Prohibited Activities

Prohibition of Activities Disruptive to Sea Turtles

(a) Horseback riding, campfires, and vehicular traffic are prohibited in nesting areas during the nesting season.  The only exceptions are emergency and law enforcement vehicles, vehicles authorized for marine turtle conservation or research on the beach, and vehicles used for beach cleaning according to section 13-65, which outlines standards for mechanical beach cleaning.

(b) It is strictly forbidden to store or place any materials within the nesting area.  This includes but is not limited to, construction material, rip-rap, trash and debris, mulch or other organic material, landscaping material, fill, vehicles, or boats that could hinder the movement of hatchlings or adult turtles between the ocean and nesting areas, or potentially cover existing nests or nesting sites.

(c) Development activities must adhere to a minimum setback of fifty (50) feet from any area that currently serves or has the potential to serve as a nesting area for marine turtles.  The measurement for the setback will be taken from the landward toe of the furthest beach berm or from a distance of fifty (50) feet landward of the mean high water (MHW), whichever results in a smaller total setback.  The maximum allowable setback from MHW is one hundred (100) feet.