Florida coast protected for sea turtles

Much of Florida's space coast is being declared "critical habitat" to protect the threatened loggerhead sea turtle, federal wildlife officials said. That means sea walls built below the mean low tide line will face additional scrutiny to preserve habitats for the turtles. Officials said most of the Atlantic coast in central Florida is already under federal control with military installations that already have incorporated plans to help preserve the turtles. Florida Today said Friday most new construction on the coast won't be affected much,. "We expect any changes to be minimal or none at all," said Sandy MacPherson, national sea turtle coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The loggerhead turtle was first listed as a threatened species in 1978. In total, about 740 miles of Florida's coast will receive the special designation to help it repopulate.