1/16/20 @ 12:45 p.m. - On Thursday, January 9th, Senator Bean held a special ceremony at Station 20 to share information on a recently passed bill, CS/CS/SB "Firefighters", which will help firefighters diagnosed with cancer receive disability benefits. He also announced a new bill for the 2020 Legislation Session, SB 1092 and HB 487, "Fire Presentation and Control", which if approved, will create a Firefighter Cancer Decontamination Equipment Grant Program. 

Guest speakers at the event included: Nassau County Fire Chief, Brady Rigdon; Senator Aaron Bean; State Representative Cord Byrd; Commissioner Justin Taylor; Fire Union Local 3101 President, Darron Ayscue; and event organizer, Ashley Harvey.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

1/6/20 @ 4:10 p.m. - Attached is a Press Release regarding a special recognition event taking place this week to share information on a successfully passed bill, CS/CS/SB 526 "Firefighters" which will help firefighters diagnosed with cancer receive disability payments. In addition, Senator Bean and Representative Fetterhoff will unveil their new bill for the 2020 legislative session, SB 1092 and HB 487 "Fire Presentation and Control", relating to decontamination of firefighter equipment.

The event will take place this Thursday, January 9, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. at Station 20 located at 5518 First Coast Highway, Fernandina Beach. The public is welcome to attend.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

10/17/19 at 3:00 p.m. - Governor DeSantis has issued a Memorandum in accordance with a Proclamation from President Trump that all flags shall be flown at half staff on Friday, October 18, 2019, in honor of United States Representative, Elijah Cummings, who passed away this morning.

Please click here to view the Proclamation displayed on the White House's webpage.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

9/24/19 - State Representative Cord Byrd, Chair of the Nassau County Legislative Delegation, has issued a Press Release regarding a Nassau County Legislative Delegation Meeting taking place on Wednesday, October 9,2 019 at 4:00 p.m.

September 24, 2019                                                                                 Contact: Dee Alexander                                                                             904-757-5039

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Nassau County Legislative Delegation Chair, Representative Cord Byrd, Announces Delegation Meeting
 
YULEE, FL – State Representative Cord Byrd, Chair of the Nassau County Legislative Delegation, announces the Organizational Meeting for Wednesday, October 9, 2019 from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. in the Nassau County Commission Chambers. The chamber is located in the James S. Page Governmental Complex at 96135 Nassau Pl., Yulee, Florida.
 
The purpose of this delegation meeting is to elect the incoming 2019-2020 Delegation Chair and Vice Chair, and to take public input. Interested citizens wishing to be placed on the agenda for the October 9th public meeting are asked to contact Senator Bean’s Office at 904-757-5039, prior to close of business Friday, October 4, 2019.
 
All materials or handouts for this meeting should be sent to Senator Bean’s Office no later than Friday, October 4, 2019.  Information can be mailed to 13453 North Main St., Suite 301, Jacksonville, FL 32218 or emailed to Dee Alexander at alexander.dee@flsenate.gov
 
In accordance with the ADA and Chapter 286.26, Florida Statutes, persons in need of special accommodations to participate in the meeting, including agendas, interpreters or assisted listening devices, should contact Senator Bean’s Office no later than October 4, 2019.
 
For additional information, contact Dee Alexander, Chief Legislative Aide for Senator Bean at 904-757-5039 or email at alexander.dee@flsenate.gov
 
All Nassau County Legislative Delegation meetings are open to the public.
 
 

9/3/19 @ 11:10 a.m. The Attorney General's Office established a hotline where residents can report price gouging. So far, they have received more than 2,000 reports for items such as gasoline, food, water and even hotel rooms. 

Price gouging during an emergency is illegal. Residents are encouraged to report price gouging by calling 1-866-966-7226 or through the Attorney General's website. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

9/1/19 @ 11:45 a.m. -The Florida Association of Counties has provided an update on how the State is preparing for Hurricane Dorian. 

​Evacuations

• The following counties have issued voluntary evacuations:
• Osceola County – Voluntary
• Palm Beach County – Voluntary
• Glades County – Voluntary
• Hendry County – Voluntary/Phased
• More information on evacuations can be found at www.floridadisaster.org/info.

