Alachua County Wetland Protection Regulations Alachua County Board of County Commissioners October 22, 2013.

Alachua County Wetland Protection Regulations

Alachua County Board of County Commissioners

October 22, 2013

Why Protect Wetlands?

• They provide numerous valuable functions to society.

• 44% of Wetland acreage lost in Florida from 1780s – 1996

Source: Dahl, T.E. 2005. Wetland losses in the United States 1780s to 1980s. US Dept of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington, D.C. 80 pp.

Wetland Functions• Water Quality Functions

– Flood Water Storage– Streamflow Maintenance– Sediment control– Nutrient and pollution uptake– Shoreline stabilization– Ground Water recharge– Carbon Sequestration– Pathogen Retention

Habitat Functions Fish Habitat Bird habitat Rare Species habitat Amphibian habitat

Community Benefits

• Tourism• Active recreation • Passive recreation• Commercially valuable• Flood control• Water quality • Aquifer recharge• Wildlife habitat• Drought resilience• Sense of Place• And many others…

How are Wetlands Protected Locally?

County Vision

Comprehensive Plan

Land Development Regulations

Wetland Protection Standards

Enforcement of Protection Standards

Photo by Mac Stone

History of Wetland Protection in Alachua County

• 1980’s wetland loss from land development• 1992 First wetland protection ordinance• 1994 Uniform State wetland delineation• 2005 Comp Plan – increased buffer standards• 2006 Code – added increased buffer standards

as required by 2005 Comp Plan

County Wetland Policies and Practices

• All wetlands are regulated• Protect wetlands and buffers in natural

condition• Strong wetland avoidance policies• Impacts allowed for minimal impact activities• If allowed, mitigation per State rules

Wetland ProtectionCounty’s Relationship with Other Agencies

• State- Water Management Districts - Dept of Environmental Protection - Dept of Ag and Consumer Services

• Federal - US Army Corp of Engineers- US Environmental Protection Agency

Wetland ProtectionCounty’s Relationship with Other Agencies

• Why local protection?- Only one with Land Use authority - Local perspective - Higher standards- Local enforcement presence

State Legislation

The Florida Right to Farm ActAgriculture Lands and Practices Act• Applies to bona fide farm operations on land

classified as agricultural land following certain Best Management Practices (BMPs) or regulated by certain Federal agencies.

• Retains local government home rule authority for wetland policies and codes adopted prior to 2003.

• Preempts local government upland policies and codes.

Bona Fide Agriculture

• Exempt from County upland protection requirements.

• Must comply with applicable 1992 County wetland code provisions that are still in effect today.

• County Regulations exempt:– Silvicultural activities in accordance with Best

Management Practices (BMPs)– Existing bona fide agricultural activities that have been

in existence prior to Oct. 29, 1992.

Alachua County Wetland Policy & Practices

• Wetlands are valued• Strong avoidance and protection policies and

codes• Recognizes and respects for State Statutes

support for agriculture• Exemptions for bona fide Ag that has been in

existence prior to 1992 and for silviculture following BMPs

Staff Recommendation

The Board of County Commissioners reaffirm Alachua County’s current wetland policies and protection practices.