Occasionally a County will require that a consultant perform a Gopher Tortoise Survey prior to issuing construction or clearing permits if they think that there may be potential tortoise habitat within their property.  Gopher Tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) prefer moderate to excessively drained sandy soils with sparse tree canopies and abundant herbaceous vegetation.  The tortoise burrows are crescent shaped openings with sandy aprons.  The gopher tortoise is considered a keystone species because more than 350 different species use their burrows for refuge.  Some of these species are listed Federally as Endangered or Threatened and are reliant on the tortoise burrows for survival. Consequently, the tortoises are listed as Threatened with the State of Florida.  

Potential development impacts on gopher tortoise are regulated by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).  The FWC's 2017 gopher tortoise guidelines require that an undisturbed, 25-foot buffer be maintained around the entrance of any occupied or potentially occupied burrow during site construction. If you cannot avoid the 25-foot buffer area then you must obtain a permit from FWC to relocate the tortoise to an avoided area onsite or to an approved offsite recipient site.

Verde routinely performs Gopher Tortoise Surveys throughout Central and North Florida for it's clients.  Usually, this service can be added to wetland delineation or tree survey for less than $200.   

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