ENVIRONMENTAL CONSTRAINTS REPORT Bartow Municipal Airport - Airfield Drainage Improvements Prepared for May 2017 Introduction ESA has completed an Environmental Constraints Analysis (Analysis) for Hanson Professional Services Inc. (Client) for the proposed Airfield Drainage Improvements Project (Project) at the Bartow Municipal Airport (Airport) in Polk County, Florida. More specifically, the Project is located in Section 23, Township 29 South, and Range 25 East (Exhibit 1 ). The Project consists of stormwater infrastructure improvements that will include grading of four (4) areas within the active airfield to alleviate stormwater storage and flow. The Analysis focused on field delineations of other surface water (OSW) features and the potential occurrence of listed wildlife species that have been designated Threatened and Endangered (T&E), Species of Special Concern (SSC), or Candidate (C) species by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and/or the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FFWCC) within the Project limits. Results of the Analysis is documented within this Environmental Constraints Report (Report), which provides a description of potential impacts to the existing OSW features and listed wildlife that has the potential to occur within or adjacent to the proposed Project. The surface water features were delineated pursuant to Chapter 62-340 Florida Administrative Code (FAC) and the 1987 Army Corp of Engineers (ACOE) Wetland Delineation Manual (Regional Supplement – November 2010) . A description of the potentially occurring listed wildlife within and adjacent to the Project includes: species type, appropriate survey protocol - including survey window, permitting agency, and mitigation/relocation options that may be available. Preceding the on-site Analysis, published data resources were reviewed, including: • High-resolution aerial photographs of the Project site and vicinity (Exhibit 2 ) • National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Web Soil Survey Map (Exhibit 3) • Florida Natural Areas Inventory (FNAI) database of listed species ( Exhibit 4) • FFWCC Bald Eagle Nest Locator Database • USFWS Florida Wood Stork Colonies Core Foraging Area Database The Analysis was completed on April 26, 2017 by ESA biologists with experience in listed species, habitat assessments, wetland delineations, and aerial photography Manatee 70 Parcel Review 1 June 8, 2015 ESA - Southeastern Biological Resources Project # D150396.00 interpretations. During the Analysis, digital photographs were taken to document existing habitat features and to record the general condition of the proposed Project area (Exhibit 5). In addition to the above reference data, base maps, field notes, and published data resources were subsequently used in order to complete this Report. Ecological Conditions Affected Environment – Existing Site Conditions The Project area consists of an active, maintained airfield (including Runways, Taxiways, stormwater components and open turf fields) of the Airport. As stated prior, the proposed Project consists of stormwater infrastructure improvements that include grading activities in 4 locations within the Project footprint (Exhibit 2) . Each of the proposed grading areas consists of upland cut OSW stormwater features. Two (2) of the proposed grading areas are located east of Taxiway A3 and east of Taxiway G, while the other 2 grading areas are centrally located between 2 active Runways (RW 9L – 27R and RW 9R – 27L) and 2 active Taxiways (TW G and TW A3) The upland areas within the proposed Project footprint consist predominantly of maintained bahia-grass (Paspalum notatum ). Below are the descriptions of the OSW features that are anticipated to be affected by the proposed Project. Other Surface Waters During the field Analysis, OSW features were delineated within the each of the 4 proposed grading areas (Exhibit 6) . OSW 1, OSW 3 and OSW 4 consist of upland-cut ditch systems and OSW 2 is best described as a stormwater detention area. OSW 2 is hydrologically connected to OSW 1 to the east by culverts under Taxiway A3. OSW 1 flows in a southeast direction into a large wetland feature outside of the Airport perimeter fence. OSW 3 is hydrologically connected to OSW 4 to the southeast by culverts under Runway 9R - 27L. OSW 4 flows in a southeast direction into culverts under an abandoned taxiway where it continues offsite into a large wetland feature in that direction. The vegetation within the OSW features consisted predominantly of hydrophytic vegetation that is routinely maintained per Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) requirements Bartow Municipal Airport 2 May 9, 2017 Airfield Drainage Improvements Project # D160661.01 Environmental Constraints Report ESA - Southeastern Biological Resources