Jeremy M. Kibler KDA ENGINEERING, INC. Principal kdaengineering.com KDA Engineering, Inc. 2017 13th Street P.O. Box 701360 Saint Cloud, FL 34769-4205 Saint Cloud, FL 34770-1360 [email protected]
South Florida Water Management District Att: Mrs. Lisa Prather 1707 Orlando Central Parkway, Suite 200 Orlando, FL 32809
July 25, 2018
RE: North Isle Application Number 180712-683
Mrs. Lisa Prather:
An environmental assessment was conducted by Bio-Tech Consulting, Inc. for the property known as “North Isle” consisting of approximately 33.69 acres of land located in Section 5, Township 25 South, Range 30 East of Osceola County, Florida. The assessment in whole, was conducted by means of two (2) parcel evaluations. The northern parcel or the “Barber Property”, consisting of approximately 17.08 acres of land; and the “Espo Creek Property”, consisting of approximately 16.61 acres of land, collectively represent the assessment for the subject application. The results of the environmental assessment have been provided below:
Land Use Types/Vegetative Communities The North Isle project supports four (4) upland land use types/vegetative communities. These were identified utilizing the Florida Land Use, Cover and Forms Classification System, Level III (FLUCFCS, FDOT, January 2004) (please see Figures 5 for both the “Barber Property” and “Espo Creek Property” enclosed herein). These upland land use types/vegetative communities are classified as Residential, Low Density (110), Improved Pastures (211), Abandoned Groves (224) and Disturbed Land (740). No wetland/surface water land use types/vegetative communities were identified within the project limits. The following provides a brief description of these land use types/vegetative communities:
(110) - Residential, Low Density The northern portion of the “Barber Property” and the western portion of the “Espo Creek Property” contain single-family residences (three in total) and are most consistent with the Residential, Low Density (110) FLUCFCS classification. Vegetative species observed within this land use type include live oak (Quercus virginiana), laurel oak (Quercus laurifolia), American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis), citrus (Citrus spp.), camphortree (Cinnamomum camphora), guineagrass (Panicum maximum), lantana (Lantana camara), American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana), caesarweed (Urena lobata), sedges (Carex spp. and Cyperus spp.), common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia), muscadine grapevine (Vitis rotundifolia), blackberry (Rubus pensilvaticus), dog fennel (Eupatorium cappillifolium), rose natalgrass (Melinis repens), beggar-ticks (Bidens alba), Virginia creeper
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(Parthenocissus quinquefolia), St. Augustinegrass (Stenotaphrum secundatum), bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum), as well as various landscaping plants.
(211) - Improved Pastures The eastern and western portions of the “Barber Property” consist of pastureland that is most consistent with the Improved Pastures (211) FLUCFCS classification. Vegetative species observed within this community include live oak (Quercus virginiana), laurel oak (Quercus laurifolia), American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana), lantana (Lantana camara), caesarweed (Urena lobata), guineagrass (Panicum maximum), purple passionflower, (Passiflora incarnate), common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia), muscadine grapevine (Vitis rotundifolia), blackberry (Rubus pensilvaticus), Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia), dog fennel (Eupatorium cappillifolium), sedges (Carex spp. and Cyperus spp.), and bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum).
(224) - Abandoned Groves The southern portion of the “Barber Property” is most consistent with the Abandoned Groves (224) FLUCFCS classification. Vegetative species observed within this community include citrus (Citrus sp.), live oak (Quercus virginiana), laurel oak (Quercus laurifolia), black cherry tree (Prunus serotina), guineagrass (Panicum maximum), lantana (Lantana camara), blackberry (Rubus pensilvaticus), dog fennel (Eupatorium cappillifolium), purple passionflower (Passiflora incarnate), common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia), muscadine grapevine (Vitis rotundifolia), rose natalgrass (Melinis repens), beggar-ticks (Bidens alba), eastern bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum), hairy indigo (Indigofera hirsuta), Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia), sedges (Carex spp. and Cyperus spp.), and bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum).
(740) - Disturbed Land The remaining portion of the “Espo Creek Property” consists of a mixture of abandoned citrus and pasturelands that are most consistent with the Disturbed Land (740) FLUCFCS classification. Vegetative species observed within this community include live oak (Quercus virginiana), laurel oak (Quercus laurifolia), camphortree (Cinnamomum camphora), earpod tree (Enterolobium contortisiliquum), Chinese tallowtree (Triadica sebifera), guineagrass (Panicum maximum), lantana (Lantana camara), winged sumac (Rhus copallinum), purple passionflower (Passiflora incarnate), American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana), Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolia), caesarweed (Urena lobata), common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia), primrosewillow (Ludwigia peruviana), muscadine grapevine (Vitis rotundifolia), blackberry (Rubus pensilvaticus), eastern bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum), hairy indigo (Indigofera hirsuta), sedges (Carex spp. and Cyperus spp.), dog fennel (Eupatorium cappillifolium), Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) and bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum).
