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[email protected] www.btc-inc.com April 17, 2013 Yasmin Moreno, P.E. D.R. Horton, Inc. 5850 T.G. Lee Blvd., Suite 600 Orlando, FL 32822 Proj: Lakes at Laurel Highlands Site – Polk County, Florida Sections 27,28, 33 and 34- Township 28 South, Range 23 East (BTC File #110-49.03) Re: Wildlife Assessment Report Dear Ms. Moreno: Orlando Office 2002 E Robinson St Orlando FL 32803 On April 18th, 2013, Bio-Tech Consulting, Inc. (BTC) conducted a wildlife survey across the approximately 98-acre Sawgrass Phase 3 Site. The subject Vero Beach Office 1717 Indian River Blvd site is located northeast of the intersection of the Polk County Parkway and Suite 201 Airport Road East in Polk County, Florida (Figure 1). The on-site evaluation Vero Beach FL 32960 included a review for the occurrence of protected species of flora and fauna Leesburg Office through direct and indirect observations. 414 W Main St Suite 204 Leesburg FL 34748 PROTECTED SPECIES Jacksonville Office 2036 Forbes St Using the methodologies outlined in the Florida Fish and Wildlife Jacksonville FL 32204 Conservation Commission’s (FFWCC) Gopher Tortoise Permitting Guidelines (April 2008 – revised September 2012) an assessment for “listed” Tampa Office 333 Falkenburg Rd N floral and faunal species was conducted at the site on April 18, 2013. This Suite A 128 assessment, which covered approximately 100% of the subject site, included Tampa FL 33619 direct observations and indirect evidence, such as tracks, burrows, tree Key West Office markings and birdcalls. 1107 Key Plaza Suite 259 Key West FL 33040 The assessment focused on species that are “listed” by the FFWCC’s Official Lists - Florida’s Endangered Species, Threatened Species and Species of Aquatic & Land Management Operations Special Concern (October 2012) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 3825 Rouse Rd (USFWS) and have the potential to occur in Polk County (Table 1). Orlando FL 32817 Native Plant Nursery DCC Farms 8580 Bunkhouse Rd Orlando FL 32832 407.894.5969 877.894.5969 407.894.5970 fax Orlando Vero Beach Leesburg Jacksonville Tampa Key West Yasmin Moreno, D.R. Horton, Inc. Lakes at Laurel Highlands Site – Wildlife Assessment Report (BTC File #110-49.03) Page 2 of 3 No plant species listed as “endangered” or “threatened” by either the Florida Department of Agriculture (FDA) or USFWS were observed on the site at the time of the on-site evaluation. The following is a list of those wildlife species identified during the evaluation of the property: Reptiles and Amphibians brown anole (Anolis sagrei) Birds Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus) Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna spp.) Mammals coyote (Canis latrans) feral pig (Sus scrofa) None of the above wildlife species are identified in the FFWCC’s Official Lists - Florida’s Endangered Species, Threatened Species and Species of Special Concern (October 2012). A site visit conducted by BTC in 2007 revealed occurrences of both Sandhill Cranes, and Wood Storks. However, these species were not observed during the site visit associated with this report. Wood Stork (Mycteria Americana) FFWCC & USFWS Listed as “Endangered” It should also be noted that, as indicated on the attached wildlife map (Figure 3), the subject property is shown to be located within a Wood Stork Nesting Colony Core Foraging Area. The Wood stork (Mycteria americana) is listed as “Endangered” by both the FFWCC and the USFWS. Wood storks are large, long-legged wading birds, about 45 inches tall, with a wingspan of 60 to 65 inches. Their plumage is white except for black primaries and secondaries and a short black tail. The head and neck are largely unfeathered and dark gray in color. The bill is black, thick at the base, and slightly decurved. Wood Storks are birds of freshwater and estuarine wetlands, primarily nesting in cypress or mangrove swamps. They feed in freshwater marshes, narrow tidal creeks, or flooded tidal pools as well as roadside ditches. Particularly attractive feeding sites are depressions in marshes or swamps where fish become concentrated during periods of falling water levels. Based on our review of available databases, there is no record of a Wood Stork rookery on the project site or within close proximity. There are no development constraints anticipated regarding the subject property lying within a Wood Stork Nesting Colony Core Foraging Area. Yasmin Moreno, D.R. Horton, Inc. Lakes at Laurel Highlands Site – Wildlife Assessment Report (BTC File #110-49.03) Page 3 of 3 In addition to the on-site evaluation for listed species, BTC conducted a review of FFWCC’s database for recorded Bald Eagle nests within one (1.0) mile of the project