STORM L. RICHARDS & ASSOCIATES, INC. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENTS, FEASIBILITY STUDIES, & PERMITTING 1804 MAPLE AVENUE SANFORD, FLORIDA 32771-3358 Email: [email protected] (407) 323-9021 FAX: (803) 547-3093
DR. JEANNE FILLMAN-RICHARDS, President DR. STORM L. RICHARDS, Principal
May 9, 2017
Mr. Will Reynolds NARR Construction Services 1916 Eloise Cove Drive Winter Haven, Florida 33884
RE: Threatened/Endangered Species Inventory for the 7753 & 7685 Conroy Windermere Road sites located at 7753 & 7685 Conroy Windermere Road, Orlando, Orange County, Florida 32835
Dear Mr. Reynolds:
The subject proposed 7753 & 7685 Conroy Windermere Road sites are approximately 4.03 acres with a residence and 0.46 acres sites in Orlando, Orange County. The subject property consists of two (2) parcels. The subject sites are located on Conroy Windermere Road (see Appendix A— Maps of Site). This report represents the enumeration of protected species based on Florida’s Endangered Species, Threatened Species, and Species of Special Concern (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 29 January 2004). The list was derived by field investigation conducted in May 2017. The intent of this report will be to inventory and identify occurring threatened and endangered species on the site.
Site Description
The subject property consists of two parcels. The smaller of the two parcels, 7685 Conroy Windermere Road, is totally upland is 0.46 acres. The larger lot is 7753 Conroy Windermere Road and is 4.03 acres with a small wetland in the northern limits of the site that has been flagged, stationed and mapped (See Appendix A—Maps of Site). The wetland on lot 7753 will not be impacted. The majority of the habitat is maintained grass. All areas were field inventoried and transected, evaluated by air photo interpretation and USGS, NWI, SCS and current aerial photography.
FLORIDA DBE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROFESSIONALS FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROFESSIONALS NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENTS ASSOCIATION FLORIDA ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSORS ASSOCIATION THE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN GEOGRAPHERS FLORIDA SOCIETY OF GEOGRAPHERS REGISTER OF PROFESSIONAL ARCHAEOLOGISTS FLORIDA ARCHAEOLOGICAL COUNCIL FLORIDA WILDLIFE COMMISSION AUTHORIZED GOPHER TORTOISE AGENTS GTA-09-00148C & GTA-09-00149C
Mr. Will Reynolds NARR Construction Services
May 9, 2017 Page 2 ______
The Florida Land Use, Cover, and Classification System (FLUCCS) was used to differentiate the vegetative types on the site. The Level III designations were used for habitat evaluation and are as follows:
FLUCCS Type # Description
Urban and Built-Up:
#190 Open land
Agricultural:
#211 Improved pasture (maintained; unmaintained yard (See Site Photography and Maps) #212 Unimproved pasture
Uplands:
#413 Mixed Pine
Water:
#530 Reservoirs
Wetlands: #617 Mixed Wetland Hardwoods
These habitats, including Improved Pastures and Mixed Wetland Hardwoods, are suitable to a number of federal and state protected species. A revised methodology based on the Wildlife Methodology Guidelines for Section 18.D of the Application for Development Approval published by the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission’s Office of Environmental Services (15 January 1988) was used to inventory protected species as identified in Florida’s Endangered Species, Threatened Species, and Species of Special Concern (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 29 January 2004).
The Wildlife Methodology Guidelines were used in a modified manner for upland surveys, small mammal sampling, and herpetofaunal surveys as follows (pp. 7-10):
Upland Surveys:
Bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)
Mr. Will Reynolds NARR Construction Services
May 9, 2017 Page 3
Florida grasshopper sparrow (Ammodramus svannarum floridanus) Southeastern American kestrel (Falco sparverius paulus)
Detection of individuals within this group can be difficult since these species tend to exhibit either inherently low populations or solitary behavior, or both. For this reason, survey efforts which fail to detect any of the species listed above should not necessarily be construed to imply species absence. An appropriate survey methodology should consist of morning and evening pedestrian surveys (1500 feet of transect per 100 acres) across the site for a minimum of five days. Transects should be meandered through areas of suitable habitat and changed after each survey to maximize site coverage. Transect locations should be mapped accordingly. Map all observations of listed species as well as physical features which may indicate species presence such as tree markings, tracks, nests, and cavity trees.
