Agenda 01/26/2021 Item #16D 4 (2 yr extension for Conservation Collier McIlvane Marsh Interim Management Plan)01/26/2021
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Recommendation to approve the Conservation Collier McIlvane Marsh Interim Management Plan
2-year extension under the Conservation Collier Program.
OBJECTIVE: To obtain approval from the Board of County Commissioners (Board) for the 2 -year
extension to the McIlvane Marsh Interim Management Plan.
CONSIDERATIONS: The Conservation Collier Ordinance, No. 2002-63, as amended, Section 14(1),
requires that an Interim Management Plan be prepared for each property following acquisition with
review and input by the Conservation Collier Land Acquisition Advisory Committee (CCLAAC). At the
discretion of the Board, an Interim Management Plan for McIlvane Marsh will continue to be updated on
a 2-year cycle until substantial management and restoration activities are undertaken on the adjacent
conservation lands owned by state and federal partners.
Parcels within the McIlvane Marsh Project began to be acquired in July 2007, with the final parcel
acquired in August 2009. The McIlvane Marsh Project is located south of Tamiami Tr. E. and East of
951, NW of Curcie and San Marco Road. The Project consists of eight (8) parcels totaling 372.88 acres
located within Sections 29 & 30, Township 51 South and Range 27 East, Collier County. An extended
Interim Management Plan for McIlvane Marsh was last approved by the Board on April 10, 2018
(Agenda Item #16D2). Changes in this plan include updated maps, updated property status information,
additions to the plant or animal lists, the status of exotic plant and animal infestations, and streamlining of
text. Tracked changes have been made so that Board members can quickly see the proposed changes.
The CCLAAC reviewed and approved the updated plan on October 12th, 2020.
FISCAL IMPACT: Annual costs are estimated at $16,000 per year for the next two (2) years. This is
primarily for invasive exotic plant treatment. Staff has applied for and been awarded up to $147,245 in
funding assistance from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Upland Invasive
Plant Management Section (IPMS) per year for the past two (2) years to off -set costs for management of
exotics on the preserve. Funds are also available within the Conservation Collier Land Management Fund
(174) to accomplish these activities.
GROWTH MANAGEMENT IMPACT: There is no specific Growth Management impact associated
with this Item.
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS: The Conservation Collier Ordinance (No. 2002-63, as amended), in
Section 14, provides a legal framework for the development of management plans and for use of
environmentally sensitive lands. This Item is approved for form and legality and requires a majority vote
for Board action. - JAB
RECOMMENDATION: To approve the attached proposed 2-year extension to the Interim Management
Plan for McIlvane Marsh and directs staff to implement the updated plan.
Prepared By: Molly DuVall, Senior Environmental Specialist, Parks and Recreation Division
ATTACHMENT(S)
1. (linked) McIlvaneIMPExtension draft December 2020 clean copy (PDF)
2. (linked) McIlvaneIMPExtension draft Dec 2020 strikethrough-underline.docx (PDF)
16.D.4
Packet Pg. 676
01/26/2021
COLLIER COUNTY
Board of County Commissioners
Item Number: 16.D.4
Doc ID: 14619
Item Summary: Recommendation to approve the Conservation Collier McIlvane Marsh Interim
Management Plan 2-year extension under the Conservation Collier Program.
Meeting Date: 01/26/2021
Prepared by:
Title: Operations Analyst – Parks & Recreation
Name: Matthew Catoe
12/30/2020 8:26 AM
Submitted by:
Title: Division Director - Parks & Recreation – Parks & Recreation
Name: Barry Williams
12/30/2020 8:26 AM
Approved By:
Review:
Operations & Veteran Services Kimberley Grant Additional Reviewer Completed 01/04/2021 5:50 PM
Public Services Department Todd Henry Public Services Deapartment Completed 01/05/2021 11:50 AM
Public Services Department Melissa Hennig Additional Reviewer Completed 12/30/2020 12:35 PM
Parks & Recreation Barry Williams Additional Reviewer Completed 12/30/2020 1:09 PM
Parks & Recreation Summer BrownAraque Additional Reviewer Completed 12/31/2020 10:00 AM
Parks & Recreation Ilonka Washburn Additional Reviewer Completed 01/04/2021 7:55 AM
Public Services Department James C French PSD Dept Head Review Completed 01/08/2021 4:39 PM
County Attorney's Office Jennifer Belpedio Level 2 Attorney of Record Review Completed 01/12/2021 3:15 PM
County Attorney's Office Jeffrey A. Klatzkow Level 3 County Attorney's Office Review Completed 01/12/2021 3:34 PM
Office of Management and Budget Debra Windsor Level 3 OMB Gatekeeper Review Completed 01/12/2021 4:51 PM
Budget and Management Office Ed Finn Additional Reviewer Completed 01/13/2021 12:57 PM
County Manager's Office Dan Rodriguez Level 4 County Manager Review Completed 01/14/2021 8:10 AM
Board of County Commissioners MaryJo Brock Meeting Pending 01/26/2021 9:00 AM
16.D.4
Packet Pg. 677
Conservation Collier McIlvane Marsh
Interim Management Plan Extension
Photo: View from Curcie Lake
Prepared By:
Collier County’s Conservation Collier Program
Parks & Recreation Division
3300 Santa Barbara Blvd.
Naples, FL 34116
December 2020
4th Extension
December 2020 Conservation Collier: McIlvane Marsh IMP Extension
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Table of Contents
1.0 Purpose and Scope of the Interim Management Plan ......................................................... 3
2.0 Management Authority and Responsibilities ....................................................................... 4
3.0 Interim Site Plan ..................................................................................................................... 5
3.1 Location and Site Description ............................................................................................... 5
3.2 Signage .................................................................................................................................. 7
3.3 Easements, Concessions or Leases ....................................................................................... 7
3.4 Structures .............................................................................................................................. 8
3.5 Surrounding and Adjacent Land Uses .................................................................................. 8
4.0 Interim Management Objectives ......................................................................................... 10
4.1 Natural Resource Protection ............................................................................................... 10
4.2 Site Security ........................................................................................................................ 11
4.3 Exotic Vegetation Removal and Maintenance Plan............................................................ 11
4.4 Debris Removal .................................................................................................................. 13
4.5 Cultural, Historical and Archeological Resource Protection .............................................. 13
4.6 Listed Species Protection .................................................................................................... 14
4.7 Public Access ...................................................................................................................... 14
4.8 Site Monitoring and Long Term Management Plan ........................................................... 14
4.9 Partnerships ......................................................................................................................... 14
5.0 Exhibits .................................................................................................................................. 15
EXHIBIT 1: Location Map
EXHIBIT 2: Northern Collier Seminole State Park Restoration Project Conceptual Plan
EXHIBIT 3: Aerial Map with Florida Panther Telemetry Points
EXHIBIT 4: McIlvane Marsh Close-up Aerial
EXHIBIT 5: Estimated Cost Table for First Two Years
EXHIBIT 6: Estimated Implementation Timeline
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1.0 Purpose and Scope of the Interim Management Plan
The McIlvane Marsh project consists of 9 properties totaling 372.58 acres acquired between July
2007 and May 2017 with funds from the Conservation Collier Program (Exhibit 1). Collier County
additionally owns, under the Transportation Department, a 20-acre parcel within the marsh
donated as mitigation in 1999 (Folio number 00775760400). The State of Florida, under
management by Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (RBNERR), owns or is in the
process of acquiring an additional 329 acres (in a mosaic pattern with Conservation Collier’s
acquired lands) for a total of 719 acres currently or shortly to be in conservation status out of a
total of approximately 807 acres within the marsh. There are six remaining privately-owned
parcels totaling 78 acres; 68 acres located on the western side and 10 acres on the east side of the
marsh. Conservation Collier parcels will be managed for conservation, protection, enhancement
of natural resources and for public outdoor recreation that will be compatible with the
conservation, protection and enhancement of the site and the surrounding lands.
