County moves Big Pine habitat conservation meeting to Big Pine Academy
Officials cite technical limitations for lack of Zoom option as discussions continue over endangered species protections and future development rules in the Lower Keys.
BIG PINE KEY, Fla. — Monroe County has changed the location of a public community meeting focused on the future of the Big Pine Key Habitat Conservation Plan and Incidental Take Permit framework, county officials announced this week.
The meeting will now take place Thursday, May 28, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Big Pine Academy near the flea market area on Big Pine Key. The event had originally been scheduled at St. Peter’s Church.
County officials said the meeting is intended to update residents on the pending expiration of the Habitat Conservation Plan, commonly referred to as the HCP, and the related Incidental Take Permit, or ITP, which govern development and endangered species protections on Big Pine Key and No Name Key.
Officials also plan to discuss ongoing coordination with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and future permitting and environmental review processes expected to affect property owners and development activity in the Lower Keys.
According to the county, efforts were made to secure a venue convenient for Big Pine Key residents that could also support virtual participation. However, internet and audio-visual limitations at the meeting site prevented the county from offering a Zoom option for the May 28 session.
The issues surrounding the HCP and ITP are also scheduled to be discussed during the June 10 meeting of the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners in Key Largo. That meeting will include opportunities for public comment both in person and through the county’s standard virtual meeting platform.
County officials said photographs of presentation boards and informational materials displayed during the May 28 meeting will be uploaded afterward to the county website so residents unable to attend can review the information remotely.
Monroe County is encouraging residents to participate either at the in-person May 28 meeting or during the June 10 commission meeting as discussions continue over habitat conservation, endangered species protections and future development procedures in the Lower Keys.
Additional information on the HCP and ITP process is available through Monroe County Environmental Resources.