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EPTAB Exotic Plant Sub Committee - Volume 2 Moaffetoie &Re,. Fo t4 Foaurbe. of ze I 3301 East Tamiami Trail • Naples, Florida 34112-4977 (941)774-8097 • Fax(941)774-3602 John C.Norris District 1 Timothy L. Hancock,AICP District 2 Timothy J.Constantine September 16, 1997 District 3 Pamela S.Mac'Kie District 4 Barbara B.Berry District 5 The Honorable Connie Mack 517 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 RE: Collier County Support for Biological Control Quarantine Facility Dear Senator Mack: Please be advised that the Colli r County 7 3Board of County Commissioners has 50 supporting the construction of the unanimously adopted Resolution No 9 proposed quarantine facility in Ft. Lauderdale for evaluating the development of biological agents to control invasive exotic vegetation. The Collier County Commission respectfully requests that the $4,000,000 construction cost and $1,000,000 annual operating budget be included in the FY98 federal budget. Sincerely, Timothy L.,Hancock, AICP, Chairman Enclosure cc: Ted Center, Research Director, USDA, Agricultural Research Service Secretary Bruce Babbitt,U.S. Interior Department Bill Leary, Assistant Secretary,U.S.Interior Department Brad Cornell, Chairman, Collier County Environmental Policy Technical Advisory Board William D. Lorenz, Jr. P.E. Director, Collier County Natural Resources Department 3301 East Tamiami Trail • Naples,Florida 34112-4977 0 (941)774-8097 • Fax(941)774-3602 John C.Norris District 1 Timothy L.Hancock,AICP District 2 Timothy J.Constantine District 3 September 16, 1997 Pamela S.Mac'Kie District 4 Barbara B.Berry District 5 The Honorable Bob Graham 524 Hart Senate Office Building Washington,DC 20510 RE: Collier County Support for Biological Control Quarantine Facility Dear Senator Graham: Commissioners has Please be advised that the Collier County Board of Countythe construction of the unanimously adopted Resolution No. 97-350 supporting • proposed quarantine facility in Ft. Lauderdale for evalu The Conthe der Coumynt of biological agents to control invasive exotic vegetation. Commission respectfully requests that the$4,000,000 construction cost and $1,000,000 annual operating budget be included in the FY98 federal budget. Sincerely, r ,./____ ///7:i?. I - \, 7 Timothy L, ancock, AICP, Chairman Enclosure cc: Ted Center,Research Director, USDA, Agricultural Research Service Secretary Bruce Babbitt,U.S. Interior Department Bill Leary, Assistant Secretary,U.S.Interior Department Brad Cornell, Chairman, - Collier County Environmental Policy Technical Advisory Board William D. Lorenz,Jr. P.E. Director, Collier County Natural Resources Department a�� Wawat Fa�� i� .•► , `?aa-�'a� � cep � '� 3301 East Tamiami Trail • Naples,Florida 34112-4977 ' nst^r =` t (941)774-8097 • Fax(941)774-3602 John C. Norris District 1 Timothy L.Hancock,AICP District 2 Timothy J.Constantine September 16, 1997 District 3 Pamela S.Mac'Kie District 4 Barbara B.Berry District 5 The Honorable Porter Goss 517 Hart Senate Office Building Washington,DC 20510 RE: Collier County Support for Biological Control Quarantine Facility Dear Senator Goss: Board of County Commissioners has Please be advised that the Collier County the construction of the unanimously adopted Resolution No. 97-350 supporting proposed quarantine facility in Ft. Lauderdale for evaluating u The Conder development of biological agents to control invasive exotic vegeta County Commission respectfully requests that the$4,000,000 construction cost and $1,000,000 annual operating budget be included in the FY98 federal budget. Sincerely, 7,r, ,;- --/ / - -. ,/------- „,,v.0,<_ i, Timothy L/ ancock, AICP, Chairman Enclosure cc: Ted Center, Research Director, USDA, Agricultural Research Service Secretary Bruce Babbitt,U.S.Interior Department Bill Leary, Assistant Secretary,U.S.Interior Department Brad Cornell, Chairman, Collier County Environmental Policy Technical Advisory Board William D. Lorenz, Jr. P.E.Director, Collier County Natural Resources Department RESOLUTION NO.97- 350 RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE CONSTRUCTION OF A QUARANTINE FACILITY TO HELP FACILITATE THE DEVELOPMENT OF BIOLOGICAL CONTROL AGENTS FOR USE AGAINST INVASIVE EXOTIC VEGETATION. WHEREAS,invasive exotic vegetation such as Melaleuca,Brazilian Pepper and Australian pine pose a serious threat to the unique ecosystems of Collier County and the rest of South Florida;and WHEREAS,the Environmental Policy Technical Advisory Board(EPTAB)has recognized the presence and proliferation of invasive exotic vegetation in the County and has prepared a report entitled "INVASIVE EXOTIC VEGETATION IN COLLIER COUNTY";and WHEREAS,the Collier County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously to accept EPTAB's report;and WHEREAS, the Melaleuca Management Plan for Florida jointly written by the Exotic Pest Plant Council and Malaleuca Task Force in April 1994, concluded that"the ultimate control of malaleuca in Florida will probably depend on the success of biological control agents introduced from Australia"; and WHEREAS,the cornerstone of any successful biological control program is its ability to screen potential control agents to assure that they will only attack the target species;and WHEREAS,at present the only quarantine available in Florida is a small facility in Gainesville, shared by the USDA,the University of Florida,and the FDEP;and WHEREAS,the Water Resources Development Act of 1992 authorized the Secretary of the Army, in consultation with the Governor of Florida,to construct a research and quarantine facility in Broward County to be used in the search of biological control agents to control invasive exotic plant species that threaten native ecosystems in the State of Florida;and WHEREAS,the President's agricultural budget for FY 1998 includes language appropriating the$4 million(authorized in FY 1997)necessary to construct a new 20,000 sq. ft. quarantine facility in Ft. Lauderdale and an additional$1 million annual operating budget;and WHEREAS,the EPTAB report has recommended support for the construction of anew quarantine facility in Ft.Lauderdale. NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF COLLIER COUNTY,FLORIDA that Collier County supports the construction of the proposed quarantine facility and its inclusion in the proposed federal budget. This Resolution adopted after motion,second and majority vote this 7 day of 1997. tORO p ATTEST: • • f � • DWIGJIT . BOCK,CLERK BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS `: R _ COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA • •„ rst LBy s //1 y: / /(/// `,•,r •,7Vbeputy C ere TIMOTHY : • 'COCK,AICP, fid+ '•3ti \'� C. . • . . Y. '®s S d\\ . ' .Approved as to form and legal sufficiency: 1-04.11 Thomas C.Palmer Assistant County Attorney EXECUTIVE SUMMARY PRESENTATION OF EPTAB'S REPORT TO THE BCC ON "INVASIVE EXOTIC PLANTS IN COLLIER COUNTY" . OBJECTIVE: To accept EPTAB's report on "Invasive Exotic Plants in Collier County" and provide direction to staff for future implementation activities. CONSIDERATIONS: The Environmental Policy Technical Advisory Board (EPTAB) has produced a report investigating the problems associated with invasive exotic plants (Attached) . EPTAB recommendations from the report are summarized as follows: 1. Educate the public, government and landscape/nursery industry on recognition, eradication methods, assistance sources and legal requirements. 2 . Adopt a comprehensive Exotics Ordinance to target non- construction problems which Code Enforcement staff must pursue. 3 . Improve enforcement of pertinent ordinances through both compliance incentives/flexibility and through increased enforcement field support (volunteer and staff) . 4 . Actively pursue funding/assistance for control efforts through a) cooperation/sharing of resources with other agencies and organizations; b) application for public and • private grants; c) cultivation of volunteer help where applicable (labor is the single biggest eradication expense) . 5. Assure exotics removal on County properties. 6. Support research by other entities on better control methods (lobby for a full biological control quarantine facility in South Florida, perhaps connected to FGCU, and federal funding for USDA Australian research station) . FISCAL IMPACT: There is no fiscal impact for the BCC to receive the presentation of EPTAB's investigative report. There will be fut impacts if the BCC directs staff to imple.IentNc k; FEB 181997 r. 1 recommendations. These impacts can be evaluated after further study and direction. Major program initiatives requiring additional funding can be brought to the BCC as part of the FY98 budget process. GROWTH MANAGEMENT IMPACT: Pursuant to Policy 1. 1. 1 of the Conservation and Coastal Management Element, EPTAB functions as the BCC's technical advisory committee for the development of the County's comprehensive environmental management program. RECOMMENDATION: That the BCC accept EPTAB's report and provide direction to staff for future implementation activities. ( - 2 Prepared by: ,c/ - Date: 2- T- 97 lliam D. Loren ' Jr. , P. . ,`'Director atural Resources Department Approved by: (A/i > Date: c? —‘-77 Vincent A. Cautero, Administrator, i Community Development and Environmental Services WDL/gmm/10321 cc: EPTAB Members AGEN9; I No. I 441 > FEB 18 1997 . Pg. z INVASIVE EXOTIC PLANTS IN COLLIER COUNTY EPTAB Exotic Plant Subcommittee Report January, 1997 Exotic Plant Subcommittee: Chuck Ray,Chairman Bradley Cornell Nancy Payton Staff Liaison: Kimberly Polen • RGENR tg.5t4.0?-.) FEB 1-81997 . Pg• - • • ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The Environmental Policy Technical Advisory Board wishes to especially recognize the tremendous research and field assistance given this board by Kimberly Polen, formerly with the Natural Resources Department,and now Environmental Compliance Investigator for Collier County Code Enforcement. EPTAB also gratefully acknowledges the contributions, advice and assistance offered by the following people in the execution of this report Wayne Arnold Barbara Bergeson Ted Center Joe Delate John DiMartino Marco Espinar Clyde Fugate Mike Kirby Bruce McNall Shirley Ray Nancy Siemian • Linda Sullivan I . • t AGEND ) l No. A!! - FEB 1.8 1997 1 Pg. 4- 7 : SUMMARY: Collier C‘ like all of South Florida,has not bei ired a serious infestation of invasive exotic plants. Thea., plants, which include predominantly species such as Melaleuca,Brazilian Pepper,Australian Pine;Water Hyacinth,and Hydrilla(and over 100 others to varying lesser degrees), are ' responsible for very significant health, safety, economic and environmental problems throughout the county. They are spreading rapidly and thus there is strong impetus to more aggressively address exotics control issues now to minimize greater future expenses and problems for all. _ i -.1.. Melaleuca and Brazilian Pepper are major sources of year-round allergens to much of our citizenry, c resulting in much higher health care costs and serious health problems for some people. Melaleuca poses i a very serious fire hazard to'both-structures and natural areas due to the high volatility of its oily leaves. a. Navigation, flood control, and recreation-are-compromised by invasive exotics choking the water and - ',• banks of canals,rivers and lakes.-Real estate values suffer greatly when exotics are present in large quantities, and buyers and sellers unfamiliar with the species are especially vulnerable. And every one of our very unique natural areas is increasingly impacted by the spread of these noxious plants as native flora and fauna habitat diminishes in quantity and quality,which also impacts tourism and other nature- based recreation. . , - - . .. . :. , - . y -_ Collier County has recognized,since 1975,this growing problem through a progression of ordinances and policies which attempt to curb the spread of these plants, most notably the LDC and the Litter,Weeds, and Exotics Ordinance. Site inspections by both staff and EPTAB show enforcement has been good for new projects except some County properties,but poor for post-construction monitoring. There is poor awareness, generally, of what the worst species look like, how to get rid of them, and what expense is involved. There also is a lack of a specific, comprehensive,and efficient Exotics Control Ordinance. The EPTAB recommendations are summarized below(please also see attached Appendix E which shows a Cost Prioritization of Specific Recommendations): - 1. Educate the public, government, and landscape/nursery industry on recognition,eradication methods, assistance sources,and legal requirements. 2. Adopt a comprehensive Exotics Ordinance to target non-construction problems which Code _ Compliance staff must pursue. . .- _ _ _ -- - 3. Improve enforcement of pertinent ordinances through both compliance incentives/flexibility, .� and through increased enforcement field support(volunteer and staff). 4. Actively pursue funding/assistance for control efforts through a)cooperation/sharing of - . resources with other agencies and organizations;b)application for public and private grants; c) cultivation of volunteer help where applicable (labor is the single biggest eradication expense). _ ' 5. Assure exotics removal on County properties. - _ 6. Support research by other entities on better control methods. (Lobby for a full biological . control quarantine facility in South Florida,perhaps connected to FGCU,'and federal funding for USDA m • Australian research station.) -. - .._ ___s,- .;-_ . -. - . =a.- • _ •1.-. . •, -0. _ . ..t.