The Aviary at Rutland Ranch. Phase 1. Manatee County FSP

Transcription

1 The Aviary at Rutland Ranch Phase 1 Manatee County FSP Environmental Narrative Prepared for: ROWE VENTURES, LLC Prepared by: 1 8 th Avenue West Suite B Palmetto, FL fax

2 INTRODUCTION The project area is located in, Section 35, Township 33 South, Range 19 East in Manatee County. The project site, which contains approximately 102 acres, has been primarily utilized for agriculture and includes large areas of improved pasture. Other upland habitat types include areas of mixed oaks and pines. Wetlands and other surface waters (OSWs) found on the subject parcel include freshwaters marshes and surface water ditches/flow ways. The boundaries of on-site jurisdictional wetlands and surface waters were previously established by the Southwest Florida Water Management District through the issuance of a Formal Determination of Wetlands and Surface Waters (No ) The following report addresses items specified in Section 706 of the Manatee County Land Development Code for Final Site Plan review. Wetlands, surface waters, and upland habitats located on this parcel and within 500 feet of this parcel are categorized below using the Florida Department of Transportation Florida Land Use, Cover and Forms Classification System (FLUCCS). Also included with this document is an aerial photo depicting the approximate project boundary, wetland and surface water boundaries, and land use codes for the project site (FLUCCS Habitat Map). WETLANDS AND OTHER SURFACE WATERS (OSW) The wetlands found within the 102 acre project area total approximately 8.77 acres and are described below. Please see the attached Wetland Map for the locations and names of on-site wetlands. The project site contains four freshwater marshes (FLUCCS Code ) scattered throughout the cattle pasture. Nearly every wetland area has been significantly impacted by historical agricultural activities including ditching, excavation, and cattle grazing. The degree of adverse impacts associated with these past activities are shown in the Wetland Summary Table UMAM scores. These wetlands typically contain soft rush (Juncus effusus), pickerelweed (Pontedaria cordata), arrowhead (Sagittaria spp.), sand cord grass (Spartina bakeri), and St. John's Wort (Hypericum spp.). Some primrose willow (Ludwigia peruviana), a nuisance/exotic plant species, was also observed. Other surface water features include upland excavated agricultural ditches bisecting the parcel (FLUCCS Code ). UPLAND HABITATS Areas of Hardwood-Coniferous mixed (Pine/Oak) are located along the northern project boundary (FLUCCS Code ). This habitat is comprised largely of areas of live and laurel oaks with scattered slash pine (Pinus elliottii). The understory is mostly open. The balance, and the majority of the property consists of improved pasture (FLUCCS Code ), which is currently used as an active cattle ranch. E CO CONSULTANTS, INC.

3 Aviary, Phase 1 Manatee County Final Site Plan Environmental Report Page 2 Existing Condition Habitat Summary Table Habitat Type/FLUCCS # Acreage Improved Pasture/ Hardwood-Coniferous Mixed (Pine/Oak)/ Streams and Waterways/ 4.19 Freshwater Marsh/ 8.82 LISTED SPECIES Surveys for Listed Species were performed on the subject parcel, by a Senior Scientist, utilizing the techniques contained within Standardized State-Listed Animal Survey Procedures for SWFWMD ERP Projects published by the FGFWFC on Feb. 10 th 1997, for all listed species which may occur in those habitats found on the project area, while using reasonable scientific judgment. Specific attention was paid to such species as sand hill cranes, burrowing owl, Audubon s crested caracara, bald eagle nests, gopher tortoises and their commensal organisms, Sherman s fox squirrel, and the southeastern American kestrel. The surveys identified no known listed species nesting or breeding on the subject parcel. PROPOSED CONDITION Please see the attached Post-FLUCCS Habitat Map for the proposed condition of the project site following development activities. Upland Preservation/Conservation Upland buffers with a width of 30 feet will be placed adjacent to each preserved/conserved wetland onsite. Buffer areas where native species are not present will be enhanced as per the attached Buffer Restoration Plan. All post development open space and common areas will be maintained as per the attached Exotic Species Management Plan. In addition, the attached Integrated Pest Management Plan will be implemented. Wetland Preservation/Impact/Mitigation The acreage of each wetland, as flagged and surveyed, is presented in the table below, which is correlated to the wetland survey and site plan. The table also lists UMAM scores for the wetlands in their predevelopment condition. No impacts to jurisdictional wetlands are proposed.

