FRANKLIN COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY PET OF THE WEEK

BELLA is a gorgeous 4 year old dog. She had a rough start in life but has maintained her sweet nature. She is strong and smart and just beautiful to look at. It's time for her to know what a loving family and home feels like. Are you able to provide her that?

We are always looking for people willing to bring one of our

animals into their home to be fostered for various needs. Anytime you

can spare would be greatly appreciated.

Call Karen at 670-8417 for more details or visit the Franklin County

Humane Society at 244 State Road 65 in Eastpoint. You may logon to

the website at www.forgottenpets.org to see more of our adoptable

pets.

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Florida DEP permit activity for Franklin and Gulf Counties

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF Environmental Protection Bob Martinez Center 2600 Blair Stone Road Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2400

Ron DeSantis Governor Jeanette Nuñez Lt. Governor Noah Valenstein Secretary

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Permitting Application Subscription Service Subscriber email address: manager@oysterradio.com   Profile Name: Oyster Radio Permit: Water - ERP Noticed General Permit Project Name: PLEASANT REST ROAD BORROW PIT Location Id: 376538 Location Name: Pleasant Rest Road Borrow Pit County: Gulf Application Number: 376538-001 For further information, please contact the Northwest District permitting office in Pensacola at (850) 595-8300 Permit: Water - ERP Noticed General Permit Project Name: WEDDINGTON DOCK AND BOAT LIFT Location Id: 376562 Location Name: WEDDINGTON DOCK AND BOAT LIFT County: Franklin Application Number: 376562-001 For further information, please contact the Northwest District permitting office in Pensacola at (850) 595-8300

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Forestry officials are urging residents across Northwest Florida to be careful with any outdoor burning over the Memorial Day holidays

 Forestry officials are urging residents across Northwest Florida to be careful with any outdoor burning over the Memorial Day holidays.
A prolonged dry spell has put the Florida Panhandle at an escalated risk of wildfires plus hurricane Michael left plenty of dead trees and other items that could help wildfires spread more quickly than in previous years.

To minimize the wildfire risk, officials are asking residents and visitors to do their part, including

Never leave any fire unattended and make sure you have a hose nearby

Call 911 immediately if your fire escapes for quick firefighters’ response and also report any suspicious fire by calling 911.

Do not burn yard waste during dry, windy conditions, and do not toss cigarettes or other lighted materials out of car windows.

Moreover, homeowners are reminded to clear leaves and pine needles from their roof and gutters, remove dead vegetation from around the home and trim trees and limbs within 15 foot of a chimney.

To see the locations of all active wildfires in Florida, the public can download the “FLBurnTools” app in Apple’s App Store or on Google Play. 

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The Franklin County High school class of 2019 will graduate tonight

The Franklin County High school class of 2019 will graduate tonight.

In all 60 seniors will get their diplomas.

There are two valedictorians this year, Chloe Taylor Davis and Mikalin Reese Huckeba.

Salutatorian is Jessica Victoria Rudd.

Some of the seniors are not only graduating with their high school diplomas, but 10 of them have also received their Associates degree from Gulf Coast State College.

The Graduation ceremony is open to the public.

Graduation will begin at 7PM and will be held at the Franklin County School gym.

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Florida Forest Service ceases burn authorizations until further notices

SOUTHPORT, Fla. – The Florida Forest Service, Chipola Forestry Center, has ceased issuing authorizations for all outdoor burning until further notice. Effected areas include Bay, Gulf, Calhoun and Jackson Counties.

Critical fire weather and increasing dry conditions have created an elevated risk for wildfire potential. Hurricane Michael caused difficult conditions for firefighters to access and suppress wildfires in the major impact zone. This combination has increased threat to wildfire severity.

Residents in the effected counties will not have authorization to conduct any outdoor burning of “yard debris”, pile burns, and silvicultural burns. Extreme caution should be followed when conducting any campfires, outdoor cooking, and the use of legal fireworks. Authorizations will not be issued in the effected counties until weather conditions improve.

The Florida Forest Service, a division of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, manages more than 1 million acres of state forests and provides forest management assistance on more than 17 million acres of private and community forests. The Florida Forest Service is also responsible for protecting homes, forestland and natural resources from the devastating effects of wildfire on more than 26 million acres. Learn more at www.FloridaForestService.com.

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There is now a Little Free Library at the Coastline RV park in Eastpoint.

 There is now a Little Free Library at the Coastline RV park in Eastpoint.

The Little Free Library is a free lending library which anyone can use 

It allows people to take a book and then share the book or return it to the Little Library for someone else to enjoy. 

There are other Little Free Library locations around the county including Chillas Hall in Lanark Village ,two on St. George Island at 36 West Pine Avenue and at 772 East Gulf Bach Drive and at Alligator Point at 127 Harbor Circle.

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One of the main buyers of Franklin County's recycling is urging the county to keep the program running with a few changes

One of the main buyers of Franklin County's recycling is urging the county to keep the program running with a few changes.

