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TR 84-1 NATURAL RESOURCES OF COLLIER COUNTY FLOR IDA PART 1 NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT PLAN ~-( . ,. 1984 Research supported in part by the Florida Department of Environmental Regulation and the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended, Administered by the Office of Coastal Zone Management, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (,tP' €>~::t ,",",""'""'_~'_<_"_'";",_",_"""_,,_,,,,,","'W""''"''^'''' "... TECHNICAL REPORTS NATURAL RESOURCES OF COLLIER COUNTY 84-1, NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT PLAN 84-2. COASTAL BARRIER RESOURCES 84-3. COASTAL ESTUARINE RESOURCES 84-4. COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT UNITS: Data Inventory and Analysis 84-5. COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT UNITS: Atlas 84-6. DRAFT ORDINANCES FOR PROTECTION OF COASTAL ECOSYSTEMS Technical Report NO.84-1 MARK A, BENEDICT PRINCIPAL AUTHOR MARK A. BENEDICT, PH.D. Director ROBERT H. GORE, PH.D. Coastal Zone Management Specialist JUDSON W. HARVEY Coastal Zone Management Associate MAURA E. CURRAN Coastal Zone Management Technician o NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT COLLIER COUNTY GOVERNMENT COMPLEX 3301 TAMIAMI TRAIL EAST NAPLES. FLORIDA 33942-4977 TABLE OF CONT~7S Preface........... ................... ...... ......... ........ SECTION 1 Introduction......... .. ....................... ....,....... ... r I SECTION 2 Setting and Problem Statement A. Native Habitats........................................ 1. Composition and Classification............... 2. Factors Affecting the Distribution of Native Habitats in Collier County................ Functional Values and Man's Impact....... a. Barrier Beach Systems.... ......... b. Coastal Bays......... .............. c. We t land s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Water Resources...... ....... .......... 1. Introduction.... ............. ........ 2. The Hydrologic Cycle. ...................... 3. Surface Water Resources.... 4. Ground Water Resources..... 5. Big Cypress Area of Critical State Concern.. 1. 2. Description of the Big Cypress... .......... Parks and Preserves................... ........ 1. Parks and Preserves under Federal Management. a. Big Cypress National Preserve........... b. Everglades National Park..................... Parks and Preserves under State ~~nagement........ a. Barefoot Beach State Preserve.... ...... b. Cape Romano-Ten Thousand Islands Aquatic Preserve. ...... ..... c. Collier Seminole State Park. ..... d. Caxambas Sanctuary............... e. Del-Nor Wiggins Pass State Park........ f. Fakahatchee Strand State Park............ g. Rookery Bay National Estuarine Sanctuary. Parks and Preserves under County Management... a. Clam Pass Park/Pelican Bay Preserve...... b. Tigertail Beach Park......................... Parks and Preserves under Private Management.... a. Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary.................. Environmental Agencies and Jurisdiction...... 1. 2. 3. 3. B. SUII1lI1a ry. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C. His tory. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D. 2. 3. 4. E. county.......... State. . . . . . . . . . . ................. Federal.................. ................. F. Problem Statement............. .. ....... ...... ......... i iii 1 2 2 2 7 7 9 11 14 14 15 17 24 29 30 30 31 33 33 33 33 33 33 35 35 35 35 35 35 36 36 . 36 36 36 36 36 39 40 41 SECTION 3 Goals, Objectives, and Policies............................. 42 SECTION 4 Implementation Strategy A. Environmental Review................................... B. 1. Review by County Environmental Section............ 2. Coordination of Review with Planning and Zoning Departments................................ a. Coastal Resource Management.................. b. Areas of Environmental Concern Overlay....... 3. Implementation of Florida Department of Administration Regulations for the Big Cypress Area of Critical State Concern.................... Environmental Project for Long-Term Resource Management and Protection.............................. 1. Mid-Range (0-5 years) Environmental Projects...... 2. Long-Range (0-10 years) Environmental Projects.... SECTION 5 47 47 55 55 56 58 61 61 63 Conclusion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 Bibliography. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 Ap pend ix A.................................................. 70 Append ix B.................................................. 76 Append ix C.................................................. 82 Append ix D............................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86 Append ix E.................................................. 90 if COLLIER COUNTY COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM - Preface to Technical Reports PREFACE Overview r I Collier County's coastal zone, defined for administrative purposes as that area of the County on the Gulf side of U.S. 41 (the Tamiami Trail), encompasses 328 square miles of coastal barrier, bay, wetland, and maritime upland habitats. The coastal zone stretches 57 miles from the northwest to southeast and varies in width from 2 miles at the north county line, to 12 miles in the vicinity of Marco Island and 8 miles near the southern county border. Collier County's coastal zone, which makes up 16 percent of the County's total land area, is inhabited by 38,800 people (1980 census), 45 percent of the County's population. An addi- tional 29,300 people live within 5 miles east of U.S. 41. In total, 79 percent of the county's population is found within 10 miles of the Gulf of Mexico. The County's coastal zone is characterized by both developed and undevel- oped areas. Of the 328 square miles in the coastal zone 67 square miles (21 percent) are developed. Of the remaining 261 square miles 123 square miles (37 percent) are undeveloped and preserved as Federal (Everglades National Park, Rookery Bay National Estuarine Sanctuary), State (Faka- hatchee Strand, Collier-Seminole, and Delnor-Wiggins State Parks and Barefoot Beach State Preserve), and County (Tigertail and Clam Pass Beach Parks) resource management and protection areas. The remaining 138 square miles (42 percent) are undeveloped and in private ownership. Unlike most of the rapidly developing counties in South Florida, Collier County is unique in that the great majority of its coastal zone is still in its natural state. Hundreds of thousands of acres of coastal barriers, wetlands, bays, and marine grassbeds are still relatively undisturbed, much as they have been for thousands of years. It is these areas that have made Collier County so aesthetically attractive. If properly managed they will continue to function in this respect. Of equal importance, however, are the natural resources of these undeveloped regions of the coastline areas which are ecologically vital to both the County and southwest Florida. The coastal barriers, if they remain unaltered, serve as a first line of defense against the sea. Storm surge damage, coastal flooding, and erosion of the mainland can be alleviated or slowed by a functioning, natural system of coastal barriers. The wetlands, shallow bays, and marine grassbeds are other important parts of the coastal ecosystem. The mangrove forests (those in Collier County being some of the largest, undisturbed systems in the United States and one of the best developed in the world) and associated marshes provide the organic materials and detritus that form the basis of the coastal food chain and support the abundant shellfish and finfish resources of southwest Florida. The unaltered coastal ecosystem not only functions as a haven for birds, fish, and other wildlife, but may also provide necessary refuge for those species that have been driven from adjacent, heavily altered or extirpated coastal systems. The undisturbed natural systems of Collier County form the keystone for the south Florida ecosystem. The coastal zone links the estuarine systems of Lee and Monroe County while the vast, unspoiled eastern area of the County connects the coastal and interior wetland systems with those of Dade and Broward Counties. iii Almost half of the unaltered coastal zone in Collier County is under the ownership and/or management of Federal, State, or Local agencies for the sole purpose of protecting the natural systems. Although this is gratifying, it is important to remember that the other half of the undisturbed coastal area is in private ownership. In addition, both the private and the managed coastal areas are bounded by uplands that are either developed or projected for future urban or agricultural dev- elopment. Activities undertaken in the private areas of the coastal zone or on adjacent upland property, if not properly planned, could result in the degradation of our remaining undisturbed coastal areas in only a few decades and the loss of their resources. In a recent position paper R. A. Livingston wrote that "if history is our guide, one basic problem lies in public acceptance of almost any level of environmental deterioration as long as it occurs gradually enough". To safeguard the coastal zone resources of Collier County from gradual deterioration and to ensure their continuing function as a vital part of the southwest Florida ecosystem, positive and direct steps must be taken. Predominant among these must be the implementation of a program to ensure that all future land use activities proposed for the coastal zone are designed to be totally compatible with, or at least not inimical to, the natural resources and the associated recreation values of the County's un- disturbed coastal areas. Collier County Coastal Zone Management Program The coastal zone is one of Collier County I s maj or assets. Abundant natural resources, ample recreation opportunities, and popularity as a homesite for many seasonal and full time residents are factors of the coastal zone well recognized by the Board of County Commissioners, the County staff, and many local conservation and business groups. For these reasons the community as a whole has supported past and present coastal zone management activities in Collier County. With the support of the Board of County Commissioners and grants from the Office of Coastal Management, Florida Department of Environmental Regulation, and the Erosion Control Program, Florida Department of Natural Resources, the Collier County Natural Resources Management Department is developing a County Coastal Zone Management Program. A major goal of this program is the protection of the natural resources of Collier County's coastal barriers, bays, and wetlands and the management of coastal development in order to ensure that future land-use activities will not degrade these resources. The Program is a continuous, mul ti- year project involving, research, implementation, and environmental protection activities. Progress to date includes data incorporated into the following Technical Reports: Technical Reports 83-1, 83-2, 83-3 Beach Management Planning and Implementation Strategies at the Local Level The Beach in Collier County: A Model in Southwest Florida Drafts plans for beach and coastal barrier management in Collier County; describes major components and imple- mentation of Collier County Coastal Zone Management Pro- gram; identifies Collier iv A Resource Management Program for the Coastal Barriers of Collier County, Florida County as a model for beach management in Florida; pro- vides background data on beach resources, dynamics, and past management activi- ties; Technical Report 84-1 Natural Resources Management Plan Sets natural resource goals and policies for county and describes how they will be implemented; highlights coastal barriers, bays, and wetlands as areas of special management concern; delin- eates the currently undevel- oped portions of the coastal zone as a distinct land-use type requiring careful re- view prior to any land de- velopmental or alterational activities; Technical Reports 84-2, 84-3 Coastal Barrier Resources Coastal Estuarine Resources Evaluates and analyzes the current resources and en- vironmental features of the county's coastal barriers and coastal estuarine areas; presents data on shoreline migration, beach and inlet dynamics, and estuarine eco- systems; describes man's presence in the coastal zone and his current and poten- tial impacts; Technical Report 84-4, 84-5 Coastal Zone Management Units: Data Inventory and Analysis Coastal Zone Management Units: Atlas Delineates the coastal zone of Collier County into dis- crete management units and beach segments; compiles site-specific data on re- sources and management for each unit; Technical Report 84-6 Draft Ordinances for Protection of Coastal Ecosystems Reviews the existing codes and environmental ordinances for Collier County in com- parison to those from other Floridan counties; drafts model ordinances covering resource review, vegetation standards, coastal construc- tion activities, and perfor- mance bonds. v Upcoming Program activities include: (1) The design and implementation of a development review procedure that closely ties the permitting of a land-use activity, proposed in or adjacent to the currently undeveloped regions of the coastal zone, to a specific ecological community, its resource values, and its limiting biological and physical factors. The procedure will be designed to ensure that only those activities compatible with habitat values and functions, or designed to minimize adverse impacts on those values, will be allowed (project funded by D.E.R. Office of Coastal Management); and (2) The continuation of dune restoration and protection activities at all County beach parks and access points. The latter project involves the removal of exotic plant species, the reconstruction and revegetation of dunes damaged by storm activity or visitor use, the construction of back dune feeder walkways and dune crossovers, and the placement of signs and low profile fences to maintain the restored dunes (project funded by the D.N.R. Erosion Control Program). The results of these and other projects conducted under the County Coastal Zone Management Program will be the subj ect of future Technical Reports prepared by the Natural Resources Management Dep- artment. Acknowledgements The Natural Resources Management Department thanks the staff of the D.E.R. Coastal Management Office and the D.N.R. Erosion Control Program for the assistance they have given in the development of the Collier County Coastal Zone Management Program. The Department also acknowledges the staff of other County agencies and Departments that have provided technical support to this Program. Special appreciation and gratitude is expressed to Diane Brubaker, Linda Greenfield, and Margaret Tinney of the Community Development Division, whose assistance materially aided in the preparation of these Technical Reports. vi SECTION 1 INTRODUCTION r [' Collier County has been endowed with a wealth of natural resources. The air and water quality as well as the diversity of vegetation and wildlife is unsurpassed in the State of Florida. Miles of sandy barrier beaches and thousands of mangrove islands form the County's boundary with the Gulf of Mexico. Inshore, the rich, shallow bays and highly productive tidal marshes and mangrove swamps spread for hundreds of thousands of acres. In the northwest County, sand pine and scrub oak grow on relict beach ridges of past sea level stands. A virgin cypress strand winds through Corkscrew Swamp. The interior wetlands of the Big Cypress Basin are made up of marshes, prairies, hardwood swamps and vast cypress forests. Clean air, a subtropical climate and diverse recreational opportunities make Collier County extremely desirable to tourists, retirees, and year-long residents. The extensive natural resources of the County have been widely advert ised and marketed, resulting in a phenomenal growth rate, especially along the coastal corridor. Rapid growth and lack of environmental safeguards prior to 1970 resulted in the loss or signifi- cant alteration of many acres of productive wetlands and upland habitats. Prior to 1973 canal dredging, wetland drainage, and fire markedly reduced the area of viable interior wetlands. This alteration of beneficial wetlands preceded the maj or growth era in Collier County in the mid- 1970's. During that era, unmanaged growth further affected water qual- ity, water storage capacity, and the diversity and abundance of wildlife in the County. It is the purpose of this Plan to establish firm environmental goals, objectives, and policies for Collier County and to suggest the actions needed to implement them. This plan also describes procedures and criteria for project-by-project environmental review. It discusses specific short-term programs for the preparation of resource management plans to protect critical habitats as well as long-term programs to insure compliance with established goals, objectives, and policies. The overall goal of long range environmental planning as embodied in this plan is to conserve and maintain the natural resources of Collier County and their associated environmental and recreational benefits. In addition it is the goal of this plan to outline criteria for per- mitting orderly development where such activity is compatible with conservation and natural ecological function. * This plan is a synthesis of the Natural Resources, Future Land and Surface Water Management Elements of the current Collier County Comprehensive Plan. It also contains sections from the draft Big Cypress Area of Critical State Concern Element that was prepared by the County Planning Department. This element will be added to the Comprehensive Plan following review and adoption by the Board of County Commissioners. 1 SECTION 2 SETTING AND PROBLEM STATEMENT A. Native Habitats 1. Composition and Classification The flora of South Florida, thought to be 3,000 to 5,000 years old, is made up of 1,650 indigenous and naturalized plant species. Of these, 60 percent are of tropical origin and 4 percent are endemic to South Florida (Long and Lakela, 1971). The actions of water, fire, soils, frost, and other less frequent but important environmental factors such as hurri- canes, have molded this flora into distinct plant communities. These communities are distributed across the South Florida peninsula along environmental gradients based on the plants' tolerance to the above-mentioned factors. Nine vegetation types, or broad groupings of plants based on their dominant characteristics, are recognized in Collier County. Each type contains one or more distinct plant commun- ities classified by their species composition. These vegeta- tion types, with their component plant communities, constitute the native habitats of the County. Until a detailed habitat list is prepared for Collier County, J. H. Davis' vegetation system for South Florida will be employed. Adapted from Davis (1943), the native habitats in Collier County are listed in Table 1 and described in Appendix A. 2. Factors Affecting the Distribution of Native Habitats in Collier County The depth of innundation, salinity, and the number of days per year that water is present above the ground surface, the frequency and extent of wildfires, the types of soils present, and the periodicity and duration of frost determine which plants can grow and survive at a particular location. These four factors, water, fire, soils, and frost, in conjunction with other geological and climatological conditions character- istic of the Florida Peninsula, are responsible for the distri- bution of native habitats and their associated wildlife in Collier County. Of these four environmental factors, water plays the major role in controlling plant distribution in South Florida. Average annual rainfall for Collier County is between 50 and 55 inches per year. Precipitation is, however, variable on both a seasonal and annual basis. Of the rain that falls each year, about 80 percent falls between May and October. The remainder falls infrequently during the winter when major storm fronts cross the southern half of Florida. Although a large amount of rain falls each year, precipitation during the rainy season is often not enough to compensate for water loss by evapotranspiration during the dry season. Because of this, 2 dry season water shortage is a recurrent phenomenon in many native habitats. Extreme annual rainfall fluctuations also characterize the hydrological cycle. Rainfall records for South Florida indicate long-term variations between annual rates of 30 and 105 inches per year. In addition, these periods of low and high rainfall are often grouped together resulting in successive periods of severe drought followed by years of extreme flooding. The major physical factor integrating precipitation and plant distribution is topography. The superimposition of the high annual rate of rainfall on this relatively flat and gradually sloping land surface results in the vegetation patterns ob- served in Collier County. Rain falling in Collier County collects on the surface, recharges groundwater, and and moves slowly to the south-southwest. Since the land is so flat, water spreads out in sheet flow across the land surface during the wet season. This sheet flow of water covers a major part of the interior areas of the County during the rainy period. During the dry season, water flow is concentrated in distinct drainage-ways. These drainage-ways occupy shallow troughs in the land surface in the east and central portions of the County. Along the County's western coast, dunes and sand ridges of earlier coastlines concentrate water flow into several short coastal rivers. The distribution of plant communities and their associated wildlife is tied closely to topography. Minute differences in elevation have a major effect on the hydrological characteris- tics of a site (i.e., a small change in elevation results in a large change in the depth of innundation and hydroperiod). South Florida vegetation types are closely associated with these differences in water characteristics (Figure 1). Cypress strands occur in the shallow troughs that make up the major east County drainageways while cypress heads exist in isolated depressions in the ground surface. Both these areas receive and retain an adequate flow of surficial water throughout the year. Wet prairies are found on higher elevations adjacent to cypress strands. Only a slight increase in elevation results in flooding being restricted to the rainy season. Pine flat- woods and palmetto prairies exist on the highest and driest sites in Collier County. These flood for only a short time at the peak of extreme rainy seasons. The flow of water across the landscape ties all South Florida habitats into one integrated ecosystem. Water concentrating in depressed, low areas provides for the persistence of productive wetlands in a seasonally dry climate. Wetlands contribute to the ecosystem by providing for aquifer recharge, improving water quality, and extending the hydroperiod far into the dry months of the year. 3 FIGURE 1. l/) -~ .... q (\j .... CD q :!: c.f) . I 0 l/) rt'l VI ~ LIJ 0- ct :x: 0.. W e> >- 0 ;:) U 9 Co-' Cfl CD c:: W .0 z ~ I"': ~ U'l U'l U'l ~ WLIJ ~ e>a: 0.. ero.. LIJ <p- o ~ ..JU .~ a: ::) N LU ~ l- e:: X ~ c::::x: ~ ~ :I:~ ::> ~ ~ 0... x 0 W c: Z 0 ~ <I 0: 0 z W <l: 0 ~ 0 ~ 0 ~ 0 ex:: a: W ::!: UJ Q.. 0- ::r. 0 0 :E~- cr 0 0 a::: X w >- I- - 0 <t ... q >- ::!: a: ..J LIJ I l:l <l: C> ~ <l a: x 0 ~ LIJ Z <I w ::E ..J <I c:: U 0 en Z ...J <I 0 0 ~ 0 u 0 0 ~ .... It'l It'l N a: N L.LJ > (S^'i10) OOI~3d .::fa Hl.~N3l Source: Homann, 1982 4 Fire has also played a role in the evolution of the South Florida ecosystem. Subsurface layers of charcoal and ash as well as burn scars on pine and cypress trees indicate that fire has long been a part of the environment. Prior to the arrival of modern man, the severity and impact of wildfires was tied closely to the seasonal and annual variation in the hydro- logical cycle. Fires which occurred during the summer as a result of lightning strikes were most often restricted to elevated areas where standing water was not present. Only during periods of severe drought did wildfires extend into the deeper strands. The importance of wildfire in influencing the distribution of plants in Collier County as well as its rela- tion to distribution of habitats along the water gradient is clearly depicted in Figure 2. Those plants occurring in areas with a long hydroperiod are not as adapted to fire survival as those growing in prairies and pine flatwoods which are dry for most of the year. As the frequency of fire increases, commun- ities not adapted to periodic fire are replaced by others that are more tolerant. The soil types present in Collier County reflect both the past and present environmental characteristics of the sites where they are found. Because plants differ in their nutrient requirements and in their ability to live in water-saturated areas. soil type also plays a role in determining plant distri- bution. The influence of soil. though not as noticeable in South Florida as in other areas of the U. S., is reflected in plant cover. The plants found on ancient sandy dune de- posits in the northwestern part of the County differ greatly from those found on lower elevation peat deposits. For the same reason a completely different flora occurs on inland sandy-marl sites. The climate of Collier County is subtropical with average annual temperatures between 71 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Below-freezing temperatures can occur several times a year, particularly in low interior areas where topography and the presence of water maintain pockets of cool air beyond sunrise. On the average frost can be expected about once every other year; however, severe cold periods are infrequent. When a prolonged period of cold does occur, such as in January 1977, it can have a profound effect on the composition of plant and animal communities (Wade ~ al., 1980). Water, fire, soil type, and frost play an important role in the distribution of native habitats in South Florida. These factors, along with other aspects of microclimate and hurricane frequency and impact, are responsible for the mosaic of vegeta- tion that was present in Collier County prior to the arrival of modern man. 5 FIGURE 2. II I :1 .. Open \''.It er P.J li:lCtto Slough Harsh Floating And/Or Emergent Pinel Aquatics Pall1:ctto llyrtlc :3utton Bush , Ni 110'01/ , C,;press , "- Wi 110'01 , " " Pend Apple "- And/Or " " Pop Ash " Slough , " "- " t- Cypress , , Ha rd....ood " 0 " "0. 