Agenda 05/12/2009 Item #16E 1
Agenda Item No. 16E1
May 12, 2009
Page 1 of 13
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Recommendation that the Board of County Commissioners give after-the-fact approval
for the attached South Florida Coastal Ecosystem Program grant application that was
submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) for $534,900 (of which
$258,700 will be reimbursable) to fund invasive, exotic plant removal within the Pepper
Ranch Preserve SSA-7.
OBJECTIVE: To have the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) give after-the-fact approval for a
proposal that was submitted to the USFWS to fund invasive, exotic plant removal within the Pepper
Ranch Preserve SSA-7,
CONSIDERATIONS: The USFWS South Florida Coastal Program provides funding to non-profit
organizations and agencies at all levels of government for technically sound and cost effective
projects that restore or enhance degraded coastal wetlands, uplands, estuaries, and riparian
corridors. If the grant is received, a formal agreement between the BCC and the USFWS will be
needed before the project can proceed. Once an agreement is finalized, staff will return to the BCC
for formal acceptance of the grant award and execution of the agreement.
.-
This grant proposal was approved for submission by the County Manager on April 15, 2009, The
proposal was due to the South Florida Ecological Services Office on April 17, 2009, but because staff
decided to submit the proposal only after a recent site visit to Pepper Ranch Preserve reveaied highly
invasive, exotic vegetation within larger than expected portions of SSA-7, staff did not devote the
necessary time for research and development of the grant application until the week of April 6, 2009.
Due to this lime constraint, it was necessary to request the County Manager's approval of the
proposal followed by this after-the-fact approval by the Board of County Commissioners - per Collier
County CMA #5330.
FISCAL IMPACT: The total cost of the project is expected to be $534,900, Collier County is
requesting $258,700 in reimbursable USFWS funds for initial invasive, exotic vegetation removal.
The County will provide a total of $276,200 cash match towards invasive, exotic vegetation
maintenance, If the grant is received, the $276,200 County cash match is available within the
Conservation Collier Management Fund 174 budget.
GROWTH MANAGEMENT IMPACT: This proposal supports Objective 7.3 of the Conservation and
Coastal Management Element of the County Growth Management Plan, which requires the County to
continue to implement programs that conserve and protect endangered and threatened wildlife
species.
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS: After-the-fact approval of this grant application submittal conforms to
the County's Grant Coordination procedures. This item is not quasi-judicial and ex parte disclosures
are not required. A majority vote of the Board is necessary for Board action. - HFAC
RECOMMENDATION: That the Board of County Commissioners give after-the-fact approval for the
attached South Florida Coastal Ecosystem Program grant application that was submitted to the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service for $534,900 (of which $258,700 will be reimbursable) to fund invasive,
exotic plant removal within the Pepper Ranch Preserve SSA..7,
~.
PREPARED BY: Melissa Hennig, Principal Environmental Specialist, Facilities Management
Department
Page 1 of I
Agenda Item No. 16E1
May 12, 2009
Page 2 of 13
COLLIER COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Item Number:
16E1
Item Summary:
Recommendation that the Board of County Commissioners give after-the-fact approval for
the attached South Florida Coastal Ecosystem Program grant application that was submitted
to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) for $534,900 (of which $258.700 will be
reimbursable) to fund invasive exotic plant removal Within the Pepper Ranch Preserve SSA-
7.
5/12/200990000 AM
Meeting Date:
Prepared By
Melissa Hennig
Environmental Specialist
Date
Administrative Services
Facilities Management
4l21/2009 9~38:25 AM
Approl-'ed By
Skip Camp, C.F.M.
Facilities Management Director
Facilities Management
Date
Administrative Services
4/21/200911:07 AM
Approvl'd By
Heidi F. Ashton
Assistant County Attorney
County Attorney Office
Date
County Attorney
4/21/20091 :52 PM
Approvl'd B~'
Jeff Klatz~,ow
County Attorney
County Attorney Office
Date
County Attorney
4/23/200911 :03 AM
Approved By
Marlene J. Foord
Grants Coordinator
Date
Administrative Services
Administrative Services Admin.
4/27/20099:01 AM
Approved By
Len Golden Price
Administrative Services Administrator
Date
Administrative Services
Administrative Services Admin.