site. This search revealed no recorded nests, through the 2012 nesting season, within one (1.0) mile of the subject site. The environmental limitations described in this document are based on observations and technical information available on the date of the on-site evaluation. This report is for general planning purposes only. Should you have any questions or require any additional information, please do not hesitate to contact our office at (407) 894-5969. Thank you. Regards, Kristopher Brown John Miklos Field Biologist President Attachments Avoidance and Minimization Project: Lakes of Laurel Highlands Date: July 10, 2013 Bio‐Tech Consulting, Inc. The proposed activities require 0.11 acres of unavoidable impacts. These impacts are illustrated on the construction plans (Grading and Drainage Plans provided under separate cover). The impacts are unavoidable due to the number, extent and orientation of the on‐site jurisdictional areas relative to the type of proposed project (single‐family residential). During the early stages of project, several designs were contemplated. The original design included over 13 acres of impacts to jurisdictional areas. Recognizing the requirement to avoid and minimize impacts, the project was dramatically redesigned. The recently submitted construction plans illustrate currently the proposed design. As indicated on the construction plans, a roadway is required to access various upland areas that are targeted for development. This roadway must provide access to all upland portions of the project where construction is proposed. The current roadway design specifically avoids all jurisdictional areas to the greatest extent possible; however, one of the wetland systems extends across the property and isolates significant upland areas that are proposed for development. Therefore, the crossing of this wetland system is necessary and the impacts associated with this crossing could not be avoided. As indicated in the construction plans, the design places the proposed wetland crossing at the narrowest point of the wetland. This design is specifically intended to minimize the area of impact to the greatest extent possible. Additionally, the proposed impact area in its current state is highly altered and, relative to other portions of the same wetland, is of low functional value due to years of use as a crossing for vehicles and equipment associated with ongoing cattle and sod management activities. Therefore, the area of impact has been reduced to the greatest extent possible by virtue of placing the needed roadway crossing at the narrowest point in the wetland and, furthermore, the design places the crossing at a location that is of the least functional quality of that system. Compensatory Mitigation Plan Lakes at Laurel Highlands July 10, 2013 Bio‐Tech Consulting, Inc. The compensation for the proposed 0.11 acres of impacts to jurisdictional areas will be facilitated through the purchase of 0.06 credits from the North Tampa Mitigation Bank. Peninsular Florida Species CCG for Skinks Project: Lakes at Laurel Highlands July 10, 2013 Bio‐Tech Consulting, Inc. General Descriptions: The project is within Polk County, which is a county that has been identified as supporting populations of sand and/or blue‐tailed mole skinks. The project is within the Sand Skink Consultation Area (Figure 6). The project includes elevations above the 82‐foot elevation. The project does not include soils that have been identified as potential supporting soil types (Figure 4 – Soils Map). The habitat types on the site do not include natural communities that might support these species. Based on the above site characteristics, it is unlikely the project site supports sand skink or blue‐tailed mole skink populations. Step 1: Describe the Proposed Action The project includes the construction of a single‐family subdivision, associated stormwater management facilities (ponds, pipes, structures), roadways, and similar related features. The proposed construction will include alterations to the substrate (grading) to achieve appropriate elevations to facilitate appropriate stormwater drainage. The grading plans are specifically designed to effectively reduce the potential for undesirable flooding of residences and roadways and to achieve the stormwater attenuation and treatment required by the respective regulatory agencies (e.g., Southwest Florida Water Management District). Post‐project operations (i.e., Interrelated and interdependent activities) are not anticipated to impact skinks because the site does not include soil types that are conducive to supporting skink populations. However, such activities will include normal residential uses, typical maintenance (mowing of upland common areas,