Comprehensive Seagrass Restoration Planning in Southwest Florida: Science, Law and Management

4 Sea Grant L. & Pol'y J. 61 (2011)

University of Florida Levin College of Law Research Paper

18 Pages Posted: 18 Oct 2015 Last revised: 20 Oct 2015

See all articles by Althea Hotaling

Althea Hotaling

University of Florida

R. Lingle

University of Florida Levin College of Law

Tom Ankersen

University of Florida Levin College of Law

Date Written: 2011

Abstract

In coastal Florida, the development and maintenance of docks, marinas, and channels frequently cause destruction of seagrass beds. Seagrass loss is accompanied by a loss of the ecosystem services the beds provide, such as sediment stabilization, water filtration, protection from storms, and habitat and nursery grounds for fish species. The current legal framework for seagrass protection and the implementation of mitigation for seagrass loss could be improved. In this Article, the authors argue that policymakers could revise the Uniform Mitigation Assessment Method to include more assessments related specifically to the ecology of seagrass beds and their ecosystem services. Seagrass mitigation is currently carried out by the permittee that applied to create or maintain the seagrass-impacting development. In comparison, wetland mitigation is typically carried out by publicly or privately operated mitigation banks. The creation of mitigation banks for seagrass restoration would streamline the process of seagrass mitigation and promote the public's interest in seagrass restoration.

Keywords: seagrass, seagrass restoration, Southwest Florida, Uniform Mitigation Assessment Method

Suggested Citation

Hotaling, Althea and Lingle, R. and Ankersen, Tom, Comprehensive Seagrass Restoration Planning in Southwest Florida: Science, Law and Management (2011). 4 Sea Grant L. & Pol'y J. 61 (2011), University of Florida Levin College of Law Research Paper, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2675711 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2675711

Althea Hotaling

University of Florida

PO Box 117165, 201 Stuzin Hall
Gainesville, FL 32610-0496
United States

R. Lingle

University of Florida Levin College of Law

P.O. Box 117625
Gainesville, FL 32611-7625
United States

Tom Ankersen (Contact Author)

University of Florida Levin College of Law ( email )

P.O. Box 117625
Gainesville, FL 32611-7625
United States

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