Agenda 01/23/2024 Item #16A 8 (Conservation Collier Camp Keais Preserve Interim Management Plan 2 year update)01/23/2024
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Recommendation to approve the Conservation Collier Camp Keais Preserve Interim Management Plan 2-
year update under the Conservation Collier Program.
OBJECTIVE: To obtain approval from the Board of County Commissioners (Board) for the 2-year update to the
Camp Keais Preserve Interim Management Plan.
CONSIDERATIONS: The 32.5-acre Preserve was acquired between December 2008 and June 2009. With
subsequent updates, the approved plan has been operational for the Camp Keais Preserve. The Board last approved
an extended interim Management Plan on January 26, 2021, Agenda Item 16.D.3.
Updates to the plan include minor revisions to dates and text. No substantial revisions have been made. The
Conservation Collier Land Acquisition Advisory Committee (CCLAAC) reviewed and recommended Board
approval of the updated plan on October 4, 2023.
FISCAL IMPACT: This preserve is not actively managed due to its remote location. Therefore, no funds are
spent on the management of this preserve.
GROWTH MANAGEMENT IMPACT: No growth management impact is associated with this item.
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS: Conservation Collier Ordinance (No. 2002-63, as amended), Section 14, provides
a legal framework for the development of management plans and for the use of environmentally sensitive lands.
This item is approved for form and legality and requires a majority vote for Board action. -SAA
RECOMMENDATION: To approve the attached, updated 2-year Interim Management Plan for Camp Keais
Preserve and to direct staff to implement the updated plan.
Prepared by: Sutton Maehr, Environmental Specialist I, Growth Management Department
ATTACHMENT(S)
1. Camp Keais Strand Preserve Interim Management Plan (PDF)
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01/23/2024
COLLIER COUNTY
Board of County Commissioners
Item Number: 16.A.8
Doc ID: 27471
Item Summary: Recommendation to approve the Conservation Collier Camp Keais Preserve Interim Management
Plan 2-year update under the Conservation Collier Program.
Meeting Date: 01/23/2024
Prepared by:
Title: Technician – Development Review
Name: Lucia Martin
12/11/2023 11:54 AM
Submitted by:
Title: Environmental Specialist –
Name: Jaime Cook
12/11/2023 11:54 AM
Approved By:
Review:
Development Review Summer BrownAraque Additional Reviewer Completed 12/12/2023 8:26 AM
Transportation Management Operations Support Evelyn Trimino Additional Reviewer Completed
12/26/2023 10:02 AM
Operations & Regulatory Management Michael Stark Additional Reviewer Completed 12/26/2023 5:25 PM
Unknown Jaime Cook Division Director Completed 01/04/2024 2:21 PM
Growth Management Community Development Department Diane Lynch Department Review Completed
01/04/2024 5:13 PM
County Attorney's Office Sally Ashkar Level 2 Attorney Review Completed 01/05/2024 8:09 AM
Growth Management Community Development Department James C French Growth Management Completed
01/09/2024 2:07 PM
Office of Management and Budget Debra Windsor Level 3 OMB Gatekeeper Review Completed 01/10/2024 8:24 AM
County Attorney's Office Jeffrey A. Klatzkow Level 3 County Attorney's Office Review Completed 01/10/2024 10:41 AM
Office of Management and Budget Laura Zautcke Additional Reviewer Completed 01/12/2024 12:34 PM
County Manager's Office Ed Finn Level 4 County Manager Review Completed 01/16/2024 5:42 PM
Board of County Commissioners Geoffrey Willig Meeting Pending 01/23/2024 9:00 AM
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Conservation Collier
Camp Keais Strand Project Parcels
Extended Interim Management Plan
Fourth Extension
Revised September 2023
Prepared By:
Collier County’s Conservation Collier Program
Development Review Division
3300 Santa Barbara Blvd.
Naples, FL 34116
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Table of Contents
1.0 Purpose and Scope of the Interim Management Plan………………………… 3
2.0 Management Authority and Responsibilities ……………………………….. 3
3.0 Interim Site Plan ………………………………………………………….… 4
3.1 Location and Site Description ………………………………………. 4
3.2 Signage……………………………….………………..……………. 4
3.3 Easements, Concessions or Leases …………………………………… 4
3.4 Structures………………………………………………………..…… 4
3.5 Surrounding and Adjacent Land Uses…………………………………. 4
4.0 Interim Management Objectives ………………………………………….… 5
4.1 Natural Resource Protection…………………………………….…… 5
4.2 Site Security……………………….………………………...………. 7
4.3 Exotic Vegetation Removal and Maintenance Plan……………….….. 7
4.4 Cultural, Historical and Archaeological Resource Protection...……… 7
4.5 Public Access……………………………………….………….….... 7
4.6 Site Monitoring Plan………………………………………..…..…… 7
4.7 Partnerships…………………………………………………………. 7
5.0 Exhibits……………………………………………………………………..… 8
EXHIBIT 1: Location Map
EXHIBIT 2: Aerial Map
EXHIBIT 3: Zoning Overlay
EXHIBIT 4: SFWMD and Conservancy Ownerships
EXHIBIT 5: Estimated Cost Table
EXHIBIT 6: Implementation Timeline
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1.0 Purpose and Scope of the Interim Management Plan
The Camp Keais Strand project consists of 6 parcels totaling 32.5 acres within the linear wetland
feature known as Camp Keais Strand. The Strand is a Rural Lands Stewardship Area (RLSA)
Flowway Stewardship Area (FSA). Three of the parcels are contiguous and three are non-
contiguous. The properties were acquired between December 2008 and June 2009 for $2,500 per
acre. Because there is no legal access established to the properties and physical access to this area
is dangerous and difficult, staff has not visited the properties other than to view them from above
by airplane.
Folios and acreage:
•00229080005 – 5 acres
•00228760009 – 10 acres
•00229880001 – 2.5 acres
•00231080006 – 5 acres
•00230240009 – 5 acres
•00229720006 – 5 acres
This extended interim management plan is intended to comply with the Conservation Collier
ordinance which requires that an Interim Management Plan (IMP) be prepared, though lack of
access to the properties prohibits staff from developing a plan for management actions. This
extended IMP is also intended to be a means for revisiting these parcels every two years to
determine if circumstances have changed and access for management is warranted and effective
and efficient management actions can be taken to benefit these parcels. This document is intended
to be the precursor to a final management plan, in the event that access can be developed.
Key Interim Management Objectives:
1.Monitor the native habitat on site via yearly aerial photography
2.Explore opportunities for sale to or partnerships with another conservation agency or
organization
Action Plan
1a. Review aerials as they become available annually from the Collier County Property
Appraiser’s Office to determine if there have been any changes to the area and if
access potential has changed. Document any changes.
2a. Make contact with other conservation agencies and organizations with a presence in
Collier County to determine if transfer to another agency for perpetual conservation
would be appropriate. If such potential is realized, approach the Board of County
Commissioners for direction. Contact SFWMD and the Conservancy of Southwest
Florida annually to determine if there is potential for access or partnership of some kind
for monitoring.
2.0 Management Authority and Responsibilities
The Collier County Development Review Division, Conservation Collier Program, will be solely
responsible for the Camp Keais Strand project until determination of another course of action.
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3.0 Interim Site Plan
3.1 Location and Site Description
The Camp Keais Strand project parcels are located south of Oil Well Road and east of
Desoto Boulevard in Sections 31 and 32, Township 48 South, Range 29 East. They are
situated within the Camp Keais Strand, a linear wetland feature that extends from Lake
Trafford on the north and flows south through lands designated in the Collier County Land
Development Code (Sec. 4.08.02) as the Rural Lands Stewardship RLSA Zoning Overlay
District. Within this district, lands are further designated as Stewardship Sending Areas
(SSA) and Stewardship Receiving Areas (SRA), and further into flowway and habitat
stewardship areas. These parcels are within SSA/flowway Stewardship designated lands.
The parcels are located outside of lands with overlay zoning of Special Treatment (ST) and
not within the County’s Natural Resource Protection Areas (NRPA). Surrounding lands
are zoned as agricultural and mostly owned in section-sized parcels and farmed by
agribusiness.
