Areas of Critical State Concern Program

The Areas of Critical State Concern Program was created by the "Florida Environmental Land and Water Management Act of 1972." The program is intended to protect resources and public facilities of major statewide significance, within designated geographic areas, from uncontrolled development that would cause substantial deterioration of such resources. The Department reviews all local development projects within the designated areas and may appeal to the Florida Land and Water Adjudicatory Commission any local development orders that are inconsistent with state guidelines and local comprehensive plans and regulations. The Department also is responsible for reviewing and approving amendments to comprehensive plans and land development regulations proposed and adopted by local governments within the designated areas.

Designated areas of critical state concern are:

1. Big Cypress Area (portions of Collier, Miami-Dade, and Monroe Counties)
   • Big Cypress Area of Critical State Concern Map
2. Green Swamp Area (portions of Polk and Lake Counties)
   • Green Swamp Area of Critical State Concern Map
3. City of Key West and the Florida Keys Areas (Monroe County)
   • Florida Keys Area of Critical State Concern Map
   • Key West Area of Critical State Concern Map
     • Florida Keys Hurricane Evacuation
     • Florida Keys Hurricane Evacuation Presentations
     • Florida Keys Hurricane Clearance Time Memorandum of Understanding
4. Apalachicola Bay Area (Franklin County)
   • Apalachicola Area of Critical State Concern Map