Agenda 09/28/2010 Item #16E 2
Agenda Item No. 16E2
September 28, 2010
Page 1 of 11
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Recommendation to authorize the submittal of a $15,000 Florida Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Commission (FWC) Gopher Tortoise Habitat Management
Assistance Request to fund exotic plant removal at the Conservation Collier
Railhead Scrub Preserve.
.oBJECTIVE: To improve habitat for the gopher tortoise and other wildlife species at Railhead
Scrub Preserve.
CONSIDERATIONS: The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Gopher Tortoise
Management Plan places great importanee on the ability of protected lands to support gopher
tortoise populations at levels that will ensure the long-term security of the species. Currently,
protected habitat in public ownership represents 40% of the estimated gopher tortoise habitat
remaining in the state. FWC manages only 10% of the publicly owned gopher tortoise habitat
statewide and has therefore identified the need to partner with other public agencies. To help
facilitate habitat management, FWC is requesting projects from local governments whieh will
optimize gopher tortoise carrying capacity on protected iands through appropriate habitat
management. Requests must be for active management of potential gopher tortoise habitat and
should include preseribed burning, and prescribed burn prep activities such as fire line
installation and mechanical treatment. In FY 2010, Collier County received $20,000 in
assistanee from this FWC program to install fire breaks at Railhead Scrub Preserve. This FWC
program is similar and not a grant program; it is an assistance program. Therefore, If
assistance is received, a formal agreement between the Board and FWC will not be needed
prior to completion of the project.
FISCAL IMPACT: The total cost of the project is $50,000. Collier County is requesting $15,000
in assistance from FWC. The County will provide a $35,000 cash match towards the project.
County cash match will be available within the Conservation Collier Management Fund 174
FY11 budget.
GROWTH MANAGEMENT IMPACT: This proposal supports Objective 7.3 of the Conservation
and Coastal Management Element of the County Growth Management Plan, which requires the
County to continue to implement programs that conserve and protect endangered and
threatened wildlife species.
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS: This item Is legally sufficient for Board action. - JBW.
RECOMMENDATION: Recommend that the Board of County Commissioners autborize the
submittal of a $15,000 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Gopher Tortoise
Management Plan Assistance Request to fund exotic plant removal at the Conservation Collier
Railhead Scrub Preserve.
PREPARED BY: Melissa Hennig, Prlneipal Environmental Specialist, Conservation Collier
Program, Department of Facilities Management
Item Number:
Item Summary:
Meeting Date:
Agenda Item No. 16E2
September 28, 2010
Page 2 of 11
COLLIER COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
16E2
Recommendation to authorize the submittal of a $15,000 Ftorida Fish and Wtdlife
Conservation Commission (FWC) Gopher Tortoise Habitat Management Assistance Request
to fund exotic plant removal at the Conservation Collier Railhead Scrub Preserve.
9/28/2010 9:00:00 AM
Prepared By
Melissa Hennig
Administrative Services
Division
Environmental Specialist, Principal
Date
Facilities Management
91912010 8:29:45 AM
Approved By
Skip Camp, C.F.M,
Administrative Services
Division
Director - Facilities Management
Date
Facilities Management
9/9120102:34 PM
Approved By
Joshua Thomas
Administrative Services
Division
Grants Support Specialist
Date
Administrative Services Division
9110120107:44 AM
Approved By
Jennifer White
County Attorney
Assistant County Attorney
Date
County Attorney
9114/20103:52 PM
Approved By
Len Golden Price
Administrative Services
Division
Administrator. Administrative Services
Date
Administrative Services Division
9116120104:14 PM
Approved By
OMS Coordinator
County Manager's Office
Date
Office of Management & Budget
9/17/20108:34 AM
Approved By
Therese Stanley
Office of Management 8.
Budget
Manager ~ Operations Support ~ Trans
Date
Office of Management & Budget
9/17120109:01 AM
Approved By
Michael Sheffield
Assistant to the County Manager
Date
County Managers Office
9/17/20109:13 AM
"
Agenda Item No. 16E2
September 28, 2010
Page 3 of 11
Gopher Tortoise Habitat Management
Assistance Reqnest
The Gopher Tortoise Management Plan places great importance on the ability of protected lands to support
gopher tortoise populations at ]evels that will ensure the long.term security of the species. Currently, protected
habitat in public ownership represents 40% of the estimated gopher tortoise habitat remaining in the state. FWC
manages only 10% of the publicly owoed gopher tortoise habitat statewide and has therefore identified the need to
partner with other public agencies, To help facilitate habitat management, FWC is requesting projects from local
governments which will optimize gopher tortoise carrying capacity 00 protected lands through appropriate habitat
management. Requests must be for active management of potential gopher tortoise habitat and should include
prescribed burning, and prescribed bum prep activities sucb as fire line installation and mechanical treatment.
