nests, and sea
turtle nesting habitat.
Coastal Development
Coastal development not only causes the loss and degradation of
suitable nesting habitat, but can result in the disruption of powerful
coastal processes accelerating erosion and interrupting the natural
shoreline migration. This may in turn cause the need to protect upland
structures and infrastructure by armoring, which causes changes in,
additional loss of, or impact to the remaining sea turtle habitat.
In the southeastern United States, numerous armoring or erosion
control structures (e.g., bulkheads, seawalls, soil retaining walls,
rock revetments, sandbags, geotextile tubes) that create barriers to
nesting have been constructed to protect upland residential and
commercial development. Armoring is any rigid structure placed parallel
to the shoreline on the upper beach to prevent both landward retreat of
the shoreline and inundation or loss of upland property by flooding and
wave action (Kraus and McDougal 1996, p. 692). Although armoring
structures may provide short-term protection to beachfront property,
they do little to promote or maintain sandy beaches used by loggerhead
sea turtles for nesting. These structures influence natural shoreline
processes and the physical beach environment, but the effects are not
well understood. However, it is clear that armoring structures prevent
long-term recovery of the beach and dune system (i.e., building of the
back beach) by physically prohibiting dune formation from wave uprush
and wind-blown sand. The proportion of coastline that is armored is
approximately 3 percent (9 km (5.6 miles)) in North Carolina (Godfrey
2009, pers. comm.), 12 percent (29 km (18.0 miles)) in South Carolina
(Griffin 2009, pers. comm.), 9 percent (14 km (8.7 miles)) in Georgia
(Dodd 2009, pers. comm.), 18 percent (239 km (148.4 miles)) in Florida
(Schroeder and Mosier 2000, p. 291), 6 percent (7.5 km (4.7 miles)) in
Alabama (Morton and Peterson 2005, entire), and 0 percent along the
Mississippi barrier islands (Morton and Peterson 2005, entire).
In addition to coastal armoring, there are a variety of other
coastal construction activities that may affect sea turtles and their
nesting habitat. These include construction, repair, and maintenance of
upland structures and dune crossovers; installation of utility cables;
installation and repair of public infrastructure (such as coastal
highways and emergency evacuation routes); and construction equipment
and lighting associated with any of these activities. Many of these
activities alter nesting habitat, as well as directly harm adults,
nests, and hatchlings. Most direct construction-related impacts can be
avoided by requiring that nonemergency activities be performed outside
of the nesting and hatching season. However, indirect effects can also
result from the postconstruction presence of structures on the beach.
The presence of these structures may cause adult females to return to
the ocean without nesting, deposit their nests lower on the beach where
they are more susceptible to frequent and prolonged tidal inundation,
or select less suitable nesting sites.
Coastal development also contributes to habitat degradation by
increasing light pollution. Both nesting and hatchling sea turtles are
adversely affected by the presence of artificial lighting on or near
the beach (Witherington and Martin 1996, pp. 2-5). See the threat
category for Artificial lighting below for additional information.
Stormwater and other water source runoff from coastal development,
including beachfront parking lots, building rooftops, roads, decks, and
draining swimming pools adjacent to the beach, is frequently discharged
directly onto Northwest Atlantic beaches and dunes either by sheet
flow, through stormwater collection system outfalls, or through small
diameter pipes. These outfalls create localized erosion channels,
prevent natural dune establishment, and wash out sea turtle nests
(Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, unpublished data).
Artificial Lighting
Experimental studies have shown that artificial lighting deters
adult female turtles from emerging from the ocean to nest (Witherington
1992, pp. 36-38). Witherington (1986, p. 71) also found that
loggerheads aborted nesting attempts at a greater frequency in lighted
areas. In addition, because adult females rely on visual brightness
cues to find their way back to the ocean after nesting, those turtles
that nest on lighted beaches may become disoriented by artificial
lighting and have difficulty finding their way back to the ocean.
Although loggerhead turtles prefer dark beaches for nesting, many do
nest in
[[Page 18012]]
lighted areas. In doing so, they place the lives of their offspring at
risk as artificial lighting can impair the ability of hatchlings to
properly orient to the ocean once they leave their nests (Witherington
and Martin 1996, pp. 7-13). Hatchlings, unable to find the ocean or
delayed in reaching it, are likely to incur high mortality from
dehydration, exhaustion, or predation (Carr and Ogren 1960, p. 23;
Ehrhart and Witherington 1987, pp. 66-67; Witherington and Martin 1996,
p. 11).
Based on hatchling orientation index surveys at nests located at 23
representative beaches in six counties around Florida in 1993 and 1994,
Witherington et al. (1996, entire) found that, by county, approximately
10 to 30 percent of nests showed evidence of hatchlings disoriented by
lighting. From this survey and from measures of hatchling production
(Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, unpublished data),
the actual number of hatchlings disoriented by lighting in Florida is
likely in the hundreds of thousands per year. Mortality of disoriented
hatchlings is likely very high (NMFS and USFWS 2008, p. I-43).
Efforts are underway to reduce light pollution on sea turtle
nesting beaches. In the southeastern United States, the effects of
light pollution on sea turtles are most extensive in Florida due to
dense coastal development. Enforcement of mandatory lighting ordinances
in Florida and other States has increased. In addition, the Florida
Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, working in close
coordination with USFWS, has developed a sea turtle lighting
certification program that involves conducting workshops to educate all
interested parties about the effects of lighting on sea turtles, the
best lighting options to use near sea turtle nesting beaches, and the
wide variety of light fixtures and bulbs available to manage lighting
on their properties without negatively impacting sea turtles. In
addition, sand placement projects typically include dune construction
and these created dunes help minimize the effects of landward
artificial lighting by blocking some of the light and creating a dark
silhouette for nesting and hatchling turtle crawling to the ocean.
Beach Erosion
Natural beach erosion events may influence the quality of nesting
habitat. Short-term erosion events (e.g., atmospheric fronts,
northeasters, tropical storms, and hurricanes) are common phenomena
throughout the Northwest Atlantic loggerhead nesting range and may vary
considerably from year to year. Although these erosion events may
affect loggerhead hatchling production, the results are generally
localized and they rarely result in whole-scale losses over multiple
nesting seasons. The negative effects of hurricanes on low-lying and
developed shorelines used for nesting by loggerheads may be longer-
lasting and a greater threat overall.
Hurricanes and other storm events can result in the direct loss of
sea turtle nests, either by erosion or washing away of the nests by
wave action and inundation or ``drowning'' of the eggs or preemergent
hatchlings within the nest, or indirectly affect sea turtles by causing
the loss of nesting habitat. Depending on their frequency, storms can
affect sea turtles on either a short-term basis (nests lost for one
season and temporary loss of nesting habitat) or a long-term basis
(habitat unable to recover due to frequent storm events). The manner in
which hurricanes affect sea turtle nesting also depends on their
characteristics (winds, storm surge, rainfall), the time of year
(within or outside of the nesting season), and where the northeast edge
of the hurricane crosses land.
Climate change studies have indicated a trend toward increasing
hurricane intensity (Emanuel 2005, p. 686; Webster et al. 2005, p.
1846; Karl et al. 2009, p. 114). When combined with the effects of sea
level rise (see the threat category for Climate change below for
additional information), there may be increased cumulative impacts from
future storms.
USFWS acknowledges that we cannot fully address the threat of
natural beach erosion facing loggerheads. However, we can determine how
we respond to beach erosion events working with the States, local
governments, and Federal agencies such as the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Emergency beach sand placement activities conducted under the USFWS's
Statewide Programmatic Biological Opinion for the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers planning and regulatory sand placement activities include
requirements for post-disaster sand placement activities in Florida. In
addition, USFWS and FEMA have two programmatic consultations for post-
disaster response in Florida that cover replacement of pre-existing
facilities and berm construction. These consultations have enabled a
faster response to complete shore protection activities and protect sea
turtle nesting.
Climate Change
Climate change has the potential to impact loggerhead sea turtles
in the Northwest Atlantic. The decline in loggerhead nesting in Florida
from 1998 to 2007, as well as the recent increase, appears to be tied
to climatic conditions (Van Houtan and Halley 2011, p. 3). Global sea
level during the 20th century rose at an estimated rate of about 1.7
millimeters (mm) (0.7 in) per year or an estimated 17 cm (6.7 in) over
the entire 100-year period, a rate that is an order of magnitude
greater than that seen during the several millennia that followed the
end of the last ice age (Bindoff et al. 2007, p. 409). Global sea level
is projected to rise in the 21st century at an even greater rate. In
the southeastern United States, the U.S. Global Change Research Program
stated that sea level is likely to increase on average up to 0.61 m (2
ft) or more by the end of the 21st century (Karl et al. 2009, p. 114).
Although rapid changes in sea level are predicted, estimated timeframes
and resulting water levels vary due to the uncertainty about global
temperature projections and the rate of ice sheets melting and slipping
into the ocean (Bindoff et al. 2007, pp. 409, 421).
Potential impacts of climate change to Northwest Atlantic
loggerheads include beach erosion from rising sea levels, repeated
inundation of nests, skewed hatchling sex ratios from rising incubation
temperatures, and abrupt disruption of ocean currents used for natural
dispersal during the complex life cycle (Fish et al. 2005, pp. 489-490;
Fish et al. 2008, p. 336; Hawkes et al. 2009, pp. 139-141; Poloczanska
et al. 2009, pp. 164-175). Along developed coastlines, and especially
in areas where shoreline protection structures have been constructed to
limit shoreline movement, rising sea levels will cause severe effects
on loggerhead nesting habitat and nesting females and their eggs. The
loss of habitat as a result of climate change could be accelerated due
to a combination of other environmental and oceanographic changes such
as an increase in the intensity of storms and/or changes in prevailing
currents, both of which could lead to increased beach loss via erosion
(Kennedy et al. 2002, pp. 7, 14, 23, 40; Meehl et al. 2007, pp. 783,
788). Thus, climate change impacts could have profound long-term
impacts on loggerhead nesting populations in the Northwest Atlantic
Ocean, but it is not possible to project the impacts at this point in
time.
USFWS acknowledges that we cannot fully address the significant,
long-term threat of climate change to loggerhead sea turtles. However,
we can determine
[[Page 18013]]
how we respond to the threat of climate change by providing protection
to the known nesting sites of the turtle. We can also identify measures
to protect nesting habitat from the actions (e.g., coastal armoring,
sand placement) undertaken to respond to climate change that may
potentially impact the Northwest Atlantic Ocean loggerhead DPS.
Habitat Obstructions
Both natural and anthropogenic features (e.g., offshore sand bars,
ponding along the beachfront) can act as barriers or deterrents to
adult females attempting to access a beach. In addition, hatchlings
often must navigate through a variety of obstacles before reaching the
ocean. These include natural (e.g., tree stumps, fallen trees) and
human-made debris. Debris on the beach may interfere with a hatchling's
progress toward the ocean. Research has shown that travel times of
hatchlings from the nest to the water may be extended when traversing
areas of heavy foot traffic or vehicular ruts (Hosier et al. 1981); the
same is true of debris on the beach. Hatchlings may be upended and
spend both time and energy in righting themselves. Some beach debris
may have the potential to trap hatchlings and prevent them from
successfully reaching the ocean. In addition, debris over the tops of
nests may impede or prevent hatchling emergence.
Human-Caused Disasters and Response to Natural and Human-Caused
Disasters
Oil spills threaten loggerhead sea turtles in the Northwest
Atlantic. Oil spills in the vicinity of nesting beaches just prior to
or during the nesting season place nesting females, incubating egg
clutches, and hatchlings at significant risk from direct exposure to
contaminants (Fritts and McGehee 1982, p. 38; Lutcavage et al. 1997, p.
395; Witherington 1999, p. 5), as well as negative impacts on nesting
habitat. Annually about 1 percent of all sea turtle strandings along
the U.S. east coast have been associated with oil, but higher rates of
3 to 6 percent have been observed in South Florida and Texas (Rabalais
and Rabalais 1980, p. 126; Plotkin and Amos 1990, p. 742; Teas 1994, p.
9). Oil cleanup activities can also be harmful. Earth-moving equipment
can dissuade females from nesting and destroy nests, containment booms
can entrap hatchlings, and lighting from nighttime activities can
misdirect turtles (Witherington 1999, p. 5).
Deepwater Horizon (Mississippi Canyon 252) Oil Spill: The Deepwater
Horizon (Mississippi Canyon 252) oil spill, which started April 20,
2010, discharged oil into the Gulf of Mexico through July 15, 2010.
According to government estimates, between 379 and 757 million liters
(100 and 200 million gallons) of oil were released into the Gulf of
Mexico during this time. The U.S. Coast Guard estimates that more than
189 million liters (50 million gallons) of oil have been removed from
the Gulf, or roughly a quarter of the spill amount. Additional impacts
to natural resources may be attributed to the 7 million liters (1.84
million gallons) of dispersant that were applied to the spill. The U.S.
Coast Guard, the States, and Responsible Parties that formed the
Unified Area Command (with advice from Federal and State natural
resource agencies) initiated protective measures and cleanup efforts by
preparing contingency plans to deal with petroleum and other hazardous
chemical spills for each State's coastline. These plans identified
sensitive habitats, including all federally listed species' habitats,
which received a higher priority for response actions and allowed for
immediate habitat protective measures coinciding with cleanup
activities.
Throughout the Deepwater Horizon oil spill response, the U.S. Coast
Guard was responsible for and continues to oversee implementation and
documentation of avoidance and minimization measures to protect trust
resources, including sea turtles. Though containment of the well was
completed in September 2010, other countermeasures, cleanup, and waste
disposal are continuing and, therefore, a detailed analysis of the
success of the avoidance and minimization measures has not been
conducted. In addition, Natural Resource Damage Assessment studies
regarding potential effects to fish and wildlife resources are
currently being conducted along the northern Gulf of Mexico coast.
It is not yet clear what the immediate and long-term impacts of the
Deepwater Horizon oil well blowout and uncontrolled release has had,
and will have, on loggerhead sea turtles in the Gulf of Mexico.
Military Mission, Testing, and Training Activities
Troop presence: The presence of soldiers and other personnel on the
beach, particularly at night during nesting and hatching season, could
result in harm or death to individual nesting turtles or hatchlings, as
well as deter females from nesting. Training exercises require
concentration and often involve inherently dangerous activities. A
nesting sea turtle or emerging hatchling could be overlooked and
injured or killed by training activities on the beach. Training
activities also may require the use of pyrotechnics and lighting, and
both nesting and hatchling sea turtles are adversely affected by the
presence of artificial lighting on or near the beach (Witherington and
Martin 1996, pp. 2-5). See the threat category for Artificial lighting
above for additional information.
Vehicles: The use of vehicles for amphibious assault training,
troop transport, helicopter landing drops and extraction, search and
rescue, and unmanned aerial vehicle use all have the potential to
injure or kill nesting females and emerging hatchlings. In addition,
heavy vehicles have the potential to compact sand that may affect the
ability of hatchlings to climb out of nests or create ruts that entrap
hatchlings after emergence. See the threat category for Beach driving
above for additional information.
Live fire exercises: Live fire exercises are inherently dangerous,
and spent ammunition could injure or kill sea turtles and hatchlings,
particularly at night. A nesting sea turtle or emerging hatchling could
approach the beach area during an exercise and be harmed or killed.
Placement or removal of objects on the beach: Digging into the sand
to place or remove objects (e.g., mine placement and extraction) could
result in direct mortality of developing embryos in nests within the
training area for those nests that are missed during daily nesting
surveys and thus not marked for avoidance. The exact number of these
missed nests is not known. However, in two separate monitoring programs
on the east coast of Florida where hand digging was performed to
confirm the presence of nests and thus reduce the chance of missing
nests through misinterpretation, trained observers still missed about 6
to 8 percent of the nests because of natural elements (Martin 1992, p.
3; Ernest and Martin 1993, pp. 23-24). This must be considered a
conservative number, because missed nests are not always accounted for.
In another study, Schroeder (1994, p. 133) found that, even under the
best of conditions, about 7 percent of nests can be misidentified as
false crawls by highly experienced sea turtle nest surveyors. Signs of
hatchling emergence are very easily obliterated by the same elements
that interfere with detection of nests.
USFWS consults with the Department of Defense under section 7 of
the Act on their Integrated Natural Resources
[[Page 18014]]
Management Plans, military mission, testing, and training activities
that may affect nesting and hatchling sea turtles, sea turtle nests,
and sea turtle nesting habitat. Efforts to minimize the effects of
these activities including natural resource management have focused on
adjusting the activity timing to minimize encounters with loggerheads
and adjusting locations of activities to reduce overlap with sea turtle
habitats.
Criteria Used To Identify Critical Habitat
As required by section 4(b)(2) of the Act, we use the best
scientific data available to designate critical habitat. We review
available information pertaining to the habitat requirements of the
species. In accordance with the Act and its implementing regulation at
50 CFR 424.12(e), we consider whether designating additional areas--
outside those currently occupied as well as those occupied at the time
of listing--is necessary to ensure the conservation of the species.
Here, we are proposing to designate critical habitat in areas within
the geographical area occupied by the species at the time of listing in
2011 (50 CFR 17.11(h)). We are not currently proposing to designate any
areas outside the geographical area occupied by the species because
occupied areas are sufficient for the conservation of the species.
Although the loggerhead sea turtle occurs throughout the temperate
and tropical regions of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans (Dodd
1988, p. 16), under our regulations, critical habitat can only be
designated in areas under U.S. jurisdiction (50 CFR 424.12(h)). Because
loggerhead sea turtle nesting in the United States only occurs within
the Northwest Atlantic Ocean DPS, we have defined the terrestrial
portion of the geographical area occupied for the loggerhead sea turtle
as those U.S. areas in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean DPS where nesting
has been documented for the most part annually for the 10-year period
from 2002 to 2011 as this time period represents the most consistent
and standardized nest count surveys (Florida Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Commission 2012, entire; Georgia Department of Natural
Resources 2012, entire; Gulf Islands National Seashore 2012a, entire;
Gulf Islands National Seashore 2012b, entire; North Carolina Wildlife
Resources Commission 2012, entire; Share the Beach 2012, entire; South
Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) 2012, entire).
As described in the Background section above, five recovery units
have been identified for the Northwest Atlantic population of the
loggerhead sea turtle (NMFS and USFWS 2008, pp. II-2-II-6). Four of
these recovery units represent nesting assemblages in the southeastern
United States and were delineated based on genetic differences and a
combination of geographic distribution of nesting densities, geographic
separation, and geopolitical boundaries. The fifth recovery unit
(Greater Caribbean Recovery Unit) includes all nesting assemblages
within the Greater Caribbean, which includes Puerto Rico and the U.S.
Virgin Islands. No loggerhead sea turtle nesting has ever been
documented in Puerto Rico (Diez 2012, pers. comm.). Only two loggerhead
sea turtles have been documented as nesting in the U.S. Virgin Islands,
both on Buck Island Reef National Monument off the north coast of St.
Croix (Pollock et al. 2009, entire) where nesting has been documented
since 2003. Therefore, although some loggerhead sea turtle nesting has
been documented on beaches under U.S. jurisdiction within the Greater
Caribbean Recovery Unit, we do not propose to designate any critical
habitat there due to the very low number of nests laid there. The four
recovery units for which we propose to designate terrestrial critical
habitat are the Northern Recovery Unit, Peninsular Florida Recovery
Unit, Dry Tortugas Recovery Unit, and Northern Gulf of Mexico Recovery
Unit.
All terrestrial units proposed for designation as critical habitat
are currently occupied by the loggerhead sea turtle and contain the
physical and biological features, occur within the species'
geographical range, and contain one or more of the PCEs sufficient to
support the terrestrial life-history processes of the species.
The selected primary beaches have the highest nesting densities
within each of the four recovery units, have a good geographic spatial
distribution that will help ensure the protection of genetic diversity,
and collectively provide a good representation of total nesting. The
selected beaches adjacent to the primary high-density nesting beaches
currently support loggerhead nesting and can serve as expansion areas
should the high-density nesting beaches be significantly degraded or
temporarily or permanently lost through natural processes or upland
development. Thus, the amount and distribution of critical habitat
being proposed for designation for terrestrial habitat will conserve
recovery units of the Northwest Atlantic Ocean DPS of the loggerhead
sea turtle by:
(1) Maintaining their existing nesting distribution;
(2) Allowing for movement between beach areas depending on habitat
availability (response to changing nature of coastal beach habitat) and
supporting genetic interchange;
(3) Allowing for an increase in the size of each recovery unit to a
level where the threats of genetic, demographic, and normal
environmental uncertainties are diminished; and
(4) Maintaining their ability to withstand local or unit level
environmental fluctuations or catastrophes.
We used the following process to select specific areas in the
terrestrial environment as critical habitat units for the Northwest
Atlantic Ocean DPS of the loggerhead sea turtle that contain the PBFs
and PCEs. For each recovery unit, we looked at nesting densities by
State or regions within a State (PBF 1) to ensure a good
spatial distribution of critical habitat. This approach was relatively
straightforward for the Northern Recovery Unit and the Northern Gulf of
Mexico Recovery Unit, and for the Dry Tortugas Recovery Unit where we
propose to designate all islands west of Key West where loggerhead
nesting has been documented as terrestrial critical habitat based on
the unit's small size. However, the approach used for the Peninsular
Florida Recovery Unit was more complex. The methodology used for
identifying critical habitat was developed with the assistance of five
State agency technical consultants with sea turtle expertise in North
Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. The methodology is
described by recovery unit below.
Northern Recovery Unit
For the Northern Recovery Unit, we used loggerhead nest counts from
2006-2011 to calculate mean nesting density for each beach. We defined
beach segments as islands or mainland beaches separated by creeks,
inlets, or sounds. However, in some cases, for long contiguous
stretches of habitat with no natural features, we used political
boundaries to delineate beaches (e.g., Myrtle Beach).
We divided beach nesting densities into four equal groups by State
and selected beaches that were within the top 25 percent (highest
nesting densities) for designation as critical habitat. These high
nesting density beaches along with the beaches adjacent to them as
described below encompassed the majority of nesting within the recovery
unit. The reason we determined high-density nesting beaches within each
State, rather than
[[Page 18015]]
the entire Northern Recovery Unit, was that doing so allowed for the
inclusion of beaches near the northern extent of the range (North
Carolina) that would otherwise be considered low density when compared
with beaches further south (Georgia and South Carolina), ensuring a
good spatial distribution. Although some loggerhead sea turtle nesting
regularly occurs in Virginia, we do not propose to designate any
critical habitat there due to the very low number of nests (less than
10 annually from 2002 to 2011) laid in the State.
We also identified adjacent beaches for each of the high-density
nesting beaches based on current knowledge about nest site fidelity.
Loggerheads are known to exhibit high site fidelity to individual
nesting beaches. In a study in Georgia, 55 percent (12 of 22) of
nesting females tracked during the internesting period used a single
island for nesting, while 40 percent (9 of 22) used two islands (Scott
2006, p. 51). Protecting beaches adjacent to high-density nesting
beaches should provide sufficient habitat to accommodate and provide a
rescue effect for nesting females whose primary nesting beach has been
lost. Although these areas currently support nesting, they will
facilitate recovery by providing additional nesting habitat for
population expansion. Therefore, in the Northern Recovery Unit, we
selected one island to the north and one island to the south, where
appropriate, of each of the high-density nesting beaches identified for
inclusion as critical habitat. Islands were selected because nesting
occurs on the islands and not the mainland beaches.
We identified 39 units in the Northern Recovery Unit for
designation as terrestrial critical habitat for the loggerhead sea
turtle. However, we have exempted one of the identified units (Marine
Corps Base Camp Lejeune (Onslow Beach)) from critical habitat
designation under section 4(a)(3) of the Act (see Exemptions section
below). The remaining 38 units encompass 393.7 km (244.7 miles) of
Atlantic Ocean shoreline: 8 units occur in North Carolina, 22 in South
Carolina, and 8 in Georgia. These 38 areas encompass approximately 86
percent of the documented nesting (numbers of nests) within the
recovery unit.
Peninsular Florida Recovery Unit
For the Peninsular Florida Recovery Unit, we took a similar
approach to the one used for the Northern Recovery Unit. However, we
used recent information on loggerhead genetics within the recovery unit
(Shamblin et al. 2011, entire) to break the unit into smaller regions
for the purpose of assessing beach nesting densities (analogous to
assessing nesting densities by State for the Northern Recovery Unit).
Within the southeastern United States, Shamblin et al. (2011, p.
585) supported recognition of a minimum of six distinct units based
solely on genetics. Four of these genetic units occur fully or
partially within the Peninsular Florida Recovery Unit: (1) Northern,
(2) central eastern Florida, (3) southern Florida (southeastern and
southwestern), and (4) central western Florida. We used these four
regions identified by Shamblin et al. (2011, p. 585) for our
assessment, but split southern Florida into southeastern and
southwestern regions based on additional genetic analyses (Shamblin
2012, pers. comm.). We included the Florida Keys in Monroe County from
Key West and east in the southeastern region because, even though the
sample sizes for loggerhead genetics on these islands are too small to
make any definitive determinations, they do indicate that loggerheads
nesting in this area are least likely to group out with those in the
southwestern region (Shamblin 2012, pers. comm.).
Therefore, we split the Peninsular Florida Recovery Unit into the
following five regions for an assessment of nesting densities based on
recovery unit boundaries (NMFS and USFWS 2008, pp. II-2-II-6) and
recent genetic analyses (Shamblin et al. 2011, p. 585; Shamblin 2012,
pers. comm.):
(1) Northern Florida--Florida-Georgia border to Ponce Inlet;
(2) Central Eastern Florida--Ponce Inlet to Fort Pierce Inlet;
(3) Southeastern Florida--Fort Pierce Inlet to Key West in Monroe
County;
(4) Central Western Florida--Pinellas County to San Carlos Bay off
Lee County; and
(5) Southwestern Florida--San Carlos Bay off Lee County to Sandy
Key in northwest Monroe County.
The next step for the Peninsular Florida Recovery Unit was to
delineate beaches within these five regions. For the Florida Atlantic
Coast from the Florida-Georgia border through central eastern Monroe
County, and for the Florida Gulf Coast from the Pinellas County-Pasco
County border through northwestern Monroe County, we first defined
beach segments as islands or mainland beaches separated by inlets,
cuts, rivers, creeks, bays, sounds, passes, and channels. Note that,
for the Miami Beaches area, we did not use the Haulover Cut to
delineate beaches north and south of this water feature. The reason for
this is that the permit holder survey area for the Miami Beaches occurs
both north and south of the Haulover Cut, and the nesting data could
not readily be separated. In this situation, the nesting density
analysis included data that covered the entire survey area from the
south end of Golden Beach to Government Cut.
After breaking out beach segments using inlets and other water
features, we determined that the identified beach segments were overly
large in some areas for an accurate assessment of nesting densities.
Calculating nesting densities for overly large areas could result in
some high-density nesting beaches not being identified because they
would be averaged in with adjacent lower density nesting beaches. To
address this issue, we next used information available on turtle nest
site fidelity to further separate beach segments. Nest site fidelity
varies among females, with some females laying multiple nests on a
relatively small section of beach and some laying their nests over a
much larger section of beach. Schroeder et al. (2003, p. 119) compiled
reported information on mean distances between the nest sites of
individual loggerheads, with the reported averages of females nesting
on the Florida Atlantic coast varying from 3.0 to 17.48 km (1.9 to 10.9
miles). In Southwest Florida, Tucker (2010, p. 51) reported a mean nest
site fidelity of 28.1 km (17.5 miles) for all nests, but 16.9 km (10.5
miles) if the first nests were omitted to account for each turtle's
navigational correction. Based on this information, we decided to use
distances of approximately 20.0 km (12.4 miles) to further separate out
beach segments. We used this 20.0-km (12.4-mile) target in concert with
sea turtle permit holder nesting survey area boundaries to delineate
beaches for the nesting density analysis.
For the Florida Keys in Monroe County, we grouped the islands from
Key West and east where loggerhead nesting has been documented into
three separate segments: (1) Upper segment consisting of Lower
Matecumbe Key and Long Key; (2) Middle segment consisting of Little
Crawl Key, Fat Deer Key, Key Colony Beach (formerly called Shelter
Key), and Vaca Key; and (3) Lower segment consisting of Bahia Honda
Key, Big Pine Key, and Key West. Note that Sandy Key in northwestern
Monroe County was grouped with the Southwestern Florida Region.
Once we defined the beaches by region within the Peninsular Florida
Recovery Unit, we used the same approach described above for the
Northern Recovery Unit. We divided beach nesting densities into four
equal
[[Page 18016]]
groups by region and selected beaches that were within the top 25
percent (highest nesting densities) for designation as critical
habitat. These high density nesting beaches along with the beaches
adjacent to them as described below encompassed the majority of nesting
within the recovery unit. The reason we determined high-density nesting
beaches within each region (rather than the entire Peninsular Florida
Recovery Unit) was to ensure the inclusion of beaches that would
otherwise be considered low density when compared with beaches along
the southeastern Florida coast and thus ensure a good spatial
distribution of critical habitat units within the recovery unit.
We also identified adjacent areas for each of the high-density
nesting beaches based on current knowledge about nest site fidelity.
Protecting beaches adjacent to high-density nesting beaches should
provide sufficient habitat to accommodate and provide a rescue effect
for nesting females whose primary nesting beach has been lost. To
identify adjacent beaches, we again used information available on
turtle nest site fidelity. Therefore, for the Peninsular Florida
Recovery Unit, we selected adjacent beaches approximately 20.0 km (12.4
miles) to the north and 20.0 km (12.4 miles) to the south, where
appropriate, of each of the high-density nesting beaches identified for
inclusion as critical habitat. The selected adjacent beaches were based
on permit holder survey area boundaries with one or more permit holder
survey areas being included depending on the length of the survey
areas. Within these adjacent areas for each of the high-density nesting
beaches, we did not include segments that were highly urbanized, highly
erosional, or prone to repeated flooding.
Although no beaches in the Florida Keys east of Key West were
selected using the above process, we decided to include beaches on two
Keys to ensure good spatial distribution of loggerhead nesting in the
southern portion of the range for this recovery unit. The Keys (Long
Key and Bahia Honda Key) we are proposing to designate as terrestrial
critical habitat address this need for good spatial distribution of
nesting. In addition, these beaches are unique from the other beaches
we are proposing to designate in that they are limestone islands with
narrow, low-energy beaches (beaches where waves are not powerful); they
have carbonate sands; and they are relatively close to the major
offshore currents that are known to facilitate the dispersal of post-
hatchling loggerheads.
We identified 37 units in the Peninsular Florida Recovery Unit for
designation as terrestrial critical habitat for the loggerhead sea
turtle. However, we have exempted two of the identified units (Cape
Canaveral Air Force Station and Patrick Air Force Base) from critical
habitat designation under section 4(a)(3) of the Act (see Exemptions
section below). The remaining 35 units encompass 364.9 km (226.7 miles)
of Atlantic Ocean shoreline and 198.8 km (123.5 miles) of Gulf of
Mexico shoreline totaling 563.7 km (350.2 miles) of shoreline in this
recovery unit: 18 units occur along the Atlantic Ocean coast, and 17
units occur along the Gulf of Mexico coast. These 35 units encompass
approximately 87 percent of the documented nesting (numbers of nests)
within the recovery unit.
Dry Tortugas Recovery Unit
For the Dry Tortugas Recovery Unit, we propose to designate all
islands west of Key West, Florida, where loggerhead nesting has been
documented, as terrestrial critical habitat due to the extremely small
size of this recovery unit. We identified four units in the Dry
Tortugas Recovery Unit for designation as terrestrial critical habitat
for the loggerhead sea turtle. These four units encompass 14.5 km (9.0
miles) of Gulf of Mexico shoreline. These four units encompass 100
percent of the nesting (numbers of nests) where loggerhead nesting is
known to occur within the recovery unit.
Northern Gulf of Mexico Recovery Unit
For the Northern Gulf of Mexico Recovery Unit, we used loggerhead
nest counts from 2006-2011 to calculate mean nesting density for each
beach. We defined beach segments as islands or mainland beaches
separated by cuts, bays, sounds, or passes. Note that we did not use
Crooked Island Sound, St. Andrews Bay Entrance Channel, and Destin Pass
to delineate beaches west and east of these water features. The reason
for this is that the permit holder survey areas for these three
locations occur both west and east of the water feature, and the
nesting data could not readily be separated. In these situations, the
nesting density analysis included data that covered the entire survey
areas on both sides of the water feature.
After breaking out beach segments using cuts and other water
features, we determined that the identified beach segments were overly
large in some areas for an accurate assessment of nesting densities.
Calculating nesting densities for overly large areas could result in
some high-density nesting beaches not being identified because they
would be averaged in with adjacent lower density nesting beaches. To
address this issue, we used political boundaries and information
available on turtle nest site fidelity to further separate beach
segments. Although some preliminary information on nest site fidelity
is available for the Northern Gulf of Mexico Recovery Unit, it was not
sufficient to determine average distances between nest sites within a
season for nesting females in this recovery unit. Therefore, as
described in the Peninsular Florida Recovery Unit section above, we
decided to use distances of approximately 20.0 km (12.4 miles) to
further separate out beach segments based on available information on
nest site fidelity. We used this 20.0-km (12.4-mile) target in concert
with sea turtle permit holder nesting survey area boundaries to
delineate beaches for the nesting density analysis.
Once we defined the beaches by State within the Northern Gulf of
Mexico Recovery Unit, we used a similar approach as the one described
above for the Northern Recovery Unit. For Mississippi, nesting data are
not collected regularly or in a standardized manner. Prior to 2006, the
National Park Service annually conducted aerial sea turtle nesting
surveys once a week during the nesting season on the Mississippi
District of Gulf Islands National Seashore. Aerial surveys were
conducted over Cat, West Ship, East Ship, Horn, and Petit Bois Islands.
