LTC 420-2018 2018 Se Turtle Nesting Season in Miami Beach - UpdaIA
City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach , Florido 33139 , www.miomibeochfl .gov
Jimmy L. Morales, City Manager
Tel : 305-673-7010 , Fox : 305-673-7782
NO. LTC# 420-2018
TO : Mayor Dan Gelber and Members
FROM: Jimmy L. Morales, City Manager:
DATE : July 26, 2018
LEITER TO COMMISSION
SUBJECT: 2018 Sea Turtle Nesting Season 1 Miami Beach -Updates
In anticipation of the 2018 sea turtle season, the City has made several short-term and long-
term changes to better protect our native sea turtle population. On April 4, 2018, staff provided a
summary of the changes completed in advance of sea turtle season in a Letter to Commission
(L TC) (Attachment A).
This is a complex issue and our approach to date has been to balance protecting sea turtle
habitat through lighting reduction and meeting the safety needs of our residents and visitors.
Unfortunately, there is an inherent conflict in terms of lighting. The purpose of this L TC is to
provide an update on the City's sea turtle conservation efforts and outline ongoing challenges.
Program Updates
The sea turtle conservation program's success depends on collaborative efforts between the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission (FWC), Miami-Dade County and the City of Miami Beach. On-going internal
coordination is also a key component of this program to ensure that all departments help assist
with our turtle protection efforts. Miami-Dade County is responsible for conducting daily beach
surveys to document nests and disorientations; however, the City receives limited data from the
County. We receive number of nests, number of false crawls , and disorientation reports. We will
be requesting the following data from the County:
• Number and specific locations of nests
• Number of successful hatchlings
• Number of disorientations
We believe better data will help with targeted code enforcement and changes in operations.
To help improve our program, this year we have initiated more regular coordination among City,
County, FWC, USFWS staff through enhanced weekly communication and standing monthly
conference calls. In addition, the County is providing bi -weekly reports on the number of nests
and false crawls within different beach zones. Disorientation reports (Attachment B -Sample
Report) are provided on a monthly basis . The monthly conference calls are attended by all four
agencies and are intended to track progress toward compliance . The discussions held during
these conference calls and the data provided by the County are used to make adjustments to
the City's efforts, prepare for upcoming special events , better direct education efforts , and help
Code Enforcement prioritize areas with high nest densities and/or significant lighting issues for
compliance inspections.
On Tuesday, July 24, the City had a call with the three regulatory agencies to review on-going
concerns. Light pollution from upland properties continues to be one of the primary causes of
disorientation of nesting mothers and their hatchlings. The three species of sea turtles that nest
on our beaches are protected by the Endangered Species Act. The City of Miami Beach can be
found liable under the Endangered Species Act and the USFWS and FWC have indicated that
they will be initiating enforcement proceedings if additional measures are not taken to reduce
disorientations. The following actions were identified as requiring immediate action from the City
to help reduce and prevent hatchling disorientation:
• Enhance monitoring and implement shielding at city construction sites where dune
vegetation has been removed.
• Provide an action plan for reducing lighting impacts adjacent to Ocean Drive and
Lummus Park.
• Enhance Code Compliance efforts citywide to address lighting non-compliance of private
properties
To address these immediate concerns, city staff is moving forward with the following measures:
• This week, Environment & Sustainability staff will accompany the contractor for the
Middle Beach Recreational Corridor on a night time inspection to identify where shielding
can be effectively installed to reduce glare from non-compliant private properties.
• Throughout the remainder of the sea turtle nesting season, the Environment and
Sustainability staff will continue to conduct on-going internal training and assist with
morning inspections of the construction sites to identify possible disorientations.
• In addition to formal trainings, the city has also developed a fact sheet for
concessionaires and contractors working along the beachfront (Attachment C). This will
be distributed to all concessionaires and contractors.
• The City's Beachfront Monitor will be conducting enhanced evening inspections to
ensure that all beachfront equipment is safely secured and stored west of any marked
sea turtle nest.
• At Lummus Park, the lights have been dimmed during turtle season and equipped with
motion sensors that adjust the lighting only in areas where there is activity. This week
the City is installing 25 aluminum shields and 10 amber shields on the beachfront side of
the lights to further reduce potential light impacts (Attachment D). The success of these
shields will be evaluated upon installation to determine the placement and type of
additional shields to be installed within the park.
• Over the coming weeks, the Police Department is also assessing the temporary light
towers they have deployed in Lummus Park and will be removing them contingent on
need. In the interim, these light towers are directed away from the beach to reduce
illumination on the eastern side of the park.