- - -- - Many of the specific recommendations found in the report have minimal budget impacts,and others „p - which do,such as the education initiative, are good candidates for cooperation with other involved ka- - entities,or grant funding. The report emphasizes building community support for invasive exotics control policies through education initiatives. ' • - - --• -:- - - - _ ' ""' A : -._. . :'_-. .. • . :• AGE ii FEB 1.8 1997 . i L Introduction: Overview os _ Problem "The uncontrolled spreading of exotic plants is one of the most serious ecological problems facing southwest Florida today." That is the concensus of many of Florida's prominent biologists from government, academia and industry. This paper was developed in response to an ecological problem of unparalleled significance and danger to the natural ecology of south Florida, and in particular Collier County. Exotic plants are changing the face of south Florida If left unchecked,Florida's multi-billion dollar tourism industry will suffer increasingly significant erosion, and individual Collier Countians stand to lose out in many ways. Exotics have displaced highly valued mangrove trees along miles of shoreline. They have altered thousands of acres of habitat including that of the Florida panther, black bear and other threatened and endangered species. They cause human suffering by inducing allergic reactions, especially to melaleuca pollen which is present in large quantities throughout the year, and severe skin rashes from Brazilian pepper. Melaleuca poses a great fire hazard, particularly in areas which have been overdrained(which is much of Collier County), due to the extraordinary volatility of its oily leaves. Invasive exotics now cost our citizens millions of dollars every year in allergy-related health expenses, depressed real estate values, and eradication costs, in addition to the impacts on tourism. The problem becomes more critical every day. It has been calculated that melaleuca(Melaleuca quinquenervia) trees invade another 50 acres every day(Plunkett, 1994). Others suggest far greater amounts. It is imperative that Collier County and its citizens participate in the control of this menace. The Governor's Commission for a Sustainable South Florida Initial Report provides excellent background on the extent and serious nature of this species' invasion(Governor's Commission, 1995,pp. 78-82). The predominant source for all these noxious weeds is the commercial importation of exotic plants (Center, 1995). We in Collier County must address both this source and the all too numerous resultant symptoms of previous failures to screen out invasive plants. The University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service has proposed that"it is the responsibility of those who are aware of the problems caused by noxious exotic plants to educate others as to their identity and control to prevent further ecological damage to native ecosystems"(IFAS circular 868). The Environmental Policy Technical Advisory Board(EPTAB) concurs with that position and accepts the inherent requirement"to do something about it". Consistent with that responsibility,EPTAB undertook this project to determine the extent of the problem in Collier County, to evaluate the mechanisms available to limit or control exotics,and to consider measures that might enhance County effectiveness in dealing with this problem. II. The Plants Exotic plants are species that were introduced accidentally or deliberately from Australia, South America and other continents,and are proliferating in Florida at the expense of native species. A very important • source of exotics is the volume of imported plants for commercial uses —over 456 million in 1993 alone (80% through Port of Miami)(Center, 1995). The Exotic Pest Plant Council's current I st o most invasive exotic plants includes 116 species as testament to the inadequacy of the i i port Po'1 ''-• 1 screening process. 3 FEB 1-8 1997 Pg. Melaleuca (Melaleuca quinquenervia) in particular has altered vast areas of the Everglades by replacing native tree islands, sawgrass marshes and other habitats. The mature trees typically form impassable jungles of light blocking stands which virtually eliminate other plant species. The stands have limited wildlife value and reduce species diversity by as much as 60-80% (Center, 1995). They are known to impact a number of endangered or threatened species including Florida panther, wood stork, Big Cypress fox squirrel and others. The loss of more than 28 square miles of habitat per year is one of great significance to wildlife. Melaleuca has been most critical to control where individual trees or outliers exist (not the monocultures) which is the initial entry into an ecosystem. This is where the species spreads the fastest(Mel. Mgmt. Plan, 1994). Less thoroughly documented are the impacts of other exotics, especially Brazilian pepper(Shines terebinthifolius). This plant is in the same family as poison oak and poison ivy. It has brilliant red berries and sometimes is referred to as Christmas holly. The colorful berries may have been responsible for its importation as a decorative plant specimen. In the Florida environment such imports are free of predators,natural enemies and other constraints, so are free to flourish and out-compete native plant communities. Brazilian pepper has altered the appearance of Collier county by dominating, often eliminating native species on public rights of way, agricultural lands, undeveloped areas and older subdivisions. Infestations appear to commence along roads and other rights of way at field margins and in other areas where native plant communities have been disturbed by earth moving. From that foothold, they spread to the interiors of unused lands. Australian pines(Casuarina spp.) grow quickly to perhaps 50 feet in ten years, and 100 feet by the age of 20. A steady rain of seed from the original colonizer creates a carpet of seedlings under the canopy. The sprouting plants are just about the only ones able to survive in the darkened and chemically altered environment. A great example of this takeover is what should be one of the Naples area's environmental showplaces, Keywaydin Island. From a boat on the Intercoastal Waterway between Naples and Marco Island you will see no a show place anchored by mangroves, one of our most important native plants,but instead miles of shoreline where mangroves have been crowded out by Australian pines. Some other less well-known,but potentially harmful invasive species are earleaf acacia (Acacia auriculiformis), lather leaf(Colubrina asiatica), air potato (Dioscorea bulbifera), woman's tongue (Albizia lebbeck), climbing fern (Lygodium microphyllum), downy rosemyrtle (Rhodomyrtus tomentosus),java plum (Syzygium cumin!), and catclaw mimosa (Mimosa pigra). They are lesser known only to a complacent population; to even the amateur ecologist they are symbols of a scourge,and all of them are now prohibited species here in Collier County. Yet many of these exotics are seen as valued specimens in yards of all our sub-divisions. Aquatic species, including water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) and hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata) cause great damage to navigation and drainage as well as reduce biodiversity and oxygen levels in water. Appendix A lists the most serious of invasive species. The present county list of prohibited species should be expanded to include several other recently introduced plants just becoming recognized as potentially serious problems. Asparagus fern (Asparagus dens] torus),the pervasive groundcover wedelia (Wedelia trilobata), carrotwood (Cupaniopsis anacardioides), and laurel fig(Ficus macrocarpa) are just a few examples. AGEN.Rau 4 FEB 1.8 1997 M. Economic, Health } fety Impacts • The financial cost of exotic plants is almost beyond measuring, and every citizen pays part of the cost. Current County budgets include 380,000 for exotic removal and control in clam Bay alone. County Stormwater Management Department is responsible for 278 miles of waterways. They have budgeted • 3549,400 for removal of exotics because the plants are partly the cause of widespread flooding and degraded water quality. In addition, Collier County enjoys great economic benefits from the eco-tourism industry(birdwatching, fishing, canoeing, tours,hunting,hiking, etc.). Accordingly, exotics'.environmental degradation will severely impact our local economy's health, if not controlled. Exotics add to the cost of nearly every new dwelling here. Each building permit requires that all prohibited exotic plants be removed from the site prior to the County issuing a Certificate of Occupancy. In the case of large plots seriously infected with large melaleuca or Australian pine stands,the cost can run to many thousands of dollars. For the builder of a modest home in Golden Gate Estates,the cost of clearing is a major consideration. It is important in the selection of a homesite, and may prevent many ' owners from building. - - Also, melaleuca groves are a fire hazard. The leaves contain an oily substance which burns fiercely once ignited, and can easily spread to the structures which they surround. . ' Several of the plants constitute health hazards. Melaleuca is widely recognized as a human respiratory irritant. Brazilian pepper is closely related to poison ivy and has the same effects on many people. Both • cause asthma and create other allergy-related health problems. All of us pay these costs directly through medical bills or indirectly through higher insurance rates or subsidized care. Besides County expenditures,the US Departments of Interior and Agriculture, Florida State Parks & Recreation, Forestry and the South Florida Water Management District and other entities annually spend _ huge sums on exotics control. The State currently spends more than$2.2 million on melaleuca control _ alone, and the South Florida Water Management District spent$1.4 million on melaleuca control in their Water conservation Area 3. It is estimated that Federal, State and local agencies spent nearly$10 million . dollars on melaleuca control over the past ten years. The costs of removal and/or prevention of complete infestation of the Everglades and South Florida wetlands was estimated at$168.6 million dollars per year (Mel. Mgmt. Plan). An excellent summary of existing and potential costs of exotic plant infestations is provided by the Economic Impact Statement submitted when melaleuca was added to the Florida Prohibited Aquatic Plant List(Diamond,Davis and Schmitz). • IV. On Paper: Regulations,Codes and Reviews Used in Collier County " - _ A Overview of Collier County ExoticPlant Regulations: More than 25 years ago Collier County i officials recognized that several introduced plants were becoming a serious threat to native habitats. The v " - first official salvo in the war against invasive exotics occurred in June, 1975 (ORD #75-21)when the County passed an ordinance eliminating the permit fees for the removal of Australian pine,melaleuca, and Brazilian pepper. Soon after,ORD#79-73 actually prohibited Brazilian pepper and melaleuca and ' I required their removal during initial development phase clearing. AGEN'( �nE1y y No. z � f 5 FEB 18 1997 di In 1982 significant ordir ; were enacted to control the spread 1 ious exotic plants. Australian pine, melaleuca, Brazilian p peer, paper mulberry,earleaf acacia, arm chinaberry tree could not be used to meet landscape requirements (ORD #82-2). Brazilian pepper and melaleuca(ORD#82-37)were required to be cleared from the property during the development phase,just as in ORD #79-73 (the earlier version of the same ordinance). The requirements were well-intended,but failed to consider reinvasion of the property. In 1989 amendments were passed mandating that maintenance programs including control techniques be developed, approved by the county, and implemented through the Planned Unit Development(PUD) section (ORD #89-49) and the Site Development Plan(SDP) section(ORD#89-43). Despite the above efforts, noxious exotics continued their invasion of Collier County's native habitats. Amendments in 1991 (Land Development Code,ORD#91-102)attempted to limit the impact that noxious exotics growing on unimproved land, common areas, rights-of-way, and easements could have on improved or developed property(required by ordinance to be noxious exotic-free). Also recognizing the importance of native species, the 1991 amendments protected native vegetation during the removal of exotics. In 1996, amendments adopted, and being considered(see the revised Litter,Weeds and Exotics Ordinance)may strengthen the ordinances pertaining to exotics on rights-of-ways and all easements on improved property within subdivisions as well as unimproved properties abutting improved properties. Also the list of prohibited exotics has been expanded, in addition to Australian pine, melaleuca,Brazilian pepper, earleaf acacia, catclaw mimosa,Java plum,and downy rosemyrtle, to now include women's tongue, lather leaf,air potato, and climbing fern. Unfortunately,because of large exemptions,economic difficulties related to mandatory eradication, and inefficient treatment of exotics;the Litter,Weeds and Exotics Ordinance is still not a good comprehensive exotics regulatory tool. For a complete history of Collier County's exotic plant regulations, please see the chart in Appendix B. Development review process outlined: As detailed by Mike Kirby, former Environmental Compliance Investigator for Collier County's Code Enforcement section, and Clyde Fugate and John DiMartino in Engineering Inspections, a series of inspections by engineering and code enforcement representatives is used to ensure exotics removal on developed property,both public and private. In all cases,developed properties are to be maintained exotics-free in perpetuity. For new subdivisions, all prohibited exotics are required to be removed before acceptance is given. A bond is posted and accepted by Collier County and engineering inspections are done for all subdivision improvements. Exotics must be removed in all rights-of-way, preserves, common areas,and water management areas. Inspections occur for preliminary approval and again for final acceptance, and then periodic follow-up inspections until the planned unit development(PUD)phase is built out. Annual PUD monitoring reports are filed which should reflect the findings of the follow-up inspections—exotics are now part of the monitoring. Once final acceptance has been given,an exotics management plan must be filed with the County and responsibility is transferred from the developer to the subdivision homeowners' •, association. For site development plan projects,within the above subdivisions, an exotics removal inspection is required before any certificates of occupancy are issued. 