Agenda 04/12/2016 Item #10C 4/12/2016 10.C.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Recommendation for staff to review the transportation/infrastructure impacts of the future
development of Collier County's Eastern Lands,to present the results of the review to the
Board of County Commissioners and to participate in the US Fish and Wildlife Service
Environmental Impact Study (EIS) to help guide the process of the EIS.
OBJECTIVE: To ensure Collier County staff participates fully in the process of the US Fish
and Wildlife Service draft Environmental Impact Study(EIS).
CONSIDERATIONS: US Fish and Wildlife Service is preparing a draft Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS) related to an anticipated permit application from nine Collier County land
owners for the incidental take of the listed species. The US Fish and Wildlife service will discuss
project component details and obtain input to understand the issues that Collier County believes
are important to the EIS analysis and review the project schedule on Tuesday, April 19th, 2016.
Additionally, there is an open house public scoping meeting scheduled for 5:00 pm on Tuesday,
April 12th, 2016 at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Collier
County Extension Building.
It is important for Collier County staff to fully participate in this process by reviewing the
transportation/infrastructure impacts related to the future development of the Eastern Lands and
have this review considered in the planning process of the anticipated permit application.
FISCAL IMPACT: None.
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS: This item has been reviewed by the County Attorney, raises no
legal issue at this time, and requires majority vote for approval. -JAK
RECOMMENDATION: Recommendation that Collier County review the future
transportation/infrastructure impacts of the future development of Collier County's Eastern
Lands and to fully participate in the US Fish and Wildlife Service draft Environmental Impact
Study (EIS) scoping processes beginning on April 12th and April 19th, 2016. It is also
recommended that the BCC be given a full presentation on the results of the review by staff.
PREPARED BY: Commissioner Taylor
AGENDA DATE: April 12, 2016
Packet Page -193-
4/12/2016 10.C.
COLLIER COUNTY
Board of County Commissioners
Item Number: 10.10.C.
Item Summary: Recommendation for staff to review the transportation/infrastructure
impacts of the future development of Collier County's Eastern Lands,to present the results of
the review to the Board of County Commissioners and to participate in the US Fish and Wildlife
Service Environmental Impact Study (EIS) to help guide the process of the EIS. (Commissioner
Taylor)
Meeting Date: 4/12/2016
Prepared By
Name: BrockMaryJo
Title: Executive Secretary to County Manager, County Managers Office
4/6/2016 8:31:44 AM
Submitted by
Title: Executive Secretary to County Manager, County Managers Office
Name: BrockMaryJo
4/6/2016 8:31:46 AM
Approved By
Name: KlatzkowJeff
Title: County Attorney,
Date: 4/6/2016 8:48:59 AM
Name: OchsLeo
Title: County Manager, County Managers Office
Date: 4/6/2016 11:15:35 AM
Packet Page -194-
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United States Department of the Interior b�1a.►cE
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Vero Beach, Florida 32960
March 30, 2016
The Honorable Donna Fiaia
Collier County BOCC
3299 Tamiami Trail East, Suite 303
Naples, Florida 34112
Dear Commissioner Fiaia,
The purpose of this letter is to provide notice that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service)
intends to prepare a draft Environmental Impact Statement (dEIS) related to an anticipated
permit application from nine Collier County, Florida landowners for the incidental take of listed
species. The Department of the Army, through its bureau the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
will be a cooperating agency in the development of the dEIS.
The dEIS will be prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
The permit application would include an "Eastern Collier Multiple Species Habitat Conservation
Plan" (ECMSHCP) prepared in accordance with the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as
amended (ESA). The ECMSHCP covers approximately 152,124 acres of land in northeastern
Collier County and borders Lee and Hendry counties. The enclosed information sheet provides
additional details regarding the landowners, proposed action, and the NEPA and ESA processes.
A copy of the ECMSHCP is available at the project website at www.easterncollierHCPEIS.com.
The Service invites Y ou to attend an online inter-agency scoping meeting from 10:00 am— 12:00
pm, Tuesday, April 19, 2016, to provide input on the EIS scoping process. During the meeting
we will discuss project component details, obtain input to understand any issues that your agency
believes are important to the EIS analysis, and review the project schedule. Elected/appointed
and Tribal officials and other interested parties are also welcome to attend the online inter-
agency scoping meeting. Instructions for accessing the online interagency scoping meeting are
provided below.