Folio numbers and acreage of parcels owned by the Conservation Collier Program:
• 00775080009 - 21.02 acres
• 00775000005 – 40 acres
• 00775440005 – 80 acres
• 00775360004 – 80 acres
• 00775680001 – 30 acres
• 00775400003 – 70 acres
• 00775480007 - 20 acres
• 00775520006 - 19.54 acres
• 00775560008 – 10 acres
• 00775760002 – 2.02 acres
Total Acres 372.58
There is currently no budget for outright acquisition; however, offsite alternatives to the Land
Development Code’s on-site native vegetation retention requirements (LDC, Sec 3.05.07 H.1.f.iii.)
offer a way for properties within McIlvane Marsh to be acquired and donated to Conservation
Collier in lieu of developers retaining vegetation onsite at development projects.
This interim management plan extension is intended to update the key management priorities and
issues within the site identified in the April 2018 interim management plan and give continued
direction for management through 2022. This document is intended to be the precursor to a final
management plan, which will provide more specific aspects of site management once surrounding
federal and state lands begin to undergo active management.
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Key Interim Management Objectives
1. Protect the native habitat on site
Action Plan
1a. Maintain a temporary Conservation Collier Land sign at the Curcie Road access point to
McIlvane Marsh area and evaluate the need for No Dumping / No Trespassing signs along
internal rights of way.
1b. Meet and coordinate with surrounding conservation land managers and agencies for
coordination of invasive exotic vegetation treatment, prescribed fire, and wildlife survey
protocol development.
2. Develop Partnership agreement(s) for management with surrounding land owning agencies
and private individuals
Action Plan
2a. Coordinate with property owner agencies surrounding the Marsh, including Collier
Seminole State Park, Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge (TTINWR) and
RBNERR for long term management and public access cooperation.
2b. If appropriate, write and execute a formal Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), also
known by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) as a “Management Agreement,” for
cooperative land management actions with appropriate adjoining agencies.
2c. Coordinate management of the 20-acre mitigation parcel acquired by Collier County in
1999 with Conservation Collier management.
3. Plan for appropriate public access.
Action Plan
3a. Coordinate appropriate public use plan with RBNERR and TTINWR.
3b. Evaluate information regarding a verbal report from RBNERR staff about a possible area
of lead contamination due to past discharge of firearms on state property that abuts
Conservation Collier lands. If substantiated and warranted, a Phase II Environmental Site
Assessment can be done to determine the level of contamination, whether this presents a
hazard for people or wildlife, and what the appropriate abatement steps are.
4. Determine resources necessary to manage the area for the dynamics and impacts associated
with public access.
2.0 Management Authority and Responsibilities
The McIlvane Marsh properties have not been officially named at present. McIlvane Marsh is the
unofficial historic area name. Ten parcels totaling 372.58 acres are included within the portfolio
of properties assigned to the Collier County Parks and Recreation Department, with the
Conservation Collier Program responsible for direct management of these lands. Conservation
Collier Program staff will handle day to day management activities and will seek to cooperate and
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form partnerships with adjoining land-owner local, state and federal agencies and to obtain various
types of grants for management and public use activities where possible.
3.0 Interim Site Plan
3.1 Location and Site Description
The McIlvane Marsh is an 800-acre mangrove salt marsh generally located northeast of Marco
Island and southwest of the intersection of U.S. 41 (Tamiami Trail) and County Road 92 (San
Marco Road) in Sections 29 and 30, Township 51 South, Range 27 East, Collier County, Florida.
The McIlvane Marsh area can be accessed via Curcie Road, which turns north off C.R. 92
approximately 1.8 miles south of U.S. 41 (Figure 1). The first 800 feet of Curcie Road is County-
maintained right-of-way (ROW). Curcie road continues beyond the County-maintained ROW as
an unpaved private access road to the north edge of the McIlvane Marsh, curves west and continues
for approximately 2.1 miles to a terminus point in the northwestern portion of the marsh. This
unpaved road can be used to legally and physically access Conservation Collier lands, though it
traverses over lands owned by The State of Florida Department of Environmental Protection,
managed by RBNERR. There are several other non-contiguous portions of public ROW dedicated
along the edges of Conservation Collier properties within the marsh; however, there are no actual
roadways in these locations.
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Figure 1. Location Map of McIlvane Marsh Preserve
McIlvane Marsh is situated near and is expected to be influenced by the Picayune Strand
Restoration Project, a sub-project of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Project. The
project area includes 55,000 acres located between Alligator Alley and Tamiami Trail in
southeastern Collier County and involves plugging canals, building and operating pump stations,
placing culverts under the Tamiami Trail, removing old road beds and removing exotic
vegetation. The goal of the project is to improve estuarine water quality by increasing groundwater
recharge and reducing large and unnatural freshwater inflows to the estuaries along the southwest
Florida coast. While this project does not directly affect the County’s parcels within the McIlvane
Marsh area, it is expected to increase surface water in the general area.
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There is additionally planned, but with portions as yet unfunded, a Picayune Strand Restoration
“protection feature” project involving enhancing existing culverts under the Tamiami Trail close
to C.R. 92 and further spreading sheet flow into the McIlvane Marsh area. The culverts under
Tamiami Trail between C.R. 92 and S.R. 29 were enhanced in 2005. Remaining proposed tasks
include enhancing the canal along the east side of McIlvane Marsh and diverting some of that canal
flow west into the marsh on state lands adjoining Conservation Collier parcels (Conceptual Project
Map - Exhibit 2). There are no actions required on the County’s part to accommodate this project;
however, if and when completed, it is expected to provide an overall environmental benefit to the
entire McIlvane Marsh.
McIlvane Marsh is a tidally influenced wetland consisting primarily of open marsh and mangrove
wetlands with small upland island areas, primarily on its northern and eastern edges (Exhibit 3).