0 llJn::.:nock ~,~ 0 :fl( "O-r 0 'l '\~~ 4c:r~' C~ J"J' Cypress/ 0.4' " 0.4' ~,~ ll.Jro"ood ~c: ,~c: C'(""' ,"~ J' J' J'/ ,J'/ O~ ,O-r 0 ----,- " " 0 '- , 0 "- 0 0 0 0 0 ~ Ii 7 . , 10 UJ ex: u.. 20 UJ ex: UJ ::- UJ 30 V) UJ ~ ..0 V) ~o V) 0:: 60 <( .UJ 1 >- 8 9 10 200 .\0 ..0 ~o 60 10 80 90 100 30 foO 90 120 "0 110 210 HO 210 300 330 HYOROPERIOO (DAYS) HYOROPERIOO - FIRE RELATIONSHIPS AT CORKSCREW ShAMP SANCTUARY I 'I (Sourr.~: Duevcr, ct aI., 1919) 6 6 V) UJ --' 0... ::s 0 :z: 0 a: V) 0 --' <( UJ ..j L.U .- a: .- u.. ..j .- ::c => .- 0 ::c 3: .- 0 3: Z <( Z ~ 0 0 V) .- V) L.U c..::I ~ Z ~ - => c::a V) <( L.U - ..j V) l- V) <( Z l- 0 CD .- a: <( <( UJ ::c ~ l- => <( c::a ::::: 3: :z: => -< ~ c..::I -J ~ Z .- <( L.U 0 3: l- :z: <( <( z UJ .- - a.. V) J 350 3. Functional Values and Man's Impact All native habitats possess ecological and physical character- istics that justify attempts to maintain these important natural resources. The arrival of modern man in South Florida has had a tremendous impact on the composition and distribution of native habitats and on the environmental conditions that are essential for their continued existence. To this extent, man has become a major factor determining the present day distri- bution and potential for survival of native habitats occurring in Collier County. Of all native habitats, barrier beaches, coastal bays, and wetlands deserve particular attention because of their ecological value and their sensitivity to perturba- tion. a. Barrier Beach Systems - Existing on both the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of Florida, barrier beaches serve as the peninsula's first defense against storm waves and oceanic flooding. These coastal barriers, seldom wider than a mile or greater in elevation than 10 feet, represent a unique natural balance between extreme and variable physical conditions. Barrier beach habitats are adapted to cope with and even benefit from these constantly changing physical factors. In their natural state, the beaches, dunes, coastal hammocks, and saltwater wetlands of these coastal landforms contribute significantly to biological diversity and productivity while providing storm protection for inland areas. (Fig. 3). On these barrier landforms. the sandy beach provides the first line of defense against storm waves. During storms the shifting of sand from the beach to offshore bars helps to dissipate wave energy prior to wave contact with upland areas. In addition, the transfer of sand within the beach zone enables the land sea interface to keep pace with changes in sea level and assures the continued existence of the barrier landform over extended periods of time. Coastal dunes provide protection for interior areas while maintaining the sand balance of the beach. The deposition of sand and wind borne nutrients stimulates the growth of dune-building plants on the upper extremes of the sand beach. Plant growth causes accelerated sand trapping and deposition. The building phase of the dune continues until storm surge and waves associated with a major coastal disturbance remove sand from the dune and return it to the active beach zone. The resultant flattening of profile and the transfer of sand to the beach help to dissipate the energy of storm waves. Barrier beaches are highly dynamic environments that are periodically subject to rapid and severe geological change. The potential for the complete overwash of barrier landforms during the surge of intense storms makes 7 these areas a hazardous environment for permanent dwell- ings. The typical multifamily building is poorly suited to an environment where the shore is retreating as a result of sea level rise. The concentration of population and permanent structures on barrier beaches presents a dilemma to coastal resource managers and government officials. Not only do development activities in these locations place residents under the threat of loss of life and property should a major coastal storm strike, but the unguided alteration of barrier beach ecosystems during development destroys their ability to provide storm protection and reduces their ecological value. Land development on barrier beaches has had a profound effect on their ability to act as storm buffers. The placement of engineered shoreline structures parallel to the beach in an attempt to save buildings constructed too close to mean high water interferes with the transfer and storage of sand and often results in erosion and increased shoreline recession rate. Seawalls and revet- ments interfere with the retention and transfer of sand by increasing the erosion of sand in the area seaward of and adj acent to their location, with an associated deepening of the beach profile. Jetties and groins project into the longshore current and trap sand destined for other parts of the beach system. Other activities that artificially alter the natural profile of the beach also have an adverse impact on beach dynamics. The excavation of sand from the active beach zone, the bulldozing of sand from the low tide terrace to the area in front of vulnerable structures, and the dredging of sand from the nearshore zone all steepen the beach profile and reduce the beach's ability to dissipate wave energy. Man's activities in the dune zone have significantly altered dune function and value. The erection of supra- tidal revetments, seawalls, or any other impenetrable structure between the beach and the dune zone prevents the deposition of sand, reduces the growth of dune grass during periods of low storm activity, and interferes with the release of sand to the active beach zone during major storms. In addition, the elimination of coastal vegeta- tion reduces the ability of the dunes to grow and act as protective structures. In a short time man's activities can destroy the fundamental ability of the dune to act as a storm buffer and sand storage area. b. Coastal Bays Coastal bays, defined as semi-enclosed bodies of water where oceanic salt water is diluted by fresh water entering the bay as run-off, are some of the richest of all coastal waters. This is a result of moderate environmental conditions, shallow depths, and an abundant input of nutrients and organic matter primarily in the form of detritus and secondarily as dissolved 9 organic compounds. Primary production occurs in three diverse groups of plants in the bay ecosystem. Production starts with bacteria and fungi which, acting along or in concert, break down larger organic particles for their nutrients. Release of organic byproducts, as well as production of larger amounts of bacteria and fungi, form the basis of the estuarine food chain. This breakdown and growth results in the formation of detritus and is the basic cycle for nutrient production in coastal bays. Next, microscopic floating plants known as phytoplankton produce usable carbon compounds as a result of photosyn- thetic activities in the water column. The increase and eventual death of phytoplankton adds a second major source of nutrients to the cycle. This cycle of organic matter within the bays and fringing wetlands forms the basis of the entire coastal food chain. Third, higher plants of fringing mangrove swamps and tidal marshes, as well as those in subtidal seagrass beds, produce organic material during their growth cycle. Such materials are ultimately broken down by bacteria and fungi into detritus and eventually discharged into the bays. Components of the coastal bay food chain include shellfish, crabs, marine worms, fish, birds, and man. In addition, many species of fish utilize the protected bays as breeding and nursery grounds because of the favorable environmental conditions that occur there. A large number (75-80%) of commercially important game and food fish spend at least part of their life cycle in dependence upon this system. Coastal bays represent a valuable natural resource. Not only do the bays serve as the home for numerous species of plants and animals, they are also a very important com- ponent of the southwest Florida fisheries industry and an important aesthetic and recreational resource. Bays are particularly vulnerable to the impact of man because development in Southwest Florida often occurs in close proximity to these systems. The life balance of a coastal bay depends not only on the circulation of water around and through this ecosystem but on the nutrients in and general salinity of this water. Any activity that alters or interrupts this circulation or modifies the levels of tidal exchange can have long lasting effects. Man's activities have also impacted coastal bays by degrading water quality and altering or eliminating fringing wet- lands and sea grass beds as important organic matter production sites. The degradation of water quality in coastal bays can be caused by a number of factors. Following storm events, the direct and rapid discharge of storm water from urban areas into bays introduces measurable amounts of runoff pollutants. Although a seasonal input of clean fresh water is a natural and important component of the bays' environ- ments, elevated levels of freshwater discharge from 10 man-made drainage canals, even if unpolluted, can have a noticeable effect on bay life. Dredging in or near bays overturns or alters the detrital system, eliminating this prime nutrient source or making it unsuitable for higher organisms. In addition it increases the levels of sediment suspended in the water column. High turbidity can result in a marked decline in sunlight penetration and a reduction of primary production if the elevated levels persist. In addition, increased bay bottom sedimentation can adversely affect the relatively immobile bay infauna. Because of the intimate relationship of supratidal areas to coastal bays, the biological productivity of coastal bays can be affected by activities that alter or eliminate fringing saltwater wetlands as well as subtidal sea grass beds. As noted above, the higher plants of both these habitats provide an important source of organic matter essential to bay food chains. The clearing of tidal marshes and mangrove swamps and the destruction of sea- grass beds by dredging, sedimentation, or boat traffic removes an important nutrient source. Moreover, the destruction of fringing wetlands eliminates their ability to filter polluted storm water runoff while the elimina- tion of sea grass beds destroys the primary habitat for many species of adult and juvenile fish and other bay inhabitants. c. Wetlands - Wetlands, defined as those areas where water, present on an annual or seasonal basis, is the dominant factor controlling and supporting the existing assemblage of plants and animals, cover extensive areas in Collier County. Interior wetlands include cypress forests, mixed hardwood swamps, marshes, wet prairies, and low pinelands. Mangrove forests and brackish marshes compose the coastal saltwater wetlands. Wetlands possess a number of func- tional attributes that make them a valuable and essential component of the south Florida ecosystem and irrevocably tied to the health of coastal bays. Interior freshwater wetlands provide the maj or surface water flow-ways and storage areas in Collier County. During the rainy season surface water spreads out over the low and generally flat topography of the County. Continued flooding, producing long hydroperiods, acts over time to firmly establish certain wetland plant assemblages. As water level increases these wetlands become the major flow-ways for surface water traversing Collier County to the Gulf. The presence of unimpeded wetlands helps to absorb storm run-off with minimal flooding of adj acent areas. In addition, the vegetative cover and the long hydroperiod of these wetlands help to retain this water and store it longer, in effect extending for these assemblages the favorable conditions of the rainy season long into the winter dry period. The reten- tion of surface water at these locations also increases l. 11 the amount of water that infiltrates into the ground water table, recharging the subsurface aquifer thereby replen- ishing water pumped out and used by man. The moderate environmental conditions of wetlands favor plant growth. Some of the most diverse plant communities in South Florida are found in wetland settings. Not only is there a great number of plants occurring there, but the species richness (annuals, perennials, shrubs, vines, trees) is quite high. The diverse plant cover of these wetlands makes them prime habitats for wildlife. A wide variety of South Florida wildlife including wood storks, and other wading birds, deer, otter, fox, and other small mammals, numerous reptiles including alligators, and the endangered Florida panther utilize these diverse habitats as breeding and foraging areas. The favorable environment and the diversity of plants and animals make wetland ecosystems among the most productive in the world. The high levels of primary production spurred by the availa- bility of nutrients and water and the large number of food chain links make wetlands a biological system of prime importance. In addition, the slow movement of water through these wetlands and the absorption of nutrients and other compounds by plant growth make wetland ecosystems excellent water purification systems. Of all wetlands, coastal marshes and mangrove forests are the most productive. Their high level of productivity is a result of energy provided by tides, currents, and waves and transported in the form of detritus. Very little of the carbon produced in these coastal wetlands is however consumed on site. The majority is exported by the tides to adjacent coastal bays in the form of partially decayed, bacterially-infested plant materials. These materials known as detritus form the base of the coastal and near- shore marine food chain. Coastal wetlands have two other important roles. Shore- lines colonized by mangrove swamps or brackish marshes are much more resistent to erosion than those that have been cleared of vegetation. The dense tangle of mangrove branches, roots, trunks and the upright leaves of marsh grasses reduce wave energy and height and serve to protect inland areas from the destruction of coastal storms. In addition, through the colonization of intertidal flats, mangroves and marsh grasses create new land. The destruction of wetlands by drainage and filling as well as the loss of wetland function by modification and alteration has had a number of profound and long-term effects on the natural environment of South Florida and on the suitability of the area as a site for future popula- tion growth. Some of these are listed below (adapted from Hamann, 1982). 12 r - Draining, filling or otherwise altering wetlands signifi- cantly reduces their capacity to store water. Fresh water falling as rain is quickly drained by canals and shunted to the Gulf. Drainage operations diminish the retention of water by the wetlands and the recharge of aquifers. Drainage results in less water available for the mainten- ance of vegetative cover during the dry season and for human use. In addition, because these surface water flow-ways are often eventually converted to fields or residential lots severe storm rainfall that is not ade- quately handled by canal systems results in extensive flooding of these former wetland areas. The elimination of standing water in wetlands by drainage often results in the loss of organic soils vital to the survival and re-establishment of wetland species. Fol- lowing drainage, a rapid breakdown or organic materials occur because of the exposure of these soils to air. In addition, the elimination of standing water increases the susceptibility of these areas to fire. Periodic burning of drained wetlands speeds up the elimination of deep wetland habitats not adapted to repeated burns. Aerial observa- tions of Collier County wetlands that have been drained, reveals evidence of burned-over cypress heads and hardwood swamps now colonized by fire tolerant exotic plants such as melaleuca and Brazilian pepper as well as palms, pines, and palmettos. Fires which destroy peat make it very difficult for wetland species to become re-established. Organic wetland soils hold more water than sand. Reducing or eliminating these soils greatly diminishes the capacity of drained wetlands to hold water. Because it is less dense than salt water, fresh water floats above salt water when the two occur together. In the porous sediments underlying South Florida, fresh water exists in aquifers that overlie a lower wedge of salt water extending inland from the Gulf. In theory, for every foot of fresh water that extends above sea level forty feet occur below sea level. Wetlands hold salt water at a greater depth by the maintenance of a fresh- water head above sea level. ~~en wetlands are drained the pressure of the hydrostatic head is reduced, the salt water rises, and the aquifer becomes brackish. This process, known as salt water intrusion, has caused the abandonment of coastal well fields and their subsequent movement far inland. The drainage of wetlands results in the degradation of water quality. The elimination of wetland plants and the diversion of sheet flow into man-made canals destroys the ability of wetlands to filter storm runoff. Former wetlands converted to agricultural fields, residential lots, or commercial sites also introduce pollutants not present in the original wetland systems. 13 Altering the water characteristics and plant cover of wetlands reduces their productivity and opens these areas to invasion by exotic plants. Melaleuca, Brazilian pepper, and downy rosemyrtle have been introduced by man into south Florida and are rapidly colonizing impacted wetlands. Drainage or other forms of alteration reduce the value of wetlands as habitat for fish and wildlife because primary steps in the food chain are eliminated and nesting areas are destroyed. In addition, subtle changes in the water cycle of wetlands can affect wildlife because of the close tie between the breeding cycles and water conditions. The destruction of wetlands, both fresh and salt, also affects coastal bays. Point-source discharge of interior waters may alter water quality and upset natural cycles. The reduction of organic production from fringing wetlands alters the productivity of the coastal bays and has far reaching effects on fish and other wildlife. The elimina- tion of coastal wetland vegetation from intertidal areas reduces the storm protection and results in increased erosion of interior shorelines formerly stabilized by wetland species. Barrier beaches, coastal bays, and wetlands possess functional attributes critical to the survival of the South Florida eco- system. Because of their sensitivity to man's impact and the concentration of development in or adj acent to these areas, these habitats will continue to be adversely affected by man's activities. For these reasons, barrier beaches, coastal bays, and wetlands deserve special resource management and protection consideration. B. Water Resources 1. Introduction Collier County is blessed with a sub-tropical climate, but this climate presents a paradox to resource managers. A major feature of this region is the seasonal alteration of rainy and dry periods. From April through October, abundant rainfall over low lying lands produces water that remains above the ground surface for many months. Areas inhabited by man are often flooded, so efforts are made to drain the water from the land as soon as possible. However, during the remaining months of the year. from November to March when rainfall is infre- quent, water evaporation, plant transpiration, human consump- tion. and the lateral movement of water toward the sea can deplete the area's water reserves. Superimposed on this seasonal cycle is an annual variation in the levels of precipi- tation. Thomas (1974) documented that South Florida cycles from years characterized by drought to years characterized by flood. For these reasons water that is in great abundance during one part of the year or decade may be in short supply at other times. 14 Water is the life blood of Collier County. The fresh water utilized by plants, animals, and man lies beneath the land surface, held in sediments laid down during the periodic rise and f all of sea level. These underground "reservoirs" or aquifers are replenished by rain that falls on the surface and percolates down into the sediment layers. Excess and rapid runoff of rainwater from impermeable surfaces transported by deep, man-made canals, can remove the surface water necessary to recharge the shallow aquifers. In addition, the presence of sewage, pesticides, gasoline, and other hydrocarbon pollutants, can readily degrade the potable water supply because of the direct connection between surface waters and the ground water reserves. The delicate balance of the County's water resources and their importance for the survival of plants and animals, necessitate a carefully thought out and well integrated land and water management program. Maintenance of the quantity and quality of the County's water resources is necessary if the quality of man's existence in this area is to be sustained both now and in the future. 2. The Hydrologic Cycle All components of Florida's water resources are linked through the hydrological cycle. In order to understand the interrela- tion of our County's water resources, it is necessary to study the hydrological cycle for this area (Figure 4). Following the cycle one sees where the water comes from and where the water eventually goes. Starting with the Atlantic Ocean and occasionally the Gulf of Mexico and adj acent estuarine areas, large amounts of water vapor, produced through evaporation by the sun, condense to form the puffy white cumulus clouds so typical of the sub- tropics. As these clouds move in over land they acquire additional water vapor from freshwater stream, river, lake and pond evaporation, as well as from evapo-transpiration (the process by which plants release large amounts of water vapor to the atmosphere during photosynthesis). The enlarged clouds coalesce and form typically anvil-topped thunderheads. Eventually the weight of the condensed vapor exceeds the holding capacity of the clouds and the moisture is released as rain. The average annual rainfall for Collier County is 50 to 55 inches per year with a long-term variation between a low of 30 inches and a high of 105 inches. Of the 50 to 55 inches, roughly 75 to 80 percent f aUs during thunder- storms occurring between May and October (the rainy season). The remainder falls between November and April (the dry season) as major winter storm systems sweep Southwest Florida. The rain falls on either permeable, or impermeable areas. Water falling on permeable areas may percolate downward into the soil and eventually enter the shallow aquifers. From 15 FIGURE 4 ~ <JOOOOD Z o ~ ~ <]000000 <J 16 there it may percolate further downward and enter the aquifer system of the Tamiami Formation. On the other hand, when rain falls on impermeable land it collects in pools or forms large sheets of water that flow down the land gradient. Sheet flow over impermeable regions often results in large-scale flooding. The water is available for use whether on the surface or under it. Use may include irrigation for crops, wells for potable water, utility water use in sewage treatment, or a host of other activities. Eventually the used water is returned to the estuaries or the Gulf where the cycle is completed. 3. Surface Water Resources In the past, surface water flow patterns closely followed the contours of the land. In Collier County elevations range from a high of 44 feet near Immokalee to a low of 3.3 feet at Everglades City. The land surface dips to the south-southwest over a number of concentric geological terraces of decreasing height (Fig. 5). Virtually all of the County is less than 25 feet in elevation, with the majority of the County I s land ranging between 5 and 15 feet. The change in surface elevation is very gradual. In western Collier County the land slopes to the south-southwest at a rate of 5 to 10 inches per mile. In eastern Collier County the land has a flatter slope, dropping only 3 to 4 inches per mile in a southerly direction. Historic surface water flow patterns in the County were con- fined to natural drainage basins separated from one another by minor variations in the ground surface. Fresh water flowed from the interior to the coast through a series of strands, sloughs, coastal rivers, bays, and tidal passes. In western Collier County, water flowed from the Immokalee highland through a number of distinct drainage basins (Fig. 6). These drainage basins contain the following surface water features: Corkscrew Marsh Basin - Lake Trafford, Corkscrew Marsh, Bird Rookery Strand. Cocohatchee River Basin Cocohatchee River and its tributaries, Little Hickory Bay, Water Turkey Bay, Vander- bilt Bay, Wiggins Pass. Gordon River Rock Creek Basin - Gordon River, Rock Creek, Haldeman Creek, Clam Bay, Doctors Bay, Naples Bay, Clam Pass, Doctors Pass, Gordon Pass. Belle Meade Basin - Henderson Creek, Dollar Bay, Rookery Bay, Little Marco Pass. Camp Keasis Basin - Camp Keasis Strand, Stumpy Strand, Picayune Strand, Big Marco River, John Stevens Creek, Royal Palm Hammock Creek, Blackwater River, Whitney River, 17 FIGURE 5. ( I r I I I I I I I I I .j CO~TOUR INTERVALS ~ IJ '\.'"> ~l! 201 I'M20i 0 ~20~ 15~15 ~'O 1Dl ~11 10 H j t i 1 mIND IItI II'U'I'" .Ult .. Ilil III lift I 11111 J \3 \l l8 (Source: Tabb, et al., 1976) FIGURE 6. \ ,~ I \. 25 L'/ ;~. (.. \ 3J j , \ ~, \! / ~ ) ..., 'J "':: JI ,_ \ //: ~c::''::~ " _:C.J (---.--",,,, '" (~\~'_'~ . '\ I \.\.\\ "- ~ _' //n~, f." '- 'i',-f (\\ ',.",..\\\',\\\,\\ / 25 -- i '---./ V \ \ . " , , ) / , '\ \ I ~ --\ ) "J \. ,,- I "I /\ ~'~'~'''''- -~~ !/' / ~C(j\-~'7J,) r'~\~V~ ~ (- ) CO"H' CIUII! \ 't---..J f \ L-~" // r" h. I} I I ClCO":fm "'" -- -.0 ~ \ iSlJ7 / ^ (I /-- ( ~1JU\ ~>" 1 -- ../ \\.\\\ ) / J \ . ! ~ ,., ,1'" / I \ / / I ~ I ..'II,\. / / / \....\\ /' ( " " / Ii"';;'$>/' · I "" / ( "~'I I \ / ,,~\.... ~/ n~ /" :: \ " 1?l) r-" /' , \'. \ _ ""(' - -./ VlJ, ,,"'j (, '-J \; \, \ Ii f., ~. - _/ I ..~- '--vf. / "(\ r _ \ i I ~,-'-\. / [i'- 10 / 'r _ I J' ~_/ i ' I _. _ \ I / ::; , I L" ( fi ' \ i J - ~ "--\r.