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Agenda 10/14/2008 Item #16B 2Agenda Item No. 16B2 October 14, 2008 Page 1 of 10 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Recommendation that the Board of County Commissioners approves the Memorandum of Agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (and other signatories) and authorizes the Chairman to sign the document. OBJECTIVE: Recommendation that the Board of County Commissioners approves the Memorandum of Agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other signatories, and authorize the Chairman to sign the document. CONSIDERATIONS: At the regular meeting of February 13, 2007, the BCC directed staff to draft a Memorandum of Agreement with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service concerning animal crossings. During the review process, the Florida Department of Transportation, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Big Cypress National Preserve joined in the Memorandum of Agreement. The Memorandum of Agreement recognizes the value of wildlife crossings in Collier County in reducing the potential for roadway related mortality to the endangered Florida Panther. All parties agree to work together cooperatively to identify opportunities to: 1.) Construct wildlife crossings identified within the State Road 29, County Road (CR) 846 Immokalee Rd, and CR 858 Oil. Well Rd corridors, 2.) protect lands adjacent to the crossings and install barrier fencing to ensure the efficacy of the crossings; 3.) identify funding to finance the construction of wildlife crossings and barrier fencing; and 4.) recognizes that development causes the reduction of panther habitat and the need to provide wildlife crossings. FISCAL IMPACT: Funding for the construction of each identified potential wildlife crossing, maintenance, requirements to conserve adequate acreage of lands adjacent to each crossing and the requirement to install barrier fencing associated with each crossing, should be addressed during the review and pennitting process of any future development and made an integral part of the approval. LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS: This item has been reviewed for legal sufficiency and there are no outstanding legal considerations. -JW GROWTH MANAGEMENT IMPACT: This item is consistent with Goals 1 and 6 of the Conservation and Coastal Management Element. RECOMMENDATION: The Board of County Commissioners approves the Memorandum of Agreement and authorizes the Chairman to sign the document. Prepared by: Kevin H. Dugan, Project Manager, TECM Attachment: Memorandum of Agreement Poge1o[l Agenda Item No. 1SB2 October 14.2OO8 Page 2of10 _ COLLIER COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Item Number: 16132 Item Summary: Recommendation that the Board of County Commissioners approves the Memorandum of Agreement with the U.S. Fish and VVi}dUfe Service (and other signatories) and authorize the Chairman m sign the document, Meeting Date: 1014/2008 9:00:00 AM Approved By sa,yPutaansuu Principal Project Manager Date rmnspo�amo^Engineering and Transportation oomi:oe Construction � 9/1912000 e09AM Approved By wi;xcasa|enQmu* mPOm/ecmr oaov Transportation Services Transportation Planning s/1e112006 10:59 AM Approved By maioh Ahmuu Director Date Transpo�ationEngmayring& Transportation Services Construction Management 911n/zono410 PM � Approved By Lisa Taylor maomoemenusudg't Analyst Date Transportation Services Transportation Administration 91912008 4:27 PM Approved By Norm s. Feuer. mop T,anapnnsuon Division Aumin/o1rato, oeoe Transportation Services Trans portanon Services Admin. 9123/2008 1:41 PM Approved By Pat Lexnha,d Executive Secretary Date T,ayspuTta i:nScr,/cea Tmnspunauvn Services 4dmix e/--,31e008 2:00 Pm Approved By marx|sacxsoo Budget Analyst oa�e County fi4anaeers office Office cxManag*ment & Budget 9/2412008 8:52 AM Approved By jamesv. Mudd County Manager oau, Em,nuovCounty oomn»/as/one,a county Manager's Office 9125o00g2:40 pM fi|c://C-\AreiiJoTcw\FxnnrKl|4-1,tnkrrv/00l40/,,7070AX\|60/.7O(-()NIccY\IT"/`7ou/;p-\Tn |omr/ooy Agenda Item No. 1662 October 14, 2008 Page 3 of 10 MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT CONCERNING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF WILDLIFE CROSSINGS WITHIN HIGHWAY CORRIDORS IN COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA I. PURPOSE The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's South Florida Ecological Services Office, Collier County, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), the Florida Department of Transportation, and the National Park Service's Big Cypress 'National Preserve have agreed to enter into a partnership Agreement. This Agreement recognizes the value of wildlife crossings in Collier County in reducing the potential for roadway - related mortality (i.e., vehicles collisions) to the endangered Florida panther (Puma concolor cojyi) and other