The Camp Keais Strand carries surface water from the Lake Trafford and Corkscrew
Swamp areas southward through the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge and the
Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park into the Gulf of Mexico at the Ten Thousand
Islands National Wildlife Refuge in Collier County, Florida.
To the best of staff knowledge as observed in airplane flyover in 2008, the parcels are
comprised of cypress forest, freshwater marsh and mesic pine flatwood vegetation
communities.
3.2 Signage
Signage is not necessary at present because the parcels are very remote and there is no
known public visitation occurring.
3.3 Easements, Concessions or Leases
There are no known Easements, Concessions or Leases on the parcels owned by Collier
County.
3.4 Structures
No structures are known to be currently present on the parcels. No structures will be
erected within the time span of this interim management plan.
3.5 Surrounding and Adjacent Land Uses
Lands directly adjacent to the acquired Camp Keais project parcels are within the Camp
Keais Strand and are all undeveloped wetlands. Lands within surrounding sections are a
mixture of farmed and undeveloped natural lands. Most of the land in the vicinity is owned
by large agribusiness in section-sized parcels. The exception is that portions of the two
Sections where these parcels are located, Sections 31 and 32, have been subdivided into
parcels sized from under 1 acre to 80 acres which are owned by private individuals and
organizations.
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The Conservancy of SW Florida owns 20 acres in Section 32, some of which are adjacent
to the Conservation Collier parcels. In 2007 the South Florida Water Management District
(SFWMD) acquired 60 acres of fee simple lands in Section 31, just west of the westernmost
parcel in the Camp Keais project. See Exhibit 4 for map of SFWMD and Conservancy of
SW Florida-owned parcels.
The SFWMD, along with all other Florida Water Management Districts, underwent an
assessment of its fee-owned land holdings during 2013 in order to determine which parcels
met its mission–critical responsibilities. Lands that were determined not to directly support
the SFWMD’s core mission could be considered for alternative uses or recommended for
surplus. A public evaluation process included the 60 acres owned by SFWMD in Camp
Keais Strand. The Summary of comments and recommendations resulting were that the
60 acres “may be good candidates for exchange with Collier County.” As part of the
assessment, SFWMD staff noted that the parcels lack any means of direct access and are
consequently difficult to manage.
4.0 Interim Management Objectives
4.1 Natural Resource Protection
Existing Vegetation:
Staff used two methods to determine native plant communities present: review of South
Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) electronic databases for Department of
Transportation’s Florida Land Use, Cover and Forms (FLUCCS) (1994/1995); and
photos from an airplane flyover in 2008.
The electronic database identified:
•FLUCCS 621 – Cypress
•FLUCCS 641 – Freshwater marsh
•FLUCCS 643 – Wet prairie
•FLUCCS 624 – Cypress-pine-cabbage palm
•FLUCCS 617 – Mixed wetland hardwoods
•FLUCCS 411 – Pine flatwood
The following native plant communities were observed during airplane flyover:
•FLUCCS 621 – Cypress
•FLUCCS 641 – Freshwater marsh
•FLUCCS 411 – Pine flatwood
Unique Natural Features: The parcels lie within areas containing surface wetlands and cypress strands. Particular features are not known.