All nests sighted during aerial surveys appeared to be loggerhead
nests. The total number of nests for a season ranged from 0 to
approximately 15, although aerial survey methods and frequency may have
missed nests. Although regular surveys have not been conducted since
2005, loggerhead nesting was documented in 2010 and 2011 during the
Deepwater Horizon event response efforts. Horn and Petit Bois Islands
have had the most nests; the other islands have had occasional nests.
For Alabama and the Florida Panhandle, we divided beach nesting
densities into four equal groups by State and selected beaches that
were within the top 25 percent (highest nesting densities) for
designation as critical habitat. These high density nesting beaches
along with the beaches adjacent to them as described below encompassed
the majority of nesting within the recovery unit. The reason we
determined high-density nesting beaches within each State (rather than
the entire Northern Gulf of Mexico Recovery Unit) was that it allowed
consideration for the inclusion of
[[Page 18017]]
beaches near the western extent of the range that would otherwise be
considered low density when compared with beaches in Alabama and the
Florida Panhandle, thus ensuring a good spatial distribution. While
nesting in Mississippi may be considered low density compared to
Alabama and the Florida Panhandle, the nesting numbers were much higher
than those in Louisiana and Texas. Thus, although some loggerhead sea
turtle nesting likely regularly occurs in Louisiana and Texas, we do
not propose to designate any critical habitat there due to the very low
number of nests (less than 10 annually in each State from 2002 to 2011)
known to be laid in these States.
We also identified adjacent areas for each of the high-density
nesting beaches in Alabama and the Florida Panhandle based on current
knowledge about nest site fidelity. Protecting beaches adjacent to
high-density nesting beaches should provide sufficient habitat to
accommodate and provide a rescue effect for nesting females whose
primary nesting beach has been lost. To identify adjacent beaches, we
again used information available on turtle nest site fidelity. Although
some preliminary information on nest site fidelity is available for the
Northern Gulf of Mexico Recovery Unit, it was not sufficient to
determine average distances between nest sites within a season for
nesting females in this recovery unit. Therefore, we used available
information on nest site fidelity for the Peninsular Florida Recovery
Unit and selected adjacent beaches approximately 20.0 km (12.4 miles)
to the west and 20.0 km (12.4 miles) to the east, where appropriate, of
each of the high-density nesting beaches identified for inclusion as
critical habitat. The selected adjacent beaches were based on permit
holder survey area boundaries with one or more permit holder survey
areas being included depending on the length of the survey areas.
Within these adjacent areas for each of the high-density nesting
beaches, we did not include segments that were highly urbanized, highly
erosional, or prone to repeated flooding.
We identified 14 units in the Northern Gulf of Mexico Recovery Unit
for designation as terrestrial critical habitat for the loggerhead sea
turtle. However, we have exempted one of the identified units (Eglin
Air Force Base (Cape San Blas)) from critical habitat designation under
section 4(a)(3) of the Act (see Exemptions section below). The
remaining 13 units encompass 218.0 km (135.5 miles) of Gulf of Mexico
shoreline: 2 units occur in Mississippi, 3 in Alabama, and 8 in the
Florida Panhandle. These 13 units encompass approximately 75 percent of
the documented nesting (numbers of nests) within the recovery unit. The
percentage of nesting is based on data from the Florida Panhandle and
Alabama only.
When determining proposed critical habitat boundaries, we made
every effort to avoid including developed areas such as lands covered
by buildings, pavement, and other structures because such lands lack
physical or biological features necessary for the loggerhead sea
turtle. The scale of the maps we prepared under the parameters for
publication within the Code of Federal Regulations may not reflect the
exclusion of such developed lands. Any such lands inadvertently left
inside critical habitat boundaries shown on the maps of this proposed
rule have been excluded by text in the proposed rule and are not
proposed for designation as critical habitat. Therefore, if the
critical habitat is finalized as proposed, a Federal action involving
these lands would not trigger section 7 consultation with respect to
critical habitat and the requirement of no adverse modification unless
the specific action would affect the physical or biological features in
the adjacent critical habitat.
The critical habitat designation is defined by the maps, as
modified by any accompanying regulatory text, presented at the end of
this document in the rule portion. We include more detailed information
on the boundaries of the critical habitat designation in the preamble
of this document. We will make the coordinates or plot points or both
on which each map is based available to the public on http://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS-R4-ES-2012-0103, on our Internet
site http://www.fws.gov/northflorida, and at the field office
responsible for the designation (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
above).
In order to translate the selection process above to the areas on
the ground, we used the following methodology to identify the mapped
boundaries of critical habitat for the Northwest Atlantic Ocean
loggerhead DPS:
(1) Each unit was digitally mapped in Google Earth imagery using
the unit boundary descriptions.
(2) Where feasible, natural or artificial features (inlets,
channels, creeks, bays and sounds), political boundaries (County or
City), or map-depicted land ownership (Federal, State, or local) were
used as unit boundaries.
(3) Where features to be used as boundaries were highly dynamic,
such as inlets, boundaries were distinguished using records of the sea
turtle nesting in that area.
(4) Where natural, artificial, or political features, or land
ownership could not be used for unit boundaries, boundaries were
delineated by geographic means (latitude and longitude, decimal degree
points).
(5) Data layers defining map units were created using Google Earth
imagery, then refined using Bing imagery. Unit descriptions were then
mapped using North America Lambert Conformal Conic coordinates.
Proposed Critical Habitat Designation
We are proposing 1,189.9 km (739.3 miles) in 90 units in the
terrestrial environment as critical habitat for the loggerhead sea
turtle. Under section 4(a)(3) of the Act, we have exempted four
additional units that were identified for inclusion as critical habitat
(see Exemptions section below). The critical habitat areas we describe
below constitute our current best assessment of areas that meet the
definition of critical habitat in the terrestrial environment for the
Northwest Atlantic Ocean DPS of the loggerhead sea turtle. The 90 areas
we propose as critical habitat and the approximate shoreline length and
Federal, State, and private and other (counties and municipalities)
ownership of each proposed critical habitat unit are shown in Table 1.
[[Page 18018]]
Table 1--Proposed Critical Habitat Units for the Loggerhead Sea Turtle by Recovery Unit
[Beach length estimates reflect the linear distance along the nesting beach shoreline within critical habitat
unit boundaries. All units are occupied]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Private and
Length of unit other
Critical habitat unit in kilometers Federal State (counties and
(miles) municipalities)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northern Recovery Unit
North Carolina
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LOGG-T-NC-01: Bogue Banks, Carteret County..... 38.9 (24.2) 0 (0) 4.6 (2.9) 34.3 (21.3)
LOGG-T-NC-02: Bear Island, Onslow County....... 6.6 (4.1) 0 (0) 6.6 (4.1) 0 (0)
LOGG-T-NC-03: Topsail Island, Onslow and Pender 35.0 (21.8) 0 (0) 0 (0) 35.0 (21.8)
Counties......................................
LOGG-T-NC-04: Lea-Hutaff Island, Pender County. 6.1 (3.8) 0 (0) 0.5 (0.3) 5.6 (3.5)
LOGG-T-NC-05: Pleasure Island, New Hanover 18.6 (11.5) 0 (0) 6.8 (4.2) 11.8 (7.3)
County........................................
LOGG-T-NC-06: Bald Head Island, Brunswick 15.1 (9.4) 0 (0) 5.8 (3.6) 9.3 (5.8)
County........................................
LOGG-T-NC-07: Oak Island, Brunswick County..... 20.9 (13.0) 0 (0) 0 (0) 20.9 (13.0)
LOGG-T-NC-08: Holden Beach, Brunswick County... 13.4 (8.3) 0 (0) 0 (0) 13.4 (8.3)
----------------------------------------------------------------
North Carolina State Totals................ 154.6 (96.1) 0 (0) 24.3 (15.1) 130.3 (81.0)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
South Carolina
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LOGG-T-SC-01: North Island, Georgetown County.. 13.2 (8.2) 0 (0) 13.2 (8.2) 0 (0)
LOGG-T-SC-02: Sand Island, Georgetown County... 4.7 (2.9) 0 (0) 4.7 (2.9) 0 (0)
LOGG-T-SC-03: South Island, Georgetown County.. 6.7 (4.2) 0 (0) 6.7 (4.2) 0 (0)
LOGG-T-SC-04: Cedar Island, Georgetown County.. 4.1 (2.5) 0 (0) 4.1 (2.5) 0 (0)
LOGG-T-SC-05: Murphy Island, Charleston County. 8.0 (5.0) 0 (0) 8.0 (5.0) 0 (0)
LOGG-T-SC-06: Cape Island, Charleston County... 8.3 (5.1) 8.3 (5.1) 0 (0) 0 (0)
LOGG-T-SC-07: Lighthouse Island, Charleston 5.3 (3.3) 5.3 (3.3) 0 (0) 0 (0)
County........................................
LOGG-T-SC-08: Raccoon Key, Charleston County... 4.8 (3.0) 4.8 (3.0) 0 (0) 0 (0)
LOGG-T-SC-09: Folly Island, Charleston County.. 11.2 (7.0) 0 (0) 0 (0) 11.2 (7.0)
LOGG-T-SC-10: Kiawah Island, Charleston County. 17.0 (10.6) 0 (0) 0 (0) 17.0 (10.6)
LOGG-T-SC-11: Seabrook Island, Charleston 5.8 (3.6) 0 (0) 0 (0) 5.8 (3.6)
County........................................
LOGG-T-SC-12: Botany Bay Island and Botany Bay 6.6 (4.1) 0 (0) 4.0 (2.5) 2.6 (1.6)
Plantation, Charleston County.................
LOGG-T-SC-13: Interlude Beach, Charleston 0.9 (0.6) 0 (0) 0.9 (0.6) 0 (0)
County........................................
LOGG-T-SC-14: Edingsville Beach, Charleston 2.7 (1.7) 0 (0) 0 (0) 2.7 (1.7)
County........................................
LOGG-T-SC-15: Edisto Beach State Park, Colleton 2.2 (1.4) 0 (0) 2.2 (1.4) 0 (0)
County........................................
LOGG-T-SC-16: Edisto Beach, Colleton County.... 6.8 (4.2) 0 (0) 0 (0) 6.8 (4.2)
LOGG-T-SC-17: Pine Island, Colleton County..... 1.2 (0.7) 0 (0) 1.2 (0.7) 0 (0)
LOGG-T-SC-18: Otter Island, Colleton County.... 4.1 (2.5) 0 (0) 4.1 (2.5) 0 (0)
LOGG-T-SC-19: Harbor Island, Beaufort County... 2.9 (1.8) 0 (0) 0 (0) 2.9 (1.8)
LOGG-T-SC-20: Little Capers Island, Beaufort 4.6 (2.9) 0 (0) 0 (0) 4.6 (2.9)
County........................................
LOGG-T-SC-21: St. Phillips Island, Beaufort 2.3 (1.4) 0 (0) 0 (0) 2.3 (1.4)
County........................................
LOGG-T-SC-22: Bay Point Island, Beaufort County 4.3 (2.7) 0 (0) 0 (0) 4.3 (2.7)
----------------------------------------------------------------
South Carolina State Totals................ 127.7 (79.3) 18.4 (11.4) 48.9 (30.4) 60.4 (37.5)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Georgia
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LOGG-T-GA-01: Little Tybee Island, Chatham 8.6 (5.3) 0 (0) 8.6 (5.3) 0 (0)
County........................................
LOGG-T-GA-02: Wassaw Island, Chatham County.... 10.1 (6.3) 9.8 (6.1) 0 (0) 0.3 (0.2)
LOGG-T-GA-03: Ossabaw Island, Chatham County... 17.1 (10.6) 0 (0) 17.1 (10.6) 0 (0)
LOGG-T-GA-04: St. Catherines Island, Liberty 18.4 (11.5) 0 (0) 0 (0) 18.4 (11.5)
County........................................
LOGG-T-GA-05: Blackbeard Island, McIntosh 13.5 (8.4) 13.5 (8.4) 0 (0) 0 (0)
County........................................
LOGG-T-GA-06: Sapelo Island, McIntosh County... 9.3 (5.8) 0 (0) 9.3 (5.8) 0 (0)
LOGG-T-GA-07: Little Cumberland Island, Camden 4.9 (3.0) 0 (0) 0 (0) 4.9 (3.0)
County........................................
LOGG-T-GA-08: Cumberland Island, Camden County. 29.7 (18.4) 25.2 (15.7) 0 (0) 4.5 (2.8)
----------------------------------------------------------------
Georgia State Totals....................... 111.5 (69.3) 48.4 (30.1) 34.9 (21.7) 28.1 (17.5)
----------------------------------------------------------------
Northern Recovery Unit Totals.......... 393.7 (244.7) 66.8 (41.5) 109.2 (67.9) 217.7 (135.3)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Peninsular Florida Recovery Unit
Florida
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LOGG-T-FL-01: South Duval County Beaches-Old 25.2 (15.6) 0 (0) 0 (0) 25.2 (15.6)
Ponte Vedra, Duval and St. Johns Counties.....
LOGG-T-FL-02: Guana Tolomato Matanzas NERR-St. 24.1 (15.0) 0 (0) 7.2 (4.4) 17.0 (10.6)
Augustine Inlet, St. Johns County.............
LOGG-T-FL-03: St. Augustine Inlet-Matanzas 22.4 (14.0) 1.4 (0.9) 5.6 (3.5) 15.4 (9.6)
Inlet, St. Johns County.......................
LOGG-T-FL-04: River to Sea Preserve at 31.8 (19.8) 0 (0) 6.1 (3.8) 25.7 (16.0)
Marineland-North Peninsula State Park, Flagler
and Volusia Counties..........................
LOGG-T-FL-05: Ormond-by-the-Sea-Granada Blvd, 11.1 (6.9) 0 (0) 0 (0) 11.1 (6.9)
Volusia County................................
[[Page 18019]]
LOGG-T-FL-06: Canaveral National Seashore 18.2 (11.3) 18.2 (11.3) 0 (0) 0 (0)
North, Volusia County.........................
LOGG-T-FL-07: Canaveral National Seashore South- 28.4 (17.6) 28.4 (17.6) 0 (0) 0 (0)
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge (NWR)-
Kennedy Space, Brevard County.................
LOGG-T-FL-08: Central Brevard Beaches, Brevard 19.5 (12.1) 0 (0) 0 (0) 19.5 (12.1)
County........................................
LOGG-T-FL-09: South Brevard Beaches, Brevard 20.8 (12.9) 4.2 (2.6) 1.5 (1.0) 15.0 (9.3)
County........................................
LOGG-T-FL-10: Sebastian Inlet-Indian River 21.4 (13.3) 0.9 (0.6) 3.2 (2.0) 17.4 (10.8)
Shores, Indian River County...................
LOGG-T-FL-11: Fort Pierce Inlet-St. Lucie 35.2 (21.9) 0 (0) 0 (0) 35.2 (21.9)
Inlet, St. Lucie and Martin Counties..........
LOGG-T-FL-12: St. Lucie Inlet-Jupiter Inlet, 24.9 (15.5) 4.8 (3.0) 3.7 (2.3) 16.4 (10.2)
Martin and Palm Beach Counties................
LOGG-T-FL-13: Jupiter Inlet-Lake Worth Inlet, 18.8 (11.7) 0 (0) 2.5 (1.5) 16.3 (10.1)
Palm Beach County.............................
LOGG-T-FL-14: Lake Worth Inlet-Boynton Inlet, 24.3 (15.1) 0 (0) 0 (0) 24.3 (15.1)
Palm Beach County.............................
LOGG-T-FL-15: Boynton Inlet-Boca Raton Inlet, 22.6 (14.1) 0 (0) 0 (0) 22.6 (14.1)
Palm Beach County.............................
LOGG-T-FL-16: Boca Raton Inlet-Hillsboro Inlet, 8.3 (5.2) 0 (0) 0 (0) 8.3 (5.2)
Palm Beach and Broward Counties...............
LOGG-T-FL-17: Long Key, Monroe County.......... 4.2 (2.6) 0 (0) 4.2 (2.6) 0 (0)
LOGG-T-FL-18: Bahia Honda Key, Monroe County... 3.7 (2.3) 0 (0) 3.7 (2.3) 0 (0)
LOGG-T-FL-19: Longboat Key, Manatee and 16.0 (9.9) 0 (0) 0 (0) 16.0 (9.9)
Sarasota Counties.............................
LOGG-T-FL-20: Siesta and Casey Keys, Sarasota 20.8 (13.0) 0 (0) 0 (0) 20.8 (13.0)
County........................................
LOGG-T-FL-21: Venice Beaches and Manasota Key, 26.0 (16.1) 0 (0) 1.9 (1.2) 24.1 (15.0)
Sarasota and Charlotte Counties...............
LOGG-T-FL-22: Knight, Don Pedro, and Little 10.8 (6.7) 0 (0) 1.9 (1.2) 8.9 (5.5)
Gasparilla Islands, Charlotte County..........
LOGG-T-FL-23: Gasparilla Island, Charlotte and 11.2 (6.9) 0 (0) 1.5 (1.0) 9.6 (6.0)
Lee Counties..................................
LOGG-T-FL-24: Cayo Costa, Lee County........... 13.5 (8.4) 0 (0) 13.2 (8.2) 0.3 (0.2)
LOGG-T-FL-25: Captiva Island, Lee County....... 7.6 (4.7) 0 (0) 0 (0) 7.6 (4.7)
LOGG-T-FL-26: Sanibel Island West, Lee County.. 12.2 (7.6) 0 (0) 0 (0) 12.2 (7.6)
LOGG-T-FL-27: Little Hickory Island, Lee and 8.7 (5.4) 0 (0) 0 (0) 8.7 (5.4)
Collier Counties..............................
LOGG-T-FL-28: Wiggins Pass-Clam Pass, Collier 7.7 (4.8) 0 (0) 2.0 (1.2) 5.7 (3.6)
County........................................
LOGG-T-FL-29: Clam Pass--Doctors Pass, Collier 4.9 (3.0) 0 (0) 0 (0) 4.9 (3.0)
County........................................
LOGG-T-FL-30: Keewaydin Island and Sea Oat 13.1 (8.1) 0 (0) 12.4 (7.7) 0.7 (0.5)
Island, Collier County........................
LOGG-T-FL-31: Cape Romano, Collier County...... 9.2 (5.7) 0 (0) 7.2 (4.5) 2.0 (1.2)
LOGG-T-FL-32: Ten Thousand Islands North, 7.8 (4.9) 2.9 (1.8) 4.9 (3.1) 0 (0)
Collier County................................
LOGG-T-FL-33: Highland Beach, Monroe County.... 7.2 (4.5) 7.2 (4.5) 0 (0) 0 (0)
LOGG-T-FL-34: Graveyard Creek- Shark Point, 0.9 (0.6) 0.9 (0.6) 0 (0) 0 (0)
Monroe County.................................
LOGG-T-FL-35: Cape Sable, Monroe County........ 21.3 (13.2) 21.3 (13.2) 0 (0) 0 (0)
----------------------------------------------------------------
Florida State Totals....................... 563.7 (350.2) 90.3 (56.1) 82.6 (51.3) 390.9 (242.9)
----------------------------------------------------------------
Peninsular Florida Recovery Unit Totals 563.7 (350.2) 90.3 (56.1) 82.6 (51.3) 390.9 (242.9)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dry Tortugas Recovery Unit
Florida
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LOGG-T-FL-36: Dry Tortugas, Monroe County...... 6.3 (3.9) 6.3 (3.9) 0 (0) 0 (0)
LOGG-T-FL-37: Marquesas Keys, Monroe County.... 5.6 (3.5) 5.6 (3.5) 0 (0) 0 (0)
LOGG-T-FL-38: Boca Grande Key, Monroe County... 1.3 (0.8) 1.3 (0.8) 0 (0) 0 (0)
LOGG-T-FL-39: Woman Key, Monroe County......... 1.3 (0.8) 1.3 (0.8) 0 (0) 0 (0)
----------------------------------------------------------------
Florida State Totals....................... 14.5 (9.0) 14.5 (9.0) 0 (0) 0 (0)
----------------------------------------------------------------
Dry Tortugas Recovery Unit Totals...... 14.5 (9.0) 14.5 (9.0) 0 (0) 0 (0)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northern Gulf of Mexico Recovery Unit
Mississippi
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LOGG-T-MS-01: Horn Island, Jackson County...... 18.6 (11.5) 17.7 (11.0) 0 (0) 0.8 (0.5)
LOGG-T-MS-02: Petit Bois Island, Jackson County 9.8 (6.1) 9.8 (6.1) 0 (0) 0 (0)
----------------------------------------------------------------
Mississippi State Totals................... 28.4 (17.6) 27.5 (17.1) 0 (0) 0.8 (0.5)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alabama
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LOGG-T-AL-01: Mobile Bay-Little Lagoon Pass, 28.0 (17.4) 5.4 (3.4) 3.1 (1.9) 19.5 (12.1)
Baldwin County................................
LOGG-T-AL-02: Gulf State Park-Perdido Pass, 10.7 (6.7) 0 (0) 3.5 (2.2) 7.3 (4.5)
Baldwin County................................
LOGG-T-AL-03: Perdido Pass-Florida-Alabama 3.3 (2.0) 0 (0) 1.7 (1.0) 1.6 (1.0)
line, Baldwin County..........................
----------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 18020]]
Alabama State Totals....................... 42.0 (26.1) 5.4 (3.4) 8.2 (5.1) 28.3 (17.6)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Florida
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LOGG-T-FL-40: Perdido Key, Escambia County..... 20.2 (12.6) 11.0 (6.8) 2.5 (1.6) 6.7 (4.2)
LOGG-T-FL-41: Mexico Beach and St. Joe Beach, 18.7 (11.7) 0 (0) 0 (0) 18.7 (11.7)
Bay and Gulf Counties.........................
LOGG-T-FL-42: St. Joseph Peninsula, Gulf County 23.5 (14.6) 0 (0) 15.5 (9.7) 8.0 (4.9)
LOGG-T-FL-43: Cape San Blas, Gulf County....... 11.0 (6.8) 0 (0) 0.1 (0.1) 10.8 (6.7)
LOGG-T-FL-44: St. Vincent Island, Franklin 15.1 (9.4) 15.1 (9.4) 0 (0) 0 (0)
County........................................
LOGG-T-FL-45: Little St. George Island, 15.4 (9.6) 0 (0) 15.4 (9.6) 0 (0)
Franklin County...............................
LOGG-T-FL-46: St. George Island, Franklin 30.7 (19.1) 0 (0) 14.0 (8.7) 16.7 (10.4)
County:.......................................
LOGG-T-FL-47: Dog Island, Franklin County...... 13.1 (8.1) 0 (0) 0 (0) 13.1 (8.1)
----------------------------------------------------------------
Florida State Totals....................... 147.7 (91.8) 26.1 (16.2) 47.5 (29.5) 74.0 (46.0)
================================================================
Northern Gulf of Mexico Recovery Unit 218.0 (135.5) 59.0 (36.7) 55.8 (34.7) 103.2 (64.2)
Totals................................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Linear distances may not sum due to rounding.
We present brief descriptions of all units, and reasons why they
meet the definition of critical habitat for the loggerhead sea turtle,
below.
Northern Recovery Unit
North Carolina
LOGG-T-NC-01--Bogue Banks, Carteret County: This unit consists of
38.9 km (24.2 miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean. The
island is separated from the mainland by the Atlantic Intracoastal
Waterway and Bogue Sound. The unit extends from Beaufort Inlet to Bogue
Inlet. The unit includes lands from the MHW line landward to the toe of
the secondary dune or developed structures. Land in this unit is in
State and private ownership (see Table 1). The State portion is Fort
Macon State Park, which is managed by the North Carolina Division of
Parks and Recreation. This unit was occupied at the time of listing and
is currently occupied. This unit supports expansion of nesting from an
adjacent unit (LOGG-T-NC-02) that has high-density nesting by
loggerhead sea turtles in North Carolina. This unit contains all of the
PBFs and PCEs. The PBFs in this unit may require special management
considerations or protections to ameliorate the threats of recreational
use, beach driving, predation, beach sand placement activities, in-
water and shoreline alterations, climate change, beach erosion,
artificial lighting, human-caused disasters, and response to disasters.
At this time, we are not aware of any management plans that address
this species in this area.
LOGG-T-NC-02--Bear Island, Onslow County: This unit consists of 6.6
km (4.1 miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean. The island
is separated from the mainland by the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway
and salt marsh. The unit extends from Bogue Inlet to Bear Inlet. The
unit includes lands from the MHW line landward to the toe of the
secondary dune or developed structures. Land in this unit is in State
ownership (see Table 1). The island is managed by the North Carolina
Division of Parks and Recreation as Hammocks Beach State Park. This
unit was occupied at the time of listing and is currently occupied.
This unit has high-density nesting by loggerhead sea turtles in North
Carolina. This unit contains all of the PBFs and PCEs. The PBFs in this
unit may require special management considerations or protections to
ameliorate the threats of recreational use, predation, beach sand
placement activities, in-water and shoreline alterations, climate
change, beach erosion, human-caused disasters, and response to
disasters. At this time, we are not aware of any management plans that
address this species in this area.
LOGG-T-NC-03--Topsail Island, Onslow and Pender Counties: This unit
consists of 35.0 km (21.8 miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic
Ocean. The island is separated from the mainland by the Atlantic
Intracoastal Waterway, Chadwick Bay, Alligator Bay, Goose Bay, Rogers
Bay, Everett Bay, Spicer Bay, Waters Bay, Stump Sound, Banks Channel,
and salt marsh. The unit extends from New River Inlet to New Topsail
Inlet. The unit includes lands from the MHW line to the toe of the
secondary dune or developed structures. Land in this unit is in private
and other ownership (see Table 1). The local municipality portion is
the North Topsail Beach Park, which is managed by the Town of North
Topsail Beach. This unit was occupied at the time of listing and is
currently occupied. This unit has high-density nesting by loggerhead
sea turtles in North Carolina. This unit contains all of the PBFs and
PCEs. The PBFs in this unit may require special management
considerations or protections to ameliorate the threats of recreational
use, beach driving, predation, beach sand placement activities, in-
water and shoreline alterations, climate change, beach erosion,
artificial lighting, human-caused disasters, and response to disasters.
At this time, we are not aware of any management plans that address
this species in this area.
LOGG-T-NC-04--Lea-Hutaff Island, Pender County: This unit consists
of 6.1 km (3.8 miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean.
Following the closure of Old Topsail Inlet in 1998, two islands, Lea
Island and Hutaff Island, joined to form what is now a single island
referred to as Lea-Hutaff Island. The island is separated from the
mainland by the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, Topsail Sound, Eddy
Sound, Long Point Channel, Green Channel, and salt marsh. The unit
extends from New Topsail Inlet to Rich Inlet. The unit includes lands
from the MHW line to the toe of the secondary dune or developed
structures. Land in this unit is in State and private ownership (see
Table 1). The State portion is part of the
[[Page 18021]]
Lea Island State Natural Area, which includes most of the original Lea
Island, and is owned by the North Carolina Division of Parks and
Recreation and managed by Audubon North Carolina. The remainder of the
original Lea Island is privately owned. The original Hutaff Island is
entirely privately owned. This unit was occupied at the time of listing
and is currently occupied. This unit supports expansion of nesting from
an adjacent unit (LOGG-T-NC-03) that has high-density nesting by
loggerhead sea turtles in North Carolina. This unit contains all of the
PBFs and PCEs. The PBFs in this unit may require special management
considerations or protections to ameliorate the threats of recreational
use, predation, in-water and shoreline alterations, climate change,
beach erosion, human-caused disasters, and response to disasters. At
this time, we are not aware of any management plans that address this
species in this area.
LOGG-T-NC-05--Pleasure Island, New Hanover County: This unit
consists of 18.6 km (11.5 miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic
Ocean. The island is separated from the mainland by the Atlantic
Intracoastal Waterway, Cape Fear River, Upper Midnight Channel Range,
Lower Midnight Channel Range, Reaves Point Channel Range, Horseshoe
Shoal Channel Range, Snow Marsh Channel Range, and The Basin (bay). The
unit extends from Carolina Beach Inlet to 33.91433 N, 77.94408 W
(historic location of Corncake Inlet). The unit includes lands from the
MHW line to the toe of the secondary dune or developed structures. Land
in this unit is in State, private, and other ownership (see Table 1).
The State portion is Fort Fisher State Recreation Area, which is
managed by the North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation. The
local municipality portion includes half of Freeman Park Recreation
Area, which is managed by the Town of Carolina Beach. The County
portion includes the other half of Freeman Park Recreation Area, which
is also managed by the Town of Carolina Beach under an interlocal
agreement with New Hanover County. This unit was occupied at the time
of listing and is currently occupied. This unit supports expansion of
nesting from an adjacent unit (LOGG-T-NC-06) that has high-density
nesting by loggerhead sea turtles in North Carolina. This unit contains
all of the PBFs and PCEs. The PBFs in this unit may require special
management considerations or protections to ameliorate the threats of
recreational use, beach driving, predation, beach sand placement
activities, in-water and shoreline alterations, climate change, beach
erosion, artificial lighting, human-caused disasters, and response to
disasters. At this time, we are not aware of any management plans that
address this species in this area.
LOGG-T-NC-06--Bald Head Island, Brunswick County: This unit
consists of 15.1 km (9.4 miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic
Ocean. The island is part of the Smith Island Complex, which is a
barrier spit that includes Bald Head, Middle, and Bluff Islands. The
island is separated from the mainland by the Atlantic Intracoastal
Waterway, Cape Fear River, Battery Island Channel, Lower Swash Channel
Range, Buzzard Bay, Smith Island Range, Southport Channel, and salt
marsh. The unit extends from 33.91433 N, 77.94408 W (historic location
of Corncake Inlet) to the mouth of the Cape Fear River. The unit
includes lands from the MHW line to the toe of the secondary dune or
developed structures. Land in this unit is in State and private and
other ownership (see Table 1). The State portion is Bald Head State
Natural Area. This unit was occupied at the time of listing and is
currently occupied. This unit has high-density nesting by loggerhead
sea turtles in North Carolina. This unit contains all of the PBFs and
PCEs. The PBFs in this unit may require special management
considerations or protections to ameliorate the threats of recreational
use, predation, beach sand placement activities, in-water and shoreline
alterations, coastal development, climate change, beach erosion,
artificial lighting, human-caused disasters, and response to disasters.
At this time, we are not aware of any management plans that address
this species in this area.
LOGG-T-NC-07--Oak Island, Brunswick County: This unit consists of
20.9 km (13.0 miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean. The
island is separated from the mainland by the Atlantic Intracoastal
Waterway, Cape Fear River, Eastern Channel, and salt marsh. The unit
extends from the mouth of the Cape Fear River to Lockwoods Folly Inlet.
The unit includes lands from the MHW line to the toe of the secondary
dune or developed structures. Land in this unit is in private and other
ownership (see Table 1). This unit was occupied at the time of listing
and is currently occupied. This unit has high-density nesting by
loggerhead sea turtles in North Carolina. This unit contains all of the
PBFs and PCEs. The PBFs in this unit may require special management
considerations or protections to ameliorate the threats of recreational
use, predation, beach sand placement activities, in-water and shoreline
alterations, climate change, beach erosion, artificial lighting, human-
caused disasters, and response to disasters. At this time, we are not
aware of any management plans that address this species in this area.
LOGG-T-NC-08--Holden Beach, Brunswick County: This unit consists of
13.4 km (8.3 miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean. The
island is separated from the mainland by the Atlantic Intracoastal
Waterway, Elizabeth River, Montgomery Slough, Boone Channel, and salt
marsh. The unit extends from Lockwoods Folly Inlet to Shallotte Inlet.
The unit includes lands from the MHW line to the toe of the secondary
dune or developed structures. Land in this unit is in private and other
ownership (see Table 1). This unit was occupied at the time of listing
and is currently occupied. This unit supports expansion of nesting from
an adjacent unit (LOGG-T-NC-07) that has high-density nesting by
loggerhead sea turtles in North Carolina. This unit contains all of the
PBFs and PCEs. The PBFs in this unit may require special management
considerations or protections to ameliorate the threats of recreational
use, predation, beach sand placement activities, in-water and shoreline
alterations, climate change, beach erosion, artificial lighting, human-
caused disasters, and response to disasters. At this time, we are not
aware of any management plans that address this species in this area.
South Carolina
LOGG-T-SC-01--North Island, Georgetown County: This unit consists
of 13.2 km (8.2 miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean.
The island is separated from the mainland by the Atlantic Intracoastal
Waterway, Winyah Bay, Mud Bay, Oyster Bay, and salt marsh. The unit
extends from North Inlet to Winyah Bay. The unit includes lands from
the MHW line to the toe of the secondary dune or developed structures.
Land in this unit is in State ownership (see Table 1). It is part of
the Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center Heritage Preserve, which is managed by
the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. This unit was
occupied at the time of listing and is currently occupied. This unit
supports expansion of nesting from an adjacent unit (LOGG-T-SC-02) that
has high-density nesting by loggerhead sea turtles in South Carolina.
This unit contains all of the PBFs and PCEs. The PBFs in this unit may
require special management considerations or protections to ameliorate
the threats of recreational
[[Page 18022]]
use, predation, beach erosion, climate change, artificial lighting,
habitat obstructions, human-caused disasters, and response to
disasters. The Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center has a management plan that
includes procedures for the implementation of sea turtle nesting
surveys, nest marking, feral hog removal, and beach management to
protect nesting and hatchling loggerhead sea turtles from anthropogenic
disturbances (Dozier 2006, pp. 31, 64-65).
LOGG-T-SC-02--Sand Island, Georgetown County: This unit consists of
4.7 km (2.9 miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean and
Winyah Bay. The island is separated from the mainland by the Atlantic
Intracoastal Waterway and salt marsh. The unit extends from Winyah Bay
to 33.17534 N, 79.19206 W (northern boundary of an unnamed inlet
separating Sand Island and South Island). The unit includes lands from
the MHW line to the toe of the secondary dune or developed structures.
Land in this unit is in State ownership (see Table 1). It is part of
the Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center Heritage Preserve, which is managed by
the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. This unit was
occupied at the time of listing and is currently occupied. This unit
has high-density nesting by loggerhead sea turtles in South Carolina.
