Escambia County is looking to purchase a prime piece of Perdido Key Beach Mouse territory. Not necessarily by choice.
During its meeting tomorrow, the Escambia County Commission will consider executing a settlement agreement with Greg and Farris Ford. The settlement involves the county purchasing the couple’s Perdido Key property.
In January 2011, the Fords met with county staff to confirm that they would be able to obtain the necessary county permits to construct a single-family dwelling at 755 Destin Court. They specifically inquired about the need to acquire any Perdido Key Beach Mouse approvals.
The Fords were informed by county staff that the property wasn’t considered habitat for the endangered species and that no such approvals were necessary. The couple then purchased the property, obtained a loan and began construction.
In February 2012, the county visited the property and posted a stop-work order because the Fords did not have a permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The federal agency, it turns out, considers the property suitable habitat for the beach mouse.
The Perdido Key Beach Mouse was placed on the federal Endangered Species list in 1985. The small white and gray mouse blends in with the Gulf Coast’s white quartz sand.
Populations for this subspecies of oldfield mice began declining due to beach development and hurricanes. Following hurricanes Erin and Opal in the mid-1990s, the population number was estimated at less than 40. The population has since increased, with current estimates at 500.
County commissioners will be considering a settlement which requires them to purchase the Fords’ property for $57,637.69. The county is also looking at another $57,031.23 to compensate them for construction-related losses, as well as $251.29 for the interest on their loan and $4,220 in attorney fees.
The commission meets tomorrow at 9 a.m. for its work session, then again at 5:30 p.m. for its regular meeting in the county’s downtown complex.