PROJECT DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT STUDY

SR 997 / SW 177th AVENUE / KROME AVENUE SOUTH FROM SW 296th STREET (AVOCADO DRIVE) TO SW 136th STREET (HOWARD DRIVE)

FM NO.: 249614-4-22-01 ETDM No. 7800

Endangered Species Biological Assessment

Florida Department of Transportation, District Six 1000 NW 111th Avenue, Miami, Florida 33172

September 2013

SR 997/SW 177th Avenue/Krome Avenue (South) PD&E Study Endangered Species Biological Assessment

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0 INTRODUCTION...... 1-1 2.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION ...... 2-1 2.1 EXISTING CONDITIONS ...... 2-1 2.2 LAND USE ...... 2-2 2.3 STORMWATER MANAGEMENT ...... 2-5 2.4 ALTERNATE CORRIDORS ...... 2-7 2.5 PROJECT ALTERNATIVES ...... 2-9 2.5.1 No-Build Alternative ...... 2-9 2.5.2 Transportation System Management (TSM) Alternative ...... 2-10 2.5.3 Action Plan Alternative ...... 2-11 2.5.4 Proposed Build Alternatives ...... 2-14 3.0 EXISTING CONDITIONS ...... 3-1 3.1 NATURAL COMMUNITIES (UPLANDS/WETLANDS) ...... 3-1 3.1.1 Upland Communities ...... 3-8 3.1.2 Wetland /Surfacewater Communities ...... 3-12 3.1.3 Other Notable Communities in Close Proximity to the Project ...... 3-14 3.2 PROTECTED SPECIES AND HABITATS ...... 3-17 3.2.1 Survey Methodology ...... 3-19 3.2.2 Protected Species Coordination Results ...... 3-19 3.2.3 Protected Species Survey Results ...... 3-20 3.2.4 Designated Habitats Results ...... 3-38 3.2.5 Other Notable Sites/Habitats ...... 3-42 4.0 PROJECT IMPACTS ...... 4-1 4.1 HABITAT IMPACTS ...... 4-1 4.1.1 Upland Communities ...... 4-1 4.1.2 Wetland/Surface Water Communities ...... 4-1 4.1.3 Other Notable Communities in Close Proximity to the Project ...... 4-3 4.2 LISTED SPECIES IMPACTS ...... 4-5 4.2.1 Mammals ...... 4-6 4.2.2 Birds ...... 4-7 4.2.3 Reptiles ...... 4-8 4.2.4 Mollusks ...... 4-10 4.2.5 Plants ...... 4-10 4.3 DESIGNATED HABITAT IMPACTS ...... 4-10 4.3.1 Critical Habitats ...... 4-10 4.3.2 South Florida Multi-Species Recovery Plan Consultation Areas ...... 4-10 4.3.3 Strategic Habitat Conservation Areas ...... 4-11 4.3.4 Essential Fish Habitat...... 4-11 4.3.5 Environmentally Endangered Lands (EEL) ...... 4-11 4.3.6 Other Notable Sites/Habitats ...... 4-20 5.0 SUMMARY ...... 5-1 6.0 REFERENCES ...... 6-1 i

SR 997/SW 177th Avenue/Krome Avenue (South) PD&E Study Endangered Species Biological Assessment

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1-1 Project Location Map ...... 1-2 Figure 2-1 Existing Two-Lane Rural Typical Roadway Section ...... 2-2 Figure 2-2 Land Use Map ...... 2-3 Figure 2-3 Alternate Corridors ...... 2-8 Figure 2-4 Action Plan (Original) Proposed Typical Roadway Section ...... 2-12 Figure 2-5 Action Plan (Modified) Proposed Typical Roadway Section ...... 2-13 Figure 2-6 Alternative 1 Proposed Typical Roadway Section (Rural) ...... 2-15 Figure 2-7 Alternative 2 Proposed Typical Roadway Section (Rural) ...... 2-16 Figure 2-8 Alternative 3 Proposed Typical Roadway Section (Rural) ...... 2-17 Figure 2-9 Alternative 4 Proposed Typical Roadway Section (Rural) ...... 2-18 Figure 2-10 Alternative 5 Proposed Typical Roadway Section (Suburban) ...... 2-19 Figure 2-11 Alternative 5 Proposed Typical Roadway Section (Rural) ...... 2-20 Figure 3-1 Natural Communities Map ...... 3-2 Figure 3-2 Natural Communities Map ...... 3-3 Figure 3-3 Natural Communities Map ...... 3-4 Figure 3-4 Natural Communities Map ...... 3-5 Figure 3-5 Natural Communities Map ...... 3-6 Figure 3-6 Natural Communities Map ...... 3-7 Figure 3-7 Additional Communities Map ...... 3-16 Figure 4-1 Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 1 Avoidance Alternative ...... 4-13 Figure 4-2 Proposed Owaissa Bauer Minimization Treatment (Typical) ...... 4-14 Figure 4-3 View of Weedy Herbaceous Disturbed Area (at Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 1) ...... 4-16

LIST OF TABLES

Table 3-1 Summary of ETAT Natural Resources Comments ...... 3-18 Table 3-2 Listed Species Potentially Occurring within the Project Study Corridor ...... 3-21 Table 4-1 Direct Surface Water Impacts ...... 4-2 Table 4-2 Encroachment into Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 1 per Build Alternative...... 4-11 Table 4-3 Impacts with Minimization Treatment per Build Alternative ...... 4-15 Table 4-4 Vegetation Community Impacts within Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 1 ...... 4-16 Table 4-5 Encroachment into Florida Audubon Society Property per Build Alternative .. 4-20 Table 4-6 Vegetative Canopy Impacts Within and Directly Adjacent to Florida Audubon Society Property ...... 4-21 Table 5-1 Federal-Listed Species with the Potential to Occur ...... 5-3

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SR 997/SW 177th Avenue/Krome Avenue (South) PD&E Study Endangered Species Biological Assessment

LIST OF APPENDICES

Appendix A Agency Correspondence and Relevant Sections of the Efficient Transportation Decision Making Programming Screen Summary Report Appendix B Plant Taxa List Appendix C Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 1 Figures Appendix D U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Protected Species List - Miami-Dade County Appendix E Miami-Dade County Environmentally Endangered Lands Program Coordination Appendix F Florida Audubon Society Property Figures Appendix G Observed Wildlife Species List Appendix H Miami-Dade County Endangered Lands Acquisition Program Biological Evaluation Report Appendix I U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Standard Protection Measures for the Eastern Indigo Snake Appendix J Florida Fish and Wildlife Service Tree Snail Relocation Protocol Appendix K Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 1 Statement of Significance Appendix L Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund Upland Easement Application and Florida Department of Environmental Protection Coordination

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SR 997/SW 177th Avenue/Krome Avenue (South) PD&E Study Endangered Species Biological Assessment

1.0 INTRODUCTION

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is evaluating roadway and safety improvement alternatives along an approximate 10-mile segment of SR 997/SW 177th Avenue/Krome Avenue (Krome Avenue) from SW 296th Street/Avocado Drive to SW 136th Street/Howard Drive. The Krome Avenue project corridor is located in the southern portion of unincorporated Miami-Dade County, Florida (See Figure 1-1 – Location Map). Krome Avenue is part of the State Highway System and the Strategic Intermodal System (SIS), and it is also considered a major regional connector in South Florida.

A Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study was initiated as part of the planning process. The objective of the PD&E Study is to provide documented environmental and engineering analyses that will assist the FDOT and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in reaching a decision on the type, conceptual design, and location of the necessary improvements along the Krome Avenue corridor. This PD&E Study also complies with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act and other federal laws to qualify the proposed improvements for federal funding.

As part of the Krome Avenue PD&E Study, an Endangered Species Biological Assessment (ESBA) was conducted in accordance with Volume 2, Chapter 27 (dated 10/02/1991) of the FDOT PD&E Manual. This ESBA defines and evaluates the impacts of the proposed roadway improvements on threatened and endangered species and their habitats located within the project area. Additionally, in accordance with Section 7(c) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended, and Chapter 68A-27 Florida Administrative Code (FAC), Rules Pertaining to Endangered and Threatened Species, this ESBA has been conducted to ensure that the proposed roadway improvements project is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of threatened or endangered species or result in the destruction or adverse modification of the critical habitat of these species. The information within this report is also intended to provide the technical support for the findings presented in the project’s Preliminary Engineering Report and the Environmental Impact Statement.

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Figure 1-1 – Project Location Map

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2.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The FDOT is conducting a PD&E Study for the roadway improvements of Krome Avenue from SW 296th Street to SW 136th Street. The project limits run in a north-south orientation for approximately ten miles. The section of Krome Avenue from the intersection of SW 136th Street to the intersection of SR-25/US 27/Okeechobee Road in Miami-Dade County was the subject of another PD&E Study completed in 2006 that extended approximately 23 miles to the north.

Krome Avenue is a major north-south rural/urban principal arterial that extends from SR-5/US 1 to SR-25/US 27/Okeechobee Road in Miami-Dade County. The Krome Avenue corridor has been the subject of extensive study and discussion for the past two decades. It has documented safety deficiencies. It provides regional connectivity from as far south as the Florida Keys to Broward County and points north. Further, it is one of only three evacuation routes serving the Florida Keys and southern Miami-Dade County. The need for improvements on this corridor is based on a combination of safety, physical, and functional deficiencies within the corridor plus overall capacity needs (reference the Preliminary Engineering Report prepared for this project for details). The primary objective of the project is to address safety deficiencies along this section of the Krome Avenue corridor. The secondary objectives of the project are to provide additional capacity to accommodate anticipated future area travel demand and to address other design deficiencies along the roadway. Additional secondary objectives include maintaining the effectiveness of the corridor as an emergency evacuation route and improving regional connectivity. The existing typical section within the study limits (Krome Avenue from SW 296th Street to SW 136th Street) varies slightly, consisting primarily of two undivided lanes, with intermittent paved shoulders and soil/grass swales.

The focus of this PD&E Study is to develop and analyze improvement alternatives that would address the deficiencies along this portion of the roadway network in Miami-Dade County. A corridor analysis was conducted followed by the development of alternatives along the recommended corridor. These alternatives include the No-Build Alternative, a Transportation System Management (TSM) Alternative, and several Build Alternatives. All alternatives provide safety and operational enhancements, under rural and suburban conditions (see below and reference the Preliminary Engineering Report prepared for this project for additional details).

2.1 Existing Conditions

The section of Krome Avenue from SW 296th Street [Mile Post (MP) 3.827] to SW 272nd Street/Epmore Drive (MP 5.342) is classified as an Urban Principal Arterial and from SW 272nd Street to SW 136th Street (MP 13.985) is classified as a Rural Principal Arterial. The existing speed limit is posted at 45 MPH along the study corridor. The access management classification within the study limits is Class 2 Restrictive. Also, the Krome Avenue corridor is part of the SIS and is an important north/south arterial within Miami-Dade County.

The existing typical section of Krome Avenue from SW 296th Street/Avocado Drive to SW 136th Street/Howard Drive varies slightly, consisting primarily of two undivided 12-foot-wide travel lanes (less than 12 feet at some locations), with five-foot-wide paved shoulders (less than five feet at some locations) and soil/grass swales. The existing right-of-way varies from 35 feet to 200 feet (see Figure 2-1).

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No designated pedestrian facilities currently exist along Krome Avenue or any of the adjacent side streets within the study corridor. No designated bicycle facilities exist within the study limits. There are no crosswalks and/or pedestrian pushbuttons provided at the signalized intersections within the study limits.

Figure 2-1 – Existing Two-Lane Rural Typical Roadway Section

2.2 Land Use

The proposed project corridor traverses a farming and residential community. The agricultural land uses include numerous agricultural fields and herbaceous, ornamental, and fruit tree nurseries. The agricultural fields include seasonal "self-pick" fields with fruit/vegetable stands. There are many nurseries found scattered along much of the southern stretch of Krome Avenue; most are open to the public with direct access onto Krome Avenue. A Land Use map is provided as Figure 2-2.

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Figure 2-2 – Land Use Map

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From SW 296th Street to SW 288th Street, residential estate densities of 1 to 2.5 dwelling units per acre occur on both sides of the corridor. From SW 288th Street to SW 272nd Street, residential estates occur only on the east side of Krome Avenue, while agricultural land use occurs on the west side. North of SW 272nd Street, agriculture dominates land use along Krome Avenue, with the exception of some intersections that are designated business and office land uses. The intersections on Krome Avenue that contain the office and business land uses are found at intersections of SW 272nd Street, SW 248th Street, SW 232nd Street, and SW 200th Street on the corridor.

There are nine gas stations on the corridor. Along this southern portion of the Krome corridor, between SW 288th Street and SW 184th Street, three establishments were found to have active horse hitching posts, which show evidence of the historically preserved rural character of Krome Avenue. Other land uses include an airplane glider facility on SW 168th Street and Krome Avenue, three churches, and one religious school found along the corridor.

The Dade County Archipelago Florida Forever Project helps fund the public acquisition for conservation of privately owned subtropical pinelands and hardwood hammocks that remain in Miami-Dade County. These sites, including the Miami Rockridge Pinelands (including Ingram Pineland) and the Owaissa Bauer Pinelands (including the Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 1, 2 and 3 sites) are administered through the Miami-Dade County Department of Environmental Resources Management’s (DERM) [DERM is now known as Miami-Dade County Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources, Environmental Monitoring and Restoration Division (DRER EMRD)] Environmentally Endangered Lands (EEL) Program. One of these ecologically significant parcels, the Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 1, exists along the project corridor in the southeast quadrant of the intersection of Krome Avenue and SW 264th Street. The Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 2 and 3 sites are located along SW 264th Street approximately 700 feet east (south of SW 264th Street) and 3,300 feet northeast (north of SW 264th Street) of the intersection of Krome Avenue and SW 264th Street, respectively. Additionally, the Miami Rockridge Pinelands are located along the south side of SW 288th Street approximately 5,000 feet east of the Krome Avenue Project corridor. Camp Owaissa Bauer (including the Everglades Archery Range) is located along the north side of SW 264th Street approximately 600 feet east of the Krome Avenue project corridor. This camp is administered through the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department (MDPROS).

Two unimproved SFWMD canal maintenance access roads bisect Krome Avenue within the study corridor. One of the maintenance access roads runs parallel to the SFWMD C- 102/Princeton Canal, which crosses Krome Avenue at approximately SW 196th Street, while the other maintenance access road runs parallel to the SFWMD C-103/Mowry Canal, which crosses Krome Avenue just north of SW 280th Street. These roads are currently mowed/maintained by the SFWMD for maintenance access to the adjacent canals. The Miami- Dade Open Space Master Plan Vision Map (dated November 11, 2009) shows both of these maintenance access roads, as potential future “greenways” on the Miami-Dade Open Space Master Plan Vision Map. However, the SFWMD, the owner of these canal maintenance access roads, has no plans at this time for development of these maintenance roads for trail use. The Redlands Golf and Country Club is located adjacent to the eastern Krome Avenue right-of-way, approximately 950 feet north of SW 248th Street. The Florida Audubon Society privately owns a

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two-acre property, which is located on the west side of the southern end of the Krome Avenue study corridor just north of SW 296th Street. This site is not designated or classified as a park by federal, state, or local agencies; however, this privately-owned unmarked parcel is recognized by the Florida Audubon Society, the land owner, as a bird watching location. The site contains planted rockland and coastal upland hammock species used to attract birds and butterflies to the area for viewing.

2.3 Stormwater Management

The existing stormwater management system along the Krome Avenue corridor is inadequate, consisting of direct offsite discharge via overland flow from the embankment. A few intermittent roadside dirt swales/depressional areas exist; however, no formal water quality facilities occur along the corridor. There are also a few isolated systems constructed by off-site developments which are typically found at the larger intersections along the project corridor. The existing soil infiltration rates range from good to excellent allowing these systems to be able to retain the contributing runoff onsite without any overflow. However, since stormwater treatment or peak attenuation is not provided throughout the corridor, Miami-Dade County and SFWMD water quality/quantity treatment standards are not being met. Proposed improvements within the Krome Avenue corridor need to address water quality and water quantity for pre-treatment of runoff, thereby improving overall regional water quality.

The proposed project should utilize an on-site retention system of applicable design (5-year storm event for 2-lane roadway, 10-year storm event for 4-lane roadway, etc.,) as first priority for stormwater treatment/storage per DRER EMRD’s Advance Notification (AN) response dated March 31, 2004 (see Appendix A). According to DRER, an onsite retention system combined with emergency overflow outfall may be used as an alternative provided that the first inch of runoff is treated prior to overflow.

Section 3.2.2.8 of Chapter 40D.4 Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.) states that alterations to existing public roadways will be required to treat a volume equal to those specified in Section 3.2.2.2 and the contributing area according to the following options:

 For off-line and on-line treatment systems, including wet detention, which provide storage of the treatment volume off-line from the primary conveyance path of the flood discharges, the area of new pavement must be treated.  For all other on-line treatment systems, including wet detention, the entire directly connected impervious area contributing to the system, including both on and off-site areas must be treated. Directly connected impervious areas consist of both new and existing pavement which is connected to the treatment system by pavement or pipe and convey untreated stormwater runoff.  For on-line and off-line percolation systems, the treatment volume is calculated by applying 0.5 inches of runoff over the limits of the right-of-way.

For the Krome Avenue study corridor, the stormwater management system was divided into 53 drainage basins. Each of these drainage basins would consist of roadside swales and French drain systems underneath the swales. All of the drainage systems will be self-contained, able to retain the contributing runoff with no offsite discharge.

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All of the drainage basins serving the southbound lanes of Krome Avenue will utilize the median swale and the roadside swale located along the outside of the southbound travel lanes. All of the drainage systems serving the northbound lanes will only utilize the roadside swale located along the outside of the northbound lanes. The proposed swales alone are sufficient to retain the required water quality treatment volume per the SFWMD’s regulatory criteria. However, French drains will need to be added to the proposed swales in order to provide for flood protection of the proposed roadway corridor to recover the stormwater runoff within 24 hours following a storm event, and be able to retain the runoff from the 25 year and 100 year storms; thus, ensuring that the pre-development offsite discharge rates are not exceeded.

The impact of the preferred alternative on surface water quality will be limited to potential adverse effects of erosion/turbidity during construction. These construction impacts are considered temporary and will be minimized by strict adherence to temporary erosion control features as provided in the FDOT’s latest edition of Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit requirements. Therefore, no mitigation for water quality impacts will be needed. It is anticipated that water quality within the proposed project area will improve due to the proposed stormwater treatment features. The proposed stormwater facility design will include, at a minimum, the water quantity requirements as required by SFWMD in Rule 40E-4, FAC. Please refer to the Preliminary Engineering Report for further details.

Miami-Dade County is underlain by the Biscayne Aquifer system, the sole source of potable water for most of southeastern Florida. All necessary precautions and best management practices pertaining to construction will be followed to prevent adverse impacts to the underlying sole source aquifer (the Biscayne Aquifer). The AN response from the EPA (dated June 30, 2004) also concluded that the project will have no adverse impacts to the sole source aquifer if all necessary best management practices are employed.

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2.4 Alternate Corridors

Alternate corridors were evaluated in the Corridor Analysis Report, a companion document to the PD&E Study. The report identified and evaluated corridor alternates in the area surrounding the Krome Avenue facility to determine reasonable corridor alternative solutions to problems associated with deficient safety elements on the existing corridor facility. Factors relating to the design and location of the facility as well as information and issues relevant to the project decision were considered including socioeconomic, environmental, and engineering issues as well as the following alignment controls which may influence corridor location:

 Available right-of-way through which an improvement providing acceptable service could be routed.  Cultural features including public and private development.  Natural features which could be impacted by the project.  Preservation of the rural character of lands outside the designated urban growth area.  Logical termini giving consideration to directness, length, and service.

Each corridor alternate was analyzed and evaluated to a point of rejection or selection as a viable corridor. Three alternate corridor locations were considered in addition to the existing Krome Avenue corridor within the PD&E study limits as part of this analysis. The alternates consisted of parallel corridors to the Krome Avenue corridor. The analysis examined each of the corridors th over the same approximate ten-mile project length from SW 296 Street/Avocado Drive to SW 136th Street/Howard Drive. The following are the alternate corridors that were selected for evaluation (see Figure 2-3):

 Alternate Corridor #1: SW 187th Avenue/Redland Road  Alternate Corridor #2: SW 182nd Avenue/Roberts Road  Alternate Corridor #3: SW 177th Avenue/Krome Avenue (existing)  Alternate Corridor #4: SW 167th Avenue/Tennessee Road

Based on an evaluation of the corridor alternates, it was determined that Alternate Corridor #3 (Krome Avenue) is the most viable corridor for the improvement project. As a result, the existing SR 997/SW 177th Avenue/Krome Avenue corridor was selected and recommended for further consideration. Please reference the Corridor Analysis Report and the Preliminary Engineering Report for this PD&E Study for details of the alternate corridor analysis.

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Figure 2-3 – Alternate Corridors

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2.5 Project Alternatives

The No-Build Alternative, a TSM Alternative, the Action Plan Alternative, and several build alternatives were developed and analyzed for the Krome Avenue corridor between SW 296th Street to SW 136th Street as part of this PD&E Study. The development and evaluation of the build alternatives were based on established design controls for the various elements of a roadway such as lane width, median width, shoulder width, design speed, horizontal alignment, vertical alignment, drainage considerations, and intersecting roads. However, only five build alternatives were determined to be viable for this study and carried forward for further analysis. Each of the five build alternatives as well as the No-Build Alternative, TSM Alternative, and the Action Plan Alternative is summarized below. Additional details as well as the analysis for the determination of viable alternatives are provided in the Preliminary Engineering Report, a companion document to the PD&E Study.

2.5.1 No-Build Alternative

The No-Build Alternative assumes that no improvements would be implemented within the corridor. With this alternative, the existing roadway would be maintained “as is,” with a two- lane, undivided typical section (see Figure 2-1, above). The lack of grass median and adequate shoulders, the substandard drainage and water quality treatment facilities, the non-optimized traffic operations, and the existing safety deficiencies would be retained. This alternative is considered viable during the public hearing and final selection phase to serve as a comparison to the proposed study alternatives.

The No-Build Alternative has a number of positive aspects, since it would not require expenditure of public funds for design, right-of-way acquisition, construction or utility relocation. Traffic would not be disrupted due to construction, thereby avoiding inconveniences to local residents and businesses. Also, there would be no direct or indirect impacts to the environment, the socio-economic characteristics, community cohesion, or system linkage of the area.

However, the No-Build Alternative fails to fulfill the needs of this project for the area. If no improvements are made, the safety deficiencies associated with this corridor will remain. A grass median, which is anticipated to reduce head-on and angle crashes between the intersections, will not be provided along the corridor within the study limits, with this alternative.

Under the No-Build Alternative, future roadway congestion during peak hours will increase. Krome Avenue, within the study limits, and its cross roads will experience congestion during peak hours and operate below the desirable traffic Level of Service (LOS), which is LOS D (reference the Preliminary Engineering Report for details of traffic LOS). If improvements are not constructed before the year 2040, Krome Avenue will operate at LOS E or F, and all signalized intersections will operate at LOS F. The congestion in the area may cause additional impacts to this roadway. Such impacts may include excessive delays in travel time, large reduction of average travel speeds, excess fuel consumption from idling vehicles, increased air pollutants (particularly hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide), and higher crash rates. Krome Avenue will become even less effective as an evacuation route for the area.

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Furthermore, the design deficiencies along the corridor within the study limits will not be addressed by the No-Build Alternative. Left side clear recovery area, which is anticipated to reduce centerline cross over head-on crashes, will not be provided. No stormwater treatment or peak attenuation will be provided. No median separation will be provided, so access management requirements that will limit conflict points and enhance safety will continue to be unmet.

The No-Build Alternative will not be consistent with area growth management and transportation plans which designate Krome Avenue within the study limits as a four-lane roadway. The No- Build Alternative will not accommodate the social and economic demands of a growing future Miami-Dade County. Lastly, the No-Build Alternative will maintain the existing typical section, which does not provide for either pedestrian or bicycle continuous access along Krome Avenue within the study limits.

2.5.2 Transportation System Management (TSM) Alternative

This alternative involves selectively upgrading deficient roadway areas with improved signage, turn lanes, pavement markings, and traffic signals. TSM intersection improvements have already been constructed along portions of the study corridor. However, this alternative will not satisfy the additional safety, capacity, and traffic operations improvement needs along this section of roadway. Short-term safety improvement projects were implemented at the following ten intersections along Krome Avenue within the study limits between the years 2003 to 2007.

 SW 136th Street (2003-2004)  SW 216th Street (2007)  SW 168th Street (2003-2004)  SW 256th Street (2003-2004)  SW 184th Street (2007)  SW 272nd Street (2003-2004)  SW 192nd Street (2003-2004)  SW 288th Street (2007)  SW 200th Street (2007)  SW 296th Street (2007)

These intersection improvements consisted of adding separate turn lanes or modifying pavement markings to delineate turn lanes. These improvements were anticipated to reduce crashes at the intersections with the exception of head-on and ran-off-the-road crashes. The TSM improvements did not substantially enhance the operation of the signalized intersections or safety issues associated with this corridor and did not include system-wide drainage improvements. The Corridor Analysis Report documents that the safety ratios have remained at or above twice the statewide average subsequent to these improvements. The congestion along Krome Avenue is caused by a lack of through-lane capacity and high turning volumes. Long-term improvements are necessary to mitigate the existing safety deficiencies, increase capacity to accommodate future travel demand, improve access management, and provide stormwater management. Therefore, further consideration of this alternative was eliminated from the analysis.

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2.5.3 Action Plan Alternative

The Krome Avenue Action Plan was developed in 1997 and approved by the Miami-Dade Metropolitan Planning Organization in 1999. The primary purpose of the plan was to identify and evaluate alternatives for transportation improvements other than additional general use lanes and restrictive medians along Krome Avenue. The limits of the Action Plan were from SR-5/US 1 to SR 25/US 27. The plan considered improvements to accommodate present and future traffic conditions within the corridor. The proposed improvements were primarily oriented toward access management, intersection improvements, multi-modal improvements, resurfacing, drainage improvements, and pedestrian/bicycle and equestrian facilities.

The goal of the Krome Avenue Action Plan was to develop corridor modifications to improve safety and future LOS along the corridor. The main focus of the Action Plan was to develop the immediately needed improvements and to address future mobility along Krome Avenue. Long- term improvement alternatives included safety enhancements, intersection modifications, traffic signal modifications, access management, and shoulder enhancements.

In the Action Plan, a two lane undivided typical section (see Figure 2-4) with roadway improvements was recommended for implementation for Krome Avenue north of SW 296th Street /Avocado Drive. This typical section would consist of the following elements:

 One 12-foot (12’) wide travel lane in each direction  Two-foot (2’) wide center painted buffer median  Two eight-foot (8’) wide outside shoulders [five-foot (5’) paved and three-foot (3’) unpaved]  Roadside swales width varies throughout the project depending on existing right-of-way  Eight-foot (8’) wide bike path parallel to the southbound travel lanes  Eight-foot (8’) wide equestrian path parallel to the northbound travel lanes  Design Speed of 45 MPH (reconstruction criteria).  Recoverable Terrain (Clear Zone) of 18 feet (18’) from the edge of pavement (minimum)  Border Width varies from the shoulder point throughout the project depending on existing right-of-way [eight feet (8’) minimum].  The total width of this typical section is 62 feet (62’) minimum

The border width is measured from the shoulder point to the right-of-way line. The border width accommodates roadside components such as signing, drainage features, guardrail, fencing and clear zone, the construction and maintenance of the facility, and permitted public utilities.

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Figure 2-4 – Action Plan (Original) Proposed Typical Roadway Section

The Action Plan Alternative typical section does not comply with horizontal clearance distance criteria and does not meet design criteria to tie to and harmonize with the existing ground. Right- of-way acquisition is required for this typical section since some areas have an existing right-of- way of 35 feet and the minimum right-of-way for the proposed typical section is 62 feet.

The Krome Avenue Action Plan’s original typical section was amended by the PD&E Study project team in order to comply with FDOT criteria for reconstruction of a facility. The updated typical section was used during this study as a comparison with the proposed study alternatives (see Figure 2-5). This “modified” typical section would consist of the following elements:

 One 12-foot (12’) wide travel lane in each direction  Two-foot (2’) wide center painted buffer median  Two eight-foot (8’) wide outside shoulders [five-foot (5’) paved and three-foot (3’) unpaved]  Roadside swales width varies throughout the project depending on existing right-of-way  Eight-foot (8’) wide bike path parallel to the southbound travel lanes  Eight-foot (8’) wide equestrian path parallel to the northbound travel lanes  Eight-foot (8’) wide grass horizontal clearance between the bike path and the right-of- way line (includes harmonization areas)  Nine-foot (9’) wide grass horizontal clearance between the equestrian path and the right- of-way line (includes harmonization areas)  Design Speed of 45 MPH (reconstruction criteria)

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 Recoverable Terrain (Clear Zone) of 18 feet (18’) from the edge of pavement (minimum)  Border Width varies from the shoulder point throughout the project depending on existing right-of-way [eight feet (8’) minimum]  Total typical section width of 78 feet (78’) minimum

Figure 2-5 – Action Plan (Modified) Proposed Typical Roadway Section

The Action Plan “original” and “modified” alternatives both fail to fulfill the needs of this project for the area. With each of these alternatives, the safety deficiencies associated with this corridor will remain. A grass median, which is anticipated to reduce head-on and angle crashes between the intersections, will not be provided along the corridor within the study limits with either of these alternatives.

Under the “original” or the “modified” Action Plan alternatives, future roadway congestion during peak hours will increase. The congestion in the area may cause additional impacts to this roadway. Such impacts may include excessive delays in travel time, large reduction of average travel speeds, excess fuel consumption from idling vehicles, increased air pollutants, and higher crash rates. In addition, Krome Avenue will become even less effective as an evacuation route for the area with the Action Plan alternatives.

Furthermore, the design deficiencies along the corridor within the study limits will not be addressed by either the “original” or the “modified” Action Plan alternative. Adequate left side clear recovery area, which is anticipated to reduce centerline cross over head-on crashes, will not

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be provided. No median separation will be provided, so access management requirements that will limit conflict points and enhance safety will continue to be unmet.

The Action Plan alternatives, “original” and “modified,” will not be consistent with area growth management and transportation plans which designate Krome Avenue within the study limits as a four-lane roadway. Neither Alternative will accommodate the social and economic demands of a growing future Miami-Dade County. Therefore, both the “original” and the “modified” Action Plan alternatives were eliminated from further consideration.

