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Agenda 05/10/2011 Item #16E4 5/10/2011 Item 16.EA. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Recommendation to approve, and authorize the Chairman to sigu, Gopher Tortoise Short-Term Protected Recipient Site Permit Number GTSR-ll-00003, the Conservation Collier Caracara Prairie Preserve Gopher Tortoise Recipient Site Policy Resolution, and the Interlocal Agreement between Collier County and Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed Land and Water Trust OBJECTIVE: To develop a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) gopher tortoise recipient site within Caracara Prairie Preserve for tortoises displaced by Collier County development. CONSIDERATIONS: At its June 23, 2009 meeting (Item J6E9) the Board of County Commissioners (Board), authorized an application to FWC to certify a portion of the Conservation Collier Caracara Prairie Preserve as a gopher tortoise recipient site. Permit Number GTSR- J J -00003 designates 90.78 acres within the Preserve as a FWC Short-term Protected Recipient Site, and Board approval of the pemlit will allow for the relocation of up to 44 gopher tortoises. FWC guidelines provide that gopher tortoises may be relocated from within a J OO-mile radius; however, the Conservation Collier Land Acquisition Advisory Committee (CCLAAC) recommended that the Caracara Prairie Preserve Recipient Site be limited to tortoises displaced by development solely within the geographic boundaries of Collier County. The policy applies to tortoises affected by public and private development with the percentage of relocated tortoises from private development limited to 75% of the total relocations. An annual review will determine the plan's effectiveness. At its February 14, 2011 meeting, CCLAAC unanimously recommended that the Board accept the Caracara Prairie Preserve Gopher TOI1oise Short-term Protected Recipient Site Policy to facilitate the relocation of displaced tortoises. Collier County and Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed Land and Water Trust (CREW) own the Caracara Prairie Preserve. The InterJocal Agreement relieves CREW of management responsibilities within the Preserve and authorizes the County to use CREW's 5.6% pOI1ion of the Preserve as the recipient site. FISCAL IMP ACT: Expenses in the amount of $39,725 have been paid from the Conservation Collier Land Management Fund (174) for permit preparation and site work required to create a gopher tortoise recipient site. These expenses were above and beyond the typical Conservation Collier land management activities anticipated for Caracara Prairie Preserve. The relocation of 44 toI1oises from public Donor Sites to Caracara Prairie Preserves will generate a total revcnue of $39,820 in Receiving Fees. This revenue will completely offset the expense of creating the gophcr tortoise recipient site. Tortoises relocated from private Donor Sites will generate an additional Recciving Fee revenue of $415 per tortoise. Any additional Receiving Fee revenue will offset the costs of typical Conservation Collier land management activities at Caracara Prairie Preserve. Staff time, in the amount of $2,000. will also be required to facilitate and monitor each gopher tortoise relocation event. As a result, both public and private Donor Sites will be required to pay Collier County a Relocation Fee of $2,000 for each gopher tortoise relocation event. LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS: This item is legally sufficient and requires a majority vote. STW GROWTH MANAGEMENT IMPACT: This item supports Objective 1.1, which requires the County to continue to develop and implement a comprehensive environmental management and conservation program, which will ensure that the natural resources, including State and Federally listed animal species, of Collier County are properly, appropriately, and effectively identified. managed. and protected. Packet Page -828- 5/10/2011 Item 16.EA. RECOMMENDATION: That the Board of County Commissioners approves, and authorizes the Chainnan to sign, Short-Term Protected Gopher Tortoise Recipient Site Pennit Number GTSR-11-00003, the Conservation Collier Caracara Prairie Preserve Gopher