C. Permit Requirements...13

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1 Lee County Parks and Recreation Land Stewardship Operations Manual Prepared by the Land Stewardship Staff Approved by BoCC January 10, 2012

2 I. INTRODUCTION...1 II. ECOLOGICAL SERVICES AND SUSTAINABILITY...1 III. LAND STEWARDSHIP ACTIVITIES...2 A. Restoration/Enhancement Activities...2 i. Prescribed Burning...2 ii. Invasive Exotic Plant Control...4 iii. Exotic Animal Control...6 iv. Habitat Improvement...7 v. Mitigation...9 vi. Gopher Tortoise Relocation...9 vii. Rare and Endangered Species Protection...10 B. Protecting Preserves...10 i. Motorized Vehicle Use...11 ii. Tri-annual Inspections...11 iii. Changing Zoning and Land Use...12 iv. Prohibited Activities...12 C. Permit Requirements...13 IV. PUBLIC USE...13 A. Recreational Activities...13 i. Conservation 20/20 Preserve allowed activities...13 ii. Lee County Parks and Recreation Preserve allowed activities...16 iii. Environmental Interpretation...16 iv. Volunteer Opportunities...16 B. Trail Maintenance on Preserves...18 i. Trail construction and marking...18 ii. Trail maintenance...18 iii. ADA Accommodations...19 V. FUNDING...19 A. Conservation 20/20 Management Fund and Budget...19 B. Non-20/20 Preserve Funding and Budget...19 i

3 C. Grants and Donations...19 VI. LICENSES AND OTHER AGREEMENTS...20 A. Cattle Grazing Leases...20 B. Partnerships...20 i. Memorandum of Agreement...20 ii. Research/Monitoring Requests...21 iii. Requests for Use of Preserve Land for Private Projects...21 C. Easements...21 VII. LAND STEWARDSHIP PLAN DEVELOPMENT AND SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION...21 VIII. SUGGESTED REFERENCES AND READINGS...94 IX. LITERATURE CITED...95 X. APPENDICES ii

4 I. INTRODUCTION The purpose of this document is to provide guidance and explain procedures for management of Lee County Parks and Recreation preserves and to provide references and resources for parks with natural areas. This document also provides general information on activities conducted at preserves which can be used to educate the general public and elected officials about why these activities are done. A recommended reading section is included at the end of this document to provide further opportunity for staff to utilize as backup to demonstrate why the activity is needed. This manual also provides general guidelines for major land stewardship activities and information for the development of land stewardship plans. It is a goal of CLASAC to have a BoCC approved Land Stewardship Plan within two years of acquisition of a Conservation 20/20 (C20/20) preserve. The Lee County Comprehensive Plan requires a management plan be developed for all Lee County preserves. This manual will be referenced in preserve specific stewardship plans to reduce redundancy. II. ECOLOGICAL SERVICES AND SUSTAINABILITY Lee County is in the process of establishing sustainability policies and goals for the County. The role natural places play in this developing policy will be important. The County is using the following definition of Sustainability: The satisfaction of basic economic, social, and security needs now and in the future without undermining the natural resource base and environmental quality upon which life depends. The monetary value of a piece of property can easily be established but the values of a natural area are not as easily established. Conservation lands provide important sustainability in the protection and improvements to air, surface and ground water provided by these lands. Plants take pollutants out of the atmosphere, improving air quality; stabilize soil reducing erosion; and provide shade, reducing the heat island effect. Green open space in urban areas creates micro-climates, moderating temperatures and managing stormwater runoff. Wetlands in particular help mitigate the impact of developed lands by providing pollutant filtration, flood control, and stormwater management. Accordingly, the availability of natural lands reduces some of the negative effects of climate change and improves human comfort and health. The natural communities in the preserves adjacent to creeks, rivers, and coastal waters provide habitat and important nutrient inputs to our water bodies that support an abundant local, regional, and international fisheries. Some of Lee County s Preserves include flood control projects that abate damage to adjacent and downstream properties. Maintaining these natural areas and the natural services they provide takes the place of having to construct costly berms and ditches to divert flood waters. Conservation lands along the Matlacha Pass including State owned and C20/20 lands have recently lead to a reduction in flood insurance rates because the Federal Authorities considered the natural storm buffering action of the preserved lands between Cape Coral and the coastal waters. This is a saving realized yearly by each 1

5 resident of Cape Coral. These values and others should be considered when evaluating the importance of the preserves managed by Lee County. Other benefits from a sustainability perspective include: increased equity with regard to public access to green space, increased compliance with growth management laws, creation of opportunities for economic vitality by attracting visitors to the area, support of tourism, promotion of physical activity and public health, and creation of educational opportunities promoting environmental stewardship and support of sustainability efforts. The development of facilities will use sustainable features such as solar power, composting toilets, recycled plastic building materials, harvesting of rainwater, pervious parking lots and pathways, and other methods where appropriate and as budgets allow. III. LAND STEWARDSHIP ACTIVITIES A. Restoration/Enhancement Activities i. Prescribed Burning Lee County Parks and Recreation Land Stewardship staff recognizes the importance of fire as an essential component in maintaining natural ecological systems. Prescribed fires serve many beneficial purposes that used to be served by wildfires prior to their suppression due to settlement and development. South Florida is one of the most active regions in the world for lightning strikes. The south Florida ecosystem depends on fire to maintain certain plant communities, such as pine flatwoods, marshes and prairies. Native pine species are adapted to and depend on fire as a competitive advantage over hardwoods such as oaks. Gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus), a keystone and listed species, rely on fire to keep an open understory of edible and available forage. The Florida scrub jay (Aphelocoma coreulescens), a state and federally listed species, benefits from an open mid-story, from which they have an open view of their territories without a canopy for predators to perch. Aside from wildlife habitat management, prescribed burning is a good tool for fuel hazard reduction, invasive plant control, control of undesired vegetation, forest disease and pathogen control, and it perpetuates fire-adapted plants and animals. Fuel refers to the organic material that accumulates on the ground as plants shed their leaves and/or die, as well as brush growth due to lack of fire. Hot, dry conditions coupled with lightning strikes make areas with a high fuel load prone to wildfires. Many invasive plants do not have the same relationship with fire as some native plant communities, so prescribed burning can be used as a method of control. One invasive plant, melaleuca, should be controlled prior to the use of prescribed burning due to seed release as a response to any kind of stress. Burning seed bearing melaleuca would be counter-productive to land stewardship goals. Exceptions to melaleuca removal prior to burns will be allowed in cases of taking advantage of large scale aerial burn opportunities, where melaleuca is short and seeds may be 2

6 destroyed by heat, or when exotics treatment is planned after a burn improves access to isolated pockets of melaleuca. Detailed procedures and guidelines to conduct prescribed burns on Lee County lands can be found in the 2008 Fire Management Plan. The Florida Prescribed Burning Act (Florida Statute ) and the Open Burning Administrative Code (Florida Administrative Code 5I-2.006) contains requirements for prescribed burning in Florida (Appendices A & B). Land Stewardship staff complies with these requirements and conducts prescribed burns in a safe and responsible manner. Land Stewardship staff coordinates with other agencies including Florida Forest Service, South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), Florida Department of Environmental Protection Division of Recreation and Parks (FDEP DRP), and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), who provide assistance including machinery, crew and gear when needed. The land stewardship section s goal is to maintain an independent self-sufficient burn crew by adhering to NWCG standards for wildland firefighting. In addition, Land Stewardship staff certified burners will conduct annual training to keep crew members up to date. All participants on a prescribed burn conducted on Lee County parks or preserves will have the following minimum wildland fire training courses: S-130: Basic Fire Fighting S-190: Basic Fire Behavior I-100: Introduction to the Incident Command System Standards for Survival Certified prescribed burn managers within the land stewardship section will be responsible for writing prescriptions and overseeing burns. Forms that the burn boss must use for burns on Lee County property include: Prescribed Burn Prescription Form (Appendix C) Pre-Burn Checklist and Crew Briefing Form (Appendix D) Prescribed Burn Planning and Action (Appendix E) Prescribed Burn Participation Log (Appendix F) Weather Recording Log (Appendix G) All participants will, at all times during a prescribed burn, wear the mandatory Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as outlined in the table below. PPE should be in good operational condition and replaced when necessary. Required PPE shall comply to the standards in accordance with NFPA by meeting or exceeding requirements of NFPA 1977, Standard on Protective Clothing and Equipment for Wildland Fire Fighting, 2011 Edition. 3

7 Required Personal Protective Equipment NOMEX shirt and pants or coveralls Hardhat with chinstrap attached (NOTE: Chinstraps must be fastened when engaged in any activity within 100 feet of aircraft) Protective eye wear (goggles or face shield) All leather boots (min. 8 height) with non-flammable laces Leather gloves Fire shelter with web gear Means of communication (i.e. VHF radio or mobile phone) All layered clothing and undergarments must be constructed of natural fiber The Prescribed burn coordinator will work with Land Stewardship staff to prioritize burns as well as the installation and maintenance of firelines. Ideally to help prevent vegetation to become established in the firelines, they will be prepped every January and June following best management silvicultural practices. In general, burn units that have the most restrictions due to urban interface will be prioritized, followed by maintaining burn units that are already in a burn rotation and units that fire dependent listed species (such as gopher tortoises, Florida scrub jays, etc.) utilize. Land Stewardship staff may use GIS Spatial Analysis to help set priorities for burn seasons. Lee County staff will burn jointly with the Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park staff through the approved co-management agreement. Lee County Risk Management has determined MOU s should be created for burning with other agencies. Any volunteer participating on a prescribed burn must be a registered Lee County volunteer and have proof of meeting our basic training requirements. ii. Invasive Exotic Plant Control The term exotic is used to describe plants that did not evolve in the ecosystems representative of Florida and were either purposefully or accidentally introduced. With favorable growing conditions and a lack of natural predators or biological control, exotic species invade native plant communities creating, in some instances, large monocultural stands. This series of events leads to a decrease in biodiversity since a monoculture of a particular species generally does not support the array of wildlife that a heterogeneous plant community does. Not all exotic species become invasive. For the purpose of this manual, only those that threaten the fragile balance of south Florida ecosystems will be discussed. Prior to conducting invasive plant control on county preserves, Land Stewardship staff will consult the site s management plan, if available, and then will evaluate the situation. This procedure allows 4