2.5.4 Proposed Build Alternatives

As discussed in the previous sections, the No-Build, TSM, and Action Plan alternatives will not provide adequate traffic safety or capacity improvements to the corridor; therefore, additional study alternatives have been developed to enhance safety, increase capacity, and improve traffic operations along the Krome Avenue corridor. Several Build Alternative typical sections were considered; however, only five build alternatives were determined to be viable for this study and carried forward for further analysis (reference the Preliminary Engineering Report for details). These five build alternatives discussed below.

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Alternative 1 – Two-Lane Divided Rural Roadway This alternative (see Figure 2-6) would consist of the following elements:

 One 12-foot (12’) wide travel lane in each direction  Forty-foot (40’) wide depressed grass median, which includes eight-foot (8’) wide inside shoulders (two-foot (2’) paved and six-foot (6’) unpaved)  Two 12-foot (12’) wide outside shoulders (five-foot (5’) paved and seven-foot (7’) unpaved). The paved shoulder will include bicycle pavement markings  Ten-foot (10’) wide two-way shared use path parallel to the southbound travel lanes.  Ten-foot (10’) wide roadside swale parallel to the southbound travel lanes  Twenty-two-foot (22’) wide roadside swale parallel to the northbound travel lanes  Eight-foot (8’) wide grass horizontal clearance/harmonization between the shared use path and the right-of-way line  Eight-foot (8’) wide grass harmonization area between the swale parallel to the northbound travel lanes and the right-of-way line  Design Speed of 65 MPH  Recoverable Terrain (Clear Zone) of 36 feet (36’) from the edge of pavement  Border Width of 30 feet (30’) from the outside shoulder point  Total typical section width of 148 feet (148’)  This typical section will require a design variation for border width

Figure 2-6 – Alternative 1 Proposed Typical Roadway Section (Rural)

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Alternative 2 – Two-Lane Divided Rural Roadway with Passing Zones This alternative (see Figure 2-7) would consist of the following elements:

 Alternative 2 is the same as Alternative 1 with the addition of one 12-foot (12’) wide passing lane  Total typical section width of 160 feet (160’)  This typical section calls for a minimum of one passing zone segment area throughout the length of the project between SW 168th Street and SW 136th Street. Each passing zone segment would consist of one passing lane per direction alternatively  This typical section will require a design variation for border width

Figure 2-7 – Alternative 2 Proposed Typical Roadway Section (Rural)

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Alternative 3 – Four-Lane Divided Rural Roadway This alternative (see Figure 2-8) would consist of the following elements:

 Two 12-foot (12’) wide travel lanes in each direction  Fifty-four-foot (54’) wide depressed grass median, which includes eight-foot (8’) wide inside shoulders [four-foot (4’) paved and four-foot (4’) unpaved]  Two 12-foot (12’) wide outside shoulders [five-foot (5’) paved and seven-foot (7’) unpaved]. The paved shoulder will include bicycle pavement markings  Ten-foot (10’) wide two-way shared use path parallel to the southbound travel lanes  Twelve-foot (12’) wide roadside swale parallel to the southbound travel lanes  Twenty-four foot (24’) wide roadside swale parallel to the northbound travel lanes  Sixteen-foot (16’) wide grass horizontal clearance/harmonization between the shared use path and the right-of-way line  Sixteen-foot (16’) wide grass harmonization area between the swale parallel to the northbound travel lanes and the right-of-way line  Design Speed of 65 MPH  Recoverable Terrain (Clear Zone) of 36 feet (36’) from the edge of pavement  Border Width of 40 feet (40’) from the outside shoulder point  Total typical section width of 206 feet (206’)  This typical section is fully in compliance with the Florida Intrastate Highway System facility design criteria1

Figure 2-8 – Alternative 3 Proposed Typical Roadway Section (Rural)

1 Since the time of alternative development for this project, the Florida Intrastate Highway System sunset in 2012 and was replaced with the SIS.

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Alternative 4 – Four-Lane Divided Rural Roadway This alternative (see Figure 2-9) would consist of the following elements:

 Two 12-foot (12’) wide travel lanes in each direction  Forty-foot (40’) wide depressed grass median, which includes eight-foot (8’) wide inside shoulders [two-foot (2’) paved and six-foot (6’) unpaved]  Two 12-foot (12’) wide outside shoulders [five-foot (5’) paved and seven-foot (7’) unpaved]. The paved shoulder will include bicycle pavement markings.  Ten-foot (10’) wide two-way shared use path parallel to the southbound travel lanes  Ten-foot (10’) wide roadside swale parallel to the southbound travel lanes  Twenty-two-foot (22’) wide roadside swale parallel to the northbound travel lanes  Eight-foot (8’) wide grass horizontal clearance/harmonization between the shared use path and the right-of-way line  Eight-foot (8’) wide grass harmonization area between the swale parallel to the northbound travel lanes and the right-of-way line  Design Speed of 65 MPH  Recoverable Terrain (Clear Zone) of 36 feet (36’) from the edge of pavement  Border Width of 30 feet (30’) from the outside shoulder point  Total typical section width of 172 feet (172’).  This typical section will require a design variation for border width

Figure 2-9 – Alternative 4 Proposed Typical Roadway Section (Rural)

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Alternative 5 – Four-Lane Divided Rural/Suburban Roadway This alternative would consist of two distinct typical sections, a suburban section from SW 296th Street to 272nd Street and a rural section from SW 272nd Street to SW 136th Street.

The suburban section would consist of the following elements (see Figure 2-10):

 Two 12-foot (12’) wide travel lanes in each direction  Thirty-foot (30’) wide raised median, which includes 18 feet (18’) of grass curb and gutter and four feet (4’) wide paved inside shoulders  Two eight-foot (8’) wide outside shoulders [five-foot (5’) paved and three-foot (3’) unpaved]. The paved shoulder will include bicycle pavement markings.  Ten-foot (10’) wide two-way shared use path parallel to the southbound travel lanes  Ten-foot (10’) wide roadside swale parallel to the southbound travel lanes  Twenty-foot (20’) wide roadside swale parallel to the northbound travel lanes  Seven-foot (7’) wide grass horizontal clearance/harmonization between the shared use path and the right-of-way line  Seven-foot (7’) wide grass harmonization area between the swale parallel to the northbound travel lanes and the right-of-way line  Design Speed of 55 MPH  Recoverable Terrain (Clear Zone) of 30 feet (30’) from the outside edge of travel lane  Border Width of 35 feet (35’) from the outside edge of travel lane to the right-of-way line  Total typical section width of 148 feet (148’)

Figure 2-10 – Alternative 5 Proposed Typical Roadway Section (Suburban)

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The rural section would consist of the following elements (see Figure 2-11):

 Two twelve-foot (12’) wide travel lanes in each direction  Forty-foot (40’) wide depressed grass median, which includes eight-foot (8’) wide inside shoulders [two-foot (2’) paved and six-foot (6’) unpaved]  Two twelve-foot (12’) wide outside shoulders [five-foot (5’) paved and seven-foot (7’) unpaved] (the paved shoulder will include bicycle pavement markings)  Ten-foot (10’) wide two-way shared use path parallel to the southbound travel lanes  Ten-foot (10’) wide roadside swale parallel to the southbound travel lanes  Twenty-two-foot (22’) wide roadside swale parallel to the northbound travel lanes  Seven-foot (7’) wide grass horizontal clearance/harmonization between the shared use path and the right-of-way line  Five-foot (5’) wide grass harmonization area between the swale parallel to the northbound travel lanes and the right-of-way line  Design Speed of 65 MPH  Recoverable Terrain (Clear Zone) of 36 feet (36’) from the outside edge of travel lane  Border Width of 27 feet (27’) from the outside shoulder point to the right-of-way line  Total typical section width of 166 feet (166’)  This typical section will require a design variation for border width

Figure 2-11 – Alternative 5 Proposed Typical Roadway Section (Rural)

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3.0 EXISTING CONDITIONS

3.1 Natural Communities (Uplands/Wetlands)

Upland and wetland vegetative communities within the project study area were evaluated in order to assess the Krome Avenue study area for the potential occurrence of federal and state- listed protected species (flora and fauna). The composition of each natural community type was determined using published data and field reviews. Published information reviewed included the following:

 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Soil Conservation Service - Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), Interactive Web-Soil Survey of the project area (2010) and 1996 Soil Survey of Miami-Dade County, Florida.  U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), 1999. Goulds 7.5-Minute Series Topographic Quadrangle Map.  USGS, 1988. Homestead 7.5-Minute Series Topographic Quadrangle Map.  2001/2004/2006/2007/2008/2010 Aerial Photographs of the Project Area at 1 inch = 100 feet, 1 inch = 300 feet, and 1 inch = 1000 feet scales.  Miami-Dade County GIS data (2006/2007/2010/2011)  Available Federal, State and Local Agency Databases

Using the above referenced information, the approximate boundaries of upland and wetland communities were mapped in GIS on aerial photography. Each community type was then classified using the FDOT’s Florida Land Use, Cover and Forms Classification System (FLUCFCS) (FDOT, 1999) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) Classification of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the United States (Cowardin, et. al., 1979), where applicable. The locations of the major undeveloped ecological communities observed along the Krome Avenue corridor are depicted with FLUCFCS coding in Figures 3-1 through 3-7.

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Figure 3-1 – Natural Communities Map

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Figure 3-2 – Natural Communities Map

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Figure 3-3 – Natural Communities Map

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Figure 3-4 – Natural Communities Map

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Figure 3-5 – Natural Communities Map

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Figure 3-6 – Natural Communities Map

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Biologists familiar with Florida community types conducted six field investigations of the Krome Avenue project corridor between February 7, 2004 and November 30, 2010. The first investigation was conducted on February 7, 2004 to locate survey points (stationary observation stations and transects) for observing wildlife activity and the availability of existing resources (e.g., food sources, nesting areas). The second and third events were performed on March 3 and March 4, 2004, respectively, to conduct the pre-dawn to post-dusk wildlife surveys at the predetermined locations along the project corridor. The predetermined locations were located at the convergence of two or more communities to maximize the potential diversity of observed wildlife. One survey station was located at each of the following locations: the C-102/Princeton Canal which crosses Krome Avenue at approximately SW 196th Street, the C-103/Mowry Canal which crosses Krome Avenue just north of SW 280th Street, an inundated rock mining pit located on the west side of Krome Avenue approximately 1,000 feet north of SW 208th Street, a railroad crossing near SW 232nd Street, the Miami-Dade County EEL Program’s Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 1 site located in the southeast quadrant of the intersection of Krome Avenue and SW 264th Street, and the Florida Audubon Society property (a privately-owned and unmarked parcel) located on the west side of the southern end of the Krome Avenue project corridor just north of SW 296th Street. The fourth investigation occurred on May 20, 2004 to locate and delineate any wetland/surface water areas which have the potential to be impacted by the proposed project alternatives. The fifth field investigation took place on June 9, 2004 to characterize the identified upland areas along the approximate 10-mile project corridor. During these investigations, the preliminarily–defined community type boundaries and FLUCFCS/USFWS classification codes established through the literature reviews and aerial photograph interpretations were verified and/or refined. The sixth and final field investigation occurred in November 2010 for the purpose of reassessing the potential encroachment area within the limits of each build alternative at the Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 1 site and to field verify if any changes have occurred to the previously assessed habitat conditions since the 2004 surveys were conducted.

The project corridor was evaluated by direct observation for its potential to provide habitat for wildlife species based on the availability of existing resources (e.g., food sources, nesting areas, etc.). A comprehensive listing of plant taxa observed within the identified biotic communities along the project corridor is provided in Appendix B. Due to the sensitive nature of the Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 1 site, a separate listing of plant taxa observed was prepared for this site and is also included in Appendix C.

3.1.1 Upland Communities

Four upland vegetative community types were identified along the Krome Avenue project corridor. The majority of the corridor consists of land altered by human activities such as landscaped residential and commercial developments with maintained turf grass and ornamental shrubs and trees, agricultural lands (row crops and nurseries for landscape ornamental plants), and ruderal sites (roadsides, vacant lots, abandoned agricultural lands, and railroad-rights-of- way). A few sites along the corridor are comprised of communities dominated by one or more non-native invasive species in which the original native natural community was impacted by human activities and/or competitively eliminated by invasive non-native vegetation. The Florida Audubon Society property is located on the west side of the southern end of the proposed project corridor just north of SW 296th Street. This privately-owned unmarked parcel is recognized by

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the Florida Audubon Society as a private bird watching location. The parcel contains planted rockland and coastal upland hammock species used to attract birds and butterflies to the area for viewing. In addition, an ecologically significant 9.39-acre pine rockland community known as Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 1, which is administered by the Miami-Dade County EEL Program, exists along the project corridor in the southeast quadrant of the intersection of Krome Avenue and SW 264th Street. Detailed descriptions for each of these upland community types that exist along the Krome Avenue project corridor are provided below. Wildlife species that would potentially utilize these habitats are discussed in subsequent sections of this report.

Landscaped Residential / Commercial Development, Ruderal, and Agricultural FLUCFCS – 100/140/740/200 (Residential/Commercial/Disturbed Lands/Agriculture) USFWS – N/A

These human altered community types comprise the majority of the Krome Avenue project corridor. Landscaped areas of various types of residential and commercial developments, including golf courses and grounds of churches and schools, consist primarily of mowed areas comprised of St. Augustine grass (Stenotaphrum secundatum) or Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon) and/or plantings of ornamental herbaceous vegetation, shrubs, palms, and trees. Ruderal communities consisting of vacant lots, abandoned or fallow agricultural land, roadsides, railroad and canal rights-of-way, and other cleared, undeveloped areas are interspersed among the developed areas. Vegetation in the ruderal areas is primarily herbaceous characterized by weedy and invasive species such as smutgrass (Sporobolus indicus), beggarticks (Bidens alba var. radiata), shrubby false buttonweed (Spermacoce verticillata), Santa Maria feverfew (Parthenium hysterophorus), rose natalgrass (Rhynchelytrum repens), burrnut (Tribulus cistoides), sleepy morning (Waltheria indica), broomsedge (Andropogon virginicus), crowfootgrass (Dactyloctenium aegypticum), goosegrass (Eleusine indica), crabgrass (Digitaria spp.), sandbur (Cenchrus sp.), ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia), poor joe (Diodia teres), coat buttons (Tridax procumbens), dogfennel (Eupatorium capillifolium), bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum), coral vine (Antigonon leptotus), elephantgrass (Pennisetum purpureum), burmareed (Neyraudia reynaudiana), Madagascar periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus), hairy indigo (Indigofera hirsuta), castorbean (Ricinus communis), wild bushbean (Macroptilium lathyroides), and morning-glory (Ipomoea spp.). These areas are highly disturbed with minimal habitat value for resident and migratory wildlife species. In addition, protected plant species are typically not associated with this habitat type (note that no protected plant species were observed along the Krome Avenue study area within this community type).

Agricultural land along the corridor includes those areas with various row crops such as corn, beans, and tomatoes; orchards (primarily mangos and avocados); and nurseries culturing and selling a variety of ornamental and fruiting plants. These community types typically provide minimal habitat value for resident and migratory wildlife species due to the high level of frequent disturbance. In addition, protected plant species are typically not associated with this habitat type (note that no protected plant species were observed along the Krome Avenue study area within this community type).

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Non-Indigenous Vegetation Communities FLUCFCS – 437/422 (Australian-pine/Brazilian Pepper/) USFWS – N/A

These communities, widely spaced at several locations along the Krome Avenue South corridor, are sites formerly disturbed or altered by human activities and are characterized by dense stands of invasive, non-indigenous species in which Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius), Australian-pine (Casuarina sp.), white leadtree (Leucaena leucocephala), and/or elephantgrass are dominant. Individual communities vary in size and species composition. Sites that have experienced significant disturbance relatively recently are characterized as herbaceous and shrub communities dominated by dense stands of elephantgrass, white leadtree, and Brazilian pepper, often to the near exclusion of other plant species. Less recently disturbed sites are shrub and forested systems characterized by a dense canopy cover in which Brazilian pepper is dominant with an overstory of Australian-pine. Other species commonly observed in these non-indigenous vegetation communities include woman’s tongue (Albizia lebbeck), Brazilian jasmine (Jasminum fluminense), Australian umbrella tree (Schefflera actinophylla), possum grape (Cissus verticillata), Noyau vine (Merremia dissecta), bishopwood (Bischofia javanica), burmareed, sea myrtle (Baccharis halimifolia), nettletree (Trema micranthum), castorbean, mother-in-law’s tongue (Sansevieria hyacinthoides), wedelia (Sphagneticola trilobata), Areca palm (Dypsis lutescens), muscadine (Vitis rotundifolia), cabbage palm (Sabal palmetto), and oyster-plant (Tradescantia spathacea). These areas exhibit characteristics (i.e., dominated by exotic vegetation, dense canopy cover, high level of disturbance, etc.) that provide a low habitat value for resident and migratory wildlife species. In addition, protected plant species are typically not associated with this habitat type (note that no protected plant species were observed along the Krome Avenue study area within this community type).

Pine Rockland FLUCFCS – 419 (Other Pine) USFWS – N/A

This upland community type is an example of a South Florida slash pine (Pinus elliottii var. densa) habitat located on porous Miami oolitic limestone unique and distinct from other South Florida pinelands such as pine flatwoods. This community type occurs at one location along Krome Avenue in the southeast quadrant of the intersection of Krome Avenue and SW 264th Street. This area is known as the 9.39-acre Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 1 and was purchased jointly by the state of Florida [through the Conservation and Recreational Lands (CARL) Program] and Miami-Dade County and is maintained as an EEL Program natural preserve, protected and managed by Miami-Dade County. The site is also a part of the Dade County Archipelago Florida Forever Project that helps fund the public acquisition for conservation of privately owned subtropical pinelands and hardwood hammocks that remain in Miami-Dade County.

Several native, protected pineland plants are located on this site. The relatively open canopy is dominated by different-aged slash pines. Common sub-canopy and understory species of this habitat include wild tamarind (Lysiloma latisiliquum), poisonwood (Metopium toxiferum), willow-bustic (Sideroxylon salicifolium), Florida silver palm (Coccothrinax argentata), saw palmetto (Serenoa repens), snowberry (Chiococca parvifolia) rough velvetseed (Guettarda

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scabra), redgal (Morinda royoc), winged sumac (Rhus copallinum), myrsine (Rapanea punctata), devil’s-potato (Echites umbellatus), corkystem passionflower (Passiflora suberosa), lacy bracken (Pteridium aquilinum var. caudatum), and maidenhair pineland fern (Anemia adiantifolia). Due to the vegetative characteristics (i.e. appropriate/desirable native spp., distribution, etc.) of this upland area, this community type provides moderate to high habitat value for small mammals, reptiles and birds.

Disturbed areas on this site include the westernmost edge of the along the shoulder of Krome Avenue, a gravel road that runs through the center of the site in a north-south direction, and a smaller dirt road along the southern edge of the site. The westernmost edge appears to be regularly disturbed by mowing, vehicle off-road parking, and pedestrian traffic. Piles of rubble exist adjacent to the roads through the site. The rubble piles are dominated by species such as wild tamarind, live oak (Quercus virginiana), snowberry, Everglades lace leaf (Alvaradoa amorphoides), and poisonwood. The southern perimeter of the site is dominated by exotic plants, particularly Brazilian pepper and elephant grass. Impacts to the westernmost edge of this site are anticipated with construction of any of the build alternatives.

Mixed Hardwoods FLUCFCS – 439 (Other Hardwoods) USFWS – N/A

This upland community type consists of a mixture of native shrubs, trees, and palms that were planted here but naturally occur in various South Florida natural communities such as pine rocklands, coastal hammocks, Everglades hammocks, and maritime hammocks. This habitat type exists within one location along Krome Avenue located on the west side of the southern end of the Krome Avenue project corridor just north of SW 296th Street/Avocado Drive (Miami-Dade County Folio Number 30-7801-000-0583). The approximate two-acre property is privately owned by the Florida Audubon Society. Note that this two-acre property is not designated or classified as a park by federal, state or local agencies. There are no public facilities or managed trails at this property. This privately-owned unmarked property is recognized by the Florida Audubon Society, the land owner, as a bird watching location. The parcel is used as a bird- watching area and contains owner-planted rockland and coastal hammock species to attract birds and butterflies to the area for viewing. Many of these planted trees and shrubs are state-listed threatened or endangered plants including white ironwood (Hypelate trifoliata), pineland strongbark (Bourreria cassinifolia), milkbark (Drypetes diversifolia), myrtle-of-the-river (Calyptranthes zuzygium), Cuban snakebark (Colubrina cubensis), Florida cupania (Cupania glabra), red stopper (Eugenia rhombea), princewood (Exostema caribaeum), semaphore cactus (Opuntia corallicola), lignumvitae (Guaiacum sanctum), pineland lantana, long-stalked stopper (Mosiera longipes) and pride-of-big-pine (Strumpfia maritima). Due to the vegetative characteristics (i.e. appropriate/desirable spp., distribution, etc.) of this upland area, this community type provides moderate to high habitat value for a number of native bird and butterfly species including the great crested flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus) and Florida’s State butterfly, the zebra longwing (Heliconius charithonius), as well as providing habitat for small mammals resident to the area.

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3.1.2 Wetland /Surfacewater Communities

The portion of Krome Avenue within the study area was constructed over the western reaches of the Atlantic Coastal Ridge formation, a slightly elevated, oolitic limestone formation which is characterized by high infiltration rates and a relative low water table. Therefore, any existing depressional roadside areas located along Krome Avenue do not retain runoff long enough to allow for the development of hydrology and soil conditions conducive to support hydrophytic vegetation. Historically, the Atlantic Coastal Ridge was crossed by numerous sloughs, or finger glades that connected the Everglades to Florida Bay during certain times of the year. These finger glades would be the areas where jurisdictional wetlands would most likely occur within the Atlantic Coastal Ridge physiographic region. However, an extensive network of canals and levees was constructed across Southeast Florida in connection with the Central and Southern Florida Flood Control Project. Most of these canals were constructed within the preexisting natural features including the sloughs. Construction of the canals within the finger glades increased drainage, resulting in the elimination of the associated wetlands. Wetland surveys of the project study area were conducted by project biologists in 2004 and 2010. No areas with characteristics indicative of jurisdictional vegetated wetlands or waters of the United States, as defined by Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, were observed within or adjacent to the project study area. This includes natural wetland communities as well as swales or other manmade stormwater features. Therefore, no impacts (direct or indirect) to jurisdictional wetlands are anticipated as a result of this project.

However, three areas identified as surface waters consisting of two community types were identified and assessed. These areas consist of an inundated rock mining pit (borrow pit) (SW-1) excavated in Miami oolite rock located on the west side of Krome Avenue approximately 1,000 feet north of SW 208th Street; the SFWMD’s C-102/Princeton canal (SW-2) which crosses Krome Avenue at approximately SW 196th Street; and the SFWMD’s C-103/Mowry canal (SW- 3) which crosses Krome Avenue just north of SW 280th Street.

Former Borrow Pit (SW-1) FLUCFCS – 742 (Borrow Areas) USFWS – PUBHx (Palustrine, Unconsolidated Bottom, Permanently Flooded, Excavated)

This surface water community (SW-1) consists of an apparent former borrow pit located on the west side of Krome Avenue, approximately 1,000 feet north of SW 208th Street or adjacent to the north of the SW 206th Street corridor (SW 206th Street does not yet exist in this area). The permanently inundated former borrow pit, excavated in Miami oolite rock, is rectangular in shape with high, steep side slopes. This feature is approximately 100 feet in width and approximately 290 feet in length with approximately 60 feet of the eastern portion situated within the project corridor. Agricultural land utilized for row crops borders this surface water feature to the south. Land utilized by an ornamental plant nursery borders the former borrow pit to the north and west. No surface water connections to nearby wetlands or other surface water areas exist; therefore, SW-1 can be considered as an isolated feature. The steep side slopes are densely vegetated with non-indigenous plant species that protrude over the water’s edge such as Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius), Australian pine (Casuarina equisetifolia), Brazilian jasmine (Jasminum fluminense), elephantgrass (Pennisetum purpureum), Noyau vine (Merremia dissecta), and Santa Maria feverfew (Parthenium hysterophorus). Other important components

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of the vegetation cover of the steep-sided slopes include possum grape (Cissus incisa), muscadine (Vitis rotundifolia), and Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia).

No submergent or emergent hydrophytic vegetation was observed within the borrow pit with the exception of an individual giant leather fern (Acrostichum danaeifolium) observed at the water’s edge along the eastern shoreline. Use of the site by wildlife was evidenced by the observation of a large number of cattle egrets (Bubulcus ibis) loafing in the vegetation overhanging the borrow pit, two green herons (Butorides virescens) observed foraging, several basking red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans), and several apparent unidentified tilapia nest depressions. This system is typical of abandoned limerock mining pits in the area.

Canals (SW-2 and SW-3) FLUCFCS – 510 (Streams & Waterways) USFWS – R2UBHx (Rock Rubble Bottom, Permanently Flooded, Excavated)

The C-102/Princeton canal (SW-2) and the C-103/Mowry canal (SW-3) are permanently- inundated drainageways with steep side slopes excavated in Miami oolite rock. In the vicinity of the project, both canals are located in areas primarily utilized for agricultural purposes with limited amount of low-density residential usage. Both canals, operated and maintained by the SFWMD, function to drain flood waters, recharge groundwater, and maintain fresh groundwater head elevation adequate to inhibit saltwater intrusion with eventual discharge to Biscayne Bay to the southeast through several downstream water control structures. Note that the portion of these waterways within the project study area are not categorized as Outstanding Florida Waters (OFW) since the project location lies upstream of the SFWMD’s salinity control structures [S- 21A (C-102) and S-20F (C-103)].

Vegetation on the upland canal banks, which are regularly mowed by the SFWMD, includes weedy ruderal herbaceous species typical of regularly mowed non-wetland areas in south Miami- Dade County. The steep side slopes of both canals in the vicinity of the proposed project offer little or no littoral habitat for the establishment of emergent hydrophytic vegetation. Submergent vegetation in the C-102/Princeton canal is dominated by Carolina fanwort (Cabomba caroliniana). Torpedo grass (Panicum repens) was also observed in the C-102/Princeton canal extending a short distance waterward from the shoreline around the culverts on the east side of Krome Avenue. Submergent vegetation in the C-103/Mowry canal is dominated by hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata), Indian swampweed (Hygrophila polysperma), and creeping primrosewillow (Ludwigia repens). Both man-made canal systems provide moderate to low habitat value for resident and migratory wildlife species. Wildlife use was evidenced by observations of a foraging great blue heron (Ardea herodias) and two green herons, several basking red-eared sliders, and several unidentified exotic fish species in the canals. A dead, approximate six-foot alligator, wrapped in rope, was also observed within the C-102/Princeton canal on the east side of Krome Avenue during the field survey conducted on May 20, 2004.

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3.1.3 Other Notable Communities in Close Proximity to the Project

Other notable communities exist within close proximity to the Krome Avenue project corridor (see Figure 3-7 – the Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 1 site and the Florida Audubon Society property, previously introduced, are also depicted on this map as a reference) which may contribute to the potential presence of listed wildlife species along the project corridor. These include the following:

 Camp Owaissa Bauer (including the Everglades Archery Range) is located along the north side of SW 264th Street approximately 600 feet east of the Krome Avenue project corridor. This camp is administered through the MDPROS and is designed for group camping. It has buildings and facilities to accommodate a total of 160 campers for overnight and extended period camping. The camp is available to organized groups up to one year in advance. This facility also has several amenities in addition to camping, including cabins, a shooting range, a pool, multipurpose fields, a volleyball court, basketball courts, a campfire circle, and nature trails. Several native pineland and mixed hardwood upland plants are located on this site.

 The 10.0-acre Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 2 site located along SW 264th Street approximately 700 feet east (south of SW 264th Street) of the Krome Avenue project corridor. This area is contiguous to the east of the Owaissa Bauer Pineland Perserve Addition No. 1 site and several native, protected pineland plants are located on this site.

 The 1.25-acre Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 3 site located approximately 3,300 feet east (north of SW 264th Street) of the Krome Avenue project corridor. This area is not contiguous to the Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 1 or No. 2 sites; however, this area is contiguous to the northeast of the Camp Owaissa Bauer site. Several native, protected pineland plants are located on this site.

 While there are no designated public parks located directly on Krome Avenue, there are several Miami-Dade County neighborhood and local parks located in the vicinity of the project corridor. Oak Creek Park is located approximately 2.2 miles east of the project corridor at the intersection SW 144th Street and SW 155th Avenue and has a playground and sport courts. Kings Grant Park is located approximately 2.5 miles east of the project corridor at the intersection of SW 160th Street and SW 152nd Avenue and has a playground. The Redland Fruit and Spice Park is a unique park that has over 500 types of plants that produce spices, tropical fruits and nuts. This park, which is located approximately 3,900 feet west of the project corridor at 24801 SW 187th Avenue, has an educational element as well as hosting an annual art festival. These parks contain a mixture of pineland and mixed hardwood plant species.

 The Miami Rockridge Pinelands (including Ingram Pineland) are a historically significant site, which are determined to be eligible for listing within the Dade County Archipelago Florida Forever Project. The Dade County Archipelago Florida Forever Project helps fund the public acquisition for conservation of privately owned subtropical pinelands and hardwood hammocks that remain in Miami-Dade County. These parcels are located along

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the south side of SW 288th Street approximately 5,000 feet east of the Krome Avenue Project corridor. Several native pineland and mixed hardwood upland plants are located on this site.