Tortoise Recipient Site Policy Resolution. and the Interlocal Agreement between Collier County and Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed Land and Water Trust. Prepared By: Melissa Hennig, Principal Environmental Specialist, Department of Facilities Management Attachments: 1. Short- Tenn Protected Gopher Tortoise Recipient Site Pemlit Number GTSR-l ] -00003 2. Conservation Collier Caracara Prairie Preserve Gopher Tortoise Recipient Site Policy Resolution 3. lnterlocal Agreement between Collier County and CREW Packet Page -829- 5/10/2011 Item 16.E.4. COLLIER COUNTY Board of County Commissioners Item Number: 16.E.4. Item Summary: Recommendation to approve, and authorize the Chairman to sign, Gopher Tortoise Short-Term Protected Recipient Site Permit Number GTSR-ll-00003, the Conservation Collier Caracara Prairie Preserve Gopher Tortoise Recipient Site Policy Resolution, and the Interlocal Agreement between Collier County and Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed Land and Water Trust Meeting Date: 5/10/2011 Prepared By Name: HennigMelissa Title: Environmental Specialist, Principal,Facilities Management 4/22/2011 II: 15:33 AM Submitted by Title: Environmental Specialist, Principal,Facilities Management Name: HennigMelissa 4/22/201Ill:15:34AM Approved By Name: SmithKristen Title: Administrative Secretary, Risk Management Date: 4/22/201 I 11:47:11 AM Name: CampSkip Title: Director - Facilities Managemenl.Facilities Manage Date: 4/25/20 II 8:31 :32 AM Name: WilliamsSteven Title: Assistant County All0l11ey,County Attorney Date: 4/26/2011 8:26:34 AM Name: Price Len Title: Administrator - Administrative Services, Packet Page -830- Date: 4/28/20] 1 5:35:30 PM Name: WilIiamsSteven Title: Assistant County Attorney,County Attorney Date: 4/29/2011 3:38:03 PM Name: StanleyTherese Title: ManagementlBudget Analyst, Senior,Office of Management & Budget Date: 4/30/2011 11 :47:30 AM Name: KlatzkowJeff Title: County Attorney, Date: 5/2/2011 4:04:44 PM Name: OchsLeo Title: County Manager Date: 5/3/2011 10: 18:59 AM Packet Page -831- 5/10/2011 Item 16.EA. Permittee Name: Permittee Address: Agent Name: Agent Address: 5/10/2011 Item 16.E.4. Gopher Tortoise Recipient Site (For Short-Term h VLC..LCU VI Unprotected Sites) FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION Division of Habitat and Species Conservation Species Conservation Planning Section 620 South Meridian Street, Mail Station 2A Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1600 (850) 410-0656 ext. 17327 Conservation Collier Program 3301 Tamiaml Trail E NAPLES, FLORIDA 34112 UNITED STATES Permit Number: GTSR-ll-00003 Effective Date: April 15, 2011 Expiration Date: April 15, 2013 Melissa Hennig Collier County Board of County Commissioners 3335 Tamiami Trail, East, Suite 101 NAPLES, FLORIDA 34112 UNITED STATES IS AUTHORIZED TO: receive and release gopher tortoises within the recipient site specified below, subject to the following conditions and provisions. AUTHORIZED LOCATION(S): 90.78-acre Caracara Prairie Preserve located at 2320 Corkscrew Road (T46S,R28E,S30; with Latitude 260 26' 40.56'N Longitude 81033' 30.17'W). Collier County. Permittee Signature: Date: Not valid unless signed. By signature, confirms that ail information provided to issue the permit is accurate and complete, and indicates acceptance and understanding of the provisions and conditions listed below. Any false statements or misrepresentations when applying for this permit may result in felony charges and will result in revocation of this per.mit. Authorized By: Authorizing Signature: Richard McCann Authorized for: Nick Wiley, Executive Director .C'. /, Date: 04/15/2011 Species Conservation Planning Section PERMIT CONDITIONS AND PROVISIONS: 1 Authorization to conduct the specified activities in association with the relocation of gopher tortoises in Florida are subject to Rules 68A-9.002 and 68A-27 F.A.C., the Gopher Tortoise Permitting Guidelines (April 2008 - revised June 2010). and subsequent revisions of these guidelines that are in effect at the time the authorized activities are conducted, and subject to the following provisions/conditions. PERMIT NO. GTSR-1I-00003 Page: 1,' 3 Packet Page -832- 5/10/2011 Item 16.E.4. 