Florida Storage Wars: Permits to Save Skinks from Bulldozers
Published Date: 3/5/2026
Notice
Summary
Rizzzo Self Storage wants to build a new storage facility in Highlands County, Florida, which might affect two rare lizards: the sand skink and blue-tailed mole skink. They’ve applied for a special permit that lets them do this while following a plan to protect the lizards’ habitat. The public can share their thoughts by April 6, 2026, before any final decisions are made.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Developer must buy conservation credits
The applicant plans to convert about 0.88 acres of occupied sand skink and blue-tailed mole skink habitat on a 5.92-acre parcel to build a self-storage facility. The applicant must mitigate by purchasing credits equal to 1.76 acres of skink-occupied habitat from a Service-approved conservation bank, and the Service would require purchase of those credits before engaging in any phase of the project.
5-year permit preliminarily low-effect
The applicant requested a 5-year incidental take permit (section 10(a)(1)(B)) to authorize take of the sand skink and blue-tailed mole skink incidental to construction and operation. The Fish and Wildlife Service preliminarily determined the requested permit would be a low-effect ITP that may qualify for a categorical exclusion under NEPA (516 DM 8.5(C)(2)), based on negligible or minor effects and no extraordinary circumstances.
Public comment deadline April 6, 2026
You may review the incidental take permit application, the proposed habitat conservation plan, and the draft NEPA screening form and submit written comments online or by mail. The Service must receive all written comments on or before April 6, 2026 (Docket No. FWS-R4-ES-2025-1595 on regulations.gov).
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