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Figure 3-7 – Additional Communities Map

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3.2 Protected Species and Habitats

In accordance with Section 7(c) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended, and Chapter 68A-27 FAC, Rules Pertaining to Endangered and Threatened Species, the Krome Avenue project corridor was evaluated for the potential occurrences of federal and state-listed protected plant and animal species. Literature reviews, agency database searches and coordination, and habitat field reviews were conducted to identify protected species and any critical habitat that might occur within the study area. Literature reviews and database searches included the following:

 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), Florida’s Endangered Species, Threatened Species, and Species of Special Concern, Official Lists (2011)  FWC, Eagle Nest Locator Database (2010)  FWC, Wading Bird Colony Locator Database (2010)  Florida Natural Areas Inventory (FNAI), April 2005. FNAI Tracking List - Species and Natural Areas Summary for Miami-Dade County  FNAI, Field Guide to the Rare Plants and Animals of Florida Online (2011)  Florida Geographic Database Library (FGDL), Aerial Photographs (2010)  Institute for Regional Conservation (IRC), 2011. Floristic Inventory of South Florida Database.  IRC, 2005. The Vascular Plants of Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition.  Institute for Systematic Botany, University of South Florida, Tampa, 2004. Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants.  Threatened and Endangered Species Software (TESSTM) by Envirotools, Inc.  USFWS Multi-Species Recovery Plan for South Florida (1999)  USFWS, Listed Species in Miami-Dade County, Florida (2011)

Aerial photographs from the FGDL were interpreted to determine habitat types occurring within the project area and the potential presence of any listed plant or animal species. The USFWS list is specific to Miami-Dade County, but it is not site specific to the project study areas. This list includes categorizations of species as endangered (E), threatened (T), and candidate (C) (Appendix D). The FWC list covers the entire State of Florida and includes categorizations of species as endangered (E), threatened (T), and species of special concern (SSC). The FWC list also includes the state list of plants maintained by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) and categorized as endangered (E), threatened (T), and commercially exploited (CE). The FNAI summary is a list of plant and animal species with state or federal status that are known to occur, are reported to occur, or may occur in Miami-Dade County. The IRC conducts research for and provides conservation services to government agencies and is dedicated to the protection, restoration, and long-term management of biodiversity on a regional basis, and to the prevention of regional extinctions of rare plants, animals, and ecosystems. IRC is currently working with the Miami-Dade County EEL Program to establish conservation plans for all of its EEL sites.

Agency coordination to obtain species and habitat related information has occurred through the Efficient Transportation Decision Making (ETDM) Planning and Program Screening, the Advance Notification (AN) process, and individual conversations with staff at USFWS, FWC, and Miami-Dade County to discuss species specific information. The AN for this project was

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published on February 24, 2004. The ETDM Review occurred between May 22, 2006 and July 6, 2006, and the final ETDM Summary Report was published on September 20, 2010. A summary of the wildlife-related comments received from the resource agencies charged with commenting on project-specific effects to the natural resources and wildlife is provided in Table 3-1. The sections of the ETDM Summary Report pertaining to wildlife and habitat have been included in Appendix A.

As part of the AN and ETDM process, comments were solicited from the USFWS, the FWC and other federal and state agencies requesting a review of each agency’s database for information regarding the location of, or the potential for, protected species within and adjacent to the Krome Avenue project corridor to document known occurrences of protected species. To date, responses have been received from the USFWS, the EPA, the FWC, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). All of the agency comments received to date have been addressed herein. In addition, further coordination was conducted with the USFWS, FWC, DRER and IRC. Letters were sent to USFWS and FWC on May 17, 2004 requesting a review of each agency’s database for information regarding location of, or the potential for, protected species and their critical habitats within and adjacent to the Krome Avenue corridor to document known occurrences and locations. In addition, meetings were held with Miami-Dade County EEL Program representatives to discuss proposed build alternatives and coordination was conducted with IRC to obtain specific information on habitat and plant species relevant to the Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 1 site. Copies of relevant correspondence/meeting minutes with each of the above mentioned agencies/affiliations are provided in Appendix A (Agency Correspondence) and Appendix E (Miami-Dade County EEL Program Meeting Minutes).

Table 3-1 – Summary of ETAT Natural Resources Comments Degree of Agency Issue Effect Comments Wildlife and FWC Minimal Minimal effects are anticipated. Habitat There are wetlands present throughout the corridor, including the northern FDEP Wetlands Moderate portion, which will require an Environmental Resource Permit. USACE Wetlands Minimal Impacts to tributaries (canals) probable but minimal. Proposed project may impact wetlands. Impact to wetlands should be USEPA Wetlands Moderate minimized. Unavoidable impacts must be fully mitigated. Wetlands provide important habitat for fish and wildlife and impacts should USFWS Wetlands Minimal be avoided to the greatest extent possible. NMFS EFH None The proposed project will not impact areas that support NMFS trust resources. Land uses within adjacent to the project area consist of urban and agricultural. Secondary Small but productive and important blocks or dry prairie, freshwater marsh and and wet prairie, upland hardwood hammock, open water, shrub swamp and FWC Cumulative Moderate pinelands are found within the project area. Depending on the chosen Effects Alternative, secondary and cumulative impacts on listed species and habitat Effect resources could be moderate.

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3.2.1 Survey Methodology

Detailed pre-dawn to post-dusk wildlife surveys of the Krome Avenue corridor were conducted on March 3 and 4, 2004. The study corridor encompassed the existing Krome Avenue roadway right-of-way from SW 296th Street to SW 136th Street for approximately 10 miles in Miami-Dade County, Florida. Please note that “wildlife” refers to birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and listed or otherwise notable macroinvertebrates (e.g. tree snails).

Two general types of direct wildlife survey methodology were employed: cursory pedestrian transects and stationary observation points. Wildlife observations were recorded from 5:00 AM (pre-dawn) until 10:30 AM and from 3:00 PM to 8:30 PM (post-dusk) each day. These times coincided with the most active foraging times for many species surveyed. Observation stations were established in the project study area based on the available habitat observed along the corridor. The observation station locations included the C-102 and C-103 Canals; a small borrow pit adjacent to and west of Krome Avenue; a railroad crossing near SW 232nd Street, the Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 1 site; and approximately 100 feet north of the intersection with SW 296th Street at the Florida Audubon Society property. Each observation period was evaluated during the AM and the PM timeframes over a period of two days. Random cursory pedestrian transects were also conducted within each biotic community observed along the Krome Avenue corridor. All wildlife observations (including activities observed, where applicable) were recorded. The presence and location of wildlife indicators (e.g., tracks, burrows, scat, etc.) were also recorded. Concurrent with the wildlife surveys, the corridor was investigated for the presence of federal and state-listed plants with emphasis on those areas where protected plants have the potential to occur (i.e., Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 1 site and the Florida Audubon Society property). Protected plants observed within the project limits were identified and mapped on recent aerial photography (see Section 3.2.2 of this report).

3.2.2 Protected Species Coordination Results

Coordination was conducted with the USFWS and the FDACS Division of Plant Industry concerning protection status of plant species with federal candidate status and state-listed endangered and threatened plant species, respectively. According to the USFWS (John Wrublik, telephone conversation, April 2006), plant species with federal candidate status do not receive federal statutory protection although the USFWS requests that candidate species are voluntarily protected as if they were federally-listed, if possible. According to FDACS (Dan Phelps, telephone conversation, June 2006 and reconfirmed in 2011 via statutory review), statutory protection of state-listed plants is not applicable if the clearing of land is performed by a public agency when acting in the performance of its obligation to provide service to the public (Section 581.185(8) Florida Statutes). Copies of phone logs have been included in Appendix A.

Responses to the AN and comments from the ETDM process were received from the USFWS and the FWC (see Table 3-1, above, and Appendix A). The USFWS stated that federally-listed species of potential concern would include the endangered wood stork (Mycteria americana) because the project is located in the core foraging areas (CFA) of two active wood stork colonies (currently, there are three active wood stork colonies located approximately 8.5 miles, 9.3 miles and 17.1 miles northwest of the project corridor); CFA for the wood stork in Miami-Dade County is defined as any suitable foraging habitat within an 18.6-mile radius of an active nesting

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colony. The USFWS recommended that any lost foraging habitat resulting from the project be replaced within the CFA of the affected nesting colony. In addition, the USFWS believes that the Eastern indigo snake (Drymarchon corais couperi) has the potential to occur in or near the project corridor. These comments are addressed in subsequent sections of this report.

The FWC stated that the following state-protected species may potentially occur: gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus), Eastern indigo snake, rim rock crowned snake (Tantilla oolitica), Florida mouse (Podomys floridanus), little blue heron (Egretta caerulea), tricolored heron (Egretta tricolor), reddish egret (Egretta rufescens), white ibis (Eudocimis albus), roseate spoonbill (Ajaia ajaja), wood stork, snail kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis plumbeus), bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), Southeastern American kestrel (Falco sparverius paulus), peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus), limpkin (Aramus guarauna), Florida sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pratensis), Florida burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia floridana), and the Liguus tree snail (Liguus fasciatus). The potential occurrence of all of these species is addressed in subsequent sections of this report.

3.2.3 Protected Species Survey Results

Table 3-2 lists the federal and state-listed wildlife and plant species either observed during the surveys or having the potential to occur within the project corridor, based on availability of suitable habitat and known ranges. Table 3-2 also provides the USFWS, FWC, and/or FDACS protection status for each species. Each species is given a rating of low, moderate, or high likelihood of occurring within the project corridor:

 High – Preferred habitat exists within project limits and species have been observed or reported within the project area  Moderate – Some preferred habitat exists within the project limits, but species have not been observed in the project area  Low – Preferred habitat is limited or lacking within the project limits and species have not been observed in the project area

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Table 3-2 – Listed Species Potentially Occurring Within the Project Study Corridor

FWC/ Probability Scientific Vernacular USFWS Habitat FDACS Habitat Preference of Name Name Status Presence Status Occurrence Plants Alvaradoa Everglades leaf lace; Pine rocklands; rockland Yes E Moderate amorphoides Mexican alvaradoa hammock transition zones (OBA) Pineland golden Pine rocklands; marl prairies; Yes Angadenia berteroi T High trumpet disturbed uplands (OBA) Blodgett’s wild- Pine rocklands; openings and Argythamnia Yes mercury; Blodgett’s C E margins of rockland hammocks; High blodgettii (OBA) silverbush coastal rock barrens Pineland strongbark; Yes Bourreria cassinifolia smooth strongbark; E Pine rocklands Moderate (OBA) little strongbark Mosier’s brickell- Pine rocklands; exposed Yes Brickellia mosieri bush; Mosier’s false E High limestone (OBA) boneset Long Key Pine rocklands and rockland Yes Byrsonima lucida T High locustberry hammocks (OBA) Rockland hammocks and coastal Yes Calyptranthes pallens Lid Flower T High berm habitats (FASP) Calyptranthes Rockland hammocks and coastal Yes Myrtle-of-the-River E High zuzygium berm habitats (FASP) Deltoid spurge; Chamaesyce Pine rocklands with scattered Yes wedge sandmat; E E High deltoidea shrubs and exposed limestone (OBA) rockland spurge Sandy soils over limestone in pine rocklands; hammock edges; Yes Chamaesyce garberi Garber’s spurge T E Moderate coastal rock barrens; coastal (OBA) berms; grass prairies Pine rocklands; rockland Chamaesyce Porter’s spurge; Yes E hammocks; marl prairie; coastal Moderate porteriana Porter’s sandmat (OBA) rock barrens Yes Chaptalia albicans White sunbonnet T Pine rocklands High (OBA) Colubrina cubensis Cuban snakebark; Edges of rockland hammocks; Yes E Moderate var. floridana Cuban nakedwood pine rocklands (OBA) Coccothrinax Pine rocklands; rockland Yes Florida silver palm T High argentata hammocks; coastal strands (OBA) Crossopetalum Christmasberry; Pine rocklands; rockland Yes T High ilicifolium quail-berry hammocks; coastal strands (OBA) Pine rocklands; edges of Dalea carthagenensis Florida prairie- Yes E rockland hammocks; coastal Moderate var. floridana clover (OBA) uplands; marl prairie Coker’s beach Yes Ernodea cokeri E Pine rocklands Moderate creeper (OBA) Florida Keys Eupatorium thoroughwort; Yes (=Koanophyllon) E Pine woods; hammocks High Florida shrub (OBA) villosum thoroughwort Redland pine rocklands with Yes Galactia smallii Small’s milkpea E E slash pine, saw palmetto, willow Moderate (OBA) bustic and poisonwood

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Table 3-2 – Listed Species Potentially Occurring Within the Project Study Corridor

FWC/ Probability Scientific Vernacular USFWS Habitat FDACS Habitat Preference of Name Name Status Presence Status Occurrence Wild potato Ipomoea Yes morning-glory; E Pine rocklands Moderate microdactyla (OBA) bejuco colorado Rockland morning- Yes Ipomoea tenuissima E Pine rocklands Moderate glory (OBA) Jacquemontia Pine rocklands; marl prairie; Yes Pineland clustervine T Moderate curtissii spoil banks; mesic flatwoods (OBA) Pine rocklands; disturbed Jacquemontia Yes Skyblue clustervine E openings and edges of rockland Moderate pentantha (OBA) hammocks; coastal rock barrens Pineland lantana; Lantana depressa Yes rockland E Pine rocklands High var. depressa (OBA) shrubverbena Pine rocklands; marl prairie; Yes Linum arenicola Sand flax E Moderate adjacent disturbed areas (OBA) Linum carteri var. Yes Carter’s flax C E Mowed pine rocklands High carteri (OBA) Yes Myrcianthes fragrans Simpson’s stopper T Hammocks (OBA/ High FASP) Tiny polygala, Yes Polygala smallii E E Pine rocklands; scrub, sandhills Moderate Small’s milkwort (OBA) Mrs. Britton’s Yes Ponthieva brittoniae E Pine rocklands Moderate shadow witch (OBA) Yes Prunus myrtifolia West Indian Cherry T Rockland hammocks High (FASP) Long-stalked Pine rocklands, rockland Yes Psidium longipes stopper, T Moderate hammocks (OBA) mangroveberry Bahama ladder Moist, well-drained limestone YES Pteris bahamensis T High brake soils in pine rocklands (OBA) Sand pine scrub; sandhills; pine Yes Eulophia ecristata Giant orchid T Moderate rocklands (OBA) Moist, well-drained limestone Small-leaf Yes Rhynchosia parvifolia T soils in pineland and scrub High snoutbean (OBA) habitats Tropical hardwood hammocks, Yes Roystonea elata Florida royal palm E rockland hammocks, strand High (FASP) swamp and disturbed wetlands Yes Sachsia bahamensis Bahama sachsia T Pine rocklands High (OBA) Coastal hammocks; pine Bahama Yes Savia bahamensis E rocklands; tropical hammock Moderate maidenbush (OBA) margins Senna mexicana var. Chapman’s wild Pinelands; edges of rockland Yes T High chapmanii sensitive plant hammocks (OBA) Everglades Yes Smilax havanensis T Pinelands; hammocks High greenbrier (OBA) Southern ladies’- Yes Spiranthes torta E Pine rocklands; marl prairies Moderate tresses (OBA)

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Table 3-2 – Listed Species Potentially Occurring Within the Project Study Corridor

FWC/ Probability Scientific Vernacular USFWS Habitat FDACS Habitat Preference of Name Name Status Presence Status Occurrence Stylosanthes Everglades pencil- Yes E Pine rocklands; marl prairies Moderate calcicola flower (OBA) Pine rocklands, rockland West Indian Yes Swietenia mahagoni T hammocks and disturbed upland High Mahogany (FASP) areas Tephrosia angustissima Narrowleaf Yes var. angustissima and hoarypea E Pine rocklands Moderate (OBA) T. angustissima and coral hoarypea var. corallicola Yes Tetrazygia bicolor Tetrazygia T Rockland hammocks; pinelands High (OBA) Tillandsia fasciculata Yes Cardinal airplant E Moist hammocks and swamps High var. densispica (OBA) Moist, well-drained limestone Yes Tragia saxicola Key West noseburn T High soils in pineland rocklands (OBA) Yes Zamia pumila Coontie CE Pine woods High (OBA) Reptiles Alligator American alligator T(S/A) FT(S/A) Most permanent bodies of water Yes High mississippiensis Broad range of habitats from Drymarchon mangrove swamps and wet Yes Eastern indigo snake T FT Moderate corais couperi prairies to xeric pinelands and scrub Tropical hardwood hammocks; Rim rock crowned pine rocklands; vacant lots and Tantilla oolitica snake, Miami black- ST Yes Moderate pastures with shrubby growth and headed snake scattered slash pine Pituophis Dry upland habitats, especially in melanoleucus Florida Pine Snake SSC sandhill, pastures, sand pine Yes Moderate mugitus scrub and scrubby flatwoods. Dry upland habitats including Gopherus sandhills, xeric oak hammock, Gopher tortoise ST No Low polyphemus and dry pine flatwoods. Excavate deep burrows in soft sand. Birds Mangroves; freshwater marshes; Aramus guarauna Limpkin SSC swamps; springs spring runs; No Low and pond and river margins Makes extensive use of ruderal areas such as pastures, airports, Athene (=Speotyto) Florida burrowing SSC ball fields, parks, school Yes Low cunicularia floridana owl grounds, road right-of-ways, and vacant spaces in residential areas Feeds in shallow freshwater, brackish, and saltwater habitats; Egretta caerulea Little blue heron SSC prefers foraging in freshwater No Moderate lakes, marshes, swamps, and streams

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Table 3-2 – Listed Species Potentially Occurring Within the Project Study Corridor

FWC/ Probability Scientific Vernacular USFWS Habitat FDACS Habitat Preference of Name Name Status Presence Status Occurrence Almost exclusively coastal. Egretta rufescens Reddish egret SSC Nests on coastal mangrove No Moderate islands or spoil islands Nests in mixed-species colonies Ajaia ajaja Roseate spoonbill SSC on coastal mangrove islands or No Moderate spoil islands Feeds in many types of flooded wetlands, streams, lakes, and swamps, and in impoundments Egretta thula Snowy egret SSC and ditches; nesting almost Yes Moderate always in areas separated from shoreline by extensive open water Feeds in variety of flooded wetlands, mangroves, tidal creeks, ditches, and edges of Egretta tricolor Tricolored heron SSC Yes High ponds and lakes; prefers nesting on islands or in trees over standing water Utilize a wide variety of habitats including marshes, salt flats and Eudocimus albus White ibis SSC Yes High salt marsh meadows, seasonally inundated fields, and ditches Preferred nesting sites are tall Falco sparverius Southeastern dead trees or utility poles with ST No High paulus American kestrel suitable cavities in open pine habitat Most commonly near bodies of water that provide Haliaeetus concentrations of food sources; Bald eagle NL NL No Low leucocephalus prefer tall trees (mostly live pines) providing clear views of surrounding area Foraging habitat shallow water in marshes, swamps, lagoons, Mycteria americana Wood stork E FE No Low ponds, tidal creeks, flooded pastures, and ditches Rostrhamus Large open freshwater marshes Everglade snail kite E FE No Low Sociabilis plumbeus and lakes with shallow water Mollusks Tropical hardwood hammocks, Liguus fasciatus Florida Tree Snail SSC Yes High rockland hammocks Mammals Roosting preferences are shafts Florida bonneted of royal palms, tree hollows and Eumops floridanus ST No Low (mastiff) bat holes, and buildings (particularly barrel tile roofs)

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Table 3-2 – Listed Species Potentially Occurring Within the Project Study Corridor

FWC/ Probability Scientific Vernacular USFWS Habitat FDACS Habitat Preference of Name Name Status Presence Status Occurrence Xeric upland communities with sandy soils including scrub, Podomys floridanus Florida mouse SSC sandhill, and ruderal sites where No Low they inhabit burrows of the gopher tortoise West Indian Trichechus Near-shore waters; canals; rivers; manatee, Florida E FE Yes Moderate manatus latirostris estuaries; and saltwater bays manatee

USFWS = United States Fish and Wildlife Service - The federal lists of animals and plants are administered by the USFWS and categorized into endangered and threatened and are published in 50 CFR 17 (animals) and 50 CFR 23 (plants). FWC = Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission - The state lists of animals are maintained by the FWC and categorized as Endangered, Threatened, and of Species of Special Concern and constitute rule Chapter 68A-27, FAC. FDACS = Florida Department Of Agriculture and Consumer Services - The state lists of plants are categorized into Endangered, Threatened, and Commercially Exploited and are administered and maintained by the FDACS via Chapter 5B-40 FAC. E = Endangered T = Threatened FE = Federally Endangered FT = Federally Threatened FT (S/A) = Federally Threatened due to Similarity of Appearance ST = State Threatened C = Federal Candidate for listing CE = Commercially Exploited Plant List NL = Not Listed but protected by the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act SSC = Species of Special Concern OBA = Applicable only to a portion of the study corridor adjacent to Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No.1 tract south of SW 264th Street (Bauer Drive) FASP = The Florida Audubon Society property is a privately-owned unmarked/undesignated two-acre parcel located along the west side of Krome Avenue just north of SW 296th Street/Avocado Drive (Miami-Dade County Folio Number 30-7801-000-0583)

Provided below is a discussion of the listed species observed or with the potential to occur within the project area.

MAMMALS

Florida Mastiff Bat (Eumops glaucinus floridanus)

The Florida mastiff bat is state-listed as a threatened species. This species roosts in palms, hollow trees and buildings (particularly barrel tile roofs) and may be more abundant in urban areas because of availability of roosts. The Florida mastiff bat forages from high in the air over natural as well as human-altered landscapes. The documented range of this species includes coastal portions of Broward and Miami-Dade counties, as well as portions of Charlotte, Collier, and Monroe counties. However, this species is currently only known to occur in a few locations, including Fakahatchee Strand State Park, the vicinity of Babcock-Webb Wildlife Management Area, and potentially Everglades National Park (FNAI, 2011).

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Florida Mouse (Podomys floridanus)

The Florida mouse is state-listed as a species of special concern. This species can be found in xeric upland communities with sandy soils, including scrub, sandhill, and ruderal sites. They will typically inhabit burrows of the gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus), but in the absence of gopher tortoises Florida mice will dig their own burrows or use those of old field mice. This species occurs from north-central Florida south to Highlands and Sarasota counties and along the Atlantic coast from St. Johns County south to Miami-Dade County. This species has become listed due to destruction of its habitat and reduction of gopher tortoise numbers.

West Indian Manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris)

The West Indian manatee, listed as endangered by both the USFWS and the FWC, is a fully aquatic herbivorous mammal. The manatee is a slow swimming, lumbering animal with no natural predators. The West Indian manatee is typically found in coastal or estuarine waters, bays, rivers, and lakes, but it seasonally migrates to the brackish water of the South Florida Intracoastal Waterway (ICWW) and connected canals and waterways. West Indian manatees reside in South Florida between November and March before returning north again for the summer months. Some of the primary reasons for the manatees’ decline are collisions between the animal and boat propellers, poaching, vandalism, and loss of safe and quiet habitat (FNAI, 2011).

BIRDS

Florida Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia floridana)

The burrowing owl is listed as a species of special concern by FWC. It is a small, diurnal ground-dwelling owl. The adults are spotted and barred with brown and white stripes. They have long legs, a round head and stubby tail. Human activities have increased its range in Florida but have exposed the owl to additional threats. Intensive cultivation and development of grasslands pose a major threat to this species. The largest concentration of owls now resides in ruderal grasslands and lawns of residential and industrial areas. Nesting occurs in burrows dug in the ground. Habitat includes high, sparsely vegetated, sandy ground including dry prairies and sandhills. In addition, burrowing owls also make use of ruderal areas such as pastures, airports, ball fields, parks, road rights-of-way and vacant lands.

Snowy Egret (Egretta thula), Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea), Tri-colored Heron (Egretta tricolor), White Ibis (Eudocimus albus), Limpkin (Aramus guarauna), Reddish Egret (Egretta rufescens), and Roseate Spoonbill (Ajaia ajaja),

None of these wading birds are federally-listed; however each is protected by the FWC as a species of special concern. These birds are found in a variety of habitats but prefer salt marshes, mangroves, wet prairies, and freshwater marshes. They may also forage in ruderal areas such as the banks of irrigation canals. They can be found in single or mixed-species colonies.

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Southeastern American Kestrel (Falco sparverius paulus)

Southeastern American kestrels are listed as threatened by the FWC. Kestrels can be found in open pine habitats, woodland edges, prairies, and pastures. These birds are found throughout Florida year-round, but seasonal occurrence is complicated by the arrival of northern migrants in winter. The subspecies that breeds in Florida is a listed species, but northern migrants are not; therefore, all birds observed during the breeding season (April through early September) should be treated as the listed subspecies. Availability of suitable nesting sites is essential during the breeding season. Nest sites are tall dead trees or utility poles generally with an unobstructed view of surroundings. Open patches of grass or bare ground are needed for detection of prey.

Bald Eagle (Haliaetus leucocephalus)

The bald eagle was delisted by the USFWS in August 2007 and the FWC in April 2008. Although the bald eagle is no longer federally or state-listed, this species is still protected under federal regulation by the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The bald eagle is found throughout Florida and most commonly inhabits coastal areas, bays, rivers, lakes, or other bodies of water that provide concentrations of food sources, including primarily fish, waterfowl, wading birds and carrion. Bald eagles usually nests in tall trees (mostly live pines) that provide clear views of surrounding areas. Their numbers have been steadily increasing; however, major threats still exist including habitat loss due to development and commercial timber harvest. Environmental pollutants and decreasing food supply are also of concern.

Wood Stork (Mycteria americana)

The wood stork is listed as endangered by both the USFWS and the FWC. Wood storks inhabit freshwater, brackish, and estuarine wetlands, primarily nesting in cypress and mangrove swamps. The wood stork is a highly colonial species usually nesting in large rookeries and feeding in flocks. They can be found foraging in shallow water such as freshwater marshes, narrow tidal creeks, and flooded tidal pools, as well as roadside ditches and pasturelands. The decline of the wood stork in South Florida is believed to be due primarily to the loss of suitable feeding habitat (FNAI, 2011; Ogden, 1990).

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the USFWS recognize a 29.9-kilometer (km) (18.6-mile) CFA around all known wood stork colonies in South Florida. According to the FWC Wading Bird Colony Locator Database, the USFWS Wood Stork 5-year Review: Summary and Evaluation (2007), and the most up-to-date USFWS Wood Stork CFA Map (2012), the project lies within the CFA of three active wood stork colonies (although only two active colonies were cited by the USFWS in their ETDM screening response – see above). The wood stork colonies are located approximately 8.5 miles, 9.3 miles and 17.1 miles northwest of the project corridor along US 41/SR 90/SW 8th Street/Tamiami Trail (USFWS File Names/Numbers: Tamiami Trail East/620312, Tamiami Trail West/No File Number, and File Number 620131, respectively).

The USFWS has documented the loss of suitable wetland habitat (including ditches and swales) within CFAs as having reduced foraging opportunities for the wood stork. Wood storks are commonly observed using these marginal habitats (ditches and swales) for foraging in South

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Florida and have been observed on several occasions within the project limits. Therefore, to minimize adverse impacts to the wood stork, the USFWS recommends compensation be provided for impacts to such suitable foraging habitat. The USFWS would accept the replacement of ditches or swales in association with the project as adequate compensation for the loss of CFA in these areas, as demonstrated by other recent similar FDOT projects in the vicinity. In the event that the construction of ditches or swales is not included in the project design, the USFWS requests other suitable wetland mitigation to offset the loss of wood stork foraging habitat. Coordination with the USACE and USFWS has determined that the loss of wood stork foraging habitat shall be assessed by utilizing the protocols set forth in the USACE South Florida Programmatic Concurrence for this species, dated January 25, 2010.

Everglade Snail Kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis plumbeus)

The Everglade snail kite, listed as endangered by both the USFWS and the FWC, is a medium- sized hawk. Everglade snail kites require long hydroperiod wetlands that remain inundated throughout the year. This preference is associated with the freshwater apple snail (Pomacea paludosa), its primary food source. Suitable habitats for the Everglade snail kite include freshwater marsh and shallow, vegetated lake margins where apple snails can be found. Preferred nesting habitat includes small trees and shrubs such as willow, bald cypress, pond apple, sweet bay, dahoon holly, southern bayberry, and elderberry. During dry periods when suitable shrubs and trees experience dry conditions, herbaceous species such as sawgrass, cattail, bulrush, and common reed are used for nest sites. Since the mid-1990s, the geographic range of the Everglade snail kite has been reduced to the Everglades, Lake Okeechobee, Loxahatchee Slough, the Kissimmee River, and the Upper St. Johns River watersheds (Cattau et al., 2008). Reproductive declines throughout the geographic range of the Everglade snail kite have been attributed to natural disturbances such as droughts, anthropogenic water management practices, and long-term habitat degradation, as well as the spread of the exotic apple snail (Cattau et al., 2009).

REPTILES

American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis)

The American alligator is listed by the USFWS and the FWC as threatened due to similarity of appearance with the American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus). The alligator is only listed in areas where its habitat overlaps with that of the crocodile, including Miami-Dade and Broward counties. While all of Miami-Dade County is technically included as overlapping habitat for the two species, no habitat for the American crocodile exists within or adjacent to the project area; therefore, the crocodile was not evaluated as part of this study. The alligator typically inhabits freshwater marshes and lakes, while the crocodile prefers saltwater habitats. In the decades since these reptiles were federally-listed, the American alligator population in Florida has increased to the point that hunting permits are issued as a means to control the population (FNAI, 2011; Ashton, Jr. and Ashton, 1985).

Eastern Indigo Snake (Drymarchon corais couperi)

The eastern indigo snake is listed as threatened by both the USFWS and the FWC. Throughout Florida, this snake is widespread, but uncommon. The preferred Florida habitat includes dry

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glade areas, tropical hammocks, muckland fields, and some flatwoods areas. It will readily utilize disturbed areas and mangrove swamps as well as upland and even urban habitats. Roadside berms and swales may be considered potential habitat as well (FNAI, 2011; Ashton, Jr. and Ashton, 1988). These snakes need relatively large areas of undeveloped land; as habitats become fragmented by roads, indigo snakes will be increasingly vulnerable to highway mortality as they travel through their large territories. Population decline can also be attributed to loss of habitat and to specimen collection.

Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus)

The gopher tortoise is a state-listed threatened species due to the increased pressures of development and expansion into its remaining upland habitats. This species occurs throughout Florida but prefers sandy, well-drained upland areas. Gopher tortoises inhabit extensive subterranean burrows in dry upland habitats. Vegetation communities where gopher tortoises are found include longleaf pine sandhills, xeric oak hammocks, scrub, pine flatwoods, dry prairies, and coastal dunes. Gopher tortoises can also live in man-made environments, such as pastures, old fields, railroad beds, and grassy roadsides. To be suitable for gopher tortoises, the habitat must have well-drained sandy soils for digging burrows, herbaceous food plants, and open sunny areas for nesting and basking. Tortoise are considered a keystone species with their burrows affording refuge to more than 360 commensual species, including other federal and state-listed species such as the indigo snake, pine snake, burrowing owl, gopher frog, and the Florida mouse, which, in many cases, cannot exist without the tortoise burrow. Habitat alteration and land development pose the most serious threat to the continued survival of the gopher tortoise (Alderson, 2002).