Protected Species Using methodologies outlined in the Florida’s Fragile Wildlife (Wood, 2001); Measuring and Monitoring Biological Diversity Standard Methods for Mammals (Wilson, et al., 1996); and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FFWCC’s) Gopher Tortoise Permitting Guidelines (April 2008 – revised January 2017), an assessment for “listed” floral and faunal species was conducted for the subject property. This assessment included both direct observations and indirect evidence, such as tracks, burrows, tree markings and vocalizations that indicated the presence of species
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observed. The assessment focused on species that are “listed” by the FFWCC’s Official Lists - Florida’s Endangered Species, Threatened Species and Species of Special Concern (May 2017) that have the potential to occur in Osceola County (please see Table 1 enclosed herein). No plant species “listed” by federal agencies were identified on the site during the assessments. The following is a list of those wildlife species identified during the evaluation of the subject property:
Reptiles and Amphibians Brown Anole (Norops sagrei) Eastern Black Racer (Coluber constrictor) Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) Green Anole (Anolis carolinensis) Slender Glass Lizard (Ophisaurus attenuates)
Birds Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) Red-Shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus)
Mammals Eastern Cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus) Eastern Gray Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) Nine-Banded Armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) Common Racoon (Procyon lotor) Virginia Opossum (Didelphis virginiana) Wild Boar (Sus scrofa)
Of those species observed, the gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus), is identified in the FFWCC’s Official Lists - Florida’s Endangered Species, Threatened Species and Species of Special Concern (May 2017). The gopher tortoise is classified as a “Category 2 Candidate Species” by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and as of September 2007, is now classified as “Threatened” by FFWCC, and as “Threatened” by FCREPA. The Applicant intends to permit and provide off-site relocation for the gopher tortoise population that exists within the limits of the site in accordance with the applicable processes and regulations established by the FFWCC.
Additionally, while no bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) nests exist within the limits of the site, a review of those nests currently identified within a three (3) mile radius of the subject project was conducted. Currently, there are no Identified nests whose protective buffer zones of either 330 feet or 660 feet would reach the boundaries of the North Isle site. The nest in closest proximity is OS167 and it is located approximately 2,000 feet to the west of the subject project. Please see the bald eagle nest map enclosed herein.
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In conclusion, the above summary collectively represents the environmental characteristics for the project known as “North Isle” and we respectfully submit the enclosed in conjunction with the subject application.
Respectfully,
Jeremy M. Kibler, AICP, CFM, PE
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PAGE 2 Legend
Sources: Esri, HERE, DeLorme, USGS, Intermap, INCREMENT P, NRCan, Esri Barber Property Japan, METI, Esri China (Hong Kong), Esri Korea, Esri (Thailand), MapmyIndia, NGCC, © OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GIS User Community
0 0.25 0.5 1 Barber Property Miles Osceola County, Florida Project #: 230-53 Figure 1 ² Produced By: NTJ Location Map Date: 8/25/2017 Legend Barber Property
0 50 100 200 Barber Property Feet Osceola County, Florida Project #: 230-53 Figure 2 ² Produced By: NTJ 2016 Aerial Photograph Date: 8/25/2017 Legend Barber Property
0 300 600 1,200 Barber Property Feet Osceola County, Florida Project #: 230-53 Figure 3 ² Produced By: NTJ USGS Topographic Map Date: 8/25/2017 32
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Legend Barber Property 44 Osceola County Soils 16 : Immokalee fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes
522 : Myakka fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes 32 27 : Ona fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes 34 : Pomello fine sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes 44 : Tavares fine sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes 32
0 50 100 200 Barber Property Feet Osceola County, Florida Project #: 230-53 Figure 4 ² Produced By: NTJ USDA - NRCS Soils Map Date: 8/25/2017 Legend Barber Property FLUCFCS 110 : Residential, Low Density 211 : Improved Pastures 224 : Abandoned Groves
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0 50 100 200 Barber Property Feet Osceola County, Florida Project #: 230-53 Figure 5 ² Produced By: NTJ FLUCFCS Map Date: 8/28/2017