Small Mammal Sampling:
Florida mouse (Podomys floridanus)
The location and number of small mammal transects should be based on the distribution of available habitat across the site. Each transect should consist of a minimum of 25 stations (two live traps placed within a 10-foot radius of the station) per 50 acres of suitable habitat. Each transect should be sampled for four consecutive 24-hour periods to obtain the necessary 200 trap-nights per transect. Traps should be shaded and checked twice each day to prevent dehydration of captured animals. Captured animals should be identified to species and released. Final survey reports should include all habitat/transect data. To maximize Florida mouse captures, sampling stations should be located in the immediate vicinity of stumps, fallen logs, pathways, and gopher tortoise burrows. In some cases, it may be more appropriate to rely on gopher tortoise survey results to assist with the location of live trap transects.
Herpetofaunal Surveys:
Indigo snake (Drymarchon couperi) Florida pine snake (Pituophis melanoleucus mugitus) Gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) Gopher frog (Rana capito [=areolata] aesopus)
Species in this group are extremely difficult to census due to their highly cryptic nature and seasonal activity patterns. Investigators should be aware of how seasonal and local conditions may influence individual species sampling success.
Mr. Will Reynolds NARR Construction Services
May 9, 2017 Page 4
Gopher frog, indigo snake, and Florida pine snake populations should be censused using a combination of pedestrian surveys and funnel trapping. On portions of the site that support moderate to high densities of gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) (0.4 individuals per acre or greater), one-way funnel traps (minimum three-foot length) should be placed at the burrow entrance of at least 25% of the active, inactive, and abandoned gopher tortoise burrows on a site. Greater sampling effort for gopher frog populations should be expended on burrows within one-half mile of intermittent wetlands. Traps should be shaded and left in place for at least four consecutive days and checked twice each day.
Upland pedestrian surveys for these species are best conducted during the spring, summer, and fall months. When conducting winter month surveys, investigators should closely observe gopher tortoise burrows for the presence of basking indigo and Florida pine snakes in the vicinity of the burrow, and gopher frogs just inside the burrow entrance. Snake observations can be increased if surveys are conducted during warm sunny days between early and mid-afternoon hours. During the months of February through October following heavy rains, nighttime monitoring of frog vocalizations from intermittent wetlands can be conducted to determine the presence of gopher frog breeding habitat within a site.
Site Review
Staff of Storm L. Richards & Associates, Inc., transected the site in May 2017. Special attention was given to the upland areas for potential habitat of protected species. The site was reviewed in the early morning and late afternoon on several occasions. Transects were made throughout the property.
Species Inventory
Improved Pasture (FLUCCS Type #211), maintained grass comprises the dominant vegetative community type for the site in which protected species might occur. This habitat is not conducive to Florida scrub jays (Aphelocoma coerulescens coerulescens) and none were sighted nor were their distinctive twig- and saw palmetto-lined nests sighted. There were no gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) burrows inventoried during field review of the site. Abandoned burrows were sighted with no current activity (See Appendix D—Site Photography).
No wading bird rookeries or nesting areas were observed. Mature slash pines (Pinus elliottii) did not have nests of protected species such as eagles or owls. No cavity trees were observed on the site. A listing of species potentially occurring on the site includes the following:
The upland and wetland areas include animals such as armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus), Florida mouse (Peromyscus floridanus), hispid cotton rat (Sigmodon hispidus), eastern cottontail rabbit (Sylvilagus floridanus), white-tailed deer (Odecoileus Mr. Will Reynolds NARR Construction Services
May 9, 2017 Page 5
virginianus), opossum (Didelphis virginiana), raccoon (Procyon lotor), and striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) as mammals observed or potentially occurring onsite. Birds typically may include, but are not limited to, Bachman’s sparrow (Aimophila aestivalis), red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis), red-shouldered hawk (Buteo lineatus), killdeer (Charadrius vociferous), nighthawk (Chordeiles minor), common bobwhite (Colinus virginianus), American kestrel (Falco sparverius), loggerhead shrike (Lanius ludovicianus), turkey (Meleagris gallopavo), screech owl (Otus asio), and starling (Sturnus vulgaris). Reptiles may typically include the yellow rat snake (Elaphe obsolete), eastern indigo snake (Drymarchon couperi), pygmy rattlesnake (Sisturus militarius), pine snake (Pituophis melanoleucus mugitus), box turtle (Terrapene Carolina), gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus), and the Florida ribbon snake (Thamnophis sauritus).