- J f'--- j ) '" /,~~, ~. ~'''- / ~ ~, " ~ /I. :: "~I ,_/t/-~ '-----, ( ~ ;;; ~ ,J /' /'--~ / (~V J '-v~, 15 DRAINAGE BASINS r', J , ,.) -~ ' \~/j\~~j~ _.Jf3~, /~_ '" - "~~J g /; / I J / / , b t al 1976) (Source: TaD, e ., 19 Pumpkin River, Wood River, Faka Union River. Johnson Bay, McIlvane Bay. Unknown Bay. Addison Bay. Barfield Bay, Caxambas Bay, Goodland Bay, Palm Bay, Sugar Bay, Black- water Bay, Buttonwood Bay, Pumpkin Bay, Faka Union Bay, Gullivan Bay, Isle of Capri Pass. Big Marco Pass, Caxambas Pass. Okaloacoochee Basin Okaloacoochee Slough, Fakahatchee Strand, Fakahatchee River, East River, Ferguson River, Barron River, Fakahatchee Bay, Ferguson Bay, West Pass Bay, Chokoloskee Bay. Surface water features in eastern Collier County include East Hinson Marsh. Deep Lake Strand. Halfway Creek, Turner River. Mud Bay, Cross Bay. and a large number of small strands and prairies. However. eastern Collier County lacks well-defined drainage basins and water flow is chiefly by overland sheet flow during the rainy season. In the northeastern part of the County water flows eastward toward Broward County. In con- trast. water flow in the southeastern part of the County is southward into Monroe County and the Everglades National Park (Fig. 7). Historically. water flowed during the rainy season through the aforementioned surface water features. Rain falling in the interior parts of the County during the early wet season collected in the deeper strands and sloughs, and moved slowly south-southwest towards the Gulf. As the rainy season pro- gressed. water levels increased owing to slow runoff and high water tables. Eventually the water levels exceeded the ground elevation and spread across the land surface as a slow moving sheet of water. In the late fall when the summer rains ended, the water levels again retreated below the surface and the sheet flow dissipated. Only in lower elevation sloughs and surface depressions would water remain into the dry season. Fresh water. that flows from the interior portions of the County through sloughs, and as sheet flow, mixes with the salt water of the Gulf and becomes brackish in a transition zone. The Boundary between the brackish and freshwater zone is the salinity line. The position of this line changes with the seasons. During the dry season tidal forces predominate and salt water moves inland through the tidal creeks and bays of the coastal area. In contrast. during the wet season the force of rain-produced fresh water moving to the coast via sheet flow and coastal rivers. pushes the salinity line toward the Gulf, discharging large quantities of fresh water into coastal marine waters. Ordinance 70-2 passed by the Board of County Commis- sioners in September 1970, described the location of this line. The purpose of this Ordinance 'Was to protect the County's freshwater supplies by preventing activities (e.g. excavation) in the vicinity of the salinity line that would accelerate saltwater intrusion. 20 \ l ~ ~. ~ \ I I I \ \~ \ ~ ~. t . COLUE~.. \ i I r- \ I ~: r SUBAREA B f / ,. I t"-,. ~l' N~~ES I J ~ \ t t . . . \ w~t" --------1-A~~~A!O~_~~.!\~--J.--- , P)f1L.. "" I J' \ \ t '1 . I I \ t.iW@f]k ", \ \ r , I @tf:~~t~~\ /" / ' I I I BIG CYPRESS ~..u............ '" t t J (~m:~ltrih::;:~;.' Ii' " \ ~ r t NATIONAL PRESERVE "{HWif.tL.;.;........ I '1,,~. t I I" I' f I ..... .-.~..~.....<.....:-.....-:.~.... f' .... If' ,. v~rfw~~;::?~!tm:::d - l',,_ r 1(' I I SUBAREA C I ' ..d.... .....<-.. , -r- ,.. r ~;{:~:r:~:::.. ..::~t::::::::;:::;.......;:: .... I I r .~~I!}~I!!:!i~i)!i!~~il:;~#:i::ir!:f::::::\:.. /' 1/- f - - "'1..__ _ T/H:tJ. MI ' , VrmFU;>!:itJIm:t:t):s-r:::r/::~:.. .... '-I--.L. I-----.!~A.!.L.._ / 1"31 .................."...:U::.............................U"(2(...................... f I / - - I \1..I1.f%tigh~,"';"w '. ~ I ---',,_ · ,.............,..,.............................. .,.........~.... - / ~ I .y~:~~~;::~:::~::::::;::~*:;::::;:::<:;:i%~!~i11!ji!~i~!!~11~1j~~1Ji11!;J:::::. "::':;::. tON ROE / / ~ "-- ...<.>".~::<:ill~~1!ii~~j~t~l::.~~j:~::. L- -1, /' / i ~'~Il!~~ ~ ~L /' . i ,r:::JiiV% '-----,J ~:~:::. ~i!~ifih. ~t~ff:~~f~~i\ ~::::::::;:::::. ,............ "':":':':':':-. ',.:.:.:-:.:. --:.:.;.:.:.;. i.:.'-:.:..' .1'........ .......... .....'..... 1.'.'-', IJJJ~,; FIGURE 7. LEE \ \ SHEET FLOW @ HENDRY \ (Klein et a1.~ 1970) 21 A large number of coastal bays and interspersed salt marsh and mangrove wetlands characterize the brackish zone. Water from the coastal bays and wetlands eventually finds its way to the Gulf of Mexico through a number of tidal passes located in the coastal barrier chain that extends from the north County line to Cape Romano. Along the ten thousand island coastline where no coastal barriers exist there is direct interchange between the coastal bays and the Gulf of Mexico. Present day surface water flow patterns differ markedly from historic conditions. The construction of extensive road and canal systems has disrupted. and in places entirely changed. the natural flow characteristics. Elevated roads constructed across low lying areas of the County act as dams and produce increased water levels and ponding on the "upstream" side and decreased water levels on the "downstream" side. The construc- tion of maj or east-west and north-south thoroughfares (e. g. Tamiami Trail. Alligator Alley. David C. Brown Highway. the Oil Well Road, Airport-Pulling Road. State Road 951. and State Road 29) has. in many places, blocked the historic south-southwest water flow across the County. This road system has effectively separated the surface water flow pattern of the interior County into discrete compartments. The excavation of canals to remove water from low lying interior lands for human habitation and agricultural uses and to provide fill for road construction has. in contrast. channelized previously low velocity wetland sheet flow into high velocity ditches. Not only do these canals drain the land. they also lower the water table and rapidly discharge freshwater reserves directly into the coastal zone. In some instances water control structures have been constructed to reduce discharge, prevent overdrainage. and reduce saltwater intrusion. In western Collier County surface water flow is dominated by the extensive system of canals constructed in the 1950' sand 1960's (Fig. 8). The primary canals are the Golden Gate canal that drains into the Gordon River and Naples Bay and the Faka Union Canal that drains into Faka Union Bay and the ten thou- sand islands area. The Golden Gate canal is approximately 100 feet wide, 8 to 25 feet deep. and twenty miles long. At its head the bottom of the canal is 6 to 8 feet above sea level. At its outlet the bottom is 5 feet below sea level. The Faka Union canal. similar in depth and width to the Golden Gate canal. is about 30 miles long. Several secondary canals flow into the Golden Gate canal, whereas four primary north-south canals merge to form the Faka Union canal. The other two major canals in western Collier County are the Cocohatchee Canal and the Henderson Creek Canal. These canals are about 25 feet wide, less than 5 feet deep, and 7 and 13 miles in length, respectively. In eastern Collier County surface water flow has been less altered by the excavation of canals, only three of which occur in this area. The Barron River Canal adj acent to State Road L 22 ;- 1. V U 1'- L ll. COLLIER COUNTY ctAKiACl8VSTEM ~1 -;"".- ~ ~ l : r~. '-:' -;.~.. - L & j. ." . . ..... : .. - .,.... i . ." ~ I' , , ..~ ''il..- ~~r:'.: ~ =. , I, , .....-y-' ......,~~.. ....t . 0-' \. -. -- ,-' ,..\". ( -.--:::----',.,.,. .-, "t.-I.:....:.... r',; -.---,--.~.:-.--,- -~ I',::' j ..:.,' .- ~::..~, '7-'~ I._~;' '. -::: "., ! _.~>./. :" ~::i":-.r:~.~..,' .-: .-', " ......- -.. I .... . - -i-rf - . _ _ >, ~-,~:;' ~ "',' . . _.. '~, , - - - .' ~ _..~) ; -f:'~: ; ;~ 1:_,_ .' - I. ',- . ....-.... - _ ~ I . " ". . ~ . '" . -. " I ~ . _ ! . - i ,':?""'~" .:--;::. ..~~.--:-;;:..:.I.', ~..~~:)~;~:'j ;_"~J"- ~~;i , . . ~ J." ~ :"'''';1 . It, ..(. , - ,. - ~ i" -. _ ,~. 1 t <t-. 'I' : S.' ~,w.u" ...~i.~__ -' ~-..:.. ' .j/; : - ~-' -;.;. .__ W.lI ~\' . .'_=- . \'~~il . " " ' . '/ ' oc~. .._ ' , ..}tF'4-.-.d-.-.---,-,-.-.~.J c:'\w.s, '. 8" .~"!.' j:f " . / V W-l4 ~\ ~\::,'J~-::,-_':~' I . . .. ::- \ .. ,.:.:t~~il~~j;i:,-:.c~C~HATCHU tIYlt:~HAt 0:") T.-~-' -. :-' '~~'$'f! . D_:~,"2 0 -~ . ~~ '. ,1:. ,"~., t, ,;~~,c'I . c. ~ ..~,.,.;~ 8 '~_' _ '~,~: ['. .7 ~~ ,1'.'- ;,'8 'GOI.:'---~ ,:" QDI .~. -~ ATI~'" ". ", Ie , ". - 88 . " -:" .:~.:-.- ~ t .::. ... 8 8-/ C\ 'c:. ..... , " \.':~- "'::.:...~ ... .,( ~. t-" 4. :I ~ .1-- t"' -n ::> -n t >- '7-" ';" a 2 5 , - SCALE ... DISCHARGE CONTROL STRUCTURES (Source: Post Buckley,Schuh & Jernigan, Inc. and Stanley N. Iiole & Associates, 1977) 23 --."1<, . > *"" "., .'\- '~~:;L . . r "":' t ::.~:;-~.--;~ . -... ;, ~- -':- "~~.::...--, -c z: -c: v. oJ ~ III ... Z o III III --~ '" ....:..... ~ ..' ~ " -- =- , " r. . " '- .L '~; :~ ..., -,n .: .l ~ -. . I . I L . , ! .! .. . _1 ~ .' .,'.. I ,.J '-- :.-. ,-:::t- .. J ~.L_":"'; i i. J -: :t:.~- . .] -- , .~ .. 29. and the Turner River Canal adjacent to the Turner River Road, flow north to south in the central part of the County. These canals, intercept flows from the Okaloacoochee Slough and the Turner River, respectively, and reduce fresh water input into the Fakahatchee Strand and the wetlands of the Turner River drainage. The other canal in eastern Collier County is the L-28 interceptor. This canal, located in the northeastern corner of the County, has very little effect on the overall surface water flow pattern of the area. (The preceding information on canals was excerpted from Post. Buckley, Schuh & Jernigan, Inc., and Stanley W. Hole & Associ- ates, Inc., 1977.) 4. Ground Water Resources Much of the water falling on the land as rain evaporates or becomes part of the surface water table; however, a substantial portion filters downward through the sediments to become the County's ground water resources. Ground water can be thought of as a reservoir that continually fills at one end, and continually drains, or is drawn from, on the other. These sub- surface water reserves are vi tal because they are the source of the County's potable water. The water supply for Collier County can become very seriously endangered if these reserves are depleted through mismanagement, are not replenished owing to rapid runoff or extended periods of drought, or become polluted by sewage. pesticides, fertilizers, hydrocarbons, or salt water intrusion. Although sometimes connected by flow, there is a difference between the water table and aquifers. A water table is that water held in sediments just below the surface. The rise and fall of water height in shallow ponds or strands is a conse- quence of the fluctuating water table. An aquifer, on the other hand. is a subsurface, water-containing, geological formation. where water is interspersed through solution holes, cavities. caverns and other openings or portals in the strata. Water may also rise and fall within an aquifer, or flow from a higher point to a lower point, depending on the amount, dura- tion and speed of water recharge within the associated strata. Water is replenished to an aquifer or a water table by re- charge. Recharge may take place by rain, surf ace or sheet flow, lateral or vertical seepage, percolation upward or downward (termed leakage if it originates from another under- lying or overlying aquifer). or from underground or subter- ranean springs, streams or rivers. When the water in an aquifer is held between two or more relatively impermeable surfaces that form a cap and a base, the aquifer is said to be confined. An aquifer is said to be unconfined when only a relatively impermeable basement strata exists, allowing contained water free access to or from over- lying sediments. Unconfined aquifers are almost invariably shallow aquifers, located within easy drilling distance of the land surface. Confined aquifers are usually substantially 24 deeper, their confining boundaries formed from geological strata laid down hundreds of thousands or even millions of years earlier. The water in confined aquifers is under greater pressure than shallow unconfined aquifers or the surface water table. For this reason wells drilled into these strata will flow above the ground surface to a height dependent on the pressure acting on the water within the aquifer. These water- bearing strata are called artesian aquifers. Underlying Collier County is a series of rock layers, termed strata, that extend from the surface to over 2000 feet deep. These strata, the results of depositional and erosional proces- ses, coupled with the accretion of marine and freshwater hard shelled organisms, were laid down, consolidated, and in places reshaped during the periodic rise and fall of sea level associated with past glacial epochs. During the periods when sea level was higher than it is today, most of south Florida was covered by a warm, tropical sea. While the sea covered the south Florida peninsula new strata were formed from shells, corals, bryozoans (or moss animals), sands, silts and muds which settled on the sea floor. During periods of lower sea level when the water receeded. the now-hardened strata were exposed to weathering forces and became eroded or dissolved through the action of marine waves, seawater chemical re- actions, and wind and rain. By examining well-borings, exca- vation, slumps, and other natural features geologists have been able to catalogue these strata, laid down and modified as sea level rose and fell during glacial and interglacial periods, in a vertically continuous series. Each strata exhibits certain well-defined features characterized by the processes involved in its formation. These features, associated with the permea- bility or impermeability of the rocks, may also determine the water passage or water holding capacity of the strata. These water holding strata act as either deep, confined, artesian aquifers, or as shallow unconfined (non-artesian) or confined (artesian) aquifers. Series of interrelated strata laid down together during specific geological periods are termed forma- tions (e.g. the Tampa formation). Four aquifers are recognized for Collier County. Each aquifer is associated with specific stratigraphic features. Progress- ing from shallowest to deepest these are: 1) the Shallow Aquifer; 2) the Coral Reef Aquifer; 3) the Tamiami Aquifer; and 4) the Floridan Aquifer. 1) The Shallow Aquifer - This aquifer lies within a coastal depositional feature termed Pamlico Sands, a fine to medium grained sand underlying the entire Naples area, and extending 10-15 feet below mean sea level. Pleistocene in age. these sands are highly permeable and allow easy downward percolation of rainfall, and surface waters. The basement strata of this aquifer is another coastal deposi- tional feature termed the Anastasia Formation. This 25 formation, which consists of subaerially lithified sandy limestone, shelly sandy marl, and an extremely hard fossil-bearing limestone, is found near the coast from the surface to nearly 50 feet deep. The Anastasia Forma- tion which becomes thin and disappears in the eastern part of the County forms an important part of the Shallow Aquifer in western Collier County. A third feature, termed the Fort Thompson Formation, consists predominantly of poorly permeable shelly marl, sandstones and limestones of both marine and freshwater origins. This feature, along with the Anastasia Formation, act as a lower confining bed for the Shallow Aquifer system. The Shallow Aquifer integrates with the sub-surface water table. It is not confined on its upper edge and is therefore not an artesian system. This aquifer is re- charged primarily from rain falling on the surface and percolating into the ground, producing water of very good quality. 2) The Coral Reef Aquifer - This recently identified aquifer occupies a large area in west-central Collier County (Fig. 9), and has been distinguished from the Shallow Aquifer primarily by an associated geological facies of patch reef corals and bryozoans. The aquifer is up to 50 feet thick, and consists, at the surface, of Pamilico Sand and an underlying unnamed calcareous sandstone, both of Pleistocene age. Below these strata is the highly porous, fossil-bearing Pinecrest Member of the Tamiami Formation which ranges in depth from 10 to 30 feet. The basement strata for this aquifer is the Miocene and Pliocene Ochopee Limestone of the Tamiami Formation, lying under the primary confining bed of Bonita Springs Marl. The Fort Thompson Formation was not recognized in this aquifer, but the presence of a hard, often shelly sand- stone may be the remnant of this feature. The Coral Reef Aquifer shows many similarities to the previously described Shallow Aquifer. The Coral Reef Aquifer may, in fact, be an eastern component of the Shallow Aquifer, differing only in that the Tamiami limestone lies directly underneath, rather than being interdicted by the Anastasia Formation. As in the Shallow Aquifer, the Coral Reef Aquifer is not confined and is therefore not an artesian system. It is recharged primar- ily by rainwater falling in the immediate area. It is a potentially high-yielding source of excellent quality water that should be protected. 3) The Tamiami Aquifer - This aquifer, which is contained in the Tamiami Formation, underlies nearly all of Collier County. Its surface is exposed in the eastern part of the County but extends to depths exceeding 125 feet in the Naples area. The Tamiami Formation consists of 26 fIGURE 9. -.-. I -- . . . . . ' . ... . . . . .. . ~ .! ... . ~ . T o . ;; ._-f- I ,-'-~ il.' 1 . j , -+- I I ~ I ~ . --+ ----+ _.~ i . . -- A Y -.. :. ..,.- - --." ! ..,.. "0., I ._.__oJ 0,_ .., "'0 T - r- 0, - - -- -:.::. ::.-- -....;- ~.;111' .-6!"":-... - - ..... - ".--- I . : ~" o' _ 0 , 1 J " /;T1 'f" I, ~ \/ ____ I - _\_ --_-rl~-J c 0 .. ~ . ~ o v i C~ES fACIES I i 3 c ~ ; ~~ L : : : ~ : ~ ~ ~ c 0 ... z ~ z - - .... .... z z ::> 0',-, "I ~ ~ l2: I "" :r ~, 'J,J ;:) ... r - <( : % . '" <( - - % % '" .... - ... % '" . ~ o ~ _-'L-- . . . . -_.~. ,r .... ......... 1 r.. ~ ~ ., -;. .c >, .. . ~, . s s_ '. :. c 'J'..s~' "'-' . .' ~ ~':':'O:".J.-~------ _-.-: ~-:::::---- I . .. . . ':; .: ~ <:) (.,) ..... ~ ~ ~ ~-- ; - q f: -.,j ~ ~ ~ <:) 27 '" 2 .. . - . - .. ' ~ : .. . . ..,:0 5 · ~ 0..0 . .0 ... ... :.... .. .. - .. .00 : ~.... e=~ c- .!! ~ .'" ci r-l co CT\ r-l u o (1) (1) < \.lS ex: tLl c.... H ;:, CY < c.... tLl tLl ;x: ....J ~ o u ~ ::r:: ~ ~ Q) S 'r-! (1) (1) .r-! ~ Q) u ~ ::l o U) c.... o ~ z ~ ~ X ~ Cl Z -< Z o H ~ -< u o ....J ~ .... E=: t.:l Z H :3 o C/l (:l., ~ extremely permeable fossil-bearing limestones of Miocene age. These limestones are riddled with solution holes in the upper part of the formation and grade into sandy-silty clays, marls, and variably-cemented limestones permeated with solution holes in the lower part of the formation. f The widespread occurrence, great permeability and water- holding capacity, and the excellent quality of their contained waters make the Tamiami limestones the most important aquifer in Collier County. Both the City of Naples and the County benefit directly from this water supply, as do much of the locally-based agriculture operations. Recharge is primarily by rainwater percola- tion, although lake, pond and stream seepage may be locally important, especially during periods of flooding. In the western part of the County the Tamiami Formation is confined and the aquifer there is artesian. The surface exposure and lack of confining beds toward the east, however, result in the Tamiami Aquifer being a non- artesian system in eastern Collier County. At greater depths the Tamiami Formation grades into the Hawthorne Formation, a widespread strata composed of sand and green clay marls of low permeability. Estimated to be 250-300 feet thick, this highly impermeable forma- tion acts as a confining layer for the overlying Tamiami Formation and the underlying Tampa Formation. The lower part of the Hawthorn sequence consists of thin layers of limestone that more or less cap the Floridan Aquifer of the Tampa Formation. Some deep limestones in the Hawthorn Formation, 200-250 feet below the surface, yield low to moderate amounts of saline water. These strata are thought to represent an artesian system separate from the Floridan Aquifer below and the Tamiami Aquifer above. 4) The Floridan Aquifer - This aquifer, which is contained in the Tampa Formation, underlies all of Collier County. It consists primarily of permeable sandy limestone and calcareous sandstone found, depending on the locality, between 350-640 feet below sealevel. Shallower depths are found nearer the coast while greater depths are encountered inland. The Floridan Aquifer ranges in thickness from 80-120 feet in some areas to more than 2,000 feet in other areas. The aquifer is capped by the marly layer and limestones of the lower Hawthorn Forma- tion, and the clay-silt beds of the lower Tamiami Forma- tion. Together these strata act as confining beds for the Floridan Aquifer. The Floridan Aquifer is recharged by rainfall primarily in Polk County, where the Tampa Formation approaches the land surface in a region where sinkholes are prevalent. In this region downward leakage into the Floridan Aquifer , L. 28 from shallower aquifers provides another source of re- charge. The Floridan Aquifer of the Tampa Formation is the state's main deep artesian aquifer. Wells drilled into this formation yield free-flowing water of marginal quality for irrigation in some parts of the state. In Collier County, however, the water is a highly mineralized wash of high salt content. Some local use is made of this source. 5. Smmnary The protection of Collier County's water resources requires the maintenance of the quantity and quality of both surface and ground water systems. Under the natural system water quantity and quality were maintained throughout the year despite the seasonal cycling between rainy periods and dry periods. The historic pattern was characterized by the gradual increase in the water levels in sloughs and surrounding areas during the rainy season and the movement of water by sheet flow at the season's peak. Moreover, the slow transport of water across the land and the retention of water in the deep sloughs and wetlands retarded the discharge of fresh water to the Gulf. In this way water produced during six months of the year is available well into the dry season. In addition, the retention of water by wetlands and other seasonally inundated areas not only tended to maintain water quality by the filtration and assimilation of nutrients but allowed for the recharge of aquifers through percolation. The maintenance of a high water table created a head of fresh water that prevented or at least slowed the intrusion of saltwater. The alteration of the natural water systems by land development and other associated activities have irreparably disrupted this natural balance. The construction of roads with insufficient culverts blocked the flow of water between and through wet- lands. The excavation of deep canals resulted in the rapid drainage of water from the land surface and the sudden dis- charge of large amounts of fresh water into the coastal bays. The rapid removal of water by canals from the land surface also reduced the chance for water quality enhancement. Because the County's shallow aquifers are recharged from adjacent overlying areas. any land development or alteration may lead to the degradation of ground water resources. Rapid surface water drainage and the creation of artificial imper- meable areas reduces the quantity of ground water resources by preventing the recharge of aquifers. The water quality of these shallow aquifers, which serve as the County's major potable water supply, is also susceptible to surface activ- ities. The spraying of pesticides. the leakage of chemicals and petroleum products, and the effluent from sanitary land- fills and sewage treatment plants can all infiltrate the shallow aquifers and degrade the potable water supply. In coastal areas the heavy pumping of the shallow aquifer 29 associated with lowering of the water table by surface drainage also increases the potential for salt water intrusion. In both human and natural populations, water is one of the maj or factors limiting population size and viability. The existence of Collier County's natural systems as we know them today, as well as the human population both now and in the future, depends on maintaining the quantity and quality of the County's surface and ground water resources. Positive actions must be taken to closely integrate both land and water manage- ment activities. High water tables and surface flooding during the rainy season should not be considered a problem but a mechanism to maintain the water resources necessary for the survival of the County's populations. A coordinated, interde- partmental program, designed to evaluate all proposed land use activities in light of their impact on the County's water resources and to correct, where possible, mistakes of the past (e.g. non-culverted roads, uncontrolled canals), should be immediately instituted to ensure that sufficient water is available to sustain the populations of Collier County now and in the years to come. C. Big Cypress Area Of Critical State Concern Element 1. History The movement to preserve the Big Cypress Area began in 1968, when the Dade County Port Authority announced plans to build a 39 square mile jetport, on the eastern edge of the Big Cypress Swamp, 6 miles north of Everglades Kational Park. Public concern over the location of the jetport and the surrounding development that would occur led to the Everglades Jetport Pact of 1970, an agreement between the U.S. Department of Transportation, the U.S. Department of Interior, Dade County Port Authority and the State of Florida, whereby the jetport would be moved to an alternate site. The single runway training strip, already constructed by the time the agreement was signed, could operate without any expansion until the alternate site was selected. Pursuant to the agreement, the U. S. Department of Interior agreed to undertake the planning, development and coordin- ation of an ecological study of the Big Cypress region, including its hydrology. Under this agreement the Department would also provide recommendations for uses of the Big Cypress Swamp which would be consistent with the preservation and protection of the environment and ecosystems of the Everglades National Park, the water supply of the affected communities, and the marine resources of dependent estuaries. The jetport controversy focused concern on the natural resources of the Big Cypress Swamp and prompted the passage of State and Federal legislation designed to protect the area. 30 The Florida Environmental Land and Water Management Act of 1972, (Chapter 380.05, Florida Statutes) established procedures for the designation of areas containing environmental or natural resources of regional or statewide importance as areas of critical state concern. The Big Cypress Area was so designated by the Florida legislature with the passage of the Big Cypress Conservation Act of 1973 (Chapter 73-131 Laws of Florida, & Chapter 380.055 F.S.). This act set the boundaries of the Critical Area and established the process for developing land regulations to govern the area. In addition, this Act appropriated $40 million as the State's contri- bution for acquisition of lands within the Federal Big Cypress National Preserve. As designated, the Area of Critical State Concern includes the Federal Big Cypress National Preserve, and contiguous land and water areas which are ecologically linked with the Everglades National Park, estuarine fisheries of South Florida, and the freshwater aquifer of South Florida. The Federal Big Cypress National Preserve was established in 1974 by Public Law 93-440 to ensure the preservation, conservation and protection of the natural, scenic, hydrologic, floral, faunal and recreational values of the Big Cypress Watershed. Approximately $116 million dollars were appropriated for acquisition of lands within the Preserve. The National Preserve protects a significant portion of the designated Area of Critical State Concern from land development. The boundaries of the Big Cypress National Preserve and the Area of Critical State Concern are illustrated on Fig. 10. 