3 i AGENNI No. i] 6 FEB 18 1997 14' 1 j pg . q *tet For single family lots, th, 's an exotics removal inspection line r' ^" the engineering inspection ticket(which there is not on der projects' tickets). No certificate o. ;.upancy is issued until inspection verifies exotics removal compliance. Code compliance operations: Once a project has been accepted or a certificate of occupancy issued, individual property owners become responsible for maintaining their lots exotics-free. The Code • Enforcement staff ensure compliance through violations noted on monitoring reports, and on citizen complaints called in. Routine, programmatic inspections are to be done of all accepted projects. When violations occur on subdivisions, one year is given for removing the exotics. Other exotics violations are pursued through the letter notification process. If no results, then the County places a lien on the property • and removes the vegetation. At this time, most liens are not foreclosed on, and when collection does occur the money is directed to the County's general funds rather than code enforcement operations. All "estates"zoned areas are currently exempt from unimproved property exotics removal requirements,such as when a neighboring unimproved lot is infested next to improved property. V. In Practice: EPTAB/Staff Inspections • With advice and assistance by Natural Resource Department scientists,EPTAB selected a number of residential, commercial and public projects for evaluation. Removal of exotics appears to be complete in the majority of these projects at the time of completion. Unfortunately,follow-up often is lacking. • Exotics resprout soon after eradication and continue to flourish. Also,during the last seven years there have been many citizen inquiries regarding prohibited exotic plant maintenance and control,but there have not been any routinely scheduled re-inspections after project completions. For a complete account } of both public and private projects inspected, please refer to Appendices C and D, respectively. Public Areas: East Naples Community Park, Veterans Community Park and Barefoot Beach Park all have '' serious infestations of exotics; some road and canal rights-of-way are also seriously infested, although most rights-of-way are clear. Those less traveled usually are the most seriously impacted. However, the problem has reached advanced stages along several major arterials. Along Vanderbilt Drive,between Bluebill Avenue and Wiggins Pass Road, the mangroves,buttonwoods and other salt tolerating trees and understory have been replaced by Brazilian pepper and Australian pine. • Private Areas: Environmental specialists with the Planning Services Section provided the Natural Resources staff with environmental assessments of 33 Planned Unit Developments (PUD's). Only five of the PUD's,which were evaluated by staff from May, 1995 through March, 1996, did not have any prohibited exotic plants present. Procedurally,the inspection documentation process for larger developments does not adequately track exotics removal and is successful only because individual staff are very knowledgeable and proficient. County-wide exotics removal and follow-up documentation • should be used on all projects and cases. There also are problems in the efficiency of record retrieval for both staff and the public. These issues have recently been brought to the attention of management staff. Grandfathered,older subdivisions pose an enforcement problem, as do the vast expanses of the Golden • Gate Estates. Many areas were created prior to ordinances prohibiting exotic plants which harbor a great deal of exotic plant material, often used for landscaping. Right now there is no mechanism to control spreading or provide for removal of exotics until such time as existing structures are substantially improved,or on a complaint basis. Marco Island,Pine Ridge, and Lely are just a few examples of the '-: problem. There should be extra incentive to eradicate melaleuca in the more rural areas of the estates V . AGEN R M FEB 18 1997 where these trees pose r 'y threats to the significant native ha there,but also threats to the health and safety of those r�. idents due to intense fire hazards and respiratory and skin allergy problems. Conclusions on Local Regulatory Tools: Collier County has basically very progressive and potentially effective rules to help eradicate pest plants locally. The County should continue to update its list of prohibited species, but should do so in coordination with the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council's List of Florida's Most Invasive Species (EPPC, annually updated). Both the present and newly revised versions of the Litter, Weeds and Exotics Ordinance are not fully effective vehicles for controlling the exotic plant situation here. A separate ordinance really is needed to target invasive exotics issues specifically. The problem is most acute in areas like Golden Gate Estates. Exemptions of certain areas from exotic removal requirements, and the lack of education and assistance are major difficulties. The unsatisfactory state of maintenance on properties which should be exotics-free, as evidenced in the recent EPTAB/Staff inspections, indicates Collier County needs to improve its follow-up inspection process. Since projects are generally complying at the outset, it seems to fall to Code Compliance to beef up their monitoring and complaint response procedures. At present, all complaints cannot be acted upon, and no systematic monitoring takes place anywhere. Current staffing appears to be inadequate for this task,and education and volunteer utilization could offer tremendous help. Because of the great expense of enforcement actions and actual clearing,both public and private local agencies must better educate and involve the citizenry (including themselves) in control efforts. Volunteer programs involving county-wide code-compliance monitoring, removal assistance (technical advice and help, labor, possible financial), and obtaining grant money directed toward these goals should be pursued. While regulatory requirements are necessary,the disproportionately great expense required of single family home owners demands that flexibility plus more incentives and assistance be utilized in eradicating a difficult problem in Collier County. - - VI. Management Strategies in Collier County This is"where the rubber meets the road". A summary of control methods currently in use in Collier County will lead to some policy recommendations in this area. Also,considerable attention has been paid to economic utilization of some of these species, especially melaleuca,to help provide incentive to • harvest and thereby control their spread. An unfortunately short list of practical options will be noted below. Controls Available: Exotic plants are currently controlled or managed in one or more of the following ways: 1)biological control, 2)mechanical control, 3)physical control,or 4)herbicidal control (Mel. Mgmt. Plan). Biological control involves the use of natural enemies of the targeted species, including insects, pathogens and other host-specific herbivorous organisms. Without bio-controls, it is difficult to see how well-established species like melaleuca and Brazilian pepper could ever be subdued. There are too many acres of them. For example,Ted Center of the US Department of Agriculture(USDA)research center in Ft. Lauderdale reports that an insect will be released before 1997 which devours new growths on melaleuca. This insect comes from Australia and is the result of research efforts at the USDA's laboratory there. Because it only eats new shoots,it will not kill host trees,but it will slow the spread of more plants because the flowers are consumed. Bio-control is still very much in the d: e op•.o:-i; • ry 1 ..:-Ism for Florida's most troublesome species,but it is probably the most important in the lo e ter -r 8 FEB 18 1997 �i - ------ - - - Pe• emphasized that every effort be 4...de to ensure any bio-control agent does -Jt produce another exotics invasion problem. In spite of that risk, there is a critical need for better research facilities, in particular for quarantine operations, and for dedicated funding of USDA's Australian research station. Mechanical controls are those which "harvest" the plant by hand tools or machinery. This method can be very effective when used with at least one other control —especially herbicidal follow-up. Except where t-' commercial scale harvesting is involved, this method is limited in effectiveness to small, emergent areas of infestation. ; Physical controls refer to manipulating environmental conditions such as water levels and fire to stress a plant until it either dies or is vulnerable to other treatments. This is now being used extensively in the Big V- Cypress National Preserve with success. Fire is introduced at the proper time of year after either mechanical or herbicidal treatment induces a seed release, thus killing both mature and seedling melaleucas. This method has limited application because of the need for large areas, and proper timing :. of flooding or fire is very difficult. Herbicidal control indicates the use of chemicals manufactured to kill the plant through a variety of treatment regimens and application methods. Research has provided a great deal of information on the best methods to apply herbicides to various target weeds. Care must be taken during application to avoid impacting the native vegetation adjacent to treatment areas. With these data and field experience, it should be easier to plan the best management practices for all pest control situations. Herbicides are best used before a species is rampantly out of control. Because its greatest invasive threat comes from widely distributed sporadic outliers and not dense monocultures, labor intensive single tree treatment with herbicides is the preferred control of melaleuca where it is found as individual outliers because it does not affect native vegetation nearby and is very effective on target plants. Brazilian pepper is best managed by foliar treatments, or mechanical removal followed by herbicide treatment. Australian pine is most effectively controlled by single tree girdling and painting with herbicide. Aquatic exotics are currently controlled mostly with herbicidal applications. All treatment operations require vigilant follow-up to ensure long term effectiveness. In all cases,the greatest expense involved in controlling exotics is the labor cost. This is why ultimately some form of broad area, perpetual treatment will be required for control of well-rooted species like melaleuca and Brazilian pepper. That treatment is biological control. . Utilization and Exploitation Over the years, very serious attempts have been made to discover economic uses for some of these weeds, in particular melaleuca. While many uses have been identified, only a couple are feasible. Melaleuca is now being successfully marketed as a landscape mulch, with one company in Ft. Myers doing about$b million of business each year selling this product nationally. As with any mulch, a seed kill must be effected,to avoid exacerbating the spread of viable seeds,by maintaining a high temperature while composting. There is also a strong potential use for melaleuca as a fuel for power generation. The hardwood core of melaleuca is suitable for tomato stakes and could be used for shipping pallets. Unfortunately, Florida's Melaleuca quinquenervia is not an acceptable source of medicinal teatree oil, which comes from M alternafolia. Brazilian pepper is only useful as a mulch. AGENum 9 FEB 18 1997 Pg / Local Aquatic Weed Control Efforts Bruce McNall, of the County Stormwater Management Dept, is systematically spraying herbicides and • cuffing back all growth along all canals which are in the county's maintenance responsibility(about 278 miles). This targets both terrestrial species as well as aquatic, including Brazilian pepper,downy rosemyrtle, Australian pine, melaleuca, water hyacinth, hydrilla,and torpedo grass. The program has been motivated chiefly by the need for unimpeded flood control functions of these canals, and the results thus far appear positive. One note of caution is that herbicidal control of aquatic weeds in our canals,where the exotics problem is the worst, can cause trouble if the volume of plant material is so great that their death creates a large fish kill. Appropriate use of mechanical harvesting and adjusting the frequency of spraying can minimize this hazard. An interesting recent development is the use of a type of carp by the South Florida Water Management District to help control invasive aquatics. Management Summary There is hope of developing better control methods such as biological controls in the near future, and Collier County should support this research in every way possible. Also,tests are continuing on the use of broadcast foliar herbicidal treatments which will be environmentally benign and more economical. Success requires technical and economical feasibility,as well as health, safety and ecological assurances. In the meantime, battles must be chosen appropriately with the short-term tools currently at hand— herbicidal, mechanical and physical methods. Continuous coordination and dialogue amongst all agencies and entities responsible for exotic weed control is a critical factor in both the development and implementation of the best comprehensive control strategies. This includes the effective dissemination of this information,along with providing all the economic incentives possible, to individual homeowners and businesses out there doing it themselves. Management is achieved through both prevention and cure. Thus we must not only control species already escaped from cultivation,but recognize the dangers from all potentially invasive exotics. History and the present condition of the natural landscape prove this has not been done well in the past. VII. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS Collier County has not been spared the onslaught of a literal army of invasive exotic plants quickly spreading throughout the entire state of Florida. These plants, most notably including melaleuca, Brazilian pepper and Australian pine (although the list goes on to a minimum of 116 species),threaten the health, safety and economic well-being of our citizens, and are exacting a humbling toll on every one of our unique natural ecosystems. The County has many of the basic tools it needs to combat these intruders,but it lacks much of the awareness and public education required for a truly cooperative effort from all of its citize. ••_ such cooperation and knowledge are requirements for mounting any credible campaign to .ntrol s" g4) pervasive problem. Complacency will only result in further degradation and expense in the long run. While the bulk of the acreage is being addressed by state and federal agencies,there is still : HeFEttgat 8 1997 10 { . Pg. /a task left to the local level --ignizing the dispersal threat posed ; -11 colonies of outlier invasive plants, and the health and sa. i hazards of large stands of exotics brir , urgency to our efforts to control exotics everywhere we have jurisdiction. Following are the details of EPTAB's recommendations on combating invasive exotic plants in Collier County. Please also see a grouping of these same recommendations by relative general budget impacts in Appendix E. 1. Coordination should occur with all entities working on this problem: USDA, SFWMD, Lee County, Dade County, restoration efforts for the Everglades,the Cooperative Extension Service and the Univ. of Florida/IFAS,the National Park Service and all South Florida units — especially the Big Cypress National Preserve and Everglades National Park, USACOE, environmental organizations and other private entities, • and the Exotic Pest Plant Council (Collier County should become a member of this non-profit group). 2. Assist any research efforts through either direct contributions of county staff time and/or money, or through political lobbying on behalf of other entities working on the issue. In particular,the USDA's research station in Australia currently needs dedicated funding of approximately 5250,000/year. Also, there is a strong need for a large quarantine facility here in South Florida to make bio-control research - possible. While Congress has approved the concept of such a facility, they did not fund it. The government, private organizations and citizens of Collier County should lobby for the appropriation of these funds (total of approximately S4 million for an already designed facility). It may be very prudent to link such a facility with the new Florida Gulf Coast University and this possibility should be explored. 3. Improve local enforcement of all regulations aimed at controlling exotics here in Collier County. This includes the following: a. Collect on foreclosed liened properties on weed violations and put that money in the code enforcement budget, not the general budget. b. Improve the inspection system so that there are better uniform records of engineering • inspections for exotics. (This has recently been brought to senior management's attention and is being pursued). c. Public inspection records need to be better organized and accessible to all, including.the public and all staff. (This, also, has recently been brought to senior management's attention and is likewise being pursued). d. Clarify and ensure that exotics management plans get incorporated into homeowners' T associations charters when they assume public area responsibilities from the developer. e. Improve follow-up inspection process for code enforcement, utilizing both volunteers and staff ' as necessary. s f. Engage more code enforcement personnel and volunteers to allow for monitoring the entire county systematically, not only on a complaint basis. 4. Public education is essential. We must show our population how to recognize exotics,and make them ' aware of the dangers and expense they can cause, as well as how best to get rid of them. EPTAB supports at - mounting a campaign to familiarize all with ordinances, eradication methods and options,sources for assistance, identification, etc. The specifics of our education recommendations follow: a. Real estate value "exotics impact disclosure"should be included in all real estate transactions. a b. A clear exotics information brochure, with line drawings of the prohibited species in the County, should be developed and mailed to all and made widely available. Also C. • ..- .. AGE roo 11 " FEB 181997 ordinances, eradicatior - ods available, and sources for assist. Coordination with the Exotic Pest r. Plant Council (EPPC)ano,,,r other entities would be most efficient. c. Training sessions should be conducted for, and required of, all commercial nursery and landscaping operations in Collier County. These ought to be coordinated with other agency staffs. The e focus should be on reducing or eliminating invasive exotics usage (the EPPC category I list) as well as a cultivating another information source for the public. r d. All homeowners' associations and/or homeowners who are assuming PUD phase management responsibilities (upon the County's final acceptance of the developer's executed duties)should be given e, orientation sessions on the specifics of those responsibilities, including maintenance of exotic-free public ki areas and conservation areas. This should be done just before the actual final acceptance is given to the ' developer in order to offer the homeowners an informed inspection opportunity. '? e. Establish an Exotics Control Hotline phone number to call to help all businesses and residents with any aspect of the issue. This should be a joint project with the Cooperative Extension Service and `t the EPPC. :, S. Volunteer help needed. Every effort should be made to encourage volunteer help with any reasonable aspect of exotics control, from county-wide clearing projects to follow-up monitoring assistance '^ (organized"complaint"system of monitoring). Naples"Melaleuca Day"and the Briggs Nature Center volunteer eradication programs are examples of effective volunteer efforts. This also provides great educational value. 6. Utilization of"harvest" and other incentives for removal must be encouraged. Melaleuca in particular has been demonstrated to be economically feasible to harvest for making landscape mulch.n This reduces the cost of removal and provides incentive as well. Other uses should be pursued as research makes them , available, and economic incentives to eradicate, apart from or in addition to regulatory requirements, . must be provided for private landowners. This is especially important in older developed areas'Where exotics removal was not initially required. - a. Subsidized tipping fees for exotics debris. To help implement this, make it a condition of the any contracts subsequently issued or renewed with both the landfill operator and the mulching contractor. b. Tax credits for voluntary clearing and maintenance of private property. c. Encourage melaleuca mulch(which is readily available both commercially and produced within a vegetative debris mix at the County's own mulching operations) on private property and on all public projects. d. Consider requiring a percentage of exotics-removal anytime a property changes hands. (Allowing the presence of exotics to figure in real estate market value provides incentive to remove.) e. Consider adding the EPPC's 30 or so Category I list of most invasive weeds to the county's landscape prohibition list, or even the removal list, in the Land Development Code. f. Establish a homeowner assistance program, especially for residents of Golden Gate Estates to help either financially or technically with exotics removal. At the same time, do not exempt such areas from exotics prohibitions (such as presently found in the Litter, Weed and Exotics Ordinance.) 7. Collier County must aegressively remove exotics and maintain its own properties as an example, if not to conform with its own regulations. 8. Actively seek funding sources for eradication efforts. This includes application for ants from all sources, and solicitation of labor assistance, either through intern programs like Am rico �• :;• - i research projects, or through outright volunteers. Labor costs are the biggest expe in eradica�.n..-3 ., 12 FEB 18 1997 /5. Volunteers should also b —1 to assist monitoring efforts, as hap, -ow with other code enforcement areas. 9. Adopt a specific exotics ordinance, which more effectively addresses problems outside of new construction. In particular, policies must be comprehensive (avoid exemptions) and provide for incentives, options, flexibility, assistance to homeowners and better education on the issues. 10. Re-establishment of the former native plant community is very important part of eradication. This must be given more weight in drafting policies on removal anywhere within the county(i.e. Clam Bay). Post-removal monitoring of vegetative regrowth is an absolute minimum. 11. Provide an Exotics Removal Fund donation box to check on all property tax bills which are mailed by the County. All money would be dedicated to education and removal work. A separate Fund could be established, so named, or donations could be directed to the appropriate staff work. It need not(and cannot)take a fortune to effectively accomplish much in the elimination of this very serious Collier County health and environmental hazard. While a tremendous amount can be accomplished at very minimal extra expense, it will,however, require dedication and community-wide support. In such a naturally rich area as Collier County,there are many environmental, social and economic issues which demand our attention. Without lessening the importance of any of these,EPTAB feels control of our invasive exotic plant problems is worthy of our community's most sincere efforts. Many of the above recommendations have very minimal budget requirements (please see Appendix E on relative budget comparisons) and emphasize policy initiatives on the part of local government. These should be implemented immediately. Many of those items which carry a more substantial monetary cost are excellent candidates for funding from outside sources, such as federal, state and private grants, and through cooperative work with other agencies and entities working on exotics in Collier County. Whenever possible, resources should be combined and expertise and labor shared with the Exotic Pest Plant Council,the South Florida Water Management District, Lee County,Dade County,the Cooperative Extension Service,US Depai t„lent of Agriculture,the National Park Service, FL Department of Environmental Protection, the Army Corps of Engineers and the many private organizations and citizens who devote their efforts to exotics issues(Native Plant Society, Collier County Audubon Society, Florida Wildlife Ferderation, the Conservancy, homeowners associations, and other civic groups). 2 Of all the recommendations, it is most critical that citizens, businesses and government leaders be educated to recognize the worst invasive exotic plants,what problems they cause, and learn how they may be most effectively controlled. This will provide the essential community foundation and impetus to enforce and implement the necessary tools for economical and comprehensive exotics control. ri <c NA:E 13 FEB 18 1997 , - - - - Pg. -1(62._- REFERENCES Center,Ted D.,J. H. Frank, and F. A. Dray. `Biological Invasions: Stemming the Tide in Florida." Florida Entomologist March, 1995, 78(1): 45-55. Diamond, C.,Davis, D., and Schmitz,D.C. "Economic Impact Statement: The Addition of Melaleuca Quinquenervia to the Florida Prohibited Aquatic Plant List."(Technical Report NPS/NREVER/NRTR-91/06), in: Proceedings of the Symposium on Exotic Pest Plants. November 2-4, 1988,University of Miami,Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science,pp. 87-110. Exotic Pest Plant Council. "1995 List of Florida's Most Invasive Species."March 16, 1995. Initial Report of the Governor's Commission for a Sustainable South Florida.by Richard Pettigrew, Chairman. Coral Gables,FL. October 1, 1995,pp. 78-82. Laroche,Francois B., ed. Melaleuca Management Plan for Florida:Recommendations from the Melaleuca Task Force of the Exotic Pest Plant Council. April, 1994, Second Edition. Morton,Julia. "Brazilian Pepper-- Its Impact on People, Animals and the Environment."Economic Botany 1978. 32 (4): 353-359. Plunkett,C. "Jacksonville Manages the Melaleuca Menace."Ene-ineer Update 1994. 18(4): 5. University of Florida. WAS Circular 868. 4. . a AGEN' No. ; : !. 14 FEB 18 1997 • Pg. / 7 APPENDIX A Exotic Pest Plant Council Category I and II list of Most Invasive Exotic Plants. • a AGE No. FEB 18 1997 • . r F" � Uc > � � �G � �N 0 .0 I.' u • c • � , V " • C a4.4d = 'CO N 47 4..) •• 4) CV' Q • .G 0EOuV :r • 4-` OO N v 0N V yN VN4N tN G N0 .O V . . 'C C u v u >�.0 NE a+ 81. ..a - v ., >, I-, ..' 0 G O . GC V 1.' Vc„u .+ aio 7: ,_, a... c 6 ,,E in el to 04 • es 'O � p4. 0 G V �4 ..+ p +, 4+ cW .� >et C pO Q � Zp^ � C p u w • N . • G '0yv' 0,,,c) tO E-t E NV O r C ar N �0 0. Z C 'e4 E Cs OC ps. C O . 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DE "0 = O .V •a ij N ., - 2 a a m !t -15 e Is.5" -e •-•.,.. c a FaE ` 8 a E o e v n 3 c a E c E i E C i cE ., rc a E C O $ Z acn 4a 8 e pIn C 3 3,h e U u t4 E C O e4 O V •E e e t c - a v` chs . � � - c a h E- o u £ e e i o- , , ^ p 3 `a E g'g • OCOC> 0 � >Od cEZea� eEEe �� oc,� o ., � y , O � a e a a � t , .►+ "0 V m V coe g • , I4HHH9ifl . _• ho E * c o D e c c -0 c a c9 > t4 t 0 O L t4 2 e Q'& 0 .4 0 y z n .o, 4 c n g, a t e e P G - Iia M I C .0 C U H O O e r O W O O O O .4 .� 5 .S E. ��G•��a' �i' O O • U 0.t-• .� c. co 'a QQ QaimU3000oueoUUOw14Ju.R= = Z Et* " " '' •;•! 4 2,63 • • - •• • •• FEB.1 1997 - --- -' - •afi EXON IC PEST PLANT COUNCIL'S 1995 LIST OF FLORIDA'S APR 2 -v� MOST INVASIVE SPECIES) i PURPOSE: To focus attention on: 1). the impacts exotic pest plants have on biodiversity inherent in impacted systems; 2). the impact of exotic plants on the integrity.of native plant , community composition and function;-3). habitat losses due to exotic plant infestations; 4). the _ impacts of exotic plants on endangered species primarily due to habitat loss and alteration(e.g., • Cape Sable seaside sparrow); 5)• the need to prevent habitat loss and alteration by comprehensive • management for exotic pest plants; 6). the socioeconomic impacts of exotic increased wildfire intensity and frequency in Melaleuca ; pest plantss (e.g., ) 7). changes in the seriousness of pest • , plants and to.indicate which are the worst problems;and 8). informing and educating resource _ , managers about which•species deserve to be monitored,and to helpmanagers set management. 8 priorities for - . .. .