The diverse habitat on the site includes animals which are limited to those which are tolerant of dry conditions and high temperatures. Deer which may utilize these areas feed on the fruits of the oaks. Armadillos (Dasypus novemcinctus) and gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) along with blue-tailed mole skinks (Eumeces egregious lividus) may inhabit the xeric oak scrub. Bachman’s sparrow, rufous-sided towhee (Pipilo erthrophthalmus), great-crested flycatcher (Myarchus crinitus), and Florida scrub jays (Aphelocoma coerulescens coerulescens) could occur in this habitat, but there was no evidence of past or current occurrence of species.
Threatened and Endangered Species
In conclusion, species which occur or could potentially occur on the proposed 7753 & 7685 Conroy Windermere Road sites located at 7753 & 7685 Conroy Windermere Road, Orlando, Orange County, Florida and have legal status according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FFWCC) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) are listed in Appendix B—List of Protected Animals with Potential for Occurrence on the Proposed 7753 & 7685 Conroy Windermere Road sites located at 7753 & 7685 Conroy Windermere Road, Orlando, Orange County, Florida. Gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) abandoned burrows were observed on the sites. Other vertebrates which may occur in association with the gopher tortoise population include the Florida gopher frog (Rana capito [=areolata] aesopus), the Florida short-tailed mouse (Podomys floridanus), and the eastern indigo snake (Drymarchon couperi), which were not observed. A search of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission bald eagle nest locator database showed no bald eagle nest/nests located on or near the site.
A Florida Natural Areas Inventory created on 4/28/17 (See Appendix C—Florida Natural Areas Inventory) was consulted for this review. Three (3) species of plants were identified, They were not observed onsite, likely because of the absence of native vegetation of both lots. There were 0 Documented Elements found. The six (6) Likely Elements, including wood storks and gopher tortoises, were not observed probably because of past disturbance of the sites. Please do not hesitate to call if you have any questions. Mr. Will Reynolds NARR Construction Services
May 9, 2017 Page 6
Respectfully submitted,
Jeanne Fillman-Richards, Ph.D., C.E.C., C.E.I. President, Storm L. Richards & Associates, Inc. Certified Environmental Consultant Certified Environmental Inspector
Storm L. Richards, Ph.D., C.E.P., C.E.C., C.E.I. Certified Environmental Professional Certified Environmental Consultant Certified Environmental Inspector Florida Association of Environment Professionals, Member
Appendix A: Maps of Site Appendix B: List of Protected Animals with Potential for Occurrence on the Proposed 7753 & 7685 Conroy Windermere Road sites located at 7753 & 7685 Conroy Windermere Road, Orlando, Orange County, Florida Appendix C: Florida Natural Areas Inventory Appendix D: Site Photography
APPENDIX A
Maps of Site
APPENDIX B
List of Protected Animals with Potential for Occurrence on the Proposed 7753 & 7685 Conroy Windermere Road sites located at 7753 & 7685 Conroy Windermere Road, Orlando, Orange County, Florida
LIST OF PROTECTED ANIMALS WITH POTENTIAL FOR OCCURRENCE ON THE PROPOSED 7753 & 7685 CONROY WINDERMERE ROAD SITES LOCATED AT 7753 & 7685 CONROY WINDERMERE ROAD, ORLANDO, ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA
Designated Status1
Species Habitat USFWS2 FFWCC3
Birds:
Aphelocoma coerulescens Oak habitat; habitat T T coerulescens marginal; none sighted Florida scrub jay
Haliaeetus l. leucocephalus Near rivers and marshes; T T Southern bald eagle marginal habitat
Pandion haliaetus Near rivers, lakes; SSC1,2 Osprey none sighted
Mycteria Americana Wetlands and uplands T T Wood stork predominantly herbaceous areas; none sighted
