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Agenda 02/23/2021 Item #16D 4 (SD Corp Preserve Interm Management Plan)02/23/2021 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Recommendation to approve the Conservation Collier SD Corp Preserve Interim Management Plan under the Conservation Collier Program and to name the property Rattlesnake Hammock Preserve. OBJECTIVE: To obtain approval from the Board of County Commissioners (Board) for the SD Corp Preserve Interim Management Plan and to designate the official preserve name of the property to Rattlesnake Hammock Preserve. CONSIDERATIONS: The 37.16-acre SD Corp Preserve, located in South Naples, was purchased in August 2020 by the Conservation Collier Program. The Conservation Collier Ordinance, No. 2002-63, as amended, Section 14 (1), requires that an Interim Management Plan be prepared and updated for each property every two (2) years, with review and input by the Conservation Collier Land Acquisition Advisory Committee (CCLAAC). The Interim Management Plan for the SD Corp Preserve was approved by the CCLAAC on January 11, 2021. The document includes a description of the natural and cultural resources of the property, plans for habitat restoration, public access, amenities, and site security. A Final Management Plan will be presented to the Board for approval in 2023. The preserve parcels in this document are referred to by the name of the seller, SD Corp of Naples, as an official name has yet to be designated. Once board direction has been provided with regards to the official preserve name, the name SD Corp Preserve will be updated by staff to reflect the final preserve name determined by the Board. In order to prepare this preserve for public use, staff would like to assign a permanent name. The Conservation Collier Ordinance is silent as to the procedure for naming acquired preserves. County policy advises that County-owned facilities are to be named based on the function they perform or services they provide to the public and that the specific location, including adjacent right-of-way, a body of water, or any prominent landmark, can be included in the name. County policy for naming facilities after persons is different and very specific, requiring a significant, direct, local benefit and application supported by at least 1,000 Collier County residents. In order to accomplish community participation in proposing a name for this Conservation Collier preserve, staff collected electronic name submissions from the public and distributed an electronic poll via the Conservation Collier website and social media. Rattlesnake Hammock Preserve received the greatest number of votes (44%). The proposed naming of the preserve to Rattlesnake Hammock Preserve was approved by the CLAAC on January 11, 2021. FISCAL IMPACT: Estimated costs for the first two (2) years are $95,000 for initial invasive vegetation removal and $32,000 for installation of visitor amenities. Please note that the seller had reduced the purchase price of this project by $100,000 to be allocated towards exotic vegetation removal. After initial exotic vegetation removal and installation of visitor amenities, the ongoing annual maintenance costs are estimated to be $8,000 per year for the subsequent five (5) years. Funds are available within the Conservation Collier Land Management Fund (174) to accomplish these activities. There is no Fiscal impact associated with naming the preserve. GROWTH MANAGEMENT IMPACT: Management of Conservation Collier lands to support appropriate public access is consistent with and supports Policy 1.1.5 and Objective 1.3 in the Recreation and Open Space Element of the Collier County Growth Management Plan. There is no specific Growth Management impact associated with this item. LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS: The Conservation Collier Ordinance (No. 2002-63, as amended), in 16.D.4 Packet Pg. 926 02/23/2021 Section 14, provides a legal framework for the development of management plans and the use of environmentally sensitive lands. This item is approved for form and legality and requires a majority vote for Board action. This request conforms to the adopted County-owned facility naming policy as reviewed by the County Attorney’s Office. -JAB RECOMMENDATION: To: 1) approve the attached proposed Interim Management Plan for SD Corp Preserve and directs staff to implement the updated plan; and 2) approve the recommended name, Rattlesnake Hammock Preserve, for the Conservation Collier