Florida Pine Snake (Pituophis melanoleucas mugitus)

The Florida Pine Snake is listed as a species of species concern by the FWC. Habitats for this snake typically include relatively open canopies and dry sandy soils such as sandhill and former sandhill, including old fields and pastures, but habitats can also include sand pine scrub and scrubby flatwoods. The Florida pine snake often coexists with pocket gophers and gopher tortoises, neither of which was observed or is likely to be present along the project corridor. This species spends most of time below ground with occasional surface activity from spring through fall, especially May to October. The range of this species includes most of the Florida panhandle and peninsula south to Lake Okeechobee, extending southward along the eastern ridge to Miami- Dade County, but is absent from the Florida Keys (FNAI, 2011; Ashton, Jr. & Ashton, 1988).

Rim Rock Crowned Snake (Tantilla oolitica)

The rim rock crowned snake is protected at the state level as a threatened species. This snake lives in tropical hardwood hammocks, slash pine rocklands and disturbed habitats such as vacant lots and pastures. This species typically inhabits soil and rock crevices, found under surface litter. It is typically restricted to the eastern Miami-Dade County and the Upper and Middle Keys of Monroe County. Some of the rim rock crowned snake’s habitat has been protected on public lands on Key Largo, but much of this species historic habitat has been converted to development in Miami-Dade and Monroe counties.

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MOLLUSKS

Florida treesnail (Liguus fasciatus)

The Florida tree snail is state-listed as a species of special concern. It is a large snail, with adults ranging from 1.6 to 2.7 inches in length. The shell is typically with a white or cream colored conical shell with streaks or bands of variable color: yellow, brown, pink, green (FNAI, 2011). This snail species is found in tropical hardwood and rockland hammocks, preferring smooth- barked trees such as wild tamarind, poisonwood, gumbo limbo (Bursera simaruba), and mastic (Mastichodendrum foetidissimum).

PLANTS

Everglades Leaf Lace (Alvaradoa amorphoides)

The Everglades leaf lace is state-listed as endangered. This small tree or erect shrub can grow to 45 feet in height with hairy, jointed twigs and smooth red-brown branches covered with small corky scars and lacerations. This species grows almost exclusively in pine rocklands and rockland hammock transition zones in Miami-Dade County. This plant species is the larval host for dina yellow (Eurema dina) butterflies. According to FNAI, only six known populations remain of this species due to loss of habitat, fire suppression, and over competition by exotic plants.

Pineland Golden Trumpet (Angadenia berteroi)

The pineland golden trumpet is listed as threatened by the state. It typically grows 6 to 18 inch in height (it has been documented up to three feet as a vine) and is found in pine rocklands, marl prairies and disturbed uplands/roadsides in Miami-Dade County and the Florida Keys. The IRC has identified this species to be occurring in 47 conservation areas throughout its range.

Blodgett’s Wild-mercury (Argythamnia blodgettii)

Blodgett’s wild-mercury is a federal candidate species for listing and is listed as endangered by the state. This erect herb typically grows one to three feet in height and is endemic to pine rocklands, openings and margins of rockland hammocks and coastal rock barrens in Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties. In 2001, FNAI described only 18 occurrences and fewer than 10,000 individual plants remain. Management of this species requires prescribed burns to maintain an open subcanopy and to reduce litter and competition by exotic species.

Pineland Strongbark (Bourreria cassinifolia)

The pineland strongbark is listed as endangered by the state. This species is found in pine rocklands located along the South Florida limestone ridge in Miami-Dade County. It is an evergreen, low-branching shrub which flowers year-round; reaching heights of approximately 10 feet. According to FNAI, there are only ten remaining populations in parks and preserves in South Florida.

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Mosier’s Brickell-bush [Brickellia (=Kuhnia) mosieri]

Mosier’s brickell-bush is listed as endangered by the state. This perennial herb is found in pine rocklands located along the South Florida limestone ridge and areas of exposed limerock in Miami-Dade County. According to FNAI, only 25 known populations of this species remain, all with low numbers of plants.

Long Key Locustberry (Byrsonima lucida)

Long Key locustberry is listed as threatened by the state of Florida. This tree is found in pine rocklands and rockland hammocks in Miami-Dade and Monroe counties where nutrients are not abundant. According to University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS), Long Key locustberry is often a host to a variety of epiphytes and the flowers turn flowers attract several species of butterflies (2011). This species has been identified by the IRC in 56 conservation lands in South Florida (FNAI, 2011).

Lidflower (Calyptranthes pallens) and Myrtle-of-the-River (Calyptranthes zuzygium)

Lidflower and Myrtle-of-the-River are both listed by the state of Florida as threatened and endangered, respectively. This shrubby tree has a distinct forked branch pattern with flowering occurring in in small clusters on long stalks; flower buds open by way of a hinged “lid” in the calyx. The white flower blossoms emanate a unique spicy fragrance with fruits that are appealing to many species of birds. This species is found in rockland hammocks and on coastal berm habitats in Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties as well as throughout the Bahamas, Cuba, Hispaniola, Jamaica, and Puerto Rico. According to FNAI, it is found in five parks and preserves, where it is sometimes abundant (IFAS, 2011).

Deltoid Spurge (Chamaesyce deltoidea subsp. adhaerens)

The deltoid spurge is listed as endangered at the federal and state levels. This prostrate, perennial herb occurs in mats over exposed oolithic limestone. It is endemic to Miami-Dade County and can be found in pine rocklands located along the South Florida limestone ridge from South Miami to Homestead. According to FNAI, only in known populations remain in fewer than 20 sites within Miami-Dade County. Losses are primarily due to loss of habitat, fire suppression, and over competition by exotic plants.

Garber’s Spurge (Chamaesyce garberi)

The Garber’s spurge is listed as threatened at the federal level and endangered at the state level. This robust, perennial herb is found in sandy soils over limestone in pine rocklands, hammock edges, coastal rock barrens, coastal berms, grass prairies and disturbed roadsides in Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties. According to FNAI, only 12 known populations remain of this species due to loss of habitat, fire suppression, and over competition by exotic plants.

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Porter’s Spurge (Chamaesyce porteriana)

Porter’s spurge, also known as Porter’s sandmat, is listed as endangered by the state of Florida. This perennial herb is found in pine rocklands, rockland hammocks, marl prairies and coastal rock barrens in Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties. According to FNAI, only 25 known populations remain of this species due to loss of habitat, fire suppression, and over competition by exotic plants.

White Sunbonnet (Chaptalia albicans)

White sunbonnet is listed as threatened by the state of Florida. White sunbonnet is a small fast growing perennial herb, typically is three to six inches in height; up to one foot when in flower. It is endemic to Miami-Dade County, West Indies and Central America. In Miami-Dade County, it is found in marl prairie and pine rockland habitats along the Miami Rock Ridge. It has been recorded by the IRC within 41 conservation areas.

Florida Silver Palm (Coccothrinax argentata)

Florida silver palm is listed as threatened by the state of Florida. This slow-growing, small, native Florida palm can reach 20 feet in height can be is found growing in pine rocklands, rockland hammocks and coastal strands in South Florida and the Florida Keys. The slender Florida silver palm has distinctive dark blue-green, drooping, delicate, deeply divided palmate leaves which are silver colored. The typically six-inch-wide trunk is either smooth or covered with woven, burlap-like fiber (IFAS, 2011).

Cuban Snakebark (Colubrina cubensis var. floridana)

Cuban snakebark is listed as endangered by the state of Florida. This evergreen shrub or small tree is found in pine rocklands and edges of rockland hammocks in Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties as well as the Caribbean Basin. According to FNAI, only in known populations remain in five Miami-Dade County Parks and the Everglades National Park due to loss of habitat, fire suppression, and over competition by exotic plants.

Christmasberry (Crossopetalum ilicifolium)

Christmasberry is listed as threatened by the state of Florida. This small shrub is typically six to 12 inches in height and has holly-like leaves and red berries. It is found in pine rocklands, rockland hammock edges and coastal strands in Miami-Dade, Monroe Keys and Collier counties. Viable populations of this species have been documented in 51 conservation lands.

Florida Prairie-clover (Dalea carthagenensis var. floridana)

The Florida prairie-clover is listed as endangered by the state of Florida. This woody shrub is found in pine rocklands, edges of rockland hammocks, coastal uplands and marl prairies in South Florida. According to FNAI, only five known populations remain with fewer than 1,000 plants exist due to loss of habitat, fire suppression, and over competition by exotic plants.

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Coker’s Beach Creeper (Ernodea cokeri)

Coker’s beach creeper is listed as endangered by the state of Florida. This shrub species is found in pine rocklands located in Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties. According to FNAI, there are only six known occurrences in five conservation areas, primarily due to loss of habitat, fire suppression, and over competition by exotic plants.

Florida Keys thoroughwort [Eupatorium (=Koanophyllon) villosum)

The Florida Keys thoroughwort is listed as endangered by the state of Florida. This medium sized erect shrub species is typically five to six feet in height. It is found in pine rocklands and edges of rockland hammocks in Miami-Dade County from Long Pine Key in Everglades National Park northeast along the Miami Rock Ridge to approximately Snapper Creek (FNAI, 2011).

Small’s Milkpea (Galactia smallii)

Small’s milkpea is listed as endangered by the state of Florida. This delicate, trifoliate sprawling herb with pink or lavender flowers is found in Redland pine rocklands with saw palmetto, willow bustic and poisonwood in Miami-Dade County. According to FNAI, only six known populations remain of this species due to loss of habitat, fire suppression, and over competition by exotic plants.

Man-in-the-Ground (Ipomoea microdactyla)

Man-in-the-Ground is listed as endangered by the state of Florida. This creeping twining vine species is found in pine rocklands located along the South Florida limestone ridge in Miami- Dade County. According to FNAI, only about 12 populations are known to remain of this species due to loss of habitat, fire suppression, and over competition by exotic plants.

Rockland Morning-glory (Ipomoea tenuissima)

Rockland morning-glory is listed as endangered by the state of Florida. This twining vine species is found in pine rocklands located along the South Florida limestone ridge in Miami-Dade County. According to FNAI, only about 12 populations are known to remain of this species due to loss of habitat, fire suppression, and over competition by exotic plants.

Pineland Clustervine (Jacquemontia curtisii)

Pineland clustervine is listed as threatened by the state of Florida. This vine species is prostrate herbaceous or semi-woody, reaching three to six inches in height with stems spreading to more than 3 feet in length. It is found in pine rocklands, marl prairies, spoil banks, and mesic flatwoods in South Florida, and is a staple food source for the Georgia satyr (Neonympha areolata) butterfly.

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Skyblue Clustervine (Jacquemontia pentanthos)

Skyblue clustervine is listed as endangered by the state of Florida. This twining vine is found in pine rocklands, marl prairies, disturbed openings and edges of rockland hammocks and coastal rock barrens in South Florida and the Florida Keys. The showy flowers of this vine occur year- round and the nectar is a staple food source for nessus sphinx (Amphion floridensis), tantalus sphinx (Aellopus tantalus) and tersa sphinx (Xylophanes tersa) moths. There are only 12 known populations remain of this species, primarily due to over competition by exotic plants (FNAI, 2011).

Pineland Lantana (Lantana depressa)

Pineland lantana is listed as endangered by the state of Florida. This low, mat-forming species is found in pine rocklands located along the South Florida limestone ridge in Miami-Dade County. According to FNAI, this species is found on many conservation lands, but are threatened by “genetic swamping through hybridization with the exotic and multi-color flowered landscape lantana species such as L. camara and L. aculeataromote ((Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council, 2007).

Sand Flax (Linum arenicola)

Sand flax is listed as endangered by the state of Florida and is a Candidate for listing by the federal government. This perennial herb is has wiry stems and few leaves. It is endemic to Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties in pine rocklands, marl prairies and adjacent disturbed areas in Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties. According to FNAI (2011), only seven known populations remain of this species due to loss of habitat, fire suppression, and over competition by exotic plants.

Carter’s Flax (Linum carteri var. carteri)

Carter’s flax is a candidate species for federal listing and is listed as endangered by the state of Florida. This species is found in mowed pine rocklands located along the South Florida limestone ridge in Miami-Dade County. K. Bradley and G. Gann (1999) estimated that fewer than 1,000 individuals exist at nine occurrences, of which only three occurrences are on conservation lands. Gann, G.D., K.A. Bradley, and S.W. Woodmansee (2006) now estimate that the population is down to seven occurrences in three conservation areas.

Simpson’s Stopper (Myrcianthes fragrans)

Simpson’s stopper is listed as threatened by the state of Florida. This perennial shrubby tree was once known as Eugenia simpsonii and is a member of the eucalyptus family. It is found in upland hammocks in Miami-Dade County and the Monroe County mainland north to St. Johns, Okeechobee and Lee counties. The trees small leaves contain aromatic oils with the fragrance of nutmeg. The flowers attract many species of butterflies, and the fruits are appealing to birds, especially the state bird of Florida, the mockingbird (IFAS, 2011).

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Tiny Polygala (Polygala smallii)

The tiny polygala is listed as endangered at the federal and state levels. This perennial herb grows no taller than three inches in height. Tiny polygala is endemic to east-central Florida from southern St. Lucie County through Miami-Dad County. This species typically occurs in sand pockets of sand pine scrub, pine rocklands, slash pine, high pine, and well drained coastal scrub with high light levels and little accumulation of leaf litter. All documented habitats are xeric and prone to periodic fire disturbance (Gann and Bradley 1995). In Miami-Dadde County, tiny polygala occurs primarily in pine rocklands, and according to FNAI (2011), only eleven populations are known to remain of this species due to loss of habitat, fire suppression, and over competition by exotic plants.

Mrs. Britton’s Shadow Witch (Ponthieva brittoniae)

Mrs. Britton’s shadow witch is listed as endangered by the state of Florida, and was last observed in the wild in 1987 (FNAI, 2011). This perennial orchid species was found in pine rockland habitats located along the South Florida limestone ridge in Miami-Dade County. The habitat for this species has been lost to development and agriculture, but individual plants may occur. This species requires frequent prescribed burns and exotic vegetation management.

West Indian Cherry (Prunus myrtifolia)

West Indian cherry is listed as threatened by the state of Florida. This medium sized evergreen tree, typically 25 to 35 feet in height, is found in rockland hammocks in Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties. This tree bares fruit that is eaten by numerous birds and other animals. According to the IRC, populations of this species have been identified at 18 conservation lands.

Long-stalked Stopper [Psidium (=Mosiera) longipes]

The long-stalked stopper is listed as threatened by the state of Florida. This medium-sized evergreen shrub is found in pine rocklands and rockland hammocks in Miami-Dade County and the Monroe Counties Keys. According to FNAI (2011), only 34 populations of this species remain. This species requires frequent prescribed burns to create a mosaic of suitable habitat in rocklands.

Bahama Ladder Brake (Pteris bahamensis)

Bahama ladder brake is listed as threatened by the state of Florida. This terrestrial fern’s is found from South of Lake Okeechobee through the Florida Keys. It typically reaches one to two feet in height. The Bahama ladder brake is typically associated with limestone outcrops and crevices in the moist, well-drained soils in rocklands and pine rocklands of Miami-Dade County and the Monroe County Keys. It should be noted the Bahama ladder brake hybridizes with the exotic China brake (P. vittata) forming Delchamps' ladder brake (P. x delchampsii) and is threatened with extinction through this hybridization (FNAI, 2011).

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Giant Orchid (Pteroglossaspis ecristata)

The giant orchid is listed as threatened by the state of Florida. This perennial orchid is found in sand pine scrub, pine rocklands and sandhills and can be mistaken with over 70 other orchid species listed as threatened or endangered by the state of Florida. It typically reaches one meter in height with a terminal spike of five to 30 flowers. Although this species was historically known to occur throughout the southeastern U.S. and Caribbean, it is only been identified in a few counties within Florida in recent years due to loss of habitat, fire suppression, and over competition by exotic plants (FNAI, 2011).

Small-leaf Snoutbean (Rhynchosia parvifolia)

The small-leaf snoutbean is listed as threatened by the state of Florida. This vine a member of the pea family and is found in moist, well-drained limestone soils in pineland and scrub habitats of Miami-Dade County and the Monroe County Keys. According to the IRC, this species has been identified in 16 conservation lands across South Florida.

Florida Royal Palm (Roystonea regia)

The Florida royal palm is listed as endangered by the state of Florida. This stately palm species reaches 50-100 feet in height and is found in tropical hardwood hammocks, rockland hammocks, strand swamp and disturbed wetlands. Florida royal palms were historically documented to be growing as far north as Lake and Volusia counties. There are several theories as to the loss of native populations, but indigenous populations are now found only in Monroe, Miami-Dade, Collier, Palm Beach and Martin counties.

Bahama Maidenbush (Savia bahamensis)

The Bahama maidenbush is listed as endangered by the state of Florida. This small-leaved compact shrub or small tree is typically found in pine rocklands, coastal hammocks and tropical hammock margins in the Florida Keys but can be found in Miami-Dade County as well. According to FNAI, this species is only found in seven preserve areas, primarily in the lower Keys. This species requires exotic plant management throughout its range.

Bahama Sachsia (Sachsia polycephala)

The Bahama sachsia is listed as threatened by the state of Florida. This small herb can be confused with other aster species. It can be found in pine rocklands located along the South Florida limestone ridge in Miami-Dade County and the Monroe County Keys. According to the IRC, this species has been found in 21 conservation areas in Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties (FNAI, 2011).

Chapman’s Wild Sensitive Plant (Senna mexicana var. chapmanii)

Chapman’s wild sensitive plant is listed as threatened by the state of Florida. This shrub reaches two to four feet in height and become much broader than it is tall. It is found in pinelands and edges of rockland hammocks in Miami-Dade County and the Florida Keys, including

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documented occurrences in 33 conservation areas. It should be noted that this species is the larval host plant for the cloudless sulphur (Phoebis sennae), sleepy orange (Eurema nicippe) and the introduced orange-barred sulphur (Phoebis philea) butterflies. A gland at the base of the leaves attracts ants that attack the butterfly caterpillars (FNAI, 2011).

Everglades Greenbrier (Smilax havanensis)

The Everglades greenbrier is listed as threatened by the state of Florida. This climbing vine is found in pinelands and hammocks in South Florida and the Florida Keys. It can reach up to ten feet in length in habitats such as hammocks, pinelands and coastal thickets. According to IRC, this species has been documented on 55 conservation lands throughout South Florida.

Southern Ladies’-tresses (Spiranthes torta)

The southern ladies’-tresses is listed as endangered by the state of Florida. This erect orchid is typically found in pine rocklands and marl prairies throughout South Florida. According to the Flora of North America (2011), Spiranthes torta is restricted to the rocky pinelands in southern Florida and is easily recognized by its nodding flowers and downward-pointing lateral sepals. It could only be confused with S. tuberosa, typically a much shorter plant with pure white flowers. Only ten known significant populations remain of this species due to loss of habitat, fire suppression, and over competition by exotic plants (FNAI, 2011).

Everglades Pencil-flower (Stylosanthes calcicola)

The Everglades pencil-flower is listed as endangered by the state of Florida. This herb species is a member of the pea family; reaching three to six inches in height, spreading out radially along the ground. It is typically found in pine rocklands and marl prairies in Miami-Dade County and the Monroe County Keys. This plant is the larval host for the barred yellow (Eurema daira) butterflies. Only a few populations of this species exist within four conservation areas in South Florida due to loss of habitat, fire suppression, and over competition by exotic plants (FNAI, 2011).

West Indian Mahogany (Swietenia mahogani)

West Indian mahogany is listed as threatened by the state of Florida. This medium to large tree can reach up to 80 feet in height and is easily identified by its woody fruit capsules. It is a common landscape plant, but in the wild it is found in pine rocklands, rockland hammocks and disturbed upland areas in Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward, Collier and Lee counties. It should be noted that this species is the only host of the critically imperiled mahogany mistletoe (Phoradendron rubrum) parasite. Populations of this species have been identified at 68 conservation lands in these counties (FNAI, 2011).

Narrowleaf Hoarypea and Coral Hoarypea (Tephrosia angustissima var. angustissima and T. angustissima var. corallicola)

The narrowleaf hoarypea and the coral hoarypea are listed as endangered by the state of Florida. These perennial herbs are members of the pea family and species are found in pine rocklands

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located along the South Florida limestone ridge in Miami-Dade County. The narrowleaf hoarypea is likely extinct as it has not been identified in decades and the coral hoarypea has been relegated to a single, unprotected population in Miami-Dade County (FNAI, 2011).

Tetrazygia (Tetrazygia bicolor)

Tetrazygia is listed as threatened by the state of Florida. This shrubby perennial species is ten to 30 feet in height and is typically found in pinelands and rockland hammocks in Miami-Dade County. The plant blooms in spring and summer with berries forming in the late summer and fall. The fruits are edible and birds are very fond of them (IFAS, 2011). According to the IRC, this species has been documented in 43 conservation lands in South Florida.

Cardinal Airplant (Tillandsia fasciculata var. densispica)

The cardinal airplant is listed as endangered by the state of Florida. This epiphytic wildflower reaches about 18 inches in height and 36 inches while in flower. It is considered relatively common in moist hammocks and swamps in South Florida and the Florida Keys, including 128 conservation areas (FNAI, 2011).

Key West Noseburn (Tragia saxicola)

The Key West noseburn is listed as threatened by the state of Florida. This small herb typically reaches two to six inches in height. It is endemic to Miami-Dade County and the Monroe County Keys and can be found in well-drained limestone soils of pine rockland ecosystems.

Coontie (Zamia integrifolia)

The coontie is listed as commercially exploited by the state of Florida. This shrubby species has feather-like, light green, leathery foliage, which emerges from a large underground storage root in the early years before a trunk develops. This species is typically found in pinewoods throughout Florida. According to IRC, this species has been identified in 86 conservation lands throughout the state.

3.2.4 Designated Habitats Results

Critical Habitats

Critical habitat is a specific, federally-designated, geographic area that is essential for the conservation of a threatened or endangered species that may require special management and protection, but they are not considered a refuge or sanctuary for the species. Critical habitat may include an area that is not currently occupied by the species, but that will be needed for its recovery. An area is designated as critical habitat after the USFWS (or the NOAA NMFS) publish a proposed federal regulation in the Federal Register and then receives public comments on the proposal. The final boundaries of the critical habitat areas are also published in the Federal Register. According to the USFWS’s Federally Listed & Candidate Species in Miami- Dade County, Florida (2011), no critical habitats for any plant or wildlife species are located within or directly adjacent to the proposed project study area.

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South Florida Multi-Species Recovery Plan Consultation Areas

Per USFWS South Florida Ecological Services Field Office GIS data (2012), the project corridor is located within designated “Consultation Areas” for the Everglade snail kite and the American crocodile. Proposed roadway construction activities within these designated areas will typically require coordination/consultation with the USFWS.

Strategic Habitat Conservation Areas

Strategic Habitat Conservation Areas (SHCA) are defined as regions not in public ownership, which are recommended for protection in order to maintain biological diversity. These SHCA designations are intended to indicate that the existing land use should be maintained in order to conserve state-wide biodiversity. The SHCAs were originally mapped state-wide in association with the FWC’s Closing the Gaps in Florida’s Wildlife Habitat Conservation System report (Cox et al., 1994). Since 1994, landscape-level habitat changes, transfer of land from private to public ownership, and changes in land use have all altered the applicability of the originally mapped SHCAs. Advances in technological capabilities, revised habitat data, and more extensive species occurrence data facilitated a reassessment of Florida's biodiversity protection status. Additionally, advances in population viability modeling techniques allow for more in-depth examination of wildlife habitat needs that were not available in the previous report. The results of the reanalysis have identified SHCAs for a new selection of focal species, including many species that were in the original report. According to the updated report, Wildlife Habitat Conservation Needs in Florida: Updated Recommendations for Strategic Habitat Conservation Areas (Endries et al., 2009), there are no SHCAs within or adjacent to the project corridor.

Essential Fish Habitat

The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) (MSFCMA), as amended by the Sustainable Fisheries Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-267), established procedures designed to identify, conserve, and enhance Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) for those species regulated under a federal fisheries management plan (FMP). Section 305(b)(2) of the MSFCMA requires federal action agencies to consult with the NMFS on all actions or proposed actions, authorized, funded, or undertaken by the agency, that may adversely affect EFH. EFH is defined in the MSFCMA as “…those waters and substrate necessary to fish for spawning, breeding, feeding, or growth to maturity.” Coordination with NMFS has occurred through ETDM Screening and direct conversations with NMFS staff. The ETDM comment received from the NMFS stated that the proposed project would not impact areas that support NMFS trust resources. Therefore, no further action or coordination is required for this proposed project pursuant to the EFH requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Act.

Environmentally Endangered Lands (EEL)

The mission of the Miami-Dade County EEL Program is to acquire, preserve, enhance, restore, conserve and maintain environmentally endangered lands for the benefit of present and future generations. The primary management objective is to maintain and preserve the natural resource values of the lands by employing management techniques that are most appropriate for each native community. To fulfill its mandate, the EEL Program identifies and secures

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environmentally endangered lands that are suitable for preservation through acquisitions from landowners that are willing to sell. To maximize its impact, the EEL Program leverages, to the maximum extent possible, its local land acquisition funds by working closely with other acquisition programs such as Florida Forever Program and the Florida Communities Trust (FCT).

The Florida Forever Program is Florida’s plan for conservation of unique natural resources. This $300 million per year program replaced the Preservation 2000 Program (P-2000), which was responsible for the public acquisition and protection of more than 1.75 million acres of land in Florida. The Florida Forever Board of Trustees Program, the largest program funded by Florida Forever, receives approximately $100 million per year for statewide acquisitions. This is the successor to the Conservation and Recreation Lands (CARL) Program. Title to lands bought by the Florida Forever Board of Trustees Program, like those purchased previously through the CARL Program, is held by the Board of Trustees. This includes those lands for which a local government provides matching funds. Often, as is the case for the EEL Program, the Board of Trustees leases the land to the local government for management.

Annually, the EEL Program considers a list of sites for acquisition with public funds. Miami- Dade County staff and citizen volunteers who are members of the Land Acquisition Selection Committee (LASC) inspect each site. Following a public hearing, LASC recommends sites for purchase to the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners. Relevant donor agencies, such as the ones described above, review proposals on a semiannual basis. Once approved for acquisition, the EEL Program negotiates the purchase of the land with the landowner.

As of 2011, the EEL Program, together with its partners, has brought into public ownership more than 18,350 acres of environmentally endangered lands since 1990. The conservation and incorporation of these lands into the Program ensures that they will continue to thrive as natural habitats and shields them from development. The lands protected include the following acreage per habitat (per Miami-Dade County EEL Program website, 2011):

 631 acres of rockridge pineland  272 acres of tropical hardwood hammock  16,809 acres of freshwater wetlands  620 acres of coastal wetlands  19 acres of scrub habitat

As stated in Section 24-50.4 of the Miami-Dade County Code, the purpose of the EEL Program is:

 To acquire environmentally endangered lands that contain natural forest or wetland communities, native plant communities, imperiled biota, endemic species, endangered species habitat, a diversity of species, or outstanding geologic or other natural features.  To acquire environmentally endangered lands that function as an integral and sustaining component of an existing natural system.  To protect environmentally endangered lands that are publicly owned by acquiring inholdings or adjacent properties that, if not acquired, would threaten the environmental

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integrity of the existing resource, or that, if acquired, would enhance the environmental integrity of the resource.  To implement the objectives and policies of the Comprehensive Development Master Plan for Miami-Dade County that may have been promulgated to preserve and protect environmental areas designated in the Plan and other natural forest resources, wetlands, and endangered species habitat.  To identify Miami-Dade County’s best and most endangered environmental lands for acquisition and management by evaluating the biological characteristics and viability of the resource, the vulnerability of the resource to degradation or destruction, and the feasibility of managing the resource to maintain its natural attributes.  To manage environmentally endangered lands with the primary objective of maintaining and preserving their natural resource values by employing management techniques that are most appropriate for each native community so that Miami-Dade County’s natural heritage may be preserved for current and future generations.  To use the acquired sites, where feasible within financial restraints and with minimal risk to the environmental integrity of the site, to educate Miami-Dade County's school-age population and the general public about the uniqueness and importance of Miami-Dade County's subtropical ecosystems and natural communities.  To cooperate actively with other acquisition conservation and resource management programs, including, but not limited to, such programs as the state of Florida CARL Program, the Land Acquisition Trust Fund, and Save our Rivers Program, where the purposes of such programs are consistent with the purposes of the EEL Program as stated above (MDC, 2006a).

The Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 1 site is a 9.39-acre EEL parcel located along the Krome Avenue project corridor (Miami-Dade County Folio Number 30-6931-000- 0160) bordered by SW 264th Street/Bauer Drive to the north and Krome Avenue to the west. One type of natural community occurs within the Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 1 site, pine rockland, which covers approximately 70.4% (6.61 acres) of the site. The remaining 29.6% (2.78 acres) of the site is disturbed, and consists primarily of abandoned paved roads and the grassy/weedy road shoulder along Krome Avenue. In surveys conducted by or for Miami- Dade County EEL, as many as 231 plant species from 66 botanical families have been recorded at the Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 1 site. Native plants account for 75.8% of the flora (175 taxa) and exotics 23.4% (54 taxa). Thirteen of the plant species in the Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 1 site are endemic to South Florida (Lake Okeechobee and south). Four of these: Carter’s flax, deltoid spurge, Mosier's false boneset and pineland lantana are endemic to Miami-Dade County.

It should be noted that a Draft Ten-Year Land Management Plan (Draft-LMP) for this preserve was prepared in 2008 and, as of 2013, is in the process of being reviewed by the EEL Program and the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners to guide the future management of the land with regards to the use, restoration and maintenance of its environmental values.

Detailed habitat and plant surveys were conducted in 2006 and in 2010 on the Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 1 site within the limits of the proposed build alternatives for this project. In addition, coordination has been conducted with the DRER EMRD EEL Program and the Miami-Dade County Park and Recreation Department Natural Areas Management Program

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(today known as MDPROS). To date, three meetings were held with EEL and MDPROS representatives to discuss the Krome Avenue PD&E project. Please refer to Section 4.0 of this report for details.