Telecommunications

• To help residents and emergency personnel stay connected in the wake of Hurricane Dorian, Comcast has announced it is opening its network of almost 200,000 Xfinity WiFi hotspots throughout Florida to anyone who needs them, including non-Xfinity customers, free of charge.
• The Department of Management Services (DMS) has set up an emergency telecommunications provider coordination group to ensure coordinated recovery efforts to aid in the emergency response and recovery after the storm has passed.
• There are almost 28,000 linemen, tree crews, and support personnel staged around Florida to help quickly restore power.
• Verizon is offering unlimited calling, texting and data for customers in the path of the hurricane. Verizon’s prepaid, postpaid and small-business customers in the path of the hurricane will have unlimited calling, data and texting from September 2nd – September 9th.
• AT&T announced it’s waiving data overages in affected Florida areas from September 2 – September 8.

Fuel

• Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) is escorting fuel trucks to ensure fuel reaches critical areas more quickly. The State is working closely with the fuel industry to ensure there is an adequate fuel supply statewide.
• Through Executive Order 19-189, Governor DeSantis waived hours of service and truck weights for fuel trucks. Neighboring states, specifically Alabama, Mississippi and Georgia have waived requirements as well so that fuel can be moved more quickly and efficiently.
• The State of Florida is working with industry partners to identify additional resources, including trucks, staff, etc. to distribute more fuel throughout the state.
• Florida officials are working with ports along the East Coast of Florida to monitor resources and assist with closures and re-openings.

Food and Water

• The State has 819,000 gallons of water and 1.8 million meals ready for distribution.
• The State has submitted a request to FEMA for 9 million liters of water and 6.5 million shelf-stable meals.
• The State has pre-deployed 860,000 bottles of water to preparing counties.
• The State has 730,000 pounds of ice ready for distribution.

Military Support

• Governor DeSantis has authorized the activation of 2,500 Florida National Guard troops, with an additional 1,500 awaiting orders.
• The Florida National Guard is currently staffing and supporting the State Logistics Readiness Center (SLRC) in Orlando, and providing LNOs to 19 counties.
• Through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), the Florida National Guard has coordinated for support from Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Wisconsin, Tennessee, Texas, and Nebraska to augment our air and ground capabilities.
• The Florida National Guard is well-equipped, with assets including high-wheeled vehicles, helicopters, boats, generators and more.

Safety & Security

• 20 Urban Search and Rescue Teams are on standby for deployment.
• HazMat Teams have been identified across 12 departments that will be available for response.
• 6 FEMA Urban Search and Rescue Teams are on standby.

Law Enforcement

• More than 1,000 state sworn law enforcement officers are on standby for potential deployment.
• The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) has prepared its emergency response equipment and resources for staging as the storm approaches the state.
• FHP has activated 12-hour Alpha/Bravo shifts for approximately 1,400 Troopers in the Eastern portions of the state.
• FHP deployed three aircraft to monitor traffic over I75, I95 and Florida’s Turnpike.
• FHP has 68 Quick Reaction Force (QRF) Troopers on standby for pre-deployment.
• FHP is also in contact with its local law enforcement and transportation partners to identify and assist with any local needs before, during and after the storm.
• FHP is providing 2 Troopers for security at each of the 8 Service Plazas on the Florida Turnpike to expedite service at the fuel pumps.
• Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Florida Licensing on Wheels (FLOW) mobiles have been prepared and are ready to deploy and serve impacted customers immediately following the storm.
• The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is preparing officers and resources for potential deployments in the coming days. They are using a variety of specialized equipment, including shallow draft boats, ATVs, airboats and four-wheel drive vehicles.
• FDLE’s mutual aid team is leading Florida’s law enforcement response coordinating around 30 missions including fuel delivery escorts and identifying pre-staging areas.
• FDLE is pre-positioning logistics teams along Florida’s East coast who are ready to respond after the storm makes landfall.
• FDLE is pre-positioning a mobile communications team to ensure emergency communications continue following the storm.

