Agenda 03/25/2008 Item #16E 3
Agenda Item No. 16E3
March 25, 2008
Page 1 of 10
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Recommendation to authorize the County Manager, or his designee, to submit a
Bureau of Invasive Plant Management (BIPM) grant proposal to the Florida
Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) for $150,000 to fund an invasive,
exotic plant removal project at the Conservation Collier! Corkscrew Regional
Ecosystem Watershed Trust Starnes Property.
OBJECTIVE: To have the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) authorize the County
Manager, or his designee, to submit a proposal to the FDEP to fund an invasive, exotic plant
removal project at the Starnes Property.
CONSIDERATIONS: The Upland Plant Management Section of the BIPM funds individual
invasive plant removal projects on public conservation lands throughout the State. If the grant is
received, the BIPM will pay state contractors for work that will be performed on the Starnes
property. No funds will be transferred to Collier County. Staff anticipates that a formal
agreement between the BCC and the State will be needed before the project can proceed.
Once an agreement is finalized, staff will return to the BCC for formal acceptance of the grant
award and execution of the agreement.
FISCAL IMPACT: The total cost of the project is $150,000. Collier County is requesting
$125,000 in FDEP contractor services. The County will provide a total of $25,000 cash match
towards invasive, exotic vegetation maintenance. County cash match is available within the
Conservation Collier Management Fund 174 budget.
GROWTH MANAGEMENT IMPACT: This proposai supports Objective 7.3 of the Conservation
and Coastal Management Element of the County Growth Management Plan, which requires the
County to continue to implement programs that conserve and protect endangered and
threatened wildlife species.
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS: Approval of this grant application submittal conforms to the
County's Grant Coordination procedures.
RECOMMENDATION: Recommend that the Board of County Commissioners authorize the
County Manager, or his designee, to submit the attached Starnes Property grant proposal to the
FDEP BIPM.
PREPARED BY: Melissa Hennig, Principal Environmental Specialist, Conservation Collier
Program, Department of Facilities Management
Agenda Item No. 16E3
March 25, 2008
Page 2 of 10
Collier County/ Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed Trust
Starnes
Initial Removal Project
Southwest Florida Invasive Species Working Group
Contact Information
Agency: Collier County Facilities Management Department
Contact Person/Site Manager: Melissa Hennig, Principal Environmental Specialist
Mailing Address: 3301 Tamiami Trail East, Building W
Naples, FL 34112
Phone: (239) 252-2957
Fax: (239) 252-6720
E-mail: MelissaHennig({i)colliergov.net
Method of Control
Contractual Services
DEP Contractor
Proiect Goals
All Brazilian pepper and any other FLEPPC Category 1 or 2 plants within the Starnes
property will be initially treated.
Agenda Item No. 16E3
March 25, 2008
Page 3 of 10
SCOPE OF WORK:
Project Location
The Starnes property is located in northern Collier County, Florida in Section 30,
Township 46, Range 28 (See Map l). This 368-acre preserve managed by Collier
County's Conservation Collier Program is directly connected to and enclosed on three
sides by 60,000 acres ofSFWMD Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed (CREW)
conservation lands.
Project Description
Over half of the Starnes property consists of old agriculture and pasture. Brazilian
pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius) is present in mixed densities within approximately 130
ac. of the preserve. Brazilian peppers have grown up within the old fence-lines (ZONE I
~ 24 ac.) and are growing within the forested land on the property (ZONE 2 - 106 ac.).
Nearly all of the old fence-lines within these lands have large Brazilian peppers growing
intertwined within the fence (ZONE l). Because of the density and size of the pepper
trees within ZONE] (95% - lOO% density), the reconunended removal method for this
zone is bulldozing the entire fence-line, piling the pepper and fencing, and burning the
pile. ZONE 2 is a natural area consisting of forested uplands. Brazilian peppers are
scattered throughout ZONE 2 at a density of approxinlately l5% and can be treated in
place (See Maps 2 and 3).
Work Specifications
The contractor will be responsible for the control of any target trees and seedlings and the
application of any herbicides within the designated target areas. All aspects of the
control of FLEPPC Category land 2 plants within the Starnes property, including any
equipment, labor, supply, and herbicide needs, will be the responsibility of the contractor.