8 determination of the most efficient method of control, while taking into consideration soil types, hydrologic concerns and rare/listed plant and animal species locations. Typically, invasive plant control projects are not undertaken until a stewardship plan has been written and approved. However, in cases where a small infestation of an aggressively spreading species (e.g. Lygodium, earleaf acacia, etc.) appears, or free exotics removal (e.g. melaleuca logging) Land Stewardship staff may treat the infestation before it spreads. After completion of an exotic plant treatment, Land Stewardship staff will document the work in GIS so that it can be tracked for future evaluation and it creates a record for future Lee County Land Stewards as staff changes over time. Land Stewardship staff often contracts with private companies for assistance with invasive plant control. Other avenues for assistance with invasive plant control include working with trustees from the Lee County stockade, inmates from the Florida Department of Corrections (DOC), interns, individual volunteers and volunteer groups. In 1998, the BoCC established a contract with the DOC that is renewed on an annual basis. The BoCC purchased a van for the DOC crew for a collaborative invasive plant control project with other local agencies involved in land management. Lee County Land Stewardship staff provides and maintains necessary equipment and herbicide, and helps coordinate the crew s schedule. A DOC officer supervises the crew, which is self-sufficient once introduced to each new project. As of 2011, the status of the DOC crew is uncertain. State budget cuts and the possible privatization of the prison system have resulted in months of inactivity from the crew, and there are indications that the program may not be continued. In 2008, BoCC established an agreement with several logging companies to allow harvesting of melaleuca and Australian pines, gratis, from Conservation 20/20 preserves. This agreement can be found in Appendix H. Agreements of this nature, which allow for the harvesting of invasive exotic material, will continue to be sought out by Land Stewardship staff. When hiring a contractor or using the assistance of the DOC crew for exotic plant control some level of quality control will need to be established prior to commencement of and during a project in order to protect the natural resources of the park or preserve as well as ensure accountability of the work crew. All invasive plant control activities will be conducted under the supervision of a licensed herbicide applicator. The license required of the supervisor, whether staff, contractor or volunteer, is the Natural Areas Weed Management license. Contractors are also required to fill out an Invasive Plant Prescription Form (Appendix I). Once the project is completed, it will be recorded in GIS to be tracked for evaluation and information for future Land Stewardship staff. Land Stewardship staff has noticed an increasing problem with invasive exotics plants, especially cogon grass, being spread with equipment use on Lee County Preserves. For this reason, the following guidelines must be used by all contractors using equipment on the preserves: Prior to delivering equipment, all vehicles and spray gear/equipment will be washed and free of dirt, seeds or vegetation 5

9 If vehicles travel off-site other than on paved roads, vehicles should be washed again before re-entering the Preserve if they have been driven through infested areas. The standard reference for exotic plant information is the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council, Appendix J contains treatment recommendations for the control of invasive plant species. An herbicide mixing chart is available in Appendix K. iii. Exotic Animal Control The Spanish introduced the first swine, Sus scrofa, in the southeast in the early 16 th century (Nowak 1991). Towne and Wentworth (1950) credit Hernando DeSoto with the introduction of 13 swine to Florida from Cuba in 1539, which are thought to have been descendants of those introduced to the West Indies by Columbus in In Florida, feral pigs are found in all 67 counties (Belden 1993). They are a concern to land managers since their high reproductive capability, generalist feeding habits, destructive foraging behavior, and competition with native wildlife species can significantly impact natural ecosystems. Feral pigs are known to eat small animals and can compete for food with deer, turkey, bear, squirrel, foxes and bobcats (Tate 1984), waterfowl (Thompson 1984), and sandhill cranes (Ellisor and Alaniz 1980). Invertebrate populations are also eaten directly and impacted through incidental rooting and feeding activities. Feral pigs directly impact vegetation through feeding, and indirectly through rooting and digging, changing succession patterns, soil properties, and water infiltration rates (Synatzske 1993). The control of established feral pig populations is considered difficult, expensive and rarely accomplished in a short period of time. Their tenacity and limited control methods add to the difficulty (Miller 1993). In addition, they are known disease carriers which can affect domestic livestock and occasionally people. Feral pigs are present at most Lee County preserves as well as some parks, and through their rooting activity they damage natural areas, trails and playing fields. They also create a potential hazard for equestrians, bikers, hikers and dog walkers along trail systems. Their impact on neighboring lands also causes neighbor complaints despite the fact that feral hogs reside in areas outside of preserves and their management is not solely the responsibility of LCPR. Currently, Lee County contracts with licensed trappers to remove feral pigs from specific parks and preserves. All trapping of hogs on the Preserves must be done with all proper permits including those from the Florida Department of Consumer Affairs and Services (FDACS). FDACS requires permits for the transportation and keeping of live hogs. Land Stewardship staff s goal is to actively manage wild hog populations at resource-based parks and preserves which have rare communities or public amenities which are being negatively impacted by hog damage, and are fenced. Staff may need to implement additional removal methods, including 6

10 hunting, to effectively control the feral pig population impacting a particular park or preserve. An ordinance change may be required when hunting is considered. Lee County preserves will not contain nor will they support feral cat colonies. FWC s Feral and Free Ranging Cats policy is To protect native wildlife from predation, disease, and other impacts presented by feral and free-ranging cats ( Any feral cats will be trapped and taken to Lee County Animal Services. The American Veterinary Medical Association opposes placement of managed cat colonies on public lands or in any area that could threaten at-risk wildlife or in areas that may pose a zoonotic risk to the public ( If large exotic reptiles such as iguanas, Nile monitors or pythons are encountered in preserves staff will contact FWC for trapping assistance and dispose of the animals accordingly. If present, other exotic animals will be listed in individual management plans. Their level of impact on native communities will determine the amount of attention placed on their control. iv. Habitat Improvement Specific habitat improvement/restoration methods for a specific preserve will be determined and explained in its Land Stewardship Plan. As a general rule, if restoration is deemed necessary on a preserve, the site will be restored to a system which provides the greatest diversity of wildlife while taking into consideration the current condition of internal and external influences on the preserve. Historical site conditions, listed species on-site or on adjacent lands, and funding opportunities or limitations will be taken into consideration when determining the extent and type of improvement activity. Activities will look at system functions with the goal of fixing conditions which are conducive to exotic plant infestations, hydrological imbalances, and plant community disturbances. Historic land alterations occurred with little regard for natural ecosystem processes. These large scale land alterations will be examined and will be restored or retrofitted so that the natural communities can function and provide these long term ecosystem services. Special consideration will be given to globally imperiled communities and those which host listed species. Individual plans will be created for these situations and grant funding will be considered. These disturbances include refilling of mosquito ditches on preserves with tidal systems. The spoil associated with mosquito ditching can act as barriers to sheet flow/tidal influences, as well as provide on-going areas for invasive exotic plants to grow. Few native plants can survive on spoil so invasive exotic plants dominate these areas, resulting in an on-going management issue and costs which would be alleviated through filling in of the ditches. Due to the historic desire to drain wetlands to create useful land, it is rare to find intact systems on preserves. Large scale hydrologic restoration projects will not be feasible on most preserves, but 7

11 smaller scale system projects may occur. Internal ditching or berming will be examined and if proven beneficial to on-site wetlands, ditches may be filled or reshaped and berms may be leveled. On a limited basis, partnerships with the Lee County Natural Resources Division may result in creation of filter marshes or flood control structures on a preserve. These proposals must demonstrate an overall ecological system improvement for the preserve while not impacting rare habitat types, listed species or overall stewardship of the preserve. Hydrological projects required through other departments or agencies should not occur simply because the preserve is the easiest or cheapest site for the project. Hydrologic restoration activities must be coordinated through other agencies in order to ensure work on a preserve will not result in flooding or diversion of water from another natural system. Permits and engineer involvement is generally required. Staff will not install, plug or remove culverts, dig ditches or conduct other drainage alterations without consulting with the appropriate permitting agencies. Habitat improvement projects related to plant community disturbances often need more work than simply conducting an initial invasive exotics treatment and introducing prescribed fire or conducting a planting. Lack of fire and alterations in water levels on a site often result in disturbed plant communities with a dense, unsustainable pine dominated community. Introducing fire often results in pine mortality and prepares a seed bed for invasive exotics to become established. Pine thinning through in-house chainsaw work or through a larger scale timber sale is a stewardship activity which opens the canopy, provides sunlight to understory vegetation and provides areas for the next generation of pines to develop. The BoCC approved a timber sale agreement in April of 2007 (Appendix L). In conjunction with the Florida Forest Service (formerly the Florida Division of Forestry) pine thinning and timber sales will continue to be acceptable stewardship activities on preserves. In addition to pines, large oaks and other trees will be removed in communities which are being invaded by hardwood species due to fire suppression. Pasture restoration is a broadly used term for development of a plan to enhance forage opportunities or convert pasture lands to another plant community. It can be as simple as planting food plots and as involved as re-grading the land and distributing seeds collected from regional sources. Rarely will the latter be conducted on preserves, but options for pasture lands should include exploring selling the sod for harvest to fund other management activities, planting of pines for future timber harvest, diverting water to flood the pasture, or allowing succession to take place naturally. The length of time land has been pasture, availability of native seed source adjacent to the pasture, and hydrology should be considered in determining whether or not to pursue activities to alter pastures. At times single species management will occur on preserves with listed species such as the Florida scrub jay. Documented methods of habitat restoration/community alteration for the single species will be followed, even if the activities may alter the community to the point that current species may no longer be able to survive. 8

