Federal guidance needed to continue with dogs on the beach

Posted On: March 22, 2023

Volusia County Government received correspondence from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) earlier this week stating that it does not support the proposed pilot project to allow dogs on the beach in the Bicentennial Park area as dogs may be detrimental to wildlife habitat.

Because Bicentennial Park is within a Natural Beach Management area of the Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP), a proposed change, such as allowing dogs on the beach in that area, could require a major modification of the county’s HCP. A concern voiced by the Volusia County Council during its March 21 meeting was that opening up the HCP could impact the county’s incidental take permit with the FWS, which currently allows public driving on parts of county beaches.

Another nearby beach area, from Milsap Road to Rockefeller Drive in the City of Ormond Beach, was proposed as the pilot site as it is outside a Natural Beach Management area. However, the council members want to know if allowing dogs in this area would impact the current HCP, and if so, how.

Council members directed staff to contact FWS to seek this information and provide an update during a later meeting once known.

In addition to seeking guidance from FWS on the impacts of the HCP, council members have asked staff to explore a variety of other issues, including a substantial increase in fines for those not abiding by rules, requiring a permit to have their dog on the beach and limiting times of day dogs are permitted on the beach.