This unit contains all of the PBFs and PCEs. The PBFs in this unit may
require special management considerations or protections to ameliorate
the threats of predation, in-water and shoreline alterations, beach
erosion, climate change, artificial lighting, human-caused disasters,
and response to disasters. The Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center has a
management plan that includes procedures for the implementation of sea
turtle nesting surveys, nest marking, feral hog removal, and beach
management to protect nesting and hatchling loggerhead sea turtles from
anthropogenic disturbances (Dozier 2006, pp. 31, 64-65).
LOGG-T-SC-03--South Island, Georgetown County: This unit consists
of 6.7 km (4.2 miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean. The
island is separated from the mainland by the Atlantic Intracoastal
Waterway, North Santee Bay, and salt marsh. The unit extends from
33.17242 N, 79.19366 W (southern boundary of an unnamed inlet
separating Sand Island and South Island) to North Santee Inlet. The
unit includes lands from the MHW line to the toe of the secondary dune
or developed structures. Land in this unit is in State ownership (see
Table 1). It is part of the Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center Heritage
Preserve, which is managed by the South Carolina Department of Natural
Resources. This unit was occupied at the time of listing and is
currently occupied. This unit has high-density nesting by loggerhead
sea turtles in South Carolina. This unit contains all of the PBFs and
PCEs. The PBFs in this unit may require special management
considerations or protections to ameliorate the threats of recreational
use, predation, in-water and shoreline alterations, beach erosion,
climate change, artificial lighting, human-caused disasters, and
response to disasters. The Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center has a management
plan that includes procedures for the implementation of sea turtle
nesting surveys, nest marking, feral hog removal, and beach management
to protect nesting and hatchling loggerhead sea turtles from
anthropogenic disturbances (Dozier 2006, pp. 31, 64-65).
LOGG-T-SC-04--Cedar Island, Georgetown County: This unit consists
of 4.1 km (2.5 miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean and
North Santee Inlet. The island is separated from the mainland by the
Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway and salt marsh. The unit extends from
North Santee Inlet to South Santee Inlet. The unit includes lands from
the MHW line to the toe of the secondary dune or developed structures.
Land in this unit is in State ownership (see Table 1). It is part of
the Santee Coastal Reserve Wildlife Management Area, which is managed
by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. This unit was
occupied at the time of listing and is currently occupied. This unit
supports expansion of nesting from an adjacent unit (LOGG-T-SC-03) that
has high-density nesting by loggerhead sea turtles in South Carolina.
This unit contains all of the PBFs and PCEs. The PBFs in this unit may
require special management considerations or protections to ameliorate
the threats of recreational use, predation, beach erosion, climate
change, habitat obstructions, human-caused disasters, and response to
disasters. The Santee Coastal Reserve Wildlife Management Area has a
draft management plan that includes recommendations to reduce sea
turtle nest depredation by raccoons (South Carolina Department of
Natural Resources 2002, p. 21), but there is currently no other
management for protection of loggerhead sea turtle nests.
LOGG-T-SC-05--Murphy Island, Charleston County: This unit consists
of 8.0 km (5.0 miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean and
South Santee Inlet. The island is separated from the mainland by the
Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway and inland marsh. The unit extends from
South Santee Inlet to 33.08335 N, 79.34285 W. The unit includes lands
from the MHW line to the toe of the secondary dune or developed
structures. Land in this unit is in State ownership (see Table 1). It
is part of the Santee Coastal Reserve Wildlife Management Area, which
is managed by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. This
unit was occupied at the time of listing and is currently occupied.
This unit supports expansion of nesting from an adjacent unit (LOGG-T-
SC-06) that has high-density nesting by loggerhead sea turtles in South
Carolina. This unit contains all of the PBFs and PCEs. The PBFs in this
unit may require special management considerations or protections to
ameliorate the threats of recreational use, predation, beach erosion,
climate change, habitat obstructions, human-caused disasters, and
response to disasters. The Santee Coastal Reserve Wildlife Management
Area has a draft management plan that includes recommendations to
reduce sea turtle nest depredation by raccoons (South Carolina
Department of Natural Resources 2002, p. 21), but there is currently no
other management for protection of loggerhead sea turtle nests.
LOGG-T-SC-06--Cape Island, Charleston County: This unit consists of
8.3 km (5.1 miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean. The
island is separated from the mainland by the Atlantic Intracoastal
Waterway, Cape Romain Harbor, coastal islands, and salt marsh. The unit
extends from Cape Romain Inlet to 33.00988 N, 79.36529 W (northern
boundary of an unnamed inlet between Cape Island and Lighthouse
Island). The unit includes lands from the MHW line to the toe of the
secondary dune or developed structures. Land in this unit is in Federal
ownership (see Table 1). It is the northernmost island in the Cape
Romain National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), which is managed by USFWS. This
unit was occupied at the time of listing and is currently occupied.
This unit has high-density nesting by loggerhead sea turtles in South
Carolina. It is the highest nesting density beach in the Northern
Recovery Unit. This unit contains all of the PBFs and PCEs. The PBFs in
this unit may require special management considerations or protections
to ameliorate the threats of predation, in-water and shoreline
alterations, beach erosion, climate change, human-caused disasters, and
response to disasters. Cape Romain NWR has a Comprehensive Conservation
Plan that
[[Page 18023]]
includes working with partners on the implementation of sea turtle
nesting surveys, nest marking, minimizing human disturbance, and
predator removal intended to minimize impacts to nesting and hatchling
loggerhead sea turtles (USFWS 2010a, pp. 45-46).
LOGG-T-SC-07--Lighthouse Island, Charleston County: This unit
consists of 5.3 km (3.3 miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic
Ocean. The island is separated from the mainland by the Atlantic
Intracoastal Waterway, a network of coastal islands, and salt marsh.
The unit extends from 33.01306 N, 79.36659 W (southern boundary of an
unnamed inlet between Cape Island and Lighthouse Island) to Key Inlet.
The unit includes lands from the MHW line to the toe of the secondary
dune or developed structures. Land in this unit is in Federal ownership
(see Table 1). It is part of the Cape Romain NWR, which is managed by
USFWS. This unit was occupied at the time of listing and is currently
occupied. This unit has high-density nesting by loggerhead sea turtles
in South Carolina. This unit contains all of the PBFs and PCEs. The
PBFs in this unit may require special management considerations or
protections to ameliorate the threats of predation, in-water and
shoreline alterations, beach erosion, climate change, human-caused
disasters, and response to disasters. Cape Romain NWR has a
Comprehensive Conservation Plan that includes working with partners on
the implementation of sea turtle nesting surveys, nest marking,
minimizing human disturbance, and predator removal intended to minimize
impacts to nesting and hatchling loggerhead sea turtles (USFWS 2010a,
pp. 45-46).
LOGG-T-SC-08--Raccoon Key, Charleston County: This unit consists of
4.8 km (3.0 miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean. The
island is separated from the mainland by the Atlantic Intracoastal
Waterway, a network of coastal islands, and salt marsh. The unit
extends from Raccoon Creek Inlet to Five Fathom Creek Inlet. The unit
includes lands from the MHW line to the toe of the secondary dune or
developed structures. Land in this unit is in Federal ownership (see
Table 1). It is part of the Cape Romain NWR, which is managed by USFWS.
This unit was occupied at the time of listing and is currently
occupied. This unit supports expansion of nesting from an adjacent unit
(LOGG-T-SC-07) that has high-density nesting by loggerhead sea turtles
in South Carolina. This unit contains all of the PBFs and PCEs. The
PBFs in this unit may require special management considerations or
protections to ameliorate the threats of predation, in-water and
shoreline alterations, beach erosion, climate change, human-caused
disasters, and response to disasters. Cape Romain NWR has a
Comprehensive Conservation Plan that includes working with partners on
the implementation of sea turtle nesting surveys, nest marking,
minimizing human disturbance, and predator removal intended to minimize
impacts to nesting and hatchling loggerhead sea turtles (USFWS 2010a,
pp. 45-46).
LOGG-T-SC-09--Folly Island, Charleston County: This unit consists
of 11.2 km (7.0 miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean.
The island is separated from the mainland by the Atlantic Intracoastal
Waterway, Folly River, a network of coastal islands, and salt marsh.
The unit extends from Lighthouse Inlet to Folly River Inlet. The unit
includes lands from the MHW line to the toe of the secondary dune or
developed structures. Land in this unit is in State, and private and
other ownership (see Table 1). The Lighthouse Inlet Heritage Preserve,
is owned by the County, with a 10 percent undivided interest from the
South Carolina Department of Natural Resource. The Folly Beach County
Park is owned by the County. Both are managed by the Charleston County
Park and Recreation Commission. This unit was occupied at the time of
listing and is currently occupied. This unit supports expansion of
nesting from an adjacent unit (LOGG-T-SC-10) that has high-density
nesting by loggerhead sea turtles in South Carolina. This unit contains
all of the PBFs and PCEs. The PBF in this unit may require special
management considerations or protections to ameliorate the threats of
recreational use, beach sand placement activities, in-water and
shoreline alterations, coastal development, beach erosion, climate
change, artificial lighting, human-caused disasters, and response to
disasters. The City of Folly Beach has a beach management plan that
includes measures to protect nesting and hatchling loggerhead sea
turtles from anthropogenic disturbances (City of Folly Beach 1991, pp.
32-35). These measures apply to both the private and other lands within
this critical habitat unit.
LOGG-T-SC-10--Kiawah Island, Charleston County: This unit consists
of 17.0 km (10.6 miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean
and Stono Inlet. The island is separated from the mainland by the
Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, Wadmalaw Island, Johns Island, Kiawah
River, and salt marsh. The unit extends from Stono Inlet to Captain
Sam's Inlet. The unit includes lands from the MHW line to the toe of
the secondary dune or developed structures. Land in this unit is in
private and other ownership (see Table 1). The County portion includes
Kiawah Beachwalker Park and Isle of Palms County Park, which are
managed by the Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission. This
unit was occupied at the time of listing and is currently occupied.
This unit has high-density nesting by loggerhead sea turtles in South
Carolina. This unit contains all of the PBFs and PCEs. The PBFs in this
unit may require special management considerations or protections to
ameliorate the threats of recreational use, predation, beach sand
placement activities, beach erosion, climate change, human-caused
disasters, and response to disasters. The Town of Kiawah Island has a
Local Comprehensive Beach Management Plan that describes actions, such
as nest monitoring, education, pet and vehicular restrictions, and a
lighting ordinance, taken by the Town to minimize impacts to nesting
and hatchling loggerhead sea turtles from anthropogenic disturbances
(Town of Kiawah Island 2006, pp. 4-11-4-13). These measures apply to
both the private and other lands within this critical habitat unit
although the degree of implementation is uncertain.
LOGG-T-SC-11--Seabrook Island, Charleston County: This unit
consists of 5.8 km (3.6 miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic
Ocean and North Edisto Inlet. The island is separated from the mainland
by the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, Wadmalaw Island, Johns Island,
and salt marsh. The unit extends from Captain Sam's Inlet to North
Edisto Inlet. The unit includes lands from the MHW line to the toe of
the secondary dune or developed structures. Land in this unit is in
private and other ownership (see Table 1). This unit was occupied at
the time of listing and is currently occupied. This unit supports
expansion of nesting from adjacent units (LOGG-T-SC-10 and LOGG-T-SC-
12) that have high-density nesting by loggerhead sea turtles in South
Carolina. This unit contains all of the PBFs and PCEs. The PBFs in this
unit may require special management considerations or protections to
ameliorate the threats of recreational use, predation, beach sand
placement activities, in-water and shoreline alterations, coastal
development, beach erosion, climate change, artificial lighting, human-
caused disasters, and response to disasters. The Town of Seabrook
Island has a beach management plan that includes the implementation of
sea turtle nesting
[[Page 18024]]
surveys, nest marking, and actions to minimize human disturbance
impacts to nesting and hatchling loggerhead sea turtles (Town Council
of Seabrook 1991, p. 15). These measures apply to the private lands
within this critical habitat unit although the degree of implementation
is uncertain.
LOGG-T-SC-12--Botany Bay Island and Botany Bay Plantation,
Charleston County: This unit consists of 6.6 km (4.1 miles) of island
shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean and North Edisto Inlet. It includes
the shoreline of Botany Bay Island and Botany Bay Plantation, which is
located on the north end of Edisto Island. Botany Bay Island and Botany
Bay Plantation were originally separated by South Creek Inlet. However,
due to beach accretion on the south end of Botany Bay Island, it is now
continuous with Botany Bay Plantation. This unit is separated from the
mainland by the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, Ocella Creek, Townsend
River, South Creek Inlet, a network of coastal islands, and salt marsh.
The unit extends from North Edisto Inlet to 32.53710 N, 80.24614 W
(northern boundary of an unnamed inlet separating Botany Bay Plantation
and Interlude Beach). The unit includes lands from the MHW line to the
toe of the secondary dune or developed structures. Land in this unit is
in State and private and other ownership (see Table 1). The Botany Bay
Island portion is privately owned; however, the owner has placed a
conservation easement on the property with The Nature Conservancy. The
State portion is part of the Botany Bay Plantation Wildlife Management
Area Heritage Preserve, which is managed by the South Carolina
Department of Natural Resources.
This unit was occupied at the time of listing and is currently
occupied. This unit has high-density nesting by loggerhead sea turtles
in South Carolina. This unit contains all of the PBFs and PCEs. The
PBFs in this unit may require special management considerations or
protections to ameliorate the threats of predation, beach erosion,
climate change, habitat obstructions, human-caused disasters, and
response to disasters. The Botany Bay Plantation Wildlife Management
Area Heritage Preserve has a management plan that includes the
implementation of sea turtle nesting surveys, nest marking, actions to
minimize human disturbance, and predator removal intended to minimize
impacts to nesting and hatchling loggerhead sea turtles (South Carolina
Department of Natural Resources 2009, p. 12).
LOGG-T-SC-13--Interlude Beach, Charleston County: This unit
consists of 0.9 km (0.6 mile) of island shoreline along the Atlantic
Ocean. This unit includes a section of Edisto Island, which is
separated from the mainland by the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, a
network of coastal islands, and salt marsh. The unit extends from
32.53636 N, 80.24647 W (southern boundary of an unnamed inlet
separating Interlude Beach and Botany Bay Plantation) to Frampton
Inlet. The unit includes lands from the MHW line to the toe of the
secondary dune or developed structures. Land in this unit is in State
ownership (see Table 1). It is part of the Botany Bay Plantation
Wildlife Management Area Heritage Preserve, which is managed by the
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. This unit was occupied
at the time of listing and is currently occupied. This unit supports
expansion of nesting from adjacent units (LOGG-T-SC-12 and LOGG-T-SC-
14) that have high-density nesting by loggerhead sea turtles in South
Carolina. This unit contains all of the PBFs and PCEs. The PBFs in this
unit may require special management considerations or protections to
ameliorate the threats of predation, beach erosion, climate change,
human-caused disasters, and response to disasters. The Botany Bay
Plantation Wildlife Management Area Heritage Preserve has a management
plan that includes the implementation of sea turtle nesting surveys,
nest marking, actions to minimize human disturbance, and predator
removal intended to minimize impacts to nesting and hatchling
loggerhead sea turtles (South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
2009, p. 12).
LOGG-T-SC-14--Edingsville Beach, Charleston County: This unit
consists of 2.7 km (1.7 miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic
Ocean. This unit includes a section of Edisto Island, which is
separated from the mainland by the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, a
network of coastal islands, and salt marsh. The unit extends from
Frampton Inlet to Jeremy Inlet. The unit includes lands from the MHW
line to the toe of the secondary dune or developed structures. Land in
this unit is in private and other ownership (see Table 1). This unit
was occupied at the time of listing and is currently occupied. This
unit has high-density nesting by loggerhead sea turtles in South
Carolina. This unit contains all of the PBFs and PCEs. The PBFs in this
unit may require special management considerations or protections to
ameliorate the threats of predation, beach erosion, climate change,
human-caused disasters, and response to disasters. At this time, we are
not aware of any management plans that address this species in this
area.
LOGG-T-SC-15--Edisto Beach State Park, Colleton County: This unit
consists of 2.2 km (1.4 miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic
Ocean. This unit includes a section of Edisto Island, which is
separated from the mainland by the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, a
network of coastal islands, and salt marsh. The unit extends from
Jeremy Inlet to 32.50307 N, 80.29625 W (State Park boundary separating
Edisto Beach State Park and the Town of Edisto Beach). The unit
includes lands from the MHW line to the toe of the secondary dune or
developed structures. Land in this unit is in State ownership (see
Table 1). It is managed by the South Carolina Department of Parks,
Recreation, and Tourism as the Edisto Beach State Park. This unit was
occupied at the time of listing and is currently occupied. This unit
has high-density nesting by loggerhead sea turtles in South Carolina.
This unit contains all of the PBFs and PCEs. The PBFs in this unit may
require special management considerations or protections to ameliorate
the threats of recreational use, predation, beach erosion, climate
change, artificial lighting, human-caused disasters, and response to
disasters. The Edisto Beach State Park has a General Management Plan
that includes the implementation of sea turtle nesting surveys, nest
marking, and education intended to minimize impacts to nesting and
hatchling loggerhead sea turtles (Edisto Beach State Park 2010, pp. 17-
18, 21-22).
LOGG-T-SC-16--Edisto Beach, Colleton County: This unit consists of
6.8 km (4.2 miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean and
South Edisto River. This unit includes a section of Edisto Island,
which is separated from the mainland by the Atlantic Intracoastal
Waterway, Big Bay Creek, a network of coastal islands, and salt marsh.
The unit extends from 32.50307 N, 80.29625 W (State Park boundary
separating Edisto Beach State Park and the Town of Edisto Beach) to
South Edisto Inlet. The unit includes lands from the MHW line to the
toe of the secondary dune or developed structures. The unit occurs
within the town limits of Edisto Beach. Land in this unit is in private
and other ownership (see Table 1). This unit was occupied at the time
of listing and is currently occupied. This unit supports expansion of
nesting from an adjacent unit (LOGG-T-SC-16) that has high-density
nesting by loggerhead sea turtles in South Carolina. This unit contains
all of the PBFs and PCEs. The PBFs in this unit may require special
management
[[Page 18025]]
considerations or protections to ameliorate the threats of recreational
use, predation, beach sand placement activities, in-water and shoreline
alterations, beach erosion, climate change, artificial lighting, human-
caused disasters, and response to disasters. The Town of Edisto Beach
has a Local Comprehensive Beach Management Plan that includes the
implementation of sea turtle nesting surveys, nest marking, and beach
management to protect nesting and hatchling loggerhead sea turtles from
anthropogenic disturbances (Town of Edisto Beach 2011, p. 25). These
measures apply to the private lands within this critical habitat unit
although the degree of implementation is uncertain.
LOGG-T-SC-17--Pine Island, Colleton County: This unit consists of
1.2 km (0.7 mile) of island shoreline along the South Edisto Inlet. The
island is separated from the mainland by the Atlantic Intracoastal
Waterway, Fish Creek, a network of coastal islands, and salt marsh. The
unit extends from South Edisto River to 32.49266 N, 80.36846 W
(northern boundary of an unnamed inlet to Fish Creek). The unit
includes lands from the MHW line to the toe of the secondary dune or
developed structures. Land in this unit is in State ownership (see
Table 1). It is managed by the South Carolina Department of Natural
Resources as part of the Ashepoo-Combahee-Edisto (ACE) Basin National
Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR). This unit was occupied at the time
of listing and is currently occupied. This unit supports expansion of
nesting from an adjacent unit (LOGG-T-SC-18) that has high-density
nesting by loggerhead sea turtles in South Carolina. This unit contains
all of the PBFs and PCEs. The PBFs in this unit may require special
management considerations or protections to ameliorate the threats of
recreational use, predation, beach erosion, climate change, habitat
obstructions, human-caused disasters, and response to disasters. At
this time, we are not aware of any management plans that address this
species in this area.
LOGG-T-SC-18--Otter Island, Colleton County: This unit consists of
4.1 km (2.5 miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean and
Saint Helena Sound. The island is separated from the mainland by the
Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, Ashepoo River, a network of coastal
islands, and salt marsh. The unit extends from Fish Creek Inlet to
Saint Helena Sound. The unit includes lands from the MHW line to the
toe of the secondary dune or developed structures. Land in this unit is
in State ownership (see Table 1). It is part of the St. Helena Sound
Heritage Preserve and the ACE Basin Estuarine Research Reserve, which
are managed by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. This
unit was occupied at the time of listing and is currently occupied.
This unit has high-density nesting by loggerhead sea turtles in South
Carolina. This unit contains all of the PBFs and PCEs. The PBFs in this
unit may require special management considerations or protections to
ameliorate the threats of predation, beach erosion, climate change,
habitat obstructions, human-caused disasters, and response to
disasters. At this time, we are not aware of any management plans that
address this species in this area.
LOGG-T-SC-19--Harbor Island, Beaufort County: This unit consists of
2.9 km (1.8 miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean and
Saint Helena Sound. The island is separated from the mainland by the
Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, a network of coastal islands, and salt
marsh. The unit extends from Harbor Inlet to Johnson Inlet. The unit
includes lands from the MHW line to the toe of the secondary dune or
developed structures. Land in this unit is in private and other
ownership (see Table 1). This unit was occupied at the time of listing
and is currently occupied. This unit supports expansion of nesting from
an adjacent unit (LOGG-T-SC-18) that has high-density nesting by
loggerhead sea turtles in South Carolina. This unit contains all of the
PBFs and PCEs. The PBFs in this unit may require special management
considerations or protections to ameliorate the threats of recreational
use, predation, beach erosion, climate change, artificial lighting,
habitat obstructions, human-caused disasters, and response to
disasters. Beaufort County has a Comprehensive Beach Management Plan
that includes the implementation of sea turtle nesting surveys, nest
marking, and beach management to protect nesting and hatchling
loggerhead sea turtles from anthropogenic disturbances (Beaufort County
Planning Board 2010, p. 5-19). These measures apply to the private
lands within this critical habitat unit.
LOGG-T-SC-20--Little Capers Island, Beaufort County: This unit
consists of 4.6 km (2.9 miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic
Ocean. The island is separated from the mainland by the Atlantic
Intracoastal Waterway, a network of coastal islands, and salt marsh.
The unit extends from ``Pritchards Inlet'' (there is some uncertainty
about the true name of this water feature) located at 32.29009 N,
80.54459 W to Trenchards Inlet. The unit includes lands from the MHW
line to the toe of the secondary dune or developed structures. Land in
this unit is in private and other ownership (see Table 1). This unit
was occupied at the time of listing and is currently occupied. This
unit supports expansion of nesting from an adjacent unit (LOGG-T-SC-21)
that has high-density nesting by loggerhead sea turtles in South
Carolina. This unit contains all of the PBFs and PCEs. The PBFs in this
unit may require special management considerations or protections to
ameliorate the threats of recreational use, predation, beach erosion,
climate change, artificial lighting, habitat obstructions, human-caused
disasters, and response to disasters. Beaufort County has a
Comprehensive Beach Management Plan that includes the implementation of
sea turtle nesting surveys, nest marking, and beach management to
protect nesting and hatchling loggerhead sea turtles from anthropogenic
disturbances (Beaufort County Planning Board 2010, p. 5-19). These
measures apply to the private lands within this critical habitat unit.
LOGG-T-SC-21--St. Phillips Island, Beaufort County: This unit
consists of 2.3 km (1.4 miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic
Ocean and Trenchards Inlet. The island is separated from the mainland
by the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, a network of coastal islands,
and salt marsh. The unit extends from Trenchards Inlet to Morse Island
Creek Inlet East. The unit includes lands from the MHW line to the toe
of the secondary dune or developed structures. Land in this unit is in
private and other ownership (see Table 1). Although privately owned,
the island is protected in perpetuity by a conservation easement with
The Nature Conservancy. This unit was occupied at the time of listing
and is currently occupied. This unit has high-density nesting by
loggerhead sea turtles in South Carolina. This unit contains all of the
PBFs and PCEs. The PBFs in this unit may require special management
considerations or protections to ameliorate the threats of predation,
beach erosion, climate change, habitat obstructions, human-caused
disasters, and response to disasters. At this time, we are not aware of
any management plans that address this species in this area.
LOGG-T-SC-22--Bay Point Island, Beaufort County: This unit consists
of 4.3 km (2.7 miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean and
Port Royal Sound. The island is separated from the mainland by the
Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, a network of coastal islands,
[[Page 18026]]
and salt marsh. The unit extends from Morse Island Creek Inlet East
along the Atlantic Ocean shoreline to Morse Island Creek Inlet West
along the Port Royal Sound shoreline. The unit includes lands from the
MHW line to the toe of the secondary dune or developed structures. Land
in this unit is in private and other ownership (see Table 1). This unit
was occupied at the time of listing and is currently occupied. This
unit supports expansion of nesting from an adjacent unit (LOGG-T-SC-21)
that has high-density nesting by loggerhead sea turtles in South
Carolina. This unit contains all of the PBFs and PCEs. The PBFs in this
unit may require special management considerations or protections to
ameliorate the threats of predation, beach driving, beach erosion,
climate change, habitat obstructions, human-caused disasters, and
response to disasters. At this time, we are not aware of any management
plans that address this species in this area.
Georgia
LOGG-T-GA-01--Little Tybee Island, Chatham County: This unit
consists of 8.6 km (5.3 miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic
Ocean. Little Tybee Island is not a specific island, rather it is a
complex of several small, low-lying islands, including Myrtle and
Williamson Islands, that are separated by tidal flows, creeks, or
sloughs. The island complex is separated from the mainland by the
Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, Tybee Creek, Bull River, a network of
coastal islands, and salt marsh. The unit extends from Tybee Creek
Inlet to Wassaw Sound. The unit includes lands from the MHW line to the
toe of the secondary dune or developed structures. Land in this unit is
in State ownership (see Table 1). The island is owned by the Georgia
Department of Natural Resources and managed by The Nature Conservancy
as the Little Tybee Island Natural Heritage Preserve. This unit was
occupied at the time of listing and is currently occupied. This unit
supports expansion of nesting from an adjacent unit (LOGG-T-GA-02) that
has high-density nesting by loggerhead sea turtles in Georgia. This
unit contains all of the PBFs and PCEs. The PBFs in this unit may
require special management considerations or protections to ameliorate
the threats of recreational use, predation, in-water and shoreline
alterations, beach erosion, climate change, human-caused disasters, and
response to disasters. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources
signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, National Park Service, St. Catherines Island Foundation,
Jekyll Island Authority, City of Tybee Island, Glynn County, Little
Cumberland Island Homeowners Association, and Little St. Simons Island,
Ltd. mandating that land owned by the State adhere to actions listed in
the Management Plan for the Protection of Nesting Loggerhead Sea
Turtles and their Habitat in Georgia. This includes working with
partners on the implementation of sea turtle nesting surveys, nest
marking and protection, education, and predator removal intended to
minimize impacts to nesting and hatchling loggerhead sea turtles
(Georgia Department of Natural Resources 1994, pp. 6-9).
LOGG-T-GA-02--Wassaw Island, Chatham County: This unit consists of
10.1 km (6.3 miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean. The
island is separated from the mainland by the Atlantic Intracoastal
Waterway, Romerly Marshes, Odingsell River, and a network of coastal
islands. The unit extends from Wassaw Sound to Ossabaw Sound. The unit
includes lands from the MHW line to the toe of the secondary dune or
developed structures. Land in this unit is in Federal and private
ownership (see Table 1). The majority of the island is managed by USFWS
as the Wassaw NWR. This unit was occupied at the time of listing and is
currently occupied. This unit has high-density nesting by loggerhead
sea turtles in Georgia. This unit contains all of the PBFs and PCEs.
The PBFs in this unit may require special management considerations or
protections to ameliorate the threats of recreational use, predation,
beach erosion, climate change, habitat obstructions, human-caused
disasters, and response to disasters.
Wassaw NWR is part of the Savannah Coastal Refuges Complex, which
has a draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan that includes working with
partners on the implementation of sea turtle nesting surveys, nest
marking, education, and predator removal intended to minimize impacts
to nesting and hatchling loggerhead sea turtles (USFWS 2010b, pp. 37,
104). USFWS signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Georgia
Department of Natural Resources, National Park Service, St. Catherines
Island Foundation, Jekyll Island Authority, City of Tybee Island, Glynn
County, Little Cumberland Island Homeowners Association, and Little St.
Simons Island, Ltd. mandating that land owned by the Refuge adhere to
actions listed in the Management Plan for the Protection of Nesting
Loggerhead Sea Turtles and their Habitat in Georgia. This includes
working with partners on the implementation of sea turtle nesting
surveys, nest marking and protection, education, and predator removal
intended to minimize impacts to nesting and hatchling loggerhead sea
turtles (Georgia Department of Natural Resources 1994, pp. 6-9).
LOGG-T-GA-03--Ossabaw Island, Chatham County: This unit consists of
17.1 km (10.6 miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean. The
island is separated from the mainland by the Atlantic Intracoastal
Waterway, Bear River, a network of coastal islands, and extensive salt
marshes. Ossabaw Island is divided into four contiguous sections of
beach: Bradley (North), North Middle, South Middle, and South beaches.
The unit extends from Ogeechee River to St. Catherines Sound. The unit
includes lands from the MHW line to the toe of the secondary dune or
developed structures. Land in this unit is in State ownership (see
Table 1). The island is managed by the Georgia Department of Natural
Resources. This unit was occupied at the time of listing and is
currently occupied. This unit has high-density nesting by loggerhead
sea turtles in Georgia. This unit contains all of the PBFs and PCEs.
The PBFs in this unit may require special management considerations or
protections to ameliorate the threats of recreational use, predation,
beach erosion, climate change, human-caused disasters, and response to
disasters.
A Comprehensive Management Plan for Ossabaw Island includes actions
to minimize human disturbance and predator removal intended to minimize
impacts to nesting and hatchling loggerhead sea turtles (Georgia
Department of Natural Resources 2001, pp. 37, 40, 43). The Georgia
Department of Natural Resources signed a Memorandum of Agreement with
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, St.
Catherines Island Foundation, Jekyll Island Authority, City of Tybee
Island, Glynn County, Little Cumberland Island Homeowners Association,
and Little St. Simons Island, Ltd. mandating that land owned by the
State adhere to actions listed in the Management Plan for the
Protection of Nesting Loggerhead Sea Turtles and their Habitat in
Georgia. This includes working with partners on the implementation of
sea turtle nesting surveys, nest marking and protection, education, and
predator removal intended to minimize impacts to nesting and hatchling
loggerhead sea turtles (Georgia Department of Natural Resources 1994,
pp. 6-9).
LOGG-T-GA-04--St. Catherines Island, Liberty County: This unit
consists of 18.4 km (11.5 miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic
[[Page 18027]]
Ocean. The island is separated from the mainland by the Atlantic
Intracoastal Waterway, North Newport River, South Newport River, a
network of coastal islands, and extensive salt marshes. The unit
extends from St. Catherines Sound to Sapelo Sound. The unit includes
lands from the MHW line to the toe of the secondary dune or developed
structures. Land in this unit is in private ownership (see Table 1).
This unit was occupied at the time of listing and is currently
occupied. This unit supports expansion of nesting from adjacent units
(LOGG-T-GA-03 and LOGG-T-GA-05) that have high-density nesting by
loggerhead sea turtles in Georgia. This unit contains all of the PBFs
and PCEs. The PBFs in this unit may require special management
considerations or protections to ameliorate the threats of recreational
use, predation, habitat obstructions, beach erosion, climate change,
human-caused disasters, and response to disasters. The St. Catherines
Island Foundation signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Georgia
Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
National Park Service, Jekyll Island Authority, City of Tybee Island,
Glynn County, Little Cumberland Island Homeowners Association, and
Little St. Simons Island, Ltd. mandating that land owned by the
Foundation adhere to actions listed in the Management Plan for the
Protection of Nesting Loggerhead Sea Turtles and their Habitat in
Georgia. This includes working with partners on the implementation of
sea turtle nesting surveys, nest marking and protection, education, and
predator removal intended to minimize impacts to nesting and hatchling
loggerhead sea turtles (Georgia Department of Natural Resources 1994,
pp. 6-9).
LOGG-T-GA-05--Blackbeard Island, McIntosh County: This unit
consists of 13.5 km (8.4 miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic
Ocean. The island is separated from the mainland by the Atlantic
Intracoastal Waterway, Blackbeard Creek, Mud River, a network of
coastal islands, and extensive salt marshes. The unit extends from
Sapelo Sound to Cabretta Inlet. The unit includes lands from the MHW
line to the toe of the secondary dune or developed structures. Land in
this unit is in Federal ownership (see Table 1). The island is managed
by USFWS as the Blackbeard Island NWR. This unit was occupied at the
time of listing and is currently occupied. This unit has high-density
nesting by loggerhead sea turtles in Georgia. This unit contains all of
the PBFs and PCEs. The PBFs in this unit may require special management
considerations or protections to ameliorate the threats of recreational
use, predation, habitat obstructions, beach erosion, climate change,
human-caused disasters, and response to disasters. Blackbeard Island
NWR is part of the Savannah Coastal Refuges Complex, which has a draft
Comprehensive Conservation Plan that includes working with partners on
the implementation of sea turtle nesting surveys, nest marking,
education, and predator removal intended to minimize impacts to nesting
and hatchling loggerhead sea turtles (USFWS 2010b, pp. 125, 136).
USFWS signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Georgia Department
of Natural Resources, National Park Service, St. Catherines Island
Foundation, Jekyll Island Authority, City of Tybee Island, Glynn
County, Little Cumberland Island Homeowners Association, and Little St.