Approximately 15-acres of pine flatwood uplands exist on the north side of the marsh and 6 acres
of cleared uplands exist on the eastern edge of the marsh where a communication tower site is
located. This communication tower, owned by a private entity, sits on a ten-acre parcel surrounded
by Conservation Collier lands on the eastern side of McIlvane Marsh. Also on the eastern side of
the marsh, in what were historically uplands, state mitigation lands contain a 51-acre borrow-pit
lake created as a result of limestone fill mining which occurred under Collier County Excavation
Permit number 59.145 (Marco Woods) issued in July 1982, South Florida Water Management
District Water Use Permit No. 110589335, issued in November 1982, and US Army Corps of
Engineers dredge and fill permit No. 82J-10657, issued in April 1983. Another, older
approximately 1-acre borrow pit created between 1963 and 1973 lies on the north-central side of
the marsh on Conservation Collier lands. Vegetation communities present within the marsh
include, in order of dominance: mangrove swamp, saltwater marsh, inland ponds or sloughs, and
pine flatwoods.
3.2 Signage
An access gate exists at the end of the paved portion of Curcie
Road, approximately 800 feet off C.R. 92 (Figure 2).
A temporary sign identifying Collier County Conservation
Land is posted at the gate. Temporary No Trespassing / No
Dumping signs may also be posted along the unpaved portion
of Curcie Road. All landowners, including Conservation
Collier, are able to put signs onto the main gate.
3.3 Easements, Concessions or Leases
As noted previously, there is legal and physical access to Conservation Collier properties via
public ROW along Curcie Road and via ROW dedications. Additionally, there are several non-
contiguous portions of public ROW dedicated along the edges of properties within the marsh
which have no physical roadway existing. No other easements, concessions or leases exist on
the parcel or are proposed for the future, unless they further conservation objectives, such as a
conservation easement.
Figure 2: Curcie Road Gate
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3.4 Structures
The 800-acre marsh area is undeveloped and covered with natural vegetation except for three
communication towers and a small building that houses communication equipment on a ten-acre
privately owned property. Additionally, there is an 2.02-acre homestead with an abandoned
recreational motor vehicle located north of the 80-acre former Trinh parcel.
State and Army Corps permits issued in the 1980’s authorized the construction of a berm
separating the mining project from State surface waters on the south side of the limestone fill mine
excavation. The State of Florida, as part of mitigation for development projects in the local area,
has completed berm breaches and installation of geo-web crossings and culverts under the access
road to allow for overland flow of water in the marsh. This project was conducted on state lands;
however, the benefits are expected to extend to County-owned lands.
3.5 Surrounding and Adjacent Land Uses
The Marsh is surrounded on the east, south and west by state and federal conservation lands;
Collier Seminole State Park to the east, TTINWR to the south and RBNERR to the west. Parcels
adjoining the northern boundary of the marsh include undeveloped Agriculturally zoned lands,
Fiddler’s Creek Planned Unit Development (PUD) and JDs Auto Ranch, an automotive recycling
and dismantling yard (Figure 3). In addition to the lands acquired by the Conservation Collier
Program, Collier County owns a 20-acre mitigation parcel on the western side of the marsh that is
between Conservation Collier lands on both its east and west boundaries. The State of
Florida/RBNERR owns, or will shortly own, 399 acres in a mosaic pattern with Conservation
Collier lands.
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Figure 3. Adjacent Conservation Lands
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4.0 Interim Management Objectives
4.1 Natural Resource Protection
Existing Vegetation:
• Ground Cover: Mangrove areas do not appear to have ground cover. Scattered upland areas
may contain ground cover similar to that observed on parcels located off Curcie Road along
the eastern side of the marsh area. Plants observed include: beakrush (Rhynchospora sp.),
leather fern (Arostichum spp.), swamp fern (Blechnum serrulatum), white beggar-ticks (Bidens
alba), shiny blueberry (Vaccinium myrsinites), sawgrass (Cladium jamaicense) and common
cattail (Typha latifolia).
• Midstory: Red mangroves (Rhizophora mangle), black mangroves (Avicennia germinans),
white mangrove (Laguncularia racemosa), buttonwood (Conocarpus erectus), winged sumac
(Rhus copallina), myrsine (Myrsine floridana), saltbush (Baccharis angustifolia and B.
halimifolia), wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera) and scattered small cabbage palms (Sabal
palmetto).
• Canopy: Red mangroves (Rhizophora mangle), black mangroves (Avicennia germinans),
white mangrove (Laguncularia racemosa) and buttonwood (Conocarpus erectus), an
approximate 15-acre area of slash pine (Pinus eliotti var densa) and several acres of wetland
hardwoods are identified in the electronic FLUCCS record.
Unique Natural Features:
There are no known unique natural features.
Listed Plant Species:
Listed plant species observed onsite include state-threatened twisted airplant (Tillandsia flexuosa)
(Figure 5), Florida butterfly orchid (Encyclia tampensis) (Figure4), cardinal airplant (Tillandsia
fasciculata), reflexed wild pine (Tillandsia balbisiana), and the endangered giant airplant
(Tillandsia utriculata),
Listed Wildlife Species:
Listed wildlife species include those found on the United States Fish and Wildlife Service
(USFWS) federal or Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWCC) state’s
imperiled species lists (last updated 2018). The following listed wildlife species have been
observed or documented within McIlvane Marsh or are present on adjacent lands:
Figure 5. State-threatened twisted airplant
in McIlvane Marsh
Figure 4 Florida butterfly orchid in McIlvane Marsh
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COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME STATUS
FWCC USFWS
American alligator Alligator
mississippiensis
T - due to similarity
of appearance
American crocodile Crocodylus acutus T
Eastern Indigo snake Drymarchon couperi T
Gopher tortoise Gopherus Polyphemus T
Black skimmer Rynchops niger T
Crested caracara Caracara cheriway T
Wood Stork Mycteria americana T
Tri-colored heron Egretta tricolor T
Little blue heron Egretta caerulea SSC
Roseate spoonbill Platalea ajaja T
Florida sandhill crane Grus canadensis T
Bald eagle Haliaeetus
leucocephalus
DELISTED
but special
rule F.A.C.
68A-16.002
Everglades snail kite Rostrhamus sociabilis
plumbeus
E
White-crowned pigeon Patagioenas
leucocephala
T
West Indian Manatee Trichechus manatus T
Florida panther Puma concolor coryi E
E=Endangered / T= Threatened / SSC= Species of Special Concern
4.2 Site Security
In February 2009, a group of trespassers shot and killed a number of wading birds in the marsh,
some of them listed species. Security is now being provided by limiting access via a heavy-duty
gate, installed by RBNERR, at the north end of the bridge that is located at the south end of the
paved portion of Curcie Road. Conservation Collier, RBNERR, and TTINWR staff and the seven
owners of private properties within the marsh have the access code. If it is determined that passive
public use of the area will feasible, appropriate public access can be provided.