12 Projects such as pine tree thinning, prescribed burns, and exotic work are many times controversial for neighbors of Preserves. These projects may involve disturbing land, removing large and attractive trees, leaving a bunch of brown and dying plant species, or leaving behind an ashy and desolate looking landscape. Although there is a temporary negative aesthetic to these practices, the long-term positive effect of the restoration projects and prescribed burns increases beneficial wildlife habitat for all native species. Land Stewardship staff will take into consideration the neighbor s perspective and will try to reduce these temporary impacts as much as is feasible while meeting the commitment to preserve management. v. Mitigation Currently, Lee County Parks and Recreation receives off-site mitigation monies, or has restoration projects conducted for impacts under the jurisdiction of the South Florida Water Management District, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the USFWS and the FWC. These monies are set aside for stewardship activities, near the impact site. Mitigation projects conducted on Conservation 20/20 parcels must be associated with public projects and have been reviewed by CLASAC and have BoCC approval. vi. Gopher Tortoise Relocation Gopher tortoises are listed by the FWC as Threatened. In southwest Florida, habitat destruction, degradation and fragmentation are the primary reasons for the decline of this species. In addition to acting as a home base, gopher tortoises are dependent upon the burrows they excavate for protection against fire, predators and climate extremes. Burrows are also important habitat for over three hundred invertebrate and sixty vertebrate species (Diemer et. al 1989). Several of these species are considered commensal species, or species that depend intimately upon tortoise burrows in some parts of the tortoises range. With increasing development in Lee County, Land Stewardship staff realizes the urgency in providing suitable habitat for relocating gopher tortoises from future development sites. However, there is a concern that the urgency of the development activities often forces tortoises into less desirable sites without established management plans. Conservation 20/20 preserves are not available for gopher tortoise relocations from developers since the enabling ordinance (Appendix M) does not allow mitigation by private entities on preserves acquired through the C20/20 Program. The Hickey s Creek Mitigation Park will not be a recipient site for relocations or rehabilitated tortoises. The creation of this park was and continues to be for protecting an existing viable gopher tortoise population. Non-20/20 preserves are available for relocation. Land Stewardship staff wrote and received department approval for the 2008 Lee County Parks and Recreation Gopher Tortoise Relocation Procedures which can be found in Appendix N. 9

13 vii. Rare and Endangered Species Protection Stewardship activities and public or recreational amenities will be planned and conducted so that whenever possible they are consistent in protecting special requirements for rare and endangered species. Decisions will be based primarily on the protection of listed species and protection of natural communities. Permits and mitigation for unavoidable impacts to listed species and natural communities will be applied for before construction of facilities, including parking areas, boardwalks, trails other than primitive at grade, and buildings. Land Stewardship staff will document presence of listed species in the Plant and Wildlife Lists of the LSP for each preserve. Compatibility of cattle leases and rare or endangered species will be determined by staff on a site by site basis. Parks and non-20/20 preserves with rare and/or endangered species should implement a public use plan, which will take into consideration the natural history requirements of each species and avoid disturbing sensitive areas during critical times of the year. Information on specific listed species can be found in Land Stewardship Plan Development and Supplemental Information section of this document under Designated Species. B. Protecting Preserves There are two ordinances that concern the protection of Lee County s Preserves. Ordinance (Appendix M) which is specific to Conservation 20/20 Preserves and (Appendix O) which includes regulations for all preserves and parks overseen by Lee County Parks and Recreation. Lee County parks and preserves are protected by delineating boundaries with fencing and signs. County staff and law enforcement officials periodically patrol the parks and preserves for fence breaks and illegal uses. The FWC staff patrols the Hickey s Creek Mitigation Park since they are comanagers of the park. FWC s assistance with patrolling will be sought, through agreements, where their lands are adjacent to County preserves. The Lee County Sheriff s Office and the agricultural deputies assist county staff in problematic areas. Neighbors of the parks and preserves alert County staff with problems. Public use and cattleman with cattle leases offer on-site presence and thus afford additional protection to preserves. Boundary signs are installed to inform the public of rules and regulations. Prior to the summer of 2011, boundary signs contained language pertaining to prohibited activities and the ordinance number. New boundary signs have been designed (Appendix P) and signage with the Lee County ordinance and prohibited activities has been installed at designated entrances of the C20/20 preserves. They will be placed at a maximum spacing of 500 and at every corner (according to the standards set in Florida Statutes 810) to be legally enforceable. Signage identifying the name of the preserve, physical address and prohibited activities will be placed at either the designated entrance or along a fenceline visible to road traffic in order to provide emergency personnel location information 10

14 and to allow LCPR Rangers and law enforcement agencies the ability to write citations and enforce ordinance regulations on the preserve. Fencing needs will be determined on a site-specific basis and will take into consideration land use of site and adjacent parcels. For example, fencing will not be required where a common boundary is shared with existing preserve areas and management between the two is compatible. As new sites are acquired, posting and protecting their boundaries will be the first essential management activity. Conservation 20/20 preserves will use field fence as the main fencing material to assist with exotic animal control where feral hogs are a problem and trapping is planned. Field fence and chain link fence have been documented as impairments to travel by many species. General fence specifications for contracted fence work are supplied in Appendix Q. i. Motorized Vehicle Use The general public is prohibited from utilizing motorized vehicles in any park or preserve beyond the designated parking area, ADA accessible locations, or unless otherwise determined by a site-specific land stewardship plan. Motorized vehicle use by staff is allowed provided that the following rules are followed. Vehicles shall remain on well-established trails as much as possible to minimize soil disturbance and damage to native plant communities. Motorized vehicles should be placed in4-wheel drive mode while in natural areas to avoid rutting in wet conditions. Permanent wetlands will be avoided completely. Seasonal wetlands will be avoided during the rainy season unless entering them is the only access to fence lines, gates, public use trails, areas where management activities are being conducted, or in the event of an emergency. Vehicular access through any of these areas will require use of the lowest impact vehicle (such as an ATV). All hired contractors/consultants will coordinate with the designated land steward and adhere to instructions and rules provided to them for vehicular access on preserves. ii. Tri-annual Inspections Conservation 20/20 preserves are inspected on a tri-annual basis to assure their protection from harmful activities. In addition, site inspections offer staff opportunities to continuously learn about each preserve and monitor any land stewardship activities that have been conducted. During a site inspection staff should check boundary signs, fence condition, locks, areas of past exotic plant work to see if follow-up is necessary, and check trail conditions if marked and designated trails exist. The spreadsheet to document tri-annual inspections is located at S:\TERRY\C2020\18-site inspections\site Inspection Schedule.xls. This spreadsheet will be updated tri-annually by staff to ensure compliance for auditing purposes. 11

15 Staff at non-20/20 preserves may create their own site specific inspection form and track data accordingly. iii. Changing Zoning and Land Use After acquisition, all Conservation 20/20 preserves will have their Future Land Use category changed to Conservation Lands and the Zoning changed to Environmentally Critical. Currently Lee County s Department of Community Development, Division of Planning has been directed to assist Conservation 20/20 staff with this process. County parks and preserves that are not part of the Conservation 20/20 program may have their Future Land Use and Zoning designations changed if feasible. Florida Communities Trust grants require zoning and future land use be changed after acceptance of grant. Zoning and land use should not be changed on parcels which may be surplussed, portions of land on which roads or other public infrastructure are planned, or special cases such as the Bob Janes Preserve. iv. Prohibited Activities Lee County preserves will not be used as recipient sites nor support feral cat colonies. The County will follow FWC s Feral and Free Ranging Cats policy: To protect native wildlife from predation, disease and other impacts presented by feral and free-ranging cats. Feral cats and dogs will be trapped and taken to Lee County Animal Services. Bee keeping is not allowed on Conservation 20/20 preserves. This was determined in CLASAC Management Sub-committee meeting on May 22, 2006 and at the June 2006 CLASAC meeting. This decision was primarily based on information provided by Dr. Mark Deyrup, an entomologist at Archbold Biological Station about the honeybees tendency to dominate native bees and concerns over public safety. In general, gates from private property onto County preserves are not allowed due to legal and liability issues. Placement of access gates will be based on service to neighborhoods and connection to trail systems. Undocumented or unrecorded easements and agreements between private citizens and former owners of preserves will not be honored. Conservation 2020 lands will not be used for construction of communication towers or billboards. If billboards are present on a nominated parcel the lease will be terminated and the billboard will be removed prior to acquisition. Other activities that are prohibited on preserves include fire, collecting cultural/historical artifacts, unauthorized hunting and trapping, campfires (unless primitive camping is allowed in the LSP for a preserve), collecting plants or animals (dead or alive), nudity, discharging fireworks, and firearms in possession by individuals who do not possess a current concealed weapons permit. 12