2 Up to 44 gopher tortoises may be received at and relocated into the estimated 53.43 acres of tortoise habitat contained within the 90.78-acre Caracara Prairie Preserve identified above. All tortoises must be soft-reieased into temporary enclosures in accordance with the enclosure methods described in the Gopher Tortoise Permitting Guidelines (April 2008 - revised June 2010). Applications to amend this permit to authorize relocations of gopher tortoises to other units within this recipient site will be evaluated and acted upon by the FWC under the permitting guidelines and provisions/conditions in place at the time of application. Specific areas within other units that are proposed to receive relocated tortoises will also be evaluated for their suitability during the application review process. 3 Certification of the recipient site is otherwise predicated and conditioned on the information and assurances provided in the Permittee's 01/04/2011 application (supplemented on 01/21/2011, 02/16/2011,02/22/2011,03/18/2011 and 04/11/2011), the assurances of which are herein incorporated by reference. 4 The permittee shall have the obligation to manage and maintain habitat for gopher tortoises in accordance with the Caracara Prairie Preserve (a.k.a. Starnes Tract) Gopher Tortoise Recipient Site Management Plan - August 2010 (revised January 2011) that has been approved by the FWC. 5 The Permittee shall keep written records of all the habitat management activities conducted within, and all tortoises relocated into the recipient site. Upon request of the FWC, these records shall beprovided to the Gopher Tortoise Permitting Coordinator at the letterhead address. 6 All tortoises accepted and received at the recipient site must be covered under a valid FWC permit that specifically authorizes the relocation of those animals to this site. 7 Tortoises shall not be received and released on days for which the overnight low temperature for that day and the two consecutive days thereafter are forecasted by the U.S. National Weather Service to be below 50oF. This 3-day window of milder overnight temperatures is to allow the relocated tortoises to settle into the recipient site. 8 Permittee shall not accept gopher tortoises that show signs of disease (i.e., nasal and ocular discharge, emaciation, etc.). The Permittee should direct individuals that bring symptomatic tortoises to the recipient site to alternatively release those tortOises back within the donor/capture site; transport them to an FWC licensed wildlife rehabilitation center (list available upon request) or licensed veterinary facility for quarantine and observation for recovery and subsequent relocation; transport and donate them to an FWC permitted disease research program; or have them humanely euthanized by a licensed veterinarian when disease is advanced. 9 This permit does not authorize Permittee access to any publiC or private properties. Any required permission must be secured from the appropriate landholders prior to undertaking any work on such properties. 10 This permit is subject to revocation at any time pursuant to Chapter 120, Florida Statutes. It is non- transferable and must be readily available for Inspection at all times while engaging in the permitted activities. 11 The activities authorized under this Permit may be carried out by authorized personnel or contractors of the Permittee or the designated Authorized Gopher Tortoise Agent (Agent)/Consultant, provided all such activities are under the direct supervision and responsibility of the Permittee or Agent/Consuitant. The Permittee and Agent/Consultant shall be as fuily responsible for any such activities to the same extent as if they had themselves carried out those activities under this Permit. 12 Either this anginal permit, or a complete copy, must be clearly posted at the affected site at all times while engaged in the permitted tortoises relocation activities. 