Simons Island, Ltd. mandating that land owned by the Refuge adhere to
actions listed in the Management Plan for the Protection of Nesting
Loggerhead Sea Turtles and their Habitat in Georgia. This includes
working with partners on the implementation of sea turtle nesting
surveys, nest marking and protection, education, and predator removal
intended to minimize impacts to nesting and hatchling loggerhead sea
turtles (Georgia Department of Natural Resources 1994, pp. 6-9).
LOGG-T-GA-06--Sapelo Island, McIntosh County: This unit consists of
9.3 km (5.8 miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean. The
island is separated from the mainland by the Atlantic Intracoastal
Waterway, Doboy Sound, Mud Creek, Teakettle Creek, a network of coastal
islands, and extensive salt marshes. Sapelo Island is divided into two
contiguous sections of beach: Nannygoat and Cabretta beaches. The unit
extends from Cabretta Inlet to Doboy Sound. The unit includes lands
from the MHW line to the toe of the secondary dune or developed
structures. Land in this unit is in State ownership (see Table 1). The
island is managed by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. This
unit was occupied at the time of listing and is currently occupied.
This unit supports expansion of nesting from an adjacent unit (LOGG-T-
GA-05) that has high-density nesting by loggerhead sea turtles in
Georgia. This unit contains all of the PBFs and PCEs. The PBFs in this
unit may require special management considerations or protections to
ameliorate the threats of recreational use, poaching, beach driving,
predation, beach erosion, climate change, human-caused disasters, and
response to disasters.
A Comprehensive Management Plan for Sapelo Island includes actions
to minimize human disturbance and predator removal intended to minimize
impacts to nesting and hatchling loggerhead sea turtles (Georgia
Department of Natural Resources 1998, pp. 5, 36, 55). The Georgia
Department of Natural Resources signed a Memorandum of Agreement with
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, St.
Catherines Island Foundation, Jekyll Island Authority, City of Tybee
Island, Glynn County, Little Cumberland Island Homeowners Association,
and Little St. Simons Island, Ltd. mandating that land owned by the
State adhere to actions listed in the Management Plan for the
Protection of Nesting Loggerhead Sea Turtles and their Habitat in
Georgia. This includes working with partners on the implementation of
sea turtle nesting surveys, nest marking and protection, education, and
predator removal intended to minimize impacts to nesting and hatchling
loggerhead sea turtles (Georgia Department of Natural Resources 1994,
pp. 6-9).
LOGG-T-GA-07--Little Cumberland Island, Camden County: This unit
consists of 4.9 km (3.0 miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic
Ocean. The island is separated from the mainland by the Atlantic
Intracoastal Waterway, Cumberland River, and salt marsh. The unit
extends from St. Andrew Sound to Christmas Creek. The unit includes
lands from the MHW line to the toe of the secondary dune or developed
structures. Land in this unit is in private ownership (see Table 1).
Although Little Cumberland Island is privately owned, it lies within
the boundaries of Cumberland Island National Seashore and is recognized
as a Special Use Zone where private property owners have entered into
an agreement with the National Park Service. This unit was occupied at
the time of listing and is currently occupied. This unit supports
expansion of nesting from an adjacent unit (LOGG-T-GA-08) that has
high-density nesting by loggerhead sea turtles in Georgia. This unit
contains all of the PBFs and PCEs. The PBFs in this unit may require
special management considerations or protections to ameliorate the
threats of recreational use, beach driving, predation, beach erosion,
climate change, human-caused disasters, and response to disasters.
The Little Cumberland Island Homeowners Association signed a
Memorandum of Agreement with the Georgia Department of Natural
Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, St.
Catherines Island Foundation, Jekyll
[[Page 18028]]
Island Authority, City of Tybee Island, Glynn County, and Little St.
Simons Island, Ltd. mandating that land owned by the Association adhere
to actions listed in the Management Plan for the Protection of Nesting
Loggerhead Sea Turtles and their Habitat in Georgia. This includes
working with partners on the implementation of sea turtle nesting
surveys, nest marking and protection, education, and predator removal
intended to minimize impacts to nesting and hatchling loggerhead sea
turtles (Georgia Department of Natural Resources 1994, pp. 6-9).
LOGG-T-GA-08--Cumberland Island, Camden County: This unit consists
of 29.7 km (18.4 miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean.
The island is separated from the mainland by the Atlantic Intracoastal
Waterway, Cumberland River, Cumberland Sound, Brickhill River, a
network of coastal islands, and extensive salt marsh. The unit extends
from Christmas Creek to St. Marys River. The unit includes lands from
the MHW line to the toe of the secondary dune or developed structures.
Land in this unit is in Federal and private ownership (see Table 1).
The Federal portion is part of Cumberland Island National Seashore,
which is managed by the National Park Service. This unit was occupied
at the time of listing and is currently occupied. This unit has high-
density nesting by loggerhead sea turtles in Georgia. This unit
contains all of the PBFs and PCEs. The PBFs in this unit may require
special management considerations or protections to ameliorate the
threats of recreational use, beach driving, predation, beach erosion,
climate change, human-caused disasters, and response to disasters.
Cumberland Island National Seashore has a General Management Plan
that includes predator removal and dune preservation intended to
minimize impacts to nesting and hatchling loggerhead sea turtles
(National Park Service 1984, pp. 22-23). The National Park Service
signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Georgia Department of Natural
Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, St. Catherines Island
Foundation, Jekyll Island Authority, City of Tybee Island, Glynn
County, and Little St. Simons Island, Ltd. mandating that land owned by
the Cumberland Island National Seashore adhere to actions listed in the
Management Plan for the Protection of Nesting Loggerhead Sea Turtles
and their Habitat in Georgia. This includes working with partners on
the implementation of sea turtle nesting surveys, nest marking and
protection, education, and predator removal intended to minimize
impacts to nesting and hatchling loggerhead sea turtles (Georgia
Department of Natural Resources 1994, pp. 6-9).
Peninsular Florida Recovery Unit
Northern Florida Region
LOGG-T-FL-01--South Duval County Beaches-Old Ponte Vedra, Duval and
St. Johns Counties: This unit consists of 25.2 km (15.6 miles) of
island shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean. The island is separated from
the mainland by the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, Pablo Creek, and
Lake Ponte Vedra. The unit extends from the south boundary of Kathryn
Abbey Hanna Park in Duval County to the north boundary of the Guana
Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve in St. Johns
County. The unit includes lands from the MHW line to the toe of the
secondary dune or developed structures. Land in this unit is in private
ownership (see Table 1). This unit was occupied at the time of listing
and is currently occupied. This unit supports expansion of nesting from
an adjacent unit (LOGG-T-FL-02) that has high-density nesting by
loggerhead sea turtles in the Northern Florida Region of the Peninsular
Florida Recovery Unit. This unit contains all of the PBFs and PCEs. The
PBFs in this unit may require special management considerations or
protections to ameliorate the threats of recreational use, beach
driving, predation, beach sand placement activities, coastal
development, climate change, beach erosion, artificial lighting, human-
caused disasters, and response to disasters.
St. Johns County has an HCP titled ``A Plan for the Protection of
Sea Turtles and Anastasia Island Beach Mice on the Beaches of St. Johns
County, Florida'' that includes sea turtle monitoring, nest protection
from vehicles on the beach, a beach lighting management plan, beach
horseback riding registration and education, and reestablishment of a
dune at Porpoise Point (St. Johns County Planning Division 2003, p.
32). These measures apply to the private lands within this critical
habitat unit and are intended to minimize and mitigate impacts to
nesting and hatchling loggerhead sea turtles as a result of the County-
authorized beach driving.
LOGG-T-FL-02--Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research
Reserve-St. Augustine Inlet, St. Johns County: This unit consists of
24.1 km (15.0 miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean. The
island is separated from the mainland by the Atlantic Intracoastal
Waterway. The unit extends from the north boundary of the Guana
Tolomato Matanzas NERR to St. Augustine Inlet. The unit includes lands
from the MHW line to the toe of the secondary dune or developed
structures. Land in this unit is in State, private, and other ownership
(see Table 1). The State portion is part of the Guana Tolomato Matanzas
NERR, which is managed by the Florida Department of Environmental
Protection (FDEP) Coastal and Aquatic Managed Areas. The County portion
is Vilano Oceanfront Park, which is managed by the St. Johns County
Recreation and Parks Department. This unit was occupied at the time of
listing and is currently occupied. This unit has high-density nesting
by loggerhead sea turtles in the Northern Florida Region of the
Peninsular Florida Recovery Unit. This unit contains all of the PBFs
and PCEs. The PBFs in this unit may require special management
considerations or protections to ameliorate the threats of recreational
use, beach driving, predation, beach sand placement activities, in-
water and shoreline alterations, coastal development, climate change,
beach erosion, artificial lighting, human-caused disasters, and
response to disasters.
The Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve has
a management plan that includes the implementation of nesting surveys,
nest marking, education, and predator removal intended to minimize
impacts to nesting and hatchling loggerhead sea turtles (FDEP 2009a,
pp. 81, 162). St. Johns County has an HCP titled ``A Plan for the
Protection of Sea Turtles and Anastasia Island Beach Mice on the
Beaches of St. Johns County, Florida'' that covers the remainder of the
unit. The HCP includes sea turtle monitoring, nest protection from
vehicles on the beach, a beach lighting management plan, beach
horseback riding registration and education, and reestablishment of a
dune at Porpoise Point (St. Johns County Planning Division 2003, p.
32). These measures apply to both the private and other lands within
this critical habitat unit and are intended to minimize and mitigate
impacts to nesting and hatchling loggerhead sea turtles as a result of
the County-authorized beach driving.
LOGG-T-FL-03--St. Augustine Inlet-Matanzas Inlet, St. Johns County:
This unit consists of 22.4 km (14.0 miles) of island shoreline along
the Atlantic Ocean. The island is separated from the mainland by the
Matanzas River, which is part of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway.
The unit extends from St. Augustine Inlet to Matanzas Inlet. The unit
includes lands from the MHW line
[[Page 18029]]
to the toe of the secondary dune or developed structures. Land in this
unit is in Federal, State, and private ownership (see Table 1). The
Federal portion is Fort Matanzas National Monument, which is managed by
the National Park Service. The State portion is Anastasia State Park,
which is managed by FDEP. This unit was occupied at the time of listing
and is currently occupied. This unit supports expansion of nesting from
adjacent units (LOGG-T-FL-02 and LOGG-T-FL-04) that have high-density
nesting by loggerhead sea turtles in the Northern Florida Region of the
Peninsular Florida Recovery Unit. This unit contains all of the PBFs
and PCEs. The PBFs in this unit may require special management
considerations or protections to ameliorate the threats of recreational
use, beach driving, predation, beach sand placement activities, in-
water and shoreline alterations, coastal development, climate change,
beach erosion, artificial lighting, human-caused disasters, and
response to disasters.
St. Johns County has an HCP titled ``A Plan for the Protection of
Sea Turtles and Anastasia Island Beach Mice on the Beaches of St. Johns
County, Florida'' that includes sea turtle monitoring, nest protection
from vehicles on the beach, a beach lighting management plan, beach
horseback riding registration and education, and reestablishment of the
dune at Porpoise Point (St. Johns County Planning Division 2003, p.
32). These measures apply to the private lands within this critical
habitat unit and are intended to minimize and mitigate impacts to
nesting and hatchling loggerhead sea turtles as a result of the County-
authorized beach driving. The Anastasia State Park Unit Management Plan
addresses the species in the State portion of the unit. The Unit
Management Plan includes procedures for the implementation of sea
turtle nesting surveys, nest marking, removal of nonnative species
(feral cats, feral hogs, and nine-banded armadillos) when encountered
and native species (raccoons) when excessive depredation is documented,
and beach management to protect nesting and hatchling loggerhead sea
turtles from anthropogenic disturbances (FDEP 2004a, pp. 5, 17-19).
Fort Matanzas National Monument has a General Management Plan that
includes exotic organism removal if necessary and possible, which may
protect nesting and hatchling loggerhead sea turtles (National Park
Service 1982a, p. 27). This Management Plan is being revised.
LOGG-T-FL-04--River to Sea Preserve at Marineland-North Peninsula
State Park, Flagler and Volusia Counties: This unit consists of 31.8 km
(19.8 miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean. The island
is separated from the mainland by the Matanzas River, which is part of
the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, and Smith Creek. The unit extends
from the north boundary of the River to Sea Preserve at Marineland to
the south boundary of North Peninsula State Park. The unit includes
lands from the MHW line to the toe of the secondary dune or developed
structures. Land in this unit is in State, private, and other ownership
(see Table 1). The State portion is North Peninsula State Park, which
is managed by FDEP. The County portion includes the River to Sea
Preserve at Marineland and Varn Park, which are managed by the Flagler
County Parks and Recreation Department. This unit was occupied at the
time of listing and is currently occupied. This unit has high-density
nesting by loggerhead sea turtles in the Northern Florida Region of the
Peninsular Florida Recovery Unit. This unit contains all of the PBFs
and PCEs. The PBFs in this unit may require special management
considerations or protections to ameliorate the threats of recreational
use, beach driving, predation, beach sand placement activities, coastal
development, climate change, beach erosion, artificial lighting, human-
caused disasters, and response to disasters.
The North Peninsula State Park Unit Management Plan addresses the
species in the State portion of the unit. The Unit Management Plan
includes procedures for the implementation of sea turtle nesting
surveys, nest marking, removal of nonnative species (feral cats, feral
hogs, and nine-banded armadillos) when encountered, and beach
management to protect nesting and hatchling loggerhead sea turtles from
anthropogenic disturbances (FDEP 2006a, pp. 15-16). Volusia County has
an HCP titled ``A Plan for the Protection of Sea Turtles on the Beaches
of Volusia County, Florida'' that includes sea turtle nest monitoring,
nest protection from vehicles on the beach, the operation of a
rehabilitation center, public education, dune restoration, artificial
light management, and a washback watchers program (Volusia County
Environmental Management 2008, pp. 164-170). Although no public beach
driving occurs within the North Peninsula State Park in northern
Volusia County, the HCP addresses potential incidental take of
loggerhead sea turtles by county emergency vehicles. These measures
apply to the private lands within this critical habitat unit and are
intended to minimize and mitigate impacts to nesting and hatchling
loggerhead sea turtles as a result of the County-authorized beach
driving.
LOGG-T-FL-05--Ormond-by-the-Sea-Granada Blvd., Volusia County: This
unit consists of 11.1 km (6.9 miles) of island shoreline along the
Atlantic Ocean. The island is separated from the mainland by the
Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. The unit extends from the south
boundary of North Peninsula State Park to Granada Boulevard in Ormond
Beach. The unit includes lands from the MHW line to the toe of the
secondary dune or developed structures. Land in this unit is in private
ownership (see Table 1). This unit was occupied at the time of listing
and is currently occupied. This unit has high-density nesting by
loggerhead sea turtles in the Northern Florida Region of the Peninsular
Florida Recovery Unit. This unit contains all of the PBFs and PCEs. The
PBFs in this unit may require special management considerations or
protections to ameliorate the threats of recreational use, beach
driving, predation, beach sand placement activities, coastal
development, climate change, beach erosion, coastal development,
artificial lighting, human-caused disasters, and response to disasters.
Volusia County has an HCP titled ``A Plan for the Protection for
Sea Turtles on the Beaches of Volusia County, Florida'' that includes
sea turtle nest monitoring, nest protection from vehicles on the beach,
the operation of a rehabilitation center, public education, dune
restoration, artificial light management, and a washback watchers
program (Volusia County Environmental Management 2008, pp. 164-170).
These measures apply to the private lands within this critical habitat
unit and are intended to minimize and mitigate impacts to nesting and
hatchling loggerhead sea turtles as a result of the County-authorized
beach driving.
Central Eastern Florida Region
LOGG-T-FL-06--Canaveral National Seashore North, Volusia County:
This unit consists of 18.2 km (11.3 miles) of island shoreline along
the Atlantic Ocean. The island is separated from the mainland by the
Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, Mosquito Lagoon, and a network of
coastal islands. The unit extends from the north boundary of Canaveral
National Seashore to the Volusia-Brevard County line. The unit includes
lands from the MHW line to the toe of the secondary dune or developed
structures. Land in this unit
[[Page 18030]]
is in Federal ownership (see Table 1). It is part of the Canaveral
National Seashore, which is managed by the National Park Service. This
unit was occupied at the time of listing and is currently occupied.
This unit supports expansion of nesting from an adjacent unit (LOGG-T-
FL-07) that has high-density nesting by loggerhead sea turtles in the
Central Eastern Florida Region of the Peninsular Florida Recovery Unit.
This unit contains all of the PBFs and PCEs. The PBFs in this unit may
require special management considerations or protections to ameliorate
the threats of recreational use, predation, climate change, beach
erosion, human-caused disasters, and response to disasters. Canaveral
National Seashore has a General Management Plan that includes beach
management to protect nesting and hatchling loggerhead sea turtles from
anthropogenic disturbances (National Park Service 1982b, p. 52).
LOGG-T-FL-07--Canaveral National Seashore South-Merritt Island NWR-
Kennedy Space Center, Brevard County: This unit consists of 28.4 km
(17.6 miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean. The island
is separated from the mainland by the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway,
Mosquito Lagoon, Indian River Lagoon, Merritt Island, and scattered
coastal islands. The unit extends from the Volusia-Brevard County line
to the south boundary of Merritt Island NWR-Kennedy Space Center
(Merritt Island NWR was established in 1963 as an overlay of the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) John F. Kennedy
Space Center). The unit includes lands from the MHW line to the toe of
the secondary dune or developed structures. Land in this unit is in
Federal ownership (see Table 1). The northern portion is part of the
Canaveral National Seashore in Brevard County, which is managed by the
National Park Service. The southern portion is part of Merritt Island
NWR-Kennedy Space Center, which is managed by USFWS. This unit was
occupied at the time of listing and is currently occupied. This unit
has high-density nesting by loggerhead sea turtles in the Central
Eastern Florida Region of the Peninsular Florida Recovery Unit. (Note:
Although the mean nesting densities in this unit were not in the top 25
percent of nesting for the Central Eastern Florida Region, the unit was
included because of the still high nesting density that occurs here and
to ensure a good spatial distribution of nesting within this region.)
This unit contains all of the PBFs and PCEs. The PBFs in this unit
may require special management considerations or protections to
ameliorate the threats of predation, climate change, beach erosion,
artificial lighting, human-caused disasters, and response to disasters.
Canaveral National Seashore has a General Management Plan that includes
beach management to protect nesting and hatchling loggerhead sea
turtles from anthropogenic disturbances (National Park Service 1982b,
p. 52). Merritt Island NWR has a Comprehensive Conservation Plan that
includes working with partners on the implementation of sea turtle
nesting surveys, nest marking, and predator removal intended to
minimize impacts to nesting and hatchling loggerhead sea turtles (USFWS
2008a, pp. 82, 93-94).
LOGG-T-FL-08--Central Brevard Beaches, Brevard County: This unit
consists of 19.5 km (12.1 miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic
Ocean. The island is separated from the mainland by the Atlantic
Intracoastal Waterway, Indian River Lagoon, Banana River, and Merritt
Island. The unit extends from the south boundary of Patrick Air Force
Base to the north boundary of Archie Carr NWR. The unit includes lands
from the MHW line to the toe of the secondary dune or developed
structures. Land in this unit is in private and other ownership (see
Table 1). The County portion includes Paradise Beach North, Spessard
Holland North Beach Park, Spessard Holland South Beach Park, and Ocean
Ridge Sanctuary, which are managed by the Brevard County Parks and
Recreation Department. This unit was occupied at the time of listing
and is currently occupied. This unit has high-density nesting by
loggerhead sea turtles in the Central Eastern Florida Region of the
Peninsular Florida Recovery Unit. This unit contains all of the PBFs
and PCEs. The PBFs in this unit may require special management
considerations or protections to ameliorate the threats of recreational
use, predation, beach sand placement activities, coastal development,
beach erosion, artificial lighting, human-caused disasters, and
response to disasters. At this time, we are not aware of any management
plans that address this species in this area.
LOGG-T-FL-09--South Brevard Beaches, Brevard County: This unit
consists of 20.8 km (12.9 miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic
Ocean. The island is separated from the mainland by the Atlantic
Intracoastal Waterway, Indian River Lagoon, and scattered coastal
islands. The unit extends from the north boundary of Archie Carr NWR to
Sebastian Inlet. The unit includes lands from the MHW line to the toe
of the secondary dune or developed structures. Land in this unit is in
Federal, State, private, and other ownership (see Table 1). The Federal
portion is part of Archie Carr NWR, which is managed by USFWS. The
State portion is part of Sebastian Inlet State Park, which is managed
by FDEP. The Brevard County portion includes Sea Oats Park, Coconut
Point Park, Ponce Landing and Coconut Point Sanctuary, Twin Shores
Park, Hog Point Sanctuary, Apollo Eleven Park, Martine Hammock
Sanctuary, Judith Resnick Memorial Park, Barrier Island Ecosystem
Center, and Louis Bonsteel III Memorial Park, which are managed by the
Brevard County Parks and Recreation Department. This unit was occupied
at the time of listing and is currently occupied. This unit has high-
density nesting by loggerhead sea turtles in the Central Eastern
Florida Region of the Peninsular Florida Recovery Unit. This unit
contains all of the PBFs and PCEs. The PBFs in this unit may require
special management considerations or protections to ameliorate the
threats of recreational use, predation, beach sand placement
activities, climate change, beach erosion, artificial lighting, human-
caused disasters, and response to disasters.
Archie Carr NWR has a Comprehensive Conservation Plan that includes
working with partners on the implementation of sea turtle nesting
surveys, nest marking, minimizing human disturbance, and predator
removal intended to minimize impacts to nesting and hatchling
loggerhead sea turtles (USFWS 2008b, pp. 74-76). Sebastian Inlet State
Park has a Unit Management Plan that includes procedures for the
implementation of sea turtle nesting surveys, nest marking, nonnative
species removal when encountered (feral cats, feral hogs, and nine-
banded armadillos), problem native species removal (raccoons), and
beach management to protect nesting and hatchling loggerhead sea
turtles from anthropogenic disturbances (FDEP 2008a, pp. 39-41).
LOGG-T-FL-10--Sebastian Inlet-Indian River Shores, Indian River
County: This unit consists of 21.4 km (13.3 miles) of island shoreline
along the Atlantic Ocean. The island is separated from the mainland by
the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, Indian River Lagoon, Indian River
Narrows, a network of coastal islands, and salt marsh. The unit extends
from Sebastian Inlet to the Indian River Shores southern city limits.
The unit includes lands from the MHW line to the toe of the secondary
dune or developed structures. Land in this unit is in Federal, State,
private, and other ownership (see Table 1). The Federal
[[Page 18031]]
portion is part of Archie Carr NWR, which is managed by USFWS. The
State portion is part of Sebastian Inlet State Park, which is managed
by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The County
portion includes Treasure Shores Park, Golden Sands Park, and Captain
Forster Hammock Preserve, which are managed by the Indian River County
Public Works Division. This unit was occupied at the time of listing
and is currently occupied. This unit supports expansion of nesting from
an adjacent unit (LOGG-T-FL-09) that has high-density nesting by
loggerhead sea turtles in the Central Eastern Florida Region of the
Peninsular Florida Recovery Unit. This unit contains all of the PBFs
and PCEs. The PBFs in this unit may require special management
considerations or protections to ameliorate the threats of recreational
use, predation, beach sand placement activities, climate change, beach
erosion, artificial lighting, human-caused disasters, and response to
disasters.
The Archie Carr NWR has a Comprehensive Conservation Plan that
includes working with partners on the implementation of sea turtle
nesting surveys, nest marking, minimizing human disturbance, and
predator removal intended to minimize impacts to nesting and hatchling
loggerhead sea turtles (USFWS 2008b, pp. 74-76). The Sebastian Inlet
State Park has a Unit Management Plan that includes procedures for the
implementation of sea turtle nesting surveys, nest marking, removal of
nonnative species (feral cats, feral hogs, and nine-banded armadillos)
when encountered and problem native species (raccoons), and beach
management to protect nesting and hatchling loggerhead sea turtles from
anthropogenic disturbances (FDEP 2008a, pp. 39-41). Indian River County
has an HCP titled ``Habitat Conservation Plan for the Protection of Sea
Turtles on the Eroding Beaches of Indian River County, Florida'' that
covers the beaches outside of the State Park and Refuge, and includes
sea turtle nest monitoring, nest protection from armoring construction,
artificial light management, education, land management, and predator
control (Indian River County Public Works Department 2003, pp. 105-108,
113-117, 123-126). These measures apply to both the private and other
lands within this proposed critical habitat unit and are intended to
minimize and mitigate impacts to nesting and hatchling loggerhead sea
turtles as a result of the County-authorized emergency beach armoring.
Southeastern Florida Region
LOGG-T-FL-11--Fort Pierce Inlet-St. Lucie Inlet, St. Lucie and
Martin Counties: This unit consists of 35.2 km (21.9 miles) of island
shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean. The island is separated from the
mainland by the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway and the Indian River
Lagoon. The unit extends from Fort Pierce Inlet to St. Lucie Inlet.
This unit includes lands from the MHW line to the toe of the secondary
dune or developed structures. Land in this unit is in private and other
ownership (see Table 1). The St. Lucie County portion includes Blind
Creek Natural Area and John Brooks Park, which are managed by the St.
Lucie County Environmental Resources Department. The St. Lucie County
portion also includes Fredrick Douglas Memorial Park, Ocean Bay, Blind
Creek Beach, and Dollman Tract, which are managed by the St. Lucie
Parks, Recreation, and Facility Department. The Martin County portion
includes Glasscock Beach Park, Sea Turtle Park, Jensen Beach Park,
Muscara, Bob Graham Beach Park, Curtis Beach Park, Beachwalk Pasley,
Bryn Mawr Beach, Virginia Forrest Beach Park, Tiger Shores Beach,
Stuart Beach Park and Addition, Santa Lucea, Olsen Property, Clifton S.
Perry Beach, House of Refuge Park, Chastain Beach Park, and Bathtub
Beach Park, which are managed by the Martin County Parks and Recreation
Department.
This unit was occupied at the time of listing and is currently
occupied. This unit has high-density nesting by loggerhead sea turtles
in the Southeastern Florida Region of the Peninsular Florida Recovery
Unit. This unit contains all of the PBFs and PCEs. The PBFs in this
unit may require special management considerations or protections to
ameliorate the threats of recreational use, predation, beach sand
placement activities, in-water and shoreline alterations, coastal
development, climate change, beach erosion, artificial lighting, human-
caused disasters, and response to disasters. John Brooks Park has a
management plan that includes protection of nests and nonnative species
removal to minimize impacts to nesting and hatchling loggerhead sea
turtles (St. Lucie County Environmental Resources Department 2008, p.
29). Blind Creek Natural Area has a draft management plan that includes
nonnative plant (Casuarina equisetifolia (Australian pine)) removal to
minimize impacts to nesting and hatchling loggerhead sea turtles (St.
Lucie County Environmental Resources Department 2011, p. 26).
LOGG-T-FL-12--St. Lucie Inlet-Jupiter Inlet, Martin and Palm Beach
Counties: This unit consists of 24.9 km (15.5 miles) of island
shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean. The island is separated from the
mainland by the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, Great Pocket, Peck
Lake, Hobe Sound, South Jupiter Narrows, Jupiter Sound, and a network
of coastal islands. The unit extends from St. Lucie Inlet to Jupiter
Inlet. This unit includes lands from the MHW line to the toe of the
secondary dune or developed structures. Land in this unit is in
Federal, State, private, and other ownership (see Table 1). The Federal
portion is Hobe Sound NWR, which is managed by USFWS. The State portion
is St. Lucie Inlet Preserve State Park, which is managed by FDEP. The
County portion is Coral Cove Park, which is managed by the Palm Beach
County Parks and Recreation Department. A portion of the private lands
includes Blowing Rocks Preserve, which is owned and managed by The
Nature Conservancy. This unit was occupied at the time of listing and
is currently occupied. This unit has high-density nesting by loggerhead
sea turtles in the Southeastern Florida Region of the Peninsular
Florida Recovery Unit.
This unit contains all of the PBFs and PCEs. The PBFs in this unit
may require special management considerations or protections to
ameliorate the threats of recreational use, predation, beach sand
placement activities, in-water shoreline alterations, coastal
development, climate change, beach erosion, artificial lighting, human-
caused disasters, and response to disasters. Hobe Sound NWR has a
Comprehensive Conservation Plan that includes working with partners on
the implementation of sea turtle nesting surveys, nest marking,
education, nonnative species removal, and minimizing human disturbance
intended to minimize impacts to nesting and hatchling loggerhead sea
turtles (USFWS 2006, pp. 81-86). St. Lucie Inlet Preserve State Park
has a Unit Management Plan that includes maintaining a long-term data
set of sea turtle nests, removal of nonnative species (feral cats) when
encountered and problem native species (raccoons), and beach management
to protect nesting and hatchling loggerhead sea turtles from
anthropogenic disturbances (FDEP 2002a, pp. 20-21).
LOGG-T-FL-13--Jupiter Inlet-Lake Worth Inlet, Palm Beach County:
This unit consists of 18.8 km (11.7 miles) of island shoreline along
the Atlantic Ocean. The island is separated from the mainland by the
Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, Lake Worth Creek, Lake Worth, Munyon
Island, Little Munyon
[[Page 18032]]
Island, Singer Island, and Peanut Island. The unit extends from Jupiter
Inlet to Lake Worth Inlet. This unit includes lands from the MHW line
to the toe of the secondary dune or developed structures. Land in this
unit is in State, private, and other ownership (see Table 1). The State
portion is John D. MacArthur Beach State Park, which is managed by
FDEP. The County portion includes Jupiter Beach Park, Carlin Park,
Radnor, Juno Dunes Natural Area, and Loggerhead Park, which are managed
by the Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Department. This unit was
occupied at the time of listing and is currently occupied. This unit
has high-density nesting by loggerhead sea turtles in the Southeastern
Florida Region of the Peninsular Florida Recovery Unit. This unit
contains all of the PBFs and PCEs. The PBFs in this unit may require
special management considerations or protections to ameliorate the
threats of recreational use, predation, beach placement activities, in-
water and shoreline alterations, coastal development, climate change,
beach erosion, artificial lighting, human-caused disasters, and
response to disasters. John D. MacArthur Beach State Park has a Unit
Management Plan that includes procedures for the implementation of sea
turtle nesting surveys, nest marking, artificial lighting management,
problem species removal, education, and beach management to protect
nesting and hatchling loggerhead sea turtles from anthropogenic
disturbances (FDEP 2005a, pp. 20-21).
LOGG-T-FL-14--Lake Worth Inlet-Boynton Inlet, Palm Beach County:
This unit consists of 24.3 km (15.1 miles) of island shoreline along
the Atlantic Ocean. The island is separated from the mainland by the
Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, Lake Worth, and scattered coastal
islands. The unit extends from Lake Worth Inlet to Boynton Inlet. This
unit includes lands from the MHW line to the toe of the secondary dune
or developed structures. Land in this unit is in private ownership (see
Table 1). This unit was occupied at the time of listing and is
currently occupied. This unit has high-density nesting by loggerhead
sea turtles in the Southeastern Florida Region of the Peninsular
Florida Recovery Unit. This unit contains all of the PBFs and PCEs. The
PBFs in this unit may require special management considerations or
protections to ameliorate the threats of recreational use, predation,
beach sand placement activities, in-water and shoreline alterations,
coastal development, climate change, beach erosion, artificial
lighting, human-caused disasters, and response to disasters. At this
time, we are not aware of any management plans that address this
species in this area.
LOGG-T-FL-15--Boynton Inlet-Boca Raton Inlet, Palm Beach County:
This unit consists of 22.6 km (14.1 miles) of island shoreline along
the Atlantic Ocean. The island is separated from the mainland by the
Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, Lake Rogers, Lake Wyman, and Lake Boca
Raton. The unit extends from Boynton Inlet to Boca Raton Inlet. This
unit includes lands from the MHW line to the toe of the secondary dune
or developed structures. Land in this unit is in private and other
ownership (see Table 1). The County portion is Ocean Ridge Hammock
Park, which is managed by the Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation
Department. The municipality portion includes Spanish River Park, Red
Reef Park, and South Beach Park, which are managed by the City of Boca
Raton. This unit was occupied at the time of listing and is currently
occupied. This unit supports expansion of nesting from adjacent units
(LOGG-T-FL-14 and LOGG-T-FL-16) that have high-density nesting by
loggerhead sea turtles in the Southeastern Florida Region of the
Peninsular Florida Recovery Unit. This unit contains all of the PBFs
and PCEs. The PBFs in this unit may require special management
considerations or protections to ameliorate the threats of recreational
use, predation, beach sand placement activities, in-water shoreline
alterations, coastal development, climate change, beach erosion,
artificial lighting, human-caused disasters, and response to disasters.
At this time, we are not aware of any management plans that address
this species in this area.
LOGG-T-FL-16--Boca Raton Inlet-Hillsboro Inlet, Palm Beach and
Broward Counties: This unit consists of 8.3 km (5.2 miles) of island
shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean. The island is separated from the
mainland by the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway and the Hillsboro River.
The unit extends from Boca Raton Inlet to Hillsboro Inlet. This unit
includes lands from the MHW line to the toe of the secondary dune or
developed structures. Land in this unit is in private and other
ownership (see Table 1). The County portion is South Inlet Park, which
is managed by the Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Department.
This unit was occupied at the time of listing and is currently
occupied. This unit has high-density nesting by loggerhead sea turtles
in the Southeastern Florida Region of the Peninsular Florida Recovery
Unit. This unit contains all of the PBFs and PCEs. The PBFs in this
unit may require special management considerations or protections to
ameliorate the threats of recreational use, predation, beach sand
placement activities, in-water and shoreline alterations, coastal
development, climate change, beach erosion, artificial lighting, human-
caused disasters, and response to disasters. At this time, we are not
aware of any management plans that address this species in this area.
