Franklin County will receive funding for second year of sea turtle protection grant

Franklin County will be able to continue a grant program next year to help protect nesting sea turtles from man-made lights.

Franklin County has one of the larger sea turtle nesting populations on the Gulf Coast.

Sea turtles can be disoriented by house lights and the county has a rule requiring turtle safe lighting on homes along the beach and in other areas that might impact sea turtle nests.

The county ordinance requires sea turtle safe lights and in some cases window tinting on homes near the beach.

County Extension Director Erik Lovestrand said Franklin County has been given approval for the second year of a grant to help bring homes near sea turtle nesting areas into compliance with the lighting ordinance.

The grant, which will be about 50 thousand dollars, will allow the county to hire part-time staff for 6 months to visit homes and businesses that are not currently in compliance and offer assistance in bringing their outdoor lighting into compliance with county rules.

The grant could continue for four years, but it is evaluated every year before the money is approved.

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