Florida's panhandle is known as one of the richest areas for biodiversity and scenic beauty in all the country, if not the world.  From the mysterious blue sinks to the vast beauty of coastal wetlands and beaches, the panhandle has it all.

St. Marks Wildlife Refuge and Wakulla Springs in Wakulla County are truly jewels of this region, the latter being the longest and deepest freshwater spring known in the world.

A new ordinance passed by Wakulla County Commissioners will help protect the wetlands that help make this area so special.  The new law will create a 75-foot buffer zone around the wetlands of Wakulla County.  From the Florida Department of Environmental Protection Newsletter:

The first 35-feet of the buffer may not be impacted except for minimal activities such a dock or trail and normal and customary hunting and fishing activities; the second 40-foot band allows for additional minimally impacting activities. The ordinance also contains a minimum buildable lot size to ensure future property owners sufficient dry land for their homes and businesses.

Wakulla County Commissioner Alan Brock discussed the importance of this new measure with Audubon of Florida News:

We are committed to doing everything we can to protect our natural environment, and this is why we are committed to protecting our wetlands. Over 70% of Wakulla County is protected state or federal land.  Our Wetlands Ordinance allows us the chance to ensure that the wetlands don't degrade, and to protect our overall water supply.