Franklin County is considering ending the recycling program because it is not really making any money, and it's being abused by people who use the county recycling bins as personal trash cans.

The County solid waste director said his department collects a thousand pounds of household trash for every 100 pounds of recycling in the bins.

Frank L esharow, a senior account manager with Gripe Recycling said Franklin county is facing many of the same problems that other small towns and counties are.

The price of recycling has dropped substantially in recent months because China is no longer accepting recycled materials, but he expects the prices to rise again as more domestic markets open up.

He also pointed out that since Franklin County cannot pay to man the recycling bins that the county use a central location that can be manned to cut down on the amount of household trash that is mixed with the recycled materials.

There was also some discussion of a mobile unit that could make it easier for people to recycle without having to travel to a central location.



The county commission said it will give the issue much closer review at budget time.


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News to use, and a weekend for reflection..... Carrabelle Chamber of commerce E-Newsletter for May 24th

   News to use, and a weekend for reflection..... Carrabelle Chamber of commerce E-Newsletter for May 24th by Michael Allen on Scribd

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It will be harder for some people with mobility issues to get to local beaches through sea turtle nesting season.

It will be harder for some people with mobility issues to get to local beaches through sea turtle nesting season.

Franklin County is working to make local dune walkovers more safe after the damage they incurred during Hurricane Michael but they work the can do is limited because of sea turtle nesting season.

Many of the walkovers in the county had to be rebuilt after hurricane Michael.

They were rebuilt to the same specifications as they were before the storm because the county didn't have the needed state permits to build them differently .

The problem is the storm reconfigured the profile of the beach so the rebuilt walkovers are steeper than they were before the storm.

That has led to some accidents and injuries.

Now the county wants to rebuild the walkovers so they aren't as steep, but because its sea turtle nesting season that cant do the work.

The best they can do at this time is level the walkovers and put stairs at the end of each one.

That is going to make it more difficult, if not impossible, for some handicapped people to access the beach.

The commission says it will put signs at the entrance to each walkover saying that they are not handicapped accessible.

They intend to fix the accessibility issue as soon as sea turtle nesting season ends at the end of October.

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The Franklin County Commission is throwing its support behind a proposal to teach local students to fly drones

 The Franklin County Commission is throwing its support behind a proposal to teach local students to fly drones.

The Franklin County School System is seeking about 1.2 million dollars through TRIUMPH Gulf Coast to implement a 5 year program training students for unmanned flights.

The Drone industry is one of the fastest growing in the country as drones are used by military, forestry, search and rescue, real estate, and many other occupations.

The money would cover all expenses to run, set up and maintain the program and the equipment for five years, after which the school system believes the income from the certifications earned should make the program sustainable.

Students will be earning certifications that could lead to immediate employment in a field with earning potentials much greater than those normally available to them.

The request is still in the pre-application phase, so the county commission has agreed to write a letter of support which should help the application process.

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Oyster Aquaculture Certificate Program

Florida A & M Univesity (FAMU) Cooperative Extension’s Incubator/Accelerator Program in Franklin County is looking to sponsor four (4) individuals who would like to attend the Wakulla Environmental Institute’s (WEI) oyster aquaculture certificate program free of charge. The program start date will be in September 2019. If you live in Franklin County and has worked in the seafood industry, you are eligible to apply. To apply, please contact David Walker, FAMU’s Franklin County Incubator/Accelerator Project Coordinator at 850-228-9252 or via email at david.walker3@famu.edu. The deadline to contact David Walker is May 28, 2019. Below is a link regarding the program.

https://www.tcc.fl.edu/about/locations/wakulla-environmental-institute/wei-programs/oyster-aquaculture/

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NOAA Fisheries FishNews – May 22, 2019

MAY 22, 2019

Highlights Video: NOAA Fisheries and the Endangered Species Act Last Friday was Endangered Species Day. The Endangered Species Act was established in 1973 to conserve threatened and endangered species and their ecosystems. Under that law, NOAA Fisheries works every day to protect, conserve, and recover our nation’s marine life. Hawaiian Monk Seal Rehab and Recovery NOAA scientists are working with partners to rehabilitate and vaccinate endangered Hawaiian monk seals in an effort to recover the species. A new podcast interviews Dr. Charles Littman, lead scientist of NOAA’s Hawaiian Monk Seal Research Program, and veterinarian Michelle Barbieri to learn more about these recovery actions. 10 Reasons King Crabs Rule Red king crab support important commercial fisheries off Alaska. Did you know they can live up to 20 to 30 years? Read 10 facts about king crabs and their role in Alaska. And for even more information on red king crab, visit their species profile on FishWatch.gov. Chesapeake Bay Office Report to Congress NOAA’s Chesapeake Bay Office recently submitted its Biennial Report to Congress, which is now available online. The report describes our efforts in habitat restoration, fisheries research, Bay watershed education, and oceanographic observations that have led to lasting improvements for the health of the Chesapeake Bay.