16 C. Permit Requirements State and federal permits are required for some land stewardship and construction activities. The following activities, at a minimum, will require permits or exemptions from jurisdictional agencies. All construction projects (park amenities, boardwalks, parking lots, etc.) require approval (and generally permits) from the South Florida Water Management District, United States Army Corps of Engineers and a County Development Order. Large-scale mechanical tree removal within wetlands will need authorization from the South Florida Water Management District and United States Army Corps of Engineers and notification to Lee County Environmental Sciences. Since each agency operates on a different definition of a wetland, it is a good idea to contact the agencies on any large scale project for clarification of requirements prior to commencement of work. Impacts to wetlands will require authorization and permitting from the South Florida Water Management District and United States Army Corps of Engineers. New driveways (entrances) will require coordination with Lee County Department of Transportation to determine if permits are required. Mangrove trimming or removal will require permits from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and possibly the South Florida Water Management District and United States Army Corps of Engineers (project size dependent). IV. PUBLIC USE A. Recreational Activities i. Conservation 20/20 Preserve allowed activities Staff will maintain, and increase where necessary, public use at parks and preserves through public outreach to create awareness and interest in Lee County s parks and preserves. Appropriate public use and access will be addressed during the creation of individual land stewardship plans. The Management Sub-committee of CLASAC approved a list of resource based recreational activities that are appropriate for C20/20 preserves. These activities are listed below in Table 4. These activities are consistent with Florida s Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan State, the latter will be consulted to help determine carrying capacity at each park and preserve for each allowable activity. 13

17 Table 4. Allowable resourced based recreational activities for Conservation 20/20 preserves. Allowable recreational Allowable recreational activities Prohibited recreational activities activities at designated sites only hiking canoeing/kayaking collecting plants or animals, dead or bird watching nature study horseback riding fishing alive, and cultural/historical artifacts 1 nature photography off-road biking hunting or trapping * primitive camping motorized off-road vehicles picnicking discharging fireworks of any kind swimming flying model airplanes leashed pets paintball disk golf festivals/large special events *hunting of feral hogs may be considered in the future 1 This activity is strictly prohibited unless specific permission has been granted from Parks and Recreation Land Stewardship staff for research or scientific collection purposes. Categories of Public Use Levels for all Conservation 20/20 Preserves: 1. Primary Use Preserve Preserves in this category have easy access, their size allows space to construct parking and other amenities, grants may be available to fund capital improvements and the Parks and Recreation budget is able to fund staff dedicated to maintaining the public use facilities. All activities in column 1 and as many activities as possible in column 2 will be offered on individual preserves as appropriate with protecting the natural communities on site. The Land Stewardship Plan for individual preserves will identify the important natural resources as well as the appropriate uses. A parking area, with marked spaces will be provided. Restrooms will be provided. Daily staff presence. Regular environmental education programs will be offered. Interpretive signage will be present. Capital improvements, such as boardwalks, canoe/kayak launches, overlooks, picnic benches, bike racks and marked trails will be provided for visitors where feasible. At least a portion of these preserves will be ADA accessible. Will be open to the public during daytime hours, unless special arrangements are made. 2. Intermediate Use Preserve Preserves in this category have space to provide limited parking without degrading the natural resources within the preserve and are conducive to providing a trail system for more than one recreational use. 14

18 All activities in column 1 and possible activities in column 2 will be offered once a land stewardship plan is written that has determined which uses will be compatible with protecting the animals and plant communities found at the specific preserve. Designated trailhead will be provided. Port-O-Lets may be provided. Frequent, but not daily, staff presence. Occasional field trips and/or educational programs will be provided. Interpretive signage may be present. Marked, primitive trails will be provided. Picnic tables and bike racks may be provided. Will be open to the public during daytime hours unless special arrangements are made. 3. Limited Use Preserve Preserves in this category are intended to be more of a neighborhood preserve. At this time, there is no space available for parking for either ecological, financial, or safety reasons. Members of the public who would like to visit these preserves may have to walk or bike a distance from public parking areas. All activities in column 1 and possible activities in column 2 will be offered. If the preserve is fenced, at least one walkthrough will be provided. No parking or bathroom facilities will be available. Staff will be present for tri-annual site inspections and at other times as necessary for the proper management of the preserve. If there is a public interest, field trips and/or educational programs will be provided. Some primitive trails may be marked. Will be open to the public during daytime hours unless special arrangements are made. May only be accessible to boaters. 4. Resource Protection & Restoration Preserve Preserves in this category do not currently provide regular public access. This could either be due to the fact that public access is not feasible (such as a preserve that has no road access or one that consists entirely of mangrove swamps) or preserves where the land stewardship activities could create unsafe conditions for the public (such as a preserve with an active cattle lease). Some activities in column 1 may be available by contacting Conservation 20/20 Land Stewardship staff. No facilities or marked trails will be offered. Staff will be present for tri-annual site inspections and at other times as necessary for the proper management of the preserve. 15

19 If there is a public interest, staff may provide guided field trips when there are no safety concerns and it is compatible with protecting the animals and plant communities found at the specific preserve. Conservation 20/20 Land Stewardship staff must approve other public uses of these preserves. ii. Lee County Parks and Recreation Preserve allowed activities Parks and preserves not managed through the C20/20 program are open to a wider variety of allowable uses that may be proposed by the general public, a user group or a private concessionaire. Before approval of activities, any legal agreements, partnerships or grant restrictions will be reviewed to determine if restrictions to the activity exist for the site. Requests will be reviewed by LCPR administration and the BoCC and may require public meetings. iii. Environmental Interpretation Preserves and parks with natural areas provide a unique opportunity to encourage the public to make meaningful connections to nature through formal and informal informational offerings. Interpretive signage, ranging from plant identification signs to customized natural history panels may be added to preserves with public use and funding. Some preserves contain unique cultural history interpretation opportunities for which grant funding should be researched. Lee County Parks and Recreation has staff that can develop programs for Lee County parks and preserves. Land Stewardship staff provides environmental education as part of volunteer workdays conducted at various sites, during public field trips and as requested by public groups such as the native plant society. Land Stewardship staff also recruits volunteers interested in presenting Meet the Preserve tours and helps with promotion of the event. iv. Volunteer Opportunities Land Stewardship projects require a variety of skills and abilities. Volunteer Staff opportunities may involve but are not limited to invasive exotic vegetation treatment, hiking, land navigation, trail design, trail building, interpretive material (signs/brochures, etc.) creation, plant identification and wildlife observation. Other volunteer opportunities may include assisting with data entry, filing, mailings, grant research and conducting educational programs. All volunteer staff participation must be in accordance with the Parks & Recreation Operations Manual (Chapter 11B). Both individuals and groups must register with Volunteer Services and wait for an approval on a background check before assisting staff. Application forms can be found on the Lee County Parks and Recreation and C20/20 websites. Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) students who are earning service learning hours do not require a background check but should fill out 16

20 a volunteer form to be kept on file by the staff member utilizing the volunteer. All hours given by students are reported collectively to Volunteer Services as a group. Volunteer Groups Volunteer Groups are defined as a group of individuals with an identified group leader that has registered as a volunteer group. The use of volunteer groups for specific projects or on-going tasks is also appropriate for the land stewardship of the LCPR parks and preserves. These groups will need to submit the LCPR Volunteer Group Form. Hours for the group will be logged quarterly under the name of the group. A sign in sheet will need to be completed for each volunteer group event. Opportunities for friends groups for specific Preserves along with opportunities for County-wide volunteer groups will be pursued when possible. If needed, a Land Stewardship staff member will act as a liaison to volunteer groups and will work on behalf of the volunteer group to interview, educate, train and supervise volunteer activities. It is strongly recommended by the Volunteer Services Coordinator that staff get a registration form on every person that you work with and write ONE TIME at the top of it. This can be kept by staff and not turned into the Volunteer Services Coordinator. Individual Volunteer Staff Volunteer staff wishing to volunteer with Land Stewardship staff on a regular basis or for a specific project should be actively encouraged to assist in completing stewardship tasks. These volunteer staff will need to complete the LCPR Volunteer Staff Application and be cleared by the Volunteer Services Coordinator. All volunteer staff is required to record his/her hours volunteered and submit these to his/her project supervisor or Volunteer Services; in accordance with the guidelines set out in the Parks & Recreation Operations manual. As a general guideline individual volunteer staff wishing to volunteer for only a few hours on an unspecified project will be encouraged to attend scheduled work days or rolled into larger volunteer groups so as to use staff time most efficiently. 17

21 B. Trail Maintenance on Preserves i. Trail construction and marking Some preserves will have marked designated trails on portions of the property. Trails can range from a hiking path at natural grade to a raised boardwalk trail. Trails will be designed to have the least impact to sheet flow, follow established fire lines or old Jeep trails whenever possible, and avoid impacting listed species. Equestrian trails will be mowed to a minimum of 8 feet in width as vegetation allows. Mountain bike trails may be single track width and should have erosion control and water diverting measures incorporated into the design. Whenever possible, equestrian and biking trails will not be shared with other uses to minimize user conflict and safety concerns. Preserves with walk-through gates but no designated trail system will not require trail signage or maps. Preserves with designated trails will be marked in accordance with the sign committee standards for trail signage. Markings will range from color coded metal posts to trail signs with the trail s name and a direction arrow. Thought should be given to radiant heat damage and burn potential for preserves with potential for wildfires or planned prescribed burning. Trails that are longer than one mile may require alpha-numeric coding or you are here signage. Trail maps will be posted at the main entrance and must include distance of trails and color coding or trail name identification. A copy of the trail map should be provided to the sign committee so that the E-991 system can place the trail system into their emergency response system for first responders. As funding allows, primitive and at-grade trails will be mapped using the UTAP (Universal Trail Assessment Process) system and signage will be installed at the beginning of each trail indicating trail conditions. This will assist those with disabilities in assessing whether or not they are equipped to maneuver the trail. ii. Trail maintenance All designated trails will be maintained as needed and as site conditions allow. This includes mowing and trimming which may be performed as little as once per year for primitive trails and as much as weekly for higher usage trails during the rainy season. In limited situations, funding may be sought for construction of boardwalk or other infrastructure to stabilize soil or protect wetland systems. To prevent damage to equipment, tractors and other heavy equipment will not be used to maintain trails if water levels are such that mowers will be operated under water. Trails should be vertically trimmed a minimum of once per year so that tree limbs are raised to a minimum height of 8 feet on hiking trails. Equestrian and biking trails require higher limb clearance, so trail maintenance should include removal of trees or shrubs which continually require attention. 18