species, and maintaining connnectivity among wildlife populations in the area. All parties agree to work together cooperatively to identify opportunities to: (1) construct wildlife crossings identified within the State Road (SR) 29, County Road (CR) 846 (Immokalee Road), and CR 858 (Oil Well Road) highway corridors, and other highway corridors located in Collier County as needed, and (2) protect lands adjacent to the crossings and install barrier fencing to ensure the efficacy of the crossings. II.BACKGROUND Highways are known to have a variety of adverse effects on wildlife. Animals can be injured or killed due to collisions with motorized vehicles when attempting to cross highways, and the potential for collisions increases as traffic increases. Busy highways can also act as a barrier to wildlife movement and result in the fragmentation of wildlife populations. A larger panther population and more traffic in Collier County due to population growth has resulted in an increase in the number of Florida panthers being struck and killed by vehicles. The number of panther road mortalities in the county has increased by a factor of four since 2000 in relation to previous decades (Smith et al. 2006). Wildlife crossings allow panthers and other wildlife to safely cross busy road,,vays, and maintain connectivity and gene flow among wildlife populations. Effective crossing structures are large enough to allow passage of large mammals (e.g., panthers, bears, and deer) and include adequate fencing that funnels the animal's movement to the crossing site. The status of adjacent lands is also an important consideration when planning wildlife crossings. Unprotected private lands adjacent to the crossing site could be developed and render the crossing unviable. Accordingly, lands adjacent to crossings should he acquired or placed under a conservation easement or other protective covenant to ensure the crossing will function in perpetuity. The installation of new wildlife crossings in Collier County is essential to reduce road - related mortality of panthers and other wildlife. Unfortunately, most bridges and culverts located in the county are currently unsuitable as crossing structures because they are either too small or permanently or seasonally flooded. Past efforts have resulted in the installation of a number of wildlife crossings within Collier County that allow for the passage of panthers and other large terrestrial mammals (most notably on SR 29 and Interstate 75), however, the need for additional wildlife crossings exists. In an effort to help reduce the potential for roadway- related panther and wildlife mortality, Collier County has already committed to construct wildlife crossings and Agenda Item No. irP-2 October 14, 2000 Page 4 of 10 associated fencing on Oil Well Road (CR 858) in the Camp Keais Strand. The locations of these crossings have been identified as travel corridors for panthers and other wildlife. Studies have been conducted to identify locations for needed wildlife crossings in Collier County to benefit the Florida panther and other wildlife. Swanson et al. (2005) used a least cost path (LCP) modeling approach to identify the most likely travel routes for panthers among six major use areas in southwest Florida. LCP modeling considers elements in the landscape that permit or impede panther movement when traveling. Swanson et al. (2005) identified 20 key high-,vay segments where LCPs intersected improved roadways. Within Collier County LCPs intersected the following major highways: SR 29, CR 846 (Immokalee Road) and CR 858 (Oil Well Road) (Figure 1). Smith et al. (2006) studied the movements of the Florida panther, the Florida black bear (Ursus atriericarru.s floi-i(ianus), and other wildlife species along SR 29, CR 846 and CR 858 in Collier County. Data analyzed in this study were obtained from roadkill and track surveys, infra -red camera monitoring stations, existing data provided by the F`C'C (Florida panther radio telemetry and vehicle mortality reports), and other studies. Smith et al. (2006) recommended that new wildlife crossings be considered at various sites along these roadways to reduce road - related mortality of panthers and other wildlife species, and increase connectivity among wildlife populations. 