- - Category I—Species that are encroaching on and disrupting native plant communities in Florida This definition does not rely on the economic severity of the problem and the geographic area covered but the proven damage caused. - Category II—Species that have shown a potential to intrude on and disrupt native plant communities. These specks have a real potential to become category I ranked,but have nor yet invaded natural Florida •• communities. • SPECIES AND COMMON NAMECATEGORY - Abrus precatorius(rosary pea) 2 • • • Acacia auriculiformis(earieaf acacia) - 3 • : . Ardisia crenulata (=A. crenata) (coral ardisia) 4 - • Ardisia elliptica (=A. humilis) (shoebutton ardisia) s Asparagus densiflorus(asparagus fern) • 6 •. Bischofia javanica (bischofia) • • 7 . . , Brachuvia mutica (Para grass) 8 • Calophyllum calaba(=C. inophyllum of authors) (mast wood, • Alexandrian laurel) 9 . Cassia coluteoides(=Senna pendula) (climbing cassia, Christmas cncsia, Christmas senna) 10 • . Casuarina equisetifolia (=C. litorea)(Australian pine) i t - _ • • - Casuarina glauca(suckering Australian pine) • 12 - Cestrum diurnum(day jasmine) . . 13 _ - Cinnamomum camphors(camphor-tree) 14 - Colocasia esculenta(taro) 15 Colubrina asiatica(lather leaf) - - 16 • '' • Cupaniopsis anacardioides(carrotwocd) • 17 Dioscorea bulb fera(air-potato) 18 ,a - Eichhornia crassipes(water hyacinth) • _p19 - Eugenia uniflora (Surinam cherry) 20 - •• • Ficus microcarpa (=F.nitida;=F.retusa var. nitida) (laurel fig) 21 • Hydrilla verticillata(hydrilla) : .p22 - Hygrophila polysperma (green hygro) - -P AGEN No. :- FEB-:181997 -- --r-----------.._ -- - - P8•._ --- n-T , 4 ' c. _. . • • Nymenachne a,,,plericaulis (West Indian marsh grass) 1 24 '' lmperata brasiliensis(cogon grass) (=lnzperata o•lindrica) 1 25 Ipomoea aquatics (water spinach) I_p26 • ` lasminurn dichotomum (Gold Coast jasmine) 1 27 i lasminum fluminense(jasmine) ?28 • Lantana samara (lantana) • I 29 129 r Ligustrum sinense(hedge privet) I 30 ' Lonicera japonica (Japanese honeysuckle) 31 , Lygodium japonicum (Japanese climbing fern) . 1 32 . ' 4 L%godiurn nricrophrllum (Old World climbing fern) • 133 ' i . Macfadyen unguis-cati(cat's claw) • • - 1 34 . . • , -. Melaleuca quinquenervia (melaleuca, broad-leaf paper bark) - I-P • - Melia edar ash(Chinaberry) • 135 . Mimosa pigra (catelaw'mimosa) 36 • - Nandina domestics (nandina, I 37. . P. ( na, heavenly.bamboo) 13� _ _ :Nephrolepis cordifolia(sword fern) 138, - Neyraudia reynaudiana(Burma reed;.cane grass) 139 . Oeceoclades mandato (ground orchid) . • 1 • 40 . Paederia foetida (skunk vine) I41 Panieum repens(tcxpedo grass) • 142 • Paspalum notatum (Bahia grass) . 1 43 - Pennisetum purpureum (Napier grass) 14-4 Pistia stratiotes(water lettuce) I_p 43 Psidium guajava (guava) - 146 _ Psidium littorale(=P. cattleianunr) (strawberry guava) - 147 - t 3 . - Pueraria montana (=P.lobata) (kudzu) 48. - Rhodomyrtus tomentosus (downy myrtle) : 1 _ . 149 . • . . Rhoeo spathacea (=R. discolor) (oyster plant) 150 .r Sapium sebiferum (popcorn tree, Chinese tallow tree) 151 Scaevola taccada var. sericea (=S.frutescens;=S. sericea) - (scaevola, half-flower, beach naupaka) 152 - Schefjlera actinophvlla (_Brassaia actinophylla) (schefflera) . 153 • • Schinus terebinthifolius(Brazilian pepper) 154 Solanum torvum (turkey ben}) N • Solanum viarum(tropical scda apple) J 53 �-�g S� ium cumin (jambolan,Java plum) I Tectaria incisa (incised halberd fern) • 157 rT I Thespesia populnea (seaside mahoe) • • 158 . Tradescantia fluminensis(white-flowered wandering jew) 159 • - TOTAL CATEGORY I=tit? K • Adenanthera paronina(red sandlewood) II 60 Agave sisalana (sisal hemp) li 61 • Albizia julibrissin (mimosa) II 62 • . :, Albizia lebbeck (woman's tongue) •. ' II 63 • i - Aleurites fordii(rung oil tree) - • Alstonia»uurophylla (devil-tree) Il 64 65 I • Alternanthera philo.reroides(alligator weed) • 66 • • Antigonon leptopus(coral vine) II-P • • Aristolochia littoralis(calico flower) • II 68' '� - II 68 — AGEN•: • - No. •1 : :6:, • _ • , FEB 18 1997 / 10 Mar. , ..) Page 3 Asystasia gangetica (Ganges primrose) 11 69 Bauhinia variegata (orchid tree) Ij 70 • ' Broussonetia papyrifera (paper mulberry) 11 71 Callisia fragrans (inch plant, spironema) II 72 Casuarina cunninghanuana (Australian pine) 11 73 Cereus undatus (night-blooming cereus) II 74 Cryptostegia madagascariensis (rubber vine) 11 75 Dalbergia sissoo (Indian dalbergia, sissoo) 11 76 Dioscorea alata (yarn) 1I 77 Enterolobium contortisliquum(ear-pod tree) 11 78 Epipremnurn pinnatwn cv. Aureum (pothos) - II 79 Eucalyptus camaldulensis(Murray red gum) 11 80 Ficus altissima (false banyan) 11 81 • Ficus benghalensis(Bengal fig) " 1182 • Ficus benjamina (weeping rig) 11 83 . Ficus religiosa(bo tree) - • H 84 Flacourtia inc ca (governor's plum) II 85 Flueggea virosa(lueggea) " 0 11 86 Hibiscus tiliaceus(mahoe) 11 87 Hyptage benghalensis (hyptage) i1 88 Jasminum sambac(Arabian jasmine) II 89 • Koelreuteria elegans(golden shower tree) 11 90 Leucaena leucocephala (lead tree) II 91 Ligustrum japonicum (Japanese privet) II 92 Ligustrum lucidunr (Chinese privet) II 93 • Melinis minuti lora (molasses grass) II 94 Merremia tuberosa (wood-rose) . II 95 Murraya paniculata (orange jasmine) 11 96 Myriophyllum spicarum (Eurasian water-milfoil) - H-P 97 Nephrolepis multiflora (Asian sword fern) 11 98 Ochrosia parvi lora (=0. elliptica) (kopsia) II 99 Paederia craddasiana (skunk vine, onion vine) II 100 Passiflora foetida (stinking passion-flower) II 101 Pittosporunz pentandrum (pirtosporum) 11 102 Pittosporum tobira (Japanese pittosporum, pittosporum) 11 103 Rhynchelytrum repens (Natal grass) II 104 Sansevieria hyacinthoides(=S. trifasciata) (bowstring hemp) n 105 Solanum diphyllunr (twinleaf nightshade) II 106 Syngonium podophyllum (arrowhead vine) 11 107 Syzygium jambos (rose-apple) 11 108 Tenninalia catappa(tropical almond) H 109 Tribulus cistoides (puncture vine) J1 110 Triphasia trifoliata(lime berry) 11 111 Urena lobata (Caesar's weed) 11 112 Wedelia trilobata(v.edelia) II 113 . Wisteria sinensis (Chinese wisteria) 11 114 TOTAL CATEGORY"II— • • TOTAL = 116 AGEN0 r e No. • FEB 18,1997 y • Pg 'C 43 APPENDIX B Collier County Exotics Regulations and Ordinances ' ! AGENIgsy3,3 1 No. FEB 18 1997 Pg. _ • X 8 „ n 7. o v03 ti o v w m Y '" U _ c ''`� tyj c O F O d < p N o fi o g d g N 2 1ri < $ p' � bN a - • e5 — o a o oW oO o o0 i _ _ 2 •o0 E o O, ° o is kO 5 ki, '; % E I o = 02 g■ 2 h c c ; cs nE o 0o t. D O =;-. > c � � 00 of gE 5s a•-• 0 a 1 1. 7; 0 7; o g � 0,' � • a pz, got P = o 0 oto > i £ ori o W 0 M a. o s o . c E 0 c E o , 0 0 ° , j • > o •z : $ $ 2 o -0tr $ o Ja. v0 > • vii a o ~o 0o E � ° ot5 0 U 'o° o E s e .6 c a E y `` . g E a a `o p 0 . 1:100 0 `o E v o 0 0 3 o '0 E aw/ I= , . e 0 o6 Eg * a &.2 E2 x g-' g— w b $ Bt a `p9 � yr W c c h C c Na 4 t 1 0 i X ` e I Ci) e o E ti $3 b $ o .Z a � i w = to b Ec erg E $ Z ` p" p 1= m a F i B t bg e $ E $ 0 C $ c - C , Q & , o co gs = F 1 o _ - tr , gy m .6 2 E EF 2 8 0 ; s ; i Or W v , Q v s o . v . •w 6 b = E 5 W 8 8 E. •cb co c c o 0 o 7 c , c J 0 7O E . 'E0 . Iota C0 oOS 't5 c o.V ,' co OJ o E 0 o gg c $ � Eo o b3� E e () E e > . g > > c Yo . ° N a ° .BE , 0f o Ec c Ec E E ° n 'Eg N ev• •M Bio oa P p » ` 0.4 . 3 E p N fV N • tv a-5 (2 -a, 0 ir' C v � H O C o o I gg8 ° L a e »; a Y age o ; 0 0 0 og -.b o e� oo ag z ". Z., „9 .ig g o g •o = Q s E „no. n e a. o o g o: c • • • 0 m , 8 aR al B c . g B vg ° gz E • • g .6L •g = Y 2 as � $ z g_ 2Q . . . _E�? " € S o a $ p Q o o E c c 0 c a 4S < < a. i.12. 6 = o. a .! t 8 . ads .58 • eq N o N N o in n ^ AGE P.. P. t $ t t t t t t ft t t No. ) M` o a 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 t0 o / ce O 0 0 0 0 0 O 0 00 g O 0 FEB 1 8 1997 in g 1 (i4 N O O • • • • C _., r n . E> U o 1 `. a G C O •O m in 0pp• 8 Q C G C . 08 V -t '+ 8. x �C W pj r „ - M q o - E m O g • g c • g _ o h ' C C C > C O " 0 0 Y �c • 2 � � g -p co gg g g� to B X � � 2e a w h E E � M o i _ $ • g 3a S • o � • • • • C E C •• O 47 A k C vE vE � '. „ a BEd oN >. '� > o �. Q v O ea C oEri o • . ! g E g a cO o p 8 S ap c a ` tS act „ cc x .,,,'-s., Sp as t � L e• y Z E N e6 M ° � g $ �• -v. Ein > > 4 S • O oc tG t € L C O C etN • fV Q d o� . o�a O z $ 2O 3 ge B RR c ` ` Q N N Q fA V •• C 'G - • . r G 0^ 1 G r E n C E o p •0 •• F- o' •° :20 Ec ° N aa: ° p 2 �j O. 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B o • a sei > • U a . _ c ` w •; Esqofar EE E.- eE � s Bio z • g • g • cc t2 o 'dC S6 °� E o „ - w a lip a > > g 0 2 J � 3 � c',p m tSB ° 8 E2 g E eEj e -1 E E E ■ - . _ o 0 � Tot o o3 U > - ogE .m Pg 1t gB g -, - • g • D Bao 2 $ 8 *Ii Ido $ ; € g g ° z 2E C c LS E - .. = ' 2 . t C • O � C X ° C O V oC• 0 g o5p; 8i ~yW� II ; g I5 3 So= ra ry . 1. caw § _ ° As g p p > > > > > 1. 0 L z > > - c o E p 2 0 v > s ia' F ;$ v3 ..- g 8 0 o V q g e 2 EE E E c g v a. o € ;le o ot S if; § g : lig oq SS5g B . 28 g Bp`p _g 2 • 0 OS • CG • C4 S3 D ' O -le4 ° i • x � „ • ,c4 �7 £4 0 St ch 'Co p0 °C yb 3 B a < > a o < > a. > a & • > - w N 2 Y _ . < - 2 CI 0 O 3 Q 0O - AGENS ��TE I `J g e g- No. E ( a S g FEB 18 1997 1 - PH• r • a i" 0 o - 22- c ! E • pC GQM Zi g EN8 ZSQ g a oZ 'cc3 a2 $ 0CY'�`4 c0 E • S • o o o gzoa a € � $ _g > g- » o _ W 241- 1 G g$ g C • 1 0 E r > HE = X Q ? }Qj U • ,Sl¢� a a 2 &, - 8 °4 p C S _ `° `p ` g VIA hP o+ E $ a c • r • » : as as � o ? o o r E o $ p • g e c U to ` go w E •y c e '+ t $y Q21 c 8 O ,i 1- -- O « c o 6 = 5oEi `o > Bg • eZ omos c o a 4 of o ii gE = 3 4EEE al $ si §e. O y c� C7 c G ! .1 . e 0 » _oo • yO 0o „o crn _ om po 23i C y4 E DN y M O q> F B m • � $ mu3� O • ~ a • c0N - o q oA c � � �� � o �? � cg D $pX .f. g &aim e $ Eg Er, Iu40. gg 3g . 0t i y .'c t $ • o P - 4J » o • .. y CC c 00 o8xao vote , e � Do � acZo2oO_gE B c LS 61), ,S= 15 •c = 3n.> y c U .. c3 c 2 • a S A O o ° LTD cL0 gc6_. 2t a = •. � aarmi-, r1 ,� 'o S o w 1 0 Bax- `o o ' ' ' RI ' . ' ' 'I .1- DW wmn0 o il Ua fa ca g" E4E8 ' y0BS go WW= w ' ' ao �, a c rai '22 c a na ; 'c e c g o • ►- _ XO `c ° o toeSEEa _3 c o » W . o : EUBoc orq gt $ S g2 o O o C • Z U O'�f o 8 € O -1: Z p UCO f N O • • c $ ds - - 1.8 C Z E ` o oEc • c o; P c �- es n Brial", et is , • q = 0 ocE-0E 3 Z x L E = ' E 0 C 1 4 3 g 8 LC N « W E. • .c! Elpli,S S -- O 6154; 8- Q EE E > E Zgg ^ pp 5 0 1 o • a ZLy 2c q > c " b $ c v > r . g » � a . g _ o "NWT ', � � gV B � �Op4 , °$$ 8o ° a �.it . or0 ra; 2 gEE o E2 c E • s3 teills oC moi ; 17 'o o $ 4 w s . • U oL� pp 2 `pp g g A .) a : >-4, 0,� off" $ o $ �� g$ S ° 3 A v a .ate. c E ac•!�- E E� • $ ' 80 . oN c ' go o y ce cm c `o �' P< » • c & MO otoi o LL' o � o � EEB ' aL c0 ° � Rg� o <' <'mmcivticivo w - ." as _ a < s_ Boo si 1.3 as « mmvcuicaicNico00w N N O O i t i pp • 0 0O AGENj�ptLiJ ) • 0 p No. ��S�JJ fi S FEB 181997 Pg. a7 e APPENDIt C . • EPTAB/Staff Inspections of Public Projects • • AGEyak FEB 18 1997 • Pg. - --_ • • . 0 • W > . O N $ N m a S to a. a w a 2 N C LL 0 w Cr fo 0 w o o a a - 0 J m 7 IO W < 2 D ce co cr w_Q I LO 5 co Of- < J W F U CP 0 U a a nO O w ,Q, U < a W Z < Co' 2ICC CO V cc v w W < N a W a w a O < • O. op- w oz0 w COoaHj 0- 00 0 CC " � w m5Q �' oZo » �1 h M DD wa wcf > w w t, wa0 mwo < z ot- - wCC w 6 = NW a CC wOm ")mwoo 5ZCO 0 W z O w u� Z F ~ < N a 1-o Z .-,.., .. m O J O ^a Z co0 a W N Z O = 00 -- rtw re z � JW UOQ W ZaN < U -im wcr W �aiwawOQ �a < 0<in v-�nc� aacrmore ° a CS D < ZW je, w � � zn ; 0g >a 0 <awZc9waYa < = xy a a a _ _O UQar- "f- Da0wwJ ,_ ? a5I- aa » < Zap .�1- 20f- W '� ti -uNiwDvOOwu' z0D < < aZW< z000x , < < CWujawj Si n • > Z U ¢ U 4Q z O D -' O o Z - N o Y a W a Z Z Z a o - w u_ z ,- ,- u. n<^m YONQzz �< oo0Wz > 52aowwf-ozWoz>J2 _ a ruo� U w < w I a z Z 0 o a �w 2 H f Z p a m r - W a h � CO 0 - 62w < zma « < WWzOFZ <wWw , w oaCr.E- rE 3 ww < w � OPwwwW < (20 v) o < wa < � wcr < < a > < zw-Ja0"- <° 0 < HOoaaI -a l! To • 5 QcrzDoo w = mt0AOct0djWZ0<000 �CaNW 0. u") coa. W 03 3� W w } YY0 - 0 - zzz0 za � Yowtl- MI' Iw < F-I- ZZ ►- O ww I- z aoza aaww0zworazrNN < N z --<, amwwo or r • N DJ < ¢ QoP- wOaaJ < amw < z Ogo00 as < W o a a m J < 1 a Z 0 0 < 2 0 o a a g w 5 m00 < Z 00w o W u.2 _ Ma . H w < < a a O. aaa. a - - a < awQam - - 6 <aaawCi. CC/ aaaaaa < a W 0 « < < LI- < 0am2W <aw < dwmmmmma« mmmm m U < 0. < < < m a W m N co OD N r N m O N U ,"1 ~ N 4 0< , h Y M n h tft < A C `in - Y o c < cc a 11.1 ? a a < w Y co az N 0 . a a w CC oe . U a nL S a a D Z az = N� •1 1 S "t < m 20. 2 0 2 2 Z D Y w a go 2 0 p Y J u < 0 za o aao Y a a �" cao AGENDA M a azaz <w < v < 2 8 h: -- No. � rng < gOJ a 0 0 o 0 < w m !°= < <nayma m a a W � .y0p� ce ; ;; FEB 18 1997 '! • <m �y J 5. • F- U2MMtow m > U Z J Y «m 4 Pg. • 1 • • APPENDIX D EPTAB/Staff Inspections of Private Projects e AGEND�� No. it FEB 18 1997 • Pg. 00 • } J O z 0 m 0 wW < f- -, o - mwDE pa X W O 2 Cti 8 wc� �Wyi _W o �(� LLoW `g Wz 0 o 06 J J F- U 6O U ~ N J } fp0 •W In 0 0 < z a. OZ � a Za W< v 2 . m'3)Z wJ w 0 O r- gaN < J o `" - 0 0 D$w••w co f U U D_ a0W < ZN ,_ 0 0 Cl) I$O w 0 O O aZa WO az6 O O ODWwzo ? 2S 0 c� zg < o Ww azW z z zW<WW W2 Z Z al- , _ f z U a 2 Q oi0occ cc O cc Z Z Z O - J 2 2 <-yo:Z0 cc LL 3 2 <,_ zW~ ° < WZz 3 3 3`>oWV a Z < < O3 kZ OW I- MW < < <01--CCco • Z H O O U - ,e — WO MF- O O OMF-Mrt2W2 wrZOgg w{u DO 6 6 6wwOw •• w in 6 6 CC 00 a Z > . 0Z .n .n tnCCa0> .3 Ct j Win ..1 O Z g5w w . 2 =U' Z 0 2 o W FO N a 8 � t ~o ce w , 0 = 0 - ` •-:I-V I- cc F- m cr >> J N W < W W i� w W ix O a W a t=ii p 0 w < CC t= z_ iz -410 w C < Z < COU5 W a �s .° .a o N '; z zW W W 0 0W >: Z �< m < GC CI Z Q W '6 .-"c0 ] y . . M W<L ~ > z QZ O wOOm w . O Z r: 0tu 0 C z Pn ZF ` ''z0 ' w [ vaw u- N J wN - ) , wce n .50@ N 6 < - -- 00m ZZ ? < o > Z < O W 'ZIzwQ w Q 005 0 = WzwZ�a d> � oo Z ? z Ice < O < a w - O azw� w y g ' z < z Z' Qww0 F Wz ' wO'° ; Z zN oocr < > - m > JOOWyW > Q W N < CC s N W N NW N gWZaZ - W uW • ,w y =W W W F CCO i-' wCCOCCW2 •Cr -J ;:CC CC < < o < 0 a o: I . -a < . . .:< a J < a w N ' -: M o x xa � =: xaUj} wm =ia • . 'm ;w 6 66 }a Zm W - . t.. In VI Z co _ Wlei WCD CD CI Q cmc C <na � e m n§'CC moo N U N w -, y • r w • co Z O Ow - z * 1- _OW z ti Cl)3aw < y1.._„,, cr < O 0 oN .w � ., . zWZWO < g-::zI 0 ZZ Ot6i O< < = r -;w y a< a ja iiit O ' aD ' O ;. Y ;r .D 1� j g - N — .