LOGG-T-FL-17--Long Key, Monroe County: This unit consists of 4.2 km
(2.6 miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean. The island is
bordered on the east by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Florida Bay,
and on the north and south by natural channels between Keys (Fiesta Key
to the north and Conch Key to the south). This unit extends from the
natural channel between Fiesta Key and Long Key to the natural channel
between Long Key and Conch Key. This unit includes lands from the MHW
line to the toe of the secondary dune or developed structures. Land in
this unit is in State ownership (see Table 1). The island is managed by
FDEP as Long Key State Park. This unit was occupied at the time of
listing and is currently occupied. This unit was included to ensure
conservation of the unique nesting habitat in the Florida Keys. Nesting
beaches in the Florida Keys are unique from the other beaches in the
Peninsular Florida Recovery Unit in that they are limestone islands
with narrow, low-energy beaches (beaches where waves are not powerful);
they have carbonate sands; and they are relatively close to the major
offshore currents that facilitate the dispersal of post-hatchling
loggerheads. This unit contains all of the PBFs and PCEs. The PBFs in
this unit may require special management considerations or protections
to ameliorate the threats of recreational use, predation, sand beach
placement activities, climate change, beach erosion, human-caused
disasters, and response to disasters. Long Key State Park has a Unit
Management Plan that includes procedures for the implementation of sea
turtle nesting surveys, nest marking, problem species removal, and
beach management to protect nesting and hatchling loggerhead sea
turtles from anthropogenic disturbances (FDEP 2004b, pp. 18-19).
LOGG-T-FL-18--Bahia Honda Key, Monroe County: This unit consists of
3.7 km (2.3 miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean. The
island is bordered on the east by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by
Florida Bay, and on the north and south by natural channels between
Keys (Ohio Key to the
[[Page 18033]]
north and Spanish Harbor Key to the south). This unit extends from the
natural channel between Ohio Key and Bahia Honda Key to the natural
channel between Bahia Honda Key and Spanish Harbor Key. This unit
includes lands from the MHW line to the toe of the secondary dune or
developed structures. Land in this unit is in State ownership (see
Table 1). The island is managed by FDEP as Bahia Honda State Park. This
unit was occupied at the time of listing and is currently occupied.
This unit was included to ensure conservation of the unique nesting
habitat in this Florida Keys. Nesting beaches in the Florida Keys are
unique from the other beaches in the Peninsular Florida Recovery Unit
in that they are limestone islands with narrow, low-energy beaches;
they have carbonate sands; and they are relatively close to the major
offshore currents that are known to facilitate the dispersal of post-
hatchling loggerheads. This unit contains all of the PBFs and PCEs. The
PBFs in this unit may require special management considerations or
protections to ameliorate the threats of recreational use, predation,
climate change, beach erosion, human-caused disasters, and response to
disasters. Bahia Honda State Park has a Unit Management Plan that
includes procedures for the implementation of sea turtle nesting
surveys and nest marking intended to protect nesting and hatchling
loggerhead sea turtles from anthropogenic disturbances (FDEP 2003a, pp.
18-20).
Central Western Florida Region
LOGG-T-FL-19--Longboat Key, Manatee and Sarasota Counties: This
unit consists of 16.0 km (9.9 miles) of island shoreline along the Gulf
of Mexico. The island is separated from the mainland by Sarasota Pass.
The unit extends from Longboat Pass to New Pass. This unit includes
lands from the MHW line to the toe of the secondary dune or developed
structures. Land in this unit is in private ownership (see Table 1).
This unit was occupied at the time of listing and is currently
occupied. This unit supports expansion of nesting from an adjacent unit
(LOGG-T-FL-20) that has high-density nesting by loggerhead sea turtles
in the Central Western Florida Region of the Peninsular Florida
Recovery Unit. This unit contains all of the PBFs and PCEs. The PBFs in
this unit may require special management considerations or protections
to ameliorate the threats of recreational use, predation, beach sand
placement activities, in-water shoreline alterations, climate change,
beach erosion, artificial lighting, human-caused disasters, and
response to disasters. At this time, we are not aware of any management
plans that address this species in this area.
LOGG-T-FL-20--Siesta and Casey Keys, Sarasota County: This unit
consists of 20.8 km (13.0 miles) of island shoreline along the Gulf of
Mexico. It includes the shoreline of Siesta Key and Casey Key, which
were originally two separate islands divided by Midnight Pass. When
Midnight Pass was closed in 1983, the two islands were combined into a
single island. The island is separated from the mainland by the
Intracoastal Waterway, Roberts Bay, Little Sarasota Bay, Dryman Bay,
Blackburn Bay, and scattered coastal islands. The unit extends from Big
Sarasota Pass to Venice Inlet. This unit includes lands from the MHW
line to the toe of the secondary dune or developed structures. Land in
this unit is in private and other ownership (see Table 1). The County
portion includes Turtle Beach County Park and Palmer Point County Park,
which are managed by the Sarasota County Parks and Recreation
Department. This unit was occupied at the time of listing and is
currently occupied. This unit has high-density nesting by loggerhead
sea turtles in the Central Western Florida Region of the Peninsular
Florida Recovery Unit. This unit contains all of the PBFs and PCEs. The
PBFs in this unit may require special management considerations or
protections to ameliorate the threats of recreational use, predation,
beach sand placement activities, coastal development, climate change,
beach erosion, artificial lighting, human-caused disasters, and
response to disasters. At this time, we are not aware of any management
plans that address this species in this area.
LOGG-T-FL-21--Venice Beaches and Manasota Key, Sarasota and
Charlotte Counties: This unit consists of 26.0 km (16.1 miles) of
island shoreline along the Gulf of Mexico. The island is separated from
the mainland by the Intracoastal Waterway, Roberts Bay, Red Lake, Lemon
Bay, and scattered coastal islands. The unit extends from Venice Inlet
to Stump Pass. This unit includes lands from the MHW line to the toe of
the secondary dune or developed structures. Land in this unit is in
State, private, and other ownership (see Table 1). The State portion is
Stump Pass Beach State Park, which is managed by FDEP. The Sarasota
County portion includes Service Club Park, Brohard Beach, Paw Beach,
Caspersen Beach County Park, and Blind Pass Park, which are managed by
the Sarasota County Parks and Recreation Department. This unit was
occupied at the time of listing and is currently occupied. This unit
has high-density nesting by loggerhead sea turtles in the Central
Western Florida Region of the Peninsular Florida Recovery Unit. This
unit contains all of the PBFs and PCEs. The PBFs in this unit may
require special management considerations or protections to ameliorate
the threats of recreational use, predation, beach sand placement
activities, in-water shoreline alterations, coastal development,
climate change, beach erosion, artificial lighting, human-caused
disasters, and response to disasters. Stump Pass Beach State Park has a
Unit Management Plan that includes procedures for the implementation of
sea turtle nesting surveys, nest marking, education, problem species
(raccoons) removal, and beach management to protect nesting and
hatchling loggerhead sea turtles from anthropogenic disturbances (FDEP
2003b, pp. 4-5).
LOGG-T-FL-22--Knight, Don Pedro, and Little Gasparilla Islands,
Charlotte County: This unit consists of 10.8 km (6.7 miles) of island
shoreline along the Gulf of Mexico. It includes the shoreline of Knight
Island, Don Pedro Island, and Little Gasparilla Island, which were
originally three separate islands divided by passes. When the passes
closed during the 1960s, the three islands were combined into a single
island. The island is separated from the mainland by the Intracoastal
Waterway, Lemon Bay, Placida Harbor, and scattered keys and islands.
The unit extends from Stump Pass to Gasparilla Pass. This unit includes
lands from the MHW line to the toe of the secondary dune or developed
structures. Land in this unit is in State and private ownership (see
Table 1). The State portion is Don Pedro Island State Park, which is
managed by FDEP. This unit was occupied at the time of listing and is
currently occupied. This unit has high-density nesting by loggerhead
sea turtles in the Central Western Florida Region of the Peninsular
Florida Recovery Unit. This unit contains all of the PBFs and PCEs. The
PBFs in this unit may require special management considerations or
protections to ameliorate the threats of recreational use, predation,
beach sand placement activities, in-water and shoreline alterations,
climate change, beach erosion, artificial lighting, human-caused
disasters, and response to disasters. Don Pedro Island State Park has a
Unit Management Plan that includes procedures for the implementation of
nesting surveys, nest marking, education, problem species removal, and
beach management to protect nesting and hatchling loggerhead sea
turtles from
[[Page 18034]]
anthropogenic disturbances (FDEP 2001a, pp. 16-20).
LOGG-T-FL-23--Gasparilla Island, Charlotte and Lee Counties: This
unit consists of 11.2 km (6.9 miles) of island shoreline along the Gulf
of Mexico. The island is separated from the mainland by the
Intracoastal Waterway, Gasparilla Sound, Charlotte Harbor, Turtle Bay,
Bull Bay, and a network of keys. The unit extends from Gasparilla Pass
to Boca Grande Pass. This unit includes lands from the MHW line to the
toe of the secondary dune or developed structures. Land in this unit is
in State and private ownership (see Table 1). The State portion is
Gasparilla Island State Park, which is managed by FDEP. This unit was
occupied at the time of listing and is currently occupied. This unit
has high-density nesting by loggerhead sea turtles in the Central
Western Florida Region of the Peninsular Florida Recovery Unit. This
unit contains all of the PBFs and PCEs. The PBFs in this unit may
require special management considerations or protections to ameliorate
the threats of recreational use, predation, beach sand placement
activities, coastal development, climate change, beach erosion,
artificial lighting, human-caused disasters, and response to disasters.
Gasparilla Island State Park has a Unit Management Plan that includes
procedures for the implementation of nesting surveys, nest marking,
terrestrial predator control, education, and beach management to
protect nesting and hatchling loggerhead sea turtles from anthropogenic
disturbances (FDEP 2002b, p. 4).
LOGG-T-FL-24--Cayo Costa, Lee County: This unit consists of 13.5 km
(8.4 miles) of island shoreline along the Gulf of Mexico. The island is
separated from the mainland by the Intracoastal Waterway, Pine Island
Sound, Matlacha Pass, Pelican Bay, Primo Bay, Pine Island, Little Pine
Island, and numerous smaller keys and islands. The unit extends from
Boca Grande Pass to Captiva Pass. This unit includes lands from the MHW
line to the toe of the secondary dune or developed structures. Land in
this unit is in State and private ownership (see Table 1). The State
portion is Cayo Costa State Park, which is managed by FDEP. This unit
was occupied at the time of listing and is currently occupied. This
unit supports expansion of nesting from an adjacent unit (LOGG-T-FL-23)
that has high-density nesting by loggerhead sea turtles in the Central
Western Florida Region of the Peninsular Florida Recovery Unit. This
unit contains all of the PBFs and PCEs. The PBFs in this unit may
require special management considerations or protections to ameliorate
the threats of recreational use, predation, in-water and shoreline
alterations, climate change, beach erosion, human-caused disasters, and
response to disasters. Cayo Costa State Park has a Unit Management Plan
that includes procedures for the implementation of nesting surveys,
nest marking, terrestrial predator control, and beach management to
protect nesting and hatchling loggerhead sea turtles from anthropogenic
disturbances (FDEP 2005b, pp. 14, 30).
LOGG-T-FL-25--Captiva Island, Lee County: This unit consists of 7.6
km (4.7 miles) of island shoreline along the Gulf of Mexico. The island
is separated from the mainland by the Intracoastal Waterway, Pine
Island Sound, Matlacha Pass, San Carlos Bay, Pine Island, and scattered
keys and islands. The unit extends from Redfish Pass to Blind Pass.
This unit includes lands from the MHW line to the toe of the secondary
dune or developed structures. Land in this unit is in private ownership
(see Table 1). This unit was occupied at the time of listing and is
currently occupied. This unit supports expansion of nesting from an
adjacent unit (LOGG-T-FL-26) that has high-density nesting by
loggerhead sea turtles in the Central Western Florida Region of the
Peninsular Florida Recovery Unit. This unit contains all of the PBFs
and PCEs. The PBFs in this unit may require special management
considerations or protections to ameliorate the threats of recreational
use, predation, beach sand placement activities, in-water shoreline
alterations, coastal development, climate change, beach erosion,
artificial lighting, human-caused disasters, and response to disasters.
At this time, we are not aware of any management plans that address
this species in this area.
LOGG-T-FL-26--Sanibel Island West, Lee County: This unit consists
of 12.2 km (7.6 miles) of island shoreline along the Gulf of Mexico.
The island is separated from the mainland by the Intracoastal Waterway,
San Carlos Bay, Pine Island Sound, Matlacha Pass, Pine Island, and
numerous keys and islands. The unit extends from Blind Pass to Tarpon
Bay Road. This unit includes lands from the MHW line to the toe of the
secondary dune or developed structures. Land in this unit is in private
and other ownership (see Table 1). The municipality portion includes
Silver Key and Bowman's Beach Regional Park, which are managed by the
City of Sanibel Natural Resources Department. This unit was occupied at
the time of listing and is currently occupied. This unit has high-
density nesting by loggerhead sea turtles in the Central Western
Florida Region of the Peninsular Florida Recovery Unit. This unit
contains all of the PBFs and PCEs. The PBFs in this unit may require
special management considerations or protections to ameliorate the
threats of recreational use, predation, beach sand placement
activities, climate change, beach erosion, artificial lighting, human-
caused disasters, and response to disasters. At this time, we are not
aware of any management plans that address this species in this area.
Southwestern Florida Region
LOGG-T-FL-27--Little Hickory Island, Lee and Collier Counties: This
unit consists of 8.7 km (5.4 miles) of island shoreline along the Gulf
of Mexico. The island is separated from the mainland by Estero Bay,
Hogue Channel, Fish Trap Bay, Little Hickory Bay, Big Hickory Island,
and extensive mangroves and mangrove islands. The unit extends from Big
Hickory Pass to Wiggins Pass. This unit includes lands from the MHW
line to the toe of the secondary dune or developed structures. Land in
this unit is in private and other ownership (see Table 1). The Collier
County portion is Barefoot Beach County Preserve Park, which is managed
by the Collier County Parks and Recreation Department. This unit was
occupied at the time of listing and is currently occupied. This unit
supports expansion of nesting from an adjacent unit (LOGG-T-FL-26) that
has high-density nesting by loggerhead sea turtles in the Southwestern
Florida Region of the Peninsular Florida Recovery Unit. This unit
contains all of the PBFs and PCEs. The PBFs in this unit may require
special management considerations or protections to ameliorate the
threats of recreational use, predation, beach sand placement
activities, in-water shoreline alterations, coastal development,
climate change, beach erosion, artificial lighting, habitat
obstructions, human-caused disasters, and response to disasters. At
this time, we are not aware of any management plans that address this
species in this area.
LOGG-T-FL-28--Wiggins Pass-Clam Pass, Collier County: This unit
consists of 7.7 km (4.8 miles) of mainland shoreline along the Gulf of
Mexico. This section of the mainland is bounded on the west by
Vanderbilt Channel, Vanderbilt Lagoon, Inner Clam Bay, and extensive
mangrove vegetative shorelines. The unit extends from Wiggins Pass to
Clam Pass. This unit includes lands from the MHW line to the toe of the
secondary dune or developed structures. Land in this unit is in State,
private, and other ownership
[[Page 18035]]
(see Table 1). The State portion is Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park,
which is managed by FDEP. The County portion is Vanderbilt Beach County
Park, which is managed by the Collier County Parks and Recreation
Department. This unit was occupied at the time of listing and is
currently occupied. This unit supports expansion of nesting from an
adjacent unit (LOGG-T-FL-30) that has high-density nesting by
loggerhead sea turtles in the Southwestern Florida Region of the
Peninsular Florida Recovery Unit. This unit contains all of the PBFs
and PCEs. The PBFs in this unit may require special management
considerations or protections to ameliorate the threats of recreational
use, predation, beach sand placement activities, in-water and shoreline
alterations, climate change, beach erosion, artificial lighting, human-
caused disasters, and response to disasters. Delnor-Wiggins Pass State
Park has a Unit Management Plan that includes procedures for the
implementation of nesting surveys, nest marking, terrestrial predator
control, education, and beach management to protect nesting and
hatchling loggerhead sea turtles from anthropogenic disturbances (FDEP
2009b, pp. 16-23).
LOGG-T-FL-29--Clam Pass-Doctors Pass, Collier County: This unit
consists of 4.9 km (3.0 miles) of island shoreline along the Gulf of
Mexico. The island is separated from the mainland by Moorings Bay,
Outer Doctors Bay, Inner Doctors Bay, Venetian Bay, and Outer Clam Bay.
The unit extends from Clam Pass to Doctors Pass. This unit includes
lands from the MHW line to the toe of the secondary dune or developed
structures. Land in this unit is in private ownership (see Table 1).
This unit was occupied at the time of listing and is currently
occupied. This unit supports expansion of nesting from an adjacent unit
(LOGG-T-FL-30) that has high-density nesting by loggerhead sea turtles
in the Southwestern Florida Region of the Peninsular Florida Recovery
Unit. This unit contains all of the PBFs and PCEs. The PBFs in this
unit may require special management considerations or protections to
ameliorate the threats of recreational use, predation, beach sand
placement activities, climate change, beach erosion, artificial
lighting, human-caused disasters, and response to disasters. At this
time, we are not aware of any management plans that address this
species in this area.
LOGG-T-FL-30--Keewaydin Island and Sea Oat Island, Collier County:
This unit consists of 13.1 km (8.1 miles) of island shoreline along the
Gulf of Mexico. These islands are separated from the mainland by Dollar
Bay, Bartell Bay, Periwinkle Bay, Rookery Bay, Hall Bay, Nature
Conservancy Bay, Johnson Bay, Shell Bay, Sand Hill Bay, Hall Bay,
Little Marco Pass, and a network of mangroves, coastal islands, and
salt marsh. The unit extends from Gordon Pass to Big Marco Pass. This
unit includes lands from the MHW line to the toe of the secondary dune
or developed structures. Land in this unit is in State and private
ownership (see Table 1). The State and part of the private ownership
(National Audubon Society) portions are part of the Rookery Bay
National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR), which is managed by FDEP's
Office of Coastal and Aquatic Managed Areas. This unit was occupied at
the time of listing and is currently occupied. This unit has high-
density nesting by loggerhead sea turtles in the Southwestern Florida
Region of the Peninsular Florida Recovery Unit. This unit contains all
of the PBFs and PCEs. The PBFs in this unit may require special
management considerations or protections to ameliorate the threats of
recreational use, predation, in-water and shoreline alterations, beach
sand placement activities, climate change, beach erosion, artificial
lighting, human-caused disasters, and response to disasters. Rookery
Bay NERR has a management plan that includes working with partners for
the implementation of nesting surveys, nest marking, terrestrial
predator control, education, and beach management to protect nesting
and hatchling loggerhead sea turtles from anthropogenic disturbances
(FDEP 2012a, pp. 62-77, 223, 269).
LOGG-T-FL-31--Cape Romano, Collier County: This unit consists of
9.2 km (5.7 miles) of island shoreline along the Gulf of Mexico and
Gullivan Bay. Cape Romano is a coastal island complex within the
Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) and is located
off the southwest coast of Florida in Collier County. Loggerhead sea
turtle nesting has been regularly monitored and documented within this
island complex. This island complex is separated from the mainland by
Caxambas Bay, Grassy Bay, Barfield Bay, Goodland Bay, Gullivan Bay, and
a network of other keys and islands. From north to south, the islands
and keys included in this unit are: Kice Island, Big Morgan Island,
Morgan Keys, Carr Island, and Cape Romano Island. Kice Island is in
State ownership and is part of Rookery Bay NERR. It has 3.9 km (2.4
miles) of shoreline. Big Morgan Island is in State ownership (as part
of Rookery Bay NERR) and other ownership. It has 1.4 km (0.9 miles) of
shoreline. Morgan Key is in State ownership (as part of Rookery Bay
NERR) and other ownership. It has 0.7 km (0.4 miles) of shoreline. Carr
Island is in State ownership and is part of Rookery Bay NERR. It has
0.3 km (0.2 miles) of shoreline. Cape Romano is in State ownership (as
part of Rookery Bay NERR) and other ownership. It has 2.9 km (1.8
miles) of shoreline. The unit extends from Caxambas Pass to Gullivan
Bay. This unit includes lands from the MHW line to the toe of the
secondary dune or developed structures. Land in this unit is in State
and other ownership (see Table 1). The State portion is part of the
Rookery Bay NERR, which is owned by the State of Florida and managed by
FDEP's Office of Coastal and Aquatic Managed Areas.
This unit was occupied at the time of listing and is currently
occupied. This unit has high-density nesting by loggerhead sea turtles
in the Southwestern Florida Region of the Peninsular Florida Recovery
Unit. This unit contains all of the PBFs and PCEs. The PBFs in this
unit may require special management considerations or protections to
ameliorate the threats of recreational use, predation, climate change,
beach erosion, human-caused disasters, and response to disasters.
Rookery Bay NERR has a management plan that includes working with
partners for the implementation of nesting surveys, nest marking,
terrestrial predator control, education, and beach management to
protect nesting and hatchling loggerhead sea turtles from anthropogenic
disturbances (FDEP 2012a, pp. 62-77, 223, 269).
LOGG-T-FL-32--Ten Thousand Islands North, Collier County: This unit
consists of 7.8 km (4.9 miles) of island shoreline along the Gulf of
Mexico. The Ten Thousand Islands are a chain of islands and mangrove
islets off the southwest coast of Florida in Collier and Monroe
Counties. This unit includes nine keys where loggerhead sea turtle
nesting has been documented within the northern part of the Ten
Thousand Islands in Collier County in both the Ten Thousand Islands NWR
and the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR). These
keys are separated from the mainland by Sugar Bay, Palm Bay, Blackwater
Bay, Buttonwood Bay, Pumpkin Bay, Santina Bay, and a network of keys
and islands. From west to east and north to south, these nine keys are:
Coon Key, Brush Island, B Key, Turtle Key, Gullivan Key, White Horse
Key, Hog Key, Panther Key, and Round Key.
Coon Key is part of Ten Thousand Islands NWR and has 0.4 km (0.2
mile) of shoreline. Brush Island is in State
[[Page 18036]]
ownership and is part of Rookery Bay NERR. It has 0.6 km (0.4 mile) of
shoreline. B Key (25.89055 N, 81.59641 W) is in Federal and State
ownership and is part of both Ten Thousand Islands NWR and Rookery Bay
NERR. It has 0.5 km (0.3 mile) of shoreline. Turtle Key is in State
ownership and is part of Rookery Bay NERR. It has 0.5 km (0.3 mile) of
shoreline. Gullivan Key is in State ownership and is part of Rookery
Bay NERR. It has 1.1 km (0.7 mile) of shoreline. White Horse Key is in
State ownership and is part of Rookery Bay NERR. It has 1.6 km (1.0
mile) of shoreline. Hog Key is in Federal and State ownership and is
part of both Ten Thousand Islands NWR and Rookery Bay NERR. It has 0.9
km (0.6 mile) of shoreline. Panther Key is in Federal ownership and is
part of Ten Thousand Islands NWR. It has 2.0 km (1.3 miles) of
shoreline. Round Key is in Federal ownership and is part Ten Thousand
Islands NWR. It has 0.3 km (0.2 mile) of shoreline.
The unit includes lands from the MHW line to the toe of the
secondary dune or developed structures. Land in this unit is in Federal
and State ownership (see Table 1). The Ten Thousand Islands NWR portion
is managed by USFWS. The Rookery Bay NERR portion is managed by FDEP's
Office of Coastal and Aquatic Managed Areas. This unit was occupied at
the time of listing and is currently occupied. This unit supports
expansion of nesting from an adjacent unit (LOGG-T-FL-31) that has
high-density nesting by loggerhead sea turtles in the Southwestern
Florida Region of the Peninsular Florida Recovery Unit. This unit
contains all of the PBFs and PCEs. The PBFs in this unit may require
special management considerations or protections to ameliorate the
threats of recreational use, predation, climate change, beach erosion,
human-caused disasters, and response to disasters. Rookery Bay NERR has
a management plan that includes working with partners for the
implementation of nesting surveys, nest marking, terrestrial predator
control, education, and beach management to protect nesting and
hatchling loggerhead sea turtles from anthropogenic disturbances (FDEP
2012a, pp. 62-77, 223, 269). Thousand Islands NWR has a Comprehensive
Conservation Plan that includes implementation of nesting surveys, nest
marking, and predator removal intended to minimize impacts to nesting
and hatchling loggerhead sea turtles (USFWS 2001, pp. 12, 20-22).
LOGG-T-FL-33--Highland Beach, Monroe County: This unit consists of
7.2 km (4.5 miles) of island (Key McLaughlin) shoreline along the Gulf
of Mexico. The island is separated from the mainland by Rogers River
Bay, Big Bay, Big Lostmans Bay, extensive salt marsh, and a network of
keys and islands. The unit extends from First Bay to Rogers River
Inlet. The unit includes lands from the MHW line to the toe of the
secondary dune or developed structures. Land in this unit is in Federal
ownership (see Table 1). It is part of the Everglades National Park,
which is managed by the National Park Service. This unit was occupied
at the time of listing and is currently occupied. This unit supports
expansion of nesting from an adjacent unit (LOGG-T-FL-34) that has
high-density nesting by loggerhead sea turtles in the Southwestern
Florida Region of the Peninsular Florida Recovery Unit. This unit
contains all of the PBFs and PCEs. The PBFs in this unit may require
special management considerations or protections to ameliorate the
threats of recreational use, climate change, beach erosion, human-
caused disasters, and response to disasters. At this time, we are not
aware of any management plans that address this species in this area.
LOGG-T-FL-34--Graveyard Creek-Shark Point, Monroe County: This unit
consists of 0.9 km (0.6 mile) of mainland shoreline along the Gulf of
Mexico. The unit extends from Shark Point (25.38796 N, 81.14933 W) to
Graveyard Creek Inlet. The unit includes lands from the MHW line to the
toe of the secondary dune or developed structures. Land in this unit is
in Federal ownership (see Table 1). It is part of the Everglades
National Park, which is managed by the National Park Service. This unit
was occupied at the time of listing and is currently occupied. This
unit has high-density nesting by loggerhead sea turtles in the
Southwestern Florida Region of the Peninsular Florida Recovery Unit.
This unit contains all of the PBFs and PCEs. The PBFs in this unit may
require special management considerations or protections to ameliorate
the threats of recreational use, predation, climate change, beach
erosion, human-caused disasters, and response to disasters. At this
time, we are not aware of any management plans that address this
species in this area.
LOGG-T-FL-35--Cape Sable, Monroe County: This unit consists of 21.3
km (13.2 miles) of mainland shoreline along the Gulf of Mexico. The
unit extends from the north boundary of Cape Sable at 25.25924 N,
81.16687 W to the south boundary of Cape Sable at 25.12470 N, 81.06681
W. Land in this unit is in Federal ownership (see Table 1). It is part
of the Everglades National Park, which is managed by the National Park
Service. The unit includes lands from the MHW line to the toe of the
secondary dune or developed structures. This unit was occupied at the
time of listing and is currently occupied. This unit has high-density
nesting by loggerhead sea turtles in the Southwestern Florida Region of
the Peninsular Florida Recovery Unit. This unit contains all of the
PBFs and PCEs. The PBFs in this unit may require special management
considerations or protections to ameliorate the threats of recreational
use, predation, climate change, beach erosion, human-caused disasters,
and response to disasters. At this time, we are not aware of any
management plans that address this species in this area.
Dry Tortugas Recovery Unit
LOGG-T-FL-36--Dry Tortugas, Monroe County: This unit consists of
6.3 km (3.9 miles) of shoreline along the Gulf of Mexico. The Dry
Tortugas are a small group of seven islands located at the end of the
Florida Keys about 108 km (67 miles) west of Key West. This unit
includes six islands where loggerhead sea turtle nesting has been
documented within the Dry Tortugas. From west to east, these six
islands are: Loggerhead Key, Garden Key, Bush Key, Long Key, Hospital
Key, and East Key. Loggerhead Key is the largest island in the chain
and has 2.4 km (1.5 miles) of beach. Garden Key, the second largest
island in the chain, is 4.0 km (2.5 miles) east of Loggerhead Key and
has 0.8 km (0.5 mile) of beach. Bush Key is located 0.1 km (0.1 mile)
east of Garden Key and has 2.0 km (1.3 mile) of beach; Bush Key is
occasionally connected to Garden Key by a sand bar. Long Key is located
0.1 km (0.1 mile) south of the eastern end of Bush Key and has 0.3 km
(0.2 mile) of beach; Long Key is occasionally connected to Bush Key by
a sand bar. Hospital Key is located 2.5 km (1.6 miles) northeast of
Garden Key and Bush Key and has 0.2 km (0.1 mile) of beach. East Key is
located 0.6 km (0.3 miles) east of Middle Key (Middle Key is not
included in the unit) and has 0.6 km (0.3 mile) of beach.
The unit includes lands from the MHW line to the toe of the
secondary dune or developed structures. Land in this unit is in Federal
ownership (see Table 1). It is part of the Dry Tortugas National Park,
which is managed by the National Park Service. This unit was occupied
at the time of listing and is currently occupied. This unit was
included because of the extremely small size of the Dry Tortugas
Recovery Unit. This unit contains all of the PBFs and PCEs. The PBFs in
this unit may require
[[Page 18037]]
special management considerations or protections to ameliorate the
threats of recreational use, predation, climate change, beach erosion,
habitat obstructions, human-caused disasters, and response to
disasters. Dry Tortugas National Park has a General Management Plan
that includes special protection zones intended to manage the beach to
protect nesting and hatchling loggerhead sea turtles from anthropogenic
disturbances (National Park Service 2000, p. 38).
LOGG-T-FL-37--Marquesas Keys, Monroe County: This unit consists of
5.6 km (3.5 miles) of shoreline along the Gulf of Mexico. The Marquesas
Keys are a small group of eight islands located at the end of the
Florida Keys about 29.3 km (18.2 miles) west of Key West. This unit
includes four islands where loggerhead sea turtle nesting has been
documented within the Marquesas Keys: Marquesas Key, Unnamed Key 1,
Unnamed Key 2, and Unnamed Key 3. Marquesas Key is the largest key in
the northeastern region of the island group and has 3.8 km (2.4 miles)
of shoreline. Unnamed Keys 1, 2, and 3 are at the far westernmost side
of the island group. Unnamed Key 1 is the northernmost key of the three
and has 0.4 km (0.2 mile) of shoreline. Unnamed Key 2 is just south of
Unnamed Key 1 and has 1.0 km (0.6 mile) of shoreline. Unnamed Key 3 is
southwest of Unnamed Key 2 and has 0.5 km (0.3 mile) of shoreline.
The unit includes lands from the MHW line to the toe of the
secondary dune or developed structures. Land in this unit is in Federal
ownership (see Table 1). The Marquesas Keys are part of the Key West
NWR, which is managed by USFWS. This unit was occupied at the time of
listing and is currently occupied. This unit was included because of
the extremely small size of the Dry Tortugas Recovery Unit. This unit
contains all of the PBFs and PCEs. The PBFs in this unit may require
special management considerations or protections to ameliorate the
threats of recreational use, climate change, beach erosion, human-
caused disasters, and response to disasters. Key West NWR is included
within the Lower Florida Keys National Wildlife Refuges Comprehensive
Conservation Plan, which includes implementation of nesting surveys,
nest marking, debris removal, and predator removal intended to minimize
impacts to nesting and hatchling loggerhead sea turtles (USFWS 2009,
pp. 67-68).
LOGG-T-FL-38--Boca Grande Key, Monroe County: This unit consists of
1.3 km (0.8 mile) of island shoreline along the Gulf of Mexico. Boca
Grande Key is one of the outlying islands of the Florida Keys and is
located about 18.9 km (11.7 miles) west of Key West. The unit extends
from 24.53767 N, 82.00763 W (at the northern end of the key) to
24.52757 N, 82.00581 W (at the southern end of the key). The unit
includes lands from the MHW line to the toe of the secondary dune or
developed structures. Land in this unit is in Federal ownership (see
Table 1). It is part of the Key West NWR, which is managed by USFWS.
This unit was occupied at the time of listing and is currently
occupied. This unit was included because of the extremely small size of
the Dry Tortugas Recovery Unit. This unit contains all of the PBFs and
PCEs. The PBFs in this unit may require special management
considerations or protections to ameliorate the threats of recreational
use, climate change, beach erosion, human-caused disasters, and
response to disasters. Key West NWR is included within the Lower
Florida Keys National Wildlife Refuges Comprehensive Conservation Plan,
which includes implementation of nesting surveys, nest marking, debris
removal, and predator removal intended to minimize impacts to nesting
and hatchling loggerhead sea turtles (USFWS 2009, pp. 67-68).
LOGG-T-FL-39--Woman Key, Monroe County: This unit consists of 1.3
km (0.8 mile) of island shoreline along the Gulf of Mexico. Woman Key
is one of the outlying islands of the Florida Keys and is located about
15.9 km (9.9 miles) west of Key West. The unit extends from 24.52452 N,
81.97893 W (at the western end of the key) to 24.52385 N, 81.96680 W
(at the eastern end of the key). The unit includes lands from the MHW
line to the toe of the secondary dune or developed structures. Land in
this unit is in Federal ownership (see Table 1). It is part of the Key
West NWR, which is managed by USFWS. This unit was occupied at the time
of listing and is currently occupied. This unit was included because of
the extremely small size of the Dry Tortugas Recovery Unit. This unit
contains all of the PBFs and PCEs. The PBFs in this unit may require
special management considerations or protections to ameliorate the
threats of recreational use, climate change, beach erosion, human-
caused disasters, and response to disasters. Key West NWR is included
within the Lower Florida Keys National Wildlife Refuges Comprehensive
Conservation Plan, which includes implementation of nesting surveys,
nest marking, debris removal, and predator removal intended to minimize
impacts to nesting and hatchling loggerhead sea turtles (USFWS 2009,
pp. 67-68).
