| The Panama
City Field Office is working with the state Fish and
Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWCC) and Bay County
private landowners to protect the Panama
City Crayfish [PDF], a species that exists only
in a small area of Bay County. The crayfish is listed
as a species of special concern and protected by the
state of Florida, though not by the federal government.
Land development is the primary cause of the species
decline. Since much of the crayfish’s natural
habitat no longer exists, it is necessary to conserve
the remaining habitat.
After a meeting with stakeholders it was decided
that some landowners were interested in pursuing a
Candidate
Conservation Agreement with Assurances (CCAA) [PDF].
This agreement will describe best practices for conservation
and protect private landowners’ voluntary efforts
to preserve the existing crayfish habitat. Documentation
of these practices could eliminate the need to list
the Panama City crayfish under the Federal Endangered
Species Act. |
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