4.3 Exotic Vegetation Removal and Maintenance Plan
Invasive, exotic plants present include, in order of dominance: Brazilian pepper (Schinus
terebinthifolius), Australian pine (Casuarina sp.), Melaleuca (Melaleuca quinquinerva), climbing
fern (Lygodium microphyllum), Java plum (Sygyium cumini) and other Florida Exotic Pest Plan
Council (FLEPPC) category 1 and 2 exotic plants. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)
was to coordinate a mitigation project involving exotic removal adjacent to the 29.33-acre
Conservation Collier parcel (f/k/a Triangle Leasing Corp.) adjoining Curcie Road. Additionally,
the State of Florida (via RBNERR) was to implement a mitigation project (for the Artesa Pointe
project) to accept and manage 70 acres of wetlands and uplands within McIlvane Marsh.
Capitalizing on these adjacent projects, in 2009, Conservation Collier staff received a USFWS
Partners grant match award of $21,500 to remove exotic vegetation on the 80-acre parcel along
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the north side of the marsh (f/k/a the Trinh parcel). Staff continues to seek to coordinate overall
exotic vegetation removal and management on adjoining Conservation Collier lands with
RBNERR and TTINWR to achieve potential economies of scale.
In 2019, partnership discussions between adjacent landowners at RBNERR, USFWS,
Conservation Collier and Collier Seminole State Park took place to collaborate on large scale
targeting of the area for exotic removal and prescribed burning. In 2019, Conservation Collier staff
applied for and were awarded $97,245.9 in funding assistance from the Florida Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Commission (FWC) Invasive Plant Management Section (IPMS) to treat 134.1 acres
of the preserve. This treatment area is shown in blue and yellow in (Figure 6)
Figure 6. 2019-2020 Exotic Treatment Area
Initial ground inspection of the treatment area as well as monitoring through aerial imagery
indicated large pockets with substantial infestation by exotic climbing fern and a significant
cover class of the mangrove and upland islands with Brazilian Pepper.
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Figure 7. May 2020 Post Treatment of Invasive Lygodium
Conservation Collier staff applied for and were awarded funding assistance through a USFWS
Partner’s Grant match award to be used in 2021 for $10,000. These funds will be used to
enhance a retreatment of the management units.
Partner Updates
In Spring of 2019, partners at Collier Seminole State Park carried out a 700-acre prescribed burn
of the units along the eastern boundary of Conservation Collier and RBNERR lands.
Conservation Collier staff assisted on this prescribed burn. This reduction of fuel and
management of the natural lands adjacent to McIlvane Marsh will be instrumental to conducting
further prescribed burning
In Summer of 2020, partners at USFWS donated equipment and labor along a 1.5 mile stretch of
the Curcie Rd access road to masticate invasive woody growth that has been inhibiting land
management access, improve habitat for listed wildlife species, and install a safe fire line for
future controlled-burn opportunities.
4.4 Debris Removal
This area has been historically prone to trespass and illegal dumping. Much of the debris from
past dumping has already been removed as part of restoration work done by the State of Florida
and by individual property owners. The heavy duty gate installed on Curcie Road will protect
Conservation Collier lands from dumping until an appropriate public access plan can be prepared.
In order to further minimize illegal dumping, RBNERR and TTINWR moved the gate to the very
south end of Curcie Road, to the very north end of the bridge that connects to C.R. 92. To date,
the gate has been effective at deterring trespass and dumping.
4.5 Cultural, Historical and Archeological Resource Protection
A Section, Township, and Range query of the Florida Master Site File for Sections 29 & 30, T51S,
R27E, with result received on July 22, 2009, shows no recorded historical or archaeological sites
present within the search area. However, the search area may contain unrecorded archeological
sites, historical structures or other resources. The County will notify the Division of Historical
Resources immediately if evidence is found to suggest any archaeological or historic resources are
discovered. If such resources are identified on-site, staff shall cordon off the area, and a
professional survey and assessment shall be instituted. The archaeologist shall prepare a report
outlining results of the assessments and issue recommendations to County staff about management
of any sites discovered, per provisions of the Land Development Code Section 2.2.25. This report
shall be sent to the Division of Historical Resources. The County shall cooperate fully with
direction from the Division of Historical Resources on the protection and management of
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archaeological and historical resources. The management of these resources will comply with the
provisions of Chapter 267, Florida Statutes, specifically Sections 267.061 2 (a) and (b).
4.6 Listed Species Protection
Many of the listed species present in McIlvane Marsh are birds. An active wading bird rookery
exists within 0.5 miles of the preserve and is actively monitored by RBNERR staff on an annual
basis. Land management activities will be carried out to restore and improve the surrounding
wetland habitat to facilitate wading bird foraging and rearing of nestlings. Florida panther have
been recorded utilizing the protected lands of the preserve, particularly the northern portions of the
marsh, as evidenced by FWCC telemetry data (2019 GIS telemetry layer) (Exhibit 3). A known
American crocodile nest exists within .15 miles of the boundary of McIlvane Marsh and the
preserve likely does or will in the future serve as habitat for dispersing young. In winter of 2020
staff observed an active bald eagle nest within 1000ft of the preserve property boundary. The nest
observation and location data was submitted to FWC, USFWS, and adjacent property managers.
In light of regular observations of listed species utilizing the preserve lands, staff will coordinate
with surrounding state and federal agencies to continue to determine appropriate protection actions
and propose these when a Final Management Plan is drafted.
4.7 Public Access
At present, there are no public access facilities within McIlvane Marsh. Staff has the gate
combination and can provide limited access to County-owned parcels within the marsh area by
appointment until comprehensive public access plans can be developed in concert with RBNERR
and TTINWR. No existing trails exist within the preserve lands and site remains significantly
flooded year-round. Staff will evaluate the site to determine potential public uses as part of the
development of a final management plan.
4.8 Site Monitoring and Long Term Management Plan
Monitoring of the site shall consist of a walk-through by staff at semi-annual intervals. Prior to
any land management activities, photo monitoring points will also be established at strategic
locations within the project area to monitor vegetation communities. Wildlife surveys shall be
developed and coordinated with surrounding conservation agencies to determine monitoring plan
goals, techniques and parameters. The overall goal of wildlife monitoring shall be for developing,
evaluating, and guiding future management actions necessary to enhance and protect wildlife
habitat.
4.9 Partnerships
Staff will seek out and evaluate potential for partnerships for conservation, protection, and
education.
4.10 Fire Management
RBNERR reports that there are fire dependent communities on their parcels adjoining
Conservation Collier lands and that they may, in the future, apply prescribed fire to these areas.
Staff will evaluate the potential for prescribed burning on County-owned lands and seek to
coordinate with RBNERR on all fire management issues.