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edeWQGSEQRUGUrEDfQGQREegeWQGSEQRUGQREEFUEwURfDRDEQWhVEREUEVRwURVGWQEQqIDGQW eieWQGSEQRUGDGUrEDfQGQRE eeWQGSEQRUGQREEFUEwURGSERVqfQjQW eeeWQGSEQRUGVGShRQqfQWGQRE Table 1: Potentially Occurring Listed Wildlife and Plant Species in Osceola County, Florida
Scientific Name Common Name Federal Status State Status REPTILES Alligator mississippiensis American alligator SAT FT(S/A) Drymarchon corais couperi eastern indigo snake LT FT Gopherus polyphemus gopher tortoise C ST Pituophis melanoleucus mugitus Florida Pine Snake N ST Eumeces egregius lividus blue-tailed mole skink LT FT Plestiodon reynoldsi sand skink LT FT BIRDS Ammodramus savannarum floridanus Florida grasshopper sparrow LE FE Aphelocoma coerulescens Florida scrub-jay LT FT Athene cunicularia floridana burrowing owl N ST Caracara cheriway Crested Caracara LT FT Egretta caerulea little blue heron N ST Egretta tricolor tricolored heron N ST Falco sparverius paulus southeastern American kestrel N ST Grus americana whooping crane LE, XN FXN Grus canadensis pratensis Florida sandhill crane N ST Haliaeetus leucocephalus bald eagle N ** Mycteria americana wood stork LT FT Pandion haliaetus osprey N SSC* Picoides borealis red-cockaded woodpecker LE FE Rostrhamus sociabilis plumbeus Everglade snail kite LE N MAMMALS Eumops floridanus Florida bonneted bat LE FE Puma concolor coryi Florida panther LE FE Sciurus niger shermani Sherman's fox squirrel N SSC VASCULAR PLANTS Andropogon arctatus Pine-woods Bluestem N T Bonamia grandiflora Florida bonamia LT E Calopogon multiflorus Many-flowered Grass-pink N T Carex chapmanii Chapman's Sedge N T Chionanthus pygmaeus pygmy fringe tree LE E Conradina grandiflora large-flowered rosemary N T Eriogonum longifolium var gnaphalifolium scrub buckwheat LT E Lechea cernua nodding pinweed N T Lupinus westianus var aridorum scrub lupine LE E Najas filifolia narrowleaf naiad N T Nemastylis floridana Celestial Lily N E Nolina atopocarpa Florida beargrass N T Nolina brittoniana Britton's beargrass LE E Ophioglossum palmatum hand fern N E Panicum abscissum cutthroat grass N E Paronychia chartacea ssp chartacea paper-like nailwort LT E Pecluma ptilodon Swamp Plume Polypody N E Polygala lewtonii Lewton's polygala LE E Polygonella myriophylla Small's jointweed LE E Prunus geniculata scrub plum LE E Pteroglossaspis ecristata Giant Orchid N T Warea amplexifolia clasping warea LE E FEDERAL LEGAL STATUS LE-Endangered: species in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range. LT-Threatened: species likely to become Endangered within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range. SAT-Endangered due to similarity of appearance to a species which is federally listed such that enforcement personnel have difficulty in attempting to differentiate between the listed and unlisted species. C-Candidate species for which federal listing agencies have sufficient information on biological vulnerability and threats to support proposing to list the species as Endangered or Threatened.
XN-Non-essential experimental population. N-Not currently listed, nor currently being considered for listing as Endangered or Threatened.
STATE LEGAL STATUS - ANIMALS
FE- Listed as Endangered Species at the Federal level by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service FT- Listed as Threatened Species at the Federal level by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service FXN- Federal listed as an experimental population in Florida FT(S/A)- Federal Threatened due to similarity of appearance ST- State population listed as Threatened by the FFWCC. Defined as a species, subspecies, or isolated population which is acutely vulnerable to environmental alteration, declining in number at a rapid rate, or whose range or habitat is decreasing in area at a rapid rate and as a consequence is destined or very likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future.
SSC-Listed as Species of Special Concern by the FFWCC. Defined as a population which warrants special protection, recognition, or consideration because it has an inherent significant vulnerability to habitat modification, environmental alteration, human disturbance, or substantial human exploitation which, in the foreseeable future, may result in its becoming a threatened species. (SSC* for Pandion haliaetus (Osprey) indicates that this status applies in Monroe county only.)
N-Not currently listed, nor currently being considered for listing.
** State protected by F.A.C. 68A-16.002 and federally protected by both the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (1918) and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (1940)
STATE LEGAL STATUS - PLANTS
E-Endangered: species of plants native to Florida that are in imminent danger of extinction within the state, the survival of which is unlikely if the causes of a decline in the number of plants continue; includes all species determined to be endangered or threatened pursuant to the U.S. Endangered Species Act. T-Threatened: species native to the state that are in rapid decline in the number of plants within the state, but which have not so decreased in number as to cause them to be Endangered. N-Not currently listed, nor currently being considered for listing.