Possible Listed Plant Species: Based on the Florida Natural Areas Inventoryonline Florida Biodiversity Matrix (2020) http://www.fnai.org/biointro.cfm, thefollowing plants are likely or potentially present on the Camp Keais parcels:
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Common name Scientific name State
Rank
State Listing Federal
Listing
nodding pinweed Lechea cernua S3 T n/a
clamshell orchid Encyclia cochleata var. triandra S2 E n/a
Small’s flax Linum carteri var. smallii S1 E n/a
celestial lilly Nemastylis floridana S2 E n/a
ghost orchid Dendrophylax lindenii S2 E n/a
Florida royal palm Roystonea regia S2 E n/a
S2-State imperiled; S3-State rare, restricted or otherwise vulnerable to extinction; E-Endangered; T-Threatened
Documented Listed Wildlife Species: Based on the Florida Natural Areas Inventory
online Florida Biodiversity Matrix (2020), the following wildlife species are
documented:
Common name Scientific name State
Rank
State Listing Federal
Listing
Florida panther Puma concolor coryi S1 E E
S1-State critically imperiled; E-Endangered
Possible Listed Wildlife Species: Based on the Florida Natural Areas Inventory online Florida Biodiversity Matrix (2020), the following wildlife species are either likely or potentially present on the Camp Keais parcels:
Common name Scientific name State
Rank
State Listing Federal
Listing
Florida black bear Ursus americanus floridanus n/a n/a n/a
wood stork Mycteria americana S2 E E
Florida burrowing owl Athene cunicularia floridana S3 T n/a
eastern indigo snake Drymarchon couperi S3 T T
little blue heron Egretta caerulea S4 SSC n/a
snowy egret Egretta thula S3 SSC n/a
Florida bonneted bat Eumops floridanus S1 E E
gopher tortoise Gopherus polyphemus S3 T C
red-cockaded
woodpecker
Picoides borealis S2 E E
snail kite Rostrhamus sociabilis plumbeus S2 E E
Rafinesque's Big-eared
Bat
Corynorhinus rafinesquii S2 n/a n/a
Swallow-tailed Kite Elanoides forficatus S2 n/a n/a
Florida Long-tailed
Weasel
Mustela frenata peninsulae S3 n/a n/a
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Florida Scrub Lizard Sceloporus woodi S2S3 n/a n/a
Mangrove Fox Squirrel Sciurus niger avicennia S2 T n/a
S1-State critically imperiled; S2-State imperiled; S3-State rare, restricted or otherwise vulnerable to extinction; S4-
State apparently secure; E-Endangered; T-Threatened; SSC-Species of Special Concern
4.2 Site Security
No site security measures are planned.
4.3 Exotic Vegetation Removal and Maintenance Plan
Exotics will not be managed on these parcels due to access difficulties, wetland conditions
and the presence of significant surrounding seed source. Once exotic management starts,
it must be continued or exotics will re-grow rapidly. Until reasonable access can be secured
and it is determined that ongoing exotic maintenance is feasible and warranted no land
management or maintenance will occur.
4.4 Cultural, Historical and Archeological Resource Protection
The Camp Keais Strand parcels are not within an area of historical and archaeological
probability, and no historical or archaeological sites appear to be present in the property.
The County will notify the Division of Historical Resources immediately if evidence is
found to suggest any archaeological or historic resources are present on County-owned
lands. If such properties 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).
The collection of artifacts or the disturbance of archaeological and historic sites within the
Camp Keais Strand parcels will be prohibited unless prior authorization has been obtained
from the Collier County Board of County Commissioners and the Department of State,
Division of Historical Resources.
4.5 Public Access
Public access is not possible at this time due to the remote location and lack of access
roads.
4.6 Site Monitoring Plan
Monitoring of the parcels shall consist of review of aerial photographs annually to
determine if there have been any changes.
4.7 Partnerships
The SFWMD and the Conservancy of Southwest Florida are potential partners.
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5.0 Exhibits
EXHIBIT 1: Location Map
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EXHIBIT 2: Aerial Map
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EXHIBIT 3: Zoning Overlay Map
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EXHIBIT 4: SFWMD and Conservancy Ownerships
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EXHIBIT 5: Estimated Cost Table
Management Element Initial Cost Annual
Recurring
Costs
Comments
Exotics Control tbd tbd The extent of exotic
infestation is unknown
as the property is
inaccessible
Conservation Collier
signs
0 Signs are not necessary
as the parcels are
inaccessible
Total tbd tbd Management is not
feasible at this time
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EXHIBIT 6: Estimated Implementation Time Line
Monitoring Site
Visit
Seek
Partnerships
Exotic Plant
Treatment
Completion of final management plan (or update of
interim management plan if acquired parcels are
still scattered)
Oct-23
Jan-24
April-24
July-24 x
Oct-24
Jan-25
April-25
July-25 x
Oct-25 x
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