4 Aviary, Phase 1 Manatee County Final Site Plan Environmental Report Page 3 The Aviary Phase 1 Wetland Summary Table Proposed Impact Acreage Wetland Acreage UMAM Score 11a TOTAL Proposed Acreage Not Impacted

5 The Aviary, Phase 1 Wetland Buffer Restoration Plan Wetland buffers are currently comprised of both improved and native habitats. Three of the wetlands are surrounded by areas that have been historically farmed or used as improved pasture. The remaining wetland areas are surrounded by native plant associations. In accordance with section Section 706 of the LDC, nuisance/exotic vegetation will be removed from the wetland buffers. Manual methods will be utilized to reduce potential secondary impacts. All cut stumps will be treated with a systemic herbicide to prevent regrowth. Following the initial removal activities, supplemental plantings will be installed as depicted in the attached Wetland Buffer Restoration Plan cross-section, as needed. Areas with significant coverage of native vegetation will not be completely replanted, but supplemental plantings will occur where nuisance species are removed. Following the initial enhancement activity, annual inspections of the wetland buffers will be accomplished to evaluate their condition. If nuisance/exotic species or overgrown native vegetation are observed during the annual inspection, maintenance using the same methods as the initial buffer restoration will be prescribed to return them to their enhanced state.

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7 The Aviary, Phase 1 Exotic Species Management Plan The proposed exotic plant species management plan will provide for the removal of nuisance/exotic plant species, as identified by the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council's List of Invasive Plant Species as Category I or Category II nuisance exotic plants, that currently exist or become re-established within common areas of a residential development and open spaces for the life of the project. Currently, nuisance/exotic species growing within the project area are limited, and limited initial work will be required. Removal of all exotic nuisance plant species from upland portions of the site will be completed prior to occupancy in accordance with section of the LDC. Manual removal methods will be utilized in preserve areas to avoid disturbance. These manual methods will include hand removal and herbicide treatments where appropriate, and cut stumps will be treated with an approved herbicide to prevent regrowth. All herbicide treatments will supervised by a licensed pesticide applicator. Following the initial removal, annual inspections of the common areas will be accomplished to evaluate their condition. If nuisance/exotic species are observed during the annual inspection, maintenance using the same manual methods described above will be prescribed to remove them.

8 The Aviary, Phase 1 Integrated Pest Management Plan In order to minimize human and environmental impacts resulting from the care and maintenance of lawn and landscape areas, an integrated pest management plan (IPM) shall be implemented. Through the careful selection of plants, turfgrasses, fertilizers, and pesticides, the use of potentially harmful chemicals will be greatly reduced. By utilizing plants and turfgrasses that are well adapted to this area's temperature and precipitation ranges, pesticide and fertilization use will be kept to a minimum. Native or well adapted plant and turf species require much less care due to their ability to better deal with pests and diseases which occur locally, while still providing a desirable appearance. Through continual scouting and evaluation, pest problems will be identified sooner minimizing the level of control required. Cultural controls such as modifying the watering schedule to prevent drought stress or hand removing minor infestations of weeds will be implemented before the use of pesticides and fertilizers. If pesticide use is required, the correct pesticide for each situation will be selected and utilized in order to prevent the elimination of desirable insects and plants, and to minimize the necessity of additional applications. Pesticides will also be selected which will provide effective treatment while minimizing risk to humans and the environment. Fertilizer will be applied based on soil tests to prevent fertilization in excess of what is required. Slow release fertilizers will be used when possible. Application rates of pesticides and fertilizers will be in accordance with the manufacturers label for coverage and concentration. Pesticide and fertilizer shall be applied in a manner which will reduce possible impacts including, not applying during or immediately prior to rain events as well as not spraying or applying pesticides or fertilizer immediately adjacent to water bodies.

9 Feet Legend 110 Approximate 500' Buffer Approximate Phase 1 Project Boundary Approximate FLUCCS Habitat Lines FLUCCS Code Description Improved Pastures Hardwood - Coniferous Mixed Streams and Waterways Freshwater Marshes Total Project Acreage 110 Residential, Low Density 411 Pine Flatwoods Lakes less than 10 acres ± Acreage

10 Wetland 13 Wetland 14 Wetland 12 Wetland 11a Feet Legend Approximate Phase 1 Project Boundary Other Surface Waters Wetlands

11 Feet Legend Approximate Phase 1 Project Boundary Open Land Reservoirs less than 10 acres Residential, Medium Density Roads and Highways Freshwater Marshes FLUCCS Code Description ± Acreage 120 Residential, Medium Density Open Land Reservoirs less than 10 acres Freshwater Marshes Roads and Highways 9.56 Approximate Project Acreage