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5.0 Exhibits
EXHIBIT 1: Location Map
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EXHIBIT 2: Northern Collier Seminole State Park Restoration Project Conceptual Plan
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EXHIBIT 3: Aerial Map with Florida Panther Telemetry Points
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EXHIBIT 4: McIlvane Marsh Aerial Location
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EXHIBIT 5: Estimated Cost Table for Two Years
Estimated Time Estimated
Cost
Funding Source Comments
Spring 2020 $97,245.95
*Actual Costs
FWC IPMS Initial Exotics
Treatment of 134.1
acres within McIlvane
Marsh
Summer 2020 $50,000
*Estimated
Value of In-
Kind Services
USFWS In-kind labor and
equipment to remove
exotics and improve
access by mowing
Curcie access road
Winter 2021 $10,000 USFWS Partner’s Grant Re-
treatment of Spring
2020 Initial
Winter 2021 $10,000 Collier County Partner’s Grant
Matching Funds for
targeted Maintenance
Treatment
Spring 2021 $50,000 FWC IPMS Treatment of Curcie
Road Exotics following
mechanical removal
Winter 2022 $6,000 Collier County Aerial Ignitions for
Multi-Agency
Prescribed Burn of
treatment area
Spring 2022 $50,000 TBD Maintenance Treatment
of 134.1 acres
Total $66,000 Potential Collier
County Funded
Management Costs
EXHIBIT6: Estimated Implementation Time Line
Monitoring Site
Visit
Seek Partnerships Completion of final management plan
Aug-20 x x
Nov-20 x x
Apr-21 x
Sep-21 x
Apr-22 x x
Aug-22 x x x
December 2020 Conservation Collier: McIlvane Marsh IMP Extension
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Conservation Collier McIlvane Marsh Property
Interim Management Plan Extension
Photo: View from Curcie Lake
Prepared By:
Collier County’s Conservation Collier Program
Parks & Recreation Division
3300 Santa Barbara Blvd.
Naples, FL 34116
April 2018 December 2020
3rd 4th Extension
December 2020 Conservation Collier: McIlvane Marsh IMP Extension
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Table of Contents
1.0 Purpose and Scope of the Interim Management Plan ....................................................... 43
2.0 Management Authority and Responsibilities ..................................................................... 55
3.0 Interim Site Plan ................................................................................................................... 65
3.1 Location and Site Description ............................................................................................. 65
3.2 Signage ................................................................................................................................ 87
3.3 Easements, Concessions or Leases ..................................................................................... 87
3.4 Structures ............................................................................................................................ 98
3.5 Surrounding and Adjacent Land Uses ................................................................................ 98
4.0 Interim Management Objectives ..................................................................................... 1110
4.1 Natural Resource Protection ........................................................................................... 1110
4.2 Site Security .................................................................................................................... 1211
4.3 Exotic Vegetation Removal and Maintenance Plan........................................................ 1211
4.4 Debris Removal .............................................................................................................. 1513
4.5 Cultural, Historical and Archeological Resource Protection .......................................... 1513
4.6 Listed Species Protection ................................................................................................ 1514
4.7 Public Access .................................................................................................................. 1614
4.8 Site Monitoring and Long Term Management Plan ....................................................... 1614
4.9 Partnerships ..................................................................................................................... 1614
5.0 Exhibits .............................................................................................................................. 1715
EXHIBIT 1: Location Map
EXHIBIT 2: Northern Collier Seminole State Park Restoration Project Conceptual Plan
EXHIBIT 3: Aerial Map with Florida Panther Telemetry Points
EXHIBIT 4: McIlvane Marsh Close-up Aerial
EXHIBIT 5: Estimated Cost Table for First Two Years
EXHIBIT 6: Estimated Implementation Timeline
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1.0 Purpose and Scope of the Interim Management Plan
The McIlvane Marsh project consists of 9 properties totaling 372.58 acres acquired between July
2007 and May 2017 with funds from the Conservation Collier Program (Exhibit 1). Collier County
additionally owns, under the Transportation Department, a 20-acre parcel within the marsh
donated as mitigation in 1999 (Folio number 00775760400). The State of Florida, under
management by Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (RBNERR), owns or is in the
process of acquiring an additional 329 acres (in a mosaic pattern with Conservation Collier’s
acquired lands) for a total of 719 acres currently or shortly to be in conservation status out of a
total of approximately 807 acres within the marsh. There are six remaining privately-owned
parcels totaling 78 acres; 68 acres located on the western side and 10 acres on the east side of the
marsh. Conservation Collier parcels will be managed for conservation, protection, enhancement
of natural resources and for public outdoor recreation that will be compatible with the
conservation, protection and enhancement of the site and the surrounding lands.
Folio numbers and acreage of parcels owned by the Conservation Collier Program:
• 00775080009 - 21.02 acres
• 00775000005 – 40 acres
• 00775440005 – 80 acres
• 00775360004 – 80 acres
• 00775680001 – 30 acres
• 00775400003 – 70 acres
• 00775480007 - 20 acres
• 00775520006 - 19.54 acres
• 00775560008 – 10 acres
• 00775760002 – 2.02 acres
Total Acres 372.58
There is currently no budget for outright acquisition; however, offsite alternatives to the Land
Development Code’s on-site native vegetation retention requirements (LDC, Sec 3.05.07 H.1.f.iii.)
offer a way for properties within McIlvane Marsh to be acquired and donated to Conservation
Collier in lieu of developers retaining vegetation onsite at development projects.
This interim management plan extension is intended to update the key management priorities and
issues within the site identified in the April 2018 interim management plan and give continued
direction for management through 2020.2. This document is intended to be the precursor to a final
management plan, which will provide more specific aspects of site management once surrounding
federal and state lands begin to undergo active management.
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Key Interim Management Objectives
1. Protect the native habitat on site
Action Plan
1a. Maintain a temporary Conservation Collier Land sign at the Curcie Road access point to
McIlvane Marsh area and evaluate the need for No Dumping / No Trespassing signs along
internal rights of way.
1b. Meet and coordinate with surrounding conservation land managers and agencies for
coordination of invasive exotic vegetation treatment, prescribed fire, and wildlife survey
protocol development.
2. Develop Partnership agreement(s) for management with surrounding land owning agencies
and private individuals
Action Plan
2a. Coordinate with property owner agencies surrounding the Marsh, including Collier
Seminole State Park, Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge (TTINWR) and
RBNERR for long term management and public access cooperation.
2b. If appropriate, write and execute a formal Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), also
known by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) as a “Management Agreement,” for
cooperative land management actions with appropriate adjoining agencies.
2c. Coordinate management of the 20-acre mitigation parcel acquired by Collier County in
1999 with Conservation Collier management.
3. Plan for appropriate public access.
Action Plan
3a. Coordinate appropriate public use plan with RBNERR and TTINWR.
3b. Evaluate information regarding a verbal report from RBNERR staff about a possible area
of lead contamination due to past discharge of firearms on state property that abuts
Conservation Collier lands. If substantiated and warranted, a Phase II Environmental Site
Assessment can be done to determine the level of contamination, whether this presents a
hazard for people or wildlife, and what the appropriate abatement steps are.