3.2.5 Other Notable Sites/Habitats

Florida Audubon Society Property

The Florida Audubon Society owns a two-acre unmarked/undesignated private property, which is located on the west side of the southern end of the Krome Avenue project corridor just north of SW 296th Street/Avocado Drive (Miami-Dade County Folio Number 30-7801-000-0583). The privately owned property has no special land use designation (i.e., park, preserve, etc; however, the Florida Audubon Society has designated the site as a bird watching location. There are no public facilities or managed trails at this site. In addition, the site does not appear to be actively managed and has both native and exotic species growing throughout. Although the property is overgrown, several state-listed plant species exist within its limits, which appear to have been planted in order to attract birds and butterflies for viewing purposes. A detailed tree survey and protected plant species survey was conducted in January 2012, on the property within the limits of the proposed build alternatives for this project. An aerial photograph depicting the results of the tree survey and the approximate locations of the observed state-protected plant species at the property are depicted in Appendix F.

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4.0 PROJECT IMPACTS

4.1 Habitat Impacts

4.1.1 Upland Communities

The upland communities identified within the project study area consist mainly of agricultural, developed or otherwise altered land due to commercial, institutional and residential development as well as regularly disturbed lands dominated by exotic vegetation that provide a low habitat value for resident and migratory wildlife species. Impacts to these community types are not regulated by the federal, state and local plant and wildlife agencies and are considered insignificant for the purposes of this report.

In addition to the above, special designated upland habitats exist along the project corridor including the Florida Audubon Society property, which is located on the west side of the southern end of the proposed project corridor just north of SW 296th Street, and the 9.39-acre pine rockland community known as Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 1 located in the southeast quadrant of the intersection of Krome Avenue and SW 264th Street. Potential impacts to these sites are discussed below in Sections 4.1.3, 4.3.4 and 4.3.5 of this report.

4.1.2 Wetland/Surface Water Communities

As noted in Section 3.1.2, above, wetland surveys of the project study area were conducted by project biologists in 2004 and 2010. No areas with characteristics indicative of jurisdictional vegetated wetlands or waters of the United States, as defined by Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, were observed within or adjacent to the project study area. This includes natural wetland communities as well as swales or other manmade stormwater features. Therefore, no impacts (direct or indirect) to jurisdictional wetlands are anticipated as a result implementation of the No Build Alternative, TSM Alternative, Action Plan Alternative or any of the Krome Avenue build alternatives.

Three areas characterized as surface waters consisting of two community types were identified and assessed. These areas consist of an inundated rock mining pit (borrow pit) (SW-1) excavated in Miami oolite rock located on the west side of Krome Avenue approximately 1,000 feet north of SW 208th Street; the SFWMD’s C-102/Princeton canal (SW-2) which crosses Krome Avenue at approximately SW 196th Street; and the SFWMD’s C-103/Mowry canal (SW-3) which crosses Krome Avenue just north of SW 280th Street (see Appendix A for a copy of the informal SFWMD wetland/surface water jurisdictional determination). Impacts to these surface water areas were quantified for each of the build alternatives described in Section 2.3 of this report. Direct impacts associated with each build alternative are depicted in Table 4-1. Direct impact estimates are based on the aerial extent of the surface water areas within the proposed construction limits for each proposed build alternative.

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Table 4-1 – Direct Surface Water Impacts

Direct Surface Surface Direct Surface Water Impacts FLUCFCS Description Water Impacts Water ID (acres) (ft²) Alternative 1 Former SW-1 742 0 0 Borrow Pit SW-2 510 C-102 canal 2,975 0.07 SW-3 510 C-103 canal 3,180 0.07 Alternative 1 Totals 6,155 0.14 Alternative 2 Former SW-1 742 0 0 Borrow Pit SW-2 510 C-102 canal 2,975 0.07 SW-3 510 C-103 canal 3,180 0.07 Alternative 2 Totals 6,155 0.14 Alternative 3 Former SW-1 742 2,250 0.05 Borrow Pit SW-2 510 C-102 canal 6,100 0.14 SW-3 510 C-103 canal 6,520 0.15 Alternative 3 Totals 14,870 0.34 Alternative 4 Former SW-1 742 900 0.02 Borrow Pit SW-2 510 C-102 canal 4,400 0.1 SW-3 510 C-103 canal 3,900 0.09 Alternative 4 Totals 9,200 0.21 Alternative 5 Former SW-1 742 1,647 0.04 Borrow Pit SW-2 510 C-102 canal 2,274 0.05 SW-3 510 C-103 canal 2,659 0.06 Alternative 5 Totals 6,580 0.15

Alternative 1 would directly impact approximately 0.14 acres of surface waters; Alternative 2 would directly impact approximately 0.14 acres of surface waters; Alternative 3 would directly impact approximately 0.34 acres of surface waters; Alternative 4 would directly impact approximately 0.21 acres of surface waters; and Alternative 5 would directly impact approximately 0.15 acres of surface waters. Since the waterways will remain virtually intact following the proposed construction activities and no loss in functional value of the surface waters is anticipated to occur, the proposed direct impacts is expected to be minimal. Surface water impact acreages will be further refined as detailed construction plans are developed during the final design phase of the project.

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Indirect (secondary) impacts are to be expected for those surface waters that will be directly impacted because a suitable upland buffer does not exist between the remaining portion of the surface water and the proposed improvement. However, indirect impacts to the existing surface water areas along Krome Avenue are anticipated to be minimal due to the implementation of appropriate measures such as sedimentation and erosion control best management practices in accordance with the latest edition of FDOT's Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction and, per Section 4.2.7 of the SFWMD’s Basis of Review for Environmental Resource Permit Applications. All best management practices associated with roadway construction projects will be properly implemented and maintained throughout all construction activities to avoid/minimize the potential for short-term impacts relating to water quality and wildlife. Although the build alternatives propose additional lanes to accommodate existing and future traffic demands, the additional traffic is not expected to have any significant adverse effect on the functions of the surface water areas.

The proposed project is located within the C-1 West, C-102 West, BD-C103 and the L-31 NS watersheds. From a regional perspective these watersheds contain approximately 989 acres of surface waters. The surface waters are comprised of 331 acres of streams and waterways including mostly primary and secondary canals, and 658 acres of reservoirs (lakes, borrow pits, etc.). Based on the estimated impacts associated for each build alternative, the percent of impact will not exceed 0.087% for streams and waterways and 0.0076% for reservoirs. Therefore, surface water impacts on a cumulative or regional scale are considered to be minor or negligible. Keep in mind that although the project includes direct impacts to the C-102 and C-103 canals, the waterways will still exist at these locations and the functional value of the waterways will not be altered since the design flow volume of each canal will be retained (impacts are limited to bridge and culvert widening activities). Please reference the Wetland Evaluation Report available at the FDOT, District VI, offices for additional details.

4.1.3 Other Notable Communities in Close Proximity to the Project

As mentioned in Section 3.1.3, above, other notable upland communities exist within close proximity to the Krome Avenue project corridor (see Figure 3-7) which may contribute to the potential presence of listed wildlife species along the project corridor. The assessment of each of these communities (described in Section 3.1.3) with respect to protected plants and wildlife follows:

 Camp Owaissa Bauer is located along the north side of SW 264th Street approximately 600 feet east of the Krome Avenue project corridor. This camp is administered through the MDPROS and is designed for group camping. It has buildings and facilities to accommodate a total of 160 campers for overnight and extended period camping. The camp is available to organized groups up to one year in advance. This facility also has several amenities in addition to camping, including cabins, a shooting range, a pool, multipurpose fields, a volleyball court, basketball courts, a campfire circle, and nature trails. Several native pineland and mixed hardwood upland plants are located on this site. Due to its distance from the Krome Avenue project corridor, no direct impacts to the native pineland and mixed hardwood communities and associated wildlife (potential for bird and small mammal foraging/nesting) are anticipated as a result of any of the build alternatives. Access to this facility will likely be improved as a result of the traffic-related

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improvements to Krome Avenue. In addition, an approximate 450-500 foot upland vegetative buffer exists between this community and Krome Avenue, which will continue to buffer the community from any indirect effects resulting from the roadway improvements (e.g., traffic noise, automobile headlights, etc.). Therefore no new indirect impacts are anticipated to occur to the native pineland and mixed hardwood communities and associated wildlife as a result of any of the proposed build alternatives.

 The 10.0-acre Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 2 site is located along SW 264th Street approximately 700 feet east (south of SW 264th Street) of the Krome Avenue project corridor. This area is contiguous to the east of the Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 1 site and several native, protected pineland plants are located on this site. Due to its distance from the Krome Avenue project corridor, no direct impacts to the native pineland community and associated wildlife (potential for bird and small mammal foraging/nesting) are anticipated as a result of any of the build alternatives. In addition, an approximate 550-650 foot upland vegetative buffer exists between this community and Krome Avenue (Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 1), which will continue to buffer this community from any indirect effects resulting from the roadway improvements (e.g., traffic noise, automobile headlights, etc.). Therefore no new indirect impacts are anticipated to occur to the native pineland and associated wildlife as a result of any of the proposed build alternatives.

 The 1.25-acre Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 3 site located approximately 3,300 feet east (north of SW 264th Street) of the Krome Avenue project corridor. Several native, protected pineland plants are located on this site. Due to its distance from the Krome Avenue project corridor, no direct impacts to the native pineland community and associated wildlife (potential for bird and small mammal foraging/nesting) are anticipated as a result of any of the build alternatives. In addition, large expanses (>3,000 feet in width) of vegetated upland buffer including Camp Owaissa Bauer exists between this community and Krome Avenue, which will continue to buffer this community from any indirect effects resulting from the roadway improvements (e.g., traffic noise, automobile headlights, etc.). Therefore no new indirect impacts are anticipated to occur to the native pineland and associated wildlife as a result of any of the proposed build alternatives.

 Oak Creek Park is located approximately 2.2 miles east of the project corridor at the intersection SW 144th Street and SW 155th Avenue and Kings Grant Park is located approximately 2.5 miles east of the project corridor at the intersection of SW 160th Street and SW 152nd Avenue. In addition, the Redland Fruit and Spice Park is a unique park that contains a mixture of pineland and mixed hardwood plant species with over 500 types of plants that produce spices, tropical fruits and nuts. This park is located approximately 3,900 feet west of the project corridor at 24801 SW 187th Avenue. Due to its distance from the Krome Avenue project corridor, no direct impacts to the plant communities and associated wildlife (potential for bird and small mammal foraging/nesting) are anticipated to any of these designated parks as a result of any of the build alternatives. Large expanses (>1 mile in width) of vegetated upland buffer, farmlands and other land uses exist between these parks and Krome Avenue, which will continue to buffer these areas from any indirect effects resulting from the roadway improvements (e.g., traffic noise,

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automobile headlights, etc.). Therefore no new indirect impacts are anticipated to occur to these designated parks and associated vegetative communities and wildlife as a result of any of the proposed build alternatives.

 The Miami Rockridge Pinelands (including Ingram Pineland) are sites which are determined to be eligible for listing within the Dade County Archipelago Florida Forever Project. The Dade County Archipelago Florida Forever Project helps fund the public acquisition for conservation of privately-owned subtropical pinelands and hardwood hammocks that remain in Miami-Dade County. These parcels are located along the south side of SW 288th Street approximately 5,000 feet east of the Krome Avenue Project corridor. Several native pineland and mixed hardwood upland plants are located on this site. Due to its distance from the Krome Avenue project corridor, no direct impacts to this native pineland community and associated wildlife (potential for bird and small mammal foraging/nesting) are anticipated as a result of any of the build alternatives. Large expanses (>4,500 feet in width) of vegetated upland buffer, farmlands and other land uses exist between this native community and Krome Avenue, which will continue to buffer this area from any indirect effects resulting from the roadway improvements (e.g., traffic noise, automobile headlights, etc.). Therefore no new indirect impacts are anticipated to occur to this community and associated wildlife as a result of any of the proposed build alternatives.

4.2 Listed Species Impacts

Provided below is a discussion of the listed species observed or with the potential to occur within the project area and the potential impacts to each species resulting from project implementation (see Appendix G for a list of observed wildlife species).

No federally-listed wildlife species were observed in the vicinity of the Krome Avenue project corridor. Three bird species (Southeastern American kestrel, tricolored heron, and white ibis) listed for protection at the state level were observed along or near the project corridor. In addition, according to an undated Miami-Dade County Endangered Lands Acquisition Program Biological Evaluation Report (facsimile copy received from Miami-Dade County on June 1, 2004) for a site identified as Owaissa Bauer 22 (currently known as Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 1), the federally-listed threatened eastern indigo snake has been reported as occurring in the nearby Camp Owaissa Bauer property but not on the Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No.1 site. The eastern indigo snake was not observed during the field investigations conducted for the Krome Avenue project corridor. Camp Owaissa Bauer is located along the north side of SW 264th Street approximately 600 feet east of the Krome Avenue project corridor (as mentioned in Section 3.1.3 of this report). As discussed in Section 4.1.3, above, no direct or indirect impacts to this facility are anticipated with any of the build alternatives. Ms. Cynthia Guerra of Miami-Dade County DRER provided a copy of the Miami- Dade County Endangered Lands Acquisition Program Biological Evaluation Report (2002) to the FDOT, which is enclosed to this report as Appendix H.

No federally-listed plant species were observed within the study limits. However, the federally- listed endangered deltoid spurge has been recorded by Miami-Dade County within the Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 1 property and the plant was observed approximately 150

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feet from the construction limits of the widest build alternative (Alternative 3). Therefore, no adverse direct impacts to this federally-listed plant species are anticipated as a result of this project. The investigation also indicated that two additional federally-listed plant species (Garber’s spurge and tiny polygala) were identified as having the potential to exist within the project area. However, none of these plant species were observed within or immediately adjacent to areas proposed to be impacted from any of the build alternatives. Therefore, the FDOT and FHWA have made a determination of “no effect” for these three federally-listed plants.

Field investigations within the proposed limits of the five build alternatives at the Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 1 site revealed the presence of two plant species with federal Candidate status: Carter’s flax and Blodgett’s wild-mercury. Please note that according to the USFWS, plant species with federal candidate status do not receive federal statutory protection, although the USFWS recommends that candidate species are voluntarily protected as if they were federally-listed, if possible. In addition, 27 state-listed protected plant species were observed within or directly adjacent to the proposed study corridor. All of these plants were observed to be present either at the Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 1 or at the Florida Audubon Society property. No state and federally-protected plant species were observed to exist at any other location along the study corridor.

Impact findings associated with each species having the potential to exist within the project study area follows:

4.2.1 Mammals

Florida Mastiff Bat (Eumops glaucinus floridanus)

The Florida mastiff bat was not observed during the field surveys and the probability of occurrence is ‘Low’ since only limited marginal habitat is present for this species in the project corridor. Therefore, no adverse impacts to the Florida mastiff bat are anticipated as a result of the proposed project.

Florida Mouse (Podomys floridanus)

The Florida mouse was not observed during the field surveys and the probability of occurrence is ‘Low’ since only marginal habitat is present for this species in the project corridor. Therefore, no adverse impacts to the Florida mouse are anticipated as a result of the proposed project.

West Indian Manatee (Trichechus manatus)

No manatees were observed during the field surveys, but the probability of occurrence is ‘Moderate’ due to the accessibility of available habitat through the local canal systems (C- 102/Princeton and C-103/Mowry canals) bisecting the project corridor. As a portion of these canals may be disturbed by one or more of the project alternatives, best management practices will be implemented in accordance with the latest edition of FDOT Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction, and the FWC’s Standard Manatee Conditions for In-Water Work will be employed during all in-water construction activities associated with this project. Although no stormwater outfalls are proposed at this time, FDOT will include the construction of

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manatee exclusion grating on any new outfalls, which may be proposed as part of this project during the design and permitting phase. Therefore, FDOT and FHWA have made an affect determination of “may affect, but not likely to adversely affect” for the West Indian manatee as a result of the proposed project.

4.2.2 Birds

A total of 27 species of birds were identified during the field surveys. A comprehensive chart detailing the observed species and individuals sighted is located in Appendix G. Only three of the bird species observed are listed as protected species – Southeastern American Kestrel (FL – T), tri-colored heron (SSC), and white ibis (SSC).

Florida Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia floridana)

No Florida burrowing owls were observed during the field surveys and no nests or foraging habitat is located within close proximity to the project corridor, the probability of occurrence for this species is ‘Low’. Therefore, no adverse impacts to the Florida burrowing owl are anticipated as a result of the proposed project.

Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea), Reddish Egret (Egretta rufescens), Roseate Spoonbill (Ajaia ajaja), Snowy Egret (Egretta thula), Tricolored Heron (Egretta tricolor), and White Ibis (Eudocimus albus)

Two of these species, the tri-colored heron and white ibis were observed foraging within the project limits. The little blue heron, snowy egret, reddish egret and roseate spoonbill were not observed during the field surveys. No birds were observed nesting within close proximity to the project corridor. The two bisecting canals may provide potential foraging habitat for all of these species. The probability of occurrence of the observed species is ‘High’. For the remainder of these wading birds, the probability of occurrence is ‘Moderate’. Since construction will not significantly reduce available foraging habitat for these species, no adverse impacts to the snowy egret, little blue heron, tri-colored heron, white, ibis, reddish egret, or roseate spoonbill are anticipated as a result of the proposed project. However, temporary disruption of foraging in close proximity of the roadway can be expected during construction.

Southeastern American Kestrel (Falco sparverius paulus)

A kestrel was observed foraging directly adjacent to the project corridor during the April to September breeding season. Agricultural lands, like the areas found in the vicinity of the project corridor, may be used by the species for foraging but often lack snags which are considered necessary for use for nesting sites. However, suitable breeding habitat is not present within or directly adjacent to the project right-of-way. Therefore, no adverse impacts to the Southeastern American kestrel are anticipated as a result of the proposed project.

Bald Eagle (Haliaetus leucocephalus)

Since no bald eagles were observed during the field surveys and no nests or foraging habitat is located within close proximity to the project corridor, the probability of occurrence for this

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species is ‘Low’. Therefore, no adverse impacts to the bald eagle are anticipated as a result of the proposed project.

Wood Stork (Mycteria americana)

No wood storks were observed during the field surveys and no designated critical habitat for this species exists within the project area. Although the project lies within the CFA of three active wood stork colonies located approximately 8.5 miles, 9.3 miles and 17.1 miles northwest of the project corridor, no suitable foraging habitat occurs along the project corridor (the canal banks along the project corridor are typically very steep and do not provide any foraging habitat); therefore, the probability of occurrence is ‘Low’. The only potential impact to wood storks from the proposed project would be temporary disruption of local flight paths from the nesting areas (all greater than eight miles from the project corridor, as noted above) to any nearby CFA due to the construction activities (noise, etc.). However, due to the distance of the nearest colonies from the project corridor and the lack of any suitable foraging habitat in the project area, impacts are very unlikely. Therefore, FDOT and FHWA have made an affect determination of “no effect” for the wood stork as a result of the construction of any of the build alternatives associated with the proposed project.

Everglade Snail Kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis plumbeus)

No snail kites were observed during the field surveys and no designated critical habitat for this species exists within the project area. Since no foraging habitat for this species exists in the vicinity of the project corridor (the canal banks along the project corridor are typically very steep and do not provide any foraging habitat), the probability of occurrence is ‘Low’. Therefore, FDOT and FHWA have made an affect determination of “no effect” for the Everglade snail kite as a result of the proposed project.

4.2.3 Reptiles

American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis)

The probability of occurrence of this species is ‘High’ due to presence of habitat (canals) in and adjacent to the study area, and the observance of one dead alligator within the C-102/Princeton canal on the east side of Krome Avenue. However, much of the habitat (i.e., the canals) within the limits of the project experiences continual disturbance from adjacent roadway and commercial/residential land use activities minimizing its use by this species. Additionally, it is important to note that no habitat for the American crocodile exists within or adjacent to the project area; therefore, the crocodile was not evaluated as part of this study and no impacts would occur to the crocodile. Typically, alligators will vacate the immediate vicinity of an area undergoing disturbance as a result of construction activities. The FDOT’s contractor will be advised of state and local laws regarding the harassment of alligators prior to any construction activities to further reduce the potential for any adverse impact to the American alligator. Therefore, FDOT and FHWA have made an affect determination of “may affect, not likely to adversely affect” for the American alligator as a result of the proposed project.

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Eastern Indigo Snake (Drymarchon corais couperi)

No Eastern indigo snakes were observed during the field surveys. As previously mentioned, according to a 2002 Miami-Dade County Endangered Lands Acquisition Program Biological Evaluation Report (see Appendix H), the Eastern indigo snake has been reported as occurring in the nearby Camp Owaissa Bauer property but not on the Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 1 site (the Camp is located just east of the Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 1 site north of SW 264th Street). Although the proposed project lies within the home range of the Eastern indigo snake, no snakes were observed within the limits of the build alternatives. As a precaution, staked silt fence will be erected in the vicinity of the Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 1 site and the Florida Audubon Society property prior to construction to minimize the probability of individuals wandering into the construction corridor. To ensure the protection of the Eastern indigo snake during construction, FDOT will incorporate the most current protection guidelines, entitled Standard Protection Measures for the Eastern Indigo Snake (see Appendix I), into the final project design and will require that the construction contractor abide strictly to the guidelines during construction. Therefore, FDOT and FHWA have made an affect determination of “may affect, not likely to adversely affect” for the Eastern indigo snake as a result of the proposed project.

Florida Pine Snake (Pituophis melanoleucas mugitus)

No Florida pine snakes were observed during the field surveys, but the probability of this species occurring is ‘Moderate’ due to presence of preferred habitat in and adjacent to the study area. A pre-construction survey is recommended to ensure that no Florida pine snakes will be impacted from construction activities. In addition, as a precaution, staked silt fence will be erected in the vicinity of the Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 1 site and the Florida Audubon Society property prior to construction to minimize the probability of individuals wandering into the construction corridor. If the Florida pine snake is encountered at the time of construction, proper protection measures will be employed. The protection measures would consist of the same criteria that will be adhered to for the Eastern indigo snake (see Appendix I). Therefore, no adverse impacts to this species are anticipated.

Rim Rock Crowned Snake (Tantilla oolitica)

No rim rock crowned snake were observed during the field surveys, but the probability of this species occurring is ‘Moderate’ due to presence of preferred habitat in and adjacent to the study area; however, no rim rock crowned snakes were observed during field investigations. A pre- construction survey is recommended to ensure that no rim rock crowned snakes will be impacted from construction activities. In addition, staked silt fence will be erected in the vicinity of the Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 1 site and the Florida Audubon Society property prior to construction to minimize the probability of individuals wandering into the construction corridor. If the rim rock crowned snake is encountered at the time of construction, proper protection measures will be employed. The protection measures would consist of the same criteria that will be adhered to for the Eastern indigo snake (see Appendix I). Therefore, no adverse impacts to this species are anticipated.

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4.2.4 Mollusks

Florida Tree Snail (Liguus fasciatus)

Florida tree snails were observed on vegetation at the Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 1. Prior to vegetation removal or construction activities, FDOT will conduct a biological survey within the limits of the proposed project. Individual snails observed on the trees to be impacted will be collected and relocated a safe distance outside of the areas of proposed impact per FWC guidelines (Shaw, 2006, Tree Snail Relocation Protocol) (see Appendix J). Therefore, no adverse impacts to this species are anticipated.

4.2.5 Plants

Twenty-seven state-protected plant species and two federally-listed Candidate species, Carter’s flax and Blodgett’s wild-mercury, were observed within the limits of the proposed build alternatives during field assessments. Please note that according to the USFWS, plant species with federal candidate status do not receive federal statutory protection, although the USFWS recommends that candidate species are voluntarily protected as if they were federally-listed, if possible. All of these plants were observed to be present either at the Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 1 site located along Krome Avenue in the southeast quadrant of the intersection of Krome Avenue and SW 264th Street or at the Florida Audubon Society property located on the west side of the southern end of the Krome Avenue project corridor just north of SW 296th Street. Please refer to Section 4.3.4 and 4.3.5 for a discussion of impacts relating to individual plant species in relation to the Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 1 site and the Florida Audubon Society property, respectively. No state and federally-protected plant species were observed to exist at any other location along the project corridor. Therefore, FDOT and FHWA have made an affect determination of “no effect” is anticipated for these three federally-listed plants.

4.3 Designated Habitat Impacts

4.3.1 Critical Habitats

According to the USFWS’s Federally Listed & Candidate Species in Miami-Dade County, Florida (2010), USFWS database review and coordination with USFWS though the ETDM Screening Tool, it has been determined that no designated critical habitats for wildlife and/or individual plant species are present in or adjacent to the proposed project corridor. Therefore, no impacts to critical habitats will occur as a result of this project (see Appendix A for ETDM comments).

4.3.2 South Florida Multi-Species Recovery Plan Consultation Areas

Per USFWS South Florida Ecological Services Field Office GIS data (2012), the project corridor is located within designated “Consultation Areas” for the Everglade snail kite and the American crocodile. Coordination has been conducted with the USFWS through the ETDM Screening Tool and through personal conversations. This ESBA report will be submitted to the USFWS for review following the public availability of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement, and a

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formal concurrence letter is expected to be issued by the USFWS in order to fulfill the requirements of Section 7(c) of the Endangered Species Act, as amended.

4.3.3 Strategic Habitat Conservation Areas

According to FWC’s updated report, Wildlife Habitat Conservation Needs in Florida: Updated Recommendations for Strategic Habitat Conservation Areas (Endries et al., 2009), there are no SHCAs in the vicinity of the project corridor. Therefore, no impacts to SHCA will occur as a result of this project.

4.3.4 Essential Fish Habitat

Coordination with NMFS has occurred through the ETDM Screening Tool and direct conversations with NMFS staff. The ETDM comment stated that the proposed project would not impact areas that support NMFS trust resources (see Appendix A for ETDM comments). This project is not located within, and/or will not adversely affect areas identified as Essential Fish Habitat; therefore, an Essential Fish Habitat consultation is not required.

4.3.5 Environmentally Endangered Lands (EEL)

It is the determination of the FDOT that complete avoidance of the 9.39-acre Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 1 is not feasible while providing for the necessary safety and traffic-related improvements. Aerial photographs depicting the limits of each of the five build alternatives in the vicinity of the Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 1 site is included in Appendix C. A summary of the proposed impacts to the Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 1 site per each build alternative follows in Table 4-2.

Table 4-2 – Encroachment into Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 1 per Build Alternative

Alternative ID Impacts (feet²) Impacts (acres) Alternative 1 36,673 0.84 Alternative 2 36,673 0.84 Alternative 3 55,146 1.27 Alternative 4 44,326 1.02 Alternative 5 42,409 0.97

Note that as depicted on the figures in Appendix C, Alternative 3, the widest alternative footprint analyzed, is the most impacting alternative, and Alternatives 1 and 2 are the least impacting alternatives that encroach beyond the existing FDOT right-of-way into the EEL site. The total area of potential impact from Alternative 3 is approximately 1.27 acres and the total area of potential impact from Alternatives 1 and 2 (impacts are equal for both alternatives) is approximately 0.84 acres.

As mentioned in Section 3.0 of this report, coordination has been conducted with the Miami- Dade County EEL Program representatives. To date, three meetings were held with EEL

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Program representatives to discuss the Krome Avenue PD&E project. Copies of meeting minutes from each of these meetings have been enclosed in Appendix E. The purpose of the first meeting, which was held on July 20, 2005, was to introduce the project to the EEL Program representatives and its potential to impact the Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 1 site and receive preliminary feedback from those representatives. Following the meeting, the FDOT requested specific information regarding the parcel from DRER EMRD. As a response, DRER EMRD issued a “Statement of Significance” letter on April 11, 2006 (see Appendix K) which included a general description of the EEL parcel and copies of the Miami-Dade County EEL Ordinance (Chapter 24-50), Natural Forest Community regulations (Chapter 24-49), Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No.1 Biological Evaluation, Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 1 FY 2004-2005 Work Plan and Budget, and the Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 1 Plant List (compiled by IRC).

The second meeting held on April 27, 2006, was conducted to further explain the project and discuss the alternatives and potential for on-site mitigation, if needed. In response to the second meeting, the EEL representatives requested specific information regarding each alternative including an aerial overlay showing the limits of construction per alternative, which was submitted to EEL in early June 2006 by FDOT. EEL representatives requested that further evaluation be conducted with the development of an “Avoidance Alternative” to completely eliminate impacts to the Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 1 site (note that comments received from the USFWS and the FWC through the ETDM Screening of the project also recommended an alternative design to completely avoid impacts to the Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 1 site). However, upon further analysis by the FDOT, this “Avoidance Alternative” was considered not feasible due to the additional right-of-way impacts and costs (approximately $8.9 Million) associated with the relocations of businesses and residences located on the opposite side of Krome Avenue (see Figure 4-1).

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Figure 4-1 – Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 1 Avoidance Alternative

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Since complete avoidance of the EEL parcel was not possible, additional engineering analysis was conducted resulting in a “Minimization Treatment” that would reduce the potential impacts to the Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 1 site to the greatest extent practicable while maintaining safe engineering practices (i.e., roadway geometry, etc.). A third meeting was held at the Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 1 site on June 14, 2007 with EEL and NAM to discuss the coordination that occurred with the FDOT District VI Internal Design Unit regarding the potential minimization treatment. The proposed minimization treatment included a reduced typical section with a guardrail in the immediate area of the Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No.1 site (from the southeast corner of the intersection of Krome Avenue at SW 264th Street south for approximately 750.85 linear feet – Station 212+08.67 to Station 219+59.52) (see Appendix H of the Preliminary Engineering Report for the Concept Plans, which reference the project station numbers). The minimization treatment consists of a reduced outside shoulder/border width in the northbound direction due to the elimination of drainage features (swale) and placement of a guardrail (Figure 4-2). This minimization treatment can be applied to all five build alternatives and consists of the following elements, which will be applied to the outside edge of the northbound travel lane:

 Eight (8’) paved outside shoulder on the northbound direction  Thirteen (13’) border width including guardrail on the northbound direction  Design Speed is 65 mph

Figure 4-2 – Proposed Owaissa Bauer Minimization Treatment (Typical)

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The minimization treatment reduces the overall proposed improvements to Krome Avenue at the Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 1 site by a linear distance range of 18 to 31 feet in width and reduces the impact area from a range of approximately 0.84 acres (Alternatives 1 and 2) to 1.27 acres (Alternative 3) to a minimum impact range of approximately 0.53 acres (Alternatives 1 and 2) to 0.82 acres (Alternative 3) depending on which build alternative the treatment is applied to (see Table 4-3, below, and see Appendix C for a depiction of the minimization treatment with respect to the build alternatives).