• Code Compliance will conduct targeted enforcement utilizing the disorientation reports
provided by Miami-Dade County.
• Understanding that achieving full lighting compliance will take time, two weeks ago the
City established a hatchling drop off point to serve as an area for emergency personnel,
under the direction of FWC dispatch, to keep disoriented hatchlings safe until County
staff is available to respond (Attachment E). The hatchling drop-off point is located at the
Police Station on 1100 Washington Avenue and is marked with instructional signage as
directed by FWC. Residents that encounter disoriented hatchlings should not handle the
animals are encouraged to contact Miami-Dade County (305.310.3046) or FWC
(1.888.404.FWCC) for further direction.
This year, the City has been working to enhance education and outreach and compliance.
Below are some of the highlights:
• Prior to the start of sea turtle season, Code Compliance staff conducted in person site
visit to each of the 153 beachfront properties to alert them of the upcoming start of
nesting season and to provide them with educational information on sea turtle
conservation and lighting requirements. (included in Attachment A)
• On April 24, 2018, the Environment and Sustainability Department held a sea turtle
awareness workshop at the Miami Beach Golf Course to educate residents, city staff
and beach concessionaires on best practices to follow during nesting season to reduce
any potential impacts .
• The Marketing and Communications Department developed an educational campaign to
herald the beginning of sea turtle season. This bilingual campaign has been designed to
inform residents and visitors alike that sea turtle season had arrived, that nests and
turtles should not be disturbed, and that measures should be taken by everyone to
reduce lighting issues (included in Attachment A). This multi-tiered campaign is
comprised of print, television, outdoor, digital, and social media advertising.
• Project managers working for CIP and Public Works, as well as the project contractors,
have been trained on sea turtle protection and proper protocol for handling disoriented
hatchlings during weekly coordination meetings.
• On May 8 , 2018, Code Compliance had 34 staff members from all shifts attended an
FWC training that culminated with a nighttime walkthrough of the beach to learn to how
better identify properties that are not in compliance.
• On May 18, 2018, the FWC held two sea turtle workshops for the afternoon and evening
police shifts. The workshop focused on minimizing the impact of beach activities on
threatened/endangered species.
• On July 19, 2018, the City held an educational workshop and hatchling release where
the County educated staff from 10 different City departments on sea turtle protection and
local conservation efforts.
• This season , all nests within the City have been equipped with reflective tape to make
nests more visible at night. Next year, the County will install taller stakes to further
support this effort.
Future Initiatives -Lighting Compliance
The current ordinance does not provide a fine schedule for violations; therefore, there is no
incentive for properties to come into compliance. Although the Code Compliance Department
has noticed a significant improvement on the violations after their initial outreach, there are still
properties that have not come into compliance.
Environment & Sustainability and Code Compliance staff will be coordinating with City
Attorney's Office to propose amended language to the City Code to provide a schedule of fines
and strengthen the existing ordinance. Staff will bring an updated ordinance to City Commission
in September.
It should be noted that a number of beachfront parks, greenspaces and parking lots/garages
have lighting that is non -compliant. In order to expedite the retrofit of non-compliant lighting ,
funds will need to be identified to install new lighting that is turtle-friendly while also balancing
security concerns. A turtle lighting retrofit project was submitted for consideration to be included
in the G.O. Bond .
Attachments:
A-April 4, 2018 LTC
B -Disorientation Report Example
C -Sea Turtle Fact Sheet -Beachfront Concessionaires/Contractors
D -Shields for Lummus Park
E -Drop-off Cooler and Signage
CC: Ann Marie Lauritsen, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Robin Trindell, Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission
Maria Nardi, Miami-Dade County Parks & Recreation Department Director
SMT /ESW /DO/ETC/HC/ES/TD/MKW /FCT /YP
ATIACHMENT A
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City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive , Miami Beoch , Florido 33139, www .miamibeachfl gov
Jimmy L. Morales, City Manager
Tel: 305-673-7010 , Fax : 305-673-7782
NO. LTC # 176-2018 LETIER TO COMMISSION
TO : Mayor Dan Gelber and Members of the City Commission
FROM :
DATE : April 4, 2018
SUBJECT: 2018 Sea Turtle Nesting Season in Miami Beach
The City of Miami Beach is dedicated to the conservation and preservation of its natural
resources including the protection of sea turtles that nest annually on our beaches between
April 1st and October 31st.
ttBruSiN&J\BOVtcOH
Loggerhead , Green Turtle, and Leatherbacks
come to our beaches every year to lay their
eggs . All three of these species are protected by
state law and handling of turtles and nests are
regulated by the Florida Fish & Wildlife.
