Bright lights can disorient nesting sea turtles or the young hatchlings. Escambia County is the only Florida County that has nesting sea turtles that does not have a lighting ordinance to protect them. PBA Beachkeepers has been working with the Escambia County environmental staff on a draft ordinance to make our Beach lights more turtle friendly. Balancing the desire to be more turtle friendly with the desire of some commercial leaseholders to have attractive lighting for their businesses is proving to be a challenge, but good progress is being made.

The process will involve getting approval of the SRIA, the Planning Board, and finally the Escambia County Commissioners.  PBA will keep you informed as to when public hearings will be held.