property currently referred to as the SD Corp Preserve. Prepared By: Mitchell Barazowski, Environmental Specialist, Parks and Recreation Division ATTACHMENT(S) 1. (linked) SD Corp Interim Management Plan (PDF) 2. Memo to CLAAC - SD Corp Naming (PDF) 16.D.4 Packet Pg. 927 02/23/2021 COLLIER COUNTY Board of County Commissioners Item Number: 16.D.4 Doc ID: 14768 Item Summary: Recommendation to approve the Conservation Collier SD Corp Preserve Interim Management Plan under the Conservation Collier Program and to name the property Rattlesnake Hammock Preserve. Meeting Date: 02/23/2021 Prepared by: Title: Operations Analyst – Parks & Recreation Name: Matthew Catoe 01/15/2021 3:31 PM Submitted by: Title: Division Director - Parks & Recreation – Parks & Recreation Name: Barry Williams 01/15/2021 3:31 PM Approved By: Review: Public Services Department Melissa Hennig Additional Reviewer Completed 01/15/2021 3:57 PM Parks & Recreation Barry Williams Additional Reviewer Completed 01/15/2021 4:29 PM Parks & Recreation Todd Henry Additional Reviewer Skipped 01/20/2021 10:46 AM Operations & Veteran Services Kimberley Grant Additional Reviewer Completed 01/20/2021 4:45 PM Public Services Department Todd Henry Public Services Deapartment Completed 01/21/2021 12:47 PM County Attorney's Office Jennifer Belpedio Level 2 Attorney of Record Review Completed 01/22/2021 10:59 AM Public Services Department James C French PSD Dept Head Review Completed 01/25/2021 9:30 PM Office of Management and Budget Debra Windsor Level 3 OMB Gatekeeper Review Completed 01/26/2021 8:48 AM County Attorney's Office Jeffrey A. Klatzkow Level 3 County Attorney's Office Review Completed 01/27/2021 8:59 AM Budget and Management Office Ed Finn Additional Reviewer Completed 02/01/2021 5:23 PM County Manager's Office Dan Rodriguez Level 4 County Manager Review Completed 02/06/2021 12:41 PM Board of County Commissioners MaryJo Brock Meeting Pending 02/23/2021 9:00 AM 16.D.4 Packet Pg. 928 Memorandum To: Conservation Collier Land Acquisition Advisory Committee members From: Mitchell Barazowski & Molly DuVall, Environmental Specialists Conservation Collier Program Date: January 4, 2021 Subject: Naming of the SD Corp Preserve ________________________________________________________________________ Attached is a Land Evaluation and Management Subcommittee (LEMS) approved draft of the SD Corp Interim Management Plan. This preserve was acquired in August of 2020, it does not currently have an official name designated, and it is temporarily being referred to as the SD Corp Preserve within the interim management plan document based on the seller of the parcel at the time of acquisition: SD Corp of Naples, Inc. Staff request input from the CLAAC members regarding an official preserve name option to present to the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) for approval. In an effort to increase public involvement and awareness of Conservation Collier Preserves staff created a webpage and public poll to collect community name submissions and public votes for the official name of the newest Conservation Collier Preserve currently referred to as SD Corp. On November 17th, a Conservation Collier webpage was advertised to community followers on social media with information about the new SD Corp Preserve and an opportunity to submit a preserve name to be considered in the upcoming public vote. Submissions were collected through November 23rd. Conservation Collier staff received 157 community submissions for a potential preserve name. From this list of 157 public submissions, five names were selected based on the frequency of entries and suitability of submissions to the preserve features and surrounding area. Those five potential names included: 1. Rattlesnake Hammock Preserve 2. Oak Haven Preserve 3. Palm Oaks Preserve 4. Midden Hammock Preserve 5. Ancient Oaks Preserve 16.D.4.b Packet Pg. 929 Attachment: Memo to CLAAC - SD Corp Naming (14768 : SD Corp Interim Management Plan) An online poll was created featuring the five name options and public votes were collected from November 23rd -December 10th, 2020. A link to the survey was posted on the Conservation Collier website, SD Corp Preserve website, distributed to followers of the Conservation Collier Facebook and Instagram account, emailed to FGCU Biology Department professors for distribution to students, and emailed to the Collier Schools Environmental Education Coordination for circulation to district students and staff. Votes were collected through December 10th, 2020. 