�!n „�r- C N N Oa °' aD W P x`.4 O 4 aD o R D. thd � d o o o 0 D a €3 AGEND y:4 No. 4 . FEB 1 8 1997 • 0 < _ `S i • eg 0 O °C � 4 0aitL 1- z -I O pz W � z 0 wa(� 2m ,cc F- . U � F. z -> -1 0. � , �� IL WOZ} � � � •.FD • U O z — a � c(��� W � � F= cY O 2 a- 2 cc Z • . en 8 OQ > xo J � W � j � 0 vZOWO z za • Z a. 0 z0n a > DOOR zzuOz °' Z • w < J _00 0 Oz < 0 p0 p =WUg Ozzw p 2r < I- 0 O 0 wo � z r ocrz8 zo.ozok OO w 0 0 �u r r w p LL r0 -w+ a 0 0 0 Y a r LL a 0 V UJW O2 i z w � W O w � « 2WwOWz Cr w O Z < Zy nada • w ztt m0 = 0 O 0 OwOw z p < < °) a w y{Oy�r >>Oo OF- O 0 i y ►<- 00 >- 0 } O �y � v } 050 a > z0 — I—° -ZZ gg�� p p J w U O �i wo -ia0 0 OZ > OO < aw0 arawwI- LLOi- c[ 2 + w {{yy�� r ,{ d ww� 0 6 w13 �OOOw < z ,A Z > 0 < 0 u e3 el Sc zO0 r) °MO ." & WQXZSLO2 > c'iCC • W s Z 0 z' W H. 8 Ei . • z y wu- Eat c:. w O O 0 O W 00 ;�V . g Cr } Z z V W 1cr sp' t 2 z z O n0 .a m < . .1 O O z -- N a Jz 0 0 < mato 0 y p Za x � _ < 0z O y u{< r 0 ►_ ei: a ii 2 o mz � n OW " 005w < .SW ,� �`.0 w < w LI) . rts t Q z = O -4173P - s k WO 5 5 "I> yCt U } �r sx � 0 w w cowz - < - O cr< w xCD < i.‘17:4:4 < O - 0 ,, CC co < W F- o foo ym w w wZa3z co 0 z --'o ,. x0 >.p Ix C Y O ] _ < N : � n0 F- 0 0 wZ W W a w < m { : a W z Z :¢ ¢ LL > °' Oy x,N , ''':2 as 5 F 0005 W cc j dW, ,fir.• , CC 0 L11 d 3 to ~ 5 ON << 0 ILI Q• 0 xaaa wa m x }}:xx} w te@ I.. O w m < m - fr :g<< u� til v a IL i W .11 'Yl N T h mtil N K1 h r w w D 0Z vl -a a "�m � a S AF � _ 5 o 0 gg l Ci , Jx', Q ce CCU rW o}W ii_ = y < :<0 > rmz = zy0 -I <Z. LNg ,:i::.0 h! w ?aW 0 z a � O Z z a •o} =�xp a a _x • IX J OJ 2 2 2 2 z0 co 'a a < x o o eo ro ` i. Co co tO �.- 0 7 ' ' � '"o I $ a o eop ;o a n m °� +. z Fa & 'a as AGE is K ax j tal.„) No. 1 t FEB 18 1997 m N zp . O N < Z m 0 Z- < p Z- aHO� F00 W mo w O < •• w < LL -',4- . 0 � W � 01• �'ai` 4v �z 1- Suz � > z w N � i W OOF> < x5 _i0 a. Po Z �F- O 226w m2p o> a 6 O mwOwO O N ZZmV CC03W WCC o< . Z Z O F a J O Z F_ m O O < < O W - U 0 OU = m z _ > 33wo00I >• 00Ew z 00 i to y} = wE' F- N } ccmw cft h 0000W ZOQ JO N -i _1M ,t O ~ AimM Zaa00 $ <0 0 o <m Nin w J U N 0 a1 ° 0 w F- U N W U. W N ��. O0 0 < < . _. 0 >w H w W$- o z° ° • W g = W Z <<z m< 52 Au_ w �,.. 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E g e> a > y w a= w � W Ou2 0 Qz m �a > c W rn .! � 0Z3 aon < e = vNz < mpa' acaaz2it-3ZD5 15 47 rr 4 BBBB j 0W0:5 . 2m w w2 �a:aWww � 0 m 1:::-,s m ' � z03 - g ome 14 < (Ni t: W L:S W =. r.., < W W Qz O Z Y - Y J W / o FA 3 : 5 w a -` n�v co W O w aao � s = 0 Q . 2 < n (� z ,- - n o ! ` < m U W w 4, m N h LD fn 0 e7 ."2. a -0 c .- )- I U w I X 0. ii -='d ct cL x < mUuJw .::-° 0 NAGo. -IIE �i.rr• .R,M ., • - ' FEB 18 1997 , Y rte' t . •, -_• .-X T. _ q, . r APPENDIX E r e Cost Prioritization of Specific Recommendations 9 1 Specific Recommendations Which Require Little or No Additional Funding or Are Policy Initiatives y Only: i '? 1. Coordination of efforts with other entities working on invasive exotics. 2. Assist any research efforts through either direct contributions of staff time or money,or through litical lobb in on behalf of other entities doing research. A bio-control quarantine facility is a high 0. political y g . . - priority. 3a. Collect on foreclosed liened properties on weed cs violations,putting money in exoticode enforcement. ''' 3b. Improve the inspection system to achieve uniform and computerized tracking of all inspections. :Y (Already addressed to senior management). 3c. Public inspection records need to be better organized and accessible to all. (Addressed to senior I management). 4 3d. Clarify and ensure that exotics management plans get incorporated into homeowners' associations charters when responsibilities arc transferred from the developer. 4a. Real estate value"exotics impact disclosure"should be included in all real estate transactions. 7 6c. Encourage melaleuca mulch on both private and public landscaping projects. • 11. Provide an Exotics Removal Fund Donation Box to check on all property tax bills,to benefit i education and eradication. ,. Specific Recommendations Which Require Moderate Budgetary Investment: — 3e. Improve the currently non-existent follow-up inspection process for code enforcement,utilizing both volunteers and staff(also could be a larger investment,depending on percentage of volunteerism). • 4b. Produce and distribute a clear exotics information brochure. (Also coordinate with other entities). • 4c. Conduct exotics reduction training sessions for all commercial nursery and landscaping operations in Collier County. This should also be coordinated with entities. 4d. Orientation sessions for all homeowners' associations and others assuming exotics management I responsibilities. _a 4e. Establish an Exotics Control Hotline phone number to call for all businesses and residents. Coordinate this with EPPC and Cooperative Extension Service. 5. Utilize volunteer help in every way reasonable: county-wide exotics clearing days,follow-up exotics code enforcement monitoring assistance, educational docents,etc. 6a. Subsidize landfill (mulching)tipping fees for exotics debris. 8. Actively seek funding sources for eradication efforts, including grants, solicitation of labor help from -T . interns and volunteers,or other public funds. Specific Recommendations Which Require More Significant Budgetary Investment: • .,. 3e. Improve follow-up inspection system for code enforcement efforts,using boti staff ' :&,�'r5s 4 (budget depending on degree of volunteerism). FEB 181997 Pg. 3f. Engage more code ens o ent personnel and volunteers to all tmatic monitoring. 6b. Offer local tax credits for voluntary clearing and maintenance of pi, ate property. 6d. Consider requiring a percentage of exotics removal anytime a property changes hands(allows for market incentives to remove). • 6e. Consider adding the EPPC's 30 or so Category I list of most invasive plants to the County's prohibition list in the LDC. 6f. Establish a homeowner assistance program,especially for Golden Gate Estates,to help either financially or technically with exotics removal. Also,do not exempt such areas from exotics prohibitions. 7. Collier County must set the example of removing exotics on its own properties. 9. Adopt a specific exotics ordinance to address problems implementing comprehensive county-wide control of exotics. Should avoid exemptions,provide for incentives,options, flexibility and assistance and education to homeowners and businesses. 10. Re-establishment of the native plant communities should be given more weight in exotics removal policies throughout the County(such as in Clam Bay). Specific Recommendations Which Mav Best Be Cooperatively or Grant Funded: 1. Coordination. • 2. Research assistance. 3e. Improvement of follow-up code enforcement inspection. 3f. Engage more personnel,both staff and volunteers,to allow for code enforcement monitoring. 4b. Exotics educational brochure. 4c. Exotics training sessions for nursery and landscape businesses. 4e. Exotics Control Hotline. 6e. Add EPPC's 30 Category I plants to Collier's prohibited list. 6f. Homeowner assistance program. 9. Adopt a specific exotics ordinance. 10. Re-establishment of the former native plant community after exotics removal. •T . 1 44 - . AGS ARM No. , FEB 181997 • Pg /6 Z7 INVASIVE EXOTIC PLANTS IN COLLIER COUNTY EPTAB Exotic Plant Subcommittee Report (DRAFT--1/27/97) January, 1997 Exotic Plant Subcommittee: Chuck Ray, Chairman Bradley Cornell Nancy Payton Staff Liaison: Kimberly Polen I. Introduction: Overview of a Problem "The uncontrolled spreading of exotic plants is one of the most serious ecological problems facing southwest Florida today." That is the concensus of many of Florida's prominent biologists from government, academia and industry. This paper was developed in response to an ecological problem of unparalleled significance and danger to the natural ecology of south Florida, and in particular Collier County. Exotic plants are changing the face of south Florida. If left unchecked, Florida's multi-billion dollar tourism industry will suffer increasingly significant erosion, and individual Collier Countians stand to lose out in many ways. Exotics have displaced highly valued mangrove trees along miles of shoreline. They have altered thousands of acres of habitat including that of the Florida panther, black bear and other threatened and endangered species. They cause human suffering by inducing allergic reactions, especially to melaleuca pollen which is present in large quantities throughout the year, and severe skin rashes from Brazilian pepper. Melaleuca poses a great fire hazard, particularly in areas which have been overdrained(which is much of Collier County), due to the extraordinary volatility of its oily leaves. Invasive exotics now cost our citizens millions of dollars every year in allergy-related health expenses, depressed real estate values, and eradication costs, in addition to the impacts on tourism. The problem becomes more critical every day. It has been calculated that melaleuca(melaleuca quinquenervia) trees invade another 50 acres every day(Plunkett, 1994). Others suggest far greater amounts. It is imperative that Collier County and its citizens participate in the control of this menace. The Governor's Commission for a Sustainable South Florida provides excellent background on the extent and serious nature of this species' invasion(Governor's Commission, 1995, pp. 78-82). The predominant source for all these noxious weeds is the commercial importation of exotic plants (Center, 1995). We in Collier County must address both this source and the all too numerous resultant symptoms of previous failures to screen out invasive plants. The University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service has proposed that"it is the responsibility of those who are aware of the problems caused by noxious exotic plants to educate others as to their identity and control to prevent further ecological damage to native ecosystems" (IFAS circular 868). The Environmental Policy Technical Advisory Board (EPTAB) concurs with that position and accepts the inherent requirement"to do something about if'. Consistent with that responsibility, EPTAB undertook this project to determine the extent of the problem in Collier County, to evaluate the mechanisms available to limit or control exotics, and to consider measures that might enhance County effectiveness in dealing with this problem. II. The Plants Exotic plants are species that were introduced accidentally or deliberately from Australia, South America and other continents, and are proliferating in Florida at the expense of native species. A very important source of exotics is the volume of imported plants for commercial uses-- over 456 million in 1993 alone (80%through Port of Miami)(Center, 1995). The Exotic Pest Plant Council's current list of Florida's most invasive exotic plants includes 116 species as testament to the inadequacy of the importation screening process. Melaleuca (melaleuca quinquenervia) in particular has altered vast areas of the Everglades by replacing native tree islands, sawgrass marshes and other habitats. The mature trees typically form impassable jungles of light blocking stands which virtually eliminate other plant species. The stands have limited wildlife value and reduce species diversity by as much as 60-80% (Center, 1995). They are known to impact a number of endangered or threatened species including Florida panther, wood stork, Big Cypress fox squirrel and others. The loss of more than 28 square miles of habitat per year is one of great significance to wildlife. Melaleuca has been most critical to control where outliers exist(not the monocultures). This is where the species spreads the fastest(Mel. Mgmt. Plan, 1994). Less thoroughly documented are the impacts of other exotics, especially Brazilian pepper (Shines terebinlhifolius). This plant is in the same family as poison oak and poison ivy. It has brilliant red berries and sometimes is referred to as Christmas holly. The colorful berries may have been responsible for its importation as a decorative plant specimen. In the Florida environment such imports are free of predators, natural enemies and other constraints, so are free to flourish and out-compete native plant communities. Brazilian pepper has altered the appearance of Collier county by dominating, often eliminating native species on public rights of way, agricultural lands, undeveloped areas and elder subdivisions. Infestations appear to commence along roads and other rights of way at field margins and in other areas where native plant communities have been disturbed by earth moving. From that foothold, they spread to the interiors of unused lands. Australian pines (Casuarina spp.) grow quickly to perhaps 50 feet in ten years, and 100 feet by the age of 20. A steady rain of seed from the original colonizer creates a carpet of seedlings under the canopy. The sprouting plants are just about the only ones able to survive in the darkened and chemically altered environment. A great example of this takeover is what should be one of the Naples area's environmental showplaces, Keywaydin Island. From a boat on the Intercoastal Waterway between Naples and Marco Island you will see no a show place anchored by mangroves, one of our most important native plants, but instead miles of shoreline where mangroves have been crowded out by Australian pines. Some other less well-known, but potentially harmful invasive species are earleaf acacia(Acacia auriculiformis), lather leaf(Colubrina asiatica), air potato (Dioscorea bulbifera), woman's tongue (Albizia lebbeck), climbing fern (Lygodium microphyllum), downy rosemyrtle (Rhodomyrtus tomentosus), Java plum(Syry'gium cumini), and catclaw mimosa (Mimosa pigra). They are lesser known only to a complacent population; to even the amateur ecologist they are symbols of a scourge, and all of them are now prohibited species here in Collier County Yet many of these exotics are to he seen as valued specimens in yards of all our suh-divisions. Aquatic species, including water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) and hydrilla(Hydrilla verticillata) cause great damage to navigation and drainage as well as reduce biodiversity and oxygen levels in water. Appendix A lists the most serious of invasive species. The present county list of prohibited species should be expanded to include several other recently introduced plants just becoming recognized as potentially serious problems. Asparagus fern(Asparagus densiflorus), the pervasive groundcover wedelia (Wedelia trilobata), carrotwood (Cupaniopsis anacardioides), and Laurel fig(Ficus microcarpa) are just a few examples. III. Economic, Health and Safety Impacts The fmancial cost of exotic plants is almost beyond measuring, and every citizen pays part of the cost. Current County budgets include $80,000 for exotic removal and control in clam Bay alone. County Stonnwater