The contractor will take precautions to avoid harming any native vegetation or wildlife.
ZONE t
All exotic vegetation will be mechanically cleared and piled using heavy
machinery, such as a bulldozer. Piles will then be burned.
ZONE 2
All Brazilian pepper will be treated in place basally using Garlon 4 mixed with
JBL oil per label rates.
Other Requirements and Provisions
Heavy equipment may only operate along established trails within the preserve or within
ZONE 1. A SFWMD Environmental Resource Permit is not required for this project. A
Collier County Vegetation Clearing Permit will be obtained for this project.
Project Time Frame
The project can be completed any1ime during the year.
2
Agenda Item No. 16E3
March 25. 2008
Page 4 of 10
Fundinl! Information
Estimated Total Project Cost = $150,000
State Funding Desired = $125,000 - Initial treatment
Matching Funds = $25,000 - Maintenance treatment for 2 years after initial treatment.
Budget based on 2007 mowing project on northern Railhead Scrub Preserve and sinlilar
treat in place projects.
3
Agenda Item No. 16E3
March 25, 2008
Page 5 of 10
PROPOSAL INFORMATION:
Conservation Land Oualification
This property was jointly purchased in December 2007 by Collier County, with funds from
the Conservation Collier Program, and by Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed Trust.
All property acquired with Conservation Collier program funds are for conservation and
limited public access for natural resource based recreation (Collier County Ordinance 2002-
63 as amended). The Starnes property will also be listed in FNAI Florida Conservation
Lands.
Abilitv to Maintain Site After Initial Treatment
Funding for maintenance is available within the Conservation Collier budget. ZONE 1 will
be treated quarterly for the first year after treatment and semi-annually for the second year, if
control has been successful in the first year after treatment. ZONE 2 will be treated on an as
needed basis.
Restoration Plan for Native Plants
Native plants from the site and the surrounding lands should be an adequate seed source to
re-vegetate the area. Because the site is within a managed preserve with few exotic upland
plants present, no replanting efforts are being planned at this time.
Threatened or Endangered Species or Habitats
The following listed species have been observed at the Starnes property: Florida sandhill
crane (Grus canadensis pratensis), Limpkin (Aramus guarana), Snowy egret (Egretta thula),
and American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis). The observed habitat and location
would support the presence of the following listed species: Florida Panther (Felis concolor
cOlyii), Florida black bear (Ursus americanus j1oridanus), and numerous freshwater wetland
dependent listed bird species including woodstork (Mycteria americana) and crested caracara
(Caracara cheriway). The parcels are located within FFWCC Priority 1 Habitat for Florida
Panther and are included in lands considered to be strategic habitat areas for black bear and
listed wading bird species (FFWCC, 1994, Closing the Gaps).
Public Education Program
The site was purchased as a Conservation Collier/ Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem
Watershed Trust property. Public access is an important aspect of both of these programs.
Future plans for the site after exotic vegetation removal include: hunting, horseback riding,
walking trails, and educational signs containing information pertaining to both native and
invasive exotic vegetation.
4
~,i,;{. CREW
Land & Water Trust
Agenda Item No. 16E3
CREW Land & Water Trust March 25, 2008
23998 Corl<screw Rd Page 6 of 10
Estero, FL 33928
Phone: 239-657-2253 FAX: 2JY-llOl-3230
email: crewtrust@carthiink.net
Web; www,crewtrust.org
Dedic.aled to the preservation and stewardship of the water resoW'('eS and n.atural communitie.s in and around the CorkscreJN Regional Ecosystem Watel:~'hed
February 25, 2008
RECEIVED
FEB 27 2008
Melissa Hennig
Board of County Commissioners
3301 Tamiami Trail East, Building W
Naples, FL 34112
FACILITIES
CONSERVATION COLLIER
The CREW Land & Water Trust supports the grant proposal for DEP's Bureau of
Invasive Plant Management Program. The proposed grant requests funding for
the removal of the invasive exotic plants on the Starnes Property and the CREW
Land & Water Trust is in complete agreement.
CREW is excited about the project and supports the efforts of the Collier County
Facilities Management Department in managing the Starnes Property in the best
possible manner.