346 members of the community took part in voting for a preserve name option. Of those 346 members, 149 or 44% voted in favor of naming the preserve Rattlesnake Hammock Preserve. Rattlesnake Hammock is the historic name of the once large expanse of old growth oak hammock plant community covering the area between Picayune Strand State Forest and Rookery Bay Estuarine Research Reserve. The preserve protects some of the last remaining portions of this natural feature that was used by residents in the early 20th century as a location reference. The preserve is located just north of Rattlesnake Hammock Rd in Naples. A hammock is an area of higher elevation that is dominated by hardwood species like live oak and laurel oak, canopies of cabbage palm and midstory shade-loving species like myrsine and wild coffee. Historically the area was known to have a higher density of rattlesnakes because of the elevated nature of the habitat in relation to the surrounding wet prairies and cypress. Rattlesnake Hammock Preserve is a name that considers the history of the area as well as to serve as an educational outreach opportunity to teach visitors about native plant communities and how local topography and water define habitat type. Staff are requesting that members of the CLAAC discuss a potential official preserve name to bring forward to the Board of County Commissioners for consideration. 16.D.4.b Packet Pg. 930 Attachment: Memo to CLAAC - SD Corp Naming (14768 : SD Corp Interim Management Plan) Conservation Collier Program SD Corp Preserve Interim Management Plan Managed by: Conservation Collier Program Collier County Parks and Recreation Division Prepared by: Conservation Collier Program Staff January 2021 January 2021 Conservation Collier Program SD Corp Preserve Interim Management Plan 2 Table of Contents Table of Contents 2 1.0 Purpose and Scope of the Interim Management Plan 3 Key Interim Management Objectives 3 2.0 Management Authority and Responsibilities 4 3.0 Site Description 4 3.1 Location and Site Description 4 Table 1: SD Corp Parcel Folios 4 3.2 Signage 5 3.3 Easements, Concessions or Leases 5 3.4 Structures 5 3.5 Surrounding and Adjacent Land Uses 5 4.0 Interim Management Objectives 5 4.1 Natural Resources 5 Table 2: Listed plant species found at SD Corp Preserve 6 Table 3: Wildlife species observed or detected at SD Corp Preserve 7 4.2 Site Security 8 4.3 Exotic Vegetation Removal and Maintenance Plan 8 4.4 Debris Removal 8 Table 5: Estimated Cost Table for Land Management 9 4.5 Cultural, Historical and Archeological Resource Protection 9 4.6 Listed Species Protection 9 4.7 Public Access 10 Table 6: Estimated Cost Table for Capital Improvements 10 4.8 Site Monitoring and Long-Term Management Plan 10 4.9 Partnerships 10 5.0 Exhibits 11 EXHIBIT 1: Location Map 11 EXHIBIT 2: 2019 Aerial Map 12 EXHIBIT 3: Legal Description 13 EXHIBIT 3 Continued: Legal Description 14 EXHIBIT 4: Stormwater Easement Adjacent to Preserve 15 EXHIBIT 5: Historic Wastewater Treatment Area Footprint within Preserve 16 EXHIBIT 6: Historic Wastewater Treatment Structure Prior to Demolition 17 EXHIBIT 7: Florida Cooperative Land Cover Vegetative Communities 18 EXHIBIT 8: Conceptual Visitor Trail, Parking Lot, and Fencing 19 EXHIBIT 9: Estimated Implementation Timeline 20 January 2021 Conservation Collier Program SD Corp Preserve Interim Management Plan 3 1.0 Purpose and Scope of the Interim Management Plan The SD Corp Preserve was purchased by Collier County in August 2020 with funds from the Conservation Collier program. The property is composed of two (2) adjoining parcels totaling 37.16 acres. The property will be managed only for the conservation, protection, and enhancement of natural and archaeological resources and to provide compatible nature-based recreational opportunities for the public. This Interim Management Plan is intended to identify the key management priorities within the preserve and provide direction for management activities for the next two years. This document is meant to be the precursor to a Final Management Plan, which will outline more specific aspects of site management and public use. The Final Management Plan for this preserve is scheduled to be completed January 2023 and will replace this Interim Management Plan once approved by the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC). Key Interim Management Objectives 1. Protect, manage and restore (as appropriate) the native plant communities on site. Action Plan 1a. Map, prioritize, treat, monitor, and manage invasive, exotic vegetation. 