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Agenda 07/25/2023 Item #16A 9 (Budget Amendment within Conservation Maintenance Fund for Railhead Scrub Preserve)16.A.9 07/25/2023 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Recommendation for the Board of County Commissioners to authorize a Budget Amendment in the amount of $91,437.50 within the Conservation Collier Maintenance Fund (1062) for the Railhead Scrub Preserve habitat enhancement project. OBJECTIVE: To obtain authorization for a budget amendment to fund Railhead Scrub Preserve gopher habitat enhancement project consistent with recommendations and best management practices provided by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). CONSIDERATION: The Conservation Collier Railhead Scrub Preserve is a 132-acre nature preserve in North Naples protecting some of the County's last remaining rare rosemary scrub habitat. This site supports one of the most abundant, local state -imperiled gopher tortoise populations, as well as rare, endemic scrub plants, and is a sought-after location statewide for research due to the unique nature of the habitat and the species supported within the preserve. Rosemary scrub and the surrounding mesic flatwoods, marsh, and oak scrub plant communities are fire dependent. Due to the urban nature of this preserve, fire has historically been excluded from the site resulting in an overgrowth of vegetation and a reduction in habitat conditions that favor listed species like the gopher tortoise. On County properties where fire has historically been excluded that support fire -dependent plant and animal species, restoration efforts have been undertaken by mechanical reduction to simulate the restoration effects typically achieved through prescribed burning. Railhead Scrub is adjacent to the Phase II Veteran's Memorial Blvd Extension Project footprint. The boundary of Railhead Scrub Preserve incorporates parcels to the north and south of the planned roadway project. Due to the proposed roadway expansion and permitting requirements, the northern six acres of the parcel west of the railroad tracks will be excluded from restoration activities as a part of this budget amendment. FISCAL IMPACT: A Budget Amendment (BA) in the amount of $91,437.50 is required to reallocate funding between maintenance cost centers 178977 and 178998 (Gore & Small Preserves) to 178995 (Railhead Preserve) within the Conservation Collier Maintenance Fund (1062). Funds are available due to maintenance projects being rescheduled. GROWTH MANAGEMENT IMPACT: No growth management impact is associated with this item. LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS: This item was reviewed and approved by the County Attorney, raises no legal issues, and requires a majority vote for approval. -JAK RECOMMENDATION: To authorize a budget amendment totaling $91,437.50 for a habitat enhancement project at the Railhead Scrub Preserve to be completed by Earth Tech Environmental LLC through Contract 21-7903. Prepared by: Molly DuVall, Environmental Specialist II, Growth Management Division Packet Pg. 264 16.A.9 07/25/2023 COLLIER COUNTY Board of County Commissioners Item Number: 16.A.9 Doe ID: 25673 Item Summary: Recommendation for the Board of County Commissioners to authorize a Budget Amendment in the amount of $91,437.50 within the Conservation Collier Maintenance Fund (1062) for the Railhead Scrub Preserve gopher tortoise habitat enhancement project. Meeting Date: 07/25/2023 Prepared by: Title: — Operations & Regulatory Management Name: Monica Leon 05/31/2023 10:00 AM Submitted by: Title: Director - Operations Support GMCD — Operations & Regulatory Management Name: Michael Stark 05/31/2023 10:00 AM Approved By: Review: Growth Management Community Development Department Diane Lynch Transportation Management Operations Support Evelyn Trimino Operations & Regulatory Management Michael Stark Division Director Growth Management Community Development Department Jaime Cook Growth Management Community Development Department James C French Office of Management and Budget County Attorney's Office Office of Management and Budget County Manager's Office Board of County Commissioners Debra Windsor Level 3 OMB Gatekeeper Review Jeffrey A. Klatzkow Level 3 County Attorney's Office Review Blanca Aquino Luque Additional Reviewer Amy Patterson Level 4 County Manager Review Geoffrey Willig Meeting Pending Growth Management DepartmentCompleted 06/01/2023 6:02 PM Additional Reviewer Completed 06/01/2023 9:32 PM Completed 06/03/2023 2:23 PM Additional Reviewer Completed 06/07/2023 1:26 PM Growth Management Completed 06/07/2023 5:10 PM Completed 06/12/2023 1:00 PM Completed 06/14/2023 10:59 AM Completed 06/19/2023 10:27 AM Completed 07/19/2023 2:55 PM 07/25/2023 9:00 AM Packet Pg. 265