Florida Builders Allowed to Accidentally Kill Endangered Skinks for Housing
Published Date: 12/8/2025
Notice
Summary
Pulte Home Company wants to build a new neighborhood in Polk County, Florida, where two special lizards live—the sand skink and blue-tailed mole skink. They’ve asked for a permit that lets them accidentally affect these lizards while building, but they’ve also made a plan to protect their homes. The public can share thoughts on this plan until January 7, 2026, before any final decisions are made.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Mitigation: 36.8 Acres of Credit Purchase Required
The applicant proposes to mitigate impacts by purchasing credits equivalent to 36.8 acres of skink‑occupied habitat from a Service‑approved conservation bank, and the Service would require the applicant to buy those credits prior to starting any phase of the project.
15‑Year Permit to Convert Skink Habitat
Pulte Home Company applied for a 15‑year incidental take permit to allow accidental take of the threatened sand skink and blue‑tailed mole skink during construction of a multi‑family development in Polk County, Florida. The application covers conversion of about 18.4 acres of occupied skink habitat within a 295.00‑acre project site, and the public comment period closes January 7, 2026.
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