We, the undersigned residents of Okaloosa County draw the attention of the Board to the following:

Okaloosa County is one of five remaining Florida counties without a lighting ordinance to protect sea turtle nesting grounds. Okaloosa county provides twenty-four miles of nesting beaches to logger head turtles (threatened), green turtles (threatened), and leatherback turtles (endangered), according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Lighting ordinances for nesting areas help increase the likelihood of hatchling survival, as researched by University of Florida. Sea turtles play a crucial role in marine and beach ecosystems including controlling the population of havoc wreaking jellyfish, maintaining sea grass beds vital to other species, and providing nutrients for growing dune vegetation along our beaches. (NOAA)

THEREFORE, your petitioners request the Okaloosa County Board of Commissioners create and implement a light ordinance to protect sea turtle nesting grounds along the beaches of Okaloosa County.