More than 1,000 St. Johns County residents and stakeholders responded to a public survey on the county's beach management and conservation efforts, with support topping 90% for several protections, including nighttime driving restrictions and wildlife education signage.

According to the county's survey results page, the responses will help shape the renewal of St. Johns County's Habitat Conservation Plan, a 20-year agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that governs how the county manages beaches alongside protections for nesting sea turtles and native beach mice.

The original plan and its associated incidental take permit were approved in August 2006 and are due for renewal this year. The county developed the survey in January 2026 to gauge what residents value about current beach management before the next round of negotiations with the federal agency.

Survey results show broad support

  • 94% backed increasing public education and signage about wildlife.
  • 91% supported nighttime beach driving restrictions during marine turtle nesting season.
  • 91% supported maintaining a conservation zone free of encroachment for dune protection.
  • 90% supported maintaining the coastal lighting ordinance.
  • 85% supported restrictions on beach furniture and equipment left overnight.

More than 80 survey comments raised a desire for stronger enforcement of existing conservation measures and increased off-beach public parking, according to the county.

Current plan's beach management rules

The plan governs a range of beach activities. Under current rules, the county allows public and special-use beach driving for commercial fishermen, North Beach 4x4 users, horseback riders and authorized coastal construction activities. County staff close beach gates each night after vehicles are notified to leave, remove ruts and obstacles near turtle nests before hatching, and enforce the coastal lighting ordinance through inspections of new homes and surveys six nights a week during nesting season.

The plan expires this year.

Ashley Raybould, St. Johns County environmental supervisor, said the survey gives residents a direct role in the renewal.

"The goal of our HCP is to maintain our beautiful beaches as habitat for wildlife while also allowing them to be utilized by our residents and visitors," Raybould said in a news release.

Raybould added that the survey is helping the county evaluate its priorities and gives the community a voice in balancing natural resource protection with public beach access.

What happens next

The county said it will use the feedback to identify potential updates as it works with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to develop the next plan. The county's release did not specify a timeline for the federal review or a date for the next public comment opportunity.

Residents can find more information on the county's Habitat Conservation Plan webpage.