4/30/2009 1 :32 PM
Appro\'ed By
OM8 Coordinator
OMB Coordinator
Date
County Manager's Office
Office of Management & Budget
4/30/2009 3 :33 PM
Approved BJ
Laura Davisson
County Manager's Office
Management & Budget Analyst
Office of Management & Budget
Date
4/30/20094:06 PM
Approved By
Leo E. Ochs, Jr.
Board of County
Commissioners
Deputy County Manager
Date
County Manager's Office
5/2/20099:23 AM
file:/IC:\AgendaTest\Export\ I 29-May%20 12, %202009\ 16,%20CONSENT%20AGENDA \ 16... 5/6/2009
~
Administratiye Services Division
(oilier County Government Center
3301 East Tamiami Trail
Naples, Florida 3-1112
m a den efoo rtVt/:colliel'gov.n et
(239) 252-4768
(239) 252..8720 (fax)
Agenda Item No. 16E 1
May 12, 2009
Page 3 of 13
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TO:
---,-----------..--.-,.
Jim Mudd, County Manager
Leo Ochs, Deputy County Managcr
Applications R~viewed and Approved
by eount:'"'--M,(na.gCr<,:;.or,cdJ'ji~ fo_
subminal:1~~ .-:::--~ "~'
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cc:
Skip Camp, Facilities .'v1anagement Director
Melissa I-lennig, Principal Environmental Specialist
FROM:
Marlene Foord, Grants Coordinator
Afta-t!lc-F3ct Approval by the Bee is
required at the Mav 12. "009 Bee
meeting,
D/\TE:
April 15,2009
SUBJECT:
County tv1anager ApprO\al of U.S. Fish and Wildlife South Florida Coastal Ecosystem
Program Grant Application.
The USFWS South Florida Coastal Program provides funding to non"profit organizations and agencies
at all levels of governmcnt for technically "1und and cost effective projects that restore or enhance
degraded coastal wetlands. uplands. estuaries, and riparian corridors.
Should this grant application be successful. funds \\ill bc uscd to perfonl1 initial removal and
subsequent maintenance of invasive. exotic plants within 493.4 acres of the Pepper Ranch Preserve
SSA-7 over a pcriod of three years.
The enclosed application is due to the South Florida Ecological Scn'ices Ortiec on April 17, 2009,
Because staff only just dccided to submit an application after a recent site visit to Pepper Ranch
Preserve re\'Caled highly invasive. exotic vegetation within some portions of SSA-7, they did not
devote the necessary time for rese:lrch and development of the grant application until this week. Due
to this time constraint, it is necessary to request your apprO\'al of the application to be followed by
after-the-fact approval of the Board of County Commissioners during the May 12'h meeting,
Your sign3turc is required u1l1hc 1,.'(\\,,:1' kIter.
Once you have reviewed the application, please sign and datc in thc box above and call Melissa
Hcnnig at 252-2957 or myself at 252-4768 for pickup.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
('^
Agenda Item No. 16E1
May 12, 2009
COLLIER COUNTY Page 4 of 13
OFFICE OF 1lIE COUNTY MANAGER
3301 E.'i">! Tamiami TraH. Naples. Il(.rid.. .14112. C:!:Wl ':52-l'!::;R3. FAX: 1!:9} :!..<;;!.4{lIO
April 15.2009
Debbie De Vore
Coastal Program Coordinator
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
South Florida Ecological Services Office
J 339 20th Street
Vern Beach. Barida .32960
RE: 2009 South Florida CoastnI Ecosystem Progrcull Proposal
CoUier County Pepper Ranch Preserve SSA-7 Restoration Project
Dear Ms. DeVore:
Enclosed ple-.ase find one hard copy of a 2009 South Florida Coastal Ecosystem Program proposal
( for the Pepper Ranch Preserve SSA-7 Restoration Project submitted by Collier County.
.,
Thank you for the opportunitr to submit this proposal.
~relv,
...J0 ~ t~a.i1... 4~
James V. Mudd. ~~ger
Collier County Board of County C.(1mmissioneF'S
Enclosure
cc: Marlene foord. Grants Coordinator
..