1b. Assess the need for native vegetation restoration through plantings. 1c. Develop a preserve plant list and record notable species observations. 2. Determine necessary actions to provide recreational opportunities within the preserve. Action Plan 2a. Determine suitability of various public use activities given trail conditions (standing water, muddiness, etc.), adjacent residential uses, and natural and cultural resources. 2b. Convert mulched access trails to visitor friendly trails by removing hazards, creating scenic viewpoints, installing benches, kiosks, navigational and interpretive signage. 2c. Install a parking area to accommodate visitors. 3. Determine necessary actions to provide site security for the preserve. Action Plan 3a. Install temporary fencing along Adkins Avenue to exclude trespass by off-road vehicles. 3b. Assess permanent wildlife permeable fencing options for excluding off-road vehicles 3c. Assess gate options to prevent access to parking area between sunset and sunrise 4. Locate and remove debris from the preserve Action Plan 4a. Locate, assess, and map any historical debris located within newly acquired preserve and determine feasibility of removal. 4b. Develop a plan for preventing future preserve boundary dumping. January 2021 Conservation Collier Program SD Corp Preserve Interim Management Plan 4 5. Explore opportunities for grant funding and partnerships Action Plan 5a. Explore possible exotic vegetation removal funding assistance opportunities from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Upland Invasive Plant Management Section (IPMS). 5b. Explore possible acquisition funding assistance opportunities from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Florida Communities Trust Program. 6. Provide opportunities for community stakeholder discussion and feedback for the preserve’s Final Management Plan Action Plan 6a. Notify surrounding property owners and other potential stakeholders of the purchase, host a public meeting with adjacent community members to receive input on management plan and preserve goals. 6b. Coordinate with local community groups to assist in trail development and preserve maintenance. 7. Preserve Use Ordinance Action Plan 7a. The Preserve Use Ordinance No. 2011-38 will apply to the SD Corp Preserve. 2.0 Management Authority and Responsibilities The SD Corp Preserve was acquired in August of 2020. The Preserve is included within the portfolio of properties assigned to the Collier County Conservation Collier Program within the Collier County Parks and Recreation Division. Conservation Collier Program staff are responsible for direct management of all preserve lands and will seek to collaborate and form partnerships with local, state and federal agencies for management assistance; and to obtain various types of grant funding assistance for management activities when possible. 3.0 Site Description 3.1 Location and Site Description The SD Corp Preserve is located at 6371 Adkins Avenue, Naples, FL 34112 south of Adkins Avenue and east of Polly Avenue in Section 16, Township 50S, and Range 26E in the designated Urban Area of Collier County (Exhibit 1, Location Map). The properties may be accessed via Adkins Avenue (Exhibit 2, Aerial Map). The property is made up of two parcels comprising 37 acres in total and are designated entirely as mixed hardwood coniferous habitat coverage (Exhibit 3, Legal Description). The total acreage is 37.16 acres. Table 1: SD Corp Parcel Folios 00425920008 30 acres 00419160007 7.16 acres Total 37.16 acres January 2021 Conservation Collier Program SD Corp Preserve Interim Management Plan 5 3.2 Signage Temporary signs identifying the property as a Conservation Collier Preserve will be posted on Adkins Ave and Polly Ave. Once a parking area and trailhead are established, a formal entrance sign and informational kiosk will be erected. Interpretive signage on wildlife, plants, habitat, and archaeological features will be installed at appropriate intervals along the trail. 3.3 Easements, Concessions or Leases A Collier County Stormwater easement exists along the eastern portion of the property. This easement was acquired by the County in 2016 to construct Stormwater improvements to the Wing South/Sandy Lane Interconnect segment of the Lely Area Stormwater Improvement Project (LASIP) (Exhibit 4). This easement will remain in perpetuity. The SD Corp Preserve is 0.5 miles southwest of designated South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) Conservation Easements, including the 100-acre public Serenity Walk Park. There are no concessions or leases on the preserve parcels, and none are proposed for the future. 