Quick links to other pages on this site | Still can't find it? see Site Index ***Lady Lisa, a loggerhead turtle, makes its way to the ocean. The South Carolina Aquarium released three rescued sea turtles, two loggerhead turtles and one Kemp's ridley turtle after their recovery at the Sea Turtle Hspital back into the ocean at Beachwalker County Park on Kiawah Island Tuesday July 12, 2011. (Grace Beahm/postandcourier.com) Buy this photo

All of Folly Beach and Kiawah Island among 41 miles of beaches in Charleston County would be made critical habitat for the threatened loggerhead sea turtle under a proposal made Friday by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

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To read the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service critical habitat proposal or for more information, go to fws.gov/ northflorida.

What difference that would make is anybodys guess.

New homes, businesses or other structures to be built at the beaches would be scrutinized closer by federal regulators before permits could be issued, said a news release by Oceana, an environmental advocate.

Fish and Wildlife staff members said the designation was required by law and shouldnt greatly affect how permits are handled now.

It might be that both are true. The designation is being proposed for beaches that hold the most turtle nests year to year. Those beaches already are protected somewhat under the Endangered Species Act and other federal rules.

But if nothing else, the designation would put more pressure on regulators to get it right when it comes to modifying projects or requiring mitigation or it would give environmental opponents more ammunition in lawsuits to stop a project.

More than 700 miles of beaches from North Carolina to Mississippi would be made critical habitats if the proposal is approved.

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Charleston beaches proposed as loggerhead turtle critical habitat