2. Description of the Big Cypress Area of Critical State Concern The Big Cypress Area of Critical State Concern contains lands in Collier, Dade and Monroe counties. Approximately 860,000 acres are contained in the Critical Area. Of this total, 707,200 acres are located within Collier County. A large proportion of the Critical Area within Collier County is under government ownership. The aforementioned Big Cypress National Preserve makes up approximately 422,000 acres. In addition, the State of Florida's Fahkahatchee Strand Preserve contains approxi- mately 60,000 acres. These two Preserves make up 68% of the Criti- cal Area; approximately 225,000 acres are held in private ownership. For more information regarding the Fakahatchee and Big Cypress Preserves, please refer to the Future Land Use Element. 3l fIGURE 10. tLW" ,---- I I I ,-_ __J 01 u. 46 \' HENDRY CO. ------------, ;.' :-'"':':::,":'c:;:.":,:.::'::.': '.;. ';-::::":::.::":::"':" ", "." . ....... ....... .,...........;.. o u J :1 ) ) MAP I ..... ..(:.:{:'::Yn> .:._,'.:. ~prOx.imoteIY 8 Miles ] o Z 4 6 8 Mile. 1 ......-:.::.;:. -.' .......::.... . . .~..' .' .. . " .-...:.'::' 27 34 ~ BIG CYPRESS AREA OF CRITICAL STATE CONCERN BOUNDARY \RANGE 26 28 29 30 33 i I - --- - COLLIER COUNTY BOUNDARY r-J w BIG CYPRESS NATIONAL PRESERVE \ IDENTIFIED TOWNS EXCLUDED FROM AREA OF CRITICAL STATE CONCERN 32 D. Parks and Preserves Federal, State, and Local Parks and Preserves occurring in Collier County are described briefly in the following paragraphs. Please refer to Figure 13 for the locations of the units so described. 1. Parks and Preserves Under Federal Management a) Big Cypress National Preserve - The Big Cypress National Preserve was established by Congress in October, 1974 in order to protect the ecosystems of the Big Cypress area of South Florida. The Preserve consists of 570,000 acres, approximately 422,000 of which are located in the eastern part of Collier County. Surficial rights are held by the Federal Government while the mineral rights are still in the possession of the original landowners. Around two hundred and twenty-five private inholdings exist within the Preserve. Approximately half of these inholdings consist of "single family residence exemptions" that are strictly limited to a size of three acres plus that land needed for access. The other half of the inholdings are "commercial exemptions". The size of these exemptions are dictated by the number of acres needed to run the bus- inesses. These exemptions are located primarily along U.S. 41. For both types of exemptions, no use will be permitted that conflicts with the goals of the Big Cypress National Preserve. The Preserve is managed by the National Park Service of the United States Department of Interior. A list of applicable county regulations governing land use is provided in Table 2. b) Everglades National Park - The Everglades National Park was established by Congress in December 1947 for the purpose of protecting the unique Everglades marsh eco- systems of South Florida. The park consists of one and a half million acres, 39,260 of which are within Collier County. No private inholdings exist within the portions of the Park within Collier County. The Park is managed by the National Park Service operating out of the Everglades National Park administrative center near Homestead. 2. Parks and Preserves Under State Management a) Barefoot Beach State Preserve Barefoot Beach ...--State Preserve was acquired by bond issue in 1972 to provide for the protection of the site's natural resources. It was purchased under Florida's Environmentally Endangered Lands Program. Barefoot Beach Preserve is located on the northwest coast of Collier County. It is one mile in length and consists of 156.45 acres of beach, coastal strand, mangrove fringe, and shallow bay habitats. ' There are no recreational facilities and little public use, therefore the management of the Preserve consists mainly of maintaining native vegetation and wildlife and moni- toring exotic plant growth. The Preserve is managed by the Department of Natural Resource's Division of Recrea- tion and Parks. 33 TABLE 2 COLLIER COUNTY REGULATIONS GOVE~~ING LAND USE AND THE PROTECTION OF NATURAL RESOURCES IN THE BIG CYPRESS AREA OF CRITICAL STATE CONCERN I. County Ordinances No. 83-54 83-3 82-113 82-3 82-2 80-49 79-62 77-66 76-67 75-21 74-50 74-20 70-2 82-91 Short Title Comprehensive Plan Ordinance Excavation Ordinance Exotic Plant Ordinance Exotic Fish Ordinance Zoning Ordinance Special Treatment Area Regulations Boat Dock and Boat House Ore. Flood Plain Management Ord. County Environ~ental Impact Statement Ordinance Amendment to Water Management Policy Protected Tree Removal Ord. Water Management Policy We 11 Ordinance Sa]inity Line Ordinance Public Right-of-Way Ord. 11. Other Regulations Dredge and FiJ 1 Permi t Southern Standard Building Code (Building Permit) Subdivision Regulations (including Plating) 34 Principal Department Planning Department \\'ater Management Dept. Zoning Department Wa ter Management Dept. Zoning Department County Environmentalist Zoning Department Building Department County Environmentalist Water Management Dept. Zoning Department Water Management Dept. Water Management Dept. Water Management Dept. Engineering Department Engineering Department Building Department Zoning and Engineering Department r I l . b) Cape Romano - Ten Thousand Islands Aquatic Preserve - The Cape Romano-Ten Thousand Islands Aquatic Preserve is one of the 35 aquatic preserves in the State of Florida. Its 50 to 60 square miles consist primarily of submerged lands below mean high water. The preserve is managed by the Department of Natural Resource's Division of Recreation and Parks, Bureau of Environmental Land Management. Its ,local management falls under the responsibility of the Manager of the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Sanctuary. c) Collier Seminole State Park - Collier Seminole State Park consists of 6,423 acres of uplands, brackish marshes, and mangrove swamps in the southern part of Collier County. This was first a County Park consisting of 5,475 acres donated by the Lee County Land Company and 389 acres deeded by Collier County. It became a State park in 1944 and is managed by the Department of Natural Resource's Division of Recreation and Parks. d) Caxambas Sanctuary - Caxambas Sanctuary covers approxi- mately 90 percent of Kice Island in southeastern Collier County. It was transferred to the State in the mid 1970's and is now under the management of the Department of Natural Resource's Division of State Lands. e) Del-Nor Wiggins Pass State Park Del-Nor Wiggins Pass State Park was purchased from Collier County in 1972. The entire park site was sold to the County in 1965 by St. Charles Charities. The park consists of 166 acres, 85 percent of which are mangroves. It is managed by the Department of Natural Resource's Division of Recreation and Parks. The Park management plan is in the process of being revised. A f) Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve - The Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve is approximately 20 miles long and 3 to 5 miles wide. The State is in the process of acquiring approximately 60,000 acres of deep marsh, cypress strand, and hardwood hammock communities from Alligator Alley to Everglades National Park. This preserve is managed by the Department of Natural Resource I s Division of Recreation and Parks. g) Rookery Bay National Estuarine Sanctuary Rookery Bay National Estuarine Sanctuary and State Aquatic Preserve was acquired by the State of Florida in 1978 for research, education, and preservation of approximately 6,650 acres of mangrove swamps and shallo~ water bays. A portion of the sanctuary, purchased with funds from the Collier County Conservancy, and is owned by the National Audubon Society and managed by the State under a 99 year lease. Land acquisition for the Sanctuary is not yet complete. Additional areas are continuing to be added when the land owners are willing to sell and when funds are available 35 for purchase. the National administrative tirely by the State Lands. The U.S. Department of Commerce administers Estuarine Sanctuary program and supplies funds, but the Sanctuary is managed en- Department of Natural Resource's Division of 3. Parks and Preserves Under County Management Clam Pass Park/Pelican Bay Preserve - The Clam Pass Park/ Pelican Bay Preserve unit was deeded to the County in 1982 by Coral Ridge Collier Properties. The 36 acre Clam Pass Park was deeded to the County for public beach access. -1'-he Pelican ~.il"y-P~~, sonsisting of 524 a~re_s of mang~o\7e s"",amps and shallow bays, wa,$ transfered to, the CountY -as a~deral'stipuTa-t.ion--tc:>' Ehe -Ts'suance - or the permits for the nor~J1West Pelican Bay fi!l,w",site:' The \ Pelican Bay Preserve is administrativelYJIlgnaged by the \ ~ 0:, t .,' Penca~ Bay Imp,rovement~istrict whic~_~is run by,Xive /\ .(\ I I,~~ supervisors who currently are appointed by the County y ? ~\ \I,r) 1 /" I I . t' Comi s~:ii on. , t \ "', ' , ~ :.;; tAn I -'" e e.C) t 'A () r { . ''',. I, , , . , "'.'1 \ ';;.,.- ,'I' ~ II b) ,Tig'ertail Beach Park - Tigertail Beach Park was dedicated ((\ tA t', .._"j t 0"1. r.c- ",cJ,'''' to Collier County by the Deltona Corporation in 1969. The . ; 0, )/,1" >(, by , ,!A <6fi- 31.6 acre Park consists of a 3,600 foot stretch of eM 51 SU) ('IN J(r1S16 ./. Gulf-front beach and associated upland and mangrove . 'l) y\ eft>>" \3o..-t vegetation. Existing Park facilities consisting of a \</' parking lot, bathhouse, and concession stand were constructed by the County in 1981. Plans are currently underway for an expansion of Tigertail1s parking facilities. a) / 4. Parks and Preserves Under Private Management a) Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary - Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary was acquired in 1954. It consists of approximately 11,000 acres of cypress strand, marsh and pine flatwoods habitat. The Corkscrew Sanctuary is owned and managed by the National Audubon Society. It was established to protect and preserve native Florida wildlife and their habitats. E. Environmental Agencies and Jurisdiction 1. County Collier County's environmental program consists of the County Environmentalist and two Citizen Advisory Boards. The Environ- mentalist operates under the supervision of the Community Development Administrator. As part of his function, the Environmentalist ,.z..eviews EnvironmentalI.m,p,act Statements and all proposed changes in zoning and land use-classificatfOns. He also reviews applications for provisional uses of property, 36 .-~ . '~ecial,._!..E.ea,.~~ent" si~e d~y~lo.Em~,Pt I>~~ns..!. Coastal .~_~~- tion Control" Line variance applications, seawall, boat house .'and'~c;;tis-truction- permit appiiGadons, native tree removal requests, and programs to eliminate exotic plant pests. The Environmentalist also prepares written comments on certain activities such as agricultural improvements and dredge and fill petitions, in which State and Federal agencies have jurisdiction. Two citizen committees advise the Board of County Commissioners on environmental matters: the Environmental Advisory Council and the Wa ter Management Advisory Board. Members of both committees are appointed by the Board of County Commissioners. The Environmental Advisory Council (EAC) is composed of five voting members. The council meets the first and third Wed- nesdays of each month-to'-review, proposed projects requiring a .z,gning chan..&~ or _the ~r~nting'o-f--a=.prov.~s!oniI ~El.e. Inaddi- tion, ~e Cq~!lcil is,,.1?eri().4ic..ally !,E;..9.~~~.~.~d to comment on other environmental matters. The recommendations of the EAC are -f~'~a~d~d"-to"-'thePlanning Commissi'on-and- incorporated into '-t~iI"'finir_'.r-;~iew ..Cl!lc!!".~c~!I:lIDend_ation to the' Boar'd'-o"'CCounty Commissioners .'- The ~~,~ .l:!Cl~~~IE..ent A.~y~~yry :e.()Cl~.(~;B) meets the second Wednesda:l'._of each month to review land alteration p!,oJects that~,.ha,y:__ thepo.t~~~ial to h.~:.~n~~Y,=E2:.:}~Ea~t the CoU.?~ty' s water, resources. The Board also rev~ews water~anagement .~~ ~ic::f;eI~~-~J~'~~~~ i ft:ceaitrio~:T1~{~l le:svs~:nih:~a~d::::: t.'st~: -'~'C-"'~':"T7..,"""~-'-,'-',""",,,,,,.,- ..... '_,.."'.' _._.....,.'H ..'r -._...~,..-_.,-_.._".."...;...."..."....'......<"" effects of wetiand ~rainage and stream channelization. The. legal basis!.gr.C()pier CouPJ;y! s e.l}v:i,romIlent~!_.Er<?&.r~j!.s_.. prov.!~ed "~_~~, princ:f,ple env.~!onm~.l1tal ~E~~.I.1Cl_nc"~s. Ordinance 75-19 requires the issuance of a variance by the Board of County Commissioners, 1?E!?r to" ~he ~<:l~~nc::enientof."Cl!lr~!ivity seaward c>f, t,he estabTishea Collier County COa.stal Construction ~ont_rol.~,~l~e:- .~stTvTti~~.. req~iri~~g. a._,Y.Clriancei.~,~i~d.~ con- s t ruc.~ iE..~ _~" s t ruc t u!"~<<:,' m,~l!!l&_.~.? ex,E?v 8:~.~~!1, removinL<!~J?e ~_c h maferial. or oth~~:i.se al~t;I"ingexisting ~round elevation. '(Jther activrt-i;;s-~equiring a"'variancetnclude ~'dI:iVing vehicles on beaches or dunes and removing coastal strand vegetation other than Australian pines. The Q..t.Q.1f.l~J:lce_~,"Hg.J?lJ~,!!.E:l3the procedl!r:l:!s fOl:". 9l:>t.al.n.!P$ a "y'ariaI1c~ or for changing the loca- tion of the Coastal Construction Control Line. OrAinance}5-21 requires a permit to remov~ native trees from ~on~agric~ii~!=,al lan~ds over 2~ acres. It does not cover exotic species nor does it specifically address activities that would harm but not fully remove protected trees (e.g. the placement of fill around trees). The ordinance establishes criteria for the removal of protected trees and lists a number of exemptions in addition to those covered above. Ordinance 77...66 requires that an Environmental Impact Statement ~-(ElS)"- be fifecf .!oi:~jl! 'proposed constFuction proj.ects or site .~~~!_r~!!~E:~ cov~~r~?g ten or more acres, ~nd at.l:t o!her ,_ stllal!er- scale, non-exempt developments or site a~erations that would .___._ ; ..",-~____ ". "J""'_::;:_-'---'--- ~"-,~; ~~ ._",..".....-~.,- ,..-.,..~_.,...._,._._."-',,, -~ '-~ilin~~,~~=~~~tl\~~S ~:::~(lfi~P~~f o;~lr~~~~~~l mu~t~~~~y~!2Y.i~~' by the, petitioner to aid the County, Env~t"oIlDlentalist __i.~._.hj,~ evaluation. in addition, it lists exemptions -hom the EIS requlrem-ent and the appeal procedure. No site alteration or. ~-~ -~ -....- -~"... land development, that:. requires an EIS can ,be., started, prior to approval oCib'a't's ta temenT~ .~.. .. .,--..--.. -- . . -...,---.-,".~ .'-.~.,,-' . ,~"..,._,_...~.-"-' - -- Or~1nap~~~2-?, p,~ovides. ~I:eci~l rE!~,:lations for areas of environmental", sensitivity and for lands and structures of h:r'stor{cal and/or-archa-~ological significance. ~~!-.E..~!pose.2~ .th~~~-EE!~\!lations i~ to as~ure m~.!:!:~.E!.nance of the~:r2v:t:t:c:>.!}!llental and cultural resources of Collier County while at the same time ".~,........"'_..,~."_. ' ,.~_. ,~- permitting those types of uses deemed acceptable by the Board 61~' Co~unty Commissioners. Thi's is ~ccom-l?li~hed, bL.defining "Sp~.~i~,...,!!eatll1:ent" ("ST") desigI]~!_ed ,_ land,s in which a site development plan must be approved by the County Environmental- ist together with the Community Development Administrator, the Planning Commission, or the Board of County Commissioners. At present detailed liST" mapping covers only part of Collier County. Ordinance 82-37, as amended by Ordinance 82-113, prohibits the sale, planting, or inter-County transportation of Australian pine (Casuarina equisetifolia), Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius), downy rosemyrtle (Rhodomyrtus tomentosa) and melaleuca (Melaleuca leucodendra) or their seeds. All indivi- duals of these four species must be removed during land im- provement on all but single family or agriculturally zoned lands. The established penalty for each of these ordinances is a fine not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500) and/or imprisonment in the County jail not to exceed sixty (60) days. Each day of violation, or, in the case of Ordinance 75-21, each separate tree removed without a permit, constitutes a separate and distinct offense. ,~istiIl.& of ,.these and other relevant County environmental ordinances and resolutions can be found in Appendix B.... ~ll_t;1.:r-~iiulClJlons which8.Qvern.a.~tivities w~thi!1....tl1~_AE..~_ of Critica!..._~_tate ,~9ncern are li~ted ,.~p..,!.~ble 2. In addition, land - development regulations for the Area of Critical State , 38 1,1 \.J , II I' \ \ , .' " I "- ~, 'C' ^< L ;,1..,,[ Concern as set forth in Chapter2}!.::-3 of the Florida Administra'B.ve Code are administered and enforced by Collier CoUnty'.' 2. State //''''- In the State of Florida there are seven (7) agencies that participate in the environmental review process. Two of the agencies, the Department of Environmental Regulation and the Department of Natural Resources, take primary responsibility in regulating land use. The Department of Environmental Regula- tion (DER) reviews activities that affect air and water quality and dredge and fill projects. DER is t_~.~_Jea~. agE:!pcy 1Jnd~r"the_ Coastal"Zone Management Act of..!~?2.. as amended and isrespon- -sib~e- for" reviewing direct federal 'Sctiyf.:.ties, federally licensed and/or permitted activities, and fed~~a~!y--funded "aCtivities affect:i.ng the coastal zone to ensure consistency with the state's approved coastal._~~n~.s~J.ll~!l_t._iJ:.~~~~~. The re~ional office ofl?ER is lO~A.ted in F."~Et,_~e.,rs. The Depart- ment of Natural Resources (DNR) regulates construction and excavation seaward of the Coastal Construction Control Line. DNR also reviews dredge and fill permit applications and manages an extensive system of state parks, preserves, and recreation areas. The DNR contact for Southwest Florida is located in Sarasota. The South .!,lorid~,Wa..~~!_~~_&..~~ent .,l:>~~~,:.!ct, h.ea~.9.ua!:t~!"e~ in West>PaIIIl Beach, has a dual function within its south Florida counties. It operates ano'maintains a water management-system an(f ~nducts.. two, pertn!tting progr!-IDs; surf.Cl.s,e wa~e.r managemen.t permits and water withdrawal permits. In, Co lJ;i. er Coun;y tl)e Big Cypress Basin Board operates the Di~trict' s watli!r manage- I\lent system. The BOCi!d also fUI!~s ~esearch proj ects geared to improve the water resources of the County. Tl:].~_~o.l,lthwest F~prida Regiona! P1..~nn!!1g CogI1~il ~~~~~.~s the regional, p~~nning~ncy for s()u~h~_e~t flor:~a. Th~S-2\l~cll .~~y~i~i~:~.;_ i~t.~:;if~;:;n.t:ta:~t~,~It~~E;;I~;~ ifh~-:~nc:.~i~ which works out of offices in Fort Myers, !.~_.,~he .~~~i8E~t.E!d A-95 area-wide clearing house for southwest Florid,a. Ui ,this .~~~~a.~-ffyit forwar.Q,s" tO~.~~.~C)lJ~tY~9~l!Ei~i' 'Pe.':E!!~~-nt Division cop:(&!) of all land development and altera,tion plans invoivin8 Fede:r:~l-p~nnhs', Federal agencies, or(ederai"'funds'; }n '~...~dcgti()I1 ~'P J:.h.r2\lgh thr:,.-QRJ -- proc'e-~s" the._f~~~'ii~I1,~ C~~~~cil reviews large developments that bave potential regional impact. <' The De'par_~!Ilen~,()i_,~J:ate, DiY!,~,!..on of.l:!~alth _aI1~,~habil!~ive ~~.:vices .!'~K.'!f...!tes w.!lter__~n<!... sewer .~te~s. it aTSo'~ricenses . radioactive materials and radiation producing machines. The Department of State. Division of Archives, History and Records Management, also participates in environmental review. Under Chapter 267.061(1) F.S., they hold title to historic resources on state land and are involved with the protection of historic resources on projects receiving state and federal funding. 39 tJ '\ :,1} (.I 'f \/ " , oJ In accordance with Section 38.Q~05 F. S., the Depar~~_n~ of Admirifstration (DOA) has se,~ forth. land ~eV'e1opment -- regu!.at1o~ns~ (ChaE~~E__?7-~_. F .A. C.) fS):r'c_th.~~ Ar~? of CEitl~al State "COiiEern."These regulations include criteria for site afi:7ration'; drainage. transportation-Li~'ilities ";tlcf structure installation. A ,l:~mplete review of these regulations is foun9 within the Implementation Section of this element. Wild1i~~.._ m~na&.ement areas are_est.,~~.lish.ed by the Gue and Freshwater Fish CommissIon. The Commissione~tablisl1e's rule's and- regula'Frons for'-'fishing and hunting. provides for the licensing of fishermen. and regulates the importation of exotic wildlife. ThE!,.,~l}.dangeredan,~. Threatened Spe<:iE!~.,,"~!.tso.ry ~~~!}E1l.(),E,~!_a.tes under the CO!lIlIJiSS!OIl' FOE_8.J:isting o~.apP~I"~- priate State environmental legislation please s~e~~!ppeIl~ix C. 3. Federal At the Federal level a number of ?gen~ies exercise responsibil- ities r'eTafing --10 local environm.entar protection. The"'~-D ag~t1~Jes ~u.e_ the Arm.l",_ C_~rps, of F,:n,gi.,tleers. the~Il;v!Eonm~.ntal Protection Agency. and die 'O,:partment.. of Commerce. The Army CorES. of Engineers reviews.. aU:.-~!:!yi~ies which., iif!.~_ct ~._~0d.g.l~e~1~nqs and navigabl~ waters. These activities include dredge and fill operations. The re~lonal" office serving Collier County is._.!()ca~_~q itl, Ft. Mygs. ,.~~.., EnViron- ~=~ntal.~!5:~e_c_ti()t1 A~~J:lcy .J~:!\) enforces ~~;ioTla! st,andai"as' JegaftEd.i-ng. air and waterq,ualj.t;y. regulates noise pollution. and disposal of hazardous waste. The U. S. Department of Commerce l'.ro~!..~l;!st~!l4Jn~ throl:l..&l1",the ~fe/ Qffg'e ,?~~ C()_~~tal Zone ManagIIlent (OCZM) for im'plemen,~~t.2:()t1 of IS , Sta!..~. c~~~ttl..J.._z()ng mana g,e!l}en t Pt:oSIalI1,s. ~Tl_-1'!_~!!'?_Qf_:?~ .) lund-!pgj~ ,_handled by the DeP8:t:t~~Il_~_of Envir.oIlIll~ntal_B~g'll~a- q~c::m andd:istT:i.buted to local governments on a competitive. proposal basis. ~,~~~J?ox:s~!>ili~y for tl!.e enforc~E1ent of ~!'1~ Endan~~_r:.!~ ~peci~s Act belongs to ,. the.~~!~ment of t~e IIl~~:r:.igr. Th~__DeE~.t.1!!e.E! E~~,!~des for "tfie=~~2~~,~~_t'ion of ~Il2~p.&i.fr~"_~!:~c:_ies and deli!S- nates critical habitats. Collier County is designated a ~~;lIlli)i~~t{~}or-~~ a~ji"hI~~~!fi:.;:~~~::!.2;~!r~lf~~~~-- t~D~p~r~'nt ~ the Interior has direct jurisdiction over the lands within the Everglades National Park and Big Cypress National Preserve. The United States Coast Guard acts as an enforcement agency in investigating oil spills and filing charges against responsible parties. The .Gg~t" Gl:lardaJ~~Lsoo.rdinat~.~ permitting for _E2'::~9:~. causeways. ,~nd_ overhe_a.~Lp_~l'E!~~12~~.- See AppendIX D for a listing of appropriate Federal legislation. 40 F. Problem Statement () ~\> Rapid population increases without a proper governmental framework to protect natural resources leads to the irreversible degradation of environmental quality. In many Florida counties proper environ- mental planning came after, rather than preceding major county-wide development. Broward and Dade Counties now have strong environmen- tal programs yet large areas of these counties have already been significantly altered. Collier County is fortunate in that its relative isolation spared it from the rapid development experienced by the southeast coast in the 1950's. 1960's, and 1970's. Land development proposals for the Marco Island and Golden Gate areas. as well as plans to build the Big Cypress jetport. prompted the founding of environmental citi- zen's groups and the early adoption of several important ordinances focusing on environmental protection. The combination of citizen parti_cipation and~ar1y environmental regulation resulted in at lea~_t temporary preservation of a large amount of the County's natural resources. Both State and Federal environmental regulatory agencies have jurisdiction over many areas of Collier County. The limitation of staff at the State and Federal level due to budget constraints necessitates a concentration of effort on the larger property with more potential impact. In this way the cumulative impacts of numerous, smaller projects are sometimes overlooked. Each State and Federal agency concerned with environmental permit- ting has a very specific area of jurisdiction. Under certain conditions this results in loopholes in regulation. For example, the Army Corps of Engineers regulates only the filling of wetlands, not the clear-cutting of vegetation. The Department of Environmen- tal Regulation reviews only projects in wetlands that are contiguous with Pu~Jjc::_~at~J;J:l.Q_qigs. ~hotl_L!!._losai._p.E_()~E~!D ~~o. fill the ~ap. tlie-Eounty's natural resources could be jeopardized. . .--"-.-...-.....- .-.... .,- , -'. --- .,,-..""'.'- In Washington the current trend is toward a reduction in jurisdic- tion for Federal agencies. Just recently the Army Corps of Engin- eers modified their permitting process to greatly reduce the amount of individual proj ect reviews. On the State level personnel from environmental agencies are spread thin, often with one person covering a multi-county area. ~~sbecoming increasingly apparent ,that now ~~_ in,~~.:._f.~~~E~.~_!!_~___C::O}l!;~_L_...~~~_!. Ea"..:. _:?~t::~!<e'~~:-m8J~ rore-In-environmental review ;;1nd regulation. Witnout suCh a move additIonal ~a'tural , resource degradat-ion -is inevitable. with----a- resu'itant loss of the quality of rife that is ultimately responsible- _____---..----- '------- :--rf--'-'-----------' -.-----...