in order to reduce wildlife attractants airports. Observed vegetation consisted of Peruvian primrose willow ( Ludwigia peruviana ), rush ( Juncus spp. ), cattails ( Typha sp. ), smartweed ( Polygonum hydropiperoides ), buttonweed ( Diodia virginiana ), yellow-eyed grass ( Xyris caroliniana ), torpedo-grass ( Panicum repens ), chain fern ( Woodwardia virginica ) and pennywort ( Hydrocotyle umbellata ). Listed Species A preliminary listed species survey was completed within and directly adjacent to the Project area, in order to determine the presence or absence of state and/or federally- listed wildlife species. This proceeded by first conducting a literature review to determine the potential occurrence of listed species within the area, reviewing the habitat types existing within the assessment area, obtaining information from the FNAI and finally conducting on-site surveys to assess the existing land use conditions and potential observations of listed species. Included as Exhibit 4 , is the FNAI list which documents the species that have the potential to occur in Polk County. Due to the routine wildlife abatement maintenance activities at the Airport, no listed plant species were identified as having a potential for existence in the reviewed areas. Listed below are the wildlife species that were identified prior to the field survey. Bald Eagle ( Haliaeetus leucocephalus) Bald eagles were delisted under the Endangered Species Act; however they are still protected at the federal level under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (BGEPA) and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) and at the state level under Chapter 68A- 16.002 Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.). Prior to the site review, a bald eagle nest search was conducted utilizing the FFWCC Eagle Nest Locator. No bald eagle nests were reported on or in the vicinity of the Airport. In addition, during field reconnaissance, no bald eagle nests or individuals were observed within or directly adjacent to the Project area. As such, no adverse impacts to the bald eagle are anticipated as a result of the proposed Project. Gopher Tortoise ( Gopherus polyphemus) The gopher tortoise is listed at the state level as Threatened and listed as a Candidate species for federal listing. During field review, gopher tortoise burrows were confirmed Bartow Municipal Airport May 9, 2017 Airfield Drainage Improvements 3 Project # D160661.01 Environmental Constraints Report ESA - Southeastern Biological Resources within two of the proposed grading areas (Exhibit 7) . Gopher tortoise permitting activities to excavate and relocate the tortoise population are typically initiated 90-days prior to any construction activity, due to gopher tortoise burrow survey protocols. FFWCC regulates the permitting and survey process, where burrow surveys are only good for 90 days. A formal 100% gopher tortoise burry survey is required as part of the permitting process, in order to determine the approximate number of gopher tortoises that will need to be relocated and the exact number of burrows that will be required to be excavated. Gopher tortoise burrows are protected by a 25 foot “no soil disturbance” buffer. Burrows that are located within close proximity of the grading activities will require a 25-foot avoidance buffer around the burrow to insure they will not be impacted by the Project. It is important to note that Project construction activities also include all laydown areas, silt screen fencing installation and mobilization/demobilization areas. Eastern indigo snake ( Drymarchon couperi ) The eastern indigo snake is federally listed as Threatened. Indigo snakes occur in wide variety of upland habitats throughout Florida and will often utilize debris piles, stump holes, and other animal burrows for shelter. Since the snake utilizes gopher tortoise burrows for refuge, permitting guidelines though the USFWS is based upon the number of gopher tortoise burrows present. In accordance with the USFWS Eastern Indigo Snake Programmatic Effect Determination Key, if more than 25 active and inactive burrows are present on site and proposed to be impacted, additional consultation with the USFWS may be required. If less than 25 active and inactive gopher tortoise burrows are present then implementation of the USFWS Standard Protection Measures for the Eastern indigo snake must occur prior to any construction or habitat alterations. Florida Burrowing Owl ( Athene cunicularia floridana ) The Florida burrowing owl is state listed as Threatened. They are a ground-dwelling owl that makes extensive use of ruderal areas such as airports. Within the 2 proposed grading areas between the active runways there is potential habitat, however, during the field review no burrows or individuals were observed within