3.4 Structures There are currently no known wells, septic tanks or other types of structures on the property. Prior to acquisition, a 1.5-acre portion of the property housed a package wastewater treatment plant for the adjacent Wing South residential development (Exhibit 5). The Wing South residential development and airstrip was built in 1971 along the eastern boundary of the preserve. The wastewater plant structure was demolished and removed from the site in April of 2018 (See Exhibit 6 for location and pictures of the wastewater plant prior to demolition). Prior to acquisition, a Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) was conducted by Tetra Tech for Collier County Parks and Recreation Division, Public Services Department (“The County”). This Phase 1 ESA determined no Recognized Environmental Conditions (RECs) associated with the preserve lands and prior wastewater treatment activities. According to the ESA, the wastewater treatment area was in service from the mid-1970s to about 2000, or approximately 25 years. 3.5 Surrounding and Adjacent Land Uses The SD Corp Preserve is north of Rattlesnake Hammock Rd, west of Collier Blvd, and east of Santa Barbara Blvd off of the rural neighborhood access road of Adkins Avenue. The preserve is surrounded on all four sides by private residential communities. Single family homes on wooded lots exist along the northern and western boundaries of the preserve land. Along the eastern boundary of the preserve is a stormwater easement adjacent to the Wing South Residential Development and private airstrip. It is within 0.5 miles of the Collier County park and public walking trail known as Serenity Walk and protects a portion of an ecological corridor with connection to the Picayune Strand State Forest and a number of SFWMD conservation easements. 4.0 Interim Management Objectives 4.1 Natural Resources Existing Vegetation The Florida Land Cover Classification System defines the Preserve’s plant community as Mixed Hardwood-Coniferous surrounded by various disturbed/developed habitats (Exhibit 7). The January 2021 Conservation Collier Program SD Corp Preserve Interim Management Plan 6 preserve is characterized by a central oak/palm hammock bound by forested wetland hammocks. There are two depressional wetlands, one of manmade origin in the northern portion of the preserve. Understory: Groundcover plants include indigo berry (Randia aculeata), swamp fern (Acrostichum aureum), chain fern (Woodwardia sp.), wood fern (Thelypteris sp.), Southern shield fern (Dryopteris sp.), strap fern (Campyloneurum phyllitidis), thoroughwart (Eupatorium sp.), camphor-weed (Pluchea sp.), beggarticks (Bidens alba), wild coffee (Psychotria nervosa), sawgrass (Cladium jamaicense), clearweed (Pilea asp.), false nettle (Boehmeria cylindrica) and Caesarweed (Urena lobata). Midstory: Native midstory vegetation includes red stopper (Eugenia rhombia), marlberry (Ardisia escallonioides), fire bush (Hamelia patens), pokeweed (Phytolacca americana), Dahoon holly (Ilex cassine), bay (Persea sp.), hog plum (Ximenia americana), wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera), colicwood (Myrsine cubana), buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis), saltbush (Baccharis angustifolia) and willow (Salix caroliniana). There were significant exotic species present in the midstory, here, including Java plum (Syzygium cumini), Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius), earleaf acacia (Acacia auriculiformis), melaleuca (Melaleuca quinquenervia), air potato (Dioscorea bulbifera), yellow elder (Tecoma stans), and umbrella tree (Scheffelera actinophylla). Canopy: Major native canopy trees include cabbage palm (Sabal palmetto), laurel oak (Quercus laurifolia), live oak (Quercus virginiana), slash pine (Pinus ellioti), bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) and Bay (Persea sp). Gumbo limbo (Bursera simaruba), royal palm (Roystonea regia), and strangler fig (Ficus aurea) are scattered throughout the preserve. Invasive species such as melaleuca (Melaleuca quinquenervia), Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius), and Java plum (Syzygium cumini) are the dominant canopy trees in some areas, primarily in the northern portion of the preserve when they form dense stands