13 The Permittee, by signing this permit, specifically agrees to allow authorized Commission personnel, upon presentation of credentials as may be required by law I access to the recipient site, at reasonable times, for the purpose of inspecting the relocation and release activities authorized under this permit. PERMIT NO. GTSR-l1-00003 Page: 2,' 3 Packet Page -833- 5/10/2011 Item 16.EA. 14 After the first tortoises are received for release at this site, the Permittee shouid submit a monthiy summary report to the FWC for each month that gopher tortoises are received. The report should include the numbers of tortoises relocated and released within the recipient site, by each relocation authorization permit number, and be sent to the Gopher Tortoise Permit Coordinator at the letterhead address. A person whose substantial interests are affected by FWC's action may petition for an administrative proceeding (hearing) under sections 120.569 and 120.57 of the Florida Statutes. A person seeking a hearing on FWC's action shall file a petition for hearing with the agency within 21 days of receipt of written notice of the decision. The petition must contain the information and otherwise comply with section 120.569, Florida Statutes, and the uniform rules of the Florida Division of Administration, chapter 28-106, Florida Administrative Code. Upon such notification, the Permittee shall cease all work authorized by this permit until the petition is resolved. The enclosed Explanation of Rights statement provides additional information as to the rights of parties whose substantial interests are or may be affected by this action. PERMIT NO. GTSR-l1-00003 Page: 3/3 Packet Page -834- 5/10/2011 Item 16.EA. INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN COLLIER COUNTY AND CORKSCREW REGIONAL ECOSYSTEM WATERSHED LAND AND WATER TRUST CARACARA PRAIRIE PRESERVE This Agreement is entered upon this day of , 2011, by COLLIER COUNTY, a political subdivision of the State of Florida, its successors and assigns, (hereinafter referred to as "COUNTY"), whose address is 3299 Tamiami Trail East, Naples, FL 34112, and CORKSCREW REGIONAL ECOSYSTEM WATERSHED LAND AND WATER TRUST, INCORPORATED, a Florida non-profit corporation, (hereinafter referred to as "CREW"), whose address is 23998 Corkscrew Road, Estero. FL 33928. WITNESSETH WHEREAS, the COUNTY owns an undivided ninety-four point four (94.4%) percent interest of that certain tract of lands situated in Collier County, Florida, and more specifically described in Exhibit "A" attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference ("Property"); and WHEREAS, CREW owns an undivided five point six (5.6%) percent interest of the Property; and WHEREAS, the COUNTY IS in the process of using the Property to establish the Caracara Prairie Preserve Short-Term Protected Gopher Tortoise Recipient Site ("Recipient Site") which will provide permanent conservation and protection for the state-listed gopher tortoise. NOW. THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration. the COUNTY and CREW hereby mutuallyaf,,'Tee: 1. That CREW authorizes the COUNTY to unconditionally use its undivided five point six (5.6%) percent interest of the Propcrty for the purposes of creating the Recipient Site. , That all the terms herein contained run \'lith the land and shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective executors. administrators. personal representatives. hcirs. successors. and assigns. 3. That CREW has no liability or responsibility for the state of the property, including but not iimited to compliance with the terms and conditions of the Recipient Site Management Plan and Pem1it. 4. That CREW will not bcnefit in any way trom the Recipient Site, nor assume the responsibility for the Recipient Silc or the funding oflhe Recipient Site. Packet Page -835- 5/10/2011 Item 16.EA. IN WITNESS WHEREOF. the COUNTY has hereunto set its unauthorized hand and seal as of this date and year first abow written. ATTEST: DWIGHT E. BROCK, CLERK BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF COLLIER COUNTY. FLORIDA By: FRED W. COYLE, CHAIRMAN , DEPUTY CLERK Approval j()r form and legal Sufficiency: '\ ,~......\. \\ LJ I1..JV~ .lennif&B. White Assistant County Attorney AS TO CREW: DATED: CORKSCREW REGIONAL ECOSYSTEM WATERSIlED LAl\D AND WATER TRUST. INCORPORATED. a Florida nonprofit corporation WITNESSES: (Signature) (Printed Name)~__.__~ BY:~ 13illl aml1lond, Chairl1lal~-- '- .