MONROE COUNTY, FL – To enhance protections for nesting sea turtles and their hatchlings, Monroe County has updated its lighting regulations to align with the State of Florida’s Model Lighting Ordinance for Marine Turtle Protection (62B-55, F.A.C.). These changes reflect significant advancements in sea turtle research and lighting technology, ensuring that coastal lighting minimizes disorientation risks for hatchlings.
 
Sea turtle nesting season in the Florida Keys runs from April 15 through Oct. 31. During this critical time, bright, artificial lights can disorient hatchlings, leading them away from the ocean.
 
The updated guidelines emphasize three key principles to reduce this risk:
 

• Keep it Long – Use long-wavelength amber, orange, or red lighting (560 nm or greater). Note: yellow "bug bulbs" no longer meet this requirement.
• Keep it Low – Install fixtures as low as possible and use the lowest wattage/lumens as possible.
• Keep it Shielded – Direct light downward and use full cut-off shields to prevent illumination from reaching the beach area.

 
Additionally, temporary beach structures such as chairs, cabanas, and umbrellas must be removed nightly or placed in a way that does not obstruct nesting turtles or hatchlings.
 
Residents and businesses can visit the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) website for certified wildlife-friendly lighting options: https://myfwc.com/conservation/you-conserve/lighting/criteria/certified/. Off-list products may be used if they adhere to the sea turtle-friendly lighting principles.
 
For more information on compliance and wildlife-friendly lighting, contact a Monroe County biologist at 305-289-2500.
 

​MONROE COUNTY, FL – Are you interested in obtaining grant funds to elevate, demolish/reconstruct, or sell your home that is below base flood elevation, at risk of flooding, or has flooded before with a National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) flood insurance claim?
 
If so, Monroe County is participating in a national grant program known as Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) to help with the costs of elevating, or demolishing and reconstructing your home. Buying out your home is also an eligible grant activity. This program is available to all Monroe County homeowners. The program cannot buy any properties that are condominiums or cooperatives or have common area maintenance requirements. Mobile homes also do not qualify for the elevation program. 
 
Monroe County is accepting applications for the fiscal year 2024 FMA grant program. The deadline to apply through the Monroe County application process will close Jan. 31, 2025.
 
This is a federal program administered by the State of Florida in partnership with Monroe County; therefore, it can be a timely process with slow turnaround times to move forward with projects.
 
If you have any questions, contact program administrator Mike Lalbachan at 305-453-8796 or visit the program website at www.monroecounty-fl.gov/fma.