Transportation & Public Works

• Contractors on all construction projects have secured work sites, clearing traffic control devices that are not actively being used to direct traffic and continue to check drainage systems.
• All available lanes will remain open on the interstate system.
• FDOT is operating the I-595 Express lanes in the westbound direction until Hurricane Dorian has passed. Eastbound traffic will continue to use the general-purpose eastbound lanes throughout this period.
• Director Moskowitz has temporarily waived Florida statute section 489.113 (11), allowing local governments to direct the securing of cranes.
• FDOT is working with state and local officials to assess the current situation and needs and holding teleconferences with the FDOT district offices.
• Florida’s 511 Traveler Information System is one of the most effective ways drivers can keep informed about the state’s roadways during severe weather.
• Contractors on all construction projects are securing work sites, clearing traffic control devices that are not actively being used to direct traffic, and checking drainage systems.
• All available lanes will remain open on the interstate system in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco and Hernando counties.
• The I-4 construction project team has completed emergency preparation plans to ensure safety and mobility prior to, and after, this anticipated event.
• This includes following approved procedures to secure or remove traffic barrels, barricades, temporary signage, and any other items that might be affected by strong winds.
• Areas vulnerable to flooding and/or erosion are being checked, evaluated, and monitored.
• Equipment such as trucks, excavators, bulldozers, and portable pumps and generators are being checked and fueled.
• FDOT has announced that the I-595 Express Lanes will operate in the westbound direction today until Hurricane Dorian has passed. Eastbound traffic will continue to use the general-purpose eastbound lanes throughout this period.
• The Florida Department of Management Services (DMS) is preparing all state-owned buildings along the east coast for possible severe weather. Updates of state office closures will be updated DMS’ website as soon as more information is available here.
• The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is redirecting resources from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to Florida.
• The Corps has received a FEMA Regional Activation Mission Assignment to provide an ESF 3 (Public Works & Engineering) team leader, assistant team leader and subject matter expert on debris, infrastructure assessments and water/wastewater.
• The Corps also received a mission assignment for temporary roofing planning, temporary emergency power, temporary public facilities and debris planning.
• Lake Okeechobee is at 13.71 feet as of August 31, 2019.
• The U.S. Army Corps expects the lake to rise about 2 feet because of Hurricane Dorian. The Corps continues to indicate they are not concerned about Herbert Hoover Dike integrity and potential storm surge on the lake.
• During the storm, the U.S. Army Corps is not releasing water. After the storm, we expect the Corps to make releases through St. Lucie/Caloosahatchee.
• The Corps is continuing to monitor their construction sites around the Lake with each storm update and informing Emergency Managers of its condition.