111. POTENTIAL LOCATIONS FOR NEW WILDLIFE CROSSING WITHIN COLLIER COUNTY Studies conducted by Swanson et al. (2005) and Smith et al. (2006), Florida panther telemetry and road - related panther mortality data provided by the FWC, and other available infori-nation, indicate that wildlife crossings are needed within at least 9 roadway corridors in Collier County. These corridors are presented in the table below and in Figures 2, 3, and 4. The exact locations and number of crossings needed ,vithin each corridor will be detern- ned by further coordination of the parties in this agreement. Road Name and Location CR 846 cast of SR 29 CR 858 south of CR 846 CR S58 east of SR 29 SR 29 north of CR 858 SR 29 south ol'CR 858 CR 846 east of Camp Keats Road CR 546 cast of Oil Grade Road CR 858 east of Oil Grade Road CR 85S west of SR 29 Figure Number - - -- 4 _ - - -- -- 4 Additional wildlife crossings in Collier County (e.o., at Turner River Bridge on U.S. Highway 41) may also be warranted. Locations for additional crossings will be detemiined through coordination of the parties in this agreement and based on the best scientific information currently available. Agenda Item No. 1652 October 14, 2008 Page 5 of 10 All parties agree to work together cooperatively to develop crossings within the corridors listed above, and at other sites throughout Collier County where the need for crossings is identified. Furthermore, all parties agree to determine the appropriate design for each crossing, the type and amount of barrier fencing needed for each crossing, and the acreage of lands adjacent to each crossing that should be acquired or placed under conservation easement. This cooperative effort will include site visits by county and /or agency staff as needed during and following construction to ensure that each crossing functions appropriately. IV. FUNDING FOR CONSTRUCTION OF WILDLIFE CROSSINGS All parties agree that future development in Collier County could affect panther habitat and increase the need to provide for wildlife crossings in order to maintain connectivity within the population. The parties have agreed that funding for the construction of each identified potential wildlife crossings, maintenance; requirements to conserve adequate acreage of lands adjacent to each crossing and the requirement to install barrier fencing associated with each crossing, should be addressed during the review and permitting process of any future development and made an integral part of the approval. V. IMPLEMENTATION, TERMINATION, AND AMMENDMENT "This Agreement will become effective on the date of the last signature. This Agreement will _remain in effect unless terminated by mutual agreement or by one party giving the other parties thirty (30) days prior written notice. The Agreement may be revised or amended by written consent of all parties. Nothing in this agreement will abridge or amend the authorities and responsibilities of the Federal, State, or County agencies on any matter under their respective jurisdictions. Literature Cited Smith, D.J., R.F. Noss, and M.B. Main. 2006. East Collier County wildlife movement study: SR 29, CR 846, and CR 858 wildlife crossing project. Unpublished report. University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL. Swanson, K., D. Land, R. Kautz and R. Kawula. 2005. Use of least cost pathways to identify key highway segments for Florida panther conservation. Pages 191 -200 in R.A. Beausoleil and D.A. Martorello, editors. Proceedings of the Eighth Mountain Lion Workshop, Olympia, Washington, USA. Agenda Item INIo. 16B2 Ootober 14, 200c8 Page 6 of 10 SIGNATURES Paul Souza, Field Supeiwisor, Vero Beach Ecological Services Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service / r = Date r Dick Combs, District Director of Transportation Development, District 1, Florida Department of Transportation Date Kenneth Haddad, Executive Dir�xtor, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission - Date f n Pedro Ramos, Acting Superintendent, Big Cypress National Preserve, National Park Service ATTEST: DWI(iHT E. pROCK, Clerk M Deputy Clerk Approved as to form and legal sufficioncy: BOARD OF COL�TY CO's' MISSIONERS COLLIER COU_VTY, FLORIDA Tom Heruzing, Chairman v: Jeff 1 V%'right, Assistant County Attorney Date: Agenda Item No. 1682 October 14, 2008 Page i of 10 Figure 1. Map of Florida panther least cost pathways in northern Collier County, Florida as presented in Swanson et al. 2005. l m - WW r•�,- P r r�ERI ROAD!'C:R 132 RKSCRE'J4' RJAD � � -' ,,, �� � �Y4LEE R'7f R.:a♦ / � J r � ! i., R D U +iH EEL -'Di r �—I I i—i —r 7 J I ALLIG.4T.O R.kLLE'r; In n. Poads Panther Lust Cost Pathti iays 4, Agenda !:ern No. 1662 October 14, 2DG3 Page 8 of 10 Figure Z. Sections of CR 846 and CR 8-58 east of SR 29 (indicated by yellow rectangles) where new wildlife crossing structures are warranted. Agenda it -am No. I (H-�2 October 14, 2'103 Page 9 of 10 Figure 3. Sections of SR 29 north and south of CR 858 (indicated by yellow rectangles) where new wildlife crossing structures are warranted. • ell % - Til r Panther"Velli Cie Collisions Panther Telemetry Existing Crossings % Agenda Ifem No. 1632 October 14, 20:8 page 10 of 10 Figure 4. Sections of CR 846 and CR 85$ west of SR 2-9 (indicated by yellow rectangles) where new wildlife crossing structures are warranted. R 29 w _ Camp Keais Road - '' • 1, rya .� oil Grade Road a 4 7. C R � t� � � � i ^mow` :p� �ir�, _qq � •� c 4F °i - }t ^�- �'r "` ` , kr5� yam' � .a"�. fi • � �� � PantherNehicle Collisions Panther Telemetry rt ❑ Existing Crossings t _ Proposed Crossing Ile- es