Northern Gulf of Mexico Recovery Unit
Mississippi
LOGG-T-MS-01--Horn Island, Jackson County: This unit consists of
18.6 km (11.5 miles) of island shoreline along the Gulf of Mexico. The
island is separated from the mainland by the Gulf Intracoastal
Waterway, Mississippi Sound, Pascagoula Bay, and scattered coastal
islands. The unit extends from Dog Keys Pass to the easternmost point
of the ocean facing island shore. The unit includes lands from the MHW
line to the toe of the secondary dune or developed structures. Land in
this unit is in Federal and private ownership (see Table 1). The
Federal portion is part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore,
Mississippi District, which is managed by the National Park Service.
This unit was occupied at the time of listing and is currently
occupied. Nesting was confirmed by weekly aerial surveys prior to 2006.
Although regular surveys have not been conducted since 2005, loggerhead
nesting was documented in 2010 and 2011 during the Deepwater Horizon
event response efforts. This unit was included because Horn Island has
been documented as one of two islands in Mississippi with the greatest
number of nests.
This unit contains all of the PBFs and PCEs. The PBFs in this unit
may require special management considerations or protections to
ameliorate the threats of recreational use, predation, climate change,
beach erosion, human-caused disasters, and response to disasters. The
existing Gulf Islands National Seashore General Management Plan
includes controlling nonnative species to protect nesting and hatchling
loggerhead sea turtles from anthropogenic disturbances (National Park
Service 1978, p. 46). The management plan is being revised and a draft
is under review. The draft Gulf Islands National Seashore General
Management Plan includes management efforts that would emphasize sea
turtle nest monitoring and closure areas around nests intended to
protect nesting and hatchling loggerhead sea turtles from anthropogenic
disturbances (National Park Service 2011, p. 85).
LOGG-T-MS-02--Petit Bois Island, Jackson County: This unit consists
of 9.8 km (6.1 miles) of island shoreline along the Gulf of Mexico. The
island is separated from the mainland by the Gulf Intracoastal
Waterway, Mississippi Sound, Point Aux Chenes Bay, scattered coastal
islands, and salt marsh. The unit extends from Horn Island Pass to
Petit Bois Pass. The unit includes lands from
[[Page 18038]]
the MHW line to the toe of the secondary dune or developed structures.
Land in this unit is in Federal ownership (see Table 1). Petit Bois
Island is part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore, Mississippi
District, which is managed by the National Park Service. This unit was
occupied at the time of listing and is currently occupied. Nesting was
confirmed by weekly aerial surveys prior to 2006. Although regular
surveys have not been conducted since 2005, loggerhead nesting was
documented in 2010 and 2011 during Deepwater Horizon event response
efforts. This unit was included because Petit Bois Island has been
documented as one of two islands in Mississippi with the greatest
number of nests.
This unit contains all of the PBFs and PCEs. The PBFs in this unit
may require special management considerations or protections to
ameliorate the threats of recreational use, predation, climate change,
beach erosion, human-caused disasters, and response to disasters. The
existing Gulf Islands National Seashore General Management Plan
includes controlling nonnative species to protect nesting and hatchling
loggerhead sea turtles from anthropogenic disturbances (National Park
Service 1978, p. 46). The management plan is being revised, and a draft
is under review. The draft Gulf Islands National Seashore General
Management Plan includes management efforts that would emphasize sea
turtle nest monitoring and closure areas around nests intended to
protect nesting and hatchling loggerhead sea turtles from anthropogenic
disturbances (National Park Service 2011, p. 85).
Alabama
LOGG-T-AL-01--Mobile Bay-Little Lagoon Pass, Baldwin County: This
unit consists of 28.0 km (17.4 miles) of island shoreline along the
Gulf of Mexico. The island is separated from the mainland by the Gulf
Intracoastal Waterway, Bon Secour Bay, and Little Lagoon. The unit
extends from Mobile Bay Inlet to Little Lagoon Pass. The unit includes
lands from the MHW line to the toe of the secondary dune or developed
structures. Land in this unit is in Federal, State, and private
ownership (see Table 1). The Federal portion includes part of the Bon
Secour NWR and four Bureau of Land Management (BLM) parcels, which are
managed by USFWS. The State portion includes Fort Morgan State Park,
which is managed by USFWS. This unit was occupied at the time of
listing and is currently occupied. This unit has high-density nesting
by loggerhead sea turtles in Alabama. This unit contains all of the
PBFs and PCEs. The PBFs in this unit may require special management
considerations or protections to ameliorate the threats of recreational
use, predation, climate change, beach erosion, artificial lighting,
human-caused disasters, and response to disasters. Bon Secour NWR has a
Comprehensive Conservation Plan that includes working with partners for
the implementation of nesting surveys, nest marking, education,
minimizing human disturbance, predator removal, and other conservation
efforts intended to minimize impacts to nesting and hatchling
loggerhead sea turtles (USFWS 2005, pp. 54-55).
LOGG-T-AL-02--Gulf State Park-Perdido Pass, Baldwin County: This
unit consists of 10.7 km (6.7 miles) of island shoreline along the Gulf
of Mexico. The island is separated from the mainland by the Gulf
Intracoastal Coastal Waterway, Shelby Lakes, Little Lake, Portage
Creek, Wolf Bay, Bay La Launch, Cotton Bayou, and Terry Cove. The unit
extends from the west boundary of Gulf State Park to Perdido Pass. The
unit includes lands from the MHW line to the toe of the secondary dune
or developed structures. Land in this unit is in State and private
ownership (see Table 1). The State portion is part of Gulf State Park,
which is managed by the Alabama State Parks. This unit was occupied at
the time of listing and is currently occupied. This unit has high-
density nesting by loggerhead sea turtles in Alabama. This unit
contains all of the PBFs and PCEs. The PBFs in this unit may require
special management considerations or protections to ameliorate the
threats of recreational use, predation, in-water and shoreline
alterations, coastal development, climate change, beach erosion,
artificial lighting, human-caused disasters, and response to disasters.
At this time, we are not aware of any management plans that address
this species in this area.
LOGG-T-AL-03--Perdido Pass-Florida-Alabama line, Baldwin County:
This unit consists of 3.3 km (2.0 miles) of island shoreline along the
Gulf of Mexico. The island is separated from the mainland by the Gulf
Intracoastal Waterway, Old River, Bayou St. John, Terry Cover, Amica
Bay, and coastal islands. The unit extends from Perdido Pass to the
Alabama-Florida border. This area is referred to as Alabama Point. The
unit includes lands from the MHW line to the toe of the secondary dune
or developed structures. Land in this unit is in State and private
ownership (see Table 1). The State portion is part of Gulf State Park,
which is managed by the Alabama State Parks. This unit was occupied at
the time of listing and is currently occupied. This unit supports
expansion of nesting from an adjacent unit (LOGG-T-AL-02) that has
high-density nesting by loggerhead sea turtles in Alabama. This unit
contains all of the PBFs and PCEs. The PBFs in this unit may require
special management considerations or protections to ameliorate the
threats of recreational use, predation, in-water and shoreline
alterations, beach sand placement activities, climate change, beach
erosion, artificial lighting, human-caused disasters, and response to
disasters. At this time, we are not aware of any management plans that
address this species in this area.
Florida
LOGG-T-FL-40--Perdido Key, Escambia County: This unit consists of
20.2 km (12.6 miles) of island shoreline along the Gulf of Mexico. The
island is separated from the mainland by the Gulf Intracoastal
Waterway, Old River, Perdido Bay, Big Lagoon, and coastal islands. The
unit extends from the Alabama-Florida border to Pensacola Pass. The
unit includes lands from the MHW line to the toe of the secondary dune
or developed structures. Land in this unit is in Federal, State, and
private ownership (see Table 1). The Federal portion is part of Gulf
Islands National Seashore, Florida District, which is managed by the
National Park Service. The State portion is Perdido Key State Park,
which is managed by FDEP. This unit was occupied at the time of listing
and is currently occupied. This unit supports expansion of nesting from
an adjacent unit (LOGG-T-AL-02) that has high-density nesting by
loggerhead sea turtles in the Alabama portion of the Northern Gulf of
Mexico Recovery Unit. This unit contains all of the PBFs and PCEs. The
PBFs in this unit may require special management considerations or
protections to ameliorate the threats of recreational use, predation,
beach sand placement activities, in-water and shoreline alterations,
climate change, beach erosion, artificial lighting, human-caused
disasters, and response to disasters.
The existing Gulf Islands National Seashore General Management Plan
includes controlling nonnative species to protect nesting and hatchling
loggerhead sea turtles from anthropogenic disturbances (National Park
Service 1978, p. 46). The management plan is being revised, and a draft
is under review. The draft Gulf Islands National Seashore General
Management Plan includes management efforts that would emphasize sea
turtle nest monitoring and closure areas
[[Page 18039]]
around nests intended to protect nesting and hatchling loggerhead sea
turtles from anthropogenic disturbances (National Park Service 2011, p.
77). Perdido Key State Park has a Unit Management Plan that includes
procedures for the implementation of nesting surveys, nest marking,
terrestrial predator control, debris removal, artificial light
reduction in adjacent developed areas, education, and beach management
to protect nesting and hatchling loggerhead sea turtles from
anthropogenic disturbances (FDEP 2006b, p. 5).
LOGG-T-FL-41--Mexico Beach and St. Joe Beach, Bay and Gulf
Counties: This unit consists of 18.7 km (11.7 miles) of mainland
shoreline along the Gulf of Mexico. The unit extends from the eastern
boundary of Tyndall Air Force Base to Gulf County Canal in St. Joseph
Bay. The unit includes lands from the MHW line to the toe of the
secondary dune or developed structures. Land in this unit is in private
ownership (see Table 1). This unit was occupied at the time of listing
and is currently occupied. This unit supports expansion of nesting from
an adjacent unit (LOGG-T-FL-42) that has high-density nesting by
loggerhead sea turtles in the Florida portion of the Northern Gulf of
Mexico Recovery Unit. This unit contains all of the PBFs and PCEs. The
PBFs in this unit may require special management considerations or
protections to ameliorate the threats of recreational use, predation,
in-water and shoreline alterations, beach sand placement activities,
climate change, beach erosion, artificial lighting, human-caused
disasters, and response to disasters. At this time, we are not aware of
any management plans that address this species in this unit.
LOGG-T-FL-42--St. Joseph Peninsula, Gulf County: This unit consists
of 23.5 km (14.6 miles) of a spit shoreline along the Gulf of Mexico.
The spit is separated from the mainland by St. Joseph Bay. The unit
extends from St. Joseph Bay to the west boundary of Eglin Air Force
Base. The unit includes lands from the MHW line to the toe of the
secondary dune or developed structures. Land in this unit is in State
and private ownership (see Table 1). The State portion includes T.H.
Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park and part of the St.
Joseph Bay Aquatic Preserve, which are managed by FDEP. This unit was
occupied at the time of listing and is currently occupied. This unit
has high-density nesting by loggerhead sea turtles in the Florida
portion of the Northern Gulf of Mexico Recovery Unit. This unit
contains all of the PBFs and PCEs. The PBFs in this unit may require
special management considerations or protections to ameliorate the
threats of recreational use, beach sand placement activities, beach
driving, predation, climate change, beach erosion, artificial lighting,
human-caused disasters, and response to disasters.
T.H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park has a Unit
Management Plan that includes procedures for the implementation of
nesting surveys, nest marking, terrestrial predator control, and beach
management to protect nesting and hatchling loggerhead sea turtles from
anthropogenic disturbances (FDEP 2001b, pp. 4-5, 18). The St. Joseph
Bay Aquatic Preserve Management Plan includes working with partners on
the implementation of nesting surveys, nest marking, education, and
beach management to protect nesting and hatchling loggerhead sea
turtles from anthropogenic disturbances (FDEP 2008b, pp. 50-51, 77).
Gulf County has a draft HCP that could include sea turtle nest
monitoring, nest protection from vehicles on the beach, public
education, artificial light management, land acquisition, beach
horseback riding ordinance enforcement, and predator control. These
measures apply to the private lands within this critical habitat unit
and are intended to minimize and mitigate impacts to nesting and
hatchling loggerhead sea turtles as a result of the County-authorized
beach driving (Gulf County Board of County Commissioners 2004, pp. 5-6-
5-10).
LOGG-T-FL-43--Cape San Blas, Gulf County: This unit consists of
11.0 km (6.8 miles) of mainland and spit shoreline along the Gulf of
Mexico. The unit extends from the east boundary of Eglin Air Force Base
to Indian Pass. The unit includes lands from the MHW line to the toe of
the secondary dune or developed structures. Land in this unit is in
State, private, and other ownership (see Table 1). The State portion is
part of St. Joseph Bay State Buffer Preserve, which is managed by FDEP.
The County portion is Salinas Park, which is managed by Gulf County.
This unit was occupied at the time of listing and is currently
occupied. This unit supports expansion of nesting from adjacent units
(LOGG-T-FL-42 and LOGG-T-FL-44) that have high-density nesting by
loggerhead sea turtles in the Florida portion of the Northern Gulf of
Mexico Recovery Unit. This unit contains all of the PBFs and PCEs. The
PBFs in this unit may require special management considerations or
protections to ameliorate the threats of recreational use, beach
driving, predation, coastal development, climate change, beach erosion,
artificial lighting, habitat obstructions, human-caused disasters, and
response to disasters. The draft St. Joseph Bay State Buffer Preserve
Management Plan includes predator control (FDEP 2012b, p. 33).
LOGG-T-FL-44--St. Vincent Island, Franklin County: This unit
consists of 15.1 km (9.4 miles) of island shoreline along the Gulf of
Mexico. The island is separated from the mainland by St. Vincent Sound.
The unit extends from Indian Pass to West Pass. The unit includes lands
from the MHW line to the toe of the secondary dune or developed
structures. Land in this unit is in Federal ownership (see Table 1).
This unit is managed by USFWS as the St. Vincent NWR. This unit was
occupied at the time of listing and is currently occupied. This unit
has high-density nesting by loggerhead sea turtles in the Florida
portion of the Northern Gulf of Mexico Recovery Unit. This unit
contains all of the PBFs and PCEs. The PBFs in this unit may require
special management considerations or protections to ameliorate the
threats of recreational use, predation, climate change, beach erosion,
artificial lighting, human-caused disasters, and response to disasters.
St. Vincent NWR has a draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan that
includes the implementation of nesting surveys, nest marking,
education, minimizing human disturbance, predator removal, and other
conservation efforts intended to minimize impacts to nesting and
hatchling loggerhead sea turtles (USFWS 2012, pp. 64-65).
LOGG-T-FL-45--Little St. George Island, Franklin County: This unit
consists of 15.4 km (9.6 miles) of island shoreline along the Gulf of
Mexico. The island is separated from the mainland by Apalachicola Bay
and St. Vincent Sound. The unit extends from West Pass to Bob Sikes
Cut. The unit includes lands from the MHW line to the toe of the
secondary dune or developed structures. Land in this unit is in State
ownership (see Table 1). This unit is managed by FDEP as the
Apalachicola NERR. This unit was occupied at the time of listing and is
currently occupied. This unit has high-density nesting by loggerhead
sea turtles in the Florida portion of the Northern Gulf of Mexico
Recovery Unit. This unit contains all of the PBFs and PCEs. The PBFs in
this unit may require special management considerations or protections
to ameliorate the threats of recreational use, predation, climate
change, beach erosion, artificial lighting, human-caused disasters, and
response to disasters. The existing Apalachicola NERR Management Plan
includes
[[Page 18040]]
working with partners on the implementation of nesting surveys and
controlling nonnative species to protect nesting and hatchling
loggerhead sea turtles from anthropogenic disturbances (FDEP 1998, pp.
78, 126, 161). The management plan is being revised, and a draft is
under review. The draft management plan includes working with partners
on the implementation of nesting surveys, nest marking, predator
removal, education, and beach management to protect nesting and
hatchling loggerhead sea turtles from anthropogenic disturbances (FDEP
2011, pp. 48-49, 73-76).
LOGG-T-FL-46--St. George Island, Franklin County: This unit
consists of 30.7 km (19.1 miles) of island shoreline along the Gulf of
Mexico. The island is separated from the mainland by the Intracoastal
Waterway, Apalachicola Bay, and East Bay. The unit extends from Bob
Sikes Cut to East Pass. The unit includes lands from the MHW line to
the toe of the secondary dune or developed structures. Land in this
unit is in State and private ownership (see Table 1). The State portion
is Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park, which is managed
by FDEP. This unit was occupied at the time of listing and is currently
occupied. This unit supports expansion of nesting from an adjacent unit
(LOGG-T-FL-45) that has high-density nesting by loggerhead sea turtles
in the Florida portion of the Northern Gulf of Mexico Recovery Unit.
This unit contains all of the PBFs and PCEs. The PBFs in this unit may
require special management considerations or protections to ameliorate
the threats of recreational use, predation, climate change, beach
erosion, artificial lighting, human-caused disasters, and response to
disasters. The Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park has a
Unit Management Plan that includes procedures for the implementation of
nesting surveys, nest marking, terrestrial predator control, debris
removal, artificial light reduction in adjacent developed areas,
education, and beach management to protect nesting and hatchling
loggerhead sea turtles from anthropogenic disturbances (FDEP 2003c, pp.
16-18).
LOGG-T-FL-47--Dog Island, Franklin County: This unit consists of
13.1 km (8.1 miles) of island shoreline along the Gulf of Mexico. The
island is separated from the mainland by St. George Sound. The unit
extends from East Pass to St. George Sound. The unit includes lands
from the MHW line to the toe of the secondary dune or developed
structures. Land in this unit is in private conservation ownership (The
Nature Conservancy) (see Table 1). The unit includes the Jeff Lewis
Wilderness Preserve, which is owned and managed by The Nature
Conservancy. This unit was occupied at the time of listing and is
currently occupied. This unit supports expansion of nesting from an
adjacent unit (LOGG-T-FL-45) that has high-density nesting by
loggerhead sea turtles in the Florida portion of the Northern Gulf of
Mexico Recovery Unit. This unit contains all of the PBFs and PCEs. The
PBFs in this unit may require special management considerations or
protections to ameliorate the threats of recreational use, beach
driving, predation, climate change, beach erosion, artificial lighting,
human-caused disasters, and response to disasters. At this time, we are
not aware of any management plans that address this species in this
area.
Effects of Critical Habitat Designation
Section 7 Consultation
Section 7(a)(2) of the Act requires Federal agencies, including
USFWS, to ensure that any action they fund, authorize, or carry out is
not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of any endangered
species or threatened species or result in the destruction or adverse
modification of designated critical habitat of such species. In
addition, section 7(a)(4) of the Act requires Federal agencies to
confer with USFWS on any agency action which is likely to jeopardize
the continued existence of any species proposed to be listed under the
Act or result in the destruction or adverse modification of proposed
critical habitat.
Decisions by the 5th and 9th Circuit Courts of Appeals have
invalidated our regulatory definition of ``destruction or adverse
modification'' (50 CFR 402.02) (see Gifford Pinchot Task Force v. U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, 378 F. 3d 1059 (9th Cir. 2004) and Sierra
Club v. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service et al., 245 F.3d 434, 442 (5th
Cir. 2001)), and we do not rely on this regulatory definition when
analyzing whether an action is likely to destroy or adversely modify
critical habitat. Under the provisions of the Act, we determine
destruction or adverse modification on the basis of whether, with
implementation of the proposed Federal action, the affected critical
habitat would continue to serve its intended conservation role for the
species.
If a Federal action may affect a listed species or its critical
habitat, the responsible Federal agency (action agency) must enter into
consultation with us. Examples of actions that are subject to the
section 7 consultation process are actions on State, tribal, local, or
private lands that require a Federal permit (such as a permit from the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers under section 404 of the Clean Water Act
(33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.) or a permit from USFWS under section 10 of the
Act) or that involve some other Federal action (such as funding from
the Federal Highway Administration, Federal Aviation Administration, or
the Federal Emergency Management Agency). Federal actions not affecting
listed species or critical habitat, and actions on State, tribal,
local, or private lands that are not federally funded or authorized, do
not require section 7 consultation.
As a result of section 7 consultation, we document compliance with
the requirements of section 7(a)(2) through our issuance of:
(1) A concurrence letter for Federal actions that may affect, but
are not likely to adversely affect, listed species or critical habitat;
or
(2) A biological opinion for Federal actions that may affect, or
are likely to adversely affect, listed species or critical habitat.
When we issue a biological opinion concluding that a project is
likely to jeopardize the continued existence of a listed species and/or
destroy or adversely modify critical habitat, we provide reasonable and
prudent alternatives to the project, if any are identifiable, that
would avoid the likelihood of jeopardy and/or destruction or adverse
modification of critical habitat. We define ``reasonable and prudent
alternatives'' (at 50 CFR 402.02) as alternative actions identified
during consultation that:
(1) Can be implemented in a manner consistent with the intended
purpose of the action;
(2) Can be implemented consistent with the scope of the Federal
agency's legal authority and jurisdiction;
(3) Are economically and technologically feasible; and
(4) Would, in the Director's opinion, avoid the likelihood of
jeopardizing the continued existence of the listed species and/or avoid
the likelihood of destroying or adversely modifying critical habitat.
Reasonable and prudent alternatives can vary from slight project
modifications to extensive redesign or relocation of the project. Costs
associated with implementing a reasonable and prudent alternative are
similarly variable.
Regulations at 50 CFR 402.16 require Federal agencies to reinitiate
consultation on previously reviewed actions in instances where we have
listed a new species or subsequently
[[Page 18041]]
designated critical habitat that may be affected and the Federal agency
has retained discretionary involvement or control over the action (or
the agency's discretionary involvement or control is authorized by
law). Consequently, Federal agencies sometimes may need to request
reinitiation of consultation with us on actions for which formal
consultation has been completed, if those actions with discretionary
involvement or control may affect subsequently listed species or
designated critical habitat.
Application of the ``Adverse Modification'' Standard
The key factor related to the adverse modification determination is
whether, with implementation of the proposed Federal action, the
affected critical habitat would continue to serve its intended
conservation role for the species. Activities that may destroy or
adversely modify critical habitat are those that alter the physical or
biological features to an extent that appreciably reduces the
conservation value of critical habitat for the loggerhead sea turtle.
As discussed above, the role of critical habitat is to support life-
history needs of the species and provide for the conservation of the
species.
Section 4(b)(8) of the Act requires us to briefly evaluate and
describe, in any proposed or final regulation that designates critical
habitat, activities involving a Federal action that may destroy or
adversely modify such habitat, or that may be affected by such
designation.
Activities that may affect critical habitat, when carried out,
funded, or authorized by a Federal agency, should result in
consultation for the loggerhead sea turtle. These activities include,
but are not limited to:
(1) Actions that would significantly alter beach sand
characteristics. Such activities could include, but are not limited to,
beach sand placement and beach driving. These activities may lead to
changes to the nest incubation environment by altering gas exchange,
moisture content, temperature, and hardness of the nesting substrate to
levels that eliminate or reduce the suitability of habitat necessary
for successful reproduction of the loggerhead sea turtle. However,
beach sand placement projects conducted under the FWS's Statewide
Programmatic Biological Opinion for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
planning and regulatory sand placement activities (including post-
disaster sand placement activities) in Florida and other individual
biological opinions throughout the loggerhead's nesting range include
required terms and conditions that minimize incidental take of turtles
and, if incorporated, the sand placement projects are not expected to
result in adverse modification of critical habitat.
(2) Actions that would significantly decrease adult female access
to nesting habitat or hinder hatchling sea turtles emerging from the
nest from reaching the ocean. Such activities could include, but are
not limited to, coastal residential and commercial development, beach
armoring, groin construction, and construction of other erosion control
devices. These structures could act as barriers or deterrents to adult
females attempting to access a beach to levels that eliminate or reduce
the suitability of habitat necessary for successful reproduction of the
loggerhead sea turtle.
(3) Actions that would significantly alter natural lighting levels.
Such activities could include, but are not limited to, lighting of
coastal residential and commercial structures, street lighting, bridge
lighting, and other development or road infrastructure. These
activities could increase the levels of artificial lighting visible
from the beach and act as a deterrent to adult females attempting to
access a beach or disorient hatchlings emerging from the nest and
crawling to the ocean. Increased levels may eliminate or reduce the
suitability of habitat necessary for successful reproduction of the
loggerhead sea turtle.
Exemptions
Application of Section 4(a)(3) of the Act
The Sikes Act Improvement Act of 1997 (Sikes Act) (16 U.S.C. 670a)
required each military installation that includes land and water
suitable for the conservation and management of natural resources to
complete an integrated natural resources management plan (INRMP) by
November 17, 2001. An INRMP integrates implementation of the military
mission of the installation with stewardship of the natural resources
found on the base. Each INRMP includes:
(1) An assessment of the ecological needs on the installation,
including the need to provide for the conservation of listed species;
(2) A statement of goals and priorities;
(3) A detailed description of management actions to be implemented
to provide for these ecological needs; and
(4) A monitoring and adaptive management plan.
Among other things, each INRMP must, to the extent appropriate and
applicable, provide for fish and wildlife management; fish and wildlife
habitat enhancement or modification; wetland protection, enhancement,
and restoration where necessary to support fish and wildlife; and
enforcement of applicable natural resource laws.
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004 (Pub.
L. 108-136) amended the Act to limit areas eligible for designation as
critical habitat. Specifically, section 4(a)(3)(B)(i) of the Act (16
U.S.C. 1533(a)(3)(B)(i)) now provides: ``The Secretary shall not
designate as critical habitat any lands or other geographic areas owned
or controlled by the Department of Defense, or designated for its use,
that are subject to an integrated natural resources management plan
prepared under section 101 of the Sikes Act (16 U.S.C. 670a), if the
Secretary determines in writing that such plan provides a benefit to
the species for which critical habitat is proposed for designation.''
We consult with the military on the development and implementation
of INRMPs for installations with listed species. We analyzed INRMPs
developed by military installations located within the range of the
proposed critical habitat designation for the loggerhead sea turtle to
determine if they are exempt under section 4(a)(3) of the Act. The
following areas are Department of Defense lands with completed, USFWS-
approved INRMPs within the proposed critical habitat designation.
Approved INRMPs
Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune (Onslow Beach), NC, 12.4 km (7.7 Miles)
Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune is the Marine Corps' largest
amphibious training base and is home to 47,000 marines and sailors, the
largest single concentration of marines in the world. The mission of
Camp Lejeune is to train and maintain combat-ready units for
expeditionary deployment anywhere in the world. Onslow Beach, one of
two stretches of beach on the base, is used to support amphibious
operations. Operations at the beach range from daily exercises by 2nd
Amphibious Assault Battalion and Joint Armed Services training to
periodic, large-scale training such as the quarterly Capability
Exercises, which include explosives on the beach, inland artillery
fire, and three Landing Craft Air Cushioned and 10 to 12 Amphibious
Assault Vehicle landings (Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune 2006, p. 1-10
and Appendix E).
[[Page 18042]]
Camp Lejeune encompasses an estimated 57,870 hectares (143,000
acres), including the onshore, nearshore, and surf areas in and
adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean and the New River, in Onslow County,
North Carolina. Onslow Beach consists of 12.4 km (7.7 miles) of island
shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean. The island on which Onslow Beach is
located is separated from the mainland by the Atlantic Intracoastal
Waterway, Banks Channel, Salliers Bay, Wards Channel, and salt marsh.
The boundaries of the island are from Browns Inlet to New River Inlet.
Onslow Beach, which has been monitored for sea turtle nesting since
1979, has high-density nesting by loggerhead sea turtles in North
Carolina.
The Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune INRMP is a planning document
that guides the management and conservation of natural resources under
the installation's control. The INRMP was prepared to assist
installation staff and users in managing natural resources more
effectively so as to ensure that installation lands remain available
and in good condition to support the installation's military mission.
Camp Lejeune published its first INRMP in 2001 to guide resources
management on the installation for the years 2002-2006. A revised INRMP
was prepared in 2006 for the years 2007-2011. The existing INRMP will
remain in use until its next revision, which the installation is
preparing to initiate.
The 2006 INRMP includes the implementation of sea turtle nesting
surveys, nest marking, and beach management to protect nesting and
hatchling loggerhead sea turtles from anthropogenic disturbances
(Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune 2006, pp. 4-14-4-15). The INRMP
identifies the goal of contributing to the recovery of the loggerhead
sea turtle through development of ecosystem management-based
strategies. The INRMP identifies the following management and
protective measures to achieve this goal:
(1) Conduct nightly or morning ground sea turtle nest surveys on
Onslow Beach during the nesting season;
(2) Conduct aerial surveys for sea turtle nests on Brown's Island
and North Onslow Beach;
(3) Protect sea turtle nest sites with cages and restrictive
signage;
(4) Move sea turtle nests that are in the amphibious training
beach;
(5) Impose driving restrictions on Onslow Beach during the sea
turtle nesting season, including restrictions to protect sensitive
habitat south of Onslow South Tower;
(6) Rake ruts in front of sea turtle nests;
(7) Reduce sources of artificial lighting on Onslow Beach; and
(8) Monitor recreational or training impacts to Onslow Beach during
the sea turtle nesting season.
In a letter dated October 25, 2012, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune
provided information detailing its commitments to conduct additional
activities that will benefit loggerhead sea turtles on Onslow Beach and
Brown's Island. The commitments listed above will continue and will be
added to the base's next INRMP. In addition, the following activities
will be conducted and added to the next INRMP:
(1) Control sea turtle nest predators by implementing trapping to
ensure that the annual rate of mammalian predator rate is 10 percent or
lower; and
(2) Manage lighting by ensuring that all fixtures and bulbs conform
to the guidelines in the technical report titled ``Understanding,
Assessing, and Resolving Light Pollution Problems on Sea Turtle Nesting
Beaches'' (Witherington and Martin 1996, pp. 20-27). Marine Corps Base
Camp Lejeune will conduct a sea turtle lighting survey and submit a
plan to retrofit any lights visible from the nesting beach. The plan
will be reviewed and approved by USFWS prior to installation or
replacement of lights.
Based on the above considerations, and in accordance with section
4(a)(3)(B)(i) of the Act, we have determined that the identified lands
are subject to the Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune INRMP and that
conservation efforts identified in the INRMP will provide a benefit to
the loggerhead sea turtle. Therefore, lands within this installation
are exempt from critical habitat designation under section 4(a)(3) of
the Act. We are not including 12.4 km (7.7 miles) of habitat in this
proposed critical habitat designation because of this exemption.
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Brevard County, FL, 21.0 km (13.0
Miles)
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station is part of the 45th Space Wing, a
unit of Air Force Space Command, whose mission is to assure access to
the high frontier and to support global operations. The 45th Space Wing
currently operates a number of rockets and missiles, including the
Delta IV and Atlas V, and provides support for the Department of
Defense, NASA, and commercial manned and unmanned space programs.
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station is situated on the Canaveral
Peninsula along the Atlantic Coast in Brevard County, Florida, and
occupies 6,394 hectares (15,800 acres). The installation's beach
consists of 21.0 km (13.0 miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic
Ocean. The island is separated from the mainland by the Atlantic
Intracoastal Waterway, the Barge Channel, Banana River, Indian River
Lagoon, Merritt Island, and Harrison Island. The boundaries of the
installation are from the south boundary of Merritt Island NWR-Kennedy
Space Center (Merritt Island NWR was established in 1963 as an overlay
of NASA's John F. Kennedy Space Center) to Port Canaveral. Cape
Canaveral Air Force Station is adjacent to a critical habitat unit
(LOGG-T-FL-07) that has high-density nesting by loggerhead sea turtles
in the Central Eastern Florida Region of the Peninsular Florida
Recovery Unit.
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS) is covered by the 45th
Space Wing 2008 INRMP, a planning document that guides the management
and conservation of natural resources under the Space Wing's control.
The INRMP was prepared to manage natural resources in compliance with
relevant statutes, executive orders, Presidential memoranda,
regulations, and Air Force-specific requirements. The INRMP integrates
the 45th Space Wing's natural resources management program with ongoing
mission activities for sustainability while conserving and protecting
natural resources. The 45th Space Wing is committed to a proactive,
interdisciplinary management strategy focused on an ecosystem-based
approach to natural resources management. This strategy includes the
Air Force objective of sustaining and restoring natural resources to
uphold operational capabilities while complying with Federal, State,
and local standards that protect and conserve wildlife, habitat, and
the surrounding watershed.
The 2008 INRMP includes the implementation of sea turtle nesting
surveys, nest marking, predator control, and exterior lighting
management to conserve loggerhead sea turtles and their habitat (45th
Space Wing 2008, pp. 64-71 and Tab A). The INRMP identifies the need to
develop and implement programs to protect and conserve federally listed
threatened and endangered plants and wildlife, including the loggerhead
sea turtle. The INRMP identifies the following management and
protective measures to achieve this goal:
[[Page 18043]]
(1) Monitor sea turtle nesting activities;
(2) Manage lighting (i.e., use of sea turtle friendly low pressure
sodium and amber light-emitting diode (LED) shielded lighting in
compliance with the Endangered Species Act for facilities that require
illumination); and
(3) Control sea turtle nest predators.
In a letter dated October 10, 2012, the 45th Space Wing provided
information detailing its commitments to conduct activities that
benefit loggerheads on the beaches of Cape Canaveral Air Force Station
and Patrick Air Force Base. These commitments will be added to their
next INRMP and include:
(1) Monitor sea turtle nesting activities by participating in the
Statewide Nesting Beach Survey and Index Nesting Beach Survey programs
and conducting hatchling productivity assessments;
(2) Control sea turtle nest predators by implementing trapping at
the first sign of tracks on the beach at PAFB; controlling raccoons,
coyotes, and feral hogs within 0.8 km (0.5 mile) of the beach at CCAFS;
and installing predator-proof trash receptacles if needed; and
(3) Manage lighting by ensuring that all fixtures and bulbs follow
the Space Wing Instruction (SWI) 32-7001, which has been reviewed and
approved by USFWS, prior to installation or replacement. Any lights
that do not follow the SWI 32-7001 require a USFWS-approved Light
Management Plan.