\~/
Brenda Brooks
Executive Director
23998 Corkscrew Rd.
Estero, FL 33928
"
o
o
r
m
:1
m
~
~
~
~
It MOKALEE RD
VANDE SILT BEACH
o
I
2.5
I
Agenda Item No. 16E3
March 25, 2008
Page 7 of 10
MAP I
Starnes Location Map
LEE COUNTY
CORKSCREW RD
o
~
rn
w
w
o
5
(9 Oil WELL RD
COLLIER COUNTY
w
>
w
~
~}.~:{~~.C:~~"l
oc
o
5 Miles
I
,
I
"~'
,
Legend
Major Roads in South Florida
Collier County
Starnes
~ Conservation Land
Data SOlJfce.:ooe,Aerials& Parcels.ColHer County PwpeltyApora,ser
O:lnserv.tion Lands-Florida NaturalAreas Inventory
Created by: ConservationCollierlM. Hennig
G:\ConselVation Collierlgrant applicaoolls and inlmmat,o>l\OEP BIPM\Starnes\ Exotic Map.mxd and ,jpg
Date Feb,2008
6
Agenda Item No. 16E3
March 25, 2008
Page 8 of 10
MAP 2
Starnes Aerial Map
o
I
500
I
1,000 Feet
I
,
,+,
,
Legend
Starnes Exotics
Dab $OlIrce: 2005 Aeflals & Parcels-Collier County Property Appraleer
Coll!lervatlonLands.-FklridaNatI.iraIArea.lnvento~
Created by: Conservation Colierl M. Hennig
G:\C<JnselVation Collterlgrant apphca(l,;msand information\DEP BIPMlStamesl Exolic; Map,mxd and ,jpg
Date:Feb,~Oa
Zone 1 - mechanical 24.2 ac.
Zone 2 - treat in place 106 ac.
Agenda Item No. 16E3
March 25, 2008
Page 9 of 10
MAP 3
Starnes Black and White Treatment Map
~
-----------
----..
-----"
~
'-
Coft7er County
--------~--_.....:.-
o
I
500
I
1.000 Feel
I
,
,,-~c
Legend
I: : : J Starnes Exotics
Data SOUle,,' 2005 Aerials & Parcels_CollierCoullty Property Appra,s",
Conservation Lands.-Fkllida NaturalAreas Invenlory
Created tly. ConselVationCollierlM. Het'lrllg
G:\ConseJViltion Collief\grarrt applications ami informal1onlDEP BIPMIStarnes', Exotic Map.mxd and .jP9
Date. Feb. ~OQe
Zone 1 - mechanical 24.2 ac.
Zone 2 . treat in place 1 06 ac.
8
Page 1 of 1
Agenda Item No. 16E3
March 25, 2008
Page 10 of 10
COLLIER COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Item Number:
16E3
Meeting Date:
Recommendation to authorize the County Manager, or his designee, to submit a Bureau of
Invasive Plant Management (BIPM) grant proposal to the Florida Department of
EnVironmental Protection (FDEP) for $150,000 to fund an invasive, exotic plant removal
project at the Conservation Collierl Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed Trust Starnes
Property.
3/25/2008 90000 AM
Item Summary:
Prepared By
Melissa Hennig
Environmental Specialist
Date
Administrative Services
Facilities Management
2/22120083:26:41 PM
Approved By
Debra Eurom
Assistant Grant Coordinator
Date
Administrative Services
Administrative Services
2126120088:32 AM
Approved By
Skip Camp, C.F.M.
FaCilities Management Director
Date
Administrative Services
Facilities Management
2126/20082:24 PM
Approved By
Len Golden Price
Administrative Services Administrator
Date
Administrative Services
Administrative Services Admin.
3111/200811 :39 AM
Approved By
OMS Coordinator
Applications Analyst
Date
Administrative Services
Information Technology
3111120081:41 PM
Approved By
Laura Davisson
Management & Budget Analyst
Date
County Manager's Office
Office of Management & Budget
3/16120083:41 PM
Approved By
James V. Mudd
County Manager
Date
Board of County
Commissioners
County Manager's Office
311712008 1 :53 PM
fiJe://C:\AgendaTest\Export\ 1 03-March%2025,%202008\16.%20CONSENT%20AGENDA \... 3/19/2008