-- ror the economic we~l-being of Collier County. /41 (- SECTION 3 GOALS, OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES The following is a listing of the Goals, Objectives, and Policies of the Collier County Natural Resources Management Plan. GOAL The conservation. maintenance. and restoration of the natural biological and physical resources of Collier County. OBJECTIVE 1 The development of an environmental program that will insure that Collier COUli'tY'-S- natural resources are properly and effectiyely managed ana protected. POLICIES A. Create the administrative framework within the County government necessary to guide the implementation and operation of Collier County's environmental program. B. Investigate and expand, if necessary, the legal basis for the County's environmental program. C. Insure cooperation and coordination between the Environmental Section and all other County departments and agencies in matters concerning the natural resources and environment of Collier County. D. Strive for coordination and cooperation with private, state, and federal agencies involved in natural resource research. management, land planning, and regulation. E. Encourage and participate in long range resource management planning by Federal. State. and Local agencies having jurisdiction within Collier County. F. Implement local government procedures to ensure that all activiites proposed for the Big Cypress Area of Critical State Concern are reviewed for compliance with the Critical Area Regulations. OBJECTIVE 2 The collection, evaluation and dissemination of information on the County's natural resources and their acceptable uses. POLICIES l. A. Compile, maintain, and update, when possible. a natural resources data base. I \ 42 B. Develop performance standards for all development/land alteration activities involving the natural resources and environment of Collier County. C. Institute programs to insure public awareness and understanding of the County's environmental policies. OBJECTIVE 3 The conservation, maintenance, and restoration of the native habitats of Collier County and the preservation of those habitats which are endan- gered, rare, or incompatible with most human uses. POLICIES A. Take the actions necessary to conserve the native habitats of Collier County. B. Work with public and private organizations and maintain a diversity of native habitats in Collier preserve adequate examples of those habitats for educational, aesthetic, and scientific purposes. developers to County and to environmental, C. Thoroughly review and update the special treatment ("ST") overlay system. D. Promote and support the restoration of native habitats which have been degraded or lost by past alteration. E. Take the steps necessary to protect the integrity and function of County watersheds and their associated habitats. F. Support development that protects a site's natural resources. G. Preserve naturally vegetated areas for the support of native fish ancl-wildlifeand for their ability to slow surface water flow, recharge aquifers, and absorb pollutants. .~ --. OBJECTIVE 4 The protection and preservation of the native wetlands and submerged habitats of Collier County. POLICIES A. Adopt a comprehensive wetland and submerged habitat ordinance keyed -totn'eoccu'rrerice orTila'rcator species. ._-,-,-... -'_..~-.-...- B. In wetlands, both fresh and saline, insure that development will not interfere with natural ecological processes. 43 C. S~rictly protect a!~ bonafide, viable wetlands. "-~-::::;:::,~ ",_V'_M~ '/."'- D. Preserve th~, s!gnificant submerged marine grass beds in the Gulf of Mexico and the estuarine systems. E. P~Q!~ct the ecological and functional attributes of significa~t ~t l,~nds . F . JI.rQt_et;J; freshwater marshes and swamp forests for water storage and species diversity. G. Yr~s~rv~,__ coastal mangrove forests and salt marshes for biomass production including fisheries. H. ';'" Prohibit the construction of any major drainage canal or water storage area which would endanger a naturaYwetIand""-a-;ea. ".^'~. OBJECTIVE 5 The protection of the beaches, dunes, and inlets of Collier County for the niaIntenanc.e oL their functional systems and for the enjoyment of residentsancr' tourists. POLICIES A. ~e,~~se, ~l?dCl;!e, ands~,:r:!.3.Fe.~n the Collier County Coastal Construc- tion Control Line Ordinance. B. Prohibit any activity that interferes with the dynamic characteris- ;ic;-of the b~ach or alters the natural beach proffI'e:'" C. Prohibit any land alteration or development on an~ currently unde- ~lo12ed b-;i-rrier beach that will substantialiy -alter the- natural ecological and geological characteristics of the area. D. Provide for the management of the beaches. E. Protect and, where possible, restore the dune resources. F. Protect the inlets to insure their functional inte~,rity. OBJECTIVE 6 The protection and maintenance of the biological, hydrological, chemical, and physical characteristics of the estuaries, bays and inland freshwater systems of Collier County. POLICIES A. J?~!~te the estuarine systems as special areas of research and planning. B. S!!2~y di,s.Sc:?~u_r:,~~e any act..!vit:ies (e.~.g.~., ~ew."iJl~,~J~2.I~ w~Ee~ay _~~ems) that..~.!!~r th..!! n!.~~!.!l ~p~1.sica2:.. clia~cter!~ti=-s (~ flow, freshwater/saltwater balance) of the bays and estuaries. 44 C. Maintain the water quality of surface and groundwater rE!sources by min~~;inf ac.;.~,,~!.~ies that, ,~~E!9 lead to-' - con~.!lmina'!~~:~~~J ~~!ants or the intrusion of salt water. D. Insure that techniques used in pest and aquatic weed management do not adversely affect water quality. E. Maintain the.jlatural surface water flow patt:erns and discourage acfIVltfe's that would alter water flow over'the historic.-tiatural levIes. F. Protect aquifer recharge areas and prevent activities that would deplete groundwater resources. G. Corodinate land use planning, decision-making and water management to ensure the long-range maintenance and enhancement of the County's water resources. H. Maintain the underground freshwater barriers that front along the coastal portions of!,he cO\lIlty.", B.l1c!,.k2!!,ibit construction projects whiClCwoulQincrease salt water intrusion. ~{-- I. Protect groundwater supply inappropriate land uses. from contamination caused by OBJECTIVE 7 The protection and conservation of the native vegetation and wildlife of Collier County. POLICIES A. Protect the rare, endangered, and threatened species of plants and animals and the habitats on which they depend for survival. B. Prohibit the introduction and encourage the removal of exotic nuisance plant and animal species. C. Protect and upgrade commercial and recreational fishery resources. D. Prohibit the premature clearing of land and the concomitant destruction of native habitats. E. Discourage those activities that would result in the removal of significant amounts overstory and/or understroy vegetation. F. Protect native maintenance of regimes. vegetation, the natural fish and hydroperiod wildlife through and surface water the flow 45 OBJECTIVE 8 The maintenance of the air quality of Collier County. POLICIES A. Continue to require developers to specifically address air quality considerations in their applications. B. Prevent any development that would violate County. State, or Federal air quality standards. 46 SECTION 4 IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY The implementation of the Goals, Objectives, and Policies of the Natural R_eso,ll:rce~~a!la&e~~.!1t Plan requires two distinct but equally -important t~sks. The- first task is to set up an effective environmental review procedure that insures thorough and consistent environmental impact assessment of all proposed land alteration projects. Pr~ject-~y-:proj~ct review, however, can not address cumulative imEacts nor the overall ,~ropr:~~~~n~ss of particular activities in diffe'rent - parts of the CO\lnt.x. It, is therefore equally important to ident ify and carry out -speci~ic en~Ironmental projects that will provide the resource data, management guidelines, and legal ,base needed to insure long-range, C~':::.ni::y-:~ide_planning on a firm environmental basis. c:.i:lrryin~ ~~,~ ~~uch Iasks which ,address both approaches to resource management -'rs necessary to create an effective and comprehensive local environmental program that has the st!,~ngth and ability to fulfill the Goals, Objectives, and }o1Tcies" of this -Pian. A. Environmental Review 1. Review by County Environmental Section Detailed environmental review of proposed land alteration projects is essential to insure compliance with the Goals, Objectives. and Policies of the Natural Resources Management Plan. To guarantee that proj ects in environmentally sensitive lands receive the level of impact analysis they deserve and to inform the general public of potential environmentally imposed land use restraints on a partic- ular site, an environmental map has been developed for the Compre- hensive Plan (Fig. 11). This map, delineating areas of Special Environmental Concern, is similar in concept to the Zoning "ST" overlay system but is less site specific and lacks legally defined boundaries. The Ar~s_ c>f,_?pec:l.elF;nvironmental Concern map divid_~sgollier ~ourfry.i,.p_tQ_qVE! brc>_<t<;I habita~_associations, four of which can'be 'considered tQ_be~Evironme-:n.,taIly 'sens'itIve. These'-~associat-ions were dertneated according to' plant community (Table 1 and Appendix A). Interior habitats have been grouped into three associations on the basis of hydroperiod. 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'" ..... ~ :l m o u OJ ~ '" ..... p., "0 ~ as f/l Qj 0. :>, Eo< ~ o ..... OJ '" '" Qj 00 Qj > ..... o '" III f/l ..... III ......... ..... .... ....... .... .. f/l p., .... III p.,.... ..>l .... CJ :>,..... o .... as m>=l~ .,..... :x:: .... '" as CO e;c as - .... U3roCO..elC) 1Il Qj p., ~"~5~]] .,...! ca CQ,.....j U':l )..lQJ).l..c~ ......,...p,...ou>, (C .,...! co 0 ).l ....~ uo.:>=I p., .... ..... Q- N('I'"l...;:t ., ~ o ..... '" 0. .... .... CJ 1Il Qj "0 .... o ..... o '" OJ III e ..... as p.. :- as '" ~ <4 x ..... "0 ~ Qj p.. 0. ..: o '" .... III ..... Qj 0.: ...; -It These, the wettest areas of Collier County, exert severe restraints for development or other forms of land alteration both in terms of environmental sensitivity as well as in the difficul ty of building and living at a location frequently covered by water. Land use activities in this association must take into consideration impacts on the hydrological and biological characteristics of these valuable habitats. b. Wet Prairies, Low Pinelands This association constitutes those habitats in Collier County with a hydroperiod of 50 to 150 days. These areas serve as sheet flow waterways during the wet season. Two major community types make up this associa- tion. Wet prairies, primarily vegetated by grasses and an assemblage of herbaceous plants, have a maximum surface water depth of four feet during the rainy season. Except during the most severe drought, the water table drops no more than a foot below the ground surface. Wet prairies are distributed widely through the Big Cypress National Preserve east of the Faka- hatchee Strand. Low pinelands are slightly higher and drier than wet prairies. They are characterized by open stands of slash pines with a grassy understory similar to that of the wet prairie. The low pinelands serve as a transition from wetland to upland habitats. Islands of low pinelands are distributed throughout the eastern part of Collier County. Plans for development in these habitats must be carefully considered because unguided land alteration could severely alter surface flow with a resultant loss of habitat value. c. Undisturbed Pineland Systems, Agricultural Lands. Urban Areas - This association is composed of undisturbed, essentially upland habitats (hydroperiod less than 50 days) as well as those areas already altered by agricultural practices and urban develop- ment. Although one finds small areas of un-mapped wetlands and unique, drier habitats (e.g. bay forests) within this associa- tion, the lands mapped in this association are those with the least developmental constraints. Undisturbed habitats in this association are dominated by pine flatwoods composed of slash pine with a palmetto-grass understory. Pine flatwoods cover more land in south Florida than all but the Everglades marsh habitats. d. Brackish Marshes - Brackish marshes are wetlands composed of grasses. sedges, and rushes that form the lowland transition from interior freshwater wetlands to coastal saltwater habi- tats. The water characteristics of this association vary greatly during the year. In the wet season these areas are covered with fresh water passing by sheet flow from the in- terior wetlands to the coastal bays. As the fresh water input drops off during the dry season the waters become brackish. This change reflects the increased importance of saltwater transported further inland during periods of high spring tides and severe storm activity. At the peak of the dry season, during times of slack tides and low storm activity, the water 51 table can drop below the surface often causing hypersaline conditions. Such conditions greatly influence the types of plants that can live in these areas. Hydrological consi- derations as well as the value of this association in water filtration dictate the need fo~ considering environmental impacts during the review of projects planned for lands covered by this association. e. Mangrove Swamps. Barrier Beaches - This association is made up of mangrove swamps and the fringing barrier beaches that buffer them in many locations from the direct action of oceanic waves. Mangrove swamps exist on tidally inundated soils in the coastal zone. Periodic tidal flooding. favorable growth conditions. and the input of nutrient-rich waters by sheet flow result in a higl1 rate of production and a diverse assemblage of organisms in this habitat. The export of organic materials .into the sh~llow coastal bays adjacent to mangrove swamps forms the base of the detrital food chain. This chain is essential to the early life stages of coastal fisheries as well as to the carbon balaI!ce of 'the adj acent shallow marine, habitats. As with brackish marshes, mangrove swamps are efficient purifiers of the waters that pass through them. , Barri~!'.. beaches exist at the land/sea interface. These coastal structures se~e a:; an essential first line of storm surge prote~tion for estuaries. interior habitats, cmd cgastal urban areas. Barrier beaches are composed of sand and shell de- posited by ocean currents. They are vegetated by plants of the coastal strand and coastal hammock habitats. Barrier _,b~aches are high,~y dY1?:amic environments that are periodically subject to rapid and severe geological change. As with the interior marsh. hardwood swamp. and cypress forest association. J;lHL e..c()!o,&ical. geolo..s!cal. aq~:ieny"ironmental -<~h!!"tact,~rist!.cs of mangroye swamps and barrier bea,c:hes place severe copstraints on devel()pment in these areas. Not only do d~:ve-lo..fmen t~c t..!y.! t ies in~ hes e~o..c~~.i.ons reduce the.J}.!l>l!_!~ s,.. ecol,2$i.~jir ~Cl!.~~ and ability to,..Eroyide sto.!:t,D _.P!,?t~~~~ori,but !~ey also p~ace futureresi.~.7nts und~.r the t:~lreat of loss of life and property should a major coastal storm strike. Associations based on existing vegetation were chosen to delineate areas of Special Environmental Concern because site vegetation reflects the environmental conditions of a particular area. The plants and animals associated with, t:hese habitat types as well as physical factors such as hydrology. gt!ology, exposure to tiaal flooding and coastal storm waves, influence the potential that a proposed land alteration proj ect would have for adverse environ- mental impact. ' ~-"--., 52 The Areas of Special Environmental Concern map is based on the UniversIty ,of FlorIoa Center for Wetlands vegetation ~arid~ fand- use map .-- Following the transfer of information, tli"e ""map' was updatedq-by g-iound-=truthing and public comment. This small scale map is recog- nizably general. It is for review purposes only and carries no regulatory authority. In the upland, urban areas west of Range 27 East and in the Golden Gate Estates existing larger scale "ST" and "Estate" wetland maps will be used to identify specific areas of environmental concern. 'EIlyiro~eIltal review, of a proposed proj ect for compliance with the Comprehensive-PIan-can be envisioned as follows. Once the petition is received ,a pro~osed project will be, located on the Areas of . ~~daL_Envi ronment alConcern-map .-- ..-lriIormaffOn. on..-vegetaiion-cover and site---condltlon,,;as rettecfed bythe--map,-fil -conTunctfon-wiTh ~--~""--"~~->.""'-'--""- -."..^..-",...,....,.-..-."._~-_... . " . -, -- -""," !!!forma~_!~11,on the activities proposed and the size of the pr()ject will then be used to red' flag for careful review those areas where the potential for adverse environmental impact is high (Figure 12). --,_._~_._-_.,~-"~_.._..._-,,.__..._.._---,-,.-,._..- ~()~wing the, preliminary review, large ~~~!~__~~'J:'P~()!Os and more ~~,~!~y~.g_~~~_t~()"n,q_~f1d topogr~phic maps for the project are ana- lyzed to determine site conditions, the mix of habitat types, and the extent of any areas of special environmental concern. This is f";ITOWedhy a meeting wItht:he petitioner to discuss project layout and plans to protect the site's resources from environmental impact. Where. sites are~ver_~~_~~~':~lILEi~~~nd _1!ot_be!!lg~s;*=d__fo:r:. ~rj,.::_ culture or s!ng~e family residences an Envir~!1!!!~.!:al Impact Sta~e- ment, prepared as a requirement of Ordinance 77-66, will be utilized as -the I?ri~e informat ion d9cument in the review. wp..e,re the site is ~ress than-iO acres additional information will be required if necessary from the petitioner. 9nce the background review is ~~~E!~__Cl site visit is coIlducted. The purpose of this visit is to ground-truth air photo and map information, to decide if and where low impact habitats for development exist on the property, and -to delineate a~-2..()!....E!.ote_cJ:!o!l_bA.sed on their sensitive nature or -on the impact the it' alteration would have on site resources and -pnysTc-.il.condftfons. 6r adjacent areas. The review of a proj ect J:Q.d~1:e~i.J:l~._ c"-~E!.!~~~~__"~!th__~.~,=--._~~tuE~!_ Resources Element aEd, 1:0 assess __1:h,~_J~Y~_LQt l:!py!!".onmental impact . involv(:s , a 'C?r-efulevalua.iIon--and ,consi~el:.~1::f.on Qf-"t1i~prop6sea' ~activity' s effects on -t-he vege.tad6n,i~d _habitat, wildlife, liy- drology , geology, aii-"'ancfwater quality ~"a-n'(r'tfie-hfsfO-rTc--"aii(f cultural ~s~rc~~.f_th~!~nd al ter~~I()ii.__~.ft:. ~e!:_~_~E!:oposed proJe~E~-~=:f.!!.~ 1 ~~_s;_-9_l:__!"~""_ ~~j~EE!!iJ_-!ii_1?.~.Er ie r be ac h~~_~~, coas tal !lays, or we.!.1C!.Ilgh..additional site-specific factors may also be rnv~~E.Ii~ted~ In eva"luaETng a-proj ect ' s impa~t on site-resources arid environmental characteristics, actions proposed by the peti- tioner that would benefit the post-development environmental char- acteristics of the site are also taken into consideration. Factors , consider:~~hen ~aluat_~~g a ,Q.!()~~J:..~,.~"l'.~"!:_~I?:!Ja_!_ impact on the above-mentioned resource categories may include, but are notlImTteo" to, those listed in Appendii--E:------.--------- F'IGUR::: 12. I INTERIOR I COASTAL COMMUNITIES COMMUNITIES I +J I u C ~ ~ p,Q) ~ E u Undisturbed Q) HC ~ ~...-j 0 0 Pineland Systems, o ::- r-iU ...:l Agricultural Lands, ...:lQ) ~ ~ +Jr-i Urban Lands C ~ rl Q)+J Q) fl3 E C .j.J+J C Q) E I fl3 C o E :;j ~ Q) ~ C ...-j ~ Q) E ...-j 0 '"Ci Wet Prairies, I Brackish 'OC > ~ Q) Low Pinelands Marshes o 0 C-..-j ::8 ~ ~ ~ > ...-j C I > ~~ C 0 ~ 4-<4-< 0 Marshes I Mangrove Swamps 4-< rl 0 ~r-I Hardwood Swamps Barrier Beaches ...-j Q) Cypress Forests I .c Q) .j.J > .c O-'Q) C Q) tJ1. ...-i ~ Q)o-:! ...-j ::r:tJ1 .j.J ::r: I Q) 0 ~, ~II a ().; (/-S4b ,-'-'-------- Although general, the considerations of the environmental attributes of a proposed project as outlined in Appendix E can be envisioned as rough guidelines for environmentally directed development. These guidelines do not include all factors considered during review but are merely examples of how a project is evaluated. To ins,u,re thoE_ou~hness and consistency of environmental r.eview iri--COiiier County.,habTtat-specific and activity-specific performance standards wirr-be deve1Loped in the future. Following project review and the site visit, the staff makes its recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners. Where overall site impacts are minor and can be controlled, staff recommends approval. Where adverse impact:s on~~~..~_<?~.rc.~s of_~he nl?:r:.?j~.ct site and adjacent areas are probable, staff either recommends stipulations to plan .approval that would guide the p.rojectin ways to'"-avoTa.'-'or minimize impact or advises . 'denial of the proJect for environmental reasons. .. 2. Cordination of Review with Planning and Zoning Departments To ensure that the land-use review by the County Planning and Zoning Departments is fully coordinated with that of the Environmental Section the Future Land Use map (Fig. 13) of the Comprehesive Plan contains two land designations specifically adopted for the delineation and protection of the County's currently undisturbed natural resource areas. The following descriptions of these two land use designations are excerpted directly from the Comprehensive Plan's Future Land Use Element. a. Coastal Resource Management and Recreation Area There exist along the County's coastline thousands of acres of undisturbed shallow bays, marine grass beds, saltwater wetlands, coastal islands, and gulf fronting barrier beaches. This area is valuable not only because of its importance in flood protection, biomass production, fisheries reproduction, and water quality enhancement. but also because it is the focal point ot the County's recreational industry. Because human use and alteration of this area can lead to a reduction of its value and a loss of its function, the coastal zone has long been the site of stringent Federal. State, and County environmental review. Proposed activities in coastal areas such as the dredging of a new boat channel. the discharge of storm waters, or the development of isolated upland areas. are carefully evaluated by agency personnel because of the high potential such activities have for adverse environmental effects. Since use opportunities. proj ect constraints, and project review procedures are quite different from other parts of the County, the coastal zone has been designated as a distinct land use category; the Coastal Resource Management and Recreation Area (CRMRA). This area is located predominantly south of the City of Naples and seaward of the adopted coastal liST" line. There exist within the CRMRA privately owned uplands suitable 55) for recreation. vacation lodgings. and associated uses, and support facilities. The use of such upland properties, whether located on gulf front barrier beaches, protected interior islands, or more landward ridges. is constrained by a number of natural and practical factors which must be carefully considered and weighed prior to land alteration. Natural constraints to upland use include coastal storm hazards and potential adverse impacts on public waters and natural resources. Practical considerations include the means and time necessary for hurricane evacuation. the availability of land to accommodate required setbacks, and the need for and availability of access, electrical power, communications. potable water and sewage disposal. Proposed development within the CRMRA will be evaluated in light of these and other appropriate factors. Currently, most lands wi thin the CRMRA are zoned A-I "ST" or A-2 "ST". The A-l/A-2 zoning designation permits maximum densities of 1 unit per 5 acres while the "ST" designation ',.".....~''''__~__._<_..,.J......., ...,....... _.''"", _.... .."_~_._. _....,"~ allows only those activities that will not alter or interfere ,~,t!i, ~th"~_!,p1:!~_re~,t e~g19-S,!.cal ~~~E<3.,~.ter!.l5t,ics of the lands___~o ti~E~d. Tpf; l"eco~~i~~~v:~~ue of the_Ei3.~_u..ral re:~ou!ce~p!:~s~!lt andJhe sensitivity of coastal ecosystems to perturbation ,by man dictate that therlensity and ,land use restrictions im'posed b:i"~Ehe c,yrrent zoning designat10ns are appropriate for" the _~_~. On certain upland parcels, however, densities greater 'than 1 unit per 5 acres may be suitable. Prior to receiving County approval for proposed activities in the coastal zone (including proposed land development with densities greater than 1 unit per 5 acres) the applicant will have to (1) describe how both the natural and practical land use con- straints as mentioned above have been investigated and incorporated into the proposed development plan, and (2) present sufficient data to demonstrate that the proposed activity will not alter or interfere with the existing biological and physical attributes of the CRMRA. Such information will be required during rezone review where a zoning change is necessary. during development plan/building permit review where no zoning change is required. or during other County review procedures as dictated by existing ordinances. b. Areas of Environmental Concern Overlay Prior to the purchase or development of land in Collier County, careful attention must be given to the environmental characteristics of the parcel under consideration. Site con2.itions such as .E!~t.~_ndeA,l?erlg.ds or:....9.~pths_9f .n.o9!iing ,B.~ p'resence of undisturbed ~pro<iu..c=.~.!..ye :\ole...E.l~~~s, or a combinadon of these and other environmental factors place natural constraints on the level and type of land-use activities that a site can support. Since environmental conditions playa major role in determining the permissible uses of land in Collier County. "Areas of Environmental Concern" have been high-lighted 56 ()E:c~eCo~~!J~ s Future Land Use Map (Fig. 13). This has been accomplished EY s'uper:imposing na'fural resource information on designated land use '--areas in the formc'of an overlay. This method represents a refinement'of the '1'979 land use map which featured areas-or environ-mental sensitivity as a separate land use category. The new approach will allow greater flexibility i'n the Land Use Element and is consistent with the element I s change to a less site-specific format. The overlay was derived from the Areas of Environmental Concern map presented in the Natural Resources Element which identifies five broad habitat associations: (1) Marshes, Hardwood Swamps, Cypress Forests; (2) Wet Prairies, Low Pinelands; (3) Brackish Marshes; (4) Mangrove Swamps and Barrier Beaches; and (5) Undisturbed Pineland Systems, Agricultural Lands, and Urban Lands. The first four of these associations include areas of significant environmental concern and were thus combined to form the Land Use Map Overlay. A detailed description of these habitat associations, their ecological and functional at- tributes, and the way land use can impact them is included in the Natural Resources Element. Both the Areas of Environmental Concern map and overlay represent the compilation of natural resources information available on a County-wide basis. The 1973 University of Florida Vegetation and Land Use Map, the 1977 and 1983 South Florida Water Management District Land Use and Wetland Maps, and the 1981 Fish and Wildlife Service Wetland Map were used in their preparation. Larger scale maps (e.g. the South Florida Water Management Distict's Map for the Belle Meade area) were used when available to more accurately delineate association boundaries. The Areas of Environmental Concern overlay is for informational purposes only. It may be used by present and future land owners to obtain general information on site conditions and any environmental factors that might constrain future land use. It can also be used by County staff during the review of land use amendment peti-tions. The overlay is not to be used to make a final determination on the environmental characteristics of a s~te. It simply identifies areas where further resource information and a site inspection are necessary to evaluate the potential for adverse environmental impact prior to petition approval. The Areas of Environmental Concern overlay does ?9t replace the current Special Treatment ("ST")sys~em.gc_E..resents a general natural.I.esou!,_cc~s. oygnriew for the, entire County .In.:'co~trast, the_l'S!".