- ( S i gnalure) (prinled7~1 . ~>~ . lCp 1e~;-A. Walker. Esq. Approvcd as to t()f11l and legal suf1iciencv: Packet Page -836- 5/10/2011 Item 16.EA. EXHIHIT A PROPERTY TAX IDENTIFICATION !\!UMBER: 00053080006 LEGAL DESCRIPTlO1\: WEST HALF (W1/2) OF SECTION 30, TOWNSHIP 46 SOUTH, R/I.NGE 28 EAST. OF COLLIER COUNTY. FLORIDA. AND PROPERTY TAX IDENTIFICATION NUMBER: 00053080200 LEGAL DESCRIl'TION: 1\ORTIl\\EST QlARTLR (N\V] 41 OF NORTHEAST QUARTER (NE]/4i OF SECTlO!\! 30. TOW\:SIlIP 46 SOl:TI L RANGE 28 EAST. OF COLLIER COU\TY. FLORID,\. Packet Page -837- 5/10/2011 Item 16.E.4. RESOLUTION NO. 2011 . A RESOLUTION ADOPTING A POLICY AND FEE SCHEDULE TO GOVERN THE OPERATION OF THE CARACARA PRAIRIE PRESERVE GOPHER TORTOISE RECIPIENT SITE. WHEREAS, on June 23, 2009 (Agenda Item 16E9), the Board of County Commissioners of Collier County, Florida authorized the Caracara Prairie Preserve, formerly known as the Starnes Property, to become a Gopher Tortoise Recipient Site; and WHEREAS, the need exists to establish a policy and fce schedule to govern the operation of the Caracara Prairie Preserve Gopher Tortoise Recipient Site. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA, that the attached Policy and Fee Schedule be and hereby are declared to be the Policy and Fee Schedule which shall henceforth govern the administration and operation of the Caracara Prairie Preserve Gopher Tortoise Recipient Site. PASSED AND DULY ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of Collier County, Florida, this _ day of ,2011. ATTEST: DWIGHT E. BROCK, CLERK BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA By: FRED W. COYLE, CHAIRMAN Approved as to fonn and legal sufficiency: Steven T Williams ')-1'</,,\\\ Assistant County Attol11ey ~\1l':v 11.PR.M-00235/3 Packet Page -838- 5/10/2011 Item 16.EA. Caracara Prairie Preserve Short-term Protected Gopher Tortoise Recipient Site Policy Prepared By: Collier County: Facilities Management Department Conservation Collier Program 3335 Tamiami Trail, Suite 101 Naples, FL 34112 May 2011 The following is a descriptive policy regarding the Caracara Prairie Preserve Short-term Protected Gopher Tortoise Recipient Site (Recipient Site). This policy and the associated Caracara Prairie Preserve Recipient Site Fee Schedule will be reviewed annually by County staff. 1. The Recipient Site shall be permitted, managed and monitored according to the most current Florida Fish and Wiidlife Conservation Commission (FWC) gopher tortoise permitting guidelines for Short-term Protected Recipient Sites http://myfwc. com/docs/Li cen sesPerm its/PW Gopher T ortoisePerm itG u id elines. pdf and FWC Gopher Tortoise Management Plan. 2. The Recipient Site shall only accept gopher tortoises being relocated from development projects occurring within Collier County (Donor Sites). 3. Gopher tortoises from both public agency Donor Sites (such as but not limited to: Collier County government projects, Florida Department of Transportation projects, Collier County School Board projects, charter school projects) and private entity Donor Sites shall be accepted at the Recipient Site; however, tortoises accepted from private entity Donor Sites shall not comprise more than 75% of the total number of gopher tortoises relocated to the Recipient Site. 4. Conservation Collier staff shall maintain a ledger tallying gopher tortoise vacancies at the Recipient Site. 5. Upon an inquiry from a possible Donor Site, Conservation Collier staff shall review the ledger and coordinate with the Growth Management Division. If the estimated number of tortoises anticipated from the Donor Site is acceptable, staff shall send a Reservation Letter to the Donor Site -- see Reservation Letter Template attached. Packet Page -839- 5/10/2011 Item 16.E.4. 6. Conservation Collier staff shall verify with FWC that the Donor Site has received the appropriate relocation permit prior to performing any relocation. 7. An FWC authorized gopher tortoise agent employed by Collier County (Collier County Agent) shall be responsible for the transport of all relocated tortoises from the Donor Site to the Recipient Site. 8. The Collier County Agent reserves the right to deny transport of any unhealthy Donor Site tortoises to the Recipient Site. 9. Once at the Recipient Site, relocated tortoises shall be marked by the Collier County Agent. 