Table 4-3 – Impacts with Minimization Treatment per Alternative

Linear Foot Minimized Minimized Area Area Alternative Reduction of Impacts Impacts Preserved Preserved Impact (acres) (square feet) (acres) (square feet) Alternative 1 21 0.53 23,225 0.31 13,366 Alternative 2 21 0.53 23,225 0.31 13,366 Alternative 3 31 0.82 35,991 0.45 19,730 Alternative 4 21 0.71 31,066 0.31 13,366 Alternative 5 18 0.71 30,797 0.26 11,456

The net difference or additional area preserved per each build alternative is also depicted in Table 4-3, above. With the minimization treatment applied to Alternatives 1 and 2, an additional 0.31 acres of the Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 1 site will be preserved. With the minimization treatment applied to Alternative 3, an additional 0.45 acres of the site will be preserved. With the minimization treatment applied to Alternative 4, an additional 0.31 acres of the site will be preserved. With the minimization treatment applied to Alternative 5, an additional 0.26 acres of the site will be preserved.

Note that with the minimization treatment applied to the typical sections, the majority of remaining impacts will occur within the westernmost edge of the site, which appears to be regularly disturbed by mowing, vehicle off-road parking and pedestrian traffic. In addition, as part of the minimization treatment, several protection measures will be provided for the remainder of the Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 1 site through the addition of guardrail and possibly fencing along the Krome Avenue side of the site (pending approval from the Miami-Dade County EEL Program representatives). These elements of the design will help to keep vehicles from driving or parking on the parcel and subsequently impacting the adjacent EEL parcel; particularly local fruit and vegetable venders, which are known to set up make-shift produce stands along the roadway at this location. These added design elements will act as permanent structural barriers that will function to reduce the potential for indirect impacts from human-induced disturbance (e.g., minimize debris and refuse, pedestrian access, vehicular access, etc.) to occur to the remainder of the EEL parcel. The minimization treatment typical section would be employed at the Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 1 site regardless of which alternative moves forward into final design/construction.

The 9.39-acre Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 1 site consists of a 6.61-acre pine rockland community with the remaining 2.78 acres consisting primarily of a weedy herbaceous disturbed area, a paved roadway that runs through the center of the site, and the grassy road shoulder along Krome Avenue (see Figure 4-3). A detailed habitat and plant survey was

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conducted in 2006 and again in 2010 on the Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 1 site within the limits of the proposed build alternatives for this project (see Appendix C for a depiction of the survey results from 2006 and 2010). A summary of the proposed impacts per vegetation community type of each of the five proposed build alternatives with and without the minimization treatment at this location follows in Table 4-4.

Figure 4-3 – View of Weedy Herbaceous Disturbed Area (at Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 1)

Table 4-4 – Vegetation Community Impacts Within Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 1

Without Minimization Treatment With Minimization Treatment Canopy Herbaceous Canopy Herbaceous Alternative Impacts Impacts Impacts Impacts [acres(feet²)] [acres(feet²)] [acres(feet²)] [acres(feet²)] Alternative 1 0.31 (13,522) 0.53 (23,151) 0.12 (5,054) 0.42 (18,170) Alternative 2 0.31 (13,522) 0.53 (23,151) 0.12 (5,054) 0.42 (18,170) Alternative 3 0.72 (31,529) 0.54 (23,618) 0.29 (12,521) 0.53 (23,070) Alternative 4 0.47 (20,686) 0.54 (23,618) 0.22 (9,412) 0.50 (21,653) Alternative 5 0.43 (18,809) 0.54 (23,618) 0.22 (9,412) 0.50 (21,653)

The minimization treatment reduces the overall proposed impacts to the existing canopy vegetation by approximately 51 to 61% when comparing it to the areas without the treatment applied, and reduces the overall proposed impacts to the existing herbaceous vegetation by approximately 2 to 21% when compared it to the areas without the treatment applied (see Appendix C for a depiction of the minimization treatment with respect to the build alternatives). The minimization treatment reduces the canopy impact from approximately 0.31 acres with Alternatives 1 and 2 to a minimum impact of approximately 0.12 acres, a reduction of

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approximately 61%; from approximately 0.72 acres with Alternative 3 to a minimum impact of approximately 0.29 acres, a reduction of approximately 60%; from approximately 0.47 acres with Alternative 4 to a minimum impact of approximately 0.22 acres, a reduction of approximately 55%; and from approximately 0.43 acres with Alternative 5 to a minimum impact of approximately 0.22 acres, a reduction of approximately 51%. The minimization treatment also reduces the herbaceous impact from approximately 0.53 acres with Alternatives 1 and 2 to a minimum impact of approximately 0.42 acres, a reduction of approximately 21%; from approximately 0.54 acres with Alternative 3 to a minimum impact of approximately 0.53 acres, a reduction of approximately 2%; and from approximately 0.54 acres with Alternatives 4 and 5 to a minimum impact of approximately 0.50 acres, a reduction of approximately 7%. Impact acreages will be further refined as detailed construction plans are developed during the final design phase of the project.

The results of the 2006 survey indicated that the following listed plants were observed within the limits of construction of each of the build alternatives, within the mowed areas along Krome Avenue and along the edge of the forested habitat: pineland golden trumpet, Blodgett’s wild mercury, Long Key locustberry, Florida silver palm, christmasberry, Florida shrub thoroughwort, Carter’s flax, pineland lantana, Simpson’s stopper, Bahama ladder brake, Small- leaf snoutbean, Chapman’s wild sensitive plant, Everglades greenbrier, tetrazygia, cardinal airplant, rocklands noseburn, and coontie. No federally-listed plants were observed to exist within the limits of construction of any of the build alternatives. The deltoid spurge was observed approximately 150 feet from the limits of construction of the widest build alternative (Alternative 3). Please reference the 2006 survey results map (aerial photographs) depicting the approximate locations of the observed plant species with respect to the limits of each of the five proposed build alternatives and the minimization treatment at this location in Appendix C.

The results of the 2010 survey indicated that the following state-listed plants were observed within the limits of construction of each of the build alternatives, within the mowed areas along Krome Avenue and along the edge of the forested habitat: pineland golden trumpet, Blodgett’s wild mercury, white sunbonnet, Florida silver palm, christmasberry, Florida shrub thoroughwort, pineland lantana, Chapman’s wild sensitive plant, Everglades greenbrier, tetrazygia, and coontie. No federally-listed plants were observed during the survey. Please reference the 2010 survey results map (aerial photographs) depicting the approximate locations of the observed plant species with respect to the limits of each of the five proposed build alternatives and the minimization treatment at this location in Appendix C.

Note that some of the individual plant species were not observed during both surveys since these plants consist of a mixture of perennial and annual species, which means that they germinate, flower, seed and die-off on different schedules. Therefore, some of these plants may appear at a location one year and may be absent at the same location in the subsequent year.

The minimization treatment reduces the impacts to the number of individual protected plants observed to exist within the Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 1 site to the greatest extent practicable. Impacts to the existing substrate or any individual plants beyond the proposed back of guardrail (depicted on the Figures in Appendix C) will also be minimized to the maximum extent practicable. Based on the observed locations of Carter’s flax in the 2006 and 2010 surveys, beyond the proposed back of guardrail, this species will likely remain unimpacted

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with implementation of Alternatives 1, 2, or 5 with the minimization treatment applied, as shown on the Figures in Appendix C.

According to FDACS (Dan Phelps, telephone conversation, June 2006 and reconfirmed in 2011 via statutory review), statutory protection of state-listed plants is not applicable if the clearing of land is performed by a public agency when acting in the performance of its obligation to provide service to the public [Section 581.185(8)(c) Florida Statute], excerpted below:

“(8) EXEMPTIONS.—No provision of this section shall apply to: (c) The clearing of land by a public agency or a publicly or privately owned public utility when acting in the performance of its obligation to provide service to the public.”

However, individual state-listed plant species will be avoided wherever possible during construction using best management practices and the FDOT’s standard protection measures outlined in the latest version of the FDOT Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction (Section 7-11.1, Preservation of Property), which will include the use of temporary fencing to avoid trampling, tire rutting, etc. to any protected plants located near the perimeter of proposed construction activities. In addition, to minimize the potential for adverse impacts to state-listed species, prior to construction, the FDOT will reassess the viability of relocating state- listed species to a suitable area outside of the planned limits of construction. The relocations, if determined to be viable, will be conducted just prior to commencement of roadway construction activities. Prior to proposing any plant relocations, coordination will be conducted with Miami- Dade County EEL Program representatives for approval and to discuss potential recipient sites. If required, a relocation plan depicting the source and recipient site(s) as well as details of the method(s) of relocation will be provided to the county for review and approval prior to conducting the relocation activities. In addition and at the discretion of Miami-Dade County EEL Program representatives, the county may opt to relocate any protected plants proposed to be impacted prior to construction. Further coordination is expected to occur with Miami-Dade County upon their review of this document and the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (see below).

The FDOT’s contractor will install temporary construction fencing at the limits of construction along the Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 1 for plant protection purposes and maintain the temporary construction fencing until completion of construction at this location; no impacts will occur to vegetated areas outside of the limits of construction in accordance with the FDOT Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction (Section 7-11.1, Preservation of Property). Additionally, St. Augustine grass will not be planted in the FDOT right-of-way along the Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 1 to avoid future encroachment of this landscaping grass into the adjacent natural areas. Therefore, impacts to state-listed vegetation within the limits of the Owaissa Bauer Pineland Addition No. 1 site will be minimized to the greatest extent practicable.

The FDOT had verbally approached the Miami-Dade County EEL Program representatives with mitigation options to include an option for fencing the remaining habitat, an option for exotic/nuisance treatment within the remaining habitat and an option to remove the existing paved road that exists within the parcel limits. However, per coordination with the Miami-Dade County EEL Program representatives, EEL staff advised that they would not provide any further

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comments on the project until the FDOT’s Draft Environmental Impact Statement is released to agencies and the public. Therefore, coordination will continue with the Miami-Dade County EEL Program representatives and the formulation of a suitable mitigation plan for the proposed impacts to the Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 1 site is still pending at the time of this report.

As mentioned above, the proposed minimization treatment reduces the impacts to the Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 1 site to the greatest extent practicable while maintaining safe roadway engineering practices. The Miami-Dade County EEL Program currently manages more than 21,000 acres of protected natural lands within the county (includes 18,350 acres mentioned in Section 3.2 of this report plus an additional 3,000 acres within Miami-Dade County Parks), 631 acres of which are classified as pine rockland. The range of impacts proposed as part of this project (0.53 acres with Alternatives 1 and 2 to 0.82 acres with Alternative 3) represents approximately 0.0025% to 0.004% of the total protected natural lands managed by the Miami- Dade County EEL Program. Additionally, while the impacts proposed by the FDOT as part of this project occur on a parcel classified as pine rocklands, the majority of the impacts are proposed along the westernmost edge, which consists of highly disturbed herbaceous vegetation. Impacts to the pineland habitat (canopy) have been reduced to a range of approximately 0.12 acres (Alternatives 1 and 2) to 0.29 acres (Alternative 3) (see above) with the minimization treatment. This area represents 0.019% to 0.046% of the 631 acres of rock pineland habitat currently under management by the Miami-Dade County EEL Program. Roadway improvement projects have a goal of improving water quality with the implementation of a new or updated stormwater management system. Water quality improvements would be anticipated to have a beneficial effect on natural lands in South Florida, including pine rocklands and other natural areas protected by the Miami-Dade County EEL Program. Overall, the proposed project would contribute a very minor adverse increment (small fraction) to the overall cumulative impacts that have occurred, are occurring or will occur to protected rock pinelands managed by the Miami- Dade County EEL Program.

During the final design phase of the project, in order to approve a proposed easement within the Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 1 site, the FDEP requires submittal of the "Upland Easement Application" to the State of Florida Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund for review to apply for easement interest in the land (see Appendix L for a copy of the application and FDEP coordination meeting minutes). The application requires a resolution from the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners and written approval from the managing agency (Miami-Dade County EEL and MDPROS). The Acquisition and Restoration Council (ARC) will need to approve the project (easement) and advise if the project is consistent with the Board of Trustees' Linear Facilities Policy (policy emphasizes avoidance and minimization of impacts to protected uplands). After ARC approval, the Board of Trustees will have delegated authority to approve the easement. Although ARC makes the ultimate decision, they normally defer to the recommendations of the managing agency. Justification for the request should accompany the application to include right-of-way impacts based on the different alternatives analyzed, costs of impacts to private property vs. the EEL property, roadway safety and capacity issues, emergency/hurricane evacuation concerns, economic impacts to the area, etc. A mitigation plan will also be required that will be sufficient to compensate for any potential impacts to protected resources resulting from the proposed project.

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As mentioned above, the application will commence during the final design phase of the project following receipt of concurrence from Miami-Dade County EEL and MDPROS.

4.3.6 Other Notable Sites/Habitats

Florida Audubon Society Property

As previously mentioned, this two-acre unmarked/undesignated site, privately owned by the Florida Audubon Society, site has no special land use designation (i.e., park, preserve, etc.). However, the land owner has designated the site as a bird watching preserve or sanctuary. In addition, the site does not appear to be actively managed and has both native and exotic hammock species growing throughout, which appear to have been planted in order to attract birds and butterflies for viewing purposes. Since the site is locally notable in regards to bird and butterfly viewing, an assessment was conducted to determine the extent of encroachment to this site as a result of the proposed build alternatives. An aerial photograph depicting the limits of each of the five proposed build alternatives at this location are depicted in Appendix F. A summary of the proposed impacts to the site per each build alternative follows in Table 4-5.

Table 4-5 – Encroachment into Florida Audubon Society Property per Build Alternative

Alternative ID Impacts (feet²) Impacts (acres) Alternative 1 0 0 Alternative 2 0 0 Alternative 3 4,881 0.11 Alternative 4 0 0 Alternative 5 0 0

Note that as depicted on the figure in Appendix F, Alternative 3, the widest alternative footprint analyzed, is the only build alternative that encroaches beyond the existing FDOT right-of-way into the Florida Audubon Society property. The total area of potential impact to the Florida Audubon Society property from Alternative 3 is approximately 0.11 acres (4,881 square feet). Since this parcel is privately owned by the Florida Audubon Society, the FDOT’s normal right- of-way acquisition guidelines would apply if impacts were to occur as a result of this project.

The site does not appear to be actively managed; however, several state-listed plant species exist within its limits. Note that no federal-protected plant species were observed to exist within the limits of this site. In addition, no protected wildlife species were observed within the limits of this site during the time of the field assessments. A detailed plant survey was conducted in January 2012, within the limits of the proposed build alternatives in the vicinity of this site (note that the survey included the plants located in FDOT roadway right-of-way and the Florida Audubon Society property. An aerial photograph depicting the approximate locations of the observed state-protected plant species with respect to the limits of each of the five proposed build alternatives at this location are also depicted in Appendix F. A summary of the proposed impacts per each build alternative follows in Table 4-6.

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Table 4-6 – Vegetative Canopy2 Impacts Within and Directly Adjacent to Florida Audubon Society Property

Alternative Canopy Canopy State-Listed Plants Affected ID Impacts (feet²) Impacts (acres) Swietenia mahagoni, Myrcianthes fragrans, Alternative 1 4,464 0.10 Calyptranthes zuzygium, Roystonea sp., Prunus myrtifolia Swietenia mahagoni, Myrcianthes fragrans, Alternative 2 7,356 0.17 Calyptranthes zuzygium, Roystonea sp., Prunus myrtifolia Swietenia mahagoni, Myrcianthes fragrans, Alternative 3 11,677* 0.27* Calyptranthes zuzygium, Roystonea sp., Prunus myrtifolia, Calyptranthes pallens Swietenia mahagoni, Myrcianthes fragrans, Alternative 4 7,356 0.17 Calyptranthes zuzygium, Roystonea sp., Prunus myrtifolia Swietenia mahagoni, Myrcianthes fragrans, Alternative 5 6,609 0.15 Calyptranthes zuzygium, Roystonea sp., Prunus myrtifolia

*Note that of the 0.27 acres (11,677 square feet) assessed; only 0.09 acres (3,915 square feet) of canopy will be impacted within the limits of the Florida Audubon Society property.

Preliminary estimates suggest that Alternative 1 would directly impact approximately 0.10 acres of vegetative canopy; Alternative 2 would directly impact approximately 0.17 acres of vegetative canopy; Alternative 3 would directly impact approximately 0.27 acres of vegetative canopy; Alternative 4 would directly impact approximately 0.17 acres of vegetative canopy; and Alternative 5 would directly impact approximately 0.15 acres of vegetative canopy. Note that impacts to subcanopy and herbaceous species are included in the canopy impact calculations shown above due to the presence of canopy cover throughout the entire area assessed. Impact acreages will be further refined as detailed construction plans are developed during the final design phase of the project.

As listed in Table 4-6, above, the results of the survey indicated that the following state-listed plants were observed within the limits of construction of each of the build alternatives (see Table 4-6 for a list of state-protected species proposed to be impacted per each alternative): West Indian mahogany, Simpson’s stopper, Myrtle-of-the-River, Florida royal palm, West Indian cherry, and spicewood. Within the limits of the Florida Audubon Society property, only West Indian cherry and spicewood exist within the footprint of Alternative 3, the widest alternative analyzed.

According to FDACS (Dan Phelps, telephone conversation, June 2006 and reconfirmed in 2011 via statutory review), statutory protection of state-listed plants is not applicable if the clearing of land is performed by a public agency when acting in the performance of its obligation to provide service to the public [Section 581.185(8)(c) Florida Statute], excerpted below:

2 Canopy refers to aerial extent of tree canopy cover including state-listed and non-listed plant species.

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“(8) EXEMPTIONS.—No provision of this section shall apply to: (c) The clearing of land by a public agency or a publicly or privately owned public utility when acting in the performance of its obligation to provide service to the public.”

However, individual state-listed plant species will be avoided wherever possible during construction using best management practices and the FDOT’s standard protection measures outlined in the latest version of the FDOT Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction (Section 7-11.1, Preservation of Property), which will include the use of temporary fencing to avoid trampling, tire rutting, etc. to any protected plants located near the perimeter of proposed construction activities. In addition, to minimize the potential for adverse impacts to state-listed species, prior to construction, the FDOT will reassess the viability of relocating state- listed species to a suitable area outside of the planned limits of construction. The relocations, if determined to be viable, will be conducted prior to roadway construction. The FDOT will coordinate with the Florida Audubon Society to coordinate any relocation’s on Society property (outside of FDOT right-of-way). Prior to proposing any plant relocations within the limits of the Florida Audubon Society’s property, coordination will be conducted to discuss potential recipient sites. If required, a relocation plan depicting the source and recipient site(s) as well as details of the method(s) of relocation will be provided to the Florida Audubon Society for review and approval prior to conducting the relocation activities. In addition and at the discretion of the Florida Audubon Society, the Society may themselves opt to relocate any protected plants proposed to be impacted prior to construction. Further coordination is expected to occur with the Florida Audubon Society upon their review of this document and the Draft Environmental Impact Statement.

In addition, the FDOT’s contractor will install temporary construction fencing at the limits of construction along the Florida Audubon Society property for plant protection purposes and maintain the temporary construction fencing until completion of construction at this location; no impacts will occur to vegetated areas outside of the limits of construction in accordance with the FDOT Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction (Section 7-11.1, Preservation of Property). Therefore, impacts to state-listed vegetation along the study corridor as well as within the limits of the Florida Audubon Society property will be minimized to the greatest extent practicable.

Preliminary coordination efforts have been conducted with the Florida Audubon Society through the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) meetings held for this project as part of the public involvement process. A representative of the Florida Audubon Society, Ms. Cynthia Guerra, was a designated member of the CAC meetings. Please refer to the project’s Preliminary Engineering Report for additional information relating to the CAC meetings (agendas, meeting minutes, etc.).

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5.0 SUMMARY

The proposed right-of-way has been evaluated and habitat/listed species concerns have been identified and assessed for the proposed build alternatives for the Krome Avenue project. Upland and wetland vegetative communities within the project study area were evaluated in order to assess the Krome Avenue study area for the potential occurrence of federal and state-listed protected species (flora and fauna). Four upland vegetative community types were identified along the Krome Avenue project corridor:

1. Landscaped, ruderal and agricultural comprise the majority of the Krome Avenue project corridor. These community types typically provide minimal habitat value for resident and migratory wildlife species due to the high level of frequent disturbance. In addition, protected plant species are typically not associated with this habitat type. Impacts to these community types are not regulated by the federal, state and local plant and wildlife agencies and are considered insignificant for the purposes of this report.

2. Non-indigenous vegetation communities are widely spaced at several locations along the Krome Avenue corridor. These sites are formerly disturbed or altered by human activities and exhibit characteristics (i.e., dominated by exotic vegetation, dense canopy cover, high level of disturbance, etc.) that provide a low habitat value for resident and migratory wildlife species. In addition, protected plant species are typically not associated with this habitat type. Impacts to these community types are not regulated by the federal, state and local plant and wildlife agencies and are considered insignificant for the purposes of this report.

3. Pine rocklands occur at one location along Krome Avenue in the southeast quadrant of the intersection of Krome Avenue and SW 264th Street. This area is known as the 9.39- acre Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 1 and is maintained as an EEL Program natural preserve, protected and managed by Miami-Dade County. Complete avoidance of the 9.39-acre Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 1 is not feasible while providing for the necessary safety and traffic-related improvements. Impacts to this site were quantified and assessed for each of the build alternatives. A “Minimization Treatment” was designed at this location that would reduce the potential impacts to the Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 1 site to the greatest extent practicable while maintaining safe engineering practices. This minimization treatment reduces the overall proposed improvements to Krome Avenue by a linear distance range of 18 feet to 31 feet, reducing the impact area from a range of approximately 0.84 acres (Alternatives 1 and 2) to 1.27 acres (Alternative 3) to a minimum impact range of approximately 0.53 acres (Alternatives 1 and 2) to 0.82 acres (Alternative 3) depending on which build alternative the treatment is applied to, and reduces the overall proposed improvements to the existing canopy vegetation by approximately 51% to 61% when comparing it to the build alternatives without implementation of the minimization treatment. As part of the minimization treatment, the FDOT is proposing several protection measures to the remainder of the Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 1 site through the addition of guardrail and possibly fencing (pending approval from the Miami-Dade County EEL Program representatives). The FDOT had verbally

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approached the Miami-Dade County EEL Program representatives with mitigation options to include an option for fencing the remaining habitat, an option for exotic/nuisance treatment within the remaining habitat and an option to remove the existing paved road that exists within the parcel limits. However, per coordination with the Miami-Dade County EEL Program representatives, discussions relating to the proposed impacts at the Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 1 site were halted until the FDOT’s Draft Environmental Impact Statement can be reviewed in its entirety by the county. Therefore, coordination will continue with the Miami-Dade County EEL Program representatives and the formulation of a suitable mitigation plan for the proposed impacts to the Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 1 is still pending at the time of this report.

4. Mixed Hardwoods exist within one location along Krome Avenue located on the west side of the southern end of the Krome Avenue project corridor just north of SW 296th Street/Avocado Drive. This two-acre unmarked/undesignated property, owned by the Florida Audubon Society, site has no special land use designation (i.e., park, preserve, etc.). However, the land owner has designated the site as a bird watching location. Since the site is locally notable in regards to bird and butterfly viewing, an assessment was conducted to determine the extent of encroachment to this site as a result of the proposed build alternatives. Alternative 3, the widest alternative footprint analyzed, is the only build alternative that encroaches beyond the existing FDOT right-of-way into the site. Since this parcel is privately owned by the Florida Audubon Society, the FDOT’s normal right-of-way acquisition guidelines would apply if impacts were to occur as a result of this project.

No areas with characteristics indicative of jurisdictional vegetated wetlands or waters of the United States, as defined by Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, were observed within or adjacent to the project study area. This includes natural wetland communities as well as swales or other manmade stormwater features. Three areas identified as surface waters were identified and assessed. These areas consist of an inundated rock mining pit (borrow pit) excavated in Miami oolite rock located on the west side of Krome Avenue approximately 1,000 feet north of SW 208th Street; the SFWMD’s C-102/Princeton canal which crosses Krome Avenue at approximately SW 196th Street; and the SFWMD’s C-103/Mowry canal which crosses Krome Avenue just north of SW 280th Street. Impacts to these surface water areas were quantified and assessed for each of the build alternatives. Since the waterways will remain virtually intact following the proposed construction activities and no loss in functional value of the surface waters is anticipated to occur, the proposed impact is expected to be minimal.

While there are no designated public parks or other notable communities located directly on Krome Avenue, there are several sites that exist within close proximity to the Krome Avenue project corridor. These sites include Camp Owaissa Bauer, Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 2, Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 3, Miami Rockridge Pinelands, Oak Creek Park, Kings Grant Park, and the Redland Fruit and Spice Park. Due to their distance from the Krome Avenue project corridor, no impacts to these sites are anticipated as a result of any of the build alternatives.

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According to the USFWS’s Federally Listed & Candidate Species in Miami-Dade County, Florida (2011), no critical habitats for any plant or wildlife species are located within or directly adjacent to the proposed project study area. In addition, according to FWC’s Closing the Gaps in Florida’s Wildlife Habitat Conservation System report (Cox et al., 1994), there are no SHCAs in the vicinity of the project corridor. Also, according to the NMFS, the proposed project would not impact areas that support NMFS trust resources (EFH). Therefore, no further action or coordination is required for this proposed project pursuant to the EFH requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Act.

In accordance with Section 7(c) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended, and Chapter 68A-27 FAC, Rules Pertaining to Endangered and Threatened Species, the Krome Avenue project corridor was also evaluated for the potential occurrences of federal and state- listed protected plant and animal species. Agency coordination to obtain species and habitat related information has occurred through the ETDM Screening, the AN process, and individual conversations with staff at USFWS, FWC, and Miami-Dade County to discuss species specific information. The USFWS stated that federally-listed species of potential concern would include the endangered wood stork because the project is located in the CFA of nearby active wood stork nesting colonies. In addition, the USFWS believes that the Eastern indigo snake has the potential to occur in or near the project corridor. Additional comments were received from other federal, state and local agencies which have been addressed within this report.

No federally-listed wildlife species were observed in the vicinity of the Krome Avenue project corridor. No evidence of nesting, denning, roosting, or other important habitat components by listed animal species were observed along the project corridor.

The following protected federal animal and plant species were identified as having the potential to occur within the project area and evaluated as part of this Endangered Species Biological Assessment (Table 5-1):

Table 5-1 – Federally-Listed Species with the Potential to Occur

Federal State Occurrence Common Name Scientific name Status Status Potential Mammals West Indian manatee Trichechus manatus latirostris E E Moderate Birds Wood stork Mycteria americana E E Low Everglade snail kite Rostrhamus sociabilis plumbeus E E Low Bald eagle* Haliaetus leucocephalus N N Low Reptiles American alligator Alligator mississippiensis T (S/A) T (S/A) High Eastern indigo snake Drymarchon corais couperi T T Moderate Plants Blodgett’s wild-mercury Argythamnia blodgettii C E High Deltoid spurge Chamaesyce deltoidea E E High Garber’s spurge Chamaesyce garberi E E Moderate Carter’s flax Linum carteri var. carteri C E High

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Table 5-1 – Federally-Listed Species with the Potential to Occur

Federal State Occurrence Common Name Scientific name Status Status Potential Tiny polygala Polygala smallii E E Moderate * The bald eagle is not listed by the USFWS or FWC as a protected species, but this species is protected by the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. E = Endangered; T = Threatened; C = Candidate; N = Not Listed; T (S/A) = Threatened due to Similarity of Appearance * Source: USFWS, FWC

The results of this Endangered Species Biological Assessment indicate that no adverse impacts to any of these federally-protected plant or animal species are anticipated as a result of the proposed project. For each of the build alternatives (Alternatives 1 through 5), the potential listed species impacts have been determined to be nearly equivalent due to the similar configuration of the estimated limits of construction for each alternative along the project corridor, with the exception of the Owaissa Bauer Pineland Addition No. 1, where impacts have been significantly reduced through the design of a minimized roadway typical section, and the Florida Audubon Society property.

No manatees were observed during the field surveys, but the probability of occurrence is ‘Moderate’ due to the accessibility of available habitat through the local canal systems (C- 102/Princeton and C-103/Mowry canals) bisecting the project corridor. As a portion of these canals may be disturbed by one or more of the project alternatives, best management practices will be implemented in accordance with the latest edition of FDOT Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction, and FWC’s Standard Manatee Conditions for In-Water Work will be employed during all in-water construction activities associated with this project. Therefore, FDOT and FHWA have made an affect determination of “may affect, but not likely to adversely affect” for the West Indian manatee.

Although the project lies within the CFA of three active wood stork colonies located approximately 8.5 miles, 9.3 miles and 17.1 miles northwest of the project corridor, no suitable foraging habitat occurs along the project corridor (the canal banks along the project corridor are typically very steep and do not provide any foraging habitat). In addition, no wood storks were observed during the field surveys. The only potential impact to wood storks from the proposed project would be temporary disruption of local flight paths from the nesting areas (all greater than eight miles from the project corridor, as noted above) to any nearby CFA due to the construction activities (noise, etc.). However, due to the distance of the nearest colonies from the project corridor and the lack of any suitable foraging habitat in the project area, impacts are very unlikely. Therefore, FDOT and FHWA have made an affect determination of “no effect” for the wood stork as a result of the construction of any of the build alternatives associated with the proposed project.

No snail kites were observed during the field surveys and no designated critical habitat for this species exists within the project area. Since no foraging habitat for this species exists in the vicinity of the project corridor (the canal banks along the project corridor are typically very steep and do not provide any foraging habitat), no adverse impacts are anticipated as a result of the build alternatives. Therefore, the FDOT and FHWA have made an affect determination of “no effect” for the Everglade snail kite as a result of the proposed project.

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The bald eagle was delisted by the USFWS in August 2007 and the FWC in April 2008. Although the bald eagle is no longer federally or state-listed, this species is still protected under federal regulation by the Bald Eagle and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. There have been no visual occurrences of bald eagles within the project area (fly- overs), and no known nests or observed foraging habitat is located within close proximity to the project corridor. Construction will not significantly reduce available foraging, roosting, or nesting habitat for this species. Therefore, no adverse impacts to the bald eagle are anticipated as a result of the proposed project.

