AIRGLADES AIRPORT CRESTED CARACARA MANAGEMENT PLAN

February 2020

1.0 INTRODUCTION

This report documents the crested caracara (Caracara cheriway) management plan for the Airglades (Project). The Project site totals 1,328.72± acres and is located in Sections 16, 17, 20, 21, and 28; Township 43 South, Range 33 East, Hendry County (Exhibit 1). More specifically, the Project is located south of U.S. Route 27/State Road 80 (US 27/SR 80), approximately 5.5 miles west of the City of Clewiston and is bordered on all sides by active agricultural operations. The site includes the existing Airglades Airport facility, stormwater management areas, and active agricultural land in sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) production.

During a listed species survey conducted in September and October 2019, adult crested caracaras were documented resting and foraging within the northern and southeastern portions of the Project Review Area. A previously undocumented caracara nest was observed in the central portion of the Project Review Area. The nest is located within a cabbage palm (Sabal palmetto) adjacent to the existing terminal building. An aerial with the nest location is provided as Exhibit 2. The Project Review Area is included in both the primary (984 feet) and secondary (4,920 feet) zones of the existing nest location (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) 2004). The crested caracara is a state and federally threatened listed species.

2.0 CRESTED CARACARA MANAGEMENT PLAN

The following plan outlines protection guidelines that will be implemented for the crested caracara nest prior to, and during Project construction.

2.1 Biology

The crested caracara is a large, non-migratory raptor that feeds largely on carrion and is often found with flocks of turkey vultures (Cathartes aura) and black vultures (Coragyps atratus). The population of crested caracara found in peninsular Florida is genetically isolated from other populations of crested caracara subspecies found in the Southwestern United States and portions of Central and South America (USFWS 1999). While other subspecies of crested caracara are not listed as threatened or endangered, the crested caracara subspecies found in Florida was listed, in July 1987, as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (16 U.S. Code 1531 et seq).

Crested caracaras primarily use open habitats including native prairies, grasslands, and pastures with their associated freshwater marshes and small clumps of cabbage palms, live oak (Quercus spp.) hammocks, and cypress (Taxodium spp.). Cabbage palms in open habitats are of high importance for nesting (Rodgers et al. 1996, Morrison 2001). The

Passarella & Associates, Inc. 1 of 2 #18JRE2876 02/21/2020 primary nesting season for the crested caracara is November through April. Egg laying typically occurs December through February. Clutch size is one to three eggs and incubation ranges from 28 to 32 days. Caracara young fledge at age seven to eight weeks, most in March and April (Wood 2001).

2.2 Pre-Construction Surveys

Prior to commencement of clearing activities within 1,500 meters (4,920 feet) of the identified nest, a survey will be conducted during the crested caracara nesting season (January through April) to determine if the nest is active or if other crested caracara nests are present. The survey will be conducted in potential nesting and foraging habitat within 1,500 meters of the identified caracara nest, including land adjacent to the Project that is under the applicant’s ownership. The crested caracara survey will be conducted according to the methodology described in the USFWS Draft Species Conservation Guidelines for South Florida for the Audubon’s Crested Caracara (USFWS 2004). The locations of crested caracara nests and the movements and activities of caracaras will be documented, if observed.

If an active nest is discovered during the pre-construction surveys coordination with USFWS and/or Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will occur to minimize adverse effects to these species.

3.0 REFERENCES

Morrison, J.L. 2001. Recommended Management Practices and Survey Protocols for the Audubon’s Crested Caracara (Caracara cheriway audubonii) in Florida. Technical Report No. 18. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Tallahassee, Florida.

Rodgers, J.A., Jr., H.W. Kale II, H.T. Smith (eds.). 1996. Rare and Endangered Biota of Florida, Vol. V. Birds. University of Florida Press, Gainesville, Florida, USA.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1999. Multi-species recovery plan for south Florida. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Vero Beach, Florida.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2004. Draft Species Conservation Guidelines South Florida for Audubon’s Crested Caracara. South Florida Ecological Services Office. Vero Beach, Florida.

Wood, Don A. 2001. Florida’s Fragile Wildlife Conservation and Management. University Press of Florida. Gainesville, FL.

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EXHBIIT 1

PROJECT LOCATION MAP

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EXHIBIT 2

AERIAL WITH CRESTED CARACARA NEST LOCATION AND USFWS PRIMARY AND SECONDARY ZONES

U.S. 27 / S.R. 80 AIRGLADES BLVD

SCALE: 1" = 1,800'

AIRGLADES AIRPORT REVIEW AREA

CRCA NEST

LEGEND:

CRCA APPROXIMATE LOCATION OF AUDUBON'S NEST CRESTED CARACARA NEST 2019 985' PRIMARY ZONE

4,920' SECONDARY ZONE

APPROXIMATE LOCATION OF AUDUBON'S CRESTED CARACARA NEST 2014

NOTES:

AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHS PROVIDED BY THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION WITH FLIGHT DATES OF JANUARY - MARCH 2017.

REVIEW AREA LIMITS PER CRAWFORD, MURPHY, & TILLY ENGINEERS, INC. DRAWING No. FIGURE 4-7-1.DWG DATED JANUARY 30, 2019.

DRAWN BY DATE EXHIBIT 2. AERIAL WITH CRESTED CARACARA NEST D.B. 10/31/19 LOCATION AND USFWS PRIMARY AND REVIEWED BY DATE B.B. 10/31/19 SECONDARY ZONES REVISED DATE AIRGLADES AIRPORT J:\2018\18jre2876\2019\SFWMD Response\Exhibit 2 Aerial with Crested Caracara Nest Location.dwg Tab: 8X11-C Feb 14, 2020 - 8:33am Plotted by: reidf