~xs.~.~m c<:>.ns~~..~s ,.<:>~f la:ge-s..~~le~aps with l~a!ly d:tine(Lbo~gg~r!,;,~,._~.~~9.J~L.!~Ura~o:!:y purpo~~s. ~,:~i~e~S.!'~', maps_~ avai~able only for t-h'?~~,...!!.e..<:~_~f ~!1.~ CouJ:l.tX. we~~ of Rang~.U.J:l~._ll_.~t. .' Where su~h.. ~ exist, legally define~_, liST" bgundaries will be, used tO~<!~_!.lt:f:Ii,.~.E~as to be protected. In those areas or the Cc)tlnty'''where "ST" mapsare not availabre Staff will use whatever information is available (e.g. aerial photos, resource surveys) to identify such areas. Delineation of all areas to be protected will be based on a detailed site inspection. 57 3. Implementation of Forida Department of Administration Regulations for Big Cypress Area of Critical State Concern In accordance with Section 380.05, F.S. and Chapter 73-131 Laws of Florida, the Department of Administration instituted regulations for the Big Cypress Area of Critical State Concern. The purpose of these regulations is to conserve and protect the natural, environ- mental and economic resources of the Big Cypress Area. Furthermore, these regulations are to provide a land and water management system that will preserve water quality, provide for the optimum utiliza- tion of the limited water resources of the area, facilitate orderly and well-planned development, and protect the health, safety and welfare of the residents of the State. These regulations are to be implemented through the local government's existing administrative procedures. Chapter 27F-3 of the Florida Administrative Code estab- lish the following criteria for site alteration, drainage, transpor- tation faCilities. and structure installation. It also provides for an exemption of agricultural activities and maintenance of vested rights in property. Site Alteration Site alteration shall be limited to 10% of the total site size. and installation of nonpermeable surfaces shall not exceed 50% of any such area. However, a minimum of 2,500 square feet may be altered on any permitted site. Except for roads, any nonpermeable surface greater than 20.000 square feet shall provide for release of surface run off. collected or uncollected, in a manner approximating the natural surface water flow regime of the area. Soils exposed during site alteration shall be stabilized and retention ponds or performance equivalent structures or systems maintained in order to retain run off and siltation on the construction site. Restoration of vegetation to site alteration areas shall be substantially completed within 180 days following completion of a development. Revegetation shall be accomplished with pre-existing species or other suitable species except that undesirable exotic species (see list below) shall not be replanted or propagated. Australian pine - Casuarina equisetifolia Bishopwood - Bischofia javanica Brazilian pepper (holly) - Schinus terebinthifolius Castor bean - Ricinus communis Common papaya - Carica papaya Common snakeplant - Sanseviera trifasciata Day jessamine - Cestrum diurnum Hunters robe - Raphidophora aurea Melaleuca (cajeput) - Melaleuca leucodendra Queensland umbrella tree - Schefflera actinophylla Trailing wedelia - Wedelia trilobata 58 No mangrove trees otherwise altered. includ-e: or salt marsh grasses shall be destroyed or Plants specifically protected by this regulation Red mangrove - Rhizophora mangle Black-in.!l1SEove - Avicennia germinans White mangrove - Laguncularia racemosa Needlerosh - Juncus roemerianus Salt cordgrasses - Spartina Alerniflora S. patens, - I. cynosuroides, S. spartinae, Seashore saltgrass - Distichlis spicata Fill areas and related dredge or borrow ponds shall be aligned substantially in the direction of local surface water flows and shall be separated from other fill areas and ponds by unaltered areas of vegetation of comparable size. Dredge or borrow ponds shall provide for the release of storm waters as sheet flow from their downstream end into unaltered areas of vegetation. Access roads to and between fill areas shall provide for the passage of water in a manner approximating the natural flow regime and designed to accommodate the 50 year storm. Fill areas and related ponds shall not substantially retain or divert the total flow in or to a slough or strand or significantly impeded tidal action in any portion of the estuarine zone. Man-made lakes, ponds, or other containment works shall be constructed with a maximum slope of 30 degrees to a depth of six feet of water. Whenever mineral extraction is completed in new quarrying lakes, shoreline sloping, revegetation and disposal of spoils or tailings shall be completed before abandonment. Existing quarrying lakes are exempt from this provision, except that whenever any person carries out any activity defined in Section 380.04, Florida Statutes, as development or applies for a development permit as defined Section 380.031, Florida Statutes, to develop any existing quarrying lake area, these regulations shall apply. Finger canals shall not be constructed in the Critical Area. This rule shall not apply to site alterations undertaken in connection with the agricultural use of land or for the conver- sion of land to agricultural use. Drainage Existin~ drainage facilities shall not be modified so as to discharge water to any coastal waters, either directly or.,. through E!-~~~ing draInlige fac:fI~t;~s. ~in~_'dr,?_i!i'aA~_ {acil~ties ~~all notj>~ __eJ{P.~~Ee.,d ,~n <:.~.e..8;!:.itY.,~or_.J,~!l.g1.h..e~c~l?t !Il cOIlf9rm~~~e w,i th paragraph (2) below; however, modi.~.:Lc:ptions ,!!lay be made to existing ~ci:litl~s that will raise the ground water table or limit salt water intrusion. 59 New drainage facilities shall release water in a manner appro- ximating thE:! n.atural local surface flow regime, through a spreader porid or performance equivalent structure or system, either on site or to a natural retention, or natural filtration and flow area. New drainage'-facilities shall also maintain a ground water level sufficient to protect wetland vegetation through the use of weirs or performa~c:e equivalent structures or systems. Sf.1.~ facUlties 13hit!l not retain, divert, or otherwise block or ,chan;er- the naturally ..........-:.;~"'......_ ~"""1l"',_,;.",.;,.,,,..,.._,..~ occurring flows_in a strand, slough or estuarine area. .;t-- Ne.~"_,.,_dr~!nagf:: fac:ilities shall not discharge water to any coastal waters either directly or through existing drainage facilities. ..".-.-- ,"'~' ','''?,.,. -,~--~ This rule shall not apply to drainage facilities modified or constructed in order to use land for agricultural purposes or to convert land to such use. Transportation T.1.rlalJ.sPQrtation facilities which would retain, diver,t or otherwise b!9~J<" surface water flows shall prl:)vide for the re-establishment of s"peet,,~t!.o~~.h.rough the us~ of iIlte.rc;~ptor spreader.!>ystems or p_~J'i.Q.rmance e.9.,:!ivalent structures and shall provide for passage of stream, strand or slough waters through the use of bridges, culverts, piling construction or performance equivalent structures or systems. Channelization of such areas shall be the minimum ~1n~t~ necessaryu'""to maintain reasonable flow and prevent weed b ockage. Transportation facilities, constructed substantially parallel to the local" surface flow, shall maintain a ground water level sufficient toprot:ct wetland ve,getation through the use of weirs or perlormanEe eq~i'valent structures or systems and as feasible, the flows in such works shall be released to natural retention filtration and flow areas. Transportation facility construction sites shall provide for siltation and runoff control through the use of settling ponds, soil fixing or performance equivalent structures or systems. Structure Installation Placement of structures shall be accomplished in a manner that will not adversely affect surface water flow or tidal action. Minimum lowest floor elevation permitted for structures shall be at or above the 100 year flood level, as established by the Admi- nistrator of the Federal Flood Insurance Administration. The construction of any structure shall meet additional Federal Flood Insurance Land Management and Use Criteria (24 CFR 1910), as administered by the appropriate local agency. 60 This rule shall not apply to structures used or intended for use in connection with the agricultural use of the land. Chapter 27F-3, F .A. C. states that all, land development regulations adopte~ by the Administration Commission \!ll~ter Section 380.05, F.S. and 73-131 , Laws of Florida, shall1:>e_admiJ:1~stered by the local goverIlID.ent. The inclusion of the state regulations within this Element of thec;omprehensive Plan makes them a part of Collier County's land development regulations. Any future land use activ- ities proposed for the Area of Critical State Concern shall be reviewed by the Division of Community Development for compliance with the Comprehensive Plan. Environmental Projects For Long-Term Resource Management and Protection Proj ect-by-proj ect environmental review alone is not sufficient to insure long-range resource protection and maintenance on a County- wide basis. Although project review to determine potential environ- mental impact is essential for protecting resources, it is at best piecemeal management that can not fully evaluate cumulative impacts nor look at an overall area of the County and plan environmentally for the future. To guarantee effective long range resource protec- tion and maintenance it is essential to develop specific management plans for resources deserving particular attention because of their rare or sensitive nature. In addition, a long-term environmental work program that outlines other projects necessary to implement the Goals, Objectives, and Policies of this element is required. 1. Mid-Range (0-5 Years) Environmental Projects - Development of Resource Management Plans for Barrier Beach Systems, Coastal Bays, and Wetlands. The most effective way to insure the long-term protection and maintenance of definable resources is by the preparation of resource management plans. Resource management plans will be prepared for barrier beaches, coastal dunes, bays, and wetlands during the next few years. The preparation of these plans involves the following tasks: 1) the delineation of the re- source to be protected and managed; 2) the compilation of basic inventory data on the resource and environmental factors influencing it; 3) the highlighting of areas of concern re- quiring special management considerations; 4) the development of a plan for the management of the resource that lists general policies to be followed as well as site-specific and activity- specific performance standards and development guidelines; and 5) the preparation and passage of ord~nances. administrative ruies. 'or any o~her tools'needed 'to es'ta'blish, the legaCbas:ls for - the plan~nd the c~nuecr-protection aT" the "resource. 61 These management plans will be dynamic rather than static. The plans will be updated as more information is obtained and as conditions change. Since sufficient staff time and funds are not currently avail- able at the local level, State grants have been sought to support the preparation of these plans. At present grants from the Florida Office of Coastal Management are supporting the preparation of the coastal zone resource management plans. Personnel needs other than those of County staff are provided for by an Environmental Intern program. The interns are current or former graduate-level students trained in fields relevent to the management program being prepared and residing in Collier County from six months to a year. The Environmental Sect ion's mid-range (0-5 years) work plan involves the ongoing development of management programs for the protection and maintenance of Collier County's coastal zone resources and wetlands. The scope, work plans, timetables, and funding status of these programs are described in the following paragraphs. Coastal Management Programs The Environmental Section is currently involved in an ongoing research and plan prepar- ation for the protection and maintenance of Collier County's coastal zone resources. This program has been supported since February 1982 by Federal Coastal Zone Management Funds received from the Department of Environ-mental Regulation Office of Coastal Management. State funding will continue until fall 1984. Program tasks include the gathering of physical and biological inventory data, the preparation of management plans and the drafting of ordinances to support policies and management guidelines. Plans being worked on outline management programs for: (1) developed beaches and undeveloped barrier islands (July, 1983); (2) coastal bays, subtidal grass beds, and fringing salt water wetlands (August, 1984); and (3) coastal fish and wildlife resources (October, 1984). Involved in these programs is a major revision of the County Coastal Construction Control Line ordinance and the preparation of other ordinances or relevant environmental codes for the protection of resources included in the above-mentioned plans. Dune Management Program The Environmental Section is currently awaiting word on a funding application for Erosion Control Funds from the Department of Natural Resources Division of Beaches and Shores. The funds were requested to undertake a management program for the protection, restoration, and maintenance of the dune and coastal strand systems at all County parks and beach access points. Management tasks involved in this program 62 include the revegetation of coastal strand communities, the reconstruction and replanting of damaged dune lines, the thinning or complete removal of Australian pines, the construction of elevated dune crosswalks and surficial walkways, the erection of pedestrian traffic control fences in areas of heavy impact, and the placement of pedestrian control signs. If funded the plan will undertake dune management projects at Clam Pass Park and Pelican Bay North access points during fiscal year 1983-84. In fiscal year 1984-85 projects will be undertaken at Tigertail Beach Park and the access points at Barefoot Beach, Horizon Way, and Vanderbilt Beach and Marco Island. If complete funding is not received from D.N.R., other funding sources will be investigated for the support of part or all of this program. Wetland Programs Following the completion of management programs to implement Collier County's Coastal program, the Environmental Section will shift its efforts inland to research and design management programs for the County's wetlands. This program will take data collected on coastal wetlands during the preparation of the coastal program and expand this information to cover all wetlands types, both fresh and salt, in Collier County. The program will involve gathering resource inventory data and compiling existing map and airphoto resources into a uniform County wetland map. The finished product will include specific management guidelines and an ordinance designed to permit compatible uses yet protect these valuable County resources. Aside from the Coastal wetland portions, no funding has yet been obtained for this program. Pending funds, work on the program will commence following the completion of the coastal program in late 1984. These specific management programs will be designed to protect the beaches, coastal bays, and wetlands of Collier County because of their resource values and susceptibility to man's impact. Although the timetable is tentative and dependent on personnel and continued funding, the programs will be designed and implemented in the near future. 2. Long-Range (0-10 Years) Environmental Projects In addition to the preparation of specific management plans for beaches, bays, and wetlands, other projects are necessary to implement this Element's objectives and to insure resource protection and maintenance in Collier County. These include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following tasks: Objective #1 - The Development of an Environmental Program The development of a strong local environmental program re- quires the expansion of its administrative and legal basis and 63 the establishment of good inter and intra-governmental cooper- ation. Administrative tasks include assessing staffing needs and evaluating the desirability of a County Environmental Board with both advisory and regulatory duties (either by merging the Environmental Advisory Council and the Water Management Advi- sory Board or by redefining the role and jurisdiction of the Environmental Advisory Council). Tasks pertaining to the program's legal needs include updating existing ordinances, preparing ordinance revisions when necessary, and consolidating all rules, ordinances and guidelines into a standard environ- mental code. This code will follow a uniform administrative and review framework and will include a performance guarantee system whereby bonds equivalent to the cost of environmental restoration are required for a project in or adjacent to environmentally sensitive areas. In addition to a firm administrative and legal basis, a high degree of inter and intra-governmental cooperation and coor- dination is necessary for the success of the program. This can be accomplished by establishing contacts with all relevant review and regulatory agency personnel, by working within the County government and the community to insure full awareness of the goals of the program, and by developing Memoranda of Understanding between County, State, and Federal Environmental review agencies. Objective #2 - The Collection, Evaluation, and Dissemination of Resource Information A detailed resource inventory is necessary for effective environmental review and protection in Collier County. The compilation and organization of relevant natural resource data is an important continual task. Detailed mapping of vegetation and critical wildlife habitats is also needed. Data needs for this inventory will come from the resource base of prepared management plans and will be supple- mented by additional data when available. In addition to preparing the resource data base, it is neces- sary to educate the public about the County's resources, their functions, and compatible uses. This can be accomplished by releasing resource data, publishing habitat-specific per- formance standards for different land alteration activities, and establishing programs to insure public understanding and awareness. Objective #3 - The Conservation, Maintenance, and Restoration of Native Habitats - As the population of Collier County grows, it will be important to take those steps necessary to maintain the diversity of the County's native habitats. The "ST" overlay system is accomplishing this for certain areas and certain vegetation types but it must be thoroughly reviewed for accuracy and expanded into other County areas not presently covered. In addition, it is important to identify those areas in the developed coastal sector which can be considered en vironmentally critical. Once located, actions should be taken 64 to conserve and manage these areas where possible by encourag- ing their preservation through the transfer of development rights (TDR's) and/or purchase. Where necessary, access should be limited in sensitive and rare habitats. Another task associated with this obj ective is to work with other government agencies and site developers to restore native habitats. This can be accomplished by identifying corrective activities during site review and by requiring restoration. where feasible. as a mitigation for project related native habitat destruction. Objective #4 - The Protection and Preservation of Native Wetlands and Submerged Habitats - This objective will be pur- sued through the development of management programs for coastal resources (salt water wetlands and submerged marine grass beds) and interior wetlands as described briefly under mid-range environmental programs. Prior to the preparation of these programs, an important first step is the drafting and adoption of a mangrove pruning and removal ordinance to amend the current protected tree ordinance. Another task. prior to the formulation of specific wetland management plans, is the review of all liST" lands. Objective #5 - The Protection of the Beaches, Dunes, and Inlets of Collier County - Collier County is well along the way to effective implementation of this objective in the current Beach Management Program. The publication of plans and the revision of the County's Coastal Construction Control Line Ordinance to include administrative procedures and guidelines for acceptable land uses seaward of the C.C.C.L. are the most important short-range tasks associated with this objective. A long-range task relating to this objective is the maintenance of the beach erosion data network established during the preparation of the Beach Master Plan. By resurveying profiles on a seasonal and annual basis the Environmental Section will be able to keep abreast of erosion trends in Collier County. Objective #6 - The Protection and Maintenance of the Estuaries, Bays and Interior Freshwater Systems of Collier County The implementation of this objective requires a number of short, medium, and long-range tasks. A first task would be to desig- nate the County's undeveloped coastal bays and estuaries as areas of special research and planning concern and to work with State, Federal, and local agencies to monitor development and impacts on this valuable resource. As described in pre- vious sections, plans are also underway for the development of a coastal bay resource management program in the near future. The fresh water systems of the interior areas of the County are currently being monitored and maintained by the South Florida Water Management District. This agency's long-range plans are designed to protect the integrity of the County's water resources. Close cooperation between this agency and the County is needed to insure direction and uniformity in approach. 65 Under this objective there is also a need to insure continued low levels of water pollution throughout the County. Although not a major problem at present, continued growth in the County will require better local review of projects for water quality impact and the establishment of specific water quality stan- dards. Objective #7 - The Protection and Conservation of Native Vege- tation and Wildlife - Tasks to protect rare, endangered, and threatened plants and animals include compiling a list of all local rare, endangered or threatened species and recording their location and preferred habitats. In addition, it is important to coordinate with state and federal regulatory agencies in matters involving the protection of these species. A major project envisioned to protect native vegetation is the modification of the current protected tree ordinance. Associ- ated with this ordinance, steps should be taken to insure strict compliance with the Exotic Plant Ordinance and new landscaping standards should be formulated that encourage the use of native species. Objective #8 - The Maintenance of Air Quality The major task pertaining to the implementation of this objec- tive is the establishment of air quality standards for Collier County. At present air quality in the County is not a major problem because of the low level of industrial development. Therefore, the implementation of this objective should be deferred until the level of development necessitates it. The above-referenced tasks for the implementation of the Natural Resource Element are listed without a specific timetable or work schedule. Those considered most critical are being undertaken first as described in the mid-range plans. Following the completion of those programs, the County Environmentalist and the Community Development Administrator will select additional projects to be undertaken. Project selection will be deter- mined by immediate need. These tasks are not all inclusive. As condi- tions change, some will no longer be applicable. Overall, however, these implementation tasks will serve as a guide for the selection of future program development projects to be undertaken by the County Environmental Section. 66 SECTION 5 CONCLUSION Growth is inevitable for Collier County. The challenge for the 1980's is to direct growth in order to reduce its effect on the County's natural resources. The presence of State and Federal regulatory agencies in no way precludes the need for a strong local environmental program. A strengthened County environmental program with concrete guidelines and review criteria, objective management plans, and a comprehensive, well- integrated set of ordinances, can attain the objectives of this element. In this manner Collier County's natural resources can be conserved and the impact of land development on ecological function can be minimized. 67 BIBLIOGRAPHY Browder, J., C. Littlejohn, and D. Young. 1976. The south Florida Study - South Florida: seeking a balance of man and nature. Center for Wetlands, University of Florida, 117 p. Brown, M.T., and E.M. Starnes. 1982. A wetlands protection ordinance for Seminole County, Florida. Center for Wetlands, University of Florida, 68 p. Cloud, T.A. 1980. Federal, state, and local environmental control agencies. Pages 3-28 in Environmental regulation and litigation in Florida. Continuing Legal Education, the Florida Bar, 762 p. Conservation Foundation. 1980. Coastal environmental management guidelines for conservation of resources and protection against storm hazards. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, 161 p. Craighead, F. C., Sr. 1971. The trees of South Florida, volume 1. The natural environments and their succession. University of Miami Press, Coral Gables, Florida, 212 p. Dade County Planning Department, Dade County Department of Environmental Resources Management, South Florida Water Management District, Florida Department of Environmental Regulation, and Everglades National Park. 1980. Proposed management plan for the east Ever- glades. Davis, J.H. 1943. The natural features of southern Florida. Geological Survey Bulletin 25, 311 p. Florida Deuver, M.J., J.E. Carlson, J.F. Meeder, L.C. Deuver, L.H. Gunderson, L.A. Riopelle, T.R. Alexander, R.F. Myers, and D.P. Spangler. 