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The objective of the Palm Beach County Manatee Protection Plan (MPP) is to improve overall protection for manatees while ensuring adequate public access to County waterways. Its primary goal is to establish guidelines and policies that direct new (or expanded) boating facilities to areas posing the least risk to manatees and away from areas of relatively high risk. Other goals include protecting manatee habitat, promoting boating safety, and increasing public awareness of the need to protect manatees and their habitat. The Palm Beach County MPP relies heavily on education and enforcement as a means of protecting manatees within the County and mitigating for the effects of new boat slips. The plan covers all estuarine waters and the portion of Lake Okeechobee within Palm Beach County.

The plan was approved by the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners on August 21, 2007. Municipalities are encouraged to adopt the plan as part of their Comprehensive Land Use Plans.

Technical Resources

• Palm Beach County Manatee Protection Plan [12.3 MB]
• Status Report for the 2010-2011 Manatee Season

• Call for Presentations for FLERA's 2012 Conference.
• See the latest edition of Environmental Times, Spring 2012 ![PDF]
• The numbers are in! See what ERM Volunteers Accomplished in 2011.[PDF]
• ERM launches "Explore a County Natural Area" at your local library.
• Memorial Benches can now be donated for placement in PBC Natural Areas.[PDF]
• Online Ibis Isle Restoration Project Slide Show with Audio [PDF/5 MB/5 minutes]
• Stay up to date with the Department's Monthly Status Reports. [PDF]