Requests for assistance must manage at least 25 acres of gopher tortoise habitat, cannot include permitted gopher
tortoise recipient sites or sites with a submitted recipieot site application, and cannot exceed $15,000 per project
(but larger projects with additional funding sources may apply). Requests must include an aerial map, soils map,
FLUCCS map, and a burrow survey, For sites less than 50 acres. surveys should consist of an assessment of at
least 15% of the potential habitat. For sites larger tban 50 acres. surveys should consist of an assessment of at
least 5% of the potential habitat. The burrow survey should be conducted according to the survey protocol
included in Appendix 4 of the Gopher Tortoise Permitting Guidelines (June 2010). Burrow surveys do not have to
be completed by an Authorized Gopher Tortoise Agent but must have been conducted within the last two years.
Project proposals must he received by FWC uo later than Friday 8 October 2010. Recipients of funding
assistance will be notified by Monday, I November 2010, Projects must begin after Wednesday, I December
2010 and must be completed with a tina] invoice and project completion report submitted to FWC by Friday. 27
May 2011. Assistance will be prioritized based on cost per acre managed and plans for ongoing habitat
management on the property. Submission of a request does not guarantee assistaoce from FWC Assistance will
be provided as cost reimbursement which must be iovoiced as total cost. Projects shall be submitted to the
attention of Tera Meeks by either e.mai], I~LQ.Mec:.ksiaMvFWC.cllm. or ground mail, 620 S, Meridian, MS.2A,
Tallahassee. FL 32399, Please use additional pages as needed, For additional information, contact Tera Meeks at
850410.0656 x 17326.
Contact Information (all entities must he registered in J\.f,EJj!I'jj!cutJarkeIPlace and contact info helow must
match M,1' Florida Market Place registration infiirmation):
FEID Number: 59.6000558
Affiliation: Collier County Board of Countv Commissioners
Phone Number: 239.252.2957
Name: Melissa Hennig
E.mail Address: n}"h~gb!'.lllligrLVc_oJ.li~r:g()"cn,,-t Street Address: 3301 Tamiami Trail E., Building W
City: Nap]es State: FL Postal Code: 34] 12
Project Site Information:
Owner/Manager: Co]lier County Board of Countv Commissioners
Parcel ID (please list all): 00152600002
Latitude: 260 17' 58,27" Longitude: 81047' 33.67"
Section: li.. Township:::ill... Range: 25
City: Naples County: Collier
Is the project site under conservation easement or protected by other legal means (e.g., Florida Forever,
Comprehensive Plan)? If yes, please describe. The propert\'. "Railbead Scrub South". is not under conservation
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)
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09/2009
Agenda Item No. 16E2
September 28,2010
Page 4 of 11
easement. It is protected under the Conservation Collier Ordinance 2002.63, as amended. Section 14.7
"Purchasing land using Conservation Collier program funds permanent]v extinguishes all development rights
except those strictlv compatible with the pUl:poses and goals of Conservation Collier... ".
Date of most recent gopher tortoise burrow survey (must be within the last two years): All burrow habitats were
surveved in February and March of2008: Fire line area was surveved in December of2009 and Jalluarv 2010
before fire line was created.
Are gopher tortoise burrows located within the proposed project area?
a~ Estimated Number of Burrows) b. No
How maoy acres of potential gopher tortoise habitat will be managed by the proposed project? 53.1 acres
How maoy total acres will be managed by the proposed project? 53.1 acres
Have gopher tortoises been relocated to the property in the past (i.e., those associated with incidental take permits
or standard relocation permits)? No
For each proposed management activity, list the number of acres that will be managed and total funds requested
(e.g., 50.acre prescribed bum completed by third party contactor for $3,000)?
53.1.acre exotic plant hand removal completed bv third party contractor for $15.000
Estimated project start date: December 2. 2010
Estimated project completion date: Januarv 31. 2011
Acres ofpotentialloccupied gopher tortoise habitat benefiting from the proposed activity(s): 53.1 acres
Total cost per acre of gopher tortoise habitat managed: $282.49/acre
What is the direct benefit to gopher tortoises from the proposed management activities? Dense stands of mature
invasive. exotic vegetation are present in a maioritv of the wetland habitats within the proiect area and have also
begun to invade the pine flatwoods areas. Removal of these invasive plants will allow for enhanced gopher
tortoise burrow and forage habitat. while also facilitating prescribed fire management. Both the scrubbv
flatwoods and pine flatwoods habitats on site are overgrown due to vears of fire suppression. Increased fire
intervals will improve habitat for the gopher tortoise. Once the invasive exotic vegetation is removed from site.
Collier Countv will coordinate with the Florida Division of Forestrv Urban Fire Mitigation Team (DOl") in order
to conduct prescribed bums on the proiect site.
Will other wildlife species benefit from the proj ect? If so please explain. Yes. Invasive exotic plant removal
followed bv prescribed fire management will benefit the following species known to inhabit Railhead Scrub
South:
antlion (Myrme]eontidae)
cicada (Cicadidae)
Florida harvester aot (Pogonomyrmex badius)
mole cricket (Scapteriscus spp.)