S'.
Online Inter-Agency Scoping Meeting
Tuesday, April 19, 2016 I 10:00 am— 12:00 pm 1
Meeting number: 593 525 539
Audio connection: 1-866-203-6896 Call-in toll-free number
Conference Code: 968 574 2310
Meeting link:
https://intercall.webex.corn/intercall/j.php?MTID=m9633eb376ab 1993b2926dc365fff223e
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In addition to the online interagency meeting,an open-house public scoping meeting l be held
at 5:00 pm,Tuesday,April 12,2016,at the University of Florida/Institute of Food anu
Agricultural Sciences Collier County Extension Building, 14700 Immokalee Road,Naples,
Florida. Information presented at the online inter-agency scoping meeting will be similar to that
presented at the open-house public scoping meeting. You may attend the online inter-agency
scoping meeting or the open-house public scoping meeting(or both if you choose).
The Service invites written comments on the scope of issues and alternatives to be included in
the draft EIS as well as any other written data, views,or arguments with respect to the
anticipated permit application. Please submit scoping comments to the Service via one of the
following methods:
FAX: 512-490-0974
E-mail: comments-eastcollienccp @fws.gov
US Mail: Comments—Eastern Collier HCP EIS
US Fish and Wildlife Service
South Florida Ecological Services Field Office
1339 20th Street
Vero Beach,Florida 32960-3559
We must receive any written comments on or before April 24, 2016. For further information
please contact:
Kenneth McDonald, Project Manager
South Florida Ecological Services Field Office
1339 20th Street
Vero Beach, Florida 32960-3559
Office: 772.469.4284
Fax: 772.562.4288
kenneth_mcdonald@fws.gov
We look forward to your participation in the EIS process.
Sincerely yours,
Roxanna Hinzman
Field Supervisor
South Florida Ecological Services Office
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Project Summary
To meet the provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act(NEPA),the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service)is
gathering the information necessary to prepare a draft environmental impact statement(EIS)related to an anticipated
permit application from nine Collier County,Florida landowners(prospective applicants)for the incidental take of
federally-listed species.The permit application would include an"Eastern Collier Multiple Species Habitat Conservation
Plan"(ECMSHCP)prepared in accordance with the Endangered Species Act ofl 973,as amended. A copy of the Draft
ECMSHCP can be found at YPPAN easterncollierHCPElS.cur . The prospective applicants include:
• Alico, Inc. • Heller Bros. Packing Corp.
• Barron Collier Investments, Ltd. • John E. Price,Jr.Trust
• Collier Enterprises Management,Inc. • Pacific Land, Ltd.
• Consolidated Citrus Limited Partnership • Sunniland Family Limited Partnership
• English Brothers Partnership
Scoping
The purpose of the public scoping process is to identify relevant issues that will influence the scope of the environmental
analysis,including alternatives,and guide the process for developing the EIS. The purpose of this Scoping Meeting is to
obtain suggestions and information on the scope of issues and alternatives to be included in the draft EIS as well as any
other written data,views,or arguments with respect to the anticipated permit application.
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Proposed Action
osed Action
•
Issuance'of Inch al Take Permit(ITP)
The prospective applicants intend to seek an incidental take permit(ITP) by the U.S. Fish I Wildlife Service
ghat would authorize take resulting from the residential and commercial ® Covers effects tc
development and earth mining activities described in the ECMSHCP an
certain lands("covered lands"). The ECMSHCP would include measures ° 10 Federally ted and Candidate
to avoid,minimize,and mitigate for incidental take with an emphasis on Species
preserving some of the lands to maintain the viability and continued ® 6 State-ListE._. _plecies
existence of populations of federally-listed threatened and endangered ® Covers approximately 152,124 acres of
species. privately owned lands in Eastern Collier
The ECMSHCP also would include a funding mechanism for the County, FL
avoidance,minimization and mitigation measures,such as land ® Duration of the ITP proposed to be 50
acquisition,habitat mitigation,establishment of wildlife crossings, Years
ecological restoration,land management,and actions to assist in the
conservation of species through research.The proposed term of the ITP
would be 50 years. The figure below provides a map of the areas
discussed in the ECMSHCP.