Conserva ti on Commission (FWC}. Miami-Dade
County Sea Turtle Conservation Program is
responsible for spearheading sea turtle
conservation efforts countywide. The County
has a permit with FWC to allow county staff to
conduct daily inspect ions. Starting at sunrise
every morning , county staff identify, mark off,
and where applicable, relocate nests . They also
inventory hatched nests , and to document
hatchling disorientations. No beach activities
(sand sifting , litter collection , concessionaire
operations} are allowed to begin before the daily
survey is completed and county staff gives the
"all clear". Th is restriction prevents the loss of
sea turtle tracks used to identify nests, as well
as potential collisions with nesting sea turtles or
new ly la id nests . All nests identified by county
staff during the survey are marked and
surrounded by caution tape the same morn ing
they are discovered, signaling the publlc to maintain a safe buffer of at least 10 feet. Lastly, the
city will continue working with the county to obtain ongoing disorientation and nest reports to
help address any lighting or conservation conce rn s as the season continues .
In preparation for the upcoming sea turtle
nesting season , the Environment &
Sustainability Department has been working
with various city departments on short-term
and long-term strategies for better protecting
our native sea turtle population . This includes
internal trainings , lighting retrofits , community
workshops, and enforcement.
For example, the Public Works Department
has recently finished rep I acing the old acorn
lights in Lummus Park with dimmable Paulson
("hat" type) fixtures that better direct light to
improve visibility within the park for public
safety, while reducing the amount of light
visible from the beach . Additionally, the lights
at Marjory Stoneman Douglas Park will be
shielded on the side that faces east to lower
their visibility from the beach. These interim
measures will substantially reduce light
pollution in the areas with the highest
disorientation incidents as documented last
sea turtle season.
As the city continues planning, designing and constructing projects along the beachfront, such
as the beachwalk projects, sea turtle friendly fixtures will replace existing lights on publ ic
property. In addition, there has been close coordination with Code Compliance and the Historic
Preservation Office to address lighting concerns on private property and to develop a sea turtle
lighting compliance action plan for this season .
We need the help of the entire community to prepare our beaches for sea turtle season. For that
reason , the city conducts extensive education and outreach to increase sea turtle awareness.
Code Compliance will be distributing the attached letter (Attachment A) and an informative flyer
(Attachment B) to beachfront properties to remind them to turn off all unnecessary lights or keep
blinds closed at night and not to harass nesting turtles . The city will also be hosting a Sea
Turtle Awareness Public Workshop on Tuesday, April 24 at the Miami Beach Golf Club
(2301 Alton Road) at 6pm to 7pm.
Marketing and Communications Department is developing a new sea turtle education campaign.
The multi-lingual campaign is designed to inform residents and visitors that sea turtle season
has arrived, nests and turtles should not be disturbed , and that measures should be taken by
everyone to reduce 'lighting issues. Messaging will be disseminated via all social media
channels and printed advertisements will be strategically placed in areas where beach visitors
frequent. The city is also working with Miami-Dade County and FWC to add supplemental
signage on sea turtle nests that increase our resident and visitors' awareness of the marked
nests.
Attachments:
A -2018 Nesting Season Letter
B -Sea Turtle Flyer
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. ATTACHMENT A
MIAM!BEACH
City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive , Miami Beach, Florida 33 139, www.miamibeachR .gov
April3,2018
Re: Sea Turtle Nesting Protection
The City of Miami Beach is dedicated to the conservation and preservation of its natural
resources including the protection of sea turtles that nest annually on our beaches between April
1st and October 31st. In an effort to minimize disturbance to sea turtles and their nests, we
kindly request your support to reduce artificial light sources from your property that may
visible from the beach.
Light pollution from adjacent properties disorients nesting adults and hatchlings. Sea turtles
mistake artificial lighting for the reflection of the night sky on the water. Although there is no
substitute for a naturally dark sky, there are practices that our community can follow to improve
the nesting conditions for marine turtles that lay their eggs every year on our beaches. This
includes minimizing the use of direct artificial lighting from properties located along the beach
and never touching or harassing a nesting sea turtle or sea turtle hatchlings.
Another easy way for oceanfront properties to make a difference is to turn off all unnecessary
lighting or to keep the blinds closed at night. We also recommend the installation of tinted
· glass or shades on all windows and glass doors facing or _within line-of-sight from the beach.