Due to the presence of habitat (canals) in and adjacent to the study area, the probability of occurrence of the American alligator is ‘High’. However, much of the habitat (i.e., the canals) within the limits of the project experiences continual disturbance from adjacent roadway and commercial/residential land use activities minimizing its use by this species. Typically, alligators will vacate the immediate vicinity of an area undergoing disturbance as a result of construction activities. The FDOT’s contractor will be advised of state and local laws regarding the harassment of alligators prior to any construction activities to further reduce the potential for any adverse impact to the American alligator. Therefore, FDOT and FHWA have made an affect determination for the American alligator of “may affect, not likely to adversely affect”.

The federally-listed threatened Eastern indigo snake has been reported as occurring in the nearby Camp Owaissa Bauer property located approximately 500 feet east of the corridor. Therefore, as a precaution, staked silt fence will be erected in the vicinity of the Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 1 site and the Florida Audubon Society property prior to construction to minimize the probability of individuals wandering into the construction corridor. To ensure the protection of the Eastern indigo snake during construction, FDOT will incorporate the most current protection guidelines, entitled Standard Protection Measures for the Eastern Indigo Snake (see Appendix I), into the final project design and will require that the construction contractor abide strictly to the guidelines during construction. Therefore, FDOT and FHWA have made an affect determination for the Eastern indigo snake of “may affect, not likely to adversely affect”.

Foraging habitat for three state-listed bird species, including the Southeastern American kestrel, tricolored heron and white ibis, is present within the project study area. This was evidenced by direct observations of foraging during the field investigations. Potential impacts to these species, if any, will be limited to temporary disruption of foraging along the fringe vegetation directly adjacent to the construction area. No roosting or nesting habitat for these species was observed for any of these bird species; thus, no adverse impacts to these state-protected avian species are expected to occur as a result of project construction.

The state-protected species of special concern, Florida tree snail, was observed within the Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 1 site and the Florida Audubon Society property. Prior to vegetation removal or construction activities, FDOT will conduct a biological survey within the limits of the proposed project. Individual snails observed on the trees to be impacted will be collected and relocated a safe distance outside of the areas of proposed impact per FWC guidelines (Shaw, 2006, Tree Snail Relocation Protocol) (see Appendix J). Therefore, no adverse impacts to this species are anticipated.

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No federally-listed plant species were observed within the study limits. However, the federally- listed endangered deltoid spurge has been recorded by Miami-Dade County within the Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 1 property and the plant was observed approximately 150 feet from the construction limits of the widest build alternative (Alternative 3). Therefore, no adverse direct impacts to this federally-listed plant species are anticipated as a result of this project. The investigation also indicated that two additional federally-listed plant species (Garber’s spurge and tiny polygala) were identified as having the potential to exist within the project area. However, none of these plant species were observed within or immediately adjacent to areas proposed to be impacted from any of the build alternatives. Therefore, the FDOT and FHWA have made a determination of “no effect” for these three federally-listed plants.

Field investigations within the proposed limits of the five build alternatives at the Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 1 site revealed the presence of two plant species with federal Candidate status: Carter’s flax and Blodgett’s wild-mercury. Please note that according to the USFWS, plant species with federal candidate status do not receive federal statutory protection, although the USFWS recommends that candidate species are voluntarily protected as if they were federally-listed, if possible. In addition, 27 state-listed protected plant species were observed within or directly adjacent to the proposed study corridor. All of these plants were observed to be present either at the Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 1 or at the Florida Audubon Society property. No state and federally-protected plant species were observed to exist at any other location along the study corridor.

Per Section 581.185(8)(c) Florida Statute, statutory protection of state-listed plants is not applicable if the clearing of land is performed by a public agency when acting in the performance of its obligation to provide service to the public excerpted below:

“(8) EXEMPTIONS.—No provision of this section shall apply to: (c) The clearing of land by a public agency or a publicly or privately owned public utility when acting in the performance of its obligation to provide service to the public.”

However, individual state-listed plant species will be avoided wherever possible during construction using best management practices and the FDOT’s standard protection measures outlined in the latest version of the FDOT Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction. In addition, to minimize the potential for adverse impacts to state-listed species, prior to construction, the FDOT will reassess the viability of relocating state-listed species to a suitable area outside of the planned limits of construction. The relocations, if determined to be viable, will be conducted prior to roadway construction.

Based on the review of the protected species contained within the various informational sources listed in this report, wildlife agency coordination/correspondence, and the field investigations, only minor short-term adverse impacts are anticipated to occur to federally-protected wildlife or their critical habitats and no long-term adverse impacts are anticipated to occur as a result of any of the build alternatives. No short-term or long-term adverse impacts are anticipated to occur to federally-protected plant species as a result of any of the build alternatives. Based on the above considerations, FDOT and FHWA have made the following affect determinations for individual species: “may affect, but not likely to adversely affect” for the West Indian manatee, American alligator, and Eastern indigo snake; and “no effect” for the wood stork, Everglade snail kite,

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deltoid spurge, Garber’s spurge, and tiny polygala plants. This ESBA will be submitted to the USFWS for review following the public availability of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement, and a formal concurrence letter is expected to be issued by the USFWS in order to fulfill the requirements of Section 7(c) of the Endangered Species Act, as amended. The USFWS correspondence will be included in the Final Environmental Impact Statement.

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6.0 REFERENCES

Alsop, Fred J. III. 2002. Birds of Florida. Smithsonian Handbooks. 1st American Ed. 400 pp.

Ashton, R.E., Jr., & Ashton, P.S. 1988. Handbook of reptiles and amphibians of Florida: Part one, the snakes. Miami, FL: Windward Publishing.

Ashton, R.E., Jr., Ashton P.S. 1985. Handbook of reptiles and amphibians of Florida: Part two, lizards, turtles and crocodilians. Miami, FL: Windward Publishing.

Ashton, R.E., Jr., Ashton P.S. 1988. Handbook of reptiles and amphibians of Florida: Part three, the amphibians. Miami, FL: Windward Publishing.

Bradley, K. A. and G.D. Gann 1999. Status summaries of 12 rockland plant taxa in southern Florida. Report submitted to USFWS, Vero Beach, FL. The Institute for Regional Conservation, Miami, FL. 82 pp.

Cattau, C., Kitchens, W., Reichert, B. Olbert, J., Pias, K., Martin, J., and C. Zweig. 2009. Snail kite demography annual report 2009 to the USACE. Contract # W912EP-09-C-0023.

Cattau, C., Kitchens, W., Reichert, B., Bowling, A., Hotaling, A., C. Zweig. Olbert, J., Pias, K., Martin, J., and 2008. Demographic, movement, and habitat studies of the endangered snail kite in response to operational plans in Water Conservation Area 3A annual report. Contract # W912EP-08-C-0014.

Chafin, L.G. 2000. Field Guide to the Rare Plants of Florida. Florida Natural Areas Inventory, Tallahassee, Florida.

Conant, R. and J.T. Collins. 1991. A Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, Massachusetts. Cox, J., (1994). Closing the Gaps in Florida’s Wildlife Habitat Conservation System, Tallahassee, FL: Office of Environmental Services, Florida Game and Fresh Water Commission.

Cowardin, L.M., V. Carter, F.C. Golet, and E.T. LaRoe. 1979. Classification of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the United States. U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Biological Services. Technical Publication FWS/OBS-79/31. 131 pp.

Endries, M., B. Stys, G. Mohr, G. Kratimenos, S. Langley, K. Root, and R. Kautz. 2009. Wildlife Habitat Conservation Needs in Florida. Fish and Wildlife Research Institute Technical Report TR-15. 178 pp.

Florida Department of Transportation. 1999. Florida Land Use, Cover and Forms Classification System. Third Edition.

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Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council. 2007. Lantanna camara; obtained from: http://www.fleppc.org/ID_book/lantana%20camara.pdf

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. (2011). Florida’s Endangered and Threatened Species. Retrieved from: http://www.myfwc.com/docs/WildlifeHabitats/Threatened_Endangered_Species.pdf

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. (2010). Eagle Nest Locator Database Base Retrieved from: http://myfwc.com/eagle/eaglenests/nestlocator.aspx

Florida Natural Areas Inventory. 2010. FNAI Tracking List - Species and Natural Areas Summary for Miami-Dade County, Retrieved from http://www.fnai.org/bioticssearch.cfm

Florida Natural Areas Inventory. 2011. Field Guide to the Rare Plants and Animals of Florida Online. Retrieved from: http://www.fnai.org/fieldguide/

Florida Natural Areas Inventory, April 2005, Species and Natural Areas Summary for Miami- Dade County – FNAI Tracking List, information on website: http://www.fnai.org/data.cfm#TRACKING

Gann, G. and K. Bradley. 1995. Endangered species status survey: Polygala smallii Smith and Ward. Tiny Polygala. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Jacksonville, Florida.

Gann, G.D., K.A. Bradley, and S.W. Woodmansee. 2001. Floristic Inventory of South Florida Database. Web-based database presented by The Institute for Regional Conservation at http://www.regionalconservation.org. Launched 14 May 2001.

Gann, G.D., K.A. Bradley, and S.W. Woodmansee. 2006. Species Account Update, Floristic Inventory of South Florida Database Online. Institute for Regional Conservation: Miami.

Hipes, D., D.R. Jackson, K. NeSmith, D. Printiss, and K. Brandt. 2000. Field Guide to the Rare Animals of Florida. Florida Natural Areas Inventory, Tallahassee, Florida.

Hofstetter, S. 2002. Wildlife Surveys. Report to U.S.F.W.S. and the Miami-Dade County Department of Environmental Resources Management.

Humphrey, S.R. (editor). 1992. Rare and Endangered Biota of Florida, Volume I - Mammals. University Press of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.

Institute for Regional Conservation. 2005. The Vascular Plants of Owaissa Bauer Pineland Addition. Compiled from field observations made by Keith Bradley and Josh Mahoney of The Institute for Regional Conservation, July 1, 2005

Kale, II, H.W. (editor). 1978. Rare and Endangered Biota of Florida, Volume Two - Birds. University Press of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.

Kale, II, H.W. and D. S. Maehr. 1990. Florida’s Birds. Pineapple Press, Inc. Sarasota, Florida.

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Long, R.W. and O. Lakela. 1971. A Flora of Tropical Florida. University of Miami Press, Coral Gables, Florida.

Miami-Dade County Natural Areas Management Working Group (NAM Working Group). 2004. Miami-Dade County Habitat Management Plan. Department of Environmental Resources Management (DERM) Technical Report No. 2004-1.

Moler, P.E. (editor). 1992. Rare and Endangered Biota of Florida, Volume III - Amphibians and Reptiles. University Press of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.

Myers, R.L. and J.J. Ewel (editors). 1990. Ecosystems of Florida. University of Central Florida Press, Orlando, Florida.

NatureServe. 2011. NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life [web application]. Version7.1. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available at: http://www.natureserve.org/explorer (Accessed: January 21, 2012 ).

Nelson, Gil. 1994. The Trees of Florida. Pineapple Press, Inc. Sarasota, Florida. Nelson, Gil. 1996. The Shrubs and Woody Vines of Florida. Pineapple Press, Inc. Sarasota, Florida.

Peterson, R.T. and V.M. Peterson. 1980. A Field Guide to the Birds of Eastern and Central North America. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, Massachusetts.

Tobe, J.D., et al. 1998. Florida Wetland Plants: An Identification Manual. Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1987. Habitat Management Guidelines for the Bald Eagle in the Southeastern Region.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1992. Endangered and Threatened Species of the Southeastern United States (The Red Book).

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1999. Multi-Species Recovery Plan for South Florida, Retrieved from: http://verobeach.fws.gov/Programs/Recovery/vbms5.html

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, (Ed.). 2002. Bald Eagle Monitoring Guidelines.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, (Ed.). 2010. Federally Listed Species and Candidate Species in Miami Dade County Florida, Retrieved from: http://ecos.fws.gov/tess_public/countySearch!speciesByCountyReport.action?fips=12086

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). 1999. 7.5-Minute Series Orthophotomap Quadrangle maps.

Wetland Evaluation and Delineation Section and Mitigation Section (Ed.). (1995). Florida Wetland Delineation Manual. Tallahassee, Florida: Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

6-3 SR 997/SW 177th Avenue/Krome Avenue (South) PD&E Study Endangered Species Biological Assessment

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service. 1996. Soil Survey of Miami-Dade County, Florida.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, February, 1991. Endangered and Threatened Species of the Southeastern United States (The Red Book) FWS Region 4

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, May 1999, Multi-Species Recovery Plan for South Florida, electronic document on website: http://verobeach.fws.gov/Programs/Recovery/vbms5.html

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, May 16, 2005, Listed Species in the State of Florida, information on website: http://ecos.fws.gov/tess_public/servlet/gov.doi.tess_public.servlets.UsaLists?state=FL

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), 1988, Homestead 7.5-Minute Series Orthophotomap Quadrangle map.

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), 1999, Goulds 7.5-Minute Series Orthophotomap Quadrangle map.

Ward, D.B. (editor). 1978. Rare and Endangered Biota of Florida, Volume Five - Plants. University Press of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.

Wunderlin, R.P. 1998. Guide to the Vascular Plants of Florida. University Press of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.

Wunderlin, R. P., and B. F. Hansen. 2004. Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants. [ S. M. Landry and K. N. Campbell (application development), Florida Center for Community Design and Research.] Institute for Systematic Botany, University of South Florida, Tampa. http://www.plantatlas.usf.edu/

6-4 SR-997/ SW 177th Avenue/Krome Avenue (South) PD&E Study Endangered Species Biological Assessment

APPENDIX A

Agency Correspondence and Relevant Sections of the Efficient Transportation Decision Making Programming Screen Summary Report

1. Overview #7800 SR 997/Krome Avenue/SW 177th Ave (South) District: District 6 Phase: Project Development County: Miami-Dade From: SW 296th Street Planning Organization: FDOT District 6 To: SW 136th Street Plan ID: 249614-4 Financial Management No.: Not Available Federal Involvement: No federal involvement has been identified. Contact Information: Vilma Croft [email protected] Project Web Site: http://WWW.KromeSouth.com Snapshot Data From: Programming Screen Summary Report Re-published on 09/20/2010 by Megan McKinney Issues and Categories are reflective of what was in place at the time of the screening event. Natural Cultural Community Air Quality Coastal and Marine Contaminated Sites Farmlands Floodplains Infrastructure Navigation Special Designations Water Quality and Quantity Wetlands Wildlife and Habitat Historic and Archaeological Sites Recreation Areas Section 4(f) Potential Aesthetics Economic Land Use Mobility Relocation Social Secondary and Cumulative Effects

Alternative #1 From: SW 296th Street To: SW 136th Street Re-Published: 09/20/2010 Reviewed from 05/22/2006 to 0 N/A 3 2 0 2 N/A 3 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 0 2 1 2 2 2 07/06/2006)

Page 2 of 47 Summary Report - Project #7800 - SR 997/Krome Avenue/SW 177th Ave (South) Printed on: 11/15/2012 3. Alternative #1 Alternative #1

3.1. Alternative Description Alternative Description Total Name From To Type Status Length Cost Modes SIS Alternative was not SW 296th SW 136th Work named. Street Street Widening Program 10.131 mi. Roadway Y 3.2. Segment Description(s) Segment Description(s) Beginning Ending Segment No. Name Location Location Length (mi.) Roadway Id BMP EMP Unnamed Unnamed SW 296th SW 136th Segment Segment Street Street 10.131 Digitized Jurisdiction and Class Segment No. Jurisdiction Urban Service Area Functional Class RURAL: Principal Arterial - Unnamed Segment FDOT In/Out Other Base Conditions Segment No. Year AADT Lanes Config Unnamed Segment 2004 19600 2 Lanes Undivided Interim Plan Segment No. Year AADT Lanes Config Unnamed Segment Needs Plan Segment No. Year AADT Lanes Config Unnamed Segment 2030 Cost Feasible Plan Segment No. Year AADT Lanes Config Unnamed Segment 2030 Funding Sources No funding sources found. Project Effects Overview for Alternative #1 Issue Degree of Effect Organization Date Reviewed Natural US Environmental Protection Air Quality 2 Minimal 07/20/2006 Agency US Environmental Protection Contaminated Sites 3 Moderate 07/20/2006 Agency FL Department of Contaminated Sites 3 Moderate 07/06/2006 Environmental Protection US Environmental Protection Water Quality and Quantity 3 Moderate 07/20/2006 Agency FL Department of Water Quality and Quantity 3 Moderate 07/06/2006 Environmental Protection US Environmental Protection Wetlands 3 Moderate 07/20/2006 Agency FL Department of Wetlands 3 Moderate 07/06/2006 Environmental Protection National Marine Fisheries Wetlands 0 None 06/27/2006 Service

Wetlands 2 Minimal US Army Corps of Engineers 06/14/2006

Wetlands 2 Minimal US Fish and Wildlife Service 05/25/2006

Page 6 of 47 Summary Report - Project #7800 - SR 997/Krome Avenue/SW 177th Ave (South) Printed on: 11/15/2012 FL Fish and Wildlife Wildlife and Habitat 3 Moderate 07/11/2006 Conservation Commission

Wildlife and Habitat 2 Minimal US Fish and Wildlife Service 05/25/2006

Cultural

Historic and Archaeological Sites 3 Moderate FL Department of State 07/06/2006

FL Department of Recreation Areas 3 Moderate 07/06/2006 Environmental Protection Community

Aesthetics 3 Moderate FDOT District 6 10/02/2006

Economic 1 Enhanced FDOT District 6 10/02/2006

Land Use 3 Moderate FDOT District 6 10/02/2006

Land Use 3 Moderate Federal Highway Administration 07/18/2006

FL Department of Community Land Use 0 None 06/28/2006 Affairs

Mobility 1 Enhanced FDOT District 6 10/02/2006

Relocation 3 Moderate FDOT District 6 10/02/2006

Social 2 Minimal FDOT District 6 10/02/2006

Secondary and Cumulative Secondary and Cumulative FL Fish and Wildlife 3 Moderate 07/11/2006 Effects Conservation Commission ETAT Reviews and Coordinator Summary: Natural Air Quality Project Effects Coordinator Summary Degree of Effect: 0 None assigned 09/25/2007 by FDOT District 6

Comments: An Air Quality Screening Analysis has been conducted and the results are included in the Air Quality Report for the project.

As of June 2005, Miami-Dade County is an area designated as Attainment for ozone standards under the criteria provided in the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990; therefore, transportation conformity no longer applies.

Degree of Effect: 2 Minimal assigned 07/20/2006 by Maher Budeir, US Environmental Protection Agency Coordination Document: The "Coordination Document" option was not available at the time of the review.

Direct Effects Identified Resources and Level of Importance: Air Quality in the Area Comments on Effects to Resources: The project is in an area designated as non-Attainment area. An air quality study is needed to demonstrate that the project will not cause an exceedance of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards. Additional Comments (optional): None found.

Coastal and Marine Project Effects Coordinator Summary Degree of Effect: N/A N/A / No Involvement assigned 08/07/2007 by FDOT District 6

Comments: The Advance Notification response from the State Clearinghouse, dated May 4, 2004 included confirmation that the project is currently consistent with the Coastal Zone Management Program.

The project is not located within a Coastal Barrier Resource (CBR) as defined by the Governor's Executive Order 81-105 and the

Page 7 of 47 Summary Report - Project #7800 - SR 997/Krome Avenue/SW 177th Ave (South) Printed on: 11/15/2012 Degree of Effect: 0 None assigned 06/27/2006 by Madelyn T Martinez, National Marine Fisheries Service Coordination Document: The "Coordination Document" option was not available at the time of the review.

Direct Effects Identified Resources and Level of Importance: NONE Comments on Effects to Resources: NONE Additional Comments (optional): Based on the project location, information provided in the ETDM website, discussions with other agencies, and GIS-analysis on wetlands, and a site visit on June 18, 2006, NOAAs National Marine Fisheries Service concludes the proposed work would not directly impact areas that support NOAA trust resources. We have no comments or recommendations to provide pursuant to the essential fish habitat (EFH) requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) P.L. 104-297. Further consultation on this matter is not necessary unless future modifications are proposed and you believe that the proposed action may result in adverse impacts to EFH.

Degree of Effect: 2 Minimal assigned 06/14/2006 by Robert Kirby, US Army Corps of Engineers Coordination Document: The "Coordination Document" option was not available at the time of the review.

Direct Effects Identified Resources and Level of Importance: None found. Comments on Effects to Resources: Impacts to tributaries (canals) probable but should be minimal and qualify for a NW 14 Additional Comments (optional): None found.

Degree of Effect: 2 Minimal assigned 05/25/2006 by John Wrublik, US Fish and Wildlife Service Coordination Document: The "Coordination Document" option was not available at the time of the review.

Direct Effects Identified Resources and Level of Importance: Wetlands Comments on Effects to Resources: Wetlands provide important habitat for fish and wildlife. If wetlands are found within the project area, we recommend that these valuable resources be avoided to the greatest extent practicable. If impacts to wetlands are unavoidable, we recommend the FDOT provide mitigation that fully compensates for the loss of wetland resources. Additional Comments (optional): None found.

Wildlife and Habitat Project Effects Coordinator Summary Degree of Effect: 2 Minimal assigned 09/25/2007 by FDOT District 6

Comments: The majority of the corridor consists of land altered by human activities such as landscaped residential and commercial developments with maintained turf grass and ornamental shrubs and trees, agricultural lands (row crops and nurseries for landscape ornamental plants), and ruderal sites (roadsides, vacant lots, abandoned agricultural lands, and railroad rights-of-way). A protected ecologically significant pine rockland community known as Owaissa Bauer Addition No. 1 is located adjacent to the roadway corridor, and a privately owned parcel, known as Mary Krome Park, consists of artificially planted rockland and coastal hammock species and is located at the southern terminus of the roadway corridor. In addition, three areas recognized as surface waters were identified within the study corridor. These areas include an inundated rock mining pit, the SFWMD's C-102/Priceton canal, and the SFWMD's C-103/Mowry canal.

Federally and state listed wildlife species that may potentially occur along the project corridor will be evaluated in the Endangered Species Biological Assessment (ESBA).

Issues raised by FWS and FFWCC will be addressed in the ESBA report for the project. Impacts to protected species are expected to be minimal. Coordination is being conducted with USFWS, FFWCC, FDACS, Miami-Dade County DERM EEL Program, and the Miami- Dade County Park and Recreation Department Natural Areas Management Program (NAM) to discuss avoidance/minimization efforts and potential mitigation.

Degree of Effect: 3 Moderate assigned 07/11/2006 by Scott Sanders, FL Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Coordination Document: The "Coordination Document" option was not available at the time of the review.

Direct Effects Identified Resources and Level of Importance:

Page 12 of 47 Summary Report - Project #7800 - SR 997/Krome Avenue/SW 177th Ave (South) Printed on: 11/15/2012 The Habitat Conservation Scientific Services Section of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has coordinated an agency review of ETDM #7800 in Dade County, and provides the following comments related to potential impacts to fish and wildlife resources on this Programming Phase project. The FWC also commented on this project in response to SAI #FL200403085571C in February 2004.

This 10.2-mile-long road project consists of developing and analyzing various Alternatives, including a No-Build Alternative, a Transportation System Management Alternative, and several Build Alternatives consisting of expanding the current roadway into two, three, and four-lane typical sections. The project description relates that all alternatives will look at preserving the rural character of the corridor while providing safety and operational enhancements. This project was originally distributed for agency screening and review through the Florida State Clearinghouse at the Florida Department of Environmental Protection in February 2004. Ultimately, the Federal Highway Administration approved the Class of Action for this project as an Environmental Impact Statement, and the original project is now being submitted for screening through the EDTM Process for project compliance with established administrative procedures.

A GIS analysis of fish and wildlife and habitat resources was conducted, and the results indicate that land uses within 500 feet of the project area consist predominately of urban and agricultural (row crops and pasture). Approximately 27 percent of the lands within this zone consist of high and low impact urban land, while about 71 percent consist of rural agricultural uses. Small but productive and important blocks of dry prairie, freshwater marsh and wet prairie, upland hardwood hammock, open water, shrub swamp and pinelands are also found within the project area.

The results of previous habitat modeling by FWC in areas near the project site and within the region document the presence of high quality and diverse habitat systems. High values for lands mapped as FWCs Biodiversity Hot Spots and Priority Wetlands Habitat for Wetland Dependent Listed Species were established by our agency in this area. Public lands immediately adjacent to the project area include the Owaissa Bauer Pinelands Addition #1, while the Ingram Pineland and Camp Owaissa Bauer occur within a mile of the Right-of-way (ROW). Managed lands consisting of the Mary Krome Bird Refuge occurs immediately adjacent to the ROW, as does the Dade County Archipelago Florida Forever Board of Trustees land acquisition project. A Strategic Habitat Conservation Area (SHCA) for Pine Rocklands has been established within an area extending from the ROW out to at least one mile. Our review also indicates that the following plants listed by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services potentially occur within the project area according to resource location data from the Florida Natural Areas Inventory: Blodgetts wild-mercury (E), Carters large- flowered flax (E), locustberry (T), and pineland jacquemontia (T).

Based on range and habitat preference, the following listed wildlife species may potentially occur in and adjacent to the project area: gopher tortoise (SSC), eastern indigo snake (T), rim rock crowned snake (T), Florida mouse (SSC), little blue heron (SSC), tricolored heron (SSC), reddish egret (SSC), white ibis (SSC), roseate spoonbill (SSC), wood stork (E), snail kite (E), bald eagle (T), southeastern kestrel (T), peregrine falcon (E), limpkin (SSC), Florida sandhill cane (T), and the Florida burrowing owl (SSC).

Comments on Effects to Resources: Depending on which project Alternative is chosen and implemented, direct impacts on listed species and habitat resources could be moderate, while secondary and cumulative impacts would also be moderate. Additional Comments (optional): The following recommendations are provided to reduce impacts to fish and wildlife and habitat resources:

(1) In lieu of a Build Alternative, we support a Transportation System Management Alternative to improve safety, and the efficiency of surrounding roads, which would protect and enhances existing habitat, and protects the rural nature within this agricultural area.

(2) Wildlife surveys for listed species should be performed to evaluate the potential occurrence of all protected species.

(3) An in-depth preliminary assessment of incidental and cumulative impacts should be made on this project, and funds should be identified to address mitigation of secondary impacts and be included in the project budget.

(4) A plan should also be formulated and implemented to avoid, minimize or mitigate impacts to habitat and listed species based on the results of field surveys. An Incidental Take Permit may also be needed from our agency for the gopher tortoise and its commensal species.

(5) A complete accounting should be made of all upland and wetland plant communities within the project area, and compensatory mitigation should be required. Mitigation should address upland and wetland habitat loss, including the achievement of type for type and functional replacement. Due diligence should also be accomplished in the search for innovative mitigation opportunities, such as acquisition of sensitive habitats including pine rocklands; the expansion of the size, diversity, and productivity of existing public lands; or enhancement and restoration of selected native habitat blocks to improve habitat connectivity and functionality.

(6) Stormwater runoff into area wetlands during construction, or roadside runoff during operation of the road, should be contained to prevent water quality degradation and increased sedimentation.

We appreciate the opportunity to provide input on highway planning and design and the conservation of fish and wildlife resources. Please contact Steve Lau at (772) 778-5094 in our Vero Beach Office for further coordination on this project.

FDOT District 6 Feedback to FL Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's Review (09/25/2007): These issues are being addressed in the PD&E study for this project and the results of the analysis will be presented in the Endangered Species Biological Assessment (ESBA) report, Wetland Evaluation report and Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the project.

The majority of the corridor consists of land altered by human activities such as landscaped residential and commercial developments with maintained turf grass and ornamental shrubs and trees, agricultural lands (row crops and nurseries for landscape ornamental plants), and ruderal sites (roadsides, vacant lots, abandoned agricultural lands, and railroad rights-of-way). A protected ecologically significant pine rockland community known as Owaissa Bauer Addition No. 1 is located adjacent to the roadway corridor

Page 13 of 47 Summary Report - Project #7800 - SR 997/Krome Avenue/SW 177th Ave (South) Printed on: 11/15/2012 just south of SW 264th Street on the east side of Krome Avenue, and a privately owned parcel, known as Mary Krome Park, consists of artificially planted rockland and coastal hammock species and is located at the southern terminus of the roadway corridor at SW 296th Street on the west side of Krome Avenue. In addition, three areas recognized as surface waters were identified within the study corridor. These areas include an inundated rock mining pit located on the west side of Krome Avenue approximately 1,000 feet north of SW 208th Street; the SFWMDs C-102/Princeton canal which crosses Krome Avenue at approximately SW 196th Street; and the SFWMDs C-103/Mowry canal which crosses Krome Avenue just north of SW 280th Street. Water quality impacts to these surface water areas resulting from erosion and sedimentation during construction activities will be controlled in accordance with the latest edition of FDOT's Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction and through the use of Best Management Practices, including temporary erosion control measures to ensure compliance with Federal/State water quality standards.

Coordination is being conducted with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FFWCC), Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), Miami-Dade County DERM EEL Program, and the Miami-Dade County Park and Recreation Department Natural Areas Management Program (NAM) to discuss avoidance/minimization efforts and potential mitigation scenarios for each proposed build alternative.

Degree of Effect: 2 Minimal assigned 05/25/2006 by John Wrublik, US Fish and Wildlife Service Coordination Document: The "Coordination Document" option was not available at the time of the review.

Direct Effects Identified Resources and Level of Importance: Federally Listed Species and Fish and Wildlife Resources Comments on Effects to Resources: Service Comments, Federally Listed Species: The Service has reviewed our Geographic Information Systems (GIS) database for recorded locations of federally listed threatened and endangered species on or adjacent to the project study area. The GIS database is a compilation of data received from several sources.

Wood Stork

The project corridor is located in the Core Foraging Areas (within 18.6 miles ) of two active nesting colonies of the endangered wood stork (Mycteria americana). The Service believes that the loss of wetlands within a CFA due to an action could result in the loss of foraging habitat for the wood stork. To minimize adverse effects to the wood stork, we recommend that any lost foraging habitat resulting from the project be replaced within the CFA of the affected nesting colony. Moreover, wetlands provided as mitigation should adequately replace the wetland functions lost as a result of the action. The Service does not consider the preservation of wetlands, by itself, as adequate compensation for impacts to wood stork foraging habitat, because the habitat lost is not replaced. Accordingly, any wetland mitigation plan proposed should include a restoration, enhancement, or creation component. In some cases, the Service accepts wetlands compensation located outside the CFA of the affected wood stork nesting colony. Specifically, wetland credits purchased from a Service Approved mitigation bank located outside of the CFA would be acceptable to the Service, provided that the impacted wetlands occur within the permitted service area of the bank.