Based on the above considerations, and in accordance with section
4(a)(3)(B)(i) of the Act, we have determined that the identified lands
are subject to the 45th Space Wing INRMP and that conservation efforts
identified in the INRMP will provide a benefit to the loggerhead sea
turtle. Therefore, lands within this installation are exempt from
critical habitat designation under section 4(a)(3) of the Act. We are
not including 21.0 km (13.0 miles) of habitat in this proposed critical
habitat designation because of this exemption.
Patrick Air Force Base, Brevard County, FL, 6.6 km (4.1 Miles)
Patrick Air Force Base is also part of the 45th Space Wing (see
discussion for Cape Canaveral above) and is presently the home of
Headquarters, 45th Space Wing. Patrick Air Force Base is located on a
barrier island on the central east coast of Florida in Brevard County
and covers 810 hectares (2,002 acres) of developed land and some
coastal dune and estuarine habitat. The installation's beach consists
of 6.6 km (4.1 miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean. The
island is separated from the mainland by the Atlantic Intracoastal
Waterway, Indian River Lagoon, Banana River, and Merritt Island. The
boundaries of the installation are from the south boundary of the city
of Cocoa Beach (28.2720 N, 80.6055 W) to the north boundary of the town
of Satellite Beach (28.2127 N, 80.5973 W). Patrick Air Force Base has
high-density nesting by loggerhead sea turtles in the Central Eastern
Florida Region of the Peninsular Florida Recovery Unit.
Like Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Patrick Air Force Base is
governed by the 45th Space Wing 2008 INRMP. As with Cape Canaveral Air
Force Station, and in accordance with section 4(a)(3)(B)(i) of the Act,
we have determined that the identified lands are subject to the 45th
Space Wing INRMP and that conservation efforts identified in the INRMP
will provide a benefit to the loggerhead sea turtle. Therefore, lands
within this installation are exempt from critical habitat designation
under section 4(a)(3) of the Act. We are not including 6.6 km (4.1
miles) of habitat in this proposed critical habitat designation because
of this exemption.
Eglin Air Force Base (Cape San Blas), Gulf County, FL, 4.8 km (3.0
Miles)
Eglin Air Force Base is the largest forested military reservation
in the United States and supports a multitude of military testing and
training operations, as well as many diverse species and habitats.
Eglin's missions include the 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
beddown, Amphibious Ready Group/Marine Expeditionary Unit, Stand-off
Precision Guided Missile, and Massive Ordnance Air Blast.
Eglin Air Force Base, also known as the Eglin Military Complex, is
located in Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, and Gulf Counties in Northwest
Florida and the Gulf of Mexico and occupies 261,428 hectares (464,000
acres). The Eglin Military Complex includes the mainland Reservation
located in Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and Walton Counties, as well as a
small parcel (389 hectares (962 acres)) on Cape San Blas in Gulf
County, Florida. Eglin's Cape San Blas parcel consists of 4.8 km (3.0
miles) of spit shoreline along the Gulf of Mexico. The spit is
separated from the mainland by St. Joseph Bay. The boundaries of
Eglin's Cape San Blas parcel are from 29.67680 N 85.36351 W to 29.67608
N 85.33394 W. Eglin's Cape San Blas parcel also contains U.S. Federal
Reserve property, but the entire parcel is under Eglin's management.
Eglin's Cape San Blas parcel has high-density nesting by loggerhead sea
turtles in the Florida portion of the Northern Gulf of Mexico Recovery
Unit.
The 2012 Eglin Air Force Base INRMP is a planning document that
guides the management and conservation of natural resources under the
installation's control. It provides interdisciplinary strategic
guidance for the management of natural resources in support of the
military mission within the land and water ranges of the Eglin Military
Complex. The Eglin Air Force Base INRMP integrates and prioritizes
wildlife, fire, and forest management activities to protect and
effectively manage the Complex's aquatic and terrestrial environments,
and ensure ``no net loss'' in the operational capability of these
resources to support Eglin test and training missions.
The 2012 INRMP has a revised sea turtle chapter that includes the
implementation of sea turtle nesting surveys, nest marking, predator
control, and exterior lighting management to conserve loggerhead sea
turtles and their habitat (Eglin Air Force Base 2012, pp. 8-7-8-16).
The INRMP identifies the need to develop and implement programs to
protect and conserve federally listed endangered and threatened plants
and wildlife, including the loggerhead sea turtle. The INRMP identifies
the following management and protective measures to achieve this goal:
(1) Monitor sea turtle nesting activities;
(2) Manage lighting (i.e., using sea turtle friendly, low-pressure
sodium lighting at all test sites, turning off lights not necessary for
safety, lowering lights, or properly shielding lights);
(3) Implement dune protection as needed; and
(4) Control sea turtle nest predators by implementing trapping
either as soon as a nest is found to have been depredated or if deemed
necessary by biologists.
Based on the above considerations, and in accordance with section
4(a)(3)(B)(i) of the Act, we have determined that the identified lands
are subject to the Eglin Air Force Base INRMP and that conservation
efforts identified in the INRMP will provide a benefit to the
loggerhead sea turtle. Therefore, lands within this installation are
exempt from critical habitat designation under section 4(a)(3) of the
Act. We are not including 4.8 km (3.0 miles) of habitat in this
proposed critical habitat designation because of this exemption.
Exclusions
Application of Section 4(b)(2) of the Act
Section 4(b)(2) of the Act states that the Secretary shall
designate and make
[[Page 18044]]
revisions to critical habitat on the basis of the best available
scientific data after taking into consideration the economic impact,
national security impact, and any other relevant impact of specifying
any particular area as critical habitat. The Secretary may exclude an
area from critical habitat if he determines that the benefits of such
exclusion outweigh the benefits of specifying such area as part of the
critical habitat, unless he determines, based on the best scientific
data available, that the failure to designate such area as critical
habitat will result in the extinction of the species. In making that
determination, the statute on its face, as well as the legislative
history, are clear that the Secretary has broad discretion regarding
which factor(s) to use and how much weight to give to any factor.
Under section 4(b)(2) of the Act, we may exclude an area from
designated critical habitat based on economic impacts, impacts on
national security, or any other relevant impacts. In considering
whether to exclude a particular area from the designation, we identify
the benefits of including the area in the designation, identify the
benefits of excluding the area from the designation, and evaluate
whether the benefits of exclusion outweigh the benefits of inclusion.
If the analysis indicates that the benefits of exclusion outweigh the
benefits of inclusion, the Secretary may exercise his discretion to
exclude the area only if such exclusion would not result in the
extinction of the species. We will consider whether to exclude from
critical habitat designation areas in St. Johns, Volusia, and Indian
River Counties, Florida, that are covered under habitat conservation
plans that include the loggerhead sea turtle as a covered species.
Economic Impacts
Under section 4(b)(2) of the Act, we consider the economic impacts
of specifying any particular area as critical habitat. In order to
consider economic impacts, we are preparing an analysis of the economic
impacts of the proposed critical habitat designation.
The proposed critical habitat areas include Federal, State,
private, and other (local government) lands, where shoreline protection
activities (e.g., sand placement, coastal armoring, groin installation)
and recreational activities may occur and may be affected by the
designation. In addition, activities, such as bridge and highway
construction and beachfront lighting projects, on lands adjacent to
proposed critical habitat areas may be affected. Other land uses that
may be affected will be identified as we develop the draft economic
analysis for the proposed designation.
We will announce the availability of the draft economic analysis as
soon as it is completed, at which time we will seek public review and
comment. At that time, copies of the draft economic analysis will be
available for downloading from the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov, or by contacting the North Florida Ecological
Services Office (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). During the
development of a final designation, we will consider economic impacts
based on information in our economic analysis, public comments, and
other new information, and areas may be excluded from the final
critical habitat designation under section 4(b)(2) of the Act and our
implementing regulations at 50 CFR 424.19.
National Security Impacts
Under section 4(b)(2) of the Act, we consider whether there are
lands owned or managed by the Department of Defense where a national
security impact might exist. As discussed above, we have exempted from
the proposed designation of critical habitat under section 4(a)(3) of
the Act those Department of Defense lands with completed INRMPs
determined to provide a benefit to the loggerhead sea turtle but where
a national security impact may exist. We have not identified any other
lands owned or managed by the Department of Defense within the lands
proposed for critical habitat designation. Accordingly, we are not
proposing to exclude any lands based on national security impacts under
section 4(b)(2) of the Act in this proposed critical habitat rule.
Other Relevant Impacts
Under section 4(b)(2) of the Act, we consider any other relevant
impacts, in addition to economic impacts and impacts on national
security. We consider a number of factors, including whether the
landowners have developed any HCPs or other management plans for the
area, or whether there are conservation partnerships that would be
encouraged by designation of, or exclusion from, critical habitat. In
addition, we look at any tribal issues, and consider the government-to-
government relationship of the United States with tribal entities. We
also consider any social impacts that might occur because of the
designation.
We are considering for exclusion from critical habitat areas (all
or portions of LOGG-T-FL-01, LOGG-T-FL-02, LOGG-T-FL-03, LOGG-T-FL-04,
LOGG-T-FL-05, and LOGG-T-FL-10) in St. Johns, Volusia, and Indian River
Counties, Florida, that are covered under an HCP, because the HCPs
incorporate measures that provide a benefit for the conservation of the
loggerhead sea turtle. We are not considering any additional exclusions
at this time from the proposed designation under section 4(b)(2) of the
Act based on partnerships, management, or protection afforded by
cooperative management efforts. In this proposed rule, we are seeking
input from the public as to whether or not the Secretary should
exercise his discretion to exclude the HCP areas or other such areas
under management that benefit the loggerhead sea turtle from the final
critical habitat designation. (Please see the Information Requested
section of this proposed rule for instructions on how to submit
comments.)
Peer Review
In accordance with our joint policy on peer review published in the
Federal Register on July 1, 1994 (59 FR 34270), we will seek the expert
opinions of at least three appropriate and independent specialists
regarding this proposed rule. The purpose of peer review is to ensure
that our critical habitat designation is based on scientifically sound
data, assumptions, and analyses. We have invited these peer reviewers
to comment during this public comment period.
We will consider all comments and information received during this
comment period on this proposed rule during our preparation of a final
determination. Accordingly, the final decision may differ from this
proposal.
Public Hearings
Section 4(b)(5) of the Act provides for one or more public hearings
on this proposal, if requested. Requests must be received within 45
days after the date of publication of this proposed rule in the Federal
Register. Such requests must be sent to the address shown in the
ADDRESSES section. We will schedule public hearings on this proposal,
if any are requested, and announce the dates, times, and places of
those hearings, as well as how to obtain reasonable accommodations, in
the Federal Register and local newspapers at least 15 days before the
hearing.
Required Determinations
Regulatory Planning and Review--Executive Order 12866
Regulatory Planning and Review (Executive Orders 12866 and 13563)
Executive Order 12866 provides that the Office of Information and
Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) will review all significant
[[Page 18045]]
rules. The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs has determined
that this rule is not significant.
Executive Order 13563 reaffirms the principles of E.O. 12866 while
calling for improvements in the nation's regulatory system to promote
predictability, to reduce uncertainty, and to use the best, most
innovative, and least burdensome tools for achieving regulatory ends.
The executive order directs agencies to consider regulatory approaches
that reduce burdens and maintain flexibility and freedom of choice for
the public where these approaches are relevant, feasible, and
consistent with regulatory objectives. E.O. 13563 emphasizes further
that regulations must be based on the best available science and that
the rulemaking process must allow for public participation and an open
exchange of ideas. We have developed this rule in a manner consistent
with these requirements.
Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.)
Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA; 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) as
amended by the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of
1996 (SBREFA; 5 U.S.C 801 et seq.), whenever an agency must publish a
notice of rulemaking for any proposed or final rule, it must prepare
and make available for public comment a regulatory flexibility analysis
that describes the effects of the rule on small entities (small
businesses, small organizations, and small government jurisdictions).
However, no regulatory flexibility analysis is required if the head of
the agency certifies the rule will not have a significant economic
impact on a substantial number of small entities. The SBREFA amended
the RFA to require Federal agencies to provide a certification
statement of the factual basis for certifying that the rule will not
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small
entities.
According to the Small Business Administration, small entities
include small organizations such as independent nonprofit
organizations; small governmental jurisdictions, including school
boards and city and town governments that serve fewer than 50,000
residents; and small businesses (13 CFR 121.201). Small businesses
include such businesses as manufacturing and mining concerns with fewer
than 500 employees, wholesale trade entities with fewer than 100
employees, retail and service businesses with less than $5 million in
annual sales, general and heavy construction businesses with less than
$27.5 million in annual business, special trade contractors doing less
than $11.5 million in annual business, and forestry and logging
operations with fewer than 500 employees and annual business less than
$7 million. To determine if potential economic impacts on these small
entities are significant, we will consider the types of activities that
might trigger regulatory impacts under this designation as well as
types of project modifications that may result. In general, the term
``significant economic impact'' is meant to apply to a typical small
business firm's business operations.
Importantly, the incremental impacts of a rule must be both
significant and substantial to prevent certification of the rule under
the RFA and to require the preparation of an initial regulatory
flexibility analysis. If a substantial number of small entities are
affected by the proposed critical habitat designation, but the per-
entity economic impact is not significant, USFWS may certify. Likewise,
if the per-entity economic impact is likely to be significant, but the
number of affected entities is not substantial, USFWS may also certify.
The USFWS's current understanding of recent case law is that
Federal agencies are only required to evaluate the potential impacts of
rulemaking on those entities directly regulated by the rulemaking;
therefore, they are not required to evaluate the potential impacts to
those entities not directly regulated. The designation of critical
habitat for an endangered or threatened species only has a regulatory
effect where a Federal action agency is involved in a particular action
that may affect the designated critical habitat. Under these
circumstances, only the Federal action agency is directly regulated by
this designation, and, therefore, USFWS may limit its evaluation of the
potential impacts to those identified for Federal action agencies.
Under this interpretation, there is no requirement under the RFA to
evaluate the potential impacts to entities not directly regulated, such
as small businesses. However, Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 direct
Federal agencies to assess costs and benefits of available regulatory
alternatives in quantitative (to the extent feasible) and qualitative
terms. Consequently, it is the current practice of USFWS to assess to
the extent practicable these potential impacts if sufficient data are
available, whether or not this analysis is believed by USFWS to be
strictly required by the RFA. In other words, while the effects
analysis required under the RFA is limited to entities directly
regulated by the rulemaking, the effects analysis under the Act,
consistent with the Executive Order regulatory analysis requirements,
can take into consideration impacts to both directly and indirectly
impacted entities, where practicable and reasonable.
We acknowledge, however, that in some cases, third-party proponents
of the action subject to permitting or funding may participate in a
section 7 consultation, and thus may be indirectly affected. We believe
it is good policy to assess these impacts if we have sufficient data
before us to complete the necessary analysis, whether or not this
analysis is strictly required by the RFA. While this regulation does
not directly regulate these entities, in our draft economic analysis we
will conduct a brief evaluation of the potential number of third
parties participating in consultations on an annual basis in order to
ensure a more complete examination of the incremental effects of this
proposed rule in the context of the RFA.
In conclusion, we believe that, based on our interpretation of
directly regulated entities under the RFA and relevant case law, this
designation of critical habitat will only directly regulate Federal
agencies, which are not by definition small business entities. And as
such, we certify that, if promulgated, this designation of critical
habitat would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial
number of small business entities. Therefore, an initial regulatory
flexibility analysis is not required. However, though not necessarily
required by the RFA, in our draft economic analysis for this proposal
we will consider and evaluate the potential effects to third parties
that may be involved with consultations with Federal action agencies
related to this action.
Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use--Executive Order 13211
Executive Order 13211 (Actions Concerning Regulations That
Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use) requires
agencies to prepare Statements of Energy Effects when undertaking
certain actions. Natural gas and oil activities in State and Federal
waters occur offshore of the States of Alabama, Mississippi, and
Florida in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) where critical habitat is proposed
for the species. Potential direct and indirect affects to proposed
critical habitat could result from associated oil and gas activities,
including but not limited to pipeline installation and maintenance,
coastal based facilities, boat vessel
[[Page 18046]]
traffic, and spills. USFWS and the Bureau of Ocean Energy and
Management (BOEM) have a long history of intra-agency coordination and
consultation under the Act on offshore outer continental shelf (OCS)
oil and gas since the 1970s. Consultation occurs on the Five-year
Multi-lease Sale Program and then on each individual lease sale in the
Program as they occur. As a result, regulations and other measures are
in place to minimize impacts of natural gas and oil exploration,
development, production, and abandonment in the GOM OCS. The
regulations and measures are generally not considered a substantial
cost compared with overall project costs and are already being
implemented by oil and gas companies.
The most recent consultation completed was for the GOM OCS 2007-
2012 Program and Supplemental Lease Sales 2009-2012 and the initial
coordination on the proposed 2012-2017 Programs. Individual lease sales
consultations have been completed for the 2007-2012 and 2009-2012
Programs. Most of the eastern GOM, including the Straits of Florida
(Alabama and Florida), remains under a Congressionally mandated
moratorium and is not proposed for new leasing in either the 2007-2012
or 2012-2017 Programs. BOEM will move forward with an environmental
analysis for potential seismic studies in the Mid- and South Atlantic
planning areas (Florida Atlantic coast, Georgia, South Carolina, and
North Carolina), but no lease sales will be scheduled in the Atlantic
until at least mid-2017.
The States of Mississippi and Alabama have oil and gas programs in
their respective State waters. USFWS only conducts consultation in
accordance with the Act on oil and gas activities within State waters
where there is a Federal nexus (discharge, wetland impacts, or
navigation permits).
No other activities associated with energy supply, distribution, or
use are anticipated within the proposed critical habitat. We do not
expect the designation of this proposed critical habitat to
significantly affect energy supplies, distribution, or use. Therefore,
this action is not a significant energy action, and no Statement of
Energy Effects is required. However, we will further evaluate this
issue as we conduct our economic analysis, and review and revise this
assessment as warranted.
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (2 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.)
In accordance with the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (2 U.S.C. 1501
et seq.), we make the following findings:
(1) This rule will not produce a Federal mandate. In general, a
Federal mandate is a provision in legislation, statute, or regulation
that would impose an enforceable duty upon State, local, or tribal
governments, or the private sector, and includes both ``Federal
intergovernmental mandates'' and ``Federal private sector mandates.''
These terms are defined in 2 U.S.C. 658(5)-(7). ``Federal
intergovernmental mandate'' includes a regulation that ``would impose
an enforceable duty upon State, local, or tribal governments'' with two
exceptions. It excludes ``a condition of Federal assistance.'' It also
excludes ``a duty arising from participation in a voluntary Federal
program,'' unless the regulation ``relates to a then-existing Federal
program under which $500,000,000 or more is provided annually to State,
local, and tribal governments under entitlement authority,'' if the
provision would ``increase the stringency of conditions of assistance''
or ``place caps upon, or otherwise decrease, the Federal Government's
responsibility to provide funding,'' and the State, local, or tribal
governments ``lack authority'' to adjust accordingly. At the time of
enactment, these entitlement programs were: Medicaid; Aid to Families
with Dependent Children work programs; Child Nutrition; Food Stamps;
Social Services Block Grants; Vocational Rehabilitation State Grants;
Foster Care, Adoption Assistance, and Independent Living; Family
Support Welfare Services; and Child Support Enforcement. ``Federal
private sector mandate'' includes a regulation that ``would impose an
enforceable duty upon the private sector, except (i) a condition of
Federal assistance or (ii) a duty arising from participation in a
voluntary Federal program.''
The designation of critical habitat does not impose a legally
binding duty on non-Federal Government entities or private parties.
Under the Act, the only regulatory effect is that Federal agencies must
ensure that their actions do not destroy or adversely modify critical
habitat under section 7. While non-Federal entities that receive
Federal funding, assistance, or permits, or that otherwise require
approval or authorization from a Federal agency for an action, may be
indirectly impacted by the designation of critical habitat, the legally
binding duty to avoid destruction or adverse modification of critical
habitat rests squarely on the Federal agency. Furthermore, to the
extent that non-Federal entities are indirectly impacted because they
receive Federal assistance or participate in a voluntary Federal aid
program, the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act would not apply, nor would
critical habitat shift the costs of the large entitlement programs
listed above onto State governments.
(2) We do not believe that this rule will significantly or uniquely
affect small governments. A portion of the lands being proposed for
critical habitat designation are owned by State, County, or local
municipalities. Small governments will be affected only to the extent
that any programs having Federal funds, permits, or other authorized
activities must ensure that their actions will not adversely affect the
critical habitat. Therefore, a Small Government Agency Plan is not
required. However, we will further evaluate this issue as we conduct
our economic analysis, and review and revise this assessment if
appropriate.
Takings--Executive Order 12630
In accordance with Executive Order 12630 (``Government Actions and
Interference with Constitutionally Protected Private Property
Rights''), this rule is not anticipated to have significant takings
implications. As discussed above, the designation of critical habitat
affects only Federal actions. Critical habitat designation does not
affect landowner actions that do not require Federal funding or
permits, nor does it preclude development of habitat conservation
programs or issuance of incidental take permits to permit actions that
do require Federal funding or permits to go forward. Due to current
public knowledge of the species protections and the prohibition against
take of the species both within and outside of the proposed areas we do
not anticipate that property values will be affected by the critical
habitat designation. However, we have not yet completed the economic
analysis for this proposed rule. Once the economic analysis is
available, we will review and revise this preliminary assessment as
warranted, and prepare a Takings Implication Assessment.
Federalism--Executive Order 13132
In accordance with Executive Order 13132 (Federalism), this
proposed rule does not have significant Federalism effects. A
Federalism summary impact statement is not required. In keeping with
Department of the Interior and Department of Commerce policy, we
requested information from, and
[[Page 18047]]
coordinated development of, this proposed critical habitat designation
with appropriate State resource agencies in North Carolina, South
Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, and Mississippi. The designation
of critical habitat in areas currently occupied by the loggerhead sea
turtle may impose nominal additional regulatory restrictions to those
currently in place and, therefore, may have little incremental impact
on State and local governments and their activities. The designation
may have some benefit to these governments because the areas that
contain the physical or biological features essential to the
conservation of the species are more clearly defined, and the elements
of the features necessary to the conservation of the species are
specifically identified. This information does not alter where and what
federally sponsored activities may occur. However, it may assist local
governments in long-range planning (rather than having them wait for
case-by-case section 7 consultations to occur).
Where State and local governments require approval or authorization
from a Federal agency for actions that may affect critical habitat,
consultation under section 7(a)(2) would be required. While non-Federal
entities that receive Federal funding, assistance, or permits, or that
otherwise require approval or authorization from a Federal agency for
an action, may be indirectly impacted by the designation of critical
habitat, the legally binding duty to avoid destruction or adverse
modification of critical habitat rests squarely on the Federal agency.
Civil Justice Reform--Executive Order 12988
In accordance with Executive Order 12988 (Civil Justice Reform),
the Office of the Solicitor has determined that the rule does not
unduly burden the judicial system and that it meets the applicable
standards set forth in sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of the Order. To
assist the public in understanding the habitat needs of the species,
the rule identifies the elements of physical or biological features
essential to the conservation of the species. The designated areas of
critical habitat are presented on maps, and the rule provides several
options for the interested parties to obtain more detailed location
information, if desired.
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.)
This rule does not contain any new collections of information that
require approval by OMB under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). This rule will not impose recordkeeping or
reporting requirements on State or local governments, individuals,
businesses, or organizations. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and
a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information
unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.
National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.)
It is our position that, outside the jurisdiction of the U.S. Court
of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, we do not need to prepare
environmental analyses pursuant to the National Environmental Policy
Act (NEPA; 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) in connection with designating
critical habitat under the Act. We published a notice outlining our
reasons for this determination in the Federal Register on October 25,
1983 (48 FR 49244). This position was upheld by the U.S. Court of
Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (Douglas County v. Babbitt, 48 F.3d 1495
(9th Cir. 1995), cert. denied 516 U.S. 1042 (1996)).
Government-to-Government Relationship With Tribes
In accordance with the President's memorandum of April 29, 1994
(Government-to-Government Relations with Native American Tribal
Governments; 59 FR 22951), Executive Order 13175 (Consultation and
Coordination With Indian Tribal Governments), and the Department of the
Interior's manual at 512 DM 2, we readily acknowledge our
responsibility to communicate meaningfully with recognized Federal
Tribes on a government-to-government basis. In accordance with
Secretarial Order 3206 of June 5, 1997 (American Indian Tribal Rights,
Federal-Tribal Trust Responsibilities, and the Endangered Species Act),
we readily acknowledge our responsibilities to work directly with
tribes in developing programs for healthy ecosystems, to acknowledge
that tribal lands are not subject to the same controls as Federal
public lands, to remain sensitive to Indian culture, and to make
information available to tribes. We determined that there are no tribal
lands that were occupied by the loggerhead sea turtle at the time of
listing that contain the features essential for conservation of the
species. Therefore, we are not proposing to designate critical habitat
for the loggerhead sea turtle on tribal lands.
Clarity of the Rule
We are required by Executive Orders 12866 and 12988 and by the
Presidential Memorandum of June 1, 1998, to write all rules in plain
language. This means that each rule we publish must:
(1) Be logically organized;
(2) Use the active voice to address readers directly;
(3) Use clear language rather than jargon;
(4) Be divided into short sections and sentences; and
(5) Use lists and tables wherever possible.
If you feel that we have not met these requirements, send us
comments by one of the methods listed in the ADDRESSES section. To
better help us revise the rule, your comments should be as specific as
possible. For example, you should tell us the numbers of the sections
or paragraphs that are unclearly written, which sections or sentences
are too long, the sections where you feel lists or tables would be
useful, etc.
References Cited
A complete list of references cited in this rulemaking is available
on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov and upon request from the
North Florida Ecological Services Office (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT).
Authors
The primary authors of this package are the staff members of the
North Florida Ecological Services Office.
List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 17
Endangered and threatened species, Exports, Imports, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements, Transportation.
Proposed Regulation Promulgation
Accordingly, we propose to amend part 17, subchapter B of chapter
I, title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations, as set forth below:
PART 17--ENDANGERED AND THREATENED WILDLIFE AND PLANTS
0
1. The authority citation for part 17 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1361-1407; 16 U.S.C. 1531-1544; 16 U.S.C.
4201-4245; Pub. L. 99-625, 100 Stat. 3500; unless otherwise noted.
0
2. In Sec. 17.11(h), revise the entry for ``Sea turtle, loggerhead,
Northwest Atlantic Ocean'' under ``Reptiles'' in the List of Endangered
and Threatened Wildlife to read as follows:
Sec. 17.11 Endangered and threatened wildlife.
* * * * *
(h) * * *
[[Page 18048]]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Vertebrate
-------------------------------------------------------- population where Critical Special
Historic range endangered or Status When listed habitat rules
Common name Scientific name threatened
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * * * *
REPTILES
* * * * * * *
Sea turtle, loggerhead, Northwest Caretta caretta..... Northwest Atlantic Northwest Atlantic T............. 794 17.95(c) NA
Atlantic Ocean. Ocean Basin. Ocean north of the
equator, south of
60[deg] N. Lat.,
and west of
40[deg] W. Long.
* * * * * * *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0
3. In Sec. 17.95, amend paragraph (c) by adding an entry for
``Loggerhead Sea Turtle, Northwest Atlantic Ocean (Caretta caretta),''
in the same alphabetical order that the species appears in the table at
Sec. 17.11(h), to read as follows:
Sec. 17.95 Critical habitat--fish and wildlife.
* * * * *
(c) Reptiles.
* * * * *
Loggerhead Sea Turtle, Northwest Atlantic Ocean (Caretta caretta)
(1) Critical habitat units are depicted for the following areas on
the maps below:
(i) North Carolina--Brunswick, Carteret, New Hanover, Onslow, and
Pender Counties;
(ii) South Carolina--Beaufort, Charleston, Colleton, and Georgetown
Counties;
(iii) Georgia--Camden, Chatham, Liberty, and McIntosh Counties;
(iv) Florida--Bay, Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Collier, Duval,
Escambia, Flagler, Franklin, Gulf, Indian River, Lee, Manatee, Martin,
Monroe, Palm Beach, Sarasota, St. Johns, St. Lucie, and Volusia
Counties;
(v) Alabama--Baldwin County; and
(vi) Mississippi--Jackson County.
(2) Within these areas, the primary constituent elements of the
physical or biological features essential to the conservation of the
Northwest Atlantic Ocean distinct population segment of the loggerhead
sea turtle are the extra-tidal or dry sandy beaches from the mean high-
water line to the toe of the secondary dune, which are capable of
supporting a high density of nests or serving as an expansion area for
beaches with a high density of nests and that are well distributed
within each State, or region within a State, and representative of
total nesting, consisting of three components:
(i) Primary Constituent Element 1--Suitable nesting beach habitat
that (A) Has relatively unimpeded nearshore access from the ocean to
the beach for nesting females and from the beach to the ocean for both
postnesting females and hatchlings and (B) Is located above mean high
water to avoid being inundated frequently by high tides.
(ii) Primary Constituent Element 2--Sand that (A) Allows for
suitable nest construction, (B) Is suitable for facilitating gas
diffusion conducive to embryo development, and (C) Is able to develop
and maintain temperatures and a moisture content conducive to embryo
development.
(iii) Primary Constituent Element 3--Suitable nesting beach habitat
with sufficient darkness to ensure that nesting turtles are not
deterred from emerging onto the beach and hatchlings and postnesting
females orient to the sea.
(3) Critical habitat does not include manmade structures (such as
buildings, aqueducts, runways, roads, and other paved areas) and the
land on which they are located existing within the legal boundaries on
[INSERT DATE 30 DAYS AFTER PUBLICATION DATE FOR THE FINAL RULE].
(4) Critical habitat map units. Data layers defining map units were
created using Google Earth imagery, then refined using Bing imagery.
Unit descriptions were then mapped using North America Lambert
Conformal Conic coordinates. The maps in this entry, establish the
boundaries of the critical habitat designation. The coordinates or plot
points or both on which each map is based are available to the public
at the Service's Internet site (http://www.fws.gov/northflorida),
http://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS-R4-ES-2012-0103, and at
the field office responsible for this designation. You may obtain field
office location information by contacting one of the USFWS regional
offices, the addresses of which are listed at 50 CFR 2.2.
(5) Note: Index Map follows:
BILLING CODE 4310-22-P
[[Page 18049]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP25MR13.000
(6) Index Map of Critical Habitat Units in the Northern Recovery
Unit:
[[Page 18050]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP25MR13.001
(7) Units:
(i) LOGG-T-NC-01--Boque Banks, Carteret County, North Carolina.
(ii) LOGG-T-NC-02--Bear Island, Onslow County, North Carolina.
(iii) LOGG-T-NC-03--Topsail Island, Onslow and Pender Counties,
North Carolina.
(iv) LOGG-T-NC-04--Lea-Hutaff Island, Pender County, North
Carolina.
(A) (1) LOGG-T-NC-01--Boque Banks: This unit consists of 38.9 km
(24.2 miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean and extends
from Beaufort Inlet to Bogue Inlet.
(2) LOGG-T-NC-02--Bear Island: This unit consists of 6.6 km (4.1
miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean and extends from
Bogue Inlet to Bear Inlet.
(3) LOGG-T-NC-03--Topsail Island: This unit consists of 35.0 km
(21.8 miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean and extends
from New River Inlet to New Topsail Inlet.
(4) LOGG-T-NC-04--Lea-Hutaff Island: This unit consists of 6.1 km
(3.8 miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean and extends
from New Topsail Inlet to Rich Inlet.
(B) Note: Map of Units LOGG-T-NC-01, LOGG-T-NC-02, LOGG-T-NC-03,
and LOGG-T-NC-04: North Carolina Terrestrial Critical Habitat Units for
the Loggerhead Sea Turtle: Boque Banks, Bear Island, Topsail Island,
and Lea-Hutaff Island, follows:
[[Page 18051]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP25MR13.002
(8) Units:
(i) LOGG-T-NC-05--Pleasure Island, New Hanover County, North
Carolina.
(ii) LOGG-T-NC-06--Bald Head Island, Brunswick County, North
Carolina.
(iii) LOGG-T-NC-07--Oak Island, Brunswick County, North Carolina.
(iv) LOGG-T-NC-08--Holden Beach, Brunswick County, North Carolina.
(A) (1) LOGG-T-NC-05--Pleasure Island: This unit consists of 18.6
km (11.5 miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean and
extends from Carolina Beach Inlet to 33.91433 N, 77.94408 W (historic
location of Corncake Inlet).
(2) LOGG-T-NC-06--Bald Head Island: This unit consists of 15.1 km
(9.4 miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean and extends
from 33.91433 N, -77.94408 W (historic location of Corncake Inlet) to
the mouth of the Cape Fear River.
(3) LOGG-T-NC-07--Oak Island: This unit consists of 20.9 km (13.0
miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean and extends from
the mouth of the Cape Fear River to Lockwoods Folly Inlet.
(4) LOGG-T-NC-08--Holden Beach: This unit consists of 13.4 km (8.3
miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean and extends from
Lockwoods Folly Inlet to Shallotte Inlet.
(B) Note: Map of Units LOGG-T-NC-05, LOGG-T-NC-06, LOGG-T-NC-07,
and LOGG-T-NC-08: North Carolina Terrestrial Critical Habitat Units for
the Loggerhead Sea Turtle follows:
[[Page 18052]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP25MR13.003
(9) Units:
(i) LOGG-T-SC-01--North Island, Georgetown County, South Carolina.
(ii) LOGG-T-SC-02--Sand Island, Georgetown County, South Carolina.
(iii) LOGG-T-SC-03--South Island, Georgetown County, South
Carolina.
(iv) LOGG-T-SC-04--Cedar Island, Georgetown County, South Carolina.
(v) LOGG-T-SC-05--Murphy Island, Charleston County, South Carolina.
(A) (1) LOGG-T-SC-01--North Island: This unit consists of 13.2 km
(8.2 miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean and extends
from North Inlet to Winyah Bay.