4. Determine resources necessary to manage the area for the dynamics and impacts associated
with public access.
2.0 Management Authority and Responsibilities
The McIlvane Marsh properties have not been officially named at present. McIlvane Marsh is the
unofficial historic area name. Ten parcels totaling 372.58 acres are included within the portfolio
of properties assigned to the Collier County Parks and Recreation Department, with the
Conservation Collier Program responsible for direct management of these lands. Conservation
Collier Program staff will handle day to day management activities and will seek to cooperate and
December 2020 Conservation Collier: McIlvane Marsh IMP Extension
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form partnerships with adjoining land-owner local, state and federal agencies and to obtain various
types of grants for management and public use activities where possible.
3.0 Interim Site Plan
3.1 Location and Site Description
The McIlvane Marsh is an 800-acre mangrove salt marsh generally located northeast of Marco
Island and southwest of the intersection of U.S. 41 (Tamiami Trail) and County Road 92 (San
Marco Road) in Sections 29 and 30, Township 51 South, Range 27 East, Collier County, Florida.
The McIlvane Marsh area can be accessed via Curcie Road, which turns north off C.R. 92
approximately 1.8 miles south of U.S. 41 (Figure 1). The first 800 feet of Curcie Road is County-
maintained right-of-way (ROW). Curcie road continues beyond the County-maintained ROW as
an unpaved private access road to the north edge of the McIlvane Marsh, curves west and continues
for approximately 2.1 miles to a terminus point in the northwestern portion of the marsh. This
unpaved road can be used to legally and physically access Conservation Collier lands, though it
traverses over lands owned by The State of Florida Department of Environmental Protection,
managed by RBNERR. There are several other non-contiguous portions of public ROW dedicated
along the edges of Conservation Collier properties within the marsh; however, there are no actual
roadways in these locations.
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Figure 1. Location Map of McIlvane Marsh Preserve
McIlvane Marsh is situated near and is expected to be influenced by the Picayune Strand
Restoration Project, a sub-project of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Project. The
project area includes 55,000 acres located between Alligator Alley and Tamiami Trail in
southeastern Collier County and involves plugging canals, building and operating pump stations,
placing culverts under the Tamiami Trail, removing old road beds and removing exotic
vegetation. The goal of the project is to improve estuarine water quality by increasing groundwater
recharge and reducing large and unnatural freshwater inflows to the estuaries along the southwest
Florida coast. While this project does not directly affect the County’s parcels within the McIlvane
Marsh area, it is expected to increase surface water in the general area.
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There is additionally planned, but with portions as yet unfunded, a Picayune Strand Restoration
“protection feature” project involving enhancing existing culverts under the Tamiami Trail close
to C.R. 92 and further spreading sheet flow into the McIlvane Marsh area. The culverts under
Tamiami Trail between C.R. 92 and S.R. 29 were enhanced in 2005. Remaining proposed tasks
include enhancing the canal along the east side of McIlvane Marsh and diverting some of that canal
flow west into the marsh on state lands adjoining Conservation Collier parcels (Conceptual Project
Map - Exhibit 2). There are no actions required on the County’s part to accommodate this project;
however, if and when completed, it is expected to provide an overall environmental benefit to the
entire McIlvane Marsh.
McIlvane Marsh is a tidally influenced wetland consisting primarily of open marsh and mangrove
wetlands with small upland island areas, primarily on its northern and eastern edges (Exhibit 3).
Approximately 15-acres of pine flatwood uplands exist on the north side of the marsh and 6 acres
of cleared uplands exist on the eastern edge of the marsh where a communication tower site is
located. This communication tower, owned by a private entity, sits on a ten-acre parcel surrounded
by Conservation Collier lands on the eastern side of McIlvane Marsh. Also on the eastern side of
the marsh, in what were historically uplands, state mitigation lands contain a 51-acre borrow-pit
lake created as a result of limestone fill mining which occurred under Collier County Excavation
Permit number 59.145 (Marco Woods) issued in July 1982, South Florida Water Management
District Water Use Permit No. 110589335, issued in November 1982, and US Army Corps of
Engineers dredge and fill permit No. 82J-10657, issued in April 1983. Another, older
approximately 1-acre borrow pit created between 1963 and 1973 lies on the north-central side of
the marsh on Conservation Collier lands. Vegetation communities present within the marsh
include, in order of dominance: mangrove swamp, saltwater marsh, inland ponds or sloughs, and
pine flatwoods.
3.2 Signage
An access gate exists at the end of the paved portion of Curcie
Road, approximately 800 feet off C.R. 92 (Figure 2).
A temporary sign identifying Collier County Conservation
Land is posted at the gate. Temporary No Trespassing / No
Dumping signs may also be posted along the unpaved portion
of Curcie Road. All landowners, including Conservation
Collier, are able to put signs onto the main gate.
3.3 Easements, Concessions or Leases
As noted previously, there is legal and physical access to Conservation Collier properties via
public ROW along Curcie Road and via ROW dedications. Additionally, there are several non-
contiguous portions of public ROW dedicated along the edges of properties within the marsh
which have no physical roadway existing. No other easements, concessions or leases exist on
the parcel or are proposed for the future, unless they further conservation objectives, such as a
conservation easement.
Figure 2: Curcie Road Gate
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3.4 Structures
The 800-acre marsh area is undeveloped and covered with natural vegetation except for three
communication towers and a small building that houses communication equipment on a ten -acre
privately owned property. Additionally, there is an 2.02-acre homestead with an abandoned
recreational motor vehicle located north of the 80-acre former Trinh parcel.
State and Army Corps permits issued in the 1980’s authorized the construction of a berm
separating the mining project from State surface waters on the south side of the limestone fill mine
excavation. The State of Florida, as part of mitigation for development projects in the local area,
has completed berm breaches and installation of geo-web crossings and culverts under the access
road to allow for overland flow of water in the marsh. This project was conducted on state lands;
however, the benefits are expected to extend to County-owned lands.
3.5 Surrounding and Adjacent Land Uses
The Marsh is surrounded on the east, south and west by state and federal conservation lands;
Collier Seminole State Park to the east, TTINWR to the south and RBNERR to the west. Parcels
adjoining the northern boundary of the marsh include undeveloped Agriculturally-
zonedAgriculturally zoned lands, Fiddler’s Creek Planned Unit Development (PUD) and JDs Auto
Ranch, an automotive recycling and dismantling yard (Figure 3). In addition to the lands acquired
by the Conservation Collier Program, Collier County owns a 20-acre mitigation parcel on the
western side of the marsh that is between Conservation Collier lands on both its east and west
boundaries. The State of Florida/RBNERR owns, or will shortly own, 399 acres in a mosaic
pattern with Conservation Collier lands.
