Licensed Mangrove Trimming Lower Florida Keys

Mangrove Trimming and Alteration Regualtions:

The law regulating the trimming and alteration of mangroves

(The Mangrove Trimming and Preservation Act) was amended by the 1996

Florida Legislature and became effective July 1, 1996, replacing all previous state regulations regarding the trimming and alteration of mangroves. The Department of Environmental Protection (department) has been given the responsibility of implementing the new law.

Mangrove Functions and Values

Mangroves trap and cycle various organic materials, chemical elements, and important nutrients in the coastal ecosystem. Mangroves provide one of the basic food chain resources for marine organisms.   Mangroves provide physical habitat and nursery grounds for a wide variety of marine organisms, many of which have important recreational or commercial value. Mangroves serve as roosting and nesting sites for many of our birds.   Mangroves serve as storm buffers by reducing wind and wave action in shallow shoreline areas. Mangroves assist in protecting water quality and clarity by filtering runoff and trapping sediments and debris from adjacent uplands.   Through a combination of the above functions, mangroves contribute significantly to the economy of many coastal counties of Florida and the State of Florida.

Mangrove Trimming and Permitting Requirements

No permit is required for a property owner, or someone the property owner supervises, to trim mangroves located in a riparian mangrove fringe on property they own or control or on sovereign submerged lands (see next paragraph), if the current height of the trees do not exceed 10 feet in height (measured from the soil to the tallest point of the tree). These trees may be trimmed down to a height of no less than 6 feet (measured from the soil to the top of the trimmed tree) by the property owner or someone they supervise. If the mangrove trees are taller than 10 feet, the property owner must use a professional mangrove trimmer to trim the trees. Trees must not be trimmed below a height of six feet. If the shoreline along the riparian owners property exceeds 150 feet in length, no more than 65% of the mangroves along the shoreline may be trimmed.

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Key West  •  Big Pine Key •  Summerland Key •  Big Coppitt Key •  Marathon  •  Sugarloaf Key  • Cudjoe Key

Any Questions?  Call for More Information on Required Permitting for Trimming Mangroves in the Lower Florida Keys..

Nicholas Downs Florida State Certified Arborist

(305) 432-1764