Any light fixtures located on the exterior of the property can also be modifiea or replaced to
decrease disorientation and improve nesting habits through the installation of indirect low profile
lighting fixtures and bulbs. Existing fixtures can also be shielded or repositioned so that the point
source of the light or any reflective surface is no longer visible from the beach. To obtain more
information on sea turtles visit: www.mbrisingabove.com/seaturtles. For specific information on
sea turtle-friendly lighting , please visit: http://www.myfwc.com/.
Thank you in advance for your help in ensuring the continued survival of the threatened and
endangered marine turtles that nest on our City's beaches. If you have any questions or would
like to meet to discuss correcting lighting problems, please contact the Code Compliance
Department at (305) 673-7555.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Wheaton Hernan Cardeno
Environment and Sustainability Director Code Compliance Director
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SPEC1ES: (check one) TYPE OF EVEN'I': (check one) NEST TREATMENT: (check all used)
•ee = Loggerliead OAdult-Ne.st.ing Emergence O~Cage
0 Cm= Green Turtle OAdult-False Cnwl 0 Self-al~ Sc:ree11/C11~
One.= Leadtl!lbrl Hatchliiir; Olig;bt Bmier [Le., silt screen)*
Oun.= Uoidem:Uied 01Woca1ed
OO=Other *Must 1>e specinolly zutborir.ed by FWC
Incident was dacamented duriJJ;: (check ~) •. h.fommg Suney 0 Nigbf Smvey 0 Daytime
Was ihAl incidearphafo~plled.? 0 YES • NO
Was ihAl S01m:e uest foond? a '\"ES ONO
W;is the nt!St~ YES ONi q-n:s-l'#J'OTtdat11 efa:etnVJrion: 1 l 1...0 I 8
Number of tm:tles disoriented: Dlsociented turtles re.a~ the wmr.
01 DAU
02-10 Some <
11-50 D.NCIM!;
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Were my disoaemed. turtles IOWJd de:!.d? N 0 YES
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Wen! probable.lposs~ lig1hcm:ce(s} idl!Diified1 •YES ONO
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hdic:ah c:ire:ooo of lidat{.s) ideuti.6ed 32 pl"Ob:abl posi;lb~ li:hlini: soarc•£ (check all th:af 3pply)
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RISIN G
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07.24.1 8
ATIACHMENTC
Sea Turtle Conservation
SEA TURTLES AND THE BEACH ECOSYSTEM
Miami Beach has approximately 7 miles of beaches that provide nest i ng sea turtle
habitat from from April 1 to October 31 . During this time period, we welcome
loggerhead, leatherback, and green sea turtles to nest with i n our shores These are
three out of the seven species' of sea turtles that exist in the world and nearly all seven
are classified as either vulnerable or endangered .
Sea turtles have been on the earth over 1 00 mill ion years and in modern times , the i r
population numbers have been on the decline. In the wild, sea turtles are suscepti ble to
predation, disease, and even beach erosion . In urban environments, such as Miami
Beach, they can run into issues with fishing gear, beach furniture , beach veh icles ,
people, and the biggest challenge of all , light pollution. Help us protect our mari ne
visitors . Here are key tips to remember.
www .m brisinga bove.com/ sea turtles
07.24 .18
TIPS TO KEEP IN MIND
•Do not handle any hatchlings. If you encounter disoriented hatchlings,
please report them to the county .
•Do not disturb turtles while they are laying their eggs and remember that
altering their behavior is illegal. Do not use flash photography or flashlights
on the turtle/hatchlings.
•Please call the county immediately if a turtle is dead, sick or injured . If a
turtle is being harassed, harmed or eggs are being poached please notify
FWC law enforcement.
•Be mindful that you are sharing the beach with wildlife . Drive slowly and
only during designated hours.
•At the conclusion of the day, all equipment and furniture should be safely
secured . At no time, should equipment be left seaward of any nest .
•During sea turtle season, all vendors must wait until the county clears the
beach for any sea turtle nesting activity before placing furniture, umbrellas,
tents or any other materials on the beach.
www .mbrisingabove .com/seaturtles
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ATTACHMENT D
DO NOT OPEN
UN·LESS YOU .ARE PLACING A
HATCHLl·NG INTO THE
c·ooLER
This will cause unnecessary stress
for the turtles!
ALL SEA TURTLE HATCHLINGS:
A.re to be placed Into the cooler located to the right of the door Into desk area.
• No eggs are accepted.
• Do not accept any freshwater or tortoise hatchllngs.
• Place hatchllngs onto damp sand In cooler.
• Do not leave hatchlings In any contai ners filled with water.
• contact Miami-Dade County Sea Turtle Program -786-719-6836•
•once per night Is suffldent.
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