Alaska Science Blog: Spring Survey to Study Larval Fish in Gulf of Alaska This month, researchers from the Alaska Fisheries Science Center are sailing aboard NOAA Ship Oscar Dysonto survey ichthyoplankton in the Gulf of Alaska between the Shumagin Islands and Shelikof Strait. Scientists will survey a variety of species, but they are particularly focused on larval walleye pollock. Aleutian Islands Are a Hotspot for Sea Life Alaska’s Aleutian Islands are a remarkable place with a rich biodiversity, a trait more commonly associated with tropical ecosystems. Learn six cool facts about this remote area. Second Dead Whale in Turnagain Arm NOAA Fisheries and partners are monitoring the position of a dead gray whale reported in Turnagain Arm near Anchorage. It’s the second dead large whale in the area this month. NOAA Fisheries is monitoring a spike in gray whale mortalities along the West Coast this spring.

West Coast Aerial Images Document Orca’s Decline Scientists from the Southwest Fisheries Science Center and partner organization SR3 collect high-resolution aerial images of Southern Resident killer whales. Recent images show that the conditions of adult female J17, and her daughter J53, are declining. We do not plan to intervene but will continue to evaluate options. Community Art Inspires Salmon Conservation in Seattle In Seattle’s largest urban stream, Thornton Creek, salmon struggle for survival. NOAA Fisheries’ West Coast Region and the Pacific Northwest College of Art worked with artists and community groups to highlight the salmon in Thornton Creek through the Science in Studio Program.

Pacific Islands Motherload: The Story of a Fertile Turtle Last October, Hurricane Walaka washed away an important nesting beach for Hawaiian green sea turtles. Curious to see where female turtles would lay their eggs, NOAA researchers tagged a “gravid” (ready to breed) sea turtle on the North Shore of Oahu before she headed out to find a mate and then a suitable nesting site. Researchers Embark to Study Monk Seals and Sea Turtles NOAA Ship Oscar Elton Sette embarked on a 27-day research expedition throughout the main and Northwestern Hawaiian Islands to support research and recovery of endangered Hawaiian monk seals and threatened green sea turtles. The ship will deploy scientists to field camps in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands for the next 4 months.

Southeast Modifications to Sea Turtle Release Gear Regulations NOAA Fisheries announced new modifications to sea turtle release gear for the reef fish fishery in the Gulf of Mexico. These include three newly approved sea turtle release devices, and clarifications to regulations. South Atlantic Council Seeks Executive Director The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, headquartered in North Charleston, South Carolina, seeks applicants for the position of Executive Director. Applications are due June 21.

Greater Atlantic Correction: Cod and Haddock Measures By May 28, please submit your comments on proposed 2019 recreational measures for cod and haddock in the Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank. The original version of this proposed rule included a transcription error in Table 2 regarding the recommended minimum size for Gulf of Maine haddock; this updated Federal Register noticecorrects that table. Proposed 2019 Recreational Summer Flounder Measures – Open for Public Comment By June 3, please submit your comments on proposed recreational fishery management measures for the 2019 summer flounder fishery. We propose continuing the conservation equivalency approach for the fishery, in which states or regions develop measures that will achieve the necessary levels of conservation. While this rulemaking is underway, a final interim rule revises the 2019 summer flounder specifications to reflect the results of the most recent benchmark assessment. Watch Out for Whales South of Nantucket NOAA Fisheries established two new voluntary vessel speed restriction zones to protect North Atlantic right whales spotted on May 15 and 16. A total of four zones are now in effect. Mariners are requested to route around these areas or transit through them at 10 knots or less.

Upcoming Deadlines June 21: Applications due for the position of Executive Director of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council.

Upcoming Events May 23: Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Advisory Panel meeting in Silver Spring, Maryland. May 23: Free Atlantic Shark Identification workshop in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. June 3–6: Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council meeting in Miramar Beach, Florida. June 3–10: North Pacific Fishery Management Council meeting in Sitka, Alaska. June 4: Deepwater Horizon Open Ocean Trustees’ public engagement opportunities in Pensacola, Florida. June 4–6: Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council meeting in New York City. June 6: Deepwater Horizon Trustee Council annual public meeting in Pensacola, Florida. June 7 and 10: Two free Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification workshops in Massachusetts and Maryland. June 10–14: South Atlantic Fishery Management Council meeting in Stuart, Florida. June 11–13: New England Fishery Management Council meeting in Portland, Maine. June 19–25: Pacific Fishery Management Council meeting in San Diego. June 20: Free Atlantic Shark Identification workshop in Manahawkin, New Jersey. June 24–27: Western Pacific Fishery Management Council meeting in Honolulu.

Federal Register Actions Visit NOAA Fisheries' Rules & Regulations web page to learn more about recently proposed and finalized regulations in your region.

Corrections or technical questions should be sent to the FishNews Editor at editor.fishnews@noaa.gov. www.fisheries.noaa.gov

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