08/16/2026
🌴 FLORIDA KEYS LIFE | WHAT PROPERTY OWNERS & BUILDERS SHOULD KNOW
New federal endangered-species protections taking effect this week could affect reviews for some construction and development projects in the Florida Keys.
Here’s what’s changing — and what it could mean for building in Monroe County. 👇
🏗️🦎 BUILDING IN THE KEYS? NEW FEDERAL ENDANGERED-SPECIES RULES COULD AFFECT SOME PROJECT REVIEWS
New federal protections for three rare Florida Keys reptiles take effect Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026 — and the change could have implications for some building and development projects in Monroe County.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is listing the Florida Keys mole skink, Key ring-necked snake and rim rock crowned snake as endangered under the Endangered Species Act.
For projects involving federal permits, federal funding or other federal authorization, agencies must ensure their actions are not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of the newly listed species.
Projects involving significant ground disturbance in habitat where these reptiles may occur — including activities such as trenching or land clearing — could require additional endangered-species review.
⚠️ This is NOT a blanket ban on construction or development.
The final federal rules also do not designate critical habitat. How a particular property or project is affected will depend on its location, habitat, proposed activity and whether federal review or other Endangered Species Act requirements apply.
The Florida Keys mole skink is found only in Monroe County. The Key ring-necked snake is found only in the Florida Keys, while the rim rock crowned snake occurs in the Keys and parts of Miami-Dade County.
Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
📸 Photo: Florida Keys mole skink
Credit: Jake Scott / Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
License: Public Domain — U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
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