Listed Plant Species Listed plant species found on site include stiff-leaved wild pine (Tillandsia fasciculata), giant airplant (Tillandsia utriculata) and reflexed wild pine (Tillandsia balbisiana). Table 2: Listed plant species found at SD Corp Preserve Common Name Scientific Name Protection Status FDACS Stiff-leaved wild-pine, Cardinal airplant Tillandsia fasciculata Endangered Reflexed wild-pine, Northern needleleaf Tillandsia balbisiana Threatened Giant airplant Tillandsia utriculata Endangered Unique Natural Features The center of the preserve is dominated by a large hammock with mature oaks and cabbage palms with a dense wild coffee understory. There is a shallow depressional wetland in the northwest corner of the property. January 2021 Conservation Collier Program SD Corp Preserve Interim Management Plan 7 Wildlife Species Table 3: Wildlife species observed or detected at SD Corp Preserve SD Corp Preserve: Documented Wildlife Type Common Name Species Protection Status Mammals bobcat Lynx rufus Florida black bear Ursus americanus floridanus Florida panther Puma concolor coryi Federally Endangered gray squirrel Sciurus carolinensis nine-banded armadillo Dasypus novemcinctus North American river otter Lontra canadensis Ten Thousand Islands raccoon Procyon lotor marinus Virginia opossum Didelphis virginiana white-tailed deer Odocoileus virginianus Birds blue jay Cyanocitta cristata great-crested flycatcher Myiarchus crinitus mottled duck Anas fulvigula mourning dove Zenaida macroura northern cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis northern mockingbird Mimus polyglottos red-bellied woodpecker Melanerpes carolinus Reptiles brown anole Anolis sagrei Florida banded water snake Nerodia pictiventris Table 4: State and federally listed protected wildlife species potentially utilizing SD Corp Preserve SD Corp Preserve: Potential Threatened and Endangered Wildlife Type Common Name Species Protection Status Mammals Big Cypress fox squirrel Sciurus niger avicennia State Threatened Everglades mink Neovison vison evergladensis State Threatened Florida panther Puma concolor coryi Federally Endangered Florida bonneted bat Eumops floridensis Federally Endangered Birds Audubon’s crested caracara Polyborus plancus audubonii Federally Threatened Everglades snail kite Rostrhamus sociabilis plumbeus Federally Endangered Little blue heron Egretta caerulea State Threatened Roseate spoonbill Platalea ajaja State Threatened Tricolored heron Egretta tricolor State Threatened Wood stork Mycteria americana Federally Threatened Reptiles American alligator Alligator mississippiensis Federally Threatened SA Eastern indigo snake Drymarchon corais couperi Federally Threatened Gopher tortoise Gopherus polyphemus State Threatened January 2021 Conservation Collier Program SD Corp Preserve Interim Management Plan 8 4.2 Site Security Based on the location of the SD Corp Preserve, off-road vehicle trespass just south of Adkins Avenue along the western preserve boundary is a potential security concern. A temporary barbed wire fence has been installed along the Adkins Ave boundary to restrict off-road vehicle access. The Preserve provides important wildlife corridor linkages with surrounding conservation lands therefore fencing that impedes wildlife movement is undesirable. A permanent fence/barrier that includes sections that are permeable to wildlife but exclude off-road vehicle access will be installed on the Adkins Ave boundary and surrounding the proposed parking area (Table 6, Exhibit 8). Native vegetation plantings will be utilized to discourage access in unfenced areas. Illegal dumping along the boundaries is a potential concern. Preserve boundaries will be monitored to limit illegal dumping and off-road vehicle trespass. 4.3 Exotic Vegetation Removal and Maintenance Plan Exotic invasive plants present include Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius), earleaf acacia (Acacia auriculiformis), melaleuca (Melaleuca quinquenervia), Java plum (Syzygium cumini) Caesarweed (Urena lobata), citrus (Citrus spp.), air potato (Dioscorea builbifera), lantana (Lantana camera), old world climbing fern (Lygodium microphyllum), Japanese climbing fern (Lygodium japonicum), arrowhead (Syngonium podophyllum), and balsam apple (Momordica charantia). The initial cost of exotic vegetation removal based on cost estimates provided by a contractor who routinely contracts with the County for exotic removal would be approximately $95,000 to treat and remove exotics over the first two years; and to mow along the proposed hiking trails (Table 5). Ongoing maintenance costs following initial treatments are estimated at $8,000 annually. Staff may apply for federal and state funding assistance to assist in the costs of invasive, exotic plant removal within the preserve. The Conservation Collier Program staff will hire contractors to treat the exotic vegetation on the site. Staff will seek assistance from the surrounding community for potential volunteers to supplement contracted exotic maintenance. 