Public Health & Medical

• The Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) has activated the Emergency Status System (ESS) for health care facilities statewide to enter their storm preparedness status including generators and utility company information, emergency contacts, and bed availability.
• Information about nursing homes and assisted living facilities generator status can be found here: http://fl-generator.com/.
• Of the 3,062 licensed assisted living facilities (ALF) in Florida, 2,963 facilities have a generator and must have the generator onsite as a result of the state of emergency. Four facilities have emergency plans to evacuate if needed. AHCA is conducting extensive outreach with these facilities to ensure generators are being acquired or there are appropriate plans to evacuate in place.
• AHCA is deploying staff to any facility in the coastal counties for which we do not have current updated information on their generator status.
• 684 nursing homes have a generator and must have the generator onsite as a result of the state of emergency, and 3 facilities have emergency plans to evacuate if needed.
• AHCA is participating in daily calls with the Florida Health Care Association and all residential and inpatient healthcare facilities, and the Florida Hospital Association and all hospitals.
• The Department of Health (DOH) currently has no active boil water notices. However, it has two webpages that will be updated in real-time as notices are issued.
• Normal version here.
• Low-bandwidth version here.
• DOH is actively communicating with County Health Departments (CHDs) to pre-identify and pre-stage resources.
• DOH is monitoring availability for 10 Nursing Strike Teams, 10 Medical Task Forces and 10 Ambulance Strike Teams through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC).
• DOH has conducted outreach to all 280 EMS providers in Florida to determine availability of ambulance strike teams.
• DOH has distributed general sanitation messaging to CHDs for all shelters through MassCare, encouraging disinfection of restrooms at least once a day.
• DOH has requested 390 EMS resources through the National EMS Contract for ambulances and para-transit vehicles.
• 150 personnel, including nursing staff, has been mobilized to assist special-needs shelters.
• DOH has requested 10 Nursing Strike Teams through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC).
• DOH is drop-shipping 2,365 doses of Narcan to all 67 County Health Departments to be distributed to all shelters. Additionally, DOH is distributing fact sheets to shelters to educate how to recognize signs of an overdose.
• DOH is coordinating with fuel vendors, who are prepared to support all hospitals and assisted living facilities (ALS) in the potential areas of impact.
• DOH is opening special needs shelters in potentially impacted counties between 8:00 a.m. Saturday and 1:00 p.m. Sunday depending on the county. For special needs shelter locations and contact information by county, click here.
• 319 ambulances are staged throughout Florida ready to assist with health care facility evacuations.
• Disaster Medical Assistance Teams (DMAT) Task Forces are also strategically placed throughout the state to provide emergency medical support to hospitals.
• The Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) has reached out to group homes in the counties potentially impacted by the storm to ensure all the necessary steps have been taken to ensure the health and safety of APD customers.
• APD is monitoring the storm and regularly sharing information with employees, stakeholders, waiver support coordinators, and providers to ensure the health and safety of the customers the agency serves.
• APD Waiver Support Coordinators and providers have contacted individuals in independent living to ensure proper safety measures are being taken.
• APD’s Recovery Toolkit at www.apdcares.org provides the last information about the hurricane, disaster preparations and resources after the storm.
• The APD state-run facilities located in Gainesville, Chattahoochee, and Marianna have secured homes, buildings, vehicles, and grounds in preparation for the approaching storm.
• The Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs (FDVA) operates six skilled nursing facilities and one assisted living facility. All state veterans’ homes are currently operational.
• A toll-free number has been established for veterans who receive care in the impacted area. Call 1-800-507-4571 to receive information on where to go for care, how to receive prescription drugs, or any other concerns they may have about their care. The phone line will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
• The Department of Elder Affairs (DOEA) continues efforts assist elderly and disabled clients who are most at risk in advance of the storm, including those with limited mobility, oxygen dependence, or other accessibility challenges. We are working with our local service providers to assist in transporting clients to emergency shelters, as appropriate.
• DOEA has provided shelf-stable meals and home-delivered meal clients throughout the state. Additional meal orders and deliveries will be coordinated as the needs after the storm’s landfall are more fully realized.
• DOEA is sharing information with clients regarding DCF’s announcement of the early release for September’s SNAP Food Assistance Benefits.
• Florida’s PACE (Programs for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) Organizations continue preparations for the storm and stand ready to assist.
• DOEA continues to work with partners like Feeding Florida to identify and respond to unmet needs, including enacting a mission to provide water where requested.
• Using mapping software that links client addresses with FEMA evacuation zones, DOEA has provided data to the AAAs for elderly and disabled clients who reside in coastal and the flood-prone areas.
• DOEA has provided DOH counts of clients who are oxygen dependent.
• The Department of Children and Families (DCF) has activated the departments’ disaster-related information website: www.myflfamilies.com/disaster.
• DCF announced it has been approved by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to issue Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
• SNAP customers who were scheduled to receive their benefits between September 1 and September 14 can now access those benefits using their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards. This is an early release of regular benefits, not a distribution of additional funds.
• DCF is communicating with community-based-care lead agencies to ensure there are plans in place to begin making pre-landfall status checks on children in the department’s care.
• Continue to check the DCF website at: www.myflfamilies.com/disaster and social media accounts for the latest updates.
• DCF is holding daily calls with regional directors, program leads, and facility directors to ensure programs and facilities are prepared.
• DCF offices in Okeechobee, St. Lucie, and Martin counties are closed.

Environmental Protection

• The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has completed pre-storm beach surveys, and pre-storm prep guidance has been distributed to all hazardous waste, drinking water and wastewater facilities.
• Florida DEP Beaches staff are working with Atlantic Coast community beach managers for post-storm needs assessments.
• Florida state park closures can be found here.
• Visitors with existing camping and cabin reservations at impacted parks will be notified by ReserveAmerica of their reservation status. Cancellation fees have been waived for overnight accommodations.
• 1035 Disaster Debris Management Sites have been pre-authorized and 35 authorized for the 67 counties addressed by the Governor’s Executive Order.
• An online tool for the public to report the location of storm debris has been deployed. 
• Pre-storm prep guidance has been distributed to local governments and all hazardous waste, drinking water and wastewater facilities.
• DEP has issued an Emergency Final Order which authorizes repairs, replacement, restoration, and certain other measures due to impacts from Hurricane Dorian. 
• State Parks Field staff are continuing their efforts to prepare parks for potential closures statewide.
• Districts have formulated park strike teams, prepared equipment and are ready to mobilize post-landfall.
• DEP has activated StormTracker which is an online reporting tool that tracks drinking water and wastewater facility status and needs as a result of storm impacts.
• DEP is monitoring generator requests for post-storm impacts.

