Two Meetings Scheduled for Environmental Protections for Big Pine Key
Monroe County will host two upcoming community meetings regarding land development regulations and environmental protections affecting Big Pine Key and No Name Key.
AUG. 20 ZOOM PUBLIC MEETING
The first community meeting will be held Thursday, Aug. 20, at 5:05 p.m. via Zoom webinar and will focus specifically on a proposed text amendment to Chapter 122 of the Monroe County Land Development Code. The amendment will document in local code the transition from the expired ITP/HCP to the federal Biological Opinion and the associated U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service requirements, which became effective July 1, 2026. Zoom webinar details can be found at www.monroecounty-fl.gov/calendar or click here on the date and time of the meeting: https://mcbocc.zoom.us/j/82423928601)
The proposed amendment incorporates revised Species Assessment Guides and provisions associated with Condition G of the former ITP into the county's existing permit review process. The draft also carries forward several development and environmental protection provisions specifically applicable to Big Pine Key and No Name Key.
The draft amendment is available for public review on www.monroecounty-fl.gov/planning under the “Pending Applications” page under Text Amendments “File 2026-128, Chapter 122 – LDC.”
This community meeting is the first step in the prescribed Land Development Code amendment process. Staff intends to move the amendment through the process promptly, so the county code reflects the federal review procedures already in effect.
SEPT. 21 IN-PERSON/HYBRID COMMUNITY MEETING
Monroe County will also host a separate in-person/hybrid community meeting on Monday, Sept. 21, at 5:30 p.m., at the Marathon Government Center to discuss additional community requests regarding protections for Big Pine Key and No Name Key. Zoom details for this meeting will also be available at www.monroecounty-fl.gov/calendar closer to the meeting date.
Unlike the Aug. 20 meeting, which is focused on the specific Chapter 122 text amendment, the Sept. 21 meeting will provide an opportunity for broader discussion of potential additional protections and community proposals affecting Big Pine Key and No Name Key.
The two meetings are intended to address the issues separately: the first will document the federal transition that has already occurred, and the second will provide a dedicated forum to consider additional community requests.
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