4.4 Debris Removal Staff will monitor the preserve boundaries for signs of illegal dumping and erect educational signage and work collaboratively with the Collier County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) to address repeat offenses. Conversations with preserve neighbors indicate that the area surrounding the preserve lands have encountered frequent, historic dumping of machinery parts over the decades. Staff will continue to assess the site for indications of debris piles within the preserve boundary which require removal. In November of 2020, a 1000-foot section of damaged chain link fencing was discovered buried beneath hurricane debris and vegetation overgrowth as well as a number of tires. The entire length of damaged metal debris and overgrown exotic vegetation throughout was cut and removed off-site by a contractor. In future instances, staff will utilize volunteers and contractors to address debris removal issues as they arise. January 2021 Conservation Collier Program SD Corp Preserve Interim Management Plan 9 Table 5: Estimated Cost Table for Land Management Management Element Initial Cost Annual Recurring Costs Comments Exotics Control $95,000 $8,000 Recurring costs are high due to the dense areas of Brazilian pepper Trash and Debris Removal $15,000 + n/a Based on quote for debris removal provided by contractor Total $110,000 + $8,000 *To be determined; cost estimates have not been finalized 4.5 Cultural, Historical and Archeological Resource Protection A due diligence cultural resource assessment conducted by Archaeological and Historical Conservancy, Inc. in April 2017 revealed two black earth midden archaeological sites (“Porque Pig” 8CR710 and “Wing South 1” 8CR1482) within the SD Corp Preserve boundary. This assessment included a pedestrian survey and judgmental shovel testing in 11 identified higher probability target areas. A total of 51 shovel tests were excavated. Fourteen shovel tests were positive for prehistoric material including shell tools, faunal bone, and pottery. This site is potentially eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places due the likelihood that it contains information bearing on an important archaeological research question. It is recommended that the two sites be avoided during ground disturbing activities. Although not ground disturbing, archaeological monitoring was conducted by Archaeological and Historical Conservancy, Inc. on November 19, 2020 during debris removal and initial exotic removal near site 8CR710. No disturbance or artifacts were recorded. The County will notify the Division of Historical Resources immediately if evidence is found to suggest any additional 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. 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 Staff will evaluate needs for protection if any listed wildlife species are found on the property. The locations where listed species are routinely observed will be identified using a global positioning system (GPS) device and mapped to allow staff to monitor them. Staff will also utilize passive monitoring techniques of preserve usage by listed species to document occurrence such as remote- wildlife camera monitoring. Care will be taken when exotic removal treatment occurs to avoid areas with listed plants and to avoid non-target damage with herbicides. Wildlife surveys will be carried out ahead of any major site remediations to determine possible impacts to listed or nesting species. January 2021 Conservation Collier Program SD Corp Preserve Interim Management Plan 10 4.7 Public Access Vegetation and debris have been removed to provide access to the preserve for inspections and land management activities. To avoid additional vegetation removal and construction costs these access trails may be utilized in the future for public hiking, biking, equestrian, and parking (Table 6, Exhibit 8,). This loop trail may be utilized in the future to provide public access to the preserve in the form