22 iii. ADA Accommodations Lee County Parks and Recreation and Conservation 20/20 preserves with amenities are ADA (American s with Disabilities Act) compliant. Preserves with public amenities will have ADA components (trails, restrooms, picnic pavilions, etc.) that will allow a similar experience to the non- ADA amenities. These ADA components are designed to have at least the minimum size and stability for wheelchairs and other mobility devices to maneuver. As Federal and State regulations change, staff will make necessary changes to protect the natural systems of the preserves while offering adequate accommodations for those with disabilities. If parking is advertised for a preserve, a designated ADA-compliant parking area will be constructed per the most current regulations. Primitive trailheads with no designation as a parking area are exempt from this requirement. V. FUNDING A. Conservation 20/20 Management Fund and Budget The Conservation 20/20 referendum passed in 1996 provides funds for the program by a 0.5 mil increase in property taxes ( 50 cents/$1,000 of taxable property value ). Each year, ninety percent of these tax revenues are used for buying land and ten percent are set aside for restoration and longterm stewardship. If additional funding is needed, a proposed budget increase is brought before the Management Sub-committee of CLASAC, then to the full CLASAC membership for voting. If approved by CLASAC the proposal is presented to the BoCC for final approval. B. Non-20/20 Preserve Funding and Budget LCPR designates specific fiscal account strings for each property not managed through the Conservation 20/20 Program. These parks with natural areas and non-20/20 preserves can utilize a variety of budget lines for treatment of exotics or other land stewardship activities proposed by the site supervisor. Private mitigation, grants, partnerships and donations can also be utilized for funding at these sites. C. Grants and Donations Land Stewardship staff has applied for and been awarded grants from federal, state and local agencies for educational brochures, facility development, exotic plant removal, water quality improvement, pasture restoration, and other environmental restoration projects. Staff will continue to seek funding from external sources. The amount of time staff will spend on a grant will be contingent upon the total funds sought and the availability of participating staff. Grant applications require bluesheeting to the BoCC for official acceptance and a budget amendment. 19

23 Once grants are awarded, work will be done on time or extensions will be requested from the granting agency and all paperwork will be filed on time. Consistent tracking of expenses and documentation of work through photos, invoices, or other methods will be filed with the grant report in the preserve master file folder. Monetary donations are tracked through a separate donation account for each preserve. Donation accounts generally must be spent by the end of the fiscal year. Monetary donations associated with a Conservation 20/20 preserve can only be spent on that site. Donations of material goods such as benches, memorial markers or trees are not accepted for Conservation 20/20 preserves (per CLASAC as established at January 2010 meeting). VI. LICENSES AND OTHER AGREEMENTS A. Cattle Grazing Leases Preserves with cattle licenses are generally those where grazing existed prior to acquisition and its continuation is used as an interim management activity for controlling brush and invasive plants. Typically, licenses are signed for one year and are renewable. The lessee is responsible for maintaining the fence on the lessor s property, providing an additional benefit to Land Stewardship staff. Licenses will be renewed as staff feels necessary or until a management plan, that states otherwise, is adopted for the site. On August 17, 1999 the Lee County Board of County Commissioners authorized the Department of Parks and Recreation Director to approve and finalize cattle licenses on Lee County parks or preserves. For Conservation 20/20 nominations, once the Division of County Lands staff has a purchase agreement for a property, Land Stewardship staff prepares the license which takes effect at time of closing. A generic copy of the cattle-grazing license is included as Appendix R. The license may be modified to suit specific needs of a park or preserve. The cattle-grazing lease must be reviewed by the County Attorney if any changes are made. B. Partnerships i. Memorandum of Agreement For Conservation 20/20 and other county preserves that are adjacent to preserves managed by a different agency, staff will work with that agency to establish an agreement to coordinate management efforts, when such an agreement is beneficial to both agencies. The Memorandum must be reviewed by the county attorney, approved by CLASAC for Conservation 20/20 preserves, and by BoCC for all LCPR lands. A copy of the Memorandum will be placed in the individual preserve file, and included in the appendixes of the preserve s Land Stewardship Plan. 20

24 ii. Research/Monitoring Requests Requests will be evaluated on a case by case basis by the Land Stewardship Coordinator or Supervisor of the site. Requests must come from legitimate agencies or students affiliated with an accredited university. Any permits necessary for the project will be the responsibility of the requestor. A copy of the data should be provided to LCPR staff as requested. iii. Requests for Use of Preserve Land for Private Projects Land Stewardship staff occasionally receives requests from private citizens or groups to use preserves for activities which may benefit that individual but not necessarily the preserve itself. In order to determine if a proposed use is compatible with the purpose of managing preserves, the proposed use must show a definable benefit to conservation land and not have a proven detrimental impact, or allow private citizens or groups to benefit financially without an equal or greater benefit to the preserve land. Proposals for Conservation 20/20 land will be reviewed by the Land Stewardship Coordinator responsible for the preserve, with input from other staff. CLASAC will be asked for their opinion and in most cases if the proposal is deemed favorable, a bluesheet will be prepared to receive BoCC approval. For non-20/20 preserves Land Stewardship staff will review the proposal and proceed as directed by LCPR management. C. Easements A copy of any recorded legal easement will be placed in the individual preserve file on the S drive in the appendix of the LSP at time of writing. General easement restrictions will be placed within the text. Requests for access through LCPR lands will require development of an officially recorded easement through Lee County Division of County Lands. VII. LAND STEWARDSHIP PLAN DEVELOPMENT AND SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION This section is the guideline for developing a Land Stewardship Plan (LSP), or updating an existing plan, for any Lee County owned preserve. Conservation 20/20 preserves are required to have a BoCC approved LSP within two years of purchase and each LSP must be updated every ten years. In certain situations plans will vary from this format due to grant or other agency requirements. On occasion, a mini LSP may be created for preserves which have limited management opportunities or very small acreage. At the end of 2010, a decision was made by the Land Stewardship section to reduce the size of Land Stewardship Plans by allowing staff to simplify each plan by removing some of the more redundant sections and referencing the section(s) material within the LSOM. This created a cost savings by: decreased staff time to produce each plan; reduced ink, paper & printer expenses; reduced size and weight of a hardcopy of a plan. 21

25 The Land Stewardship Plan Outline is included as Appendix S. The information below is to be gathered by experienced staff and/or consultants and compiled to develop the stewardship plan. The following represents the exact format to use when writing any Land Stewardship Plan: Cover Page Choose one or several photographs usually taken at the preserve. Title Page Preserve name, address, appropriate department logos, edition or revision (if applicable), and date BoCC approved plan. Acknowledgements List of staff, organizations and/or individuals that provided valuable input to the plan s existence, include author(s) of plan. Table of Contents List the sections, exhibits (figures), tables and their page numbers. Suggested exhibits include, but may vary with each stewardship plan, location map, aerial photograph, topography map, soils map, watershed map, land use cover map, historical aerial(s) and master site plan. List of Acronyms Include a table with the definition of acronyms used in the plan. Vision Statement - The vision statement is a summary of what the preserve will look like and how it will function in the future. I. Executive Summary Describe the purpose of the land stewardship plan and summarize all major points of the plan. With the exception of the preserve s name, do not use acronyms in this section. II. Introduction Provide general site description, location and background information, and include a summary of land stewardship activities to be conducted and goals. 22

26 III. Location and Site Description Include maps to show the preserve s location within Lee County. The location map may show adjacent conservation areas (with ownership), if present, while the most recent aerial photograph map identifies the site s boundary and local roads. A detailed written description of the site is also given. IV. Natural Resources Description Provide a description of the natural resources of the site. All information not obtained from observations on site will be obtained from a credible scientific source, whenever possible, such as a government publication, consultant reports or peer reviewed scientific literature. A. Physical Resources. i. Climate Southwest Florida has a humid, sub-tropical climate due to its maritime influence from the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. The Bermuda high-pressure cell prevents convective clouds from building into thunderstorms in the fall and winter and as the Bermuda High weakens in late spring, thunderstorms occur regularly. Superimposed on the pattern of daily showers and thunderstorms is precipitation resulting from large-scale circulation systems such as tropical storms and hurricanes. In late fall, winter, and early spring, weather systems (fronts) from the northeastern United States sweep over the area. These fronts can bring significant swings in temperature and humidity, causing the weather to oscillate between maritime tropical and continental winter weather. Temperate climate influences are exerted as well, with infrequent but significant freezes occurring in December and January (FCC 2005). These freezes occasionally damage the vegetation and prevent some of the more cold sensitive tropical plants from becoming established. Cold fronts regularly push cool, sometimes moist weather from the southeastern U.S. to southwest Florida during the winter. These cold fronts also encourage migratory birds to utilize the preserves as either a stop-off point on a longer voyage, or as a winter roosting and feeding area. Table 1 shows the average high and low temperatures for Fort Myers, Florida compiled by the Southeast Regional Climate Center from 1892 to