Agenda Item No. 16E 1
May 12, 2009
Page 5 of 13
2009 South Florida Coastal Ecosystem Program Proposal
U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service
South Florida Ecological Services Office
PROJECT TITLE: Pepper Ranch Preserve SSA-7 Restoration Project
CONTACT INFORMATION: Principal Investigator - Melissa Hennig
Conservation Collier Program
Collier County Board of County Commissioners
Entity - Local Government
3301 Tamiami Trail East, Building W
Naples, FL 34112
Phone: (239) 252-2957 Fax: (239) 252-6720
E-mail: \.lelissaHcnni..(((collicruo\..net
PROJECT OBJECTIVES: The Pepper Ranch Preserve SSA.. 7 Restoration Project will involve the
initial removal and subsequent maintenance of invasive, exotic plants within 493.4 acres of various
habitats over a period of three years,
PROJECT LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION: The 2,512..acre Pepper Ranch Preserve is located
along the northern shoreline of Lake Trafford west of the town of lmmokalee. The Preserve is within
Sections 22, 26, 27, 28, 33 & 35, Township 46 South, Range 28 East, Collier County (26026'46''N;
8I030'45''W). See Map 1.
Although the publicly owned Pepper Ranch Preserve is contiguous and managed by the Collier County
Conservation Collier Program as one unit, it consists of two distinct areas. The western-most portion and
a part of the northern..most p0l1ion of the preserve - 985 acres - have been designated as Stewardship
Sending Area.. 7 (SSA-7) under the Collier County Rural Land Stewardship Arca program. The remaining
1,527 acres of the ranch will be used by Collier County to obtain Panther Habitat Units for mitigation of
future Collier County capital improvement projects occurring in panther habitat.
This project proposes treatmcnt of varying densities of invasive, exotic plants within approximately 493.4
acres of Pepper Ranch S SA - 7
The treatment target area within SSA-7 consists of approximately 286.5 acres of uplands and 206.9 acres
of wetlands *:
Hardwood Conifer Mixed
Mixed Wetland Shrubs
Brazilian Pepper
Mixed Wetland Hardwoods
Oak Cabbage Palm Forest
Wetland Forested Mixed
Woodland Pasture
Wet Prairie
Cypress
Freshwater Marsh
* Acreages are estimates only,
164.8 acres
89.9 acres
55,5 acres
51.9 acres
41.3 acres
33.7 acres
24.9 acres
14.1 acres
11. 9 acres
5.4 acres
Agenda Item No. 16E 1
May 12, 2009
The SSA-7 project area has been broken into three zones in order of priority in the event fualelfin>/'teg
funding is available. See Map 2.
A qualified contractor will be responsible for the control of any target trees and seedlings and the
application of any herbicides within all the target areas. All aspects of the control of FLEPPC Category I
and 2 plants within the Pepper Ranch Preserve, including any equipment, labor, supply, and herbicide
needs, will be the responsibility of the contractor. The contractor will take precautions to avoid harming
any native vegetation or wildlife.
ZONE I
ZONE 1 consists of approximately 17.4 acres of a heavy infestation (75% density) of old world climbing
fern (Lygodium microphyllum). Lygodium within this zone that is growing into native trees will be
treated via the "poodle..cut" method. All other Lygodium will be treated in place with a foliar application.
Maintenance treatments within ZONE I will begin within 2 months of initial treatment and continue
quarterly for 2 years, After 2 years, treatments will take place every 6 months. Treatments will take place
annually once semi-annual treatments have proven effective,
ZONE 2
Approximately 55,5 acres of land along the access road and pasture are heavily infested with Brazilian
pepper (90%-95% density) and can be removed mechanically using heavy machinery, such as a bulldozer,
piled up in the nearest pasture, and burned, After stumps are cut, they will be treated with an appropriate
herbicide per label rates, or the contractor will retum within two months of removal to treat re-growth
with an appropriate herbicide per label rates. Maintenance treatments within ZONE 2 will begin within 2
months of initial treatmcnt and continue quarterly for 2 years. Aftcr 2 years, treatments will take place
semi-annually, Treatments will take place annually once semi..annual treatments have proven effective.
ZONE 3
The remaining 420,5 acres of SSA-7 contain scattered FLEPPC Category I and 2 plants (10% density).
All FLEPPC Category I and 2 plants within ZONE 3 will be treated in place with a basal application or
foliar application. Maintenance treatments within ZONE 3 will begin within 6 months of initial treatment
and continue semi-annually for I year. Aftcr I year, treatments will take place annually,
PROJECT BENEFITS TO COASTAL ECOSYSTEMS: Pepper Ranch Preserve is located within
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Priority I Habitat for Florida panther (Puma
conca/or cOlyii). Florida panther sightings and telemetry points and the presence of prey species indicate
the ranch is used by panthers. Additionally, many other native wildlife species have been documented on
the preserve, and the ranch is included in lands considered to be strategic habitat areas for black bear and
listed wading bird species (Cox, 1994).
