Explanation of Indicator
A growing population and favorable economic conditions have resulted in an increase in demand for commercial and residential development along Florida's coast. Development often obstructs the ability of the public to access the coast and it often destroys the scenic value of the coast. Though most people associate development with private construction, public services often interfere with access to the coast and are frequently more intrusive.
A primary example of public services that interfere with access to the coast is the construction of power plants. These plants often locate near the coast because of the abundance of water which can be used to cool their systems. Power plants are often unsightly and are rather large; thus, they obstruct the public's access to the beach and view of the coast. Accordingly, the number of power plants located in coastal areas is an excellent indication of the public's ability to access the beach and view the coast. Knowledge of the placement of power plants is important to the state and local counties which are trying to protect the public's access to the beach and the environmental integrity of coastal areas. Power plants generate thermal pollution, which can severely alter the surrounding environment; location of these plants in an environmentally sensitive area could result in further loss of species and/or habitat.
Data Characteristics
SOURCE
Information about power plants may be obtained from Lorraine Engle at the Public Service Commission, 101 E. Gaines Street, Fletcher Building, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0864, or at (904) 488-8371.
ACQUISITION
The number of power plants rarely changes; thus, data are tabulated infrequently. The most recent study was conducted in 1993.
COLLECTION
Only the most recent study may be obtained. It is available at no cost. Additionally, individual records on each power plant are kept and may be reviewed to determine the location of each plant.
Data Limitations
These data have several limitations. First, the data are available for only one year; thus, at best, the data could be used as a benchmark for future collection. The data also fail to give the beach frontage occupied by each plant.
Recommendations
The most direct impact that these plants have on the coastal area is the amount of land lost to other uses. This indicator would be more useful if it focused on the amount of habitat lost and/or living space lost to power plants. The Public Service Commission (PSC) should record the beachfront footage occupied by power plants and record the number of plants. In recording beachfront footage the PSC should also note the land cover/land use being replaced by the power plant. These data should be collected for each county every five years; an annual survey would result in wasted dollars because the number of power plants does not change frequently enough to warrant an annual survey.