ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT ISSUANCE OF AN INCIDENTAL TAKE PERMIT TO CHARLOTTE COUNTY, FLORIDA FOR TAKE OF FLORIDA SCRUB-JAYS AND EASTERN INDIGO SNAKES INCIDENTAL TO COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT INITIATED UNDER CHARLOTTE COUNTY’S PERMITTING AUTHORITY PREPARED BY: U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE ECOLOGICAL SERVICES DIVISION ENDANGERED SPECIES PERMITS BRANCH 1875 CENTURY BOULDEVARD, #200 ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30345 FEBRUARY 2014 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 PURPOSE AND NEED FOR ACTION....................................................................................1 1.1 Introduction..........................................................................................................................1 1.2 Purpose of the Proposed Action...........................................................................................1 1.3 Need for the Proposed Action..……....................................................................................2 1.4 Decision That Must be Made…….......................................................................................3 1.5 Issues and Concerns…….....................................................................................................4 1.6 Coordination and Consultation……....................................................................................5 2.0 ALTERNATIVES, INCLUDING THE PROPOSED ACTION..……….................................6 2.1 Alternative 1: The No Action Alternative…..…................................................................7 2.2 Alternative 2: Issuance of the Incidental Take Permit (The Preferred Alternative)...........8 2.2.1 Minimization Measures………...............................................................................8 2.2.2 Mitigation Measures.................................................................................................9 2.2.3 Other Conservation Measures……………………………………………………...10 3.0 THE AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT......................................................................................11 3.1 Physical Environment........................................................................................................12 3.2 Land Use............................................................................................................................12 3.3 Biological Environment.....................................................................................................12 3.3.1 General Description of Plant and Animal Communities..........................................13 3.3.1.1 Xeric Oak Scrub……………………………………………………………...13 3.3.1.2 Sand Pine Scrub……………………………………………………………...13 3.3.1.3 Scrubby Pine Flatwoods……………………………………………………..14 3.3.2 Protected Species......................................................................................................14 3.3.2.1 Florida Scrub-jay…………………………….................................................14 3.3.2.1.1 Biological Information......................................................................14 3.3.2.1.2 Site-specific Information for Charlotte County................................22 3.3.2.2 Eastern Indigo Snake…………………………………………………….......22 3.3.2.2.1 Biological Information......................................................................22 3.3.2.2.2 Site-specific Information for Charlotte County................................24 3.3.2.3 Florida Bonneted Bat…………………….......................................................25 3.3.2.3.1 Biological Information......................................................................25 3.3.2.3.2 Site-specific Information for Charlotte County................................27 3.3.2.4 Gopher Tortoise………………………………………………………...........28 3.3.2.4.1 Biological Information......................................................................28 3.3.2.4.2 Site-specific Information for Charlotte County................................35 3.3.3 Natural and Human Threats to Protected Species in Charlotte County....................35 3.3.3.1 Florida Scrub-jay…………………………………………………………….35 3.3.3.2 Eastern Indigo Snake………………………………………………………...41 3.3.3.3 Florida Bonneted Bat………………………………………………………...44 3.3.3.4 Gopher Tortoise……………………………………………………………...48 3.4 Cultural Resources.............................................................................................................50 3.5 Social Interests...................................................................................................................51 3.6 Economy............................................................................................................................51 3.7 Aesthetics..........................................................................................................................51 i 4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES..............................................................................52 4.1 Alternative 1: The No Action Alternative.........................................................................52 4.1.1 Physical Environment...............................................................................................52 4.1.2 Land Use...................................................................................................................53 4.1.3 Biological Environment............................................................................................53 4.1.3.1 Covered Species....…………………………………………………………...53 4.1.3.1.1 Direct Effects…………………………………………………………..54 4.1.3.1.2 Indirect Effects…………………………………………………………54 4.1.3.1.3 Cumulative Effects……………………………………………………..55 4.1.3.2 Other Federally-listed Species……………………………………………….55 4.1.4 Cultural Resources....................................................................................................55 4.1.5 Social Issues..............................................................................................................55 4.1.6 Economic Concerns..................................................................................................56 4.1.7 Aesthetics..................................................................................................................56 4.2 Alternative 2: Issuance of the ITP (The Preferred Alternative).........................................57 4.2.1 Physical Environment...............................................................................................57 4.2.2 Land Use...................................................................................................................57 4.2.3 Biological Environment............................................................................................57 4.2.3.1 Protected Species……….................................................................................57 4.2.3.1.1 Direct Effects..........................................................................................58 4.2.3.1.2 Indirect Effects........................................................................................59 4.2.3.1.3 Cumulative Effects..................................................................................59 4.2.3.3 Other Species...................................................................................................60 4.2.4 Cultural Resources....................................................................................................60 4.2.5 Social Issues..............................................................................................................60 4.2.6 Economic Concerns..................................................................................................61 4.2.7 Aesthetics..................................................................................................................61 5.0 REFERENCES.........................................................................................................................62 LIST OF TABLES Table 1. Comparison of With and Without a Charlotte County-wide HCP……..………….73 Table 2. Mitigation Fees, by Acreage Tier………………………………………………….74 LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1. Scrub-jay observation buffers in Charlotte County……………………………….75 Figure 2. Prospective Reserve areas…………………………………………………...…….76 Figure 3. Metapopulations of scrub-jays in Charlotte County…..…………………………..77 LIST OF ATTACHMENTS Attachment A – Charlotte County County-wide Florida Scrub-jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens) Habitat Conservation Plan Attachment B – SHPO Statement Regarding Cultural Resources in Charlotte County ii ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT ISSUANCE OF AN INCIDENTAL TAKE PERMIT TO CHARLOTTE COUNTY, FLORIDA FOR TAKE OF FLORIDA SCRUB-JAYS AND EASTERN INDIGO SNAKES INCIDENTAL TO COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT INITIATED UNDER CHARLOTTE COUNTY’S PERMITTING AUTHORITY 1.0 PURPOSE AND NEED FOR ACTION 1.1 Introduction The County of Charlotte, Florida (Applicant or County) is seeking an Incidental Take Permit (ITP) from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) pursuant to Section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act (Act) of 1973, as amended. The ITP would authorize the take of the threatened Florida scrub-jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens) (scrub-jay) and Eastern indigo snake (Drymarchon courais couperi) (indigo snake) incidental to construction and development permitted and/or conducted by the Applicant (impact area), and habitat management activities conducted or authorized by the Applicant on conservation lands (Reserve) throughout Charlotte County. Together, the impact area and the Reserve area comprise the Action Area. The Applicant has submitted an HCP in support of the ITP application. Much of