Gopher tortoise relocation permitting goes 'green'

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has announced the successful launch of the new gopher tortoise permitting system. The new system went online in late April, and by the end of May, the commission had issued more than 100 permits using the paperless system.

"We made several permit types available online in March," said Deborah Burr, Gopher Tortoise Management Plan coordinator. "Then in April we went live with all of our gopher tortoise permits, including conservation permits for relocating gopher tortoises. It has been a tremendous success so far. The feedback from those who have used the new system has been positive."

During the past year, an FWC team worked closely with a contractor to develop the gopher tortoise online permitting system. The team's efforts will serve as the foundation for making all FWC permits available online. Along with the permitting system, the FWC launched an e-learning component to ensure the tortoises are properly handled and relocated. A new Google map feature helps to locate authorized agents and other gopher tortoise permitted locations.

"Very notable differences with the new system are the ease of reviewing applications," Burr said, "and the time and resource savings in issuing permits."

The FWC approved a management plan for gopher tortoises in September 2007, which provides guidelines for landowners whose property contains gopher tortoises. The plan also calls for development of the permitting guidelines finalized in April to ensure Florida meets the tortoise's habitat needs now and in the future.

The new permitting framework strives for efficiency as well as for providing excellent customer service, which in turn achieves the management plan's objective to decrease gopher tortoise deaths on lands proposed for development by facilitating successful relocations. The gopher tortoise is listed as a threatened species in Florida.

Before land-clearing begins, developers must arrange to move any gopher tortoises present out of harm's way. Gopher tortoise relocation requires a permit from the FWC.

The FWC plans to add additional permits and licenses from other programs over the next year, making its online permitting system a leader in an environmentally friendly, efficient, cost-effective way to handle the permit process for the state.

For more information about the management plan, go to MyFWC.com/GopherTortoise.