27 Table 1: Average High/Low Temperatures for Ft. Myers, FL ( ) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec High temperature ( F) Low temperature ( F) ii. Geology. For millions of years, the Florida Platform was submerged in the ocean. Sediments accumulated upon it and hardened into sedimentary rock. Thirty-five (35) million years ago, portions of Florida rose above the ocean s surface and for the next 12 million years it alternated between emersion and submergence. From 23 million years ago to the present, at least a small portion of the Florida Platform has always been above the ocean surface (Wilder 2005). Except for northeastern locations of the county, the majority of Lee County was created during the Pliocene Epoch between 2 million to 10,000 years ago. This period is also known as the Ice Age, where huge ice sheets formed across Canada and the northern United States. When these ice sheets were formed, they consumed large quantities of seawater, dropping the current sea level 300 or more feet, which greatly increased the land area of Florida. As the glaciers shrank, sea levels rose, and the Florida peninsula was again flooded. During the peak warm periods, sea level reached 150 feet above the current sea level. The waves and currents during these high sea level periods reworked the sediments and formed a series of geological units (Caloosahatchee, Fort Thompson, Anastasia, Miami Limestone and Key Largo Limestone). Each of these geological units is characterized by their unique compositions. The Pleistocene Epoch had four separate freezing and melting periods (Rupert 1989). Ten lithostratigraphic units have been identified in the state of Florida. Lithostratigraphic units are differentiated by the conditions under which they were formed and when during geologic time they were formed. These lithostratigraphic units are further divided by timing of formation into stratigraphic units (Appendix T). Previously, Lee County was divided into several different geologic units. However, throughout much of Lee County, the Caloosahatchee and Fort Thompson units are somewhat indistinct and have been lumped together as undifferentiated Tertiary-Quaternary Sediments. The Tertiary- Quaternary unit consists of a quartz sand blanket covering limestone and clay. Fossils, 24

28 including mollusks and corals, are very common and usually in excellent condition (Missimer and Scott 2001). Coastal areas of Lee County are located on the Holocene Sediments. These were formed in the last 10,000 years with the warming of earth and the beginning of man. These sediments occur near the coastlines with elevations generally less than 5 feet. Sediments here include quartz, sands, carbonate sands and muds, and organics (Missimer and Scott 2001). The northeastern areas of the county are located on the Tamiami Formation, which was created during the Pliocene Epoch between 5.3 and 1.8 million years ago. The Tamiami Formation contains a mix of fine to coarse-grained sand, sandy clay, fossiliferous sand and fossiliferous limestone. It has highly permeable to impermeable lithologies that form a complex aquifer. Phosphate is present throughout as are fossils, particularly barnacles, mollusks, corals, sea urchins, and smaller marine life. Southwest Florida can be divided into ten major physiographic provinces, as described in the Southwest Florida Ecological Characterization Atlas (1984). These are broad-scale subdivisions based on physical geography features such as terrain texture, rock type and geologic structure and history (Appendix U). The Gulf Coastal Lowlands are found in northwest Lee County as well as most of Charlotte and Sarasota Counties to the north. This region is characterized as a gently southwestward sloping plain composed of deposited sediments. These sediments are aligned parallel to the coastline, which indicates they were formed by marine forces (Missimer and Scott 2001). The Gulf Coastal Lowlands are separated from the DeSoto Plain by marine terraces that developed on the south side of the Peace River Valley. The transition from upland to shoreline occurs as a broad, gently southwestward sloping plain composed of depositional sediments of marine origin. The Caloosahatchee Valley is an ancient river valley filled with sands and shells from the Plio-Pleistocene age and is comprised of flatwoods and wet prairie with terraced landforms. It rises less than 15 feet in elevation (SWFRPC 2005). The Immokalee Rise borders the Southwestern Slope to the southwest, the Big Cypress Spur to the south, the Caloosahatchee Valley to the north and functions as a border to the Everglades to the east (SWFRPC 2005). The Immokalee Rise generally sits around 25 feet in elevation and like the Atlantic Coastal Ridge south of West Palm Beach, is a southerly extension of Pamlico marine sand invading the Distal Zone (the southern part) of the Florida Peninsula from the sand dominated Central Zone to the north. However, 25

29 unlike the Atlantic Coastal Ridge, the Immokalee Rise shows little evidence of a Pamlico shoreline. It seems to have been built as a sub-marine shoal extending south from a mainland cape at the south end of the Desoto Plain much in the same way that the present off-shore shoal extends southward from Cape Romano (White 1970). It is thought that the Southwestern Slope originated as a marine terrace during periods of higher sea level and varies in elevation from 25 feet to sea level. Its surface consists of shells, marls, and organic material underlain by limestone (SWFRPC 2005). The Gulf Barrier Chain is a string of barrier islands from Longboat Key in Manatee County to Cape Romano in Collier County. It is believed that these islands formed as dune ridges and spits from sand supplied by coastal headlands, rivers, and formerly emergent areas of the continental shelf. During sea level rise, 4,000 to 5,000 years ago, this sand was acted upon by winds, currents, and waves to form islands parallel to the shoreline (SWFRPC 2005). iii. Topography. Identify the major natural or man-made topographical features of the site. Include Lee County topographic one-foot contour aerial maps or spot elevations and LiDAR maps. This section is specific to each preserve and will be discussed in the LSP. iv. Soils. Provide a list and percentage/acreage of soil types occurring on the preserve. Include map(s) of the distribution of the different soil types, especially maps delineating wetlands, and discussion of restrictions to public use due to soil type constraints. The following is general background information on Soils that applies to all Lee County s Land Stewardship Plans: The Soil Survey of Lee County, Florida (Henderson 1984) was designed for a diverse group of clients to be able to comprehend soil behavior, physical and chemical properties, land use limitations, potential impacts, and protection of the environment. The soils maps are based on vegetation and landscapes as interpreted from aerial photos, along with fieldwork. Major fieldwork conducted for the Lee County Soil Survey was completed in Accuracy of soil mapping is often around 70 to 80%, with a typical 3- acre mapping limit (WMI 2005). Appendix V contains a table which summarizes the characteristics of the soils found. These characteristics have been organized in the table to quickly provide land stewards with pertinent soils information for understanding restrictions and/or results regarding future habitat restoration and probable recreational plan limitations and expenses. The descriptions below explain the soil characteristics found in the table. 26

30 Habitats (Range Sites): Based on the Soil Survey of Lee County, there are eight generalized range site categories in the county and five are found on the Preserve. Man-made areas are not included in range site categories. These categories are not Florida Natural Areas Inventory (FNAI) designations and may not correspond with the vegetation that is currently present on site. The ranges identified on the Preserve are: South Florida Flatwoods - Nearly level areas with scattered to numerous pine trees (Pinus elliottii var. densa), saw palmetto (Serenoa repens), gallberry (Ilex glabra), and other woody plants. Slough - Open grassland where nearly level areas act as broad natural drainage courses in the flatwoods. Potential plant community is dominated by maidencane (Panicum hemitomon) and bluestems (Andropogon spp.). Freshwater marshes and ponds - Open grassland marshes or ponds (depressions) with the potential to produce significant amounts of various grasses, sedges, and rushes. Water fluctuates throughout the year. Longleaf Pine-Turkey Oak Hills Nearly level to rolling areas identified by stands of oak, saw palmetto, and south Florida slash pine. Sand Pine Scrub Nearly level to gently sloping uplands supporting a dense stand of sand pine trees and a dense woody understory. Cabbage Palm Hammock Slightly higher islands in broad, nearly level areas with a dense canopy of palm trees and a grass groundcover. Salt Water Marsh Tidal marsh areas along the Gulf of Mexico that produce smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora), seashore saltgrass (Distichlis spicata), and seashore paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum). Cabbage Palm Flatwoods Nearly level areas with a high concentration of scattered cabbage palm trees (Sabal palmetto). Wetland Classification: Wetland classifications are used to identify locations that may retain water for an indeterminate amount of time. F - Flooding: The temporary inundation of an area caused by overflowing streams, runoff from adjacent slopes or tides. 27

31 S-Slough (sheet flow): A broad nearly level, poorly defined drainage way that is subject to sheet-flow during the rainy season. P-Ponding: Standing water on soils in closed depressions. The water can be removed only by percolation or evapotranspiration. Hydrologic Group: Hydrologic soil groups are used to estimate runoff from precipitation. Soils not protected by vegetation are assigned to one of four groups. They are grouped according to the intake of water when the soils are thoroughly wet and receive precipitation from longduration storms. The hydrologic categories at the Preserve are: A Soils having a high infiltration rate (low runoff potential) when thoroughly wet. These consist mainly of deep, well drained to excessively drained sands or gravelly sands. These soils have a high rate of water transmission. B - Soils having a moderate infiltration rate (low to moderate runoff potential) when thoroughly wet. These consist chiefly of moderately deep or deep, moderately well drained or well-drained soils that have moderately fine texture to moderately coarse texture. Moderate rate of water transmission. C - Soils having a slow infiltration rate (moderate to high runoff potential) when thoroughly wet. These consist chiefly of soils having a layer that impedes the downward movement of water or soils of moderately fine texture or fine texture. Slow rate of water transmission. D - Soils having a very slow infiltration rate (high runoff potential) when thoroughly wet. These consist mainly of clays that have a high shrink-well potential, soils that have a permanent high water table, soils that a have a clay pan or clay layer at or near the surface, and soils that are shallow over nearly impervious material. Very slow rate of water transmission. Note that some of the soil types are shown as having dual hydrologic groups, such as B/D. A B/D listing means that under natural conditions the soil belongs to D, but by artificial methods the water table can be lowered sufficiently so that the soil fits in B. The Preserve has received an extensive level of hydrological alterations including agricultural berms and ditches which has affected the soil hydrology and behavior. 28

