Article: New tortoise policy could affect developers.

Byline: Ryan Burr

Jun. 25--Northern Bay County often is mentioned as the only place left for growth. But with a lower water table, it also is an ideal habitat for the state-protected gopher tortoise.

Prior to March, encountering a tortoise could greatly complicate development plans. Developers were required to have the tortoises tested for a respiratory illness before relocating them. If the tests came up positive, the only option was to bury or "entomb" the tortoises.

Tortoises could be relocated either on the development, such as on a designated "open space," or off site for smaller projects. The new locations had to adequately contain and ...

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