FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Lee Co. Environmental Services

(914) 479-8585

SEA TURTLE NOTICE

FORT MYERS, Fla. (May 1, 2000) It's that time of year again when the endangered Sea Turtle begins to nest on local beaches. The hatchlings are guided to the Gulf of Mexico by the lighter seaward horizon. Lee County recognizes that man-made lighting can seriously hinder their progress back to the ocean and can lead to death. With that in mind, Lee County has enacted an ordinance for their protection:

Effective Date; May 1 - Oct. 31, 2000

Effective Time: 9pm to 7am

Turn your lights off, replace bulbs with 24-watt bug lights, close curtains or blinds that face the beach, and turn lights away from the beach. Mechanical raking of the beach is prohibited. Violation of the ordinance occurs if a shadow is cast on the beach by artificial or reflected light. In addition, on Ft. Myers Beach during nesting season, jet-ski transport requires a valid DEP permit and must not occur before 10:00 am.