(2) LOGG-T-SC-02--Sand Island: This unit consists of 4.7 km (2.9
miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean and Winyah Bay and
extends from Winyah Bay to 33.17534 N, 79.19206 W (northern boundary of
an unnamed inlet separating Sand Island and South Island).
(3) LOGG-T-SC-03--South Island: This unit consists of 6.7 km (4.2
miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean and extends from
33.17242 N, 79.19366 W (southern boundary of an unnamed inlet
separating Sand Island and South Island) to North Santee Inlet.
(4) LOGG-T-SC-04--Cedar Island: This unit consists of 4.1 km (2.5
miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean and North Santee
Inlet and extends from North Santee Inlet to South Santee Inlet.
(5) LOGG-T-SC-05--Murphy Island: This unit consists of 8.0 km (5.0
miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean and South Santee
Inlet and extends from South Santee Inlet to 33.08335 N, 79.34285 W.
[[Page 18053]]
(B) Note: Map of Units LOGG-T-SC-01, LOGG-T-SC-02, LOGG-T-SC-03,
LOGG-T-SC-04, and LOGG-T-SC-05: South Carolina Terrestrial Critical
Habitat Units for the Loggerhead Sea Turtle follows:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP25MR13.004
(10) Units:
(i) LOGG-T-SC-06--Cape Island, Charleston County, South Carolina.
(ii) LOGG-T-SC-07--Lighthouse Island, Charleston County, South
Carolina.
(iii) LOGG-T-SC-08--Raccoon Key, Charleston County, South Carolina.
(A) (1) LOGG-T-SC-06--Cape Island: This unit consists of 8.3 km
(5.1 miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean and extends
from Cape Romain Inlet to 33.00988 N, 79.36529 W (northern boundary of
an unnamed inlet between Cape Island and Lighthouse Island).
(2) LOGG-T-SC-07--Lighthouse Island: This unit consists of 5.3 km
(3.3 miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean and extends
from 33.01306 N, 79.36659 W (southern boundary of an unnamed inlet
between Cape Island and Lighthouse Island) to Key Inlet.
(3) LOGG-T-SC-08--Raccoon Key: This unit consists of 4.8 km (3.0
miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean and extends from
Raccoon Creek Inlet to Five Fathom Creek Inlet.
(B) Note: Map of Units LOGG-T-SC-06, LOGG-T-SC-07, and LOGG-T-SC-
08: South Carolina Terrestrial Critical
[[Page 18054]]
Habitat Units for the Loggerhead Sea Turtle follows:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP25MR13.005
(11) Units:
(i) LOGG-T-SC-09--Folly Island, Charleston County, South Carolina.
(ii) LOGG-T-SC-10--Kiawah Island, Charleston County, South
Carolina.
(iii) LOGG-T-SC-11--Seabrook Island, Charleston County, South
Carolina.
(A) (1) LOGG-T-SC-09--Folly Island: This unit consists of 11.2 km
(7.0 miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean and extends
from Lighthouse Inlet to Folly River Inlet.
(2) LOGG-T-SC-10--Kiawah Island: This unit consists of 17.0 km
(10.6 miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean and Stono
Inlet and extends from Stono Inlet to Captain Sam's Inlet.
(3) LOGG-T-SC-11--Seabrook Island: This unit consists of 5.8 km
(3.6 miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean and North
Edisto Inlet and extends from Captain Sam's Inlet to North Edisto
Inlet.
(B) Note: Map of Units LOGG-T-SC-09, LOGG-T-SC-10, and LOGG-T-SC-
11: South Carolina Terrestrial Critical Habitat Units for the
Loggerhead Sea Turtle follows:
[[Page 18055]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP25MR13.006
(12) Units:
(i) LOGG-T-SC-12--Botany Bay Island and Botany Bay Plantation,
Charleston County, South Carolina.
(ii) LOGG-T-SC-13--Interlude Beach, Charleston County, South
Carolina.
(iii) LOGG-T-SC-14--Edingsville Beach, Charleston County, South
Carolina.
(iv) LOGG-T-SC-15--Edisto Beach State Park, Colleton County, South
Carolina.
(v) LOGG-T-SC-16--Edisto Beach, Colleton County, South Carolina.
(A) (1) LOGG-T-SC-12--Botany Bay Island and Botany Bay Plantation:
This unit consists of 6.6 km (4.1 miles) of island shoreline along the
Atlantic Ocean and North Edisto Inlet and extends from North Edisto
Inlet to 32.53710 N, 80.24614 W (northern boundary of an unnamed inlet
separating Botany Bay Plantation and Interlude Beach).
(2) LOGG-T-SC-13--Interlude Beach: This unit consists of 0.9 km
(0.6 mile) of island shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean and extends
from 32.53636 N, 80.24647 W (southern boundary of an unnamed inlet
separating Interlude Beach and Botany Bay Plantation) to Frampton
Inlet.
(3) LOGG-T-SC-14--Edingsville Beach: This unit consists of 2.7 km
(1.7 miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean and extends
from Frampton Inlet to Jeremy Inlet.
(4) LOGG-T-SC-15--Edisto Beach State Park: This unit consists of
2.2 km (1.4 miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean and
extends from Jeremy Inlet to 32.50307 N, 80.29625 W (State Park
boundary separating Edisto Beach
[[Page 18056]]
State Park and the Town of Edisto Beach).
(5) LOGG-T-SC-16--Edisto Beach: This unit consists of 6.8 km (4.2
miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean and South Edisto
River and extends from 32.50307 N, 80.29625 W (State Park boundary
separating Edisto Beach State Park and the Town of Edisto Beach) to
South Edisto Inlet.
(B) Note: Map of Units LOGG-T-SC-12, LOGG-T-SC-13, LOGG-T-SC-14,
LOGG-T-SC-15, and LOGG-T-SC-16: South Carolina Terrestrial Critical
Habitat Units for the Loggerhead Sea Turtle follows:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP25MR13.007
(13) Units:
(i) LOGG-T-SC-17--Pine Island, Colleton County, South Carolina.
(ii) LOGG-T-SC-18--Otter Island, Colleton County, South Carolina.
(iii) LOGG-T-SC-19--Harbor Island, Beaufort County, South Carolina.
(A) (1) LOGG-T-SC-17--Pine Island: This unit consists of 1.2 km
(0.7 mile) of island shoreline along the South Edisto Inlet and extends
from South Edisto River to 32.49266 N, 80.36846 W (northern boundary of
an unnamed inlet to Fish Creek).
(2) LOGG-T-SC-18--Otter Island: This unit consists of 4.1 km (2.5
miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean and Saint Helena
Sound and extends from Fish Creek Inlet to Saint Helena Sound.
[[Page 18057]]
(3) LOGG-T-SC-19--Harbor Island: This unit consists of 2.9 km (1.8
miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean and Saint Helena
Sound and extends from Harbor Inlet to Johnson Inlet.
(B) Note: Map of Units LOGG-T-SC-17, LOGG-T-SC-18, and LOGG-T-SC-
19: South Carolina Terrestrial Critical Habitat Units for the
Loggerhead Sea Turtle follows:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP25MR13.008
(14) Units:
(i) LOGG-T-SC-20--Little Capers Island, Beaufort County, South
Carolina.
(ii) LOGG-T-SC-21--St. Phillips Island, Beaufort County, South
Carolina.
(iii) LOGG-T-SC-22--Bay Point Island, Beaufort County, South
Carolina.
(A) (1) LOGG-T-SC-20--Little Capers Island: This unit consists of
4.6 km (2.9 miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean and
extends from ``Pritchards Inlet'' (there is some uncertainty about the
true name of this water feature) located at 32.29009 N, 80.54459 W to
Trenchards Inlet.
(2) LOGG-T-SC-21--St. Phillips Island: This unit consists of 2.3 km
(1.4 miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean and Trenchards
Inlet and extends from Trenchards Inlet to Morse Island Creek Inlet
East.
(3) LOGG-T-SC-22--Bay Point Island: This unit consists of 4.3 km
(2.7 miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean and Port Royal
Sound and extends from Morse Island Creek Inlet East along the Atlantic
Ocean
[[Page 18058]]
shoreline to Morse Island Creek Inlet West along the Port Royal Sound
shoreline.
(B) Note: Map of Units LOGG-T-SC-20, LOGG-T-SC-21, and LOGG-T-SC-
22: South Carolina Terrestrial Critical Habitat Units for the
Loggerhead Sea Turtle follows:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP25MR13.009
(15) Units:
(i) LOGG-T-GA-01--Little Tybee Island, Chatham County, Georgia.
(ii) LOGG-T-GA-02--Wassaw Island, Chatham County, Georgia.
(iii) LOGG-T-GA-03--Ossabaw Island, Chatham County, Georgia.
(iv) LOGG-T-GA-04--St. Catherines Island, Liberty County, Georgia.
(A) (1) LOGG-T-GA-01--Little Tybee Island: This unit consists of
8.6 km (5.3 miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean and
extends from Tybee Creek Inlet to Wassaw Sound.
(2) LOGG-T-GA-02--Wassaw Island: This unit consists of 10.1 km (6.3
miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean and extends from
Wassaw Sound to Ossabaw Sound.
(3) LOGG-T-GA-03--Ossabaw Island: This unit consists of 17.1 km
(10.6 miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean and extends
from Ogeechee River to St. Catherines Sound.
(4) LOGG-T-GA-04--St. Catherines Island: This unit consists of 18.4
km (11.5 miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean and
extends from St. Catherines Sound to Sapelo Sound.
[[Page 18059]]
(B) Note: Map of Units LOGG-T-GA-01, LOGG-T-GA-02, LOGG-T-GA-03,
and LOGG-T-GA-04: Georgia Terrestrial Critical Habitat Units for the
Loggerhead Sea Turtle follows:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP25MR13.010
(16) Units:
(i) LOGG-T-GA-05--Blackbeard Island, McIntosh County, Georgia.
(ii) LOGG-T-GA-06--Sapelo Island, McIntosh County, Georgia.
(A) (1) LOGG-T-GA-05--Blackbeard Island: This unit consists of 13.5
km (8.4 miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean and extends
from Sapelo Sound to Cabretta Inlet.
(2) LOGG-T-GA-06--Sapelo Island: This unit consists of 9.3 km (5.8
miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean and extends from
Cabretta Inlet to Doboy Sound.
(B) Note: Map of Units LOGG-T-GA-05 and LOGG-T-GA-06: Georgia
Terrestrial Critical Habitat Units for the Loggerhead Sea Turtle
follows:
[[Page 18060]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP25MR13.011
(17) Units:
(i) LOGG-T-GA-07--Little Cumberland Island, Camden County, Georgia.
(ii) LOGG-T-GA-08--Cumberland Island, Camden County, Georgia.
(A) (1) LOGG-T-GA-07--Little Cumberland Island: This unit consists
of 4.9 km (3.0 miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean and
extends from St. Andrew Sound to Christmas Creek.
(2) LOGG-T-GA-08--Cumberland Island: This unit consists of 29.7 km
(18.4 miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean and extends
from Christmas Creek to St. Marys River.
(B) Note: Map of Units LOGG-T-GA-07 and LOGG-T-GA-08: Georgia
Terrestrial Critical Habitat Units for the Loggerhead Sea Turtle
follows:
[[Page 18061]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP25MR13.012
(18) Index Map of Critical Habitat Units in the Peninsular Florida
Recovery Unit.
[[Page 18062]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP25MR13.013
(19) Units:
(i) LOGG-T-FL-01--South Duval County-Old Ponte Vedra, Duval and St.
Johns Counties, Florida.
(ii) LOGG-T-FL-02--Guana Tolomato Matanzas NERR-St. Augustine
Inlet, St. Johns County, Florida.
(iii) LOGG-T-FL-03--St. Augustine Inlet-Matanzas Inlet, St. Johns
County, Florida.
(iv) LOGG-T-FL-04--River to Sea Preserve at Marineland--North
Peninsula State Park, Flagler and Volusia Counties, Florida.
(v) LOGG-T-FL-05--Ormond-by-the-Sea-Granada Blvd., Volusia County,
Florida.
(A)(1) LOGG-T-FL-01--South Duval County-Old Ponte Vedra: This unit
consists of 25.2 km (15.6 miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic
Ocean and extends from the south boundary of Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park
in Duval County to the north boundary of the Guana Tolomato Matanzas
National Estuarine Research Reserve in St. Johns County.
(2) LOGG-T-FL-02--Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine
Research Reserve-St. Augustine Inlet: This unit consists of 24.1 km
(15.0 miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean and extends
from the north boundary of the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National
Estuarine Research Reserve to St. Augustine Inlet.
(3) LOGG-T-FL-03--St. Augustine Inlet-Matanzas Inlet: This unit
consists of 22.4 km (14.0 miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic
Ocean and extends from St. Augustine Inlet to Matanzas Inlet.
(4) LOGG-T-FL-04--River to Sea Preserve at Marineland-North
Peninsula
[[Page 18063]]
State Park: This unit consists of 31.8 km (19.8 miles) of island
shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean and extends from the north boundary
of the River to Sea Preserve at Marineland to the south boundary of
North Peninsula State Park.
(5) LOGG-T-FL-05--Ormond-by-the-Sea-Granada: This unit consists of
11.1 km (6.9 miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean and
extends from the south boundary of North Peninsula State Park to
Granada Boulevard in Ormond Beach.
(B) Note: Map of Units LOGG-T-FL-01, LOGG-T-FL-02, LOGG-T-FL-03,
LOGG-T-FL-04, and LOGG-T-FL-05: Florida Terrestrial Critical Habitat
Units for the Loggerhead Sea Turtle follows:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP25MR13.014
(20) Units:
(i) LOGG-T-FL-06--Canaveral National Seashore North, Volusia
County, Florida.
(ii) LOGG-T-FL-07--Canaveral National Seashore South-Merritt Island
NWR-Kennedy Space Center, Brevard County, Florida.
(A)(1) LOGG-T-FL-06--Canaveral National Seashore North: This unit
consists of 18.2 km (11.3 miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic
Ocean and extends from the north boundary of Canaveral National
Seashore to the Volusia-Brevard County line.
(2) LOGG-T-FL-07--Canaveral National Seashore South-Merritt Island
[[Page 18064]]
NWR-Kennedy Space Center: This unit consists of 28.4 km (17.6 miles) of
island shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean and extends from the Volusia-
Brevard County line to the south boundary of Merritt Island NWR-Kennedy
Space Center (Merritt Island NWR was established in 1963 as an overlay
of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) John F.
Kennedy Space Center).
(B) Note: Map of Units LOGG-T-FL-06 and LOGG-T-FL-07: Florida
Terrestrial Critical Habitat Units for the Loggerhead Sea Turtle
follows:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP25MR13.015
(21) Units:
(i) LOGG-T-FL-08--Central Brevard Beaches, Brevard County, Florida.
(ii) LOGG-T-FL-09--South Brevard Beaches, Brevard County, Florida.
(iii) LOGG-T-FL-10--Sebastian Inlet-Indian River Shores, Indian
River County, Florida.
(A) (1) LOGG-T-FL-08--Central Brevard Beaches: This unit consists
of 19.5 km (12.1 miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean
and extends from the south boundary of Patrick Air Force Base to the
north boundary of Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge (NWR).
(2) LOGG-T-FL-09--South Brevard: This unit consists of 20.8 km
(12.9 miles) of island shoreline along the
[[Page 18065]]
Atlantic Ocean and extends from the north boundary of Archie Carr NWR
to Sebastian Inlet.
(3) LOGG-T-FL-10--Sebastian Inlet-Indian River Shores: This unit
consists of 21.4 km (13.3 miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic
Ocean and extends from Sebastian Inlet to the Indian River Shores
southern city limits.
(B) Note: Map of Units LOGG-T-FL-08, LOGG-T-FL-09, and LOGG-T-FL-
10: Florida Terrestrial Critical Habitat Units for the Loggerhead Sea
Turtle follows:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP25MR13.016
(22) Units:
(i) LOGG-T-FL-11--Fort Pierce Inlet-St. Lucie Inlet, St. Lucie and
Martin Counties, Florida.
(ii) LOGG-T-FL-12--St. Lucie Inlet-Jupiter Inlet, Martin and Palm
Beach Counties, Florida.
(iii) LOGG-T-FL-13--Jupiter Inlet-Lake Worth Inlet, Palm Beach
County, Florida.
(iv) LOGG-T-FL-14--Lake Worth Inlet-Boynton Inlet, Palm Beach
County, Florida.
(v) LOGG-T-FL-15--Boynton Inlet-Boca Raton Inlet, Palm Beach
County, Florida.
(vi) LOGG-T-FL-16--Boca Raton Inlet-Hillsboro Inlet, Palm Beach and
Broward Counties, Florida.
(A)(1) LOGG-T-FL-11--Fort Pierce Inlet-St. Lucie Inlet: This unit
consists
[[Page 18066]]
of 35.2 km (21.9 miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean
and extends from Fort Pierce Inlet to St. Lucie Inlet.
(2) LOGG-T-FL-12--St. Lucie Inlet-Jupiter Inlet: This unit consists
of 24.9 km (15.5 miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean
and extends from St. Lucie Inlet to Jupiter Inlet.
(3) LOGG-T-FL-13--Jupiter Inlet-Lake Worth Inlet: This unit
consists of 18.8 km (11.7 miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic
Ocean and extends from Jupiter Inlet to Lake Worth Inlet.
(4) LOGG-T-FL-14--Lake Worth Inlet-Boynton Inlet: This unit
consists of 24.3 km (15.1 miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic
Ocean and extends from Lake Worth Inlet to Boynton Inlet.
(5) LOGG-T-FL-15--Boynton Inlet-Boca Raton Inlet: This unit
consists of 22.6 km (14.1 miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic
Ocean and extends from Boynton Inlet to Boca Raton Inlet.
(6) LOGG-T-FL-16--Boca Raton Inlet-Hillsboro Inlet: This unit
consists of 8.3 km (5.2 miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic
Ocean and extends from Boca Raton Inlet to Hillsboro Inlet.
(B) Note: Map of Units LOGG-T-FL-11, LOGG-T-FL-12, LOGG-T-FL-13,
LOGG-T-FL-14, LOGG-T-FL-15, and LOGG-T-FL-16: Florida Terrestrial
Critical Habitat Units for the Loggerhead Sea Turtle follows:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP25MR13.017
[[Page 18067]]
(23) Unit LOGG-T-FL-17--Long Key, Monroe County, Florida.
(i) LOGG-T-FL-17--Long Key, Monroe: This unit consists of 4.2 km
(2.6 miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean and extends
from the natural channel between Fiesta Key and Long Key to the natural
channel between Long Key and Conch Key.
(ii) Note: Map of Unit LOGG-T-FL-17: Florida Terrestrial Critical
Habitat Units for the Loggerhead Sea Turtle follows:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP25MR13.018
(24) Unit LOGG-T-FL-18--Bahia Honda Key, Monroe County, Florida.
(i) LOGG-T-FL-18--Bahia Honda Key, Monroe: This unit consists of
3.7 km (2.3 miles) of island shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean and
extends from the natural channel between Ohio Key and Bahia Honda Key
to the natural channel between Bahia Honda Key and Spanish Harbor Key.
(ii) Note: Map of Unit LOGG-T-FL-18: Florida Terrestrial Critical
Habitat Units for the Loggerhead Sea Turtle follows:
[[Page 18068]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP25MR13.019
(25) Units:
(i) LOGG-T-FL-19--Longboat Key, Manatee and Sarasota Counties,
Florida.
(ii) LOGG-T-FL-20--Siesta and Casey Keys, Sarasota County, Florida.
(iii) LOGG-T-FL-21--Venice Beaches and Manasota Key, Sarasota and
Charlotte Counties, Florida.
(iv) LOGG-T-FL-22--Knight, Don Pedro, and Little Gasparilla
Islands, Charlotte County, Florida.
(A)(1) LOGG-T-FL-19--Longboat Key: This unit consists of 16.0 km
(9.9 miles) of island shoreline along the Gulf of Mexico and extends
from Longboat Pass to New Pass.
(2) LOGG-T-FL-20--Siesta and Casey Keys: This unit consists of 20.8
km (13.0 miles) of island shoreline along the Gulf of Mexico and
extends from Big Sarasota Pass to Venice Inlet.
(3) LOGG-T-FL-21--Venice Beaches and Manasota Key: This unit
consists of 26.0 km (16.1 miles) of island shoreline along the Gulf of
Mexico and extends from Venice Inlet to Stump Pass.
(4) LOGG-T-FL-22--Knight, Don Pedro, and Little Gasparilla Islands:
This unit consists of 10.8 km (6.7 miles) of island shoreline along the
Gulf of Mexico and extends from Stump Pass to Gasparilla Pass.
(B) Note: Map of Units LOGG-T-FL-19, LOGG-T-FL-20, LOGG-T-FL-21,
and LOGG-T-FL-22: Florida Terrestrial Critical Habitat Units for the
Loggerhead Sea Turtle follows:
[[Page 18069]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP25MR13.020
(26) Units:
(i) LOGG-T-FL-23--Gasparilla Island, Charlotte and Lee Counties,
Florida.
(ii) LOGG-T-FL-24--Cayo Costa, Lee County, Florida.
(iii) LOGG-T-FL-25--Captiva Island, Lee County, Florida.
(iv) LOGG-T-FL-26--Sanibel Island West, Lee County, Florida.
(A)(1) LOGG-T-FL-23--Gasparilla Island: This unit consists of 11.2
km (6.9 miles) of island shoreline along the Gulf of Mexico and extends
from Gasparilla Pass to Boca Grande Pass.
(2) LOGG-T-FL-24--Cayo Costa: This unit consists of 13.5 km (8.4
miles) of island shoreline along the Gulf of Mexico and extends from
Boca Grande Pass to Captiva Pass.
(3) LOGG-T-FL-25--Captiva Island: This unit consists of 7.6 km (4.7
miles) of island shoreline along the Gulf of Mexico and extends from
Redfish Pass to Blind Pass.
(4) LOGG-T-FL-26--Sanibel Island West: This unit consists of 12.2
km (7.6 miles) of island shoreline along the Gulf of Mexico and extends
from Blind Pass to Tarpon Bay Road.
(B) Note: Map of Units LOGG-T-FL-23, LOGG-T-FL-24, LOGG-T-FL-25,
and LOGG-T-FL-26: Florida Terrestrial Critical Habitat Units for the
Loggerhead Sea Turtle follows:
[[Page 18070]]
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(27) Units:
(i) LOGG-T-FL-27--Little Hickory Island, Lee and Collier Counties,
Florida.
(ii) LOGG-T-FL-28--Wiggins Pass-Clam Pass, Collier County, Florida.
(iii) LOGG-T-FL-29--Clam Pass-Doctors Pass, Collier County,
Florida.
(iv) LOGG-T-FL-30--Keewaydin Island and Sea Oat Island, Collier
County, Florida.
(A)(1) LOGG-T-FL-27--Little Hickory Island: This unit consists of
8.7 km (5.4 miles) of island shoreline along the Gulf of Mexico and
extends from Big Hickory Pass to Wiggins Pass.
(2) LOGG-T-FL-28--Wiggins Pass-Clam Pass: This unit consists of 7.7
km (4.8 miles) of mainland shoreline along the Gulf of Mexico and
extends from Wiggins Pass to Clam Pass.
(3) LOGG-T-FL-29--Clam Pass-Doctors Pass: This unit consists of 4.9
km (3.0 miles) of island shoreline along the Gulf of Mexico and extends
from Clam Pass to Doctors Pass.
(4) LOGG-T-FL-30--Keewaydin Island and Sea Oat Island: This unit
consists of 13.1 km (8.1 miles) of island shoreline along the Gulf of
Mexico and extends from Gordon Pass to Big Marco Pass.
(B) Note: Map of Units LOGG-T-FL-27, LOGG-T-FL-28, LOGG-T-FL-29,
and LOGG-T-FL-30: Florida Terrestrial Critical Habitat Units for the
Loggerhead Sea Turtle follows:
[[Page 18071]]
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(28) Units:
(i) LOGG-T-FL-31--Cape Romano, Collier County, Florida.
(ii) LOGG-T-FL-32--Ten Thousand Islands North, Collier County,
Florida.
(A) (1) LOGG-T-FL-31--Cape Romano: This unit consists of 9.2 km
(5.7 miles) of island shoreline along the Gulf of Mexico and Gullivan
Bay and extends from Caxambas Pass to Gullivan Bay.
(2) LOGG-T-FL-32--Ten Thousand Islands North: This unit consists of
7.8 km (4.9 miles) of island shoreline along the Gulf of Mexico and
within Gullivan Bay.
(B) Note: Map of Units LOGG-T-FL-31 and LOGG-T-FL-32: Florida
Terrestrial Critical Habitat Units for the Loggerhead Sea Turtle
follows:
[[Page 18072]]
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(29) Units:
(i) LOGG-T-FL-33--Highland Beach, Monroe County, Florida.
(ii) LOGG-T-FL-34--Graveyard Creek-Shark Point, Monroe County,
Florida.
(iii) LOGG-T-FL-35--Cape Sable, Monroe County, Florida.
(A) (1) LOGG-T-FL-33--Highland Beach: This unit consists of 7.2 km
(4.5 miles) of island (Key McLaughlin) shoreline along the Gulf of
Mexico and extends from First Bay to Rogers River Inlet.
(2) LOGG-T-FL-34--Graveyard Creek-Shark Point: This unit consists
of 0.9 km (0.6 mile) of mainland shoreline along the Gulf of Mexico and
extends from Shark Point (25.38796 N, 81.14933 W) to Graveyard Creek
Inlet.
(3) LOGG-T-FL-35--Cape Sable: This unit consists of 21.3 km (13.2
miles) of mainland shoreline along the Gulf of Mexico and extends from
the north boundary of Cape Sable at 25.25924 N, 81.16687 W to the south
boundary of Cape Sable at 25.12470 N, 81.06681 W.
(B) Note: Map of Units LOGG-T-FL-33, LOGG-T-FL-34, and LOGG-T-FL-
35: Florida Terrestrial Critical Habitat Units for the Loggerhead Sea
Turtle follows:
[[Page 18073]]
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(30) Index Map of Critical Habitat Units in the Dry Tortugas
Recovery Unit
[[Page 18074]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP25MR13.025
(31) Units:
(i) LOGG-T-FL-36--Dry Tortugas, Monroe County, Florida.
(ii) LOGG-T-FL-37--Marquesas Keys, Monroe County, Florida.
(A) (1) LOGG-T-FL-36--Dry Tortugas: This unit consists of 6.3 km
(3.9 miles) of shoreline along the Gulf of Mexico and consists of
Loggerhead Key, Garden Key, Bush Key, Long Key, Hospital Key, and East
Key located in the Dry Tortugas about 108 km (67 miles) west of Key
West.
(2) LOGG-T-FL-37--Marquesas Keys: This unit consists of 5.6 km (3.5
miles) of shoreline along the Gulf of Mexico and consists of Marquesas
Key, Unnamed Key 1, Unnamed Key 2, and Unnamed Key 3 located about 29.3
km (18.2 miles) west of Key West.
(B) Note: Map of Units LOGG-T-FL-36 and LOGG-T-FL-37: Florida
Terrestrial Critical Habitat Units for the Loggerhead Sea Turtle
follows:
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(32) Units:
(i) LOGG-T-FL-38--Boca Grande Key, Monroe County, Florida.
(ii) LOGG-T-FL-39--Woman Key, Monroe County, Florida.
(A)(1) LOGG-T-FL-38--Boca Grande Key: This unit consists of 1.3 km
(0.8 mile) of island shoreline along the Gulf of Mexico and extends
from 24.53767 N, 82.00763 W (at the northern end of the key) to
24.52757 N, 82.00581 W (at the southern end of the key).
(2) LOGG-T-FL-39--Woman Key: This unit consists of 1.3 km (0.8
mile) of island shoreline along the Gulf of Mexico and extends from
24.52452 N, 81.97893 N (at the western end of the key) to 24.52385 N,
81.96680 W (at the eastern end of the key).
(B) Note: Map of Units LOGG-T-FL-38 and LOGG-T-FL-39: Florida
Terrestrial Critical Habitat Units for the Loggerhead Sea Turtle
follows:
[[Page 18076]]
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(33) Index Map of Critical Habitat Units in the Northern Gulf of
Mexico Recovery Unit.
[[Page 18077]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP25MR13.028
(34) Units:
(i) LOGG-T-MS-01--Horn Island, Jackson County, Mississippi.
(ii) LOGG-T-MS-02--Petit Bois Island, Jackson County, Mississippi.
(A)(1) LOGG-T-MS-01--Horn Island: This unit consists of 18.6 km
(11.5 miles) of island shoreline along the Gulf of Mexico and extends
from Dog Keys Pass to the easternmost point of the ocean facing island
shore.
(2) LOGG-T-MS-02--Petit Bois Island: This unit consists of 9.8 km
(6.1 miles) of island shoreline along the Gulf of Mexico and extends
from Horn Island Pass to Petit Bois Pass.
(B) Note: Map of Units LOGG-T-MS-01 and LOGG-T-MS-02: Mississippi
Terrestrial Critical Habitat Units for the Loggerhead Sea Turtle
follows:
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(35) Units:
(i) LOGG-T-AL-01--Mobile Bay-Little Lagoon Pass, Baldwin County,
Alabama.
(ii) LOGG-T-AL-02--Gulf State Park-Perdido Pass, Baldwin County,
Alabama.
(iii) LOGG-T-AL-03--Perdido Pass-Florida-Alabama line, Baldwin
County, Alabama.
(A) (1) LOGG-T-AL-01--Mobile Bay-Little Lagoon Pass: This unit
consists of 28.0 km (17.4 miles) of island shoreline along the Gulf of
Mexico and extends from Mobile Bay Inlet to Little Lagoon Pass.
(2) LOGG-T-AL-02--Gulf State Park-Perdido Pass: This unit consists
of 10.7 km (6.7 miles) of island shoreline along the Gulf of Mexico and
extends from the west boundary of Gulf State Park to Perdido Pass.
(3) LOGG-T-AL-03--Perdido Pass-Florida-Alabama line: This unit
consists of 3.3 km (2.0 miles) of island shoreline along the Gulf of
Mexico and extends from Perdido Pass to the Alabama-Florida border.
(B) Note: Map of Units LOGG-T-AL-01, LOGG-T-AL-02, and LOGG-T-AL-
03: Alabama Terrestrial Critical Habitat Units for the Loggerhead Sea
Turtle follows:
[[Page 18079]]
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(36) Unit LOGG-T-FL-40--Perdido Key, Escambia County, Florida.
(i) LOGG-T-FL-40--Perdido Key: This unit consists of 20.2 km (12.6
miles) of island shoreline along the Gulf of Mexico and extends from
the Alabama-Florida border to Pensacola Pass.
(ii) Note: Map of Unit LOGG-T-FL-40: Florida Terrestrial Critical
Habitat Units for the Loggerhead Sea Turtle follows:
[[Page 18080]]
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(37) Units:
(i) LOGG-T-FL-41--Mexico Beach and St. Joe Beach, Bay and Gulf
Counties, Florida.
(ii) LOGG-T-FL-42--St. Joseph Peninsula, Gulf County, Florida.
(iii) LOGG-T-FL-43--Cape San Blas, Gulf County, Florida.
(A)(1) LOGG-T-FL-41--Mexico Beach and St. Joe Beach: This unit
consists of 18.7 km (11.7 miles) of mainland shoreline along the Gulf
of Mexico and extends from the eastern boundary of Tyndall Air Force
Base to Gulf County Canal in St. Joseph Bay.
(2) LOGG-T-FL-42--St. Joseph Peninsula: This unit consists of 23.5
km (14.6 miles) of a spit shoreline along the Gulf of Mexico and
extends from St. Joseph Bay to the west boundary of Eglin Air Force
Base.
(3) LOGG-T-FL-43--Cape San Blas: This unit consists of 11.0 km (6.8
miles) of mainland and spit shoreline along the Gulf of Mexico and
extends from the east boundary of Eglin Air Force Base to Indian Pass.
(B) Note: Map of Units LOGG-T-FL-41, LOGG-T-FL-42, and LOGG-T-FL-
43: Florida Terrestrial Critical Habitat Units for the Loggerhead Sea
Turtle follows:
[[Page 18081]]
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(38) Units:
(i) LOGG-T-FL-44--St. Vincent Island, Franklin County, Florida.
(ii) LOGG-T-FL-45--Little St. George Island, Franklin County,
Florida.
(iii) LOGG-T-FL-46--St. George Island, Franklin County, Florida.
(iv) LOGG-T-FL-47--Dog Island, Franklin County, Florida.
(A)(1) LOGG-T-FL-44--St. Vincent Island: This unit consists of 15.1
km (9.4 miles) of island shoreline along the Gulf of Mexico and extends
from Indian Pass to West Pass.
(2) LOGG-T-FL-45--Little St. George Island: This unit consists of
15.4 km (9.6 miles) of island shoreline along the Gulf of Mexico and
extends from West Pass to Bob Sikes Cut.
(3) LOGG-T-FL-46--St. George Island: This unit consists of 30.7 km
(19.1 miles) of island shoreline along the Gulf of Mexico and extends
from Bob Sikes Cut to East Pass.
(4) LOGG-T-FL-47--Dog Island: This unit consists of 13.1 km (8.1
miles) of island shoreline along the Gulf of Mexico and extends from
East Pass to St. George Sound.
(B) Note: Map of Units LOGG-T-FL-44, LOGG-T-FL-45, LOGG-T-FL-46,
and LOGG-T-FL-47: Florida Terrestrial Critical Habitat Units for the
Loggerhead Sea Turtle follows:
[[Page 18082]]
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* * * * *
Dated: December 17, 2012.
Michael J. Bean,
Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and
Parks.
[FR Doc. 2013-06458 Filed 3-22-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-22-C