Business & Industry

• The US Chamber of Commerce of Commerce has activated the Disaster Help Desk at 1-888-692-4943 for businesses who may have questions before and after a storm.
• The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association is encouraging lodging members to register for FEMA’s Transitional Shelter Assistance program, to relax cancellation policies and to relax pet policies for evacuees.
• The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) continues to encourage businesses to visit www.FloridaDisaster.biz for disaster preparedness tips and register to receive updates as the storm progresses.
• The private sector hotline (850) 815-4925 has been activated to support disaster preparedness and response activities.
• DEO is extending the deadline for local governments to submit applications for the $85 million Rebuild Florida Infrastructure Repair Program.
• Through VISIT FLORIDA’s partnership with Expedia, the Emergency Accommodations Module has also been activated at www.expedia.com/florida. This tool provides travelers with real-time information on accommodations availability throughout Florida and neighboring states.
• VISIT FLORIDA’s three Official Florida Welcome Centers, located at major access points along the state’s border, transitioned into emergency information centers offering the latest details on evacuation notices, accommodations, gas availability, and road closures.
• VISIT FLORIDA sent a targeted Facebook post to domestic and international visitors currently traveling in Florida advising them of Hurricane Dorian and urging them to take the necessary precautions. The post drives recipients to Floridadiaster.org/info. This message reached an estimated 420,000 Florida visitors on Facebook.
• The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA), in coordination with the Department of Economic Opportunity and VISIT FLORIDA, has a representative in the State Emergency Operations Center providing up-to-date lodging information throughout the state for utilization for first responders, utility workers and emergency management professionals responding to Hurricane Dorian.
• The Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) offers a Hurricane Guide with information about hurricane preparedness, what to do as a storm approaches, disaster recovery, and helpful hurricane-related resources. DBPR has shared the Guide on social media and it is available here.
• The Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) has activated a consolidated hurricane information webpage for updates regarding the status of department operations and actions of the agency related to license processes, compliance deadlines, board meetings, and related matters of interest for regulated license holders. Click here.
• DBPR’s Division of Drugs, Devices, and Cosmetics has communicated with all licensed medical gas wholesalers to clarify the options afforded under the state of emergency that will enable the direct supply of oxygen from the wholesaler to points of need at emergency shelters. Division staff are prepared to assist with connecting emergency shelter operations with available supplies of oxygen as needed.
• DBPR’s Division of Hotels & Restaurants has identified and prepared sanitation and safety specialists to implement protocols for disaster inspections at licensed facilities in the immediate post-impact response phase of this emergency.
• DBPR’s Division of Regulation has identified and prepared a team of field investigators to support preliminary damage assessment measures in the immediate post-impact response phase of this emergency.
• DBPR has suspended the existing occupational license renewal deadline of September 3rd through September 30th.
• Anheuser-Busch is delivering over 100,000 cans of emergency drinking water to Florida

Education

• The Florida Department of Education (FDOE) will be posting up-to-date information regarding school closures at www.fldoe.org/hurricaneinfo.

8/30/19 @ 4:15 p.m. - At the Special Meeting held at 3:00 p.m. today, County Manager, Mike Mullin, and Emergency Management Director, Greg Foster, provided an update from the 1:20 p.m. call with the National Hurricane Service. Every call results in a significant change from the call before as Hurricane Dorian's track continues to shift. Another Special Meeting will be held for 3:00 p.m. tomorrow at which time the Board will discuss its latest track, declaration of a local State of Emergency and possible evacuation orders.

Both the Road & Bridge and Facilities Maintenance Department will have employees answering phones through the weekend. Road & Bridge has two crews working this weekend, cleaning ditches and culverts, in preparation of the upcoming rain. They also have a crew on stand-by to address any road issues that may occur. Facilities Maintenance will be securing the historic courthouse, removing mobi mats from the beach and addressing any other issues that need to be addressed prior to the storm.

FDOT has staged pumps between Chester Road and Lofton Creek to address flooding on State Road 200 in low lying areas. They have also indicated that all construction will be temporarily suspended, all lanes will be open, and all non-essential shoulder closures will be removed.

Please check back for storm updates tomorrow.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

8/30/19 @ 12:00 p.m. - The County just participated in a conference call with the State of Florida and National Hurricane Center at 11:20 a.m. Current models show the storm making landfill early next week somewhere along the Florida southeast coast as a Category 4 storm. At this current time, there are no plans for evacuation as the effects of the storm are not anticipated to be felt in Nassau until Wednesday or Thursday of next week. Of course, this could change as the storm progresses so it's important for Nassau County residents to remain vigilant.