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Figure 3. Adjacent Conservation Lands
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4.0 Interim Management Objectives
4.1 Natural Resource Protection
Existing Vegetation:
• Ground Cover: Mangrove areas do not appear to have ground cover. Scattered upland areas
may contain ground cover similar to that observed on parcels located off Curcie Road along
the eastern side of the marsh area. Plants observed include: beakrush (Rhynchospora sp.),
leather fern (Arostichum spp.), swamp fern (Blechnum serrulatum), and white beggar-ticks
(Bidens alba), shiny blueberry (Vaccinium myrsinites), sawgrass (Cladium jamaicense) and
common cattail (Typha latifolia).
• Midstory: Red mangroves (Rhizophora mangle), black mangroves (Avicennia germinans),
white mangrove (Laguncularia racemosa), buttonwood (Conocarpus erectus), winged sumac
(Rhus copallina), myrsine (Myrsine floridana), saltbush (Baccharis angustifolia and B.
halimifolia), wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera) and scattered small cabbage palms (Sabal
palmetto).
• Canopy: Red mangroves (Rhizophora mangle), black mangroves (Avicennia germinans),
white mangrove (Laguncularia racemosa) and buttonwood (Conocarpus erectus), an
approximate 15-acre area of slash pine (Pinus eliotti var densa) and several acres of wetland
hardwoods are identified in the electronic FLUCCS record.
Unique Natural Features:
There are no known unique natural features.
Listed Plant Species:
Listed plant species observed onsite includeNo listed plant species have been directly identified.
state-threatened twisted airplant (Tillandsia flexuosa) (Figure 5), Florida butterfly orchid
(Encyclia tampensis) (Figure 4), cardinal airplant (Tillandsia fasciculata), reflexed wild pine
(Tillandsia balbisiana), and the endangered giant airplant (Tillandsia utriculata),
Listed Wildlife Species:
Listed wildlife species include those found on the Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants
50 CFR 17.11 and 17.12, November 2005 (USFWS) or the United States Fish and Wildlife Service
(USFWS) federal or Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWCC) Florida’s
Endangered Species, Threatened Species, and Species of Special Concern, July 2009state’s
Figure 5. State-threatened twisted airplant
in McIlvane Marsh
Figure 24 Florida butterfly orchid in McIlvane Marsh
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imperiled species lists (last updated 2018).. The following listed wildlife species have been
observed or documented within McIlvane Marsh or are present on adjacent lands:
COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME STATUS
FWCC USFWS
American alligator Alligator
mississippiensis
T - due to similarity
of appearance
American crocodile Crocodylus acutus T
Eastern Indigo snake Drymarchon couperi T
Gopher tortoise Gopherus Polyphemus T
Black skimmer Rynchops niger T
Crested caracara Caracara cheriway T
Snowy egret Egretta thula SSC
Wood Stork Mycteria americana ET
Tri-colored heron Egretta tricolor SSCT
Little blue heron Egretta caerulea SSC
Roseate spoonbill Platalea ajaja T
Florida sandhill crane Grus canadensis T
Bald eagle Haliaeetus
leucocephalus
DELISTED
but special
rule F.A.C.
68A-16.002
Everglades snail kite Rostrhamus sociabilis
plumbeus
E
White-crowned pigeon Patagioenas
leucocephala
T
West Indian Manatee Trichechus manatus T
Florida panther Puma concolor coryi E
Florida black bear Ursus americanus
floridanus
Listed in other states
but not in Florida
E=Endangered / T= Threatened / SSC= Species of Special Concern
4.2 Site Security
In February 2009, a group of trespassers shot and killed a number of wading birds in the marsh,
some of them listed species. Security is now being provided by limiting access via a heavy-duty
gate, installed by RBNERR, at the north end of the bridge that is located at the south end of the
paved portion of Curcie Road. Conservation Collier, RBNERR, and TTINWR staff and the seven
owners of private properties within the marsh have the access code. If it is determined that passive
public use of the area will feasible, appropriate public access can be provided.
4.3 Exotic Vegetation Removal and Maintenance Plan
Invasive, exotic plants present include, in order of dominance: Brazilian pepper (Schinus
terebinthifolius), Australian pine (Casuarina sp.), Melaleuca (Melaleuca quinquinerva), climbing
fern (Lygodium microphyllum), Java plum (Sygyium cumini) and other Florida Exotic Pest Plan
Council (FLEPPC) category 1 and 2 exotic plants. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)
was to coordinate a mitigation project involving exotic removal adjacent to the 29.33-acre
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Conservation Collier parcel (f/k/a Triangle Leasing Corp.) adjoining Curcie Road. Additionally,
the State of Florida (via RBNERR) was to implement a mitigation project (for the Artesa Pointe
project) to accept and manage 70 acres of wetlands and uplands within McIlvane Marsh.
Capitalizing on these adjacent projects, in 2009, Conservation Collier staff received a USFWS
Partners grant match award of $21,500 to remove exotic vegetation on the 80-acre parcel along
the north side of the marsh (f/k/a the Trinh parcel). Although some exotic removal occurred
within the marsh on state-owned parcels, TTINWR and RBNERR land management focus has
now shifted away from McIlvane Marsh. As a result, Conservation Collier staff shifted the
USFWS Partners funding to Railhead Scrub Preserve. Staff will continues to seek to coordinate
overall exotic vegetation removal and management on adjoining Conservation Collier lands with
RBNERR and TTINWR to achieve potential economies of scale. Until the surrounding property
owners begin consistent management of adjoining lands, staff recommends against exotic plant
removal efforts on Conservation Collier parcels within McIlvane Marsh.
In 2019, partnership discussions between adjacent landowners at RBNERR, USFWS,
Conservation Collier and Collier Seminole State Park took place to collaborate on large scale
targeting of the area for exotic removal and prescribed burning. In 2019, Conservation Collier staff
applied for and were awarded $97,245.9 in funding assistance from the Florida Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Commission (FWC) Invasive Plant Management Section (IPMS) to treat 134.1 acres
of the preserve. This treatment area is shown in blue and yellow in (Figure 6)
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Figure 6. 2019-2020 Exotic Treatment Area
Initial ground inspection of the treatment area as well as monitoring through aerial imagery
indicated large pockets with substantial infestation by exotic climbing fern and a significant
cover class of the mangrove and upland islands with Brazilian Pepper.
Figure 7. May 2020 Post Treatment of Invasive Lygodium
Conservation Collier staff applied for and were awarded funding assistance through a USFWS
Partner’s Grant match award to be used in 2021 for $10,000. These funds will be used to
enhance a retreatment of the management units.
December 2020 Conservation Collier: McIlvane Marsh IMP Extension
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Partner Updates
In Spring of 2019, partners at Collier Seminole State Park carried out a 700-acre prescribed burn
of the units along the eastern boundary of Conservation Collier and RBNERR lands.
