The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will hold a public meeting regarding the Florida Keys Wildlife and Environmental Area (WEA) Management Plan Amendment on Monday, August 26. The hearing is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at the Marathon Government Center, located at 2798 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL.
The Florida Keys WEA encompasses 5,858 noncontiguous acres throughout the Florida Keys. Although the current 10-year Land Management Plan was approved on February 23, 2016, and is not due for an update until February 2026, the FWC seeks to amend Section 5.13.2 concerning First Responder & Military Training. The proposed amendment includes language that would allow training activities under specific conditions: “An exception to rejected use would be training that does not impact natural communities that could be conditionally accepted.”
Christina Omran, PWS, FWC Biological Administrator stated, “Since the last 10-year Land Management Plan was approved, newly acquired lands including paved roads optimal for local training activities were added to the Florida Keys WEA. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and FWC Law Enforcement have requested the Plan Amendment as there are limited locations for training in the Florida Keys.” She further noted that these activities would have minimal-to-no impact on wildlife and natural communities.
Training activities will be confined to paved road surfaces within Loop Road in the Johnson Tract.
To obtain a copy of the draft Plan Amendment or provide comments and questions during the public meeting, contact Christina Omran via email at Christina.Omran@MyFWC.com. Additional information including maps and drawings will be available at the meeting.
For more details about this and other upcoming public hearings, visit MyFWC.com/Conservation under "Terrestrial Conservation" then "Management." Hunting and fishing regulations are addressed through separate processes available at MyFWC.com/Hunting or MyFWC.com/Fishing.
According to Chapters 253 and 259 of Florida Statutes, all lands purchased with public funds must have a Land Management Plan ensuring they are managed consistently with their intended purposes.
Public participation is encouraged without regard to race, national origin, sex, religion, disability or family status. Special accommodations can be arranged by notifying FWC five days before the meeting at 850-488-6411 or using Florida Relay Service at either TDD:800-955-8771 or Voice:800-955-8770 for those with hearing or speech impairments. Discrimination concerns can be directed to:
FWC Office of Human Resources
620 S Meridian Street,
Tallahassee, FL 32399
Phone:850-488-6411
Or write to:
Office of Diversity, Inclusion & Civil Rights
Department of the Interior
1849 C Street NW,
Washington D.C., 20240