The Florida Highway Patrol will begin escorting fuel trucks to the State of Florida today. The State has  fuel tankers, additional rescue units, helicopters, utility vehicles and water search and rescue teams on stand-by and will be staging them so they are ready to respond to affected areas immediately following the storm.

Should the Hurricane stay on its current track, it is anticipated that it will turn north and travel over Northeast Florida around Wednesday or Thursday next week. At that time, we could experience hurricane forced wind gusts and long, extended periods of rain.

The County is still issuing sandbags from 7am-9pm as announced earlier this week at the following locations:

• 97177 Pogy Place, Fernandina Beach, FL (North End  Boat Ramp)
• 86142 Goodbread Rd., Yulee, FL (Yulee Sports Complex)
• 45401 Mickler Street, Callahan (Walter Boatright County Building)
• 37356 Pea Farm Rd., Hilliard, FL (Hilliard Road & Bridge Yard)

Residents will be required to fill their own bags. Both bags and shovels will be provided. Please limit bags to 25 per household.

RESIDENTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE ID FOR PROOF OF RESIDENCY TO OBTAIN SANDBAGS. THIS IS BEING DONE IN AN EFFORT TO ENSURE ONLY NASSAU COUNTY RESIDENTS ARE COLLECTING SANDBAGS AS WE WANT TO HAVE ENOUGH FOR EVERYONE RESIDING IN NASSAU COUNTY.

SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS TODAY
The Board of County Commissioners are holding a Special Meeting at 3:00 p.m. to discuss the storm and what the County is doing to prepare. That meeting will be held in the Commission Chambers located at 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL32097. It can also be viewed on our website by clicking here.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

9/1/19 @ 4:20 p.m.- At the Florida Housing Coalition held in Orlando this week, Nassau County was recognized for a recent success story for a resident that received rehabilitation assistance through Nassau County's State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Program.

The SHIP Program was established by the passage of the 1992 William E. Sadowski Affordable Housing Act and provides funding to local governments to produce and preserve affordable home ownership. In order to participate, counties must establish a local housing assistance program by Ordinance and develop a local housing assistance plan and housing incentive strategy. Funds are then allocated to local governments on a population based-formula. The funds are used for emergency repairs, new construction, rehabilitation, and down payment and closing cost assistance for very-low, low and moderate income families who meet all the requirements listed in Florida Statutes, Chapter 420.907, Florida Administrative Code 67-37, and Nassau County's Local Housing Assistance Plan.

The SHIP success story was shared previously with Nassau County residents on June 25, 2019. Click here to see the original story and to view the video.

The State asked counties to submit videos of their local recipients to share resident's personal experiences with the program and to spread awareness to other residents who may need assistance. We were notified on August 15th that our video was selected as one that best reflects the SHIP Program and how it changes the lives of those in need.

This couldn't have been done without the efforts of our SHIP Coordinator, Carol Gilchrist. Great job Carol!

8/7/19 @ 10:15 a.m.

The FWC Gopher Tortoise Conservation Program will be conducting a Recipient Site and Habitat Management Incentive Workshop at Huguenot Memorial Park in Jacksonville, FL on Monday, August 12 from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm. The workshop will consist of a short, 30-minute presentation, followed by a tour of the park. The goal of these workshops is to encourage participation in gopher tortoise conservation at the local level by providing information on opportunities to generate revenue through gopher tortoise recipient sites. In addition, the FWC will discuss financial incentives available to local governments and private landowners for habitat management.
 
The presentation will include information on recipient site permitting options, minimum acceptable habitat criteria, and the financial benefits of establishing a gopher tortoise recipient site. Following the presentation, attendees will tour the park to discuss habitat management history and incentive programs for habitat management which can be utilized to meet the minimum habitat criteria required to establish a gopher tortoise recipient site. Attendees will also have the opportunity to see the inside of a gopher tortoise burrow, as we will be scoping burrows we find along the way with a burrow camera.
 
Registration for this workshop is free. If you are interested in attending, please register for the workshop by Friday, August 9th, 2019.
 
To register for the workshop, please click on the following link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gopher-tortoise-recipient-site-and-habitat-management-incentive-workshop-tickets-66600549035. Please feel free to pass this information along to those who may be interested in attending.