The following list ofrare wildlife species have been observed at Pepper Ranch Preserve (Table 2).
2009 South Florida Coastal Ecosystem Program
Pepper Ranch Preserve SSA-7 Restoration Project
Table 2: Rare wildlife species observed at Pepper Ranch Preserve
Scientific Name Common Names Federal State
Alligator mississippiellsis American alligator T(S/A) sse
A ramus gum'an Limpkin sse
Egretta thula Snowy egret sse
Eudocimus albus white ibis sse
Falco sparverius paulus Southeastern American kestrel T
Crus canadensis pratensis Florida sandhill crane T
Haliaeetus leucocephalus Bald eagle T
Mycteria americana W oodstork E E
Polyborus plancus audubonii Audubon's crested caracara T T
Puma concolor c01}'ii Florida panther E E
Ursus americanus floridanus Florida black bear T
Agenda Item No. 16E1
May 12, 2009
Page 7 of 13
E: Endangered, T: Threatened, T (SIAl: Similarity at Appearance to a Threatened Talon In the Entire Range, sse: Species of Special
Concern
Restoration of ranch lands would protect the value of adjacent Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed
(CREW) lands, functioning as a buffer to the CREW wetlands and an ecological link and corridor for
other conservation lands extending south into the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge, Fakahatchee
Strand Preserve State Park, and Everglades National Park.
Pepper Ranch Preserve is connected to Florida Panthcr National Wildlife Refuge by lands designated
within the Stewardship Sending Area (SSA) under the Collier County Rural Land Stewardship Area
(RLSA) program, See Map 3. The purpose of the RLSA program is to encourage smart growth patterns
in rural areas of Collier County per the Growth Management Plan, Collier County's objective was to
create an incentive based land use overlay system, known as the Collier County Rural Lands Stewardship
Area Overlay, based on the principles of rural land stewardship as defined in Chapter 163.3177,(11),
Florida Statutes.
The Stewardship Sending Area (SSA) is used to issue designated development credits to property owners
which may be used to entitle development of self-contained planned urban developments within the
Stewardship Receiving Area (SRA) of the Rural Land Stewardship Area. The SSA Program within the
Rural Land Stewardship Area establishes a method for protecting and conserving the most valuable
environmental land, including large connected wetland systems and significant areas of habitat for listed
specIes.
The direct anticipated long-term and permanent results of this project are a reduction of invasive, exotic
vegetation and a restored fire regime. South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) has managed
land adjacent to Pepper Ranch Preserve for over a decade. Invasive, exotic species within the preserve
that go untreated will continue to be a constant seed source to the CREW lands that abut the preserve.
Additionally, dense, invasive, exotic vegetation hampers proper fire management. The exotic vegetation
must be controlled to some degree prior to implementation of controlled burns within Pepper Ranch
Preserve, Controlled bums will be instrumental in the ultimate restoration of Pepper Ranch Preserve.
CONTRIBUTING PARTNERS: A proposal will be submitted to Florida Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Commission to fund the maintenance of the invasive, exotic vegetation within Pepper
Ranch SSA-7 in 2010. A proposal will also be submitted to the USFWS Partners for Fish and Wildlife
Program to fWld the initial invasive, exotic vegetation removal within zones not funded by the USFWS
South Florida Coastal Ecosystem Program,
2009 South Florida Coastal Ecosystem Program
Pepper Ranch Preserve SSA-7 Restoration Project
PROJECT COSTS: The entire project is estimated to cost $534,900.
Agenda Item No. 16E1
May 12, 2009
Page 8 of 13
The budget breakdown is as follows:
COASTAL PROGRAM COLLIER COUNTY
PROJECT COMPONENT TOTAL COST (cash) (cash)
ZONE 1 Initial Exotic Plant Removal $26.1 00 $26,100
ZONE 2 Initial Exotic Plant Removal $74,900 $74,900
ZONE 3 Initial Exotic Plant Removal $157.700 $157,700
ZONE 1 Exotic plant maintenance in 11/12/13 $34,800 $34,800
ZONE 2 Exotic plant maintenance in] 1/12113 $55,500 $55,500
ZONE 3 Exotic plant maintenance in 11/12/13 $]85,900 $185,900
TOTAL $534.900 $258,700 $276,200
48010 52%
STATEMENT OF PRODUCTS: The two products that will result from this project are:
I. Reduction of invasive, exotic plant occurrence and density - 493.4 acres.
2, Increased use of SSA-7 by native wildlife species.