10. Donor sites shall be required to pay a $2.000 Gopher Tortoise Relocation Fee to Collier County for each project requiring tortoises to be relocated to the Recipient Site, regardless of the number of tortoises to be relocated. See the attached Caracara Prairie Preserve Recipient Site Fee Schedule. 11. Donor sites shall be required to pay a Gopher Tortoise Receiving Fee (separate from the Gopher Tortoise Relocation Fee) to Collier County for each tortoise relocated to the Recipient Site. See the attached Caracara Prairie Preserve Recipient Site Fee Schedule. 12. Donor sites shall be required to pay a Mitigation Contribution (separate from the Gopher Tortoise Receiving Fee and the Gopher Tortoise Relocation Fee) to FWC for tortoises relocated to the Recipient Site. See the attached Caracara Prairie Preserve Recipient Site Fee Schedule. 13.After relocations are complete, Conservation Collier staff shall monitor and maintain gopher tortoise fencing according to the most recent FWC guidelines and gopher tortoise management plan. Packet Page -840- 5/10/2011 Item 16.E.4. Caracara Prairie Preserve Recipient Site Fee Schedule Relocation Fee (Paid to Collier County): $2,000 per private or public project This fee includes: 1. Pick up of tortoise (s) at the Donor Site; 2. Transport to Recipient Site inside the cabin of the transport vehicle; 3. Marking of tortoise (s) per FWC methodology; 4. Collection of all required morphometric data; 5. Soft release of tortoise (s); 6, Submittal of morphometrics report to the recipient site and the client; and 7. Monitoring of tortoise (s) in soft release enclosure for six months, Receivinq Fee (Paid to Collier County): This fee is on a "per excavated adult tortoise" (carapace length greater than or equal to 5'j basis and is all inclusive. There will be no Receiving Fee for sub-adult gopher tortoises (carapace length less than 5) Private Projects' - $ 1,320 per tortoise Public Projects" - $905 per tortoise 'Private Project fee includes: 1. Exotic plant control 2. Fire-break mowing and fuel reduction 3. Temporary fencing 4. Recipient Site permitting and monitoring fees "Public Project fee includes: 1. Temporary fenCing 2, Recipient Site permitting and monitoring fees FWC Mitiqation Contribution (Paid to FWC): $200 for the first group of 10 burrows (up to five gopher tortoises) plus $3,000 for each additional tortoise. Packet Page -841- 5/10/2011 Item 16.E.4. Reservation Letter Template DATE ADDRESSEE NAME ADDRESS RE: Off-Site Relocation for PROJECT NAME Collier County, Florida PROJECT # Dear ADDRESSEE: The purpose of this letter is to demonstrate Collier County's commitment to the acceptance of gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) [rom the above-mentioned project site. In an effort to perpetually protect a regionally significant parcel of land occupied by both the state listed gopher tortoise and other federally listed species, we have identified and protected portions of Caracara Prairie Preserve in Collier County. Collier County secured permits for the Caracara Prairie Preserve Short-Tenn Protected Gopher Tortoise Recipient Site comprised of 90 acres of Collier County's +1- 367.7 acre property known as Caracara Prairie Preserve. The Collier County Board of County Commissioners owns the preserve and the Conservation Collier Program is responsible for management/permit compliance associated with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Recipient Site Permit # GTSR-l ]-00003. It is Collier County's understanding that the population targeted for relocation to Caracara Prairie Preserve at this time is approximately XXXX (X) tortoises. According to our ledger, we have capacity for XXXX tortoises remaining within the recipient site. The Relocation Fee will be $2,000 and the Receiving Fee per adult tortoise will be $XXXX. As a registered gopher tortoise agent, I accept tortoises on site at Caracara Prairie Preserve on Collier County's behalf Please coordinate and schedule all gopher tortoise relocations with me at 239-252-2957. Thank you in advance for your cooperation. Sincerely, Melissa Hennig, Principal Environmental Specialist Conservation Collier Program Packet Page -842-