Management Department is responsible for 278 miles of waterways. They have budgeted $549,400 for removal of exotics because the plants are partly the cause of widespread flooding and degraded water quality. In addition. Collier County enjoys great economic benefits from the eco-tourism industry (birdwatching, fishing, canoeing, tours, hunting, hiking, etc.). Accordingly, exotics' environmental degradation will severely impact our local economy's health, if not controlled. Exotics add to the cost of nearly every new dwelling here. Each building permit requires that all prohibited exotic plants be removed from the site prior to the County issuing a Certificate of Occupancy. In the case of large plots seriously infected with large melaleuca or Australian pine stands, the cost can run to many thousands of dollars. For the builder of a modest home in Golden Gate Estates, the cost of clearing is a major consideration. It is important in the selection of a homesite, and may prevent many owners from building. Also, melaleuca groves are a fire hazard. The leaves contain an oily substance which bums fiercely once ignited, and can easily spread to the structures which they surround. Several of the plants constitute health hazards. Melaleuca is widely recognized as a human respiratory irritant. Brazilian pepper is closely related to poison ivy and has the same effects on many people. Both cause asthma and create other allergy-related health problems. All of us pay these costs directly through medical bills or indirectly through higher insurance rates or subsidized care. Besides County expenditures, the U.S. Departments of Interior and Agriculture, Florida State Parks & Recreation, Forestry and the South Florida Water Management District and other entities annually spend huge sums on exotics control. The State currently spends more than $2.2 million on melaleuca control alone, and the South Florida Water Management District spent$1.4 million on melaleuca control in their Water conservation Area 3. It is estimated that Federal, State and local agencies spent nearly $10 million dollars on melaleuca control over the past ten years. The costs of removal and/or prevention of complete infestation of the Everglades and South Florida wetlands was estimated at $168.6 million dollars per year(Mel. Mgmt. Plan). An excellent summary of existing and potential costs of exotic plant infestations is provided by the Economic Impact Statement submitted when melaleuca was added to the Florida Prohibited Aquatic Plant List(Diamond, Davis and Schmitz). IV. On Paper: Regulations, Codes and Reviews Used in Collier County Overview of Collier County Exotic Plant Regulations: More than 25 years ago Collier County officials recognized that several introduced plants were becoming a serious threat to native habitats. The first official salvo in the war against invasive exotics occurred in June, 1975 (ORD #75-21)when the County passed an ordinance eliminating the permit fees for the removal of Australian pine, melaleuca, and Brazilian pepper. Soon after, ORD #79-73 actually prohibited Brazilian pepper and melaleuca and required their removal during initial development phase clearing. In 1982 significant ordinances were enacted to control the spread of noxious exotic plants. Australian pine, melaleuca, Brazilian pepper, paper mulberry, earleaf acacia, and chinaberry tree could not be used to meet landscape requirements(ORD#82-2). Brazilian pepper and melaleuca (ORD #82-37) were required to be cleared from the property during the development phase, similarly to ORD #79-73. The requirements were well-intended, but failed to consider reinvasion of the property. In 1989 amendments were passed mandating that maintenance programs including control techniques be developed, approved by the county, and implemented through the Planned Unit Development(PUD) section(ORD 489-49) and the Site Development Plan(SDP) section(ORD#89-43). Despite the above efforts, noxious exotics continued their invasion of Collier County's native habitats. Amendments in 1991 (Land Development Code, ORD#91-102) attempted to limit the impact that noxious exotics growing on unimproved land, common areas, rights-of-way, and easements could have on improved or developed property (required by ordinance to be noxious exotic-free). Also recognizing the importance of native species, the 1991 amendments protected native vegetation during the removal of exotics. In 1996, amendments adopted, and being considered (see the revised Litter, Weeds and Exotics Ordinance)strengthen the ordinances pertaining to exotics on rights-of-ways and all easements on improved property within subdivisions as well as unimproved properties abutting improved properties. Also the list of prohibited exotics has been expanded to now include Australian pine, melaleuca, Brazilian pepper, earleaf acacia, catclaw mimosa, Java plum, downy rosemyrtle, women's tongue, lather leaf, air potato, and climbing fern. For a complete history of Collier County's exotic plant regulations, please see the chart in Appendix B. Development review process outlined: As detailed by Mike Kirby, former Environmental Compliance Investigator for Collier County's Code Enforcement section, and Clyde Fugate and John DiMartino in Engineering Inspections, a series of inspections by engineering and code enforcement representatives is used to ensure exotics removal on developed property, both public and private. In all cases, developed properties are to be maintained exotics-free in perpetuity. For new subdivisions, all prohibited exotics are required to be removed before acceptance is given. A bond is posted and accepted by Collier County and engineering inspections are done for all subdivision improvements. Exotics must be removed in all rights-of-way, preserves, common areas, and water management areas. Inspections occur for preliminary approval and again for final acceptance, and then periodic follow-up inspections until the planned unit development (PUD)phase is built out. Armual PUD monitoring reports are filed which should reflect the findings of the follow-up inspections--exotics are now part of the monitoring. Once final acceptance has been given, an exotics management plan must be filed with the County and responsibility is transferred from the developer to the subdivision homeowners' association. For site development plan projects, within the above subdivisions, an exotics removal inspection is required before any certificates of occupancy are issued. For single family lots, there is an exotics removal inspection line right on the engineering inspection ticket(which there is not on larger projects' tickets). No certificate of occupancy is issued until inspection verifies exotics removal compliance. Code compliance operations: Once a project has been accepted or a certificate of occupancy issued, individual property owners become responsible for maintaining their lots exotics-free. The Code Enforcement staff ensure compliance through violations noted on monitoring reports, and on citizen complaints called in. Routine, programmatic inspections are to be done of all accepted projects. When violations occur on subdivisions, one year is given for removing the exotics. Other exotics violations arc pursued through the letter notification process. If no results, then the County places a lien on the property and removes the vegetation. At this time, most liens are not foreclosed on, and when collection does occur the money is directed to the County's general funds rather than code enforcement operations. Ae,,z, „Lth„ V. lin Practice: EPTAR/Staff Inspections With advice and assistance by Natural Resource Department scientists. EPTAB selected a number of residential, commercial and public projects for evaluation. Removal of exotics appears to be complete in the majority of these projects at the time of completion. Unfortunately, follow-up often is lacking. Exotics resprout soon after eradication and continue to flourish. Also, during the last seven years there have been many citizen inquiries regarding prohibited exotic plant maintenance and control, but there have not been any routinely scheduled re-inspections after project completions. For a complete account of both public and private projects inspected, please refer to Appendices C and D, respectively. Public Areas: East Naples Community Park, Veterans Community Park and Barefoot Beach Park all have serious infestations of exotics; some road and canal rights-of-way are also seriously infested, although most rights-of-way are clear. Those less traveled usually are the most seriously impacted. I lowever, the problem has reached advanced stages along several major arterials. Along Vanderbilt Drive, between Blucbill Avenue and Wiggins Pass Road, the mangroves, buttonwoods and other salt tolerating trees and understory have been replaced by Brazilian pepper and Australian pine. Private Areas: Environmental specialists with the Planning Services Section provided the Natural Resources staff with environmental assessments of 33 Planned Unit Developments(PUD's). Only five of the PUD's, which were evaluated by staff from May, 1995 through March, 1996, did not have any prohibited exotic plants present. Procedurally, the inspection documentation process for larger developments does not adequately track exotics removal and is successful only because individual staff are very knowledgeable and proficient. County-wide exotics removal and follow- up documentation should be used on all projects and cases. There also are problems in the efficiency of record retrieval for both staff and the public. These issues have recently been brought to the attention of management staff. Grandfathered, older subdivisions pose an enforcement problem, as do the vast expanses of the Golden Gate Estates. Many areas were created prior to ordinances prohibiting exotic plants which harbor a great deal of exotic plant material, often used for landscaping. Right now there is no mechanism to control spreading or provide for removal of exotics until such time as existing structures are substantially improved, or on a complaint basis. Marco Island, Pine Ridge, Lely and Port Royal are just a few examples of the problem. There should be extra incentive to eradicate melaleuca in the more rural areas of the estates where these trees pose not only threats to the significant native habitats there, but also threats to the health and safety of those residents due to intense fire hazards and respiratory and skin allergy problems. Conclusions on Local Regulatory Tools: Collier County has basically very progressive and potentially effective rules to help eradicate pest plants locally. The County should continue to update its list of prohibited species, but should do so in coordination with the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council's List of Florida's Most Invasive Species(EPPC, annually updated). Both the present and newly revised versions of the Litter, Weeds and Exotics Ordinance are not fully effective vehicles for controlling the exotic plant situation here. A separate ordinance really is needed to target invasive exotics issues specifically. The problem is most acute in areas like Golden Cate Estates. Exemptions of certain areas from exotic removal requirements, and the lack of education and assistance are problems. The unsatisfactory state of maintenance on properties which should be exotics-free, as evidenced in the recent EPTAB/Staff inspections, indicate Collier County needs to improve its follow-up inspection process. Since projects are generally complying at the outset, it seems to fall to Code Compliance to beef up their monitoring and complaint response procedures. At present, all complaints cannot be acted upon, and no systematic monitoring takes place anywhere. Current staffing appears to be inadequate for this task, and education and volunteer utilization could offer tremendous help. Because of the great expense of enforcement actions and actual clearing, both public and private local agencies must better educate and involve the citizenry(including themselves)in control efforts. Volunteer programs involving county-wide code-compliance monitoring, removal assistance(technical advice and help, labor, possible financial), and obtaining grant money directed toward these goals should be pursued. While regulatory requirements are necessary, the disproportionately great expense required of single family home owners demands that flexibility plus more incentives and assistance be utilized in eradicating a difficult problem in Collier County. VL Management Strategies in Collier County This is"where the rubber meets the road". A summary of control methods currently in use in Collier County will lead to some policy recommendations in this area. Also, considerable attention has been paid to economic utilization of some of these species, especially melaleuca, to help provide incentive to harvest and thereby control their spread. An unfortunately short list of practical options will be noted below. Controls Available: Exotic plants are currently controlled or managed in one or more of the following ways: 1)biological control, 2)mechanical control, 3) physical control, or 4)herbicidal control (Mel. Mgmt. Plan). Biological control involves the use of natural enemies of the targeted species, including insects, pathogens and other host-specific herbivorous organisms. Without bio-controls, it is difficult to see how well-established species like melaleuca and Brazilian pepper could ever be subdued. There are too many acres of them. For example, Ted Center of the USDA research center in Ft. Lauderdale reports that an insect will be released before 1997 which devours new growths on melaleuca. This insect comes from Australia and is the result of research efforts at the USDA's laboratory there. Because it only eats new shoots, it will not kill host trees, but it will slow the spread of more plants because the flowers are consumed. Bio-control is still very much in the developmental stages for Florida's most troublesome species, but it is probably the most important in the long term. It must be emphasized that every effort be made to ensure any bio-control agent does not produce another exotics invasion problem. In spite of that risk, there is a critical need for better research facilities, in particular for quarantine operations, and for dedicated