32 Wildlife Habitat: Soils affect the type, quality and quantity of food and cover for wildlife. Wildlife diversity and abundance are also influenced by distribution of food, cover, and water. Wildlife habitat may be created or improved by planting appropriate vegetation, maintaining existing plant communities and promoting the natural establishment of desired vegetation. The soils of Lee County occur in four different habitat types: Openland: Cropland, pasture, meadows, and areas that are overgrown with grasses, herbs, shrubs, and vines. Wildlife attracted includes northern bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus), sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis), hawks, various birds, and rabbits. Woodland: Deciduous plants, coniferous plants, grasses, legumes, and wild herbaceous plants. Wildlife attracted includes wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo), thrushes, woodpeckers, squirrels, foxes, raccoons (Procyon lotor), white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), snakes, frogs, and bobcats (Lynx rufus). Wetland: Open, marshy or swampy shallow water areas. Wildlife attracted includes ducks, ibis, egrets, herons, shorebirds, snakes, frogs, alligators (Alligator mississippiensis), and otters (Lutra canadensis). Rangeland: Shrubs and wild herbaceous plants. Wildlife attracted includes white-tailed deer, quail, Virginia opossums (Didelphis virginiana), and various birds. The potential of the soil for wildlife habitat is rated as: Good - Easily established, improved, or maintained. Few or no limitations affect management, and satisfactory results can be expected. Fair - Established, improved, or maintained in most places. Moderately intensive management is required for satisfactory results. Poor - Limitations are severe as habitat can be created, improved, or maintained in most places, but management is difficult and must be intensive. Very poor - Restrictions are very severe and unsatisfactory results can be expected. Creating, improving, or maintaining habitat is impractical or impossible. -- Soil was not rated. Staff considers soil limitations that affect each of the Preserve s suitability for recreational development. Although the Soil Survey of Lee County has other categories under recreation, these are not under consideration for any preserves. The soils within the preserves have limitations for recreational paths and trails which can include all of the following: ponding, wetness, too sandy, and excess humus. Severe means that soil 29

33 properties are unfavorable and that limitations can be offset only by costly soil reclamation, special design, intensive maintenance, limited use, or by a combination of these measures. These limitations affect what types of recreational activities will be permitted at each of the preserves and and their location within the preserves. v. Hydrology and Watershed. Provides information on the natural and man-made hydrological features of the site, and when possible information on ground water flow. The individual preserve LSP will contain a description of the watershed(s) that encompass the site and how they affect water flow through the site, a map of the watersheds for SFWMD and LCDNR as well as a map of any man-made hydrological features (unless they are included in the internal influences section). The following is general background information on Hydrology and Watersheds that applies to all Lee County s Land Stewardship Plans: Hydrology is the study of the distribution and movement of water quantities within a system. This includes the study of the dynamic processes of the source, timing, amount, varying quality and direction of water movement. A watershed is a region of land within which water flow and drains into a specific body of water (lake, river, stream, wetland, etc.). Topography, geology, soils, biological communities and anthropogenic alterations to a landscape influence the rate and way in which water drains. The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) delineates watersheds within their boundaries. The SFWMD further delineates basins within each of these watersheds. The Lee County Division of Natural Resources (LCDNR) divides Lee County into 48 different watersheds. These watersheds are based on a more refined scale than SFWMD s designations because LCDNR s area of monitoring and restoration is much smaller. In 1974, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) directed its office of Biological Services to conduct an inventory of the nation s wetlands. This National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) became operational in Wetlands were identified on the photography by vegetation, visible hydrology and geography, and subsequently classified in general accordance with the Classification of Wetlands and Deep Water Habitats of the United States (Cowardin et al. 1979). Federal agencies, state agencies, local agencies, academic institutions and private industry use this information for management, research, policy development, education and planning activities. 30

34 Riverine systems include all wetlands and deepwater habitats contained within a channel that are fresh water systems and are primarily open with little plant life. Palustrine and forested systems typically occur on the edges or in islands within these systems. Palustrine systems are often called swamps, marshes, potholes, bogs, or fens. These systems are all non-tidal wetlands dominated by trees, shrubs, persistent emergent aquatic plants, emergent mosses or lichens, and all such wetlands that occur in tidal areas where salinity due to ocean derived salts is below 0.5%. Lacustrine systems occur in depressions or dammed river channels that typically lack plant life and are larger than 20 acres. They may be tidal, but salinity will be <0.5%. Examples of this system include lakes and reservoirs. Estuarine systems are defined as deepwater tidal communities and adjacent tidal wetlands that are usually semi-enclosed by land but have open, partly obstructed, or sporadic access to the open ocean and in which ocean water is at least occasionally diluted by freshwater runoff from the land. Marine systems consist of the open ocean overlying the continental shelf and its associated coastline. Marine systems are highly invluenced by tides, have salinities >30% and support a wide variety of marine biota. Each wetland system can be further classified depending on the vegetation, topography and inundation. The following are additional classifications of wetlands according to the NWI: Unconsolidated bottom wetlands have less than 30% vegetative cover with a lack of large stable surfaces for plants and animal attachment. Aquatic beds are wetlands dominated by plants that for the majority of time grow principally on or below the surface water. Reefs are ridge-like or mound-like structures formed by sedentary invertebrates. Unconsolidated shores include all wetland habitats that have few rocks, minimal vegetation with the exception of pioneering plants and are intermittently to regularly flooded. Emergent wetlands are characterized by erect rooted, herbaceous hydrophytes, excluding mosses and lichens that are present for most of the growing season. Scrub-shrub wetlands are intertidal and are dominated by woody vegetation less than 20 feet tall. Forested wetlands are characterized by woody vegetation that is 6 meters (19.6 feet) tall or taller. These areas typically have an overstory of trees, an understory of young trees or shrubs and an herbaceous layer. Lee County GIS has the USFWS layer that shows where these wetlands are located in Lee County. 31

35 B. Biological Resources i. Ecological Function. Describes the ecological function of the site as a whole unit. Lee County s preserves contain a diversity of plant communities that provide habitat for numerous plant and animal species. Most preserves are not islands of habitat, but are pieces of a larger conservation area. In particular, preserves purchased through the Conservation 20/20 program are given preference if they are contiguous to environmentally sensitive lands or water bodies. Several of the preserves contain the headwaters of creeks, rivers and larger swamp/wetland systems. The mixture of seasonal and permanent wetlands provides habitat for plants and wildlife with a variety of natural history needs. Hammocks are currently found throughout Florida, but their composition varies with the transition from a warm temperate forest flora in the north to a tropical flora in the south. South Florida hammocks tend to be similar and are dominated by evergreen overstory species such as live oak (Quercus virginiana), cabbage palm (Sabal palmetto), bay (Persea palustrus) and understory species such as saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) and Ilex species (Myers and Ewel 1990). In extreme south Florida, there is a distinct transition to hammocks that contain primarily tropical species of trees, as well as the largest number of epiphytic ferns, bromeliads, and orchids in the continental United States (Myers and Ewel 1990). Many bromeliads collect water between their leaves, serving as a habitat for small animals and a water source in drier months. During the late spring and summer months, the rain begins to fall and the soils of the hammocks become saturated and standing water sits on the site, slowly percolating down to the aquifer, or forming sheetflow and moving across the watershed. In the fall when the rains end, the water recedes but the soils often remain saturated less than a foot below the surface. Pine flatwoods provide essential cover and forage material for a variety of birds, small mammals, reptiles and amphibians and some large mammals including white-tailed deer, gopher tortoise, eastern indigo snake and Florida panther. Birds find shelter in the palmetto understory, nest in the tall pines and forage in the grasses. The oak toad (Bufo quercicus) will dig burrows in the sandy soil and hunt for spiders and insects. There are a number of rare wildlife species that primarily occur in the flatwoods, as well as numerous rare plants, including some endemic species. During the wet season, these communities provide dry refuge for non-aquatic animals. During a severe flood, the flatwoods serve as a water storage area to help protect adjacent land from flooding (Tiner 1998). Hydric pine flatwoods function seasonally as both a wetland and upland. This hydrologic transformation allows for an abundant diversity of flora, which in turn, supports a wide range of wildlife (USFWS 1999). 32

36 Fire is an important part of pine flatwoods. Florida has more thunderstorm days per year than anywhere else in the country and, in turn, one of the highest frequencies of lightning strikes of any region in the United States. Fire shapes ecosystem processes in the flatwoods including creation of soil conditions suitable for germination of seeds of some species, turnover of litter, humus and nutrients, reduction of competition from hardwoods and increasing the hardiness of some species (Myers and Ewel 1990). Mechanical thinning and rollerchopping of pine flatwoods is beneficial, especially in areas that have suffered fire suppression or have had hydrologic alterations to surrounding lands which in turn creates conditions favoring growth of pines over hardwood species. Without regular fire or mechanical work, pine flatwoods can become dense stands of palmetto and have tall weak pines which block sunlight from reaching the ground, further decreasing the biodiversity and coverage of native grasses and wildflowers that gopher tortoises, quail and many other species depend upon. The freshwater wetlands of south Florida are important to a variety of wildlife and people. Birds feed, fish and frogs live and breed, and people rely on these marshes to improve water quality and recharge the aquifers. Seasonal changes profoundly affect the hydrological conditions of preserve areas. During the late spring and summer months, the rain begins to fall and the wetlands fill to capacity. Fish populations begin to increase both in number and biomass. In the fall when the rains end, the water recedes and the fish are concentrated in the shallow marshes. The wading birds then come in to feast which in turn aids the remaining fish by decreasing the density and increasing the availability of dissolved oxygen. Most wildlife utilizing these communities have adapted by migrating from one wetland to another as the shallow ones dry up. The depression marshes are also important to some species of wading birds for their nesting success. For example, the white ibis (Eudocimus albus) chooses nesting sites near marshes that have appropriate drying conditions. Some herons and wood storks (Mycteria americana) need specific falling water conditions over a prolonged four-month nesting season. The faster the marsh dries, the sooner nesting starts. If the water level rises, then nesting success declines (Myers and Ewel 1990). This drying period is not only important to the fauna but also to the flora. Plants in these areas also benefit from the seasonal wet/dry flux. The plants in these wetlands become completely dry, die, decay and release nutrients that are bound in their tissues. This makes the soils highly productive for the next wet season. Typically, these plants have low nutrient requirements so they stockpile the excess, which is beneficial to herbivores 33