of a hiking, biking, and potential equestrian trail. In order to establish access opportunities for the public, a parking lot will be installed at the trailhead along Adkins Avenue, along with security fencing, access bollards, trail markers and directional signage. Small areas of exotic vegetation will be manually removed to provide scenic views of the seasonally inundated wetlands along the access trail. Staff will assess the properties potential for further preserve uses such as public hunting and fishing, while taking into consideration the small parcel acreage, safety considerations, adjacent neighbors/airstrip to the preserve lands, and community feedback. Table 6: Estimated Cost Table for Capital Improvements Capital Investment(?) Estimated Initial Cost Comments Hiking Trail $5,000 Install trail and removable bollards Signs $3,200 Entrance, interpretive, and navigational signage Parking Lot $8,000 Gravel lot with curb stops Fence $10,000 Site security along Adkins Ave Automatic Gate $8,000 Provide dawn to dusk access to parking lot Total $34,200 4.8 Site Monitoring and Long-Term Management Plan Monitoring of the site shall consist of invasive exotic vegetation re-treatment and listed-species population surveying. While fire dependent communities exist within the preserve, prescribed fire is unlikely to be utilized as an initial management tool for the preserve due to the proximity of adjacent homesites and historic fire suppression in the surrounding area that has greatly elevated fuel levels. Collier County shall be responsible for property maintenance with tasks contracted out as deemed necessary and management partnerships sought with the surrounding community. The site will be monitored for exotic vegetation re-growth semi-annually for two years following initial treatment. After two years, exotic vegetation will be monitored on a yearly basis. 4.9 Partnerships Staff will seek out partnership opportunities for conservation, protection, education, and funding opportunities. Staff will explore possible land management funding assistance programs for the preserve. These may include but are not limited to grants offered by the USFWS South Florida Coastal Ecosystems Program, USFWS Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program (Conservation Collier Cooperative Agreement Modification would be required), the U.S. Department of Agriculture and/or FWC Upland Weed Management Working Group Funding. Staff will also coordinate with the Collier County Scouts Boy Scouts of America and Girl Scouts of the USA for possible trail enhancement projects. January 2021 Conservation Collier Program SD Corp Preserve Interim Management Plan 11 5.0 Exhibits EXHIBIT 1: Location Map January 2021 Conservation Collier Program SD Corp Preserve Interim Management Plan 12 EXHIBIT 2: 2019 Aerial Map January 2021 Conservation Collier Program SD Corp Preserve Interim Management Plan 13 EXHIBIT 3: Legal Description January 2021 Conservation Collier Program SD Corp Preserve Interim Management Plan 14 EXHIBIT 3 Continued: Legal Description January 2021 Conservation Collier Program SD Corp Preserve Interim Management Plan 15 EXHIBIT 4: Stormwater Easement Adjacent to Preserve January 2021 Conservation Collier Program SD Corp Preserve Interim Management Plan 16 EXHIBIT 5: Historic Wastewater Treatment Area Footprint within Preserve January 2021 Conservation Collier Program SD Corp Preserve Interim Management Plan 17 EXHIBIT 6: Historic Wastewater Treatment Structure Prior to Demolition January 2021 Conservation Collier Program SD Corp Preserve Interim Management Plan 18 EXHIBIT 7: Florida Cooperative Land Cover Vegetative Communities January 2021 Conservation Collier Program SD Corp Preserve Interim Management Plan 19 EXHIBIT 8: Conceptual Visitor Trail, Parking Lot, and Fencing January 2021 Conservation Collier Program SD Corp Preserve Interim Management Plan 20 EXHIBIT 9: Estimated Implementation Timeline N O V 2 0 D E C 2 0 J A N 2 1 F E B 2 1 M A R 2 1 A P R 2 1 M A Y 2 1 J U N 2 1 J U L 2 1 A U G 2 1 S E P 2 1 O C T 2 1 N O V 2 1 D E C 2 1 J A N 2 2 F E B 2 2 M A R 2 2 A P R 2 2 M A Y 2 2 J U N 2 2 J U L 2 2 A U G 2 2 S E P 2 2 O C T 2 2 J A N 2 3 Explore exotic vegetation grants x x x Determine what actions necessary to open site for public use and develop timeline for opening x x Initial Invasive Exotic vegetation removal x x x x x Completion of final management plan x * Timing may also be dependent on whether grant funding is awarded to assist in removal costs.