Grus Canadensis pratensis Water’s edge; herbaceous T T Florida Sandhill Crane wetland and uplands; none observed
Reptiles and Amphibians:
Drymarchon couperi Dry, sandy areas; possible T T Eastern indigo snake occurrence; none sighted
Gopherus polyphemus Live oak, pine, turkey oak; C2 T Gopher tortoise no active burrows sighted
Pituophis melanoleucus Dry sandy areas; possible C2 SSC2 Florida pine snake occurrence; none sighted
Rana aereolata aesopus Dry, sandy areas; some C2 SSC1,2 (= Rana capito) possibility of occurrence; Florida gopher frog none sighted
Designated Status1
Species Habitat USFWS2 FFWCC3
Mammals:
Podomys floridanus Sand pine scrub, early C2 SSC Florida short-tailed mouse successional stage; possible occurrence; none sighted
1E = Endangered; T = Threatened; SSC = Species of Special Concern (see end of footnote); C2 = Candidate for listing, with some evidence of vulnerability although with insufficient information at present to support listing, but which is encouraged for consideration in environmental planning. Reasons for SSC listings prior to January 1, 2001, are indicated by the number in superscript under the following criteria: 1 Has a significant vulnerability to habitat modification, environmental alteration, human disturbance, or human exploitation which, in the foreseeable future, may result in its becoming a threatened species unless appropriate protective or management techniques are initiated or maintained. 2 May already meet certain criteria for designation as a threatened species but for which conclusive data are limited or lacking. 3 May occupy such an unusually vital or essential ecological niche that should it decline significantly in numbers or distribution other species would be adversely affected to a significant degree. 4 Has not sufficiently recovered from past population depletion. 5 Occurs as a population either intentionally introduced or being experimentally managed to attain specific objectives, and the species of special concern prohibitions in Rule 68A-27.002, F.A.C., shall not apply to species so designation, provided that the intentional killing, attempting to kill, possession, or sale of such species is prohibited.
2U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
3Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (formerly Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission)
4Listed under other species reviews.
APPENDIX C
Florida Natural Areas Inventory
1018 Thomasville Road Suite 200-C Tallahassee, FL 32303 850-224-8207 850-681-9364 fax www.fnai.org
Florida Natural Areas Inventory Biodiversity Matrix Query Results UNOFFICIAL REPORT Created 4/28/2017 (Contact FNAI Data Services Coordinator for an official Standard Data Report) NOTE: The Biodiversity Matrix includes only rare species and natural communities tracked by FNAI.
Report for 1 Matrix Unit: 44785
Descriptions
DOCUMENTED - There is a documented occurrence in the FNAI database of the species or community within this Matrix Unit.
DOCUMENTED-HISTORIC - There is a documented occurrence in the FNAI database of the species or community within this Matrix Unit; however the occurrence has not been observed/reported within the last twenty years.
LIKELY - The species or community is known to occur in this vicinity, and is considered likely within this Matrix Unit because: 1. documented occurrence overlaps this and adjacent Matrix Units, but the documentation isn’t precise enough to indicate which of those Units the species or community is actually located in; or 2. there is a documented occurrence in the vicinity and there is suitable habitat for that species or
community within this Matrix Unit.
POTENTIAL - This Matrix Unit lies within the known or predicted range of the species or community based on expert knowledge and environmental variables such as climate, soils, topography, and landcover.
