Defenders of Wildlife wants our help to expand the proposed critical habitat for manatees. The current habitat designation has not been reevaluated since first established fifty years ago. Land use has changed greatly and habitat designation should follow. The current designation focuses on coastal areas, limited to 25 miles up river.
Why this matters to our Santa Fe River basin? During the winter months Manatees travel 60 miles up the Suwannee River and 7 miles up the Santa Fe River to reach the Ichetucknee Spring Run. When water levels permit, Manatees have been sighted as far up river to Gilchrist Blue and Rum Island, another five miles upriver. Historically, Manatees did not travel into the springs this far north, though they are now a frequent presence. This petition also argues that an expansion of Manatee habitat should also include “the entirety of the Ocklawaha River into the St. Johns River” as it is a “major travel corridor for the species and provides access to several natural warm-water sites and foraging areas.”
Here is a link to the petition. The comment period closes 1/24/2025 , submit earlier to avoid any technical issues with the federal register site around the inauguration. Read more about the updated proposed critical habitat designation here: Home and Habitat for Florida Manatees: A 1976 Renovation | Defenders of Wildlife
OSFR President Joanne Tremblay
joanne.tremblay@oursantaferiver.org
“Giving Our River A Voice”