Covered Lands
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Base Zoning
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t.' r Prior Federal
Permitting Initiated
FLORIDA Eligiblefor
PANTHER NATIONAL HCP Inclusion
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NAPLES '� Area Boundary03 FAKAHATCHEE
STRAND PRESERVE- Existing
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>> USFWS Role in this Process .0'0 s 1,0ziz LIP
The Service is providing technical assistance to the applicants and reviewing the East Collier Multiple
' Species HCP to ensure issuance of an Incidental Take Permit under Section 10(a)(1)(E the ESA,to the
.,>, applicants;
• will not jeopardize the survival and recovery of federally-listed species,
• will not lead to the listing of other species of conservation concern.
Process Overview 1 HCP
Habitat
Conservation
1. The Eastern Collier Property Owners have developed a Plan
draft HCP to support a future ITP application.The draft HCP The National
Pl
pp Pp Environmental Policy
has been submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Act(NEPA)requires the
(May 2015)for review. 2 EIS Service prepare an EIS
for any Federal action
2. The Service is preparing a Draft EIS for public review that
Environmental that quality significantly human
Impact the quality of the human
details potential impacts of the ITP and HCP. After public Statement environment.
comment the Final EIS will be published, and the Service The issuance of an
will prepare a Record of Decision (ROD).
'' incidental take permit
ITP P (1TP)by the Service is a
3. If the Service determines that the HCP meets the ESA major federal action
Section 10(a) criteria the Service will issue the ITP. Incidental
I Take
Permit
What is an HCP? What is an EIS?
• HCPs describe the anticipated effects of the proposed taking; how those impacts will be minimized,or mitigated,and
how it will be funded. It can apply to both listed and nonlisted species,including those that are candidates or have been
proposed for listing.
• An EIS is a document prepared to comply with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act(NEPA),to
analyze and disclose the effects of proposed activities on the environment. It consider potentially significant short,
long-term,direct, indirect,and cumulative effects of the proposed action and its reasonable alternatives.
• The EIS incorporates public and agency comments regarding scope and alternatives.
Key Definitions Section 10(a) Criteria
'Take"means to harass,harm,pursue,hunt, • The taking will be incidental;
shoot,wound,kill,trap,capture,or collect • The applicant will,to the maximum extent practicable,minimize and mitigate the impact of such taking;
any threatened or endangered species.
• The applicant will develop an HCP and ensure that adequate funding for the plan will be provided;
"Harm"may include significant habitat
modification where it actually kills or injures a • The taking will not appreciably reduce the likelihood of the survival and recovery of the species in the wild;
listed species through impairment of essential • The applicant will carry out any other measures that the Secretary of the Interior may require as being
behavior. necessary or appropriate for the purposes of the HCP.
Next Steps
EIS • EIS Scoping The U.S Fish and Wildlife Service may issue permits for the
2 EIS • Draft EIS 3 11.1 "incidental take"of endangered and threatened wildlife species.
Environmental • Public Hearing Incidental Incidental take is defined by the ESA as take that is"incidental to,
Impact Take and not the purpose of,the carrying out of an otherwise lawful -
Statement • Final EIS Permit activity."
• Record of Decision A permit holder is authorized incidental take as long as they are
compliant with the terms of the HCP,the ITP,and all other federal
and state laws.
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Useful Comments
To assist us in identifying the full range of issues related to the prospective permit application,
we invite written comments from interested parties.
Comments that raise significant issues are the most helpful. An issue is a point of
disagreement, debate, or dispute with a proposed action based on some anticipated
environmental effect. Significant issues are those issues that are related to significant or
potentially significant effects.An issue is more than just a position statement.
An issue:
• has a cause and effect relationship with the proposed action or alternatives;
• is within the scope of the analysis;
• has not been decided by law, regulation, or previous decision; `i "
• and is amenable to scientific analysis rather than conjecture. ., ,f)
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will use scoping comments
to develop/refme Alternatives for analysis in the EIS
Comment Submittal - Options
Several options are available for those who would like to submit comments
regarding the scope of the EIS. Those options include the following: w.
• E-mail comments to: z l a c 11 6.1 cpQ t ._=,, f
ie 4 'le
• Fax comments to: (512) 490-0974
• Mail written comments to:
Comments— Eastern Collier HCP EIS j
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
South Florida Ecological Services Office
1339 20th Street
Vero Beach, FL 32960
Please have all &coping co m, ents sub submitted itted by April 4, 2016.
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