Although random wildlife surveys will be possible, a quantitative, regimented pre- and post- study of
wildlife use at the preserve will not be possible due to a lack of staff and trained volunteers, Therefore, a
pre- and post- survey of exotic plant coverage and approximate density, along with photo point pictures,
will be used to gauge the success of the exotic removal and maintenance. It will be assumed that the
product of increased use by wildlife should be accomplished through increased restored habitat.
TIME FRAME'
0 N D J F M A M J J A S 0 N D J F M A M J J A S 0 N D J F M A M J J A S
, 0 e a e a p a u u u e , 0 e a e a p a u u u e c 0 e a e a p a u u u e
t v , n b r r y n 1 g P t v , n b r r y n 1 g P t v c n b r r y n 1 g P
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 t 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 t 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 J 3 3 3 3 3 3
1
Photo Points X X X X X X X
Solicit bids exotic X
viani contractors
Initial Exotic Plant X X X X
Removal in all zones
Maintenance Exotic X X X X X X X X X
Plant Removal in
ZONE 1
Maintenance Exotic X X X X X X X X X
Plant Removal in
ZONE 2
Maintenance Exotic X X X
Plant Removal in
ZONE 3
Submit Monitoring X X X
Report
*Actlvltles that are milestones in the project
2009 South Florida Coastal Ecosystem Program
Pepper Ranch Preserve SSA-7 Restoration Project
Agenda Item No. 16E 1
May 12, 2009
Page 9 of 13
ACTIONS TO DATE (IF ANY):
No restoration activities have occurred to date within Pepper Ranch; however, initial removal and
maintenance of invasive, exotic plant species within the remaining 1,527 mitigation portion of the
preserve will be completed concurrently with invasive, exotic plant maintenance within all zones of SSA-
7. Exotic maintenance within the mitigation portion of the preserve is a requirement of the US Fish and
Wildlife Service for panther habitat mitigation.
PERMITS:
Heavy equipment may only operate along established trailslroads, within the pasture, or within ZONE 2.
A SFWMD Environmental Resource Permit is not required for this project. A Collier County Vegetation
Clearing Permit will be obtained for this project.
LITERATURE CITED:
Cox, J., R. Kautz, M. MacLaughlin, and T. Gilbert. 1994, Closing the gaps in Florida's wildlife
habitat conservation system. Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission, Tallahassee, Florida.
2009 South Florida Coastal Ecosystem Program
Pepper Ranch Preserve SSA-7 Restoration Project
MAP 1: Project Location
Agenda Item No. 16E 1
May 12, 2009
Page 10 of 13
Pepper Ranch Preserve Location
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2009 South Florida Coastal Ecosystem Program
Pepper Ranch Preserve SSA-7 Restoration Project
MAP 2: Aerial
Agenda Item No. 16E 1
May 12, 2009
Page 11 of 13
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Page 12 of 13
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Pepper Ranch Preserve SSA-7 Restoration Project
CREW
Land & Water Trust
Agenda Item No. 16E1
CREW latad .t W... Tl'II$t May 12, 2009
2J99I~Rd Page 13 of 13
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April 8, 2009
RECEIVED
APR 1 J 2009
Debbie L DeVore
South Florida Coastal Program Coordinator
U5 Fish & Wildlife Service
, 339 20th 5t
Vero Beach, FL 32960-3559
fiJlClllTfEI
COHSSlVATION CtlLVEA
RE: Collier County Pepper Ranch Preserve SSA-7 Restoration Project Proposal
South Florida Coastal Program - Announcement of Financial Assistance FY 2009
DearMs. DeVore:
The Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed (CREW) Land & Water Trust is a
nonprofit organization that coordinates the land acquisition, land management,and
public use of the 6o,ooo-acre Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed. Pepper
Ranch Preserve supports a myriad of both state and federally listed wildlife and is
adjac.ent to CREW managed lands. CREW Land and Water Trust is in favor of native
habitat restoration within Pepper Ranch Preserve. and is confident that Collier
County has the ability maintain the invasive, exotic vegetation at manageable levels
after initial removal is complete.
Brenda Brooks
E.xecutlve Director
CREW Land & Water Tnlst
239-657-2253
2009 South Florida Coastal Ecosystem Program
Pepper Ranch Preserve SSA-7 Restoration Project (