funding of USDA's Australian research station. Mechanical controls are those which "harvest"the plant by hand tools or machinery. This method can he very effective when used with at least one other control --especially herbicidal follow-up. Except where commercial scale harvesting is involved, this method is limited in effectiveness to small, emergent areas of infestation. Physical controls refer to manipulating environmental conditions such as water levels and fire to stress a plant until it either dies or is vulnerable to other treatments. This is now being used extensively in the Big Cypress National Preserve with success. Fire is introduced at the proper time of year after either mechanical or herbicidal treatment induces a seed release, thus killing both mature and seedling melaleucas. This method has limited application because of the need for large areas, and proper timing of flooding or fire is very difficult. fferhicidal control indicates the use of chemicals manufactured to kill the plant through a variety of treatment regimens and application methods. Research has provided a great deal of information on the best methods to apply herbicides to various target weeds. Care must be taken during application to avoid impacting the native vegetation adjacent to treatment areas. With these data and field experience, it should be easier to plan the best management practices for all pest control situations. Herbicides are best used before a species is rampantly out of control. Because its greatest invasive threat comes from widely distributed sporadic outliers and not dense monocultures, labor intensive single tree treatment with herbicides is the preferred control of melaleuca where it is found as individual outliers because it does not affect native vegetation nearby and is very effective on target plants. Brazilian pepper is best managed by foliar treatments, or mechanical removal followed by herbicide treatment. Australian pine is most effectively controlled by single tree girdling and painting with herbicide. Aquatic exotics are currently controlled mostly with herbicidal applications. All treatment operations require vigilant follow-up to ensure long term effectiveness. In all cases, the greatest expense involved in controlling exotics is the labor cost. This is why ultimately some form of broad area, perpetual treatment will be required for control of well-rooted species like melaleuca and Brazilian pepper. That treatment is biological control. Utilization and Exploitation Over the years, very serious attempts have been made to discover economic uses for some of these weeds, in particular melaleuca. While many uses have been identified, only a couple are feasible. Melaleuca is now being successfully marketed as a landscape mulch, with one company in Ft. Myers doing about S6 million of business each year selling this product nationally. As with any mulch, a seed kill must be effected, to avoid exacerbating the spread of viable seeds, by maintaining a high temperature while composting. There is also a strong potential use for melaleuca as a fuel for power generation. The hardwood core of melaleuca is suitable for tomato stakes and could be used for shipping pallets. Unfortunately, Florida's melaleuca quinquenervia is not an acceptable source of medicinal teatree oil, which comes from in. alternafolia. Brazilian pepper is only useful as a mulch. Local Aquatic Weed Control Efforts Bruce McNall, of the County Stormwater Management Dept, is systematically spraying herbicides and cutting back all growth along all canals which are in the county's maintenance responsibility (about 278 miles). This targets both terrestrial species as well as aquatic, including Brazilian pepper, downy rosemyrtle, Australian pine, melaleuca, water hyacinth, hydrilla, and torpedo grass. The program has been motivated chiefly by the need for unimpeded flood control functions of these canals, and the results thus far appear positive. One note of caution is that herbicidal control of aquatic weeds in our canals, where the exotics problem is the worst, can cause trouble if the volume of plant material is so great that their death creates a large fish kill. Appropriate use of mechanical harvesting and adjusting the frequency of spraying can minimize this hazard. An interesting recent development is the use of a type of carp by the South Florida Water Management District to help control invasive aquatics. Management Summary There is hope of developing better control methods such as biological controls in the near future, and Collier County should support this research in every way possible. Also, tests are continuing on the use of broadcast foliar herbicidal treatments which will be environmentally benign and more economical. Success requires technical and economical feasibility, as well as health, safety and ecological assurances. In the meantime, battles must be chosen appropriately with the short- term tools currently at hand--herbicidal, mechanical and physical methods. Continuous coordination and dialogue amongst all agencies and entities responsible for exotic weed control is a critical factor in both the development and implementation of the best comprehensive control strategies. This includes the effective dissemination of this information, along with providing all the economic incentives possible, to individual homeowners and • businesses out there doing it themselves. Management is achieved through both prevention and cure. Thus we must not only control species already escaped from cultivation, but recognize the dangers from all potentially invasive exotics. History and the present condition of the natural landscape prove this has not been done well in the past. VII. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS Collier County has not been spared the onslaught of a literal army of invasive exotic plants quickly spreading throughout the entire state of Florida. These plants, most notably including melaleuca, Brazilian pepper and Australian pine(although the list goes on to a minimum of 116 species), threaten the health, safety and economic well-being of our citizens, and arc exacting a humbling toll on every one of our unique natural ecosystems. The County has many of the basic tools it needs to combat these intruders, but it lacks much of the awareness and public education required for a truly cooperative effort from all of its citizens. Indeed, such cooperation and knowledge are requirements for mounting any credible campaign to control this pervasive problem. Complacency will only result in further degradation and expense in the long run. While the bulk of the acreage is being addressed by state and federal agencies, there is still a Herculean task left to the local level. Recognizing the threat posed by small colonies of outlier invasive plants brings urgency to our efforts to c;04 of exotics everywhere we have jurisdiction. A_ / dirld Following are the details of EPTAB's rico ena 60 cdmbati ng invasive exotic plants in Collier County. Please also see a grouping of these same recommendations by relative budget impacts in Appendix E. 1. Coordination should occur with all entities working on this problem: USDA, SFWMD, Lee County, Dade County, restoration efforts for the Everglades, the Cooperative Extension Service and the Univ. of FloridaiIFAS, the National Park Service and all South Florida units --especially the Big Cypress National Preserve and Everglades National Park, USACOE, environmental organizations and other private entities, and the Exotic Pest Plant Council (Collier County should become a member of this non-profit group). 2. Assist any research efforts through either direct contributions of county staff time and/or money, or through political lobbying on behalf of other entities working on the issue. In particular, the USDA's research station in Australia currently needs dedicated funding of approximately $250,000/year. Also, there is a strong need for a large quarantine facility here in Florida to make bio-control research possible. While Congress has approved the concept of such a facility, they did not fund it. The government, private organizations and citizens of Collier County should lobby for the appropriation of these funds(total of approximately $4 million for an already designed facility). There may be some opportunity to link such a facility with the new Florida Gulf Coast University and this possibility should be explored. 3. Improve local enforcement of all regulations aimed at controlling exotics here in Collier County. This includes the following: a. Collect on foreclosed liened properties on weed violations and put that money in the code enforcement budget, not the general budget. b. Improve the inspection system so that there are better uniform records of engineering inspections for exotics. (This has recently been brought to senior management's attention and is being pursued). c. Public inspection records need to be better organized and accessible to all, including the public and all staff. (This, also, has recently been brought to senior management's attention and is likewise being pursued). d. Clarify and ensure that exotics management plans get incorporated into homeowners' associations charters when they assume public area responsibilities from the developer. e. Improve follow-up inspection process for code enforcemente .r /! f. Engage more code enforcement personnel to allow for monitoring the entire county systematically, not only on a complaint basis. 4. Public education is essential. We must show our population how to recognize exotics, and make them aware of the dangers and expense they can cause, as well as how best to get rid of them. EPTAB supports mounting a campaign to familiarize all with ordinances, eradication methods and options, sources for assistance, identification, etc. The specifics of our education recommnendations follow: a. Real estate value"exotics impact disclosure" should be included in all transactions-ence-- • .•u s • x. ' s 0 • : %,is b. A clear information brochure, with line drawings of the prohibited species in the County, should be developed and mailed to all and made widely available. Also covered would be basic ordinances, eradication methods available, and sources for assistance. Coordination with the Exotic Pest Plant Council (EPPC)and/or other entities would be wise. c. Training sessions should be conducted for, and required of, all commercial nursery and landscaping operations in Collier County. These ought to be coordinated with other agency staffs. The focus should be on reducing or eliminating invasive exotics usage(the EPPC category I list) as well as cultivating another information source for the public. d. All homeowners' associations and/or homeowners who are assuming PUD phase management responsibilities (upon the County's final acceptance of the developer's executed duties)should be given orientation sessions on the specifics of those responsibilities, including maintenance of exotic-free public areas and conservation areas. This should be done just before the actual final acceptance is given to the developer in order to offer the homeowners an informed inspection opporhinity. e. Establish an Exotics Control Hotline phone number to call to help all businesses and residents with any aspect of the issue. This should be a joint project with the Cooperative Extension Service and the EPPC. 5. Volunteer help needed. Every effort should be made to encourage volunteer help with any reasonable aspect of exotics control, from county-wide clearing projects to follow-up monitoring assistance (organized"complaint" system of monitoring). Naples "Melaleuca Day"and the Briggs Nature Center volunteer eradication programs are examples of effective volunteer efforts. This also provides great educational value. 6. Utilization of"harvest" and other incentives for removal must be encouraged. Melaleuca in particular has been demonstrated to be economically feasible to harvest for making landscape mulch. This reduces the cost of removal and provides incentive as well. Other uses should be pursued as research makes them available, and economic incentives to eradicate, apart from or in addition to regulatory requirements, must be provided for private landowners. This is especially important in older developed areas where exotics removal was not initially required. a. Subsidized tipping fees for exotics debris. To help implement this, make it a condition of the any contracts subsequently issued or renewed with both the landfill operator and the mulching contractor. b. Tax credits for voluntary clearing and maintenance of private property. c. Encourage melaleuca mulch(which is readily available both commercially and produced within a vegetative debris mix at the County's own mulching operations) on private property and on all public projects. ,.d.. 1; remodeling cbst ex s-341",0 bf-house-rafrie e. Consider requiring removal anytime a property changes hands. (Allowing the presence of exotics to figure in real estate market value provides incentive to remove.) f. Consider adding the EPPC's 30 or so Category I list of most invasive weeds to the county's landscape prohibition list, or even the removal list, in the Land Development Code. g. Establish a homeowner assistance program, especially for residents of Golden Gate Estates to help either financially or technically with exotics removal. A the same time, do not exempt such areas from exotics prohibitions (such as found in the Litter, Weed and Exotics Ordinance.) 7. Collier County must aggressively remove exotics and maintain its own properties as an example, if not to conform with its own regulations. As noted above, County maintenance staff could be trained to recognize exotics to assist with removal and monitoring. 8. Actively seek funding sources for eradication efforts. This includes application for grants from all sources, and solicitation of labor assistance, either through intern programs like Americorps and college research projects, or through outright volunteers. Labor costs are the biggest expense in eradication. Volunteers should also be used to assist monitoring efforts, as happens now with other code enforcement areas. 9. Adopt a specific exotics ordinance, or clarify the exotic plants sections of the present Litter, Weeds and Exotics Ordinance to more effectively address problems outside of new construction.