1979. Resource inventory and analysis of the Big Cypress National Preserve. Center for Wetlands, University of Florida and Ecosystems Research Unit, National Audubon Society. Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Forestry. 1979. Coastal plants of Florida - a key to good land management. 38 p. Gee & Jenson, Inc. 1980. Regional water resources study. Big Cypress Basin Program No. 2201. 112 p. Hamann, R. 1982. Wetlands loss in South Florida and the implementation of Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. Center for Governmental Responsibility, University of Florida Law School, 125 p. Klein, H. 1954. Groundwater resources of the Naples area, Collier County, Florida. Florida Geological Survey. Water Resources Studies. Report of Investigations No. 11. 64 p. Klein, H., W. J. Schneider, B. F. McPherson, and T. J. Buchanan. Some hydrologic and biologic aspects of the Big Cypress drainage area. USGS Open - File report 70003. 94 p. 1970. Swamp 68 Long, R.W., and O. Lakela. 1971. A flora of tropical Florida. Univer- sity of Miami Press. Coral Gables. Florida. 962 p. McCoy. H. J. 1962. Groundwater resources of Collier County, Florida. Florida Geological Survey. Report of Investigations No. 31. 82 p. Missimer and Associates, Inc. 1983. Groundwater resources of the Coco- hatchee watershed. Collier County, Florida. Phase III - Hydraulic characteristics and yield of the Coral Reef aquifer. Big Cypress Basin, South Water Management District. 169 p. Missimer and Associates, Inc. 1983. Location map of the Coral Reef aquifer in northwestern Collier County, Florida. Big Cypress Basin, South Florida Water Management District. 21 p. Post, Buckley, Schuh & Jernigan, Inc. and Stanley W. Hole & Associates, Inc. 1977. Collier County Master Water Plan. 131 p. Russell & Axon, Inc. and Smally. Wellford & Naven, Inc. 1976. Prelim- inary draft - Coastal Collier County 201 facilities plan: background sections. 106 p. Sanibel Planning Commission. 1976. Comprehensive land use plan. City of Sanibel, Lee County, Florida. Sarasota County Department of Planning. 1980. County's comprehensive framework for the future. Apoxsee - 592 p. Sarasota Tabb, D.C., E.J. Heald, T.R. Alexander, M.A. Roessler, and G.L. Beardsley. 1976. An ecological and hydrological assessment of the Golden Gate Estates drainage basin, with recommendations for future land use and water management strategies. Tropical Bioindustries Development Company. 178 p. Tarver, D.P.. J.A. Rodgers. M.J. Mahler, and R.L. Lazor. 1978. Aquatic and wetland plants of Florida. Bureau of Aquatic Plant Research and Control. Florida Department of Natural Resources, 127 p. Wade, D., J. Ewel, and R. Hofstetter. 1980. Fire in South Florida ecosystems. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service General Technical Report SE-17. 125 p. 69 APPEND IX A NATIVE HABITATS OF COLLIER COUNTY (Adapted from Davis, 1943) A. Pine Forests - Most open stands of different species of pines with grasses and low shrubs forming the ground cover and growing on many types of soils and topography. 1) Pine Flatwoods Forests or Low Pinelands: Swamp pine, longleaf pine and some southern slash or Caribbean pine growing as open forests on moderately well drained to poorly drained soils. Usually these pine forests are associated with saw palmetto or wet prairies and contain many ponds and sloughs with marshes. a) Sand Soil Pine Flatwoods: Extensive areas mostly of longleaf and swamp pine with wire grass and saw palmetto common. Soils usually acid. Similar areas without trees are dry or saw palmetto prairies. b) Shallow Soil and Low Rocklands Pine Flatwoods: Scattered areas of swamp pine and slash pine on sand, marl, and rocky soils. Often adj acent to or containing cypress forests or wet prairies. c) Pine and Cabbage Palm Woods: Usually small areas where the cabbage palm is scattered among the pines. Some areas with dense stands of cabbage palms are incipient hammocks. d) Pine Islands: Isolated groups of pines in prairies, marshes, and open cypress forests, usually on the elevated portions. 2) Sand Pine Scrub: Sand pine with thickets of scrub oaks and other low trees or shrubs, mostly on near-coastal and inland dunes or dry sands. B. Hammock Forests - Hardwood and palm forests usually dominated by broad-leaved evergreen trees and limited to relatively small areas, growing on high upland to seasonally flooded soils and containing a great variety of south temperate to tropical species. Often a climax forest developed after a series or succession of other stages of vegetation. 1) Oak Hammocks: Dominated by the live oak and mostly of the high hammock type on upland soils. 2) Oak and Cabbage Palm Hammocks: Dense to open forests of oaks and cabbage palms with some other trees and shrubs, usually on soils of intermediate elevations. 3) Cabbage Palm Hammocks: Dominated by the cabbage palm and mostly low hammocks near swamps, in prairies, and pine flat- woods forests. Some of the cabbage palm forests are known as cabbage woods. 70 Appendix A (continued) 4) Low Hammocks: Mixed hardwood and palm hammocks of many tree species, often adjacent to swamps or in wet prairies and marshes, some are similar to bay tree swamps. 5) Coastal Hammocks: Thicket hammocks on relatively dry sands, or shell mounds, often developed on old dunes. 6) Southern Coast Hammocks: the most nearly tropical type of vegetation in Florida. Dune, rock, and marl soil thickets and forests, without any live oaks, and with or without palms. Tropical hardwood trees abundant. a) Mixed Hardwood and Cabbage Palm Hammocks: Many small to large area hammocks scattered over large areas of the southern Everglades and eastern border of the Big Cypress region. b) Royal Palm Mature Hammocks: The best developed of the Everglades hammocks some with royal palms common. c) Immature Hammocks: Usually small area, low hammocks in most cases with swamps and bay tree forests adjacent. Often injured by fires and thus retarded or destroyed. C. Inland Swamps, Cypress and Bay Tree Forests - Many types of forests on seasonally wet to continually flooded soils. Forests of hardwood and cypress trees in mixed stands, or forests of only cypress trees, pines occasionally, bay tree forests when present usually a distinct type of forests, or occurring as zones in the swamps. 1) Mixed Swamps: Forests of hardwoods with cypress trees present but not dominant. Difficult to distinguish from low hammocks. Many types with numerous tree species. 2) Cypress Swamps: Usually seasonally flooded forests composed mainly of tall cypress trees with few to no hardwood trees. a) River, Slough, and Lake Border Cypress Swamps: Usually areas that are flooded all year and often with flowing water, mostly cypress trees with some hardwood trees near or in the swamp. b) Cypress Domes or Cypress Heads: Tall to low cypress forests often having a dome-shaped aspect with bay and other hardwood trees often associated. Common in open cypress and open pine forests. Frequent in the Big Cypress Region. 3) Open Cypress Forests: Low to medium tall, open forests of cypress often associated with pine forests and wet prairies. Covering large areas in the Big Cypress Region. 7l Appendix A (continued) a) Cypress "Strands": Usually elongated open forests of medium sized cypress trees. The elongated strands usually headed by a cypress-head. b) "Stumpy" or Scrub Cypress Forests: Dwarfed open stands of cypress trees in marsh, wet prairie. and rockland areas. and covering large areas along the eastern corner of the Big Cypress Region. 4) Bay Tree Forests: Broad-leaved evergreen. semi-swamp forests often on organic soils, composed of bays, Per sea , Magnolia, with Myrica and Ilex and some swamp ferns common. Occurring in pine and cypress forests, and in marshes or near swamps. 5) Thicket Swamps: Elderberry. willow, and groundsel thickets of low trees and tall herbs. usually on muck or peat soils that have been cleared. cultivated. and then abandoned; common in the Everglades Region. 6) Other Swamps: species. Swamps usually dominated by a single tree a) Custard-apple Swamps: Dominated by Annona glabra L. b) Pop-ash Swamps or Ponds: caroliniana Mill. Dominated by Fraxinus c) Willow Swamps: Small Salix amphibia. common marshes, or near swamps. to large groups of the willow. in the Everglades. in other D. Mangrove Swamp Forests: Low shore. tidal flat. estuary, and low island swamps in salt to brackish or nearly fresh water areas and composed of three species of mangroves that usually occur in fairly definite zones with the buttonwood, Conocarpus, a frequent associate along the inner. less saline, border of the swamp. 1) Outer Zone and Pioneer Mangroves: Rhizophora, offshore. in shallow incipient islands. Mostly the red mangrove. water, on shoals. and on 2) Middle Zone Black Avicennia and with Mangrove Forests: salt marsh plants Usually dominated by commonly associated. 3) Inner Zone Mangroves and Buttonwood Forests: On areas commonly above the usual high tide levels. 4) Mixed Mangrove Forests: Swamps of tall trees in relatively close stands of all three species of mangroves and forming large forests in the Southwest Coast and Ten Thousand Island region. 72 Appendix A (continued) 5) Scrub Mangroves: Low, dwarfed mangroves, mostly Rhizophora, extending inland over the marshes of the southern Everglades and some coastal marshes, sometimes occurring so far inland that the surface water is not salty. E. Coastal Beach and Dune Vegetation Mostly shore or near shore grassy and herbaceous vegetation or thicket forests of trees and shrubs. Some of the near-coastal dunes have vegetation similar to inland dunes. The plants are usually on shifting sand soils, or on rocks or shell mounds. Those plants near the shore are affected by saline conditions of the soils and air, and by the winds. 1) Strand vegetation: Shore grasses and other herbs usually with some shrubs and low trees occurring in zones from the beach inland. a) Pioneer Beach and Fore Dune Herbs and Shrubs: halophytes (salt tolerating plants) occurring as individuals, or as narrow grassy zones, or thickets. Typical scattered as shrub b) Fore Dune to Fixed or Stabilized Dunes: Grasses and herbs, and thickets of shrubs and trees, occurring mostly near the coast, but some are inland, some thicket forest becoming hammock forest. c) Coastal Hammocks: Many types of hammock forests near the coast. (Also listed under Hammock Forests). F. Freshwater Marshes - Treeless vegetation (or with scattered small groups of trees and shrubs) dominated by sedges, rushes, grasses, reeds, and other herbaceous plants, growing on soils that are seasonally wet or covered by water most of the year. 1) Sawgrass Marshes: Usually peat and muck soil areas dominated by the sawgrass, Mariscus, covering the greater part of the Everglades plains and also occurring in many pond and slough areas outside the Everglades, particularly in some parts of the Flatwoods regions. 2) Flag Marshes: Mixed marshes dominated by the pickerelweed, Wampee, Pontederia, arrow head, Sagittaria, flag, Thalia, and other herbs. Common in shallow ponds and sloughs, mostly in sand soil regions. 3) Aquatic Plant Marshes: Usually growing in open water of sloughs, ponds, and rivers with little or no emergent grass- like vegetation, and with floating and submerged aquatic plants common. Growing in parts of the Everglades, many ponds, sloughs, rivers, and swamps. Water lilies, pond weeds, and bladderworts common. 73 Appendix A (continued) 4) Cattail Marshes: Dominated by Typha, often near brackish water, and difficult to distinguish the fresh from the brack- ish-water types. 5) Spike Rush or Needle Grass Marshes: Dominated by Eleocharis and usually in shallow water areas and on marl soils. 6) Mixed Herb and Shrub Marshes: Marshes of many types with Myrica, Cephalanthus, Baccharis, and other shrubs common. Occurring as transitional zones between marshes and bayheads or between marshes and other swamps. 7) Fern Marshes: Small seasonally flooded areas dominated by ferns. 8) Bulrush Marshes: Flooded areas dominated by tall species of Scirpus. G. Saltwater Marshes and Salt or Brackish Water Prairies - Grassy and shrub vegetation near the coast affected by surface and soil salt water, from very saline to nearly fresh-water conditions, and on many types of soils. Usually well zoned from the shore inland. 1) Low Shrub Marshes: Composed mainly of the saltwort, Batis, and glasswort, Salicornia, with other shrubs and grasses, common in or near the mangrove swamps. 2) Grassy Marshes and Prairies: Grassy vegetation extending from the tide flooded to non-tide flooded areas that are saline. a) Saltgrass Marshes: low salt grasses. Dominated by Distichlis and other b) Switch Grass or Cordgrass Marshes: Dominated by tall grasses, mostly species of Spartina, and other herbs frequent. 3) Black Rush Marshes: Dominated by Juncus roemerianus Scheele. 4) Brackish Water Cattail Marshes: folia L. Dominated by Typha angusti- 5) Salt Flats or Salt Prairies: Occasionally flooded areas usually marl mud with sparce growth of low shrubs and grasses. Very saline and often called salt prairies. H. Wet Prairies - Low, dominantly grassy vegetation of seasonally wet soils. Usually distinguished from marshes by having less water and shorter herbage, and from Saw Palmetto Prairies by the scarcity or absence of the saw palmetto. On many types of soils. Often between marsh and forest areas in the flatlands regions. 74 Appendix A (concluded) 1) Sand Soil Wet Prairies: Dominated by grasses, sedges, rushes. numerous other herbs, and some shrubs with hammocks and groups of saw palmetto frequent in the prairies. 2) Muck or Sandy-muck Prairies: Border prairies common between the peat soil marshes, as the Everglades, and the bordering pine or cypress forests. a) Grass, Rush, Sedge, and Wet-Prairies: many herbs with a few shrubs present. Mixed growth of b) Shrubs and Weedy Swamp Prairies: Thickets of shrubs with grasses and other herbs most frequent. Similar to Thicket Swamps. c) Maidencane Wet Prairies: Schult, the maidencane. Dominated by Panicum hemitomon 3) Marl Wet Prairies or Marshes: Nearly constantly flooded to rarely flooded mixed herb, grass, sedge, and rush growth covering large areas near the southern coasts, in the southern Everglades, and in the Big Cypress Region. 1. Dry Prairies Seldom flooded dry sand areas with grasses, saw palmetto, and other low shrubs. These treeless areas are often similar to the pine flatwoods but without pines. 1) Wire grass and Saw palmetto Prairies: Dominated by the wire grass and other species of Aristida with the saw palmetto, Serenoa, and many other low shrubs common. Usually on Leon and lmmckalee soils. Very extensive in Flatlands regions. Often used as cattle ranges. 2) Cabbage Palm Hammock Prairies: Seldom flooded treeless grassy prairies in areas where cabbage palm hammocks are common. 3) Rockland and Marl Dry Prairies: Short and switch grass prair- ies on the rockland and thin soil areas. 4) Dry Sand Grass Prairies: Grasslands without saw palmetto, open grassy areas with scattered pines. 75 APPENDIX B COUNTY LEGISLATION A chronological listing of the County's natural resource legislation. In many places earlier ordinances have been amended or updated by later ones (e.g. Ordinance 74-36 updated and replaced by Ordinance 77-66). 1970 Ordinance 70-2 Adopted January 23, 1970 Establishing a salinity line located along the coastline of the Gulf of Mexico in Collier County. 1972 Ordinance 72-5 Adopted August 31, 1972 Prohibits the operation of motor vehicles and motor cycles on the beaches of Collier County. Ordinance 72-6 Adopted October 10, 1972 Temporary Ordinance nursery plant material prohibiting the transportation to or through Collier County. of Ordinance 72-7 Adopted October 17, 1972 Amending 72-6 by prohibiting the transportation of Coconut Palm trees and regulating the transportation of other nursery plant material to or through Collier County. Ordinance 72-8 Adopted October 31, 1972 Amending Chapter 12 of the Code of Collier County, Florida protecting Mammalian Dolphins. 1973 Ordinance 73-3 Adopted March 16, 1973 Established Coastal Construction Setback Line. Ordinance 73-5 Adopted April 3, 1973 Establishes Coastal Construction Setback Line. Ordinance 73-10 Adopted July 3, 1973 Amendment to Ordinance variance regarding the 73-5: Coastal Provides for Construction an additional Setback Line. 76 Appendix B (continued) Ordinance 73-12 Adopted July 17, 1973 Controls the location and use of pits, artificial lakes and excavations. Ordinance 73-14 Adopted July 30, 1973 Amends Ordinance transportation of Collier County. 72-6: Extends nursery plant the prohibition material to or of the through Ordinance 73-18 Adopted October 2, 1973 Amends Ordinance 72-6: Temporary prohibition of the transporting of or through Collier County. Ordinance Coconut extending Palm trees the to Ordinance 73-23 Adopted December 4, 1973 Protects the maximum number of trees, Cypress and Slash Pine, for which recognized and in danger of losing. in particular, the Collier County is Resolution The State and Federal Government to acquire and retain 100% of the mineral rights. 1974 Ordinance 74-8 Adopted March 5,'1974 Amendment to Ordinance 72-5: vehicles upon beach sand dunes of vegetation. Prohibits and the the operation of damage or removal Ordinance 74-9 Adopted April 3, 1974 Prohibits certain exotics or imported fish of Collier County, specifically white catfish, piranha and tilapia. into any waters amur, walking Resolution Adopted May 7, 1974 Collier County solution of Red in favor of Senate Tide Phenomenon. Bill 783 for study and Ordinance 74-31 Adopted August 12, 1974 Amends Ordinance 72-5: Prohibits the operation of any hand, animal, motor or engine driven, powered or pulled vehicle on, in, over or across any gulf beach, sand dune or gulf shore vegetation area. 77 Appendix B (continued) Resolution Adopted July 30, 1974 Opposes the dumping of industrial wastes and other mater- ials hazardous to marine life and public welfare in Florida water until it is established that this material shall not endanger our County's and State's valuable and highly prized commercial and major recreational marine resources. Ordinance 74-36 Adopted September 6, 1974 Environmental Impact Statement requirements. Resolution Adopted September 17, 1974 Endorsing the coastal construction setback Collier County proposed by the Department of Oceanographic Engineering of the University College of Engineering. line wi thin Coastal and of Florida Ordinance 74-42 Adopted October 8, 1974 Comprehensive Zoning Regulations Area of Collier County in the District. Amended by Ordinances: 75-2, 75-3, 75-10, 75-12, 75-13, 75-24, 75-25, 75-26, 75-29, 75-31, 75-36, 75-37, 75-42, 75-43, 75-44, 75-55, 75-58, 76-2, 76-3, 76-4, 76-9, 76-17, 76-19, 76-22, 76-23, 76-25. for the Coastal 74-46, 75-18, 75-33, 75-49, 76-10, Unincorporated Area Planning 74-48, 75-1, 75-22, 75-23, 75-34, 75-35, 75-53, 75-54, 76-12, 76-15, Resolution Adopted November 5, 1974 Assumes responsibility for the eradication of noxious aquatic weeds. 1975 Resolution Adopted January Requesting productive 21, 1975 trust fund wetland. to acquire Cape Romano, a highly Resolution Adopted April 15, 1975 For the participation of the of enforcing its regulations Critical State Concern. State of Florida in the cost in the Big Cypress Area of Ordinance 75-19 Adopted April 29, 1975 Establishing Coastal Construction Setback Line. 78 Appendix B (continued) Ordinance 75-21 Adopted May 6, 1975 Repeal Ordinance 73-23: Protection of certain trees within Collier County to assist in the control of flood- ing, soil erosion, dust, heat, air pollution and noise and to maintain property, aesthetic and health values. Ordinance 75-24 Adopted May 6, 1975 Comprehensive Zoning Regulations for Coastal District. Amended by Ordinances: 75-33, 75-36, 75-37, 75-42, 75-43, 75-44, 75-49, 75-55, 75-58, 76-2, 76-3, 76-4, 76-9, 76-10, 76-17, 76-19, 76-22, 76-23, 76-25. Area Planning 75-34,75-35, 75-53, 75-54, 76-12, 76-15, Resolution Adopted May 13, Endorsing sanctuary. 1975 the Rookery Bay area as a proposed estuarine Resolution Adopted November 28, 1975 Requests trust fund to acquire Cape Romano a highly productive wetland. 1976 Ordinance 76-20 Adopted June 29, 1976 Comprehensive Zoning Regulations for Coastal District. Amended by Ordinances: 76-31, 76-35, 76-36, 76-40, 76-41, 76-43, 76-45, 76-52, 76-53, 76-54, 76-55, 76-56, 76-65, 77-3, 77-6, 77-8, 77-13, 77-14, 77-15, 77-23, 77-24, 77-26, 77-27, 77-31, 77-32, 77-38, 77-40, 77-41, 77-42, 77-45, 77-47, 77-56, 77-60, 77-63, 77-64, 77-65, 77-68, 78-7,78-19,78-20,77-21,78-27,78-29, 78-33,78-34,78-35,78-39,78-42,78-43, 78-51, 78-52, 78-71, 78-81, 78-82, 78-83, 78-84. Area Planning 76-32, 76-33, 76-50, 76-51, 77-1, 77-2, 77-18, 77-22, 77-34, 77-36, 77-48, 77-49, 78-4 , 78- 5 , 78-31, 78-32, 78-44, 78-45, Ordinance 76-42 Adopted September 6, 1976 Amendment to Ordinance 75-21: a permit shall not be required for the removal of protected trees in an Agricul- turally zoned district provided a "Notice of Commencement" has been filed. I ! _A 79 Appendix B (continued) Ordinance 76-43 Adopted September 21. 1976 Amended by Ordinance Areas of Environmental 74-50: Special Sensitivity. regulations for "ST" 1977 Ordinance 77-66 Adopted December 16. 1977 Repeal of Ordinance 74-36: Requirements for an Environ- mental Impact Statement. Provide method to objectively evaluate the impact of a proposed development, site alteration or proj ect upon the resources and environmental quality of the project area and the community. 1979 Ordinance 79-32 Adopted May 8, 1979 Comprehensive Plan for Collier County Ordinance 79-46 Adopted July 17, 1979 Amendment to Ordinance 74-31: Certificates for the operation or across any gulf beach, sand tated area. Granting of Exemption of vehicles on, in, over dune, or gulf shore vege- Ordinance 79-62 Adopted August 28, 1979 Flood plain management standards within Collier regulations County. meeting minimum Federal Ordinance 79-73 Adopted August 28, 1979 Amending Ordinance 76-30: exotics which interrupt the in Collier County. Designation and removal of natural vegetation succession 1980 Ordinance 80-19 Adopted January 29, 1980 Amending Ordinance 75-19: of the Coastal Construction removal of exotics. Prohibiting activities Setback Line except seaward for the Ordinance 80-26 Adopted February Regulation it does not 26, 1980 of excavation within Collier County to endanger public health, safety or welfare. ensure 80 Appendix B (concluded) Ordinance 80-49 Adopted June 3, 1980 Amending Ordinance 76-30: and docks. Regulating private boat houses 1982 Ordinance 82-3 Adopted January 12, 1982 Repeals Ordinance 74-9: Prohibits importation or release into any waters certain exotic or imported fish. possession, sale, of Collier County Ordinance 82-37 Adopted May 25, 1982 Regulations concerning exotic vegetation; sale, planting and transportation. its removal, Ordinance 82-88 Adopted September 14, 1982 Amending Ordinance 75-19: Allowing the County Manager, or his designee, to administratively approve repair of existing structures seaward of the Coastal Construction Control Line. Ordinance 82-113 Adopted November 9, 1982 Amending Ordinance 82-37: (Rhodomyrtus tomentosa) and equisetifolia) to County exotic Adding Australian plant list. Downy pine Rosemyrtle (Casuarina 81 APPENDIX C STATE LEGISLATION Florida Statutes: Chapter 161. provides for the regulation of construction along the coast, the establishment of coastal con- struction setback lines and means of restoring beaches damaged by erosion. Florida Statutes: Chapter 161. 011-121. BEACH AND SHORE PRESERVATION ACT. This Act focuses on the protection of the Coastal areas of the State. It is divided into two parts. Part 1 regulates coastal construction and provides for beach nourishment and restoration programs. Part 2 provides for the establishment of districts. Florida Statutes Chapter 163.3161-3211. LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMPRE- HENSIVE PLANNING ACT. This Ac t mandates local governments to complete and adopt comprehensive plans by July. 1979. Among the required comprehensive plan elements or chapters are ones devoted to conservation and coastal zone protection. Florida Statues: Chapter 211. 30-. 33. MINE LAND AND RECLAMATION ACT. Levy of tax on severance of certain solid mineral, phosphate rock, heavy minerals and refund for restoration and reclamation. Florida Statutes: Chapter disposition of state lands. recreation lands trust fund. 253, Acquisition, administration Chapter 253.023, conservation and and Florida Statutes: Chapter 258, FLORIDA STATE WILDERNESS SYSTEM ACT, establishes a state wilderness system consisting of designated wilderness areas which shall be set aside in permanent preserves, forever off-limits to incompatible human activity. Florida Statutes: Chapter 258.35-.46, FLORIDA AQUATIC PRESERVE ACT OF 1975. This Act provides for state-owned submerged lands in areas which have exceptional biological aesthetic, and scientific value be set aside forever as aquatic preserves or sanctuaries for the benefit of future generations. Florida Statutes: Chapter 259, FLORIDA 1972, provides funding for acquiring lands and charges the Florida Department their acquisition and protection. LAND CONSERVATION ACT OF environmentally endangered of Natural Resources with Florida Statutes: Chapter 260. FLORIDA RECREATIONAL TRAILS ACT OF 1979. provides the means and procedures for establishing and expand- ing a network of recreational and scenic trails designated as the "Recreational Trail System". The trails will serve to encourage horseback riding, hiking, bicycling, canoeing and jogging. Florida Statutes: Chapter 267, FLORIDA ARCHIVES AND HISTORY ACT. This act is the primary historic preservation authority of the state. It authorizes the Department of State, Division of Archives to take steps to protect and preserve the State's historic and archeological sites. 82 Appendix C (continued) Florida Statues: Chapter principal purpose of this management" of all lands agricultural activities. 