The Service believes that the following federally listed species have the potential to occur in or near the project site: wood stork, and eastern indigo snake (Drymarchon corais couperi), as well as the federally protected plants listed at the link for Miami-Dade County at our web site (http://verobeach.fws.gov/Species_lists/countyfr.html). Accordingly, the Service recommends that the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) prepare a Biological Assessment for the project (as required by 50 CFR 402.12) during the FDOTs Project Development and Environment process.

Service Comments, Fish and Wildlife Resources: Wetlands provide important habitat for fish and wildlife. If wetlands are found within the project area, we recommend that these valuable resources be avoided to the greatest extent practicable. If impacts to wetlands are unavoidable, we recommend the FDOT provide mitigation that fully compensates for the loss of wetland resources.

Additional Comments (optional): None found.

ETAT Reviews and Coordinator Summary: Cultural Historic and Archaeological Sites Project Effects Coordinator Summary Degree of Effect: 2 Minimal assigned 08/08/2007 by FDOT District 6

Comments: A Cultural Resources Assessment Survey (CRAS) has been conducted for this project and has been submitted to the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) for review. The CRAS and pertinent correspondence will be uploaded into the EST once completed.

Degree of Effect: 3 Moderate assigned 07/06/2006 by Sherry Anderson, FL Department of State Coordination Document: The "Coordination Document" option was not available at the time of the review.

Direct Effects Identified Resources and Level of Importance: Historic Standing Structures

Page 14 of 47 Summary Report - Project #7800 - SR 997/Krome Avenue/SW 177th Ave (South) Printed on: 11/15/2012 parkland and open space.

Given the distance between residential areas and community focal points as well as the absence of pedestrian facilities in this rural setting, pedestrian traffic is probably minimal along the corridor. Future residential development and population growth in the area may change this condition. The proposed roadway widening is not anticipated to affect community cohesion.

Additional Comments (optional): None found.

ETAT Reviews and Coordinator Summary: Secondary and Cumulative Secondary and Cumulative Effects Project Effects Coordinator Summary Degree of Effect: 2 Minimal assigned 09/25/2007 by FDOT District 6

Comments: The Miami-Dade County Comprehensive Development Master Plan (CDMP) contains policies to discourage urban sprawl and urban development outside of the Urban Devlopment Boundary (UDB), particularly in areas of the county that are designated under Agriculture, Open Land, or Environmental Protection. The evaluation of potential effects resulting from the four laning of Krome Ave. is based on the CDMP growth management policies, which direct future development within the UDB and discourage urban sprawl. These policies recognize exceptions for the provision of public services and facilities in such areas when necessary to protect the public health, safety, and welfare plus serve the localized needs of the non-urban areas; the County and the FDCA have determined that the widening of Krome Avenue to four lanes is consistent with these policies.

All upland/wetland communities along the corridor are identified and discussed in the Endangered Species Biological Assessment (ESBA) report and the Wetland Evaluation report. In addition, a farmland evaluation is being conducted.

Avoidance, minimization, and mitigation for direct impacts and secondary impacts (through permitting) will be considered for project alternatives. Potential impacts during construction will be further minimized through adherence to all State and local regulations and to the latest edition of the FDOT Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction.

Degree of Effect: 3 Moderate assigned 07/11/2006 by Scott Sanders, FL Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Coordination Document: The "Coordination Document" option was not available at the time of the review. At-Risk Resource: Wildlife and Habitat Comments on Effects: A GIS analysis of fish and wildlife and habitat resources was conducted, and the results indicate that land uses within 500 feet of the project area consist predominately of urban and agricultural (row crops and pasture). Approximately 27 percent of the lands within this zone consist of high and low impact urban land, while about 71 percent consist of rural agricultural uses. Small but productive and important blocks of dry prairie, freshwater marsh and wet prairie, upland hardwood hammock, open water, shrub swamp and pinelands are also found within the project area.

The results of previous habitat modeling by FWC in areas near the project site and within the region document the presence of high quality and diverse habitat systems. High values for lands mapped as FWCs Biodiversity Hot Spots and Priority Wetlands Habitat for Wetland Dependent Listed Species were established by our agency in this area. Public lands immediately adjacent to the project area include the Owaissa Bauer Pinelands Addition #1, while the Ingram Pineland and Camp Owaissa Bauer occur within a mile of the Right-of-way (ROW). Managed lands consisting of the Mary Krome Bird Refuge occurs immediately adjacent to the ROW, as does the Dade County Archipelago Florida Forever Board of Trustees land acquisition project. A Strategic Habitat Conservation Area (SHCA) for Pine Rocklands has been established within an area extending from the ROW out to at least 1 mile. Recommended Avoidance, Minimization, and Mitigation Measures: Depending on which project Alternative is chosen and implemented, secondary and cumulative impacts on listed species and habitat resources could be moderate. Recommended Actions to Improve At-Risk Resources: In lieu of a Build Alternative, we support a Transportation System Management Alternative to improve safety, and the efficiency of surrounding roads, which would protect and enhances existing habitat, and protects the rural nature within this agricultural area. A complete accounting should be made of all upland and wetland plant communities within the project area, and compensatory mitigation should be required. Mitigation should address upland and wetland habitat loss, including the achievement of type for type and functional replacement. Due diligence should also be accomplished in the search for innovative mitigation opportunities, such as acquisition of sensitive habitats including pine rocklands; the expansion of the size, diversity, and productivity of existing public lands; or enhancement and restoration of selected native habitat blocks to improve habitat connectivity and functionality.

Page 22 of 47 Summary Report - Project #7800 - SR 997/Krome Avenue/SW 177th Ave (South) Printed on: 11/15/2012 5. Project Scope Project Scope

5.1. General Project Commitments General Project Commitments There are no general project commitments identified for this project in the EST. 5.2. Required Permits Required Permits There are no anticipated permits identified for this project in the EST. 5.3. Required Technical Studies Required Technical Studies Technical Study Name Type Conditions Review Org Review Date Noise Study Report ENVIRONMENTAL FDOT District 6 09/25/2007 Draft Environmental ENVIRONMENTAL FDOT District 6 09/25/2007 Impact Statement Public Hearing Transcript ENVIRONMENTAL FDOT District 6 09/25/2007 Farmlands Assessment Other FDOT District 6 09/25/2007 Air Quality Report ENVIRONMENTAL FDOT District 6 09/25/2007 Cultural Resource ENVIRONMENTAL FDOT District 6 09/25/2007 Assessment Endangered Species ENVIRONMENTAL FDOT District 6 09/25/2007 Biological Assessment Advance ENVIRONMENTAL FDOT District 6 09/25/2007 Notification/ICAR Package Contamination Screening ENVIRONMENTAL FDOT District 6 09/25/2007 Evaluation Report 4 (f) Determination Other FDOT District 6 09/25/2007 Wetlands Evaluation ENVIRONMENTAL FDOT District 6 09/25/2007 Report Public Involvement Plan ENVIRONMENTAL FDOT District 6 09/25/2007 Final Environmental ENVIRONMENTAL FDOT District 6 09/25/2007 Impact Statement Cultural Resource Other FDOT District 6 09/25/2007 Assessment Survey Report WQIE Other FDOT District 6 09/25/2007 Class of Action ENVIRONMENTAL FDOT District 6 09/25/2007 Determination 5.4. Class of Action Class of Action Class of Action Determination Class of Action Other Actions Lead Agency Cooperating Agencies Participating Agencies Environmental Impact Section 106 Consultation Federal Highway No Cooperating Agencies No Participating Agencies Statement Endangered Species Administration have been identified. have been identified. Assessment

Class of Action Signatures Review Name Agency Status Date ETDM Role Marjorie Bixby FDOT District 6 ACCEPTED 09/25/2007 FDOT ETDM Coordinator Gregory E. Williams Federal Highway Administration ACCEPTED 10/09/2007 Lead Agency ETAT Member 5.5. Dispute Resolution Activity Log Dispute Resolution Activity Log There are no dispute actions identified for this project in the EST.

Page 24 of 47 Summary Report - Project #7800 - SR 997/Krome Avenue/SW 177th Ave (South) Printed on: 11/15/2012 SR-997/ SW 177th Avenue/Krome Avenue (South) PD&E Study Endangered Species Biological Assessment

APPENDIX B

Plant Taxa List

SR-997/ SW 177th Avenue/Krome Avenue (South) PD&E Study Endangered Species Biological Assessment

APPENDIX C

Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 1 Figures

Protected Plants Observed Within the Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 1 Portion of the Krome Avenue Roadway Study Corridor

FWC/ USFWS 2006 2010 Scientific Name Vernacular Name FDACS Status Survey Survey Status Angadenia berteroi pineland golden trumpet T X X Blodgett’s wild-mercury; C E X X Argythamnia blodgettii Blodgett’s silverbush Byrsonima lucida Long Key locustberry T X Chamaecyce deltoidea deltoid spurge E E X* Chaptalia albicans white sunbonnet T X Coccothrinax argentata Florida silver palm T X X Crossopetalum ilicifolium christmasberry; quail-berry T X X Koanophyllon villosum Florida shrub thoroughwort E X X pineland lantana; rockland E X X Lantana depressa shrubverbena Linum carteri var. carteri Carter’s flax C E X Myrcianthes fragrans Simpson’s stopper T X Pteris bahamensis bahama ladder brake T X Rhynchosia parvifolia Small-leaf snoutbean T X Senna mexicana var. chapmanii Chapman’s wild sensitive plant T X X Smilax havanensis Everglades greenbrier T X X Tetrazygia bicolor tetrazygia T X X Tillandsia fasciculata cardinal airplant E X Tragia saxicola Key West noseburn T X Zamia pumila coontie CE X X * Observed approximately 150 feet beyond the limits of construction for the widest build alternative (Alternative 3).

SR-997/ SW 177th Avenue/Krome Avenue (South) PD&E Study Endangered Species Biological Assessment

APPENDIX D

USFWS Protected Species List - Miami-Dade County

SR-997/ SW 177th Avenue/Krome Avenue (South) PD&E Study Endangered Species Biological Assessment

APPENDIX E

Miami-Dade County Environmentally Endangered Lands Program Coordination

From: Guerra, Cynthia (DERM) [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Thursday, August 02, 2007 10:03 AM To: susanne.travis Cc: Julio_Boucle; Young, Emilie (DERM); Rodriguez, Cristina (MDPR); Dozier, Jane G. (MDPR) Subject: Owaissa Bauer Addition #1 / Krome Ave widening

Susanne:

Per our most recent phone calls, please accept this e-mail as EEL’s response to recent requests for information.

With regards to the 4(f) determination, I am having a difficult time reconciling the information that EEL submitted in writing (Statement of Significance, dated 1/27/06) with the final opinion that the EEL preserve did not satisfy the requirements for protection under Section 4(f). The determination document, dated May 2006, makes reference to some communication with EEL staff in March of 2006 that serves as the basis for the opinion that Section 4(f) does not apply to the preserve. It would appear that the written record that I have reviewed would support the application of Section 4(f) to the preserve. I have no documentation of the March 2006 communication, and therefore can not reconcile the decision with the written record. In order to better understand the decision, I would like to review any documentation of that apparently critical March 2006 communication.

With regards to the minutes of our last on-site meeting, please note the following:

 J. Boucle indicated that he is continuing to work with FDOT to see if the denial for the exception for reduction in design speed can be revisited.

 FDOT and EEL should continue to discuss further reduction of the ROW with the goal of avoiding all impacts to the preserve, and appropriate mitigation for unavoidable impacts.

 Even under the current 151’ ROW proposal, there are projected impacts to the preserve that should be quantified – types of vegetation affected, canopy removed, etc.

 If direct and indirect impacts can’t be avoided, a plan should be developed for relocation and/or protection of existing listed plant species.

 If impacts can’t be avoided, tree snails in areas of impacted canopy should be relocated.

Finally, I am trying to determine ownership of the ROW as it stands today. EEL acquired the property 1/11/96 and a survey was done at that time. A survey dated 7/24/02 was the final one accepted by FDEP. The acquisition excluded the West 35 feet (Krome Ave) because it was already dedicated roadway. The zoned ROW calls for another 27.5 feet on the eastside of the road; this was acquired by EEL and then transferred to FDEP under the CARL Program. I think I recall from our on-site meeting that ownership of the ROW was not clear. Has FDOT made a determination of ownership of the ROW? Has FDOT acquired the ROW from FDEP? Did FDOT pay for the ROW if it was acquired from FDEP? If FDOT acquired the ROW, was that acquisition done consistent with the requirements of the CARL Program?

Please understand that our objective here is to uphold the intent of our Miami-Dade County Code requirements, the commitment we made to the County Electorate when they authorized the EEL program to ensure the protection and preservation of EEL sites, and the commitment we made to the State of Florida when we partnered with the CARL Program.

Your assistance with these questions is greatly appreciated, Cynthia

Cynthia Guerra, ERPS Environmentally Endangered Lands Program Miami-Dade DERM 701 N.W. 1 Ct. Miami, FL 33136 Phone: (305) 372-6471 Fax: (305) 372-6673 [email protected] "Delivering Excellence Every Day"

Susanne Travis/D6/FDOT 08/09/2007 11:18 AM To "Guerra, Cynthia(DERM)" cc Subject RE: Owaissa Bauer Addition #1/Krome Ave widening (Document link: Susanne L Travis)

Cynthia, could you please go ahead and add in any additional additional comments you have with your initials or name (if appropriate) as we did for some of Julio's comments so it will be reflected the way you'd like.(e.g., C. Guerra stated, or the group discussed.....) I do recall touching on the possibliity of relocation, but I believe we also discussed that most of the area is limerock and it wasn't clear whether it would be possible to relocate. thank you.

Susanne Travis Environmental Scientist FDOT Environmental Management Office 1000 NW 111th Avenue, Room 6109 Miami, FL 33172 (305) 470-5568 ______

"Guerra, Cynthia (DERM)" 08/09/2007 08:44 AM To cc Subject RE: Owaissa Bauer Addition #1/Krome Ave widening

Susanne: I think the minutes capture most of what we discussed on site, although they don't specifically address everything I sent last week. I do recall and have in my notes that we definitely discussed relocation of listed plant and animal species. Can you please add to the minutes those notes? I await your feedback on the other issues.

Thanks! Cynthia

Cynthia Guerra, ERPS Environmentally Endangered Lands Program Miami-Dade DERM 701 N.W. 1 Ct. Miami, FL 33136 Phone: (305) 372-6471 Fax: (305) 372-6673 [email protected]

"Delivering Excellence Every Day"

-----Original Message----- From: [email protected][mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Wednesday, August 08, 2007 4:44 PM To: Guerra, Cynthia (DERM) Cc: Young, Emilie (DERM); "Rodriguez, Cristina (MDPR) CristiR" Subject: Re: Owaissa Bauer Addition #1 / Krome Ave widening

Hi Cynthia. thank you for sending comments on behalf of EEL in your email below.(1) Regarding the bulleted comments related to the field meeting held at the Owaissa Bauer site on 6-14-07: we have incorporated your email bullet #1 into the meeting minutes, and also added the explanation that the Department has reduced the typical section as much as possible undercurrent design standards and criteria (see the revised meeting minutes, attached).If there are no other comments on the actual field meeting, we would like to consider these minutes as finalized.2) We are also working to address the other bulleted items from your email (feedback received from you subsequent to the field meeting), and the other questions you raised (e.g., Section 4(f), and right-of-way).Additional correspondence to this effect will be sent to you in the near future.

______

If EEL or NAM has any additional questions/comments, please let me or the Project Manager, Vilma Croft, know.

-- Susanne Travis (305) 470-5568 -- Vilma Croft (305) 470-5240

(See attached file: EEL Field Meeting Minutes 06.14.07_Rev..doc) thank you, Susanne

Susanne Travis Environmental Scientist FDOT Environmental Management Office 1000 NW 111th Avenue, Room 6109 Miami, FL 33172 (305) 470-5568 ______"Guerra, Cynthia (DERM)" 08/02/2007 10:02 AM To cc ,"Young, Emilie (DERM)" , "Rodriguez, Cristina (MDPR)", "Dozier, Jane G. (MDPR)" Subject Owaissa Bauer Addition #1/Krome Ave widening

Susanne:

Per our most recent phone calls, please accept this e-mail as EEL's response to recent requests for information. With regards to the 4(f) determination, I am having a difficult time reconciling the information that EEL submitted in writing (Statement of Significance, dated 1/27/06) with the final opinion that the EEL preserve did not satisfy the requirements for protection under Section 4(f). The determination document, dated May 2006, makes reference to some communication with EEL staff in March of 2006 that serves as the basis for the opinion that Section 4(f) does not apply to the preserve. It would appear that the written record that I have reviewed would support the application of Section 4(f) to the preserve. I have no documentation of the March 2006 communication, and therefore can not reconcile the decision with the written record. In order to better understand the decision, I would like to review any documentation of that apparently critical March2006 communication. With regards to the minutes of our last on-site meeting, please note the following: J. Boucle indicated that he is continuing to work with FDOT to see if the denial for the exception for reduction in design speed can be revisited. FDOT and EEL should continue to discuss further reduction of the ROW with the goal of avoiding all impacts to the preserve, and appropriate mitigation for unavoidable impacts. Even under the current 151' ROW proposal, there are projected impacts to the preserve that should be quantified - types of vegetation affected, canopy removed, etc. If direct and indirect impacts can't be avoided, a plan should be developed for relocation and/or protection of existing listed plant species. If impacts can't be avoided, tree snails in areas of impacted canopy should be relocated. Finally, I am trying to determine ownership of the ROW as it stands today. EEL acquired the property 1/11/96 and a survey was done at that time. A survey dated 7/24/02 was the final one accepted by FDEP. The acquisition excluded the West 35 feet (Krome Ave) because it was already dedicated roadway. The zoned ROW calls for another 27.5 feet on the eastside of the road; this was acquired by EEL and then transferred to FDEP under the CARL Program. I think I recall from our on-site meeting that ownership of the ROW was not clear. Has FDOT made a determination of ownership of the ROW? Has FDOT acquired the ROW from FDEP? Did FDOT pay for the ROW if it was acquired from FDEP? If FDOT acquired the ROW, was that acquisition done consistent with the requirements of the CARL Program? Please understand that our objective here is to uphold the intent of our Miami-Dade County Code requirements, the commitment we made to the County Electorate when they authorized the EEL program to ensure the protection and preservation of EEL sites, and the commitment we made to the State of Florida when we partnered with the CARL Program.

Your assistance with these questions is greatly appreciated, Cynthia

Cynthia Guerra, ERPS Environmentally Endangered Lands Program Miami-Dade DERM 701 N.W. 1 Ct. Miami, FL 33136 Phone: (305) 372-6471 Fax: (305) 372-6673 [email protected] "Delivering Excellence Every Day"

SR-997/ SW 177th Avenue/Krome Avenue (South) PD&E Study Endangered Species Biological Assessment

APPENDIX F

Florida Audubon Society Property Figures

SR-997/ SW 177th Avenue/Krome Avenue (South) PD&E Study Endangered Species Biological Assessment

APPENDIX G

Observed Wildlife Species List

SR-997/ SW 177th Avenue/Krome Avenue (South) PD&E Study Endangered Species Biological Assessment

APPENDIX H

Miami-Dade County Endangered Lands Acquisition Program Biological Evaluation Report

SR-997/ SW 177th Avenue/Krome Avenue (South) PD&E Study Endangered Species Biological Assessment

APPENDIX I

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Standard Protection Measures for the Eastern Indigo Snake

STANDARD PROTECTION MEASURES FOR THE EASTERN INDIGO SNAKE U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service August 12, 2013

The eastern indigo snake protection/education plan (Plan) below has been developed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) in Florida for use by applicants and their construction personnel. At least 30 days prior to any clearing/land alteration activities, the applicant shall notify the appropriate USFWS Field Office via e-mail that the Plan will be implemented as described below (North Florida Field Office: [email protected]; South Florida Field Office: [email protected]; Panama City Field Office: [email protected]). As long as the signatory of the e-mail certifies compliance with the below Plan (including use of the attached poster and brochure), no further written confirmation or “approval” from the USFWS is needed and the applicant may move forward with the project.

If the applicant decides to use an eastern indigo snake protection/education plan other than the approved Plan below, written confirmation or “approval” from the USFWS that the plan is adequate must be obtained. At least 30 days prior to any clearing/land alteration activities, the applicant shall submit their unique plan for review and approval. The USFWS will respond via e- mail, typically within 30 days of receiving the plan, either concurring that the plan is adequate or requesting additional information. A concurrence e-mail from the appropriate USFWS Field Office will fulfill approval requirements.

The Plan materials should consist of: 1) a combination of posters and pamphlets (see Poster Information section below); and 2) verbal educational instructions to construction personnel by supervisory or management personnel before any clearing/land alteration activities are initiated (see Pre-Construction Activities and During Construction Activities sections below).

POSTER INFORMATION

Posters with the following information shall be placed at strategic locations on the construction site and along any proposed access roads (a final poster for Plan compliance, to be printed on 11” x 17” or larger paper and laminated, is attached):

DESCRIPTION: The eastern indigo snake is one of the largest non-venomous snakes in North America, with individuals often reaching up to 8 feet in length. They derive their name from the glossy, blue-black color of their scales above and uniformly slate blue below. Frequently, they have orange to coral reddish coloration in the throat area, yet some specimens have been reported to only have cream coloration on the throat. These snakes are not typically aggressive and will attempt to crawl away when disturbed. Though indigo snakes rarely bite, they should NOT be handled.

SIMILAR SNAKES: The black racer is the only other solid black snake resembling the eastern indigo snake. However, black racers have a white or cream chin, thinner bodies, and WILL BITE if handled.

LIFE HISTORY: The eastern indigo snake occurs in a wide variety of terrestrial habitat types throughout Florida. Although they have a preference for uplands, they also utilize some wetlands

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and agricultural areas. Eastern indigo snakes will often seek shelter inside gopher tortoise burrows and other below- and above-ground refugia, such as other animal burrows, stumps, roots, and debris piles. Females may lay from 4 - 12 white eggs as early as April through June, with young hatching in late July through October.

PROTECTION UNDER FEDERAL AND STATE LAW: The eastern indigo snake is classified as a Threatened species by both the USFWS and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. “Taking” of eastern indigo snakes is prohibited by the Endangered Species Act without a permit. “Take” is defined by the USFWS as an attempt to kill, harm, harass, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, trap, capture, collect, or engage in any such conduct. Penalties include a maximum fine of $25,000 for civil violations and up to $50,000 and/or imprisonment for criminal offenses, if convicted.

Only individuals currently authorized through an issued Incidental Take Statement in association with a USFWS Biological Opinion, or by a Section 10(a)(1)(A) permit issued by the USFWS, to handle an eastern indigo snake are allowed to do so.

IF YOU SEE A LIVE EASTERN INDIGO SNAKE ON THE SITE:

• Cease clearing activities and allow the live eastern indigo snake sufficient time to move away from the site without interference; • Personnel must NOT attempt to touch or handle snake due to protected status. • Take photographs of the snake, if possible, for identification and documentation purposes. • Immediately notify supervisor or the applicant’s designated agent, and the appropriate USFWS office, with the location information and condition of the snake. • If the snake is located in a vicinity where continuation of the clearing or construction activities will cause harm to the snake, the activities must halt until such time that a representative of the USFWS returns the call (within one day) with further guidance as to when activities may resume.

IF YOU SEE A DEAD EASTERN INDIGO SNAKE ON THE SITE:

• Cease clearing activities and immediately notify supervisor or the applicant’s designated agent, and the appropriate USFWS office, with the location information and condition of the snake. • Take photographs of the snake, if possible, for identification and documentation purposes. • Thoroughly soak the dead snake in water and then freeze the specimen. The appropriate wildlife agency will retrieve the dead snake.

Telephone numbers of USFWS Florida Field Offices to be contacted if a live or dead eastern indigo snake is encountered:

North Florida Field Office – (904) 731-3336 Panama City Field Office – (850) 769-0552 South Florida Field Office – (772) 562-3909

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PRE-CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES

1. The applicant or designated agent will post educational posters in the construction office and throughout the construction site, including any access roads. The posters must be clearly visible to all construction staff. A sample poster is attached.

2. Prior to the onset of construction activities, the applicant/designated agent will conduct a meeting with all construction staff (annually for multi-year projects) to discuss identification of the snake, its protected status, what to do if a snake is observed within the project area, and applicable penalties that may be imposed if state and/or federal regulations are violated. An educational brochure including color photographs of the snake will be given to each staff member in attendance and additional copies will be provided to the construction superintendent to make available in the onsite construction office (a final brochure for Plan compliance, to be printed double-sided on 8.5” x 11” paper and then properly folded, is attached). Photos of eastern indigo snakes may be accessed on USFWS and/or FWC websites.

3. Construction staff will be informed that in the event that an eastern indigo snake (live or dead) is observed on the project site during construction activities, all such activities are to cease until the established procedures are implemented according to the Plan, which includes notification of the appropriate USFWS Field Office. The contact information for the USFWS is provided on the referenced posters and brochures.

DURING CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES

1. During initial site clearing activities, an onsite observer may be utilized to determine whether habitat conditions suggest a reasonable probability of an eastern indigo snake sighting (example: discovery of snake sheds, tracks, lots of refugia and cavities present in the area of clearing activities, and presence of gopher tortoises and burrows).

2. If an eastern indigo snake is discovered during gopher tortoise relocation activities (i.e. burrow excavation), the USFWS shall be contacted within one business day to obtain further guidance which may result in further project consultation.

3. Periodically during construction activities, the applicant’s designated agent should visit the project area to observe the condition of the posters and Plan materials, and replace them as needed. Construction personnel should be reminded of the instructions (above) as to what is expected if any eastern indigo snakes are seen.

POST CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES

Whether or not eastern indigo snakes are observed during construction activities, a monitoring report should be submitted to the appropriate USFWS Field Office within 60 days of project completion. The report can be sent electronically to the appropriate USFWS e-mail address listed on page one of this Plan.

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SR-997/ SW 177th Avenue/Krome Avenue (South) PD&E Study Endangered Species Biological Assessment

APPENDIX J

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Tree Snail Relocation Protocol

Tree Snail Relocation Protocol Deborah A. Shaw, Ph.D. 20 July 2006

These simple procedures have been used for over 13 years to relocate thousands of both Liguus and Orthalicus tree snails in the course of my work with Florida Keys Electric Cooperative. I offer this protocol as an alternative to stapling paper cups to trees to hold the snails. The paper cups are unnecessary, unsightly and are potential breeding areas for mosquitoes. Don’t use them. All tree snail collections and relocations should be done only under the supervision of a competent biologist with prior tree snail relocation experience.

Equipment needed: Igloo type cooler; clean spray bottle (plant mister type); source of fresh, clean water; paper towels; plant clippers, bucket to carry snails.

Tree snails needing relocation will be in one of three conditions: 1) sealed on a branch (aestivating during dry and/or cold weather); 2) aestivating but detached from branch with protective seal broken (snail will probably die if left in this condition); and 3) active and moving about (typical during warm, wet weather). Tree snails in condition one are the easiest to relocate as the branch can be hung in a new host tree and the snail will climb onto its new host when it awakens. Snails in conditions two and three need a little more care. Procedures for the three scenarios are discussed below.

Condition one - Snails sealed on a branch or tree trunk:

As long as the protective seal is intact, the snail can be left on the branch for relocation. Clip the branch with the snail attached. Trim extra twigs and leaves off of the branch leaving a forked branch to use as a hanger. Removing the extra branches and twigs minimizes the wrong turns that the snail can make when it awakens and leaves its twig to climb onto the new host tree and it makes it easier to handle the cut branch.

The trimmed branch with snail still attached is then placed in an appropriate host tree. The number of snails to be placed in a new host tree and the proper way to hang them requires prior tree snail handling experience. A knowledge of snail predators and other hazards is also necessary.

If the snail is sealed onto the tree trunk or on a branch too large to handle, the snail will have to be removed from the tree bark. This can be done safely by spraying the snail with clean fresh water which will soften the adhesive seal. After the seal softens, gently peel the snail off the tree bark. This should be done by an experienced tree snail handler. The adhesive membrane (seal) will be broken in this process so the snail will then have to be awakened to be relocated. See procedures for snails in conditions two and three.

Condition two – Tree snails detached from branch or with broken protective seals:

Aestivating tree snails with broken protective seals will die of desiccation unless they are awakened by being held in a warm, moist box for a period of time (usually a few hours or less).

To awaken aestivating snails, place them in a tree snail holding pen (cooler). On the bottom of the cooler lay two layers of clean paper towels saturated with clean fresh water. Fill the cooler with cut fresh Pigeon plum, Cocoloba diversifolia, branches with leaves attached. Pigeon plum is a favorite host tree for tree snails (particularly Liguus sp) and the leaves stay fresh in the cooler for a long time. Spray the branches with water to keep the air in the cooler saturated. Spray the protective membrane of each snail with clean fresh water. As it softens, peel it off to hasten the snail’s awakening. Keep the drain plug open and keep the cooler lid open slightly to allow good air flow. Open the cooler lid too much and you have to round up the snails. Once they are active, they can be placed in a new host tree using the same technique described in the next section on active snails. Between uses, the cooler should be thoroughly cleaned and dried.

Condition three – Active snails:

If the weather is warm and humid, active tree snails can be easily relocated by simply spraying the bark of the new host tree with clean fresh water. Place the snail on the wet bark and support it until it gets a firm grip. The snail will climb up the tree. If conditions are warm but dry, the snail can still be released as it will simply reseal itself on the new tree as soon as it perceives the dry conditions. If conditions are too cold (below 70 degrees F is cold for a tree snail) and dry, tree snails should not be relocated except by a biologist experienced in working in those conditions.

Note: These are guidelines and are not meant to replace biological training or experience. Tree snails or any wildlife should only be handled by persons knowledgeable about the species’ biology, natural history, protected status, habitat requirements and host plant identification. Questions may be referred to:

Deborah A. Shaw, Ph.D. Environmental Affairs Manager Florida Keys Electric Cooperative 91605 Overseas Highway Tavernier, FL 33070

305/852-2431 [email protected] SR-997/ SW 177th Avenue/Krome Avenue (South) PD&E Study Endangered Species Biological Assessment

APPENDIX K

Owaissa Bauer Pineland Preserve Addition No. 1 Statement of Significance

SR-997/ SW 177th Avenue/Krome Avenue (South) PD&E Study Endangered Species Biological Assessment

APPENDIX L

Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund Upland Easement Application and Florida Department of Environmental Protection Coordination