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Winding Cypress Listed Species Management Plan

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Winding Cypress Listed Species Management Plan WINDING CYPRESS LISTED SPECIES MANAGEMENT PLAN September 2013 Prepared For: DiVosta Homes, L.P. 24311 Walden Center Drive, Suite 300 Bonita Springs, Florida 34134 (239) 495-4800 Prepared By: Passarella & Associates, Inc. 13620 Metropolis Avenue, Suite 200 Fort Myers, Florida 33912 (239) 274-0067 Project No. 12PGI2160 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page 1.0 Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 1 2.0 Preserve Areas ................................................................................................................... 1 3.0 Eastern Indigo Snake Habitat Management Plan .............................................................. 1 3.1 Biology ................................................................................................................... 2 3.2 Habitat Management Plan ...................................................................................... 2 4.0. Big Cypress Fox Squirrel Habitat Management Plan ........................................................ 3 4.1 Biology ................................................................................................................... 4 4.2 Habitat Management Plan ...................................................................................... 4 5.0 Florida Black Bear Habitat Management Plan .................................................................. 5 5.1 Biology ................................................................................................................... 5 5.2 Habitat Management Plan ...................................................................................... 5 6.0 References .......................................................................................................................... 6 i LIST OF APPENDICES Page Appendix A. Project Location Map ......................................................................................... A-1 Appendix B. Aerial with Preserve Areas Map ........................................................................ B-1 Appendix C. Eastern Indigo Snake Informational Pamphlet .................................................. C-1 Appendix D. Florida Black Bear Informational Pamphlet ...................................................... D-1 ii 1.0 INTRODUCTION This habitat management plan has been prepared for the purpose of addressing the conservation of potential Eastern indigo snake (Drymarchon couperi), Big Cypress fox squirrel (Sciurus niger avicennia), and Florida black bear (Ursus americanus floridanus) habitat on the Winding Cypress project (Project). The Winding Cypress project site is located in Sections 26 and 35, Township 50 South, Range 26 East, and Sections 2 and 3, Township 51 South, Range 26 East, Collier County (Appendix A). This habitat management plan has been prepared to comply with South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) permitting requirements. 2.0 PRESERVE AREAS The Project’s preserve areas will be maintained in accordance with the Wetland Mitigation/Monitoring/Maintenance Plan (to be approved as part of SFWMD Environmental Resource Permit (ERP) Application No. 130502-5). The preserve areas will be managed to provide habitat for listed species. An aerial depicting the locations of the preserve areas is provided as Appendix B. The Project has been designed to minimize impacts to the listed species that have been identified on the property. The on-site preserves have been designed to connect to off-site preserves and the Picayune Strand State Forest in order to retain connectivity of wildlife habitat. The Project’s preserve areas total 583.01± acres, which following mitigation activities will be comprised of 491.23± acres of wetlands and 91.78± acres of uplands. The wetland habitats consist mostly of cypress and pine/cypress communities with hydric pine, mixed wetland forest, and marsh communities to a lesser extent. The upland habitats consist of shrub, palmetto prairie, pine flatwoods, pine, live oak, cabbage palm, and mixed hardwood- conifer communities. The preserve areas will be managed for listed species based on habitat type, and current listed species utilization. The wetland and upland preserves, excluding reserved right-of-ways and access easements, will be placed in a conservation easement granted to the SFWMD. The total preserve area to be placed under conservation easement is 583.01± acres. 3.0. EASTERN INDIGO SNAKE HABITAT MANAGEMENT PLAN The Eastern indigo snake has not been observed on-site; however, the following plan outlines the protection guidelines that will be implemented for the Eastern indigo snake during clearing operations for the Project. The plan provides educational material and guidelines for construction personnel to follow in case they encounter an Eastern indigo snake. The plan has been prepared following the guidelines established by the U.S. Fish and 1 Wildlife Service (USFWS) for the protection of the Eastern indigo snake. The Eastern indigo snake is listed as threatened by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWCC) and the USFWS. 3.1 Biology The Eastern indigo is a large, non-venomous, glossy black snake with smooth iridescent scales. The chin and throat may be rusty or white-blotched. The juvenile snakes are similar to the adults, but may be lighter and exhibit a blotched dorsal pattern. Adults can grow to lengths over eight feet. The Eastern indigo might be confused with the black racer (Coluber constrictor), but the black racer exhibits a white or brown throat and is smaller and lighter in build. The Eastern indigo snake inhabits a range of habitat types including pine flatwoods and wet prairies. Individuals are wide ranging and may utilize an area of 250 acres or more. Eastern indigo snakes are known to shelter in gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) burrows. The Eastern indigo snake is diurnal (active only during the daytime) and will actively search for prey. Prey may include frogs, snakes, birds, and small mammals. Very little is known of the reproduction of this species in the wild. Breeding is believed to occur during the winter and early spring months with up to 11 large white eggs being deposited in late spring and early summer. The Eastern indigo snake is a federally threatened species and is listed by the Endangered Species Act (Act). It is unlawful for anyone to injure, harm, harass, or kill this species. Persons who knowingly violate provisions of the Act, that afford this species protection, may be subject to fine and/or imprisonment. Only the Project’s qualified biologists may come in contact with or relocate an Eastern indigo snake. 3.2 Habitat Management Plan The preserve areas will be maintained per the Wetland Mitigation/Monitoring/ Maintenance Plan (to be approved as part of SFWMD ERP Application No. 130502-5), and will provide habitat for the Eastern indigo snake. Informational Posters Informational posters will be placed in a conspicuous location at the construction office and construction entrances to the Project. The poster will provide background information on identification, habits, and protection of the Eastern indigo snake. The poster will state actions to take if an Eastern indigo snake is sighted and provide the names and telephone numbers of contact persons. A copy of the informational poster will be forwarded to the USFWS for review prior to commencement of clearing activities. 2 Informational Pamphlets Informational pamphlets will be made available to individuals in charge of the clearing operation for distribution to all construction crew. The pamphlet will provide background information on identification, habits, and protection of the Eastern indigo snake. The pamphlet will state actions to take if an Eastern indigo snake is sighted and provide the names and telephone numbers of contact persons. A copy of the informational pamphlet will be forwarded to the USFWS for review prior to commencement of clearing activities (Appendix C). Actions to take if a live or injured Eastern indigo snake is sighted during construction activity: 1. Cease construction activity 2. Promptly notify the Project’s biologist: Passarella & Associates, Inc. Phone: (239) 274-0067 3. Allow the snake sufficient time to move away from construction activity before resuming construction. Actions to take if a dead Eastern indigo snake is sighted during construction activity: 1. Promptly notify the Project’s biologist: Passarella & Associates, Inc. Phone: (239) 274-0067 2. Seal the remains in an airtight plastic bag and place on ice. 3. The Project’s biologist will contact the following agency personnel for proper disposal: Permitting Agent U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1339 20th Street Vero Beach, Florida 32960 Phone: (772) 562-3909 4.0 BIG CYPRESS FOX SQUIRREL HABITAT MANAGEMENT PLAN The following habitat management plan has been prepared for the purpose of addressing the conservation of Big Cypress fox squirrel habitat on the Project and outlines the protection guidelines that will be implemented for the Big Cypress fox squirrel prior to, during, and after construction of the Project. The Big Cypress fox squirrel is listed as threatened by the FWCC. There is no federal listing for the Big Cypress fox squirrel in Florida. 3 4.1 Biology The Big Cypress fox squirrel lives and breeds in varied habitats in Southwest Florida including cypress swamps, pine flatwoods, tropical hardwood forests, live oak woods, mangrove forests, and suburban habitats, including golf courses, city
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