298, establishes drainage ditches. The Chapter is "drainage, irrigation or water within the district in order to promote Florida Statutes: Chapter 370, SALT WATER FISHERIES AND CONSERVA- TION. This act allocates to the Department of Natural Resources responsibility for processing applications for coastal construction and related structures, carrying out duties relating to beach and shore erosion and regulating the taking of specified marine animals and fish. Florida Statutes: Chapter 370.12, FLORIDA MANATEE SANCTUARY ACT. The State of Florida is declared to be a refuge and sanctuary for the manatee, the "Florida State Marine Animal". Florida Statutes: Chapter 372, creates the Game and Fresh Water Fish Couunission and gives it power to appoint conservation officers to enforce this part and authority to promulgate rules and regula- tions as necessary. Florida Statutes: Chapter 372.072, FLORIDA ENDANGERED AND THREATEN- ED SPECIES ACT OF 1977. Florida harbors a wide diversity of fish and wildlife and it is the policy of Florida to conserve and wisely manage these resources, with particular attention to those species defined by the Game and Fresh Water Couunission, Department of Natural Resources or the U.S. Department of Interior as being endangered or threatened. Florida Statutes: Chapter 374, CANAL AUTHORITY ACT. The authority shall have all the powers of a corporation, including power to contract, acquire and dispose of property, and to sue and be sued. It also has certain special powers, including the power to construct canals and locks, telephone, telegraph and power transmission lines; to dredge waterways and canals; to acquire vessels, equipment etc.; to fix and collect tolls; and to do any and all other necessary acts. Florida Statutes: Chapter 378, The Department of Natural Resources shall adopt by rule, upon receipt of the report of the Lane Use Advisory Couunittee, a master reclamation plan to provide guidelines for the reclamation of lands mined or disturbed by severance of phosphate rock. Florida Statutes: Chapter 380, ENVIRONMENTAL LAND AND WATER MANAGE- MENT ACT OF 1972. This act includes mechanisms for defining criti- cal areas and major development activities and provides for de- cision-making procedures that will (1) consider the total geographic impact, state, regional and local; (2) consider the total nature of the impact, whether beneficial or detrimental and whether environ- mental, economic or social; and (3) better represent the total citizenry affected by the decision to permit or deny a proposed development. 83 Appendix C (continued) Florida Statutes: Chapter 380.20, et seq., FLORIDA COASTAL MANAGE- MENT ACT OF 1978. The coast is rich in a variety of natural, commercial, recreational, ecological, industrial and aesthetic resources and it is in the state and national interest to protect, maintain, and develop these resources through coordinated manage- ment. Florida Statutes: Chapter 387, et seq., requires any party desiring to drain surface water or sewage into underground waters to obtain a permit from the Department of Health and Rehabilitative Supervisor. Florida Statutes: Chapter 387, CONTROL ACT provides the means to minimize damages. OIL SPILL PREVENTION AND POLLUTION for rapid and effective cleanup and Florida Statutes: Chapter 388, provides for the determination of which counties shall be eligible for state aid to control mosquitos. In addition, penalties are provided for violating federal provisions against the use of certain pesticides. Florida Statutes: Chapter 403, FLORIDA AIR AND CONTROL ACT OF 1967, deals with the prevention pollution of the air and waters of this state. WATER POLLUTION and control of Florida Statutes: Chapter 403, PART V, FLORIDA ENVIRONMENTAL REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1975. The Department of Environmental Regula- tion is created by this Act to set environmental standards; admin- ister and supervise programs relating to planning, grants, air and water quality, noise and solid waste management; and to process applications for power plant site certifications and other permits. licenses and certificates. Florida Statutes: Chapter 403.0615, WATER RESOURCES RESTORATION AND PRESERVATION ACT. To assist in the restoration and preservation of bodies of water and enhance public access. Florida Statutes: Chapter 403.085-.086, SANITARY SEWER DISPOSAL UNITS AND FACILITIES. Sanitary sewage disposal units, advanced and secondary waste treatment; industrial waste, ocean outfall, inland outfall or disposal well waste treatment. Florida Statutes: aquatic plants Permits must Resources. Chapter 403.271 deals with transportation of or seeds of a species not native to the state. first be obtained from the Department of Natural Florida Statutes: Chapter 403.413, declares it unlawful for any person deposit litter in any manner. FLORIDA LITTER LAW to throw, discard, OF 1971, place or florida Statutes: Chapter 403.501-.517, FLORIDA ELECTRICAL POWER SITING ACT. Fully balance the need for transmission lines with the 84 Appendix C (concluded) broad interest of the between the need for low cost electricity from construction of the corridor. public in order to effect a reasonable balance the facility as a means of providing abundant energy and the environmental impact resulting the line and the location and maintenance of [ Florida Statutes: Chapter 403.412, ENVIRONMENTAL 1971. This Act deals with enforcement of laws, tions for the protection of the air, water, resources of the state. PROTECTION rules and and other ACT OF regula- natural Florida Statutes: Chapter AND MANAGEMENT ACT. Plans tion, transport, separation, solid waste. 403.701-713, FLORIDA for and regulates the processing, recycling RESOURCE RECOVERY storage, collec- and disposal of Florida Statutes: ACT, provides for state, with due government. Chapter 403.850, FLORIDA safe drinking water at all regard for economic factors SAFE time and WATER DRINKING throughout the efficiency in Florida Statutes: Chapter 403.861, THE WATER QUALITY ASSURANCE ACT OF 1983. A comprehensive act designed to protect water quality with a special emphasis on groundwater resources. The act desig- nates D.E.R. as the lead agency and provides funds to implement the necessary programs. Florida Statutes: Chapter 487, THE FLORIDA PESTICIDE LAW. This Act requires registration of pesticides and authorizes the Depart- ment of Agriculture and Consumer Services to promulgate rules and regulations and provide for inspections. Florida Statutes: Chapter 581, PLANT INDUSTRY. The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services make all rules governing nurseries and the movement of nursery stock as may be necessary to eradicate, control, or for prevention of the dissemination of plant pests or noxious weeds. Florida Statutes: Chapter 582, SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION. This section provides for control and prevention of soil erosion, for the prevention of floodwater and sediment damages, and for further- ing the conservation development and utilization of soil and water resources and the disposal of water. Florida Statutes: Chapter 589, the Florida Forestry Council may grant permits for the use of state forest lands and easement for public purposes and distribution of power, plus acquire and dispose of lands acquired for forest purposes. Florida Statutes: Chapter 590. Division of Forest and the Depart- ment of Agriculture and Consumer Services establish a forest protec- tion district to prevent, detect, suppress, and extinguish forest fires in this state in areas of the state which are in need of special protection from forest fires. 85 APPENDIX D FEDERAL LEGISLATION Airport and Airway Development Act of 1970 V.S.C. Title 49 ~17l2(f), 1716(c) Requires that the Secretary of Transportation, in consul- tation with the EPA, reviews the effect that any project involving airport construction may have on air and water quality. Anadromous Fish Conservation Act. V.S.C. Title 16 ~757 a-f Authorizes the Secretary of C01IDllerce to enter into cooper- ative agreement with States and other non-Federal inter- ests for the conservation, development, and enhancement of the anadromous fishery resources of the Nation. Antiquities Act of 1906 V.S.C. 16 Title 431-433 Protects historic resources on Federal lands. Archaeological Resource Protection Act of 1979 V.S.C. 16 Title 470 Vpgrades historic and archaeological given by the Antiquities Act of 1906. site protection Clean Air Act V.S.C. Title 42, Promulgates assistance quality. n401 national to state air quality standards and provides and local government in promoting air Clean Water Act of 1977 Restore and maintain the chemical, physical and biological integrity of the waters of the V.S. Coastal Barrier Resources Act Pub. L.97-348 Establishes the Coastal Barrier Resources System and prohibits the expenditure of most new Federal financial assistance within the units of that System. Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 V.S.C. Title 16, ~1501 Declare national policy cooperate and participate government agencies. for with all Federal state, local agencies to and regional Deep Water Port Act of 1974 V.S.C. Title 33 ~1501 Authorize and regulate the location, ownership, construc- tion and operation of deep water ports in water beyond the territorial limits of the V. S. and provide for the protec- tion of marine and coastal environment. 86 Appendix D (continued) Endangered Species Act of 1973 U.S.C. Title 33, ~1540, 1531 et seq., Title Provides for the identification endangered species. 16, z1531 et seq. and conservation of Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act D.S.C. Title 7, ~135 et seq. Regulation of environmental poisons. Federal Power Act U.S.C. Title 16 ~791(a)-825 Regulates the production, transmission and sale of elec- tric power in interstate commerce. Federal Water Polution Control Act of 1972 U.S.C. Title 33, ~1251 et seq. As amended by the Clean Water Act of 1977 Maintain the quality of the water receiving effluent discharges. Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 U.S.C. Title 16, ~1601 et seq., Title 15, ~173(c) Development, advancement, management, conservation and protection of the fisheries resources and wildlife re- sources through research, acquisition of refuge lands, development of existing facilities and other means. Fish and Wildlife Coordinaction Act of 1958 U.S.C. Title 16, ~742 et seq. Require State and Federal fish and wildlife agencies ascertain appropriate mitigation and compensation project occasional losses to wildlife and to enhance and wildlife resources. II to to fish Flood Control Act of 1960 Requires the Corps planning assistance, and private citizens magnitude and extent flood plain management to provide information, technical and guidance to states, localities to help them determine the potential of flood hazards and implement wise plans. Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 Makes purchase of flood insurance mandatory in certain instances. Forest and Rangeland Renewal Resources Planning Act of 1974 U.S.C. Title 16, ~1601 et seq. Develops land use plans. Historic Sites Act. U.S.C. Title 16, i461 et seq. Makes necessary invetigation and relating to particular sites, Restore and preserve same. 87 research building, in or the U.S. obj ects. Appendix D (continued) Intervention on the High Seas Act U.S.C. Title 33. S1471 et seq. The Secretary may take measures on the high seas to prevent. mitigate or eliminate the danger eminating from a ship collision. or other incident of navigation which creates an imminent danger to the coastline or related interest. Marine Mammal Protection Act. U.S.C. Title 16. S1361 et seq. Protection of rookeries. mating grounds. similar significance for each species of from the adverse effect of man's actions. and areas of marine mammals Marine Protection Research and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 (Ocean Dumping Act) U.S.C. Title 33. S1401 et seq., 1441. Title 16. 1432 Gives the Corps the responsibility to review applications to authorize the transportation of dredged material for the purpose of ocean dumping. Migratory Bird Conservation Act Conservation and protection of with treaty obligations with species of wildlife. magratory birds in Mexico and Canada accordance and other Multiple Use-Sustained Yield Act of 1960 U.S.C. title 16, S528-531 Develop and administer the renewable surface resources of the national forests for multiple use and sustained yield of the several products and services obtained. National Environmental Policy Act of 1960 U.S.C. Title 42, S4321 et seq., 4332(2)(c). 4344(5). 4321. 4331-4335. 4341-4347 A procedural. policy-setting statue which statutorily injects environmental consideration into federal agency decision making. National Flood Insurance Act Established a program of subsidized flood insurance for existing properties. National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 U.S.C. Title 16. S469 Recovery of significant historical or archaeological data prior to the alteration of terrain. Noise Control Act of 1972 U.S.C. Title 42. S4901. et seq. Establishment of Federal noise emission standards for products distributed in commerce. S8 Appendix D (concluded) Oil Pollution Act Amendment of 1973 V.S.C. Title 33, ~100 et seq. Prohibition against discharge of oil or oily mixtures and excepted discharges. Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act of 1953 V.S.C. Title 43, ~4601 et seq. Regulations concerning the tion of natural resources Act relative to OCS. prevention of waste, conserva- and any other provision of this Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 V.S.C. title 42, ~6901 et seq. Conserve valuable material and solid waste management including resource conservation. energy resources resource recovery also and Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 V.S.C. Title 33, ~401, 403, 404, 406-417 The prevention of obstructions to navigation in navigable waters, through escavation or deposit of refuse, i. e. , dredge and fill. Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974 V.S.C. Title 42, ~300(f) et seq. Ensure that a constant availability of safe drinking water be maintained. Toxic Substance Control Act of 1976 V.S.C. Title IS, ~2601 et seq. Regulates chemical substances and hazardous to health or the environment. mixtures that are Water Resource Planning Act U.S.C. Title 42, ~1962 et seq. Maintain continuing studies and assessment of water demand and relation of regional or river basin plans and programs to national requirements. The Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act V.S.C. Title 16, ~1001-1008 Cooperation with State, Subdivisions, soil and water conservation districts, flood prevention or control districts and other political agencies for the purposes of preventing erosion, flood water, and sediment damages in the watershed of the rivers and streams of the U.S. [ , The Wetlands Act of 1961 V.S.C. Title 16, ~715K-3 - 715K-5 Conservation and preservation of wetlands and waterfront habitat. Wild and Scenic Rivers Act V.S.C. Title 16, ~1271 et seq. Designates and establishes national Wild and Scenic River System. 89 APPEND IX E FACTORS CONSIDERED DURING ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW 1. Impact On Native Vegetation And Habitats a. Will The Proposed Project/Activity 1) Result in the removal of a significant percentage of the site's natural vegetation, both understory and over- story? 2) Result in the unnecessary direct or indirect loss of vegetation essential for substrate stabilization, wildlife habitat, water recharge, or storm surge buffering? 3) Result in the loss of a habitat that is rare or infrequent in Collier County? 4) Add to the stresses under which a sensitive habitat is currently existing? 5) Result in the elimination of a rare, endangered, or threatened plant species? 6) Result in the introduction of exotic plants that could outcompete and/or displace native plants? 7) Result in an increased potential for the loss of native vegetation by wildfire? b. What Are The Petitioner's Plans To 1) Retain and protect both understory and overstory native vegetation in open space areas during and after develop- ment? 2) Preserve during development and thereafter examples of unique and/or rare Collier County habitats? 3) Transplant native species from areas destined for devel- opment to open space areas when feasible and make an attempt to protect, propagate, or reestablish rare, threatened, or endangered plant species? 4) Revegetate previously disturbed native vegetation and replace or designated for protection which development? or altered areas with restore native plants are destroyed during 90 Appendix E (continued) 5) Utilize native vegetation in landscaping wherever possible and insure that non-native landscaping plants do not compete or replace native species or require excessive or continuous watering? 6) Remove exotic plants pepper, salt tolerant myrtle and revegetate species? including melaleuca, Brazillian Australian pine, and downy rose- such cleared areas with native 7) Utilize controlled burns as a means to manage non-woody vegetation and to safeguard against wildfires? 8) Utilize mechanical means, as opposed to herbicides, to control weed growth? 2. Impact On Native Wildlife a. Will The Proposed Project/Activity 1) Eliminate habitats essential for rare, endangered, or threatened animals? 2) Excessively interfere with the feeding, foraging, nesting, resting, or breeding of native animals? 3) Result in the complete elimination of foods and materials upon which wildlife rely? b. What Are The Petitioner's Plans To 1) Retain continuous bands of open space in native habitat areas that permit the relatively undisturbed movement of native wildlife through the proposed site? 2) Maintain ecotones between different habitats because of their particular value to wildlife? 3) Retain a buffer around nesting sites of rare, endangered, or threatened wildlife? 4) Preserve where possible first growth slash pine stands as habitats for red cockaded woodpeckers? 5) Evaluate potential impact prior to the introduction of exotic animals? 91 Appendix E (continued 3. Impact On Hydrology a. Will The Proposed Project/Activity 1) Impede, impound, or otherwise interfere with natural flow of water? 2) Resul t in increased flooding or overdrainage of adj acent properties? 3) Result in reduced infiltration rates from those of natural or present conditions? 4) Result in the direct natural water bodies quality improvement? discharge of storm waters into without any retention for water 5) Modify natural drainage patterns? 6) Cover or otherwise alter aquifer recharge areas? 7) Result in the drawdown of groundwater level? 8) Result in shallow or deep ditches that serve as a con- tinous conduit for transporting water to such an extent that it has a significant adverse effect on the natural hydrological regime of the immediate area? b. What Are The Petitioner's Plans To 1) Provide for the gradual and dispersed drainage of surface runoff such that runoff within the boundaries of the site shall approximate natural rates, volumes, and direction of flow? 2) Utilize existing topographic and wetland conditions to provide for part or all of the water management needs? 3) Minimize site coverage with impermeable surfaces? 4) Design roads in areas of sheet flow, wetlands, and coastal bays with trestles or sufficient culverts to allow the passage of water during high water flows without causing significant backwater conditions? 5) Maintain pre-development drainage characteristics in order to prevent alteration of sheet flow? 92 Appendix E (continued) 6) Re-establish historic waterway flow patterns by filling canals, culverting existing water ways and other remedial actions? 4. Impact On Geology a. Will The Proposed Project/Activity 1) Result in a significant alteration of site topography due to extensive filling, excavation or dredging? 2) Result in the permanent, unnecessary lowering or raising of natural elevation other than for building, parking lot, and lake construction? 3) Result in increased salt water intrusion due to the overdrainage of freshwater, the excavation of deep lakes, or the building of canals? 4) Involve excavation seaward of the County salinity line? 5) Result in the removal or disturbance of natural barriers to storm waves and flooding? b. What Are The Petitioners Plans To 1) Maintain a sufficient depth in all construction, excava- tion, or improvement of natural or artificial water bodies so as to restrict the growth of rooted aquatics and submerged plants to the shoreline areas? 2) Design artificial lakes with a bottom slope and alignment that will insure maximum water circulation? 3) Construct to allow species? artificial lake colonization by edges with a natural slope native transitional wetland 5. Impact On Air And Water Quality a. Will The Proposed Project/Activity 1) Result in the direct lots, roads, ditches, discharge of water from parking or dredged areas into open water? 93 Appendix E (continued) 2) Involve the use of aerial or surficial herbicides or pesticides to control plant and animal pests? 3) Involve operations that will degrade water quality by increasing siltation, turbidity, sedimentation and pollu- tion? 4) Involve the discharge of treated or non-treated effluent into contiguous water bodies? 5) Involve excavation seaward of the salinity line? 6) Involve burning or any other activity that could result in the reduction of air quality? b. What Are The Petitioner's Plans To 1) Insure against increased turbidity, siltation, and in- creased run-off during construction? 2) Construct retention basins and swales for storm-water run-off? 3) Utilize natural systems in the treatment of sewage? 4) Minimize construction related activites that would tend to adversely impact air and water quality during development? 6. Impact On Historical And Cultural Resources a. Will The Proposed Project/Activity 1) Result in the loss or substantial modification of any historical or archaeological sites? b. What Are The Petitioner's Plans To 1) Preserve an archaeological site within a proposed project or permit a dig to extract valuable artifacts prior to project construction? 2) Preserve or relocate structures with historic or cultural significance? 7. Impact On Beach System a. Will The Proposed Project/Activity 1) Result in the removal of a significant amount of beach sand or other shoreline sediment/substrate? 94 Appendix E (continued) 2) Interfere with the natural pattern of wind and water transport of beach sediment? 3) Disturb, pollute, overpump, or otherwise impact the subsurface freshwater lens? 4) Interfere with the public's right for access to or use of the active beach? 5) Require the construction of jetties, groins, vertical seawalls, bulkheads, or any other kinds of hard shoreline stabilization structures? 6) Involve the use of tractors or other devices to scrape up and remove beach material? 7) ~ ~. Substantially alter the natural, ecological and geological characteristics of the County's undisturbed barrier beaches? 8) Involve the construction of hard shoreline structures on beach segments where none exist at present? 9) Involve the creation of a new inlet or the dredging of one not previously altered by man? 10) ~,. Result in the alteration of the size, shape or stability of an inlet's ebb or flood tidal delta? 11) .a Utilize ebb tidal delta as a sand source for beach nour- ishment? 12) Involve beach activities that would alter nesting sites or otherwise adversely impact the use of the beach by sea turtles during the nesting season? 13) Involve the substantial alteration of coastal hammock vegetation? b. What Are The Petitioner's Plans To 1) Protect coastal structures by beach renourishment or the revegetation/reconstruction of coastal dunes? 2) Cut off vehicular access to the beach across property? 3) Build dune walkover structures for pedestrian access or undertake other actions to minimize human impact on beach and dune vegetation? 95 Appendix E (continued) 4) Remove Australian pines and replant cleared areas with native coastal vegetation? 5) Protect native dune vegetation as natural sand stabilizers and shoreline protectors? 6) Locate, avoid, or otherwise restrict activities in order to minimize impact on sea turtles during nesting season? 8. Impact On Coastal Bays a. Will The Proposed Project/Activity 1) Involve the dredging and/or filling of unaltered coastal bays and their associated habitats? 2) Involve the disposal of spoil on intertidal wetlands or subtidal grassbeds? ~ Involve the creation of new boat channels through pre- .#:: viously undisturbed coastal bays? 4 Involve the dredging of channels through well-established marine grass communities? ~ Result in increased boat traffic around and through significant sea grass beds? 6) Result in increased freshwater discharge from a point source into this ecosystem? 7) Result in increased turbidity and sedimentation? ~. j) Result in the loss of areas essential to the food chain e: and/or fish breeding and nursery characteristics of this ecosystem? ~ Involve increased human activity that could be detrimental ~ to the survival of the Florida manatee? b. What Are The Petitioner's Plans to 1) Improve water storm waters quality by reducing direct discharge of or any other source of water pollution? 2) Utilize natural vegetation, or a combination of vegetation and riprap in place of vertical seawalls for the stabili- zation of interior shorelines? 96 Appendix E (continued) 3) Mitigate the destruction of marine grass beds by arti- ficially creating new ones? 4) Delineate and mark areas where manatees congregate? 9. Impact On Wetlands a. Will The Proposed Project/Activity 7) <' 1) ~. Result in unnecessary, permanent alterations or modifica- tions of site elevation by excavation, ditching, dredging, filling or otherwise disturbing the substrate? 2) Restrict, impede, impound, or otherwise interfere with natural water flow (sheet flow and tidal flooding) or similarly interfere with the natural drai'11age character- istics of a wetland? 3) Involve the placement of fill, including the construction of roads, that will impede the rate or volume of surface water flow or create backwater conditions? 4) Involve temporary filling of wetlands without plans for the complete removal and restoration of fill when project is finished? 5) Result in the significant loss of wetland (salt water or fresh water) habitat? 6) Result in the reduction of natural water levels in wet- lands? ''- Involve the direct or indirect discharge of storm water or other types of waste water that would adversely impact water quality in the vicinity of wetlands? ; b. What Are The Petitioner's Plans To 1) Culvert or trestle roadways built through wetlands? 2) Elevate structures on stilts instead of on fill? 3) Restrict wetland filling to minimal weeds? 4) Revegetate or otherwise restore wetlands that have been lost during previous activities or disturbed during site alteration? 97 Appendix E (concluded) 5) Insure that preserved wetlands are not overdnlined nor Qve.rflooded (Le. maintain or restore natural hydroperiod cha'r;ct;~istics)? 6) ~. Maintain the mangrove-upland ecotone as an important wildlife buffer? 7) Undertake actions to reduce or mitigate present or past adverse impacts on wetland systems? CP-Natural Resouces 1 98