Florida Fish and Wildlile Conservation Commission (FWC)
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09/2009
tiger beetle (Cicindela spp.)
box turtle (Terrapene Carolina)
coachwhip (Mas/icophisflagellum)
six-lined racerunner (Cnemidophorus sexlinea/us)
southern black racer (Coluber constrictor priapus)
green lreefrog (Hyla cinerea)
chorus frog (Pseudacris nigri/a)
oak toad (Bufo quercicus)
eastern cottontail (Svlvilagusfloridanus)
eastern mole (Scalopus aqua/icus)
gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus)
hispid cotton rat (Sigmodon hispidus)
marsh rabbit (Svlvilagus palustris)
nine-banded armadillo (DasJpus novemcinctus)
raccoon (Procvon lot or)
Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana)
white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus)
bald eagle (Haliaee/us leucocephalus)
belted kingfisher (Cel)'le alcvon)
black vulture (Corag;ps a/rallls)
blue-,,'ray goatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea)
broad-winged hawk (Buteo platypterus)
brown thrasher (Toxostoma rufum)
Carolina wren (Thl)'othorus ludovicianus)
cattle egret (BubulctL' ibis)
common ground dove (Columbina passerina)
common nighthawk (Chordeiles minor)
common yellowthroat (Geothlvpis /richas)
Cooper's hawk (Accipi/er cooperii)
double-crested cortnorant (Phalacrocorax auri/us)
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)
Agenda Item No. 16E2
September 28,2010
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downy woodpecker (Picoides pubescens)
eastern bluebird (Sialia sialis)
eastern screech-owl (Megascops asio)
eastern towhee (Pipilo el)'throphthalmus)
glossy ibis (Plegadisfalcinellus)
,,'l'ay catbird (Dumetella carolinensis)
great blue heron (Ardea herodias)
great crested flycatcher (Mviarchus crinitus)
great egret (Ardea alba)
hairy woodpecker (Picoides villosus)
house wren (Troglodytes aedon)
loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus)
mottled duck (Anasfulvigula)
mourning dove (Zenaida macroura)
northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)
northern parula (Parula americana )
osprey (Pandion haliae/us)
palm warbler (Dendroica palmarum)
pileated woodpecker (DI)'ocopus pileatus)
pine warbler (Dendroica pinus)
prairie warbler (Dendroica discolor)
red-bellied woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus)
red-shouldered hawk (Buteo linea/us)
red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)
shiny cowbird (Molothrus bonariensis)
turkey vulture ( Ca/hartes aura)
wild turkey (Me/eagris gallopavo)
white ibis (Eudocimus albus)
white-eyed vireo (Vireo griseus)
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09/2009
Agenda Item No. 16E2
September 28. 2010
Page 6 of 11
Other species that have not been directlv observed at the preserve vet are known to inhabit similar habitats. such
as the eastern indilJo snake Wrvrnarchon couveri) and gopher frOg (Rana cavito). could also potentiallv benefit
from this proiect.
Is there a management plan for this property? Yes
Briefly describe any plans for continued future management. In 2007. DOF installed fire lines and DEP ($50.600)
and USFWS ($10.000) funded initial exotic removal within Railhead Scrub North. In 2009. FWC ($20.000)
funded fire line installation within Railhead Scrub South. and a Collier County contractor installed additional fire
lines within Railhead Scrub North ($10.000), Additionallv. in Spring 2010. a Collier Countv contractor installed
a perimeter field fence along the boundarv of Railhead Scrub South ($31.300) Since these events. Collier Countv
contractors have mowed all the fire lines twice a vear and routinelv treated the invasive. exotic plants within
Railhead Scrub North to maintain them at a densitv of 5% or less. This maintenance will continue into the future
(current estimated cost $15.000 annuallv: will become less expensive as fewer treatments are reauired).
Partiallv funded through USFWS ($15,000), a native planting proiect (total estimate $44.800) is scheduled for
summer 2011 within 13 acres of Railhead Scrub North wetlands that were cleared ofmelaleuca in 2007.
After initial exotic removal. Collier Countv will coordinate with DOF to conduct a controlled bum within
Railhead Scrub South. potentiallv in spring, summer. or fall 2012.
Fire lines and exotic vegetation will continue to be maintained into the future at both Railhead Scrub North and
Railhead Scrub South. Staff will also coordinate with DOF to bum all habitats within both sections of Railhead
Scrub Preserve on schedules that mimic natural fire intervals. for example, Pine F!atwoods everv 3 - 5 years.
How did you learn of this habitat management assistance opportunity? E-mail announcement from T era Meeks
Additional items to include: X Aerial Map' X FLUCCS Map' X Soils Map' X Burrow Survey'
* Maps must include the overall property boundary and the location of all proposed habitat management activities
Invasive exotic plant removal will occur within the entire Railhead Scrub South property, therefore locations of
proposed habitat management activities are not called out on the maps.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)
Page 4 of 9
08/2010
Agenda Item No. 16E2
September 28,2010
Page 7 of 11
Conservation Collier: Railhead Scrub Preserve
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Agenda Item No. 16E2
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A~enda Item No. 16E2
'September 28, 2010
Page 9 of 11
Railhead Scrub Preserve South Land Cover
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Page 7 019
08/2010
Agenda Item No. 16E2
September 28, 2010
Page 100f11
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Agenda Item No. 16E2
September 28,2010
Page 11 of 11
Railhead Scrub Preserve South
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