BRADENTON — At Thursday’s Manatee County Planning Commission meeting, staff will present the proposed policy to meet the BOCC’s directive to restore wetland protection policies eliminated by the previous board. The advisory board will then vote on whether to recommend its adoption by the BOCC.
Manatee County’s wetland protection regulations have been under the spotlight since 2023 when county staff proposed changes that would significantly loosen local requirements. Though the measure was brought forward under the guise of being “county-initiated,” public records later revealed that local developers’ interests played a role in the inception of the proposed action.
In October 2023, county commissioners voted 5-1 in favor of effectively eliminating the county's wetland protection policies and deferring to the bare minimum required by the state. Seemingly unable to convince staff to make such a recommendation (even though it was advertised as a staff-initiated change), the county used an outside "consultant" who had no expertise in wetlands and had previously been on the losing side of a legal challenge to the county's policy to make the recommendation.
The action revised the county’s Comprehensive Plan, rolling back the 30 and 50-foot buffer requirements around wetlands to state a minimum of 25 feet on average with a 15-foot minimum, or, in some select instances, potentially no required buffers.
This time, experts in county staff will give a thorough presentation. From the agenda materials provided before the meeting, this seems to confirm that an unqualified consultant had previously been used because county staff vehemently disagreed with the merits of rolling back the protections. Click here to view the agenda and agenda packet.
Thursday's meeting will be held at 9:00 a.m. in the chambers of the Manatee County Administration building at 1112 Manatee Avenue West in Bradenton. Any member of the public can attend and give public comment on the item.
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WTF
Should have never been rescinded in the first place. That was brought on solely by developers that wanted to build out every square inch with complete disregard to our wetlands and the old developer bought board went along with it. There are state mandates that suggest 30 to 50 foot setbacks. It can be anything that particular county wants. A fine example is Orange County. Here's your county in the middle of the state that has a minimum of 100 foot setback for wetlands. We need to move in this direction.
Here is the article for the setbacks and the reasons for it, I support 100%
For the Record
The revised ordinance introduces several robust measures:
Developers seeking to impact wetlands through dredging or filling will now require a county permit prior to commencement.
A minimum of 100-foot upland buffers is mandated, surpassing state requirements, to ensure additional protection against encroachment.
Public educational resources, including a “Wetlands 101” primer and various multimedia presentations, are part of the outreach efforts to keep the community informed and engaged.
This legislative update is a milestone that resonates with our goals at the Mitigation Banking Group, where we strive to balance development needs with ecological preservation. The ordinance not only strengthens wetland protections but also streamlines the permitting processes, ensuring that property rights are respected while prioritizing natural resource conservation.
As we continue to monitor these developments and adapt our strategies, we invite our clients and partners to reach out with any questions or needs regarding how these changes might affect your projects. Together, we can navigate these new regulations to further our shared mission of sustainable development and environmental protection.
The commitment of Orange County to enhance wetland protections is a commendable example of how local governments can lead in the fight against environmental degradation. It’s a reminder of the power of policy to shape healthier landscapes and communities, and at the Mitigation Banking Group, we are here to help you align with these new standards.
Stay informed, stay proactive.
Best regards, Victoria Bruce, CEO Mitigation Banking Group
https://mitigationbankinginc.com/orange-county-florida-strengthens-wetland-protections/
Wednesday, March 26 Report this