Matrix Unit ID: 44785 4 Documented Elements Found Global State Federal State Scientific and Common Names Rank Rank Status Listing Bonamia grandiflora G3 S3 LT E Florida Bonamia Lechea cernua G3 S3 N T Nodding Pinweed Lupinus aridorum G1 S1 LE E Scrub Lupine Scrub G2 S2 N N
0 Documented-Historic Elements Found
6 Likely Elements Found Global State Federal State Scientific and Common Names Rank Rank Status Listing Gopherus polyphemus G3 S3 C ST Gopher Tortoise Mycteria americana G4 S2 LT FT Wood Stork Paronychia chartacea ssp. chartacea G3T3 S3 LT E Paper-like Nailwort Prunus geniculata G3 S3 LE E Scrub Plum Sandhill G3 S2 N N Sandhill upland lake G3 S2 N N
Matrix Unit ID: 44785 44 Potential Elements for Matrix Unit 44785 Global State Federal State Scientific and Common Names Rank Rank Status Listing Aphelocoma coerulescens G2 S2 LT FT Florida Scrub-Jay Athene cunicularia floridana G4T3 S3 N SSC Florida Burrowing Owl Calamintha ashei G3 S3 N T Ashe's Savory Calopogon multiflorus G2G3 S2S3 N T Many-flowered Grass-pink Carex chapmanii G3 S3 N T Chapman's Sedge Centrosema arenicola G2Q S2 N E Sand Butterfly Pea Chionanthus pygmaeus G2G3 S2S3 LE E Pygmy Fringe Tree Clitoria fragrans G3 S3 LT E
Scrub Pigeon-wing Coelorachis tuberculosa G3 S3 N T Piedmont Jointgrass Deeringothamnus pulchellus G1 S1 LE E Beautiful Pawpaw Drymarchon couperi G3 S3 LT FT Eastern Indigo Snake Eriogonum longifolium var. gnaphalifolium G4T3 S3 LT E Scrub Buckwheat Grus canadensis pratensis G5T2T3 S2S3 N ST Florida Sandhill Crane Gymnopogon chapmanianus G3 S3 N N Chapman's Skeletongrass Hartwrightia floridana G2 S2 N T Hartwrightia Heterodon simus G2 S2 N N Southern Hognose Snake Liatris ohlingerae G2 S2 LE E Florida Blazing Star Lithobates capito G3 S3 N SSC Gopher Frog Matelea floridana G2 S2 N E Florida Spiny-pod Melanoplus forcipatus G2 S2 N N Broad Cercus Scrub Grasshopper Mustela frenata peninsulae G5T3 S3 N N Florida Long-tailed Weasel Nemastylis floridana G2 S2 N E Celestial Lily Neofiber alleni G3 S3 N N Round-tailed Muskrat Nolina atopocarpa G3 S3 N T Florida Beargrass Nolina brittoniana G3 S3 LE E Britton's Beargrass Notophthalmus perstriatus G2G3 S2 C N Striped Newt Panicum abscissum G3 S3 N E Cutthroat Grass Peucaea aestivalis G3 S3 N N Bachman's Sparrow Picoides borealis G3 S2 LE FE Red-cockaded Woodpecker Pituophis melanoleucus mugitus G4T3 S3 N SSC Florida Pine Snake Plestiodon egregius lividus G5T2 S2 LT FT Blue-tailed Mole Skink Plestiodon reynoldsi G2 S2 LT FT Sand Skink
Podomys floridanus G3 S3 N SSC Florida Mouse Polygala lewtonii G2G3 S2S3 LE E Lewton's Polygala Polygonella myriophylla G3 S3 LE E Small's Jointweed Pteroglossaspis ecristata G2G3 S2 N T Giant Orchid Rostrhamus sociabilis G4G5 S2 LE N Snail Kite Salix floridana G2 S2 N E Florida Willow Sceloporus woodi G2G3 S2S3 N N Florida Scrub Lizard Schizachyrium niveum G1G2 S1S2 N E Scrub Bluestem Sciurus niger shermani G5T3 S3 N SSC Sherman's Fox Squirrel Ursus americanus floridanus G5T2 S2 N N Florida Black Bear Warea amplexifolia G1 S1 LE E Clasping Warea Warea carteri G3 S3 LE E Carter's Warea
Disclaimer The data maintained by the Florida Natural Areas Inventory represent the single most comprehensive source of information available on the locations of rare species and other significant ecological resources statewide. However, the data are not always based on comprehensive or site-specific field surveys. Therefore, this information should not be regarded as a final statement on the biological resources of the site being considered, nor should it be substituted for on-site surveys. FNAI shall not be held liable for the accuracy and completeness of these data, or opinions or conclusions drawn from these data. FNAI is not inviting reliance on these data. Inventory data are designed for the purposes of conservation planning and scientific research and are not intended for use as the primary criteria for regulatory decisions.
Unofficial Report These results are considered unofficial. FNAI offers a Standard Data Request option for those needing certifiable data.
APPENDIX D
Site Photography