An ecosystem management agreement, or EMA, is an alternative to traditional permitting that provides a comprehensive, coordinated approach to regional development while delivering greater environmental benefits. EMAs provide significant environmental benefits, including higher standards for stormwater treatment and flood prevention. They support regional conservation by protecting biological diversity, waterways and uplands; providing habitat for threatened species; establishing conservation corridors; and creating open recreational spaces. Use of a binding EMA is voluntary and authorized in section 403.0752, Florida Statutes. To enter into an EMA, the applicant must demonstrate that the proposed activities will result in a net ecosystem benefit beyond the standards required by traditional permitting. 

Currently, the Northwest District has three active EMA agreements, all with the St. Joe Company, that regulate activities in portions of Walton County and Bay County. The EMAs set stringent standards for wetland impact avoidance, mitigation, habitat conservation and stormwater management for residential, commercial and recreational development. They authorize dredge and fill activities and stormwater system construction and maintenance, and they coordinate the regulatory responsibilities of DEP and USACE. The agreements also require that St. Joe Company coordinates with the State Historic Site Preservation Office and the Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission prior to submittal of an application for activities.

Together, the three EMAs cover more than 102,000 acres of St. Joe Company property in Bay and Walton counties:

  • EMA 1: 31,369 acres from West Bay to Choctawhatchee Bay.
  • EMA 2: 42,889 acres within the West Bay Sector Preservation Area in Bay County.
  • EMA 3: 28,327 acres in Bay and Walton counties.

The three EMAs conserve 27 high-quality areas, also called conservation units, totaling more than 41,175 acres:

  • EMA 1: 10 areas totaling over 13,000 acres.
  • EMA 2: five areas totaling 18,380 acres.
  • EMA 3: 12 areas totaling 9,795 acres.

These conservation units form a “Bay to Bay” wildlife corridor and protect key watersheds in the region.

Last Modified: Friday, Aug 08, 2025 - 05:21pm