37 feeding upon them. Most aquatic plants cannot germinate under water and require a drying phase. Forested freshwater wetlands include cypress swamps and strands as well as hydric hammock communities. These areas provide excellent cover and foraging for woodpeckers, warblers and other migratory song birds. Animals depend on the health and long-term viability of the cypress communities for nesting, breeding and feeding. These forested wetlands are highly productive ecosystems, which are directly related to the hydrologic conditions within them. Healthy cypress communities capable of sustainable reproduction occur in depressions with a hydroperiod of approximately days and maximum water levels of one to two feet (Duever et al. 1986). The lower hydroperiod and water level ranges produce smaller cypress and the upper ranges produce larger ones. The cypress domes, or heads, are depressions in which the largest cypress trees occur in the center and get progressively smaller from the center out. Water percolates through the water table. The conditions for growth (long hydroperiod) are much better in the center as opposed to the edges due to more organic soils in the center. The larger cypress trees populate the lower areas with longer hydroperiods. In the areas where the water is too deep for cypress, treeless ponds occur within the domes, supporting a variety of plants and wildlife. These forested systems play a vital role by storing rain water and improving water quality by filtering nutrients and pollutants. To sustain the health of the cypress communities, water quality and quantity must be protected and improved on the various Lee County preserves. Several Lee County preserves contain coastal plant communities. The upland coastal communities, especially the coastal berm and strand, act as shoreline stabilizers that also help to protect inland communities from the most severe damage of storms. This protection is dependent on the heavy vegetation and therefore damage to these areas during restoration and any possible impacts incurred by public access must be minimized. Unlike the strand and berm, the coastal grassland community requires periodic over wash during extreme high tides and storms. These flooding events bring in sand which overtime gets covered with pioneer species. Additionally, autumn high tides let some fish back into the bays where they contribute to the commercial and recreational fisheries. Coastal grassland areas that are dominated by needlerush are particularly important. The high density of plant stems provides abundant cover for wildlife. Additionally, the rate of net primary production in these needlerush marshes is among the highest in any of the world s ecosystems (Myers and Ewel 1990). There are many terrestrial (insects spiders - passerine birds) and marine (microalgae and organic detritus phytoplankton 34

38 zooplankton filter-feeding bivalves fiddler crabs snails) food webs occurring within these areas. The beaches of Florida are important wintering grounds for shorebirds. Florida s most abundant wintering residents are sanderlings (Calidris alba), least sandpiper (C. minutilla), western sandpiper (C. mauri), dunlin (C. alpina), short-billed dowitcher (Limnodromus griseus), semipalmated plover (Charadrius semipalmatus), black-bellied plover (Pluvialis squatarola) ruddy turnstone (Arenaria interpres) and willet (Catoptrophorus semipalmatus) (Myers & Ewel 1990). The mud flats and sand bars exposed at low tide are an important feeding area, due to the high diversity of inhabiting macro invertebrates, and also serve as a loafing area for water birds. In addition to being an important winter feeding ground, the mud flats serve as a stop-over for shorebird species that continue their migration further north or south, depending on the season. Red knots (Calidris canutus) typically appear in groups of individuals at one time and are seen for several days eating and resting before they move on. Shortly afterwards, another large group comes in for a break during their journey. Other species known to utilize the beach in this manner include black terns (Chlidonias niger) and common terns (Sterna hirundo). A final coastal community, mangrove swamp, is a significant plant community because it functions as a nursery ground for most of Florida s commercially and recreationally important fish and shellfish. Occurring in flat coastal areas, the soils are generally saturated with brackish water at all times, and at high tides these same soils are usually inundated with standing water. In older areas the sands and mud are usually covered by a layer of peat which has built up from detritus (decaying plant material). Temperature, salinity, tidal fluctuation, substrate and wave energy are five physical factors influencing the size and extent of these communities. Requiring an annual average water temperature above 19 C (66 F) they do not tolerate temperatures below freezing or temperatures which fluctuate widely over the course of a year (FNAI & FDNR 1990). The prop roots of red mangroves (Rhizophora mangle), the extensive pneumatophores (aerial roots) of black mangroves (Avicennia germinans) and the dense root mats of the white mangrove (Laguncularia racemosa) serve to entrap sediments and recycle nutrients from upland areas and from tidal import. This process serves in "island formation" and is a part of the successional process involved in land formation in south Florida. These root structures also provide substrate for the attachment of and shelter for numerous marine and estuarine organisms (FNAI & DNR 1990). In addition to island formation tidal swamps are also important in protecting the coastline from erosion. The roots of the mangroves act to disperse wave energy and stabilize the shoreline. 35

39 Additionally, tidal swamps help protect other inland communities by absorbing the brunt of tropical storms and hurricanes. Mangrove swamps also provide breeding grounds for substantial populations of wading birds, shorebirds and other animals (FNAI 1990). Mangrove cuckoos (Coccyzus minor), black-whiskered vireos (Vireo altiloquus) and gray kingbirds (Tyrannus dominicensis) may utilize the mangrove swamps found throughout Lee County s preserves for nesting. These three species are dependent on mangroves and their numbers are jeopardized by the fragmentation of mangroves. There are several wildlife species that are found exclusively in mangrove swamps including mangrove salt marsh snakes (Nerodia clarkii compressicauda) and at least two butterfly species, the mangrove skipper (Phocides pigmalion) and the black mangrove buckeye (Junonia evarete), that depend on mangroves as a larval food source. Additionally, mangroves can produce up to 80% of the total organic material available in the aquatic food web through the continuous shedding of its leaves and other plant components (FNAI 1990). Disturbed portions of Lee County s preserves also have important functions. The abandoned fields provide open habitat for the American kestrel (Falco sparvarius) crested caracara (Caracara cheriway) and Florida scrub jay to forage. The sparseness of trees allows the scrub jay a field of view to watch for predators. In the wet summer months standing water creates feeding grounds for many wading birds including snowy egrets (Egretta thula), lesser yellow-legs (Tringa flavipes) and great blue herons (Ardea herodius). The fields also provide foraging habitat for sandhill cranes. In the fall, these fields provide habitat for resident mottled ducks (Anas fulvigula) and migratory bluewinged teal (Anas discors). Many of the wetlands have been and may continue to be hydrologically impacted by adjacent development (i.e. roadways, berms, residential communities, commercial parks) and exotic plant infestation; they still provide habitat and foraging opportunities for wildlife including frogs, herons, white ibis and a variety of wading birds. As restoration occurs, these communities will provide more opportunities for additional species. Artificial ponds, ditches, etc also provide habitat and a source of water for wildlife during the dry season. ii. Natural Plant Communities. Describes the preserve s natural plant communities by using the FLUCFCS designations, FNAI s Guide to the Natural Communities of Florida ( or staff s best description/definition of disturbed plant communities, and the plant communities function within the ecosystem. In the individual LSP provide map of plant communities and include acreage and percentage of 36

40 each. Include any limitations these habitats may have, especially for listed plant and animal species. HARDWOOD FORESTED UPLANDS- mesic or xeric forest dominated mainly by hardwood trees Mesic Hammock Mesic hammock communities are a closed canopy community with live oaks (Quercus virginiana) and cabbage palms (Sabal palmetto) in the overstory, saw palmetto (Serenoa repens), American beauty berry (Callicarpa americana), hog plum (Ximenia americana) and sparkleberry (Vaccinium arboretum) in the understory. Herbaceous plants include witchgrasses (Dichanthelium spp.) and bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum). Epiyphytes are a characteristic feature of mesic hammocks and include shoestring fern (Vittaria lineata), golden polypody (Phlebodium aureum), resurrection fern (Pleopeltis polypodioides) and bromeliads (Tillandsia spp.). Mesic hammock soils tend to be welldrained but the heavy canopy cover and leaf litter keep the soils moist and fire is uncommon. Wildlife in this community can include American redstarts (Setophaga ruticilla), brown thrashers (Toxostoma rufum), and barred owls (Strix varia). Mesic Hammock (Disturbed) Disturbances can include invasive exotic vegetation, feral hog (Sus scrofa) damage or other soil disturbance, and invasion of saw palmetto or shrubs due to lack of fire. Although not invasive, saw palmetto increases the possibility of a catastrophic wildfire. Altered water levels or ditching can also cause disturbance. Prairie Mesic Hammock Some mesic hammock communities, typically isolated patches occurring within a larger matrix of pyrogenic vegetation, experience low intensity fires on a regular basis, leading to a somewhat species-depauperate canopy of cabbage palm, live oak, or a mixture of the two species, with saw palmetto common in the understory. Prairie Mesic Hammock (Disturbed) Disturbances can include invasive exotic vegetation, lack of fire resulting in overgrowth of cabbage palm, saw palmetto and live oak. Feral hog damage and other soil disturbances such as off-road vehicle use can also impact this community. Xeric Hammock Xeric hammock communities are climax communities created on well-drained soils where fire exclusion has allowed the oak canopy to reach sufficient height and thickness to shade out most of the herbaceous understory. Typical oaks found in this plant 37

41 community are the same as those found in scrub (Quercus chapmanii, Q. myrtifolia, Q. geminate), although live and laurel oaks as well as south Florida slash pines are occasionally found in the canopy. Mid-story plants include saw palmetto, fetterbush (Lyonia lucida) and common persimmon (Diospyros virginiana). The understory is typically sparse or absent. Wildlife in the xeric hammock includes feral hogs, white-eyed vireos, and Carolina wrens (Thryothorus ludovicianus). Xeric hammocks are a result of years of fire exclusion. The only way to return this community to its former plant community is through severe burns during extremely dry conditions, mechanical removal