Conservation Collier staff assisted on this prescribed burn. This reduction of fuel and
management of the natural lands adjacent to McIlvane Marsh will be instrumental to conducting
further prescribed burning
In Summer of 2020, partners at USFWS donated equipment and labor along a 1.5 mile stretch of
the Curcie Rd access road to masticate invasive woody growth that has been inhibiting land
management access, improve habitat for listed wildlife species, and install a safe firelinefire line
for future controlled-burn opportunities.
4.4 Debris Removal
This area has been historically prone to trespass and illegal dumping. Much of the debris from
past dumping has already been removed as part of restoration work done by the State of Florida
and by individual property owners. The heavy duty gate installed on Curcie Road will protect
Conservation Collier lands from dumping until an appropriate public access plan can be prepared.
In order to further minimize illegal dumping, RBNERR and TTINWR moved the gate to the very
south end of Curcie Road, to the very north end of the bridge that connects to C.R. 92. “No
Dumping” signs and a fence may need to be installed. To date, the gate has been effective at
deterring trespass and dumping.
4.5 Cultural, Historical and Archeological Resource Protection
A Section, Township, and Range query of the Florida Master Site File for Sections 29 & 30, T51S,
R27E, with result received on July 22, 2009, shows no recorded historical or archaeological sites
present within the search area. However, the search area may contain unrecorded archeological
sites, historical structures or other resources. The County will notify the Division of Historical
Resources immediately if evidence is found to suggest any archaeological or historic resources are
discovered. If such resources are identified on-site, staff shall cordon off the area, and a
professional survey and assessment shall be instituted. The archaeologist shall prepare a report
outlining results of the assessments and issue recommendations to County staff about management
of any sites discovered, per provisions of the Land Development Code Section 2.2.25. This report
shall be sent to the Division of Historical Resources. The County shall cooperate fully with
direction from the Division of Historical Resources on the protection and management of
archaeological and historical resources. The management of these resources will comply with the
provisions of Chapter 267, Florida Statutes, specifically Sections 267.061 2 (a) and (b).
4.6 Listed Species Protection
Many of the listed species present in McIlvane Marsh are birds. Any bird rookeries present on or
adjacent to Conservation Collier land will be protected by signage stating “Protection Area-No-
Entry.” An active wading bird rookery exists within 0.5 miles of the preserve and is actively
monitored by RBNERR staff on an annual basis. Land management activities will be carried out
to restore and improve the surrounding wetland habitat to facilitate wading bird foraging and
rearing of nestlings. Florida panther have been recorded sutilizing the protected lands of the
preserve, particularly use the northern portions of the marsh, as evidenced by FWCC telemetry
data (2008 2019 GIS telemetry layer) (Exhibit 3). A known American crocodiles nest exists
December 2020 Conservation Collier: McIlvane Marsh IMP Extension
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within 1.5within .15 miles of the boundary of McIlvane Marsh, at the Marco Airport. and the
preserve likely does or will in the future serve as habitat for dispersing young. In winter of 2020
staff observed an active bald eagle nest within 1000ft of the preserve property boundary. The nest
observation and location data was submitted to FWC, USFWS, and adjacent property managers.
In light of regular observations of listed species utilizing the preserve lands, sStaff will coordinate
with surrounding state and federal agencies to continue to determine appropriate protection actions
and propose these within when a Final Management Plan is drafted.
4.7 Public Access
At present, there are no public access facilities within McIlvane Marsh. Staff has the gate
combination and can provide limited access to County-owned parcels within the marsh area by
appointment until comprehensive public access plans can be developed in concert with RBNERR
and TTINWR. No existing trails exist within the preserve lands and site remains significantly
flooded year-round. Staff will evaluate the site to determine potential public uses as part of the
development of a final management plan.
4.8 Site Monitoring and Long Term Management Plan
Monitoring of the site shall consist of a walk-through by staff at semi-annual intervals. Any
treatment and retreatment of exotic vegetation is dependent on the planned management activities
of adjacent agency lands.. Conservation Collier shall be responsible for this treatment - with tasks
contracted out as deemed necessary. Prior to any land management activities, photo monitoring
points will also be established at strategic locations within the project area to monitor vegetation
communities. Wildlife surveys shall be developed and coordinated with surrounding conservation
agencies to determine monitoring plan goals, techniques and parameters. The overall goal of
wildlife monitoring shall be for developing, evaluating, and guiding future management actions
necessary to enhance and protect wildlife habitat.
4.9 Partnerships
Staff will seek out and evaluate potential for partnerships for conservation, protection, and
education.
4.10 Fire Management
RBNERR reports that there are fire dependent communities on their parcels adjoining
Conservation Collier lands and that they may, in the future, apply prescribed fire to these areas.
Staff will evaluate the potential for prescribed burning on County-owned lands and seek to
coordinate with RBNERR on all fire management issues.
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5.0 Exhibits
EXHIBIT 1: Location Map
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December 2020 Conservation Collier: McIlvane Marsh IMP Extension
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EXHIBIT 2: Northern Collier Seminole State Park Restoration Project Conceptual Plan
December 2020 Conservation Collier: McIlvane Marsh IMP Extension
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EXHIBIT 3: Aerial Map with Florida Panther Telemetry Points
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EXHIBIT 4: McIlvane Marsh Aerial Location
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EXHIBIT 5: Estimated Cost Table for Two Years
Estimated Time Estimated
Cost
Funding Source Comments
Spring 2020 $97,245.95
*Actual Costs
FWC IPMS Initial Exotics
Treatment of 134.1
acres within McIlvane
Marsh
Summer 2020Annual
Road Maintenance
$50,000
*Estimated
Value of In-
Kind Services
USFWS$500 In-kind labor and
equipment to remove
exotics and improve
access by mowing
Curcie access road$500
is based on fire line
mowing fee of $.10 per
linear foot (5,000 ft).
Winter 2021 $10,000 USFWS Partner’s Grant Re-
treatment of Spring
2020 Initial
Winter 2021 $10,000 Collier County Partner’s Grant
Matching Funds for
targeted Maintenance
Treatment
Spring 2021 $50,000 FWC IPMS Treatment of Curcie
Road Exotics following
mechanical removal
Winter 2022 $6,000 Collier County Aerial Ignitions for
Multi-Agency
Prescribed Burn of
treatment area
Spring 2022 $50,000 TBD Maintenance Treatment
of 134.1 acres
Total $66,000 $500 Potential Collier
County Funded
Management Costs**
Value includes
discretionary and
potentially needed
items
G:\CDES Planning Services\Land Development Services\Conservation Collier\Land Management\McIlvane Marsh\Management Plans\IMP_Extension_Nov_2017
EXHIBIT 6: Estimated Implementation Time Line
December 2020 Conservation Collier: McIlvane Marsh IMP Extension
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Monitoring Site
Visit
Seek Partnerships Completion of final management plan
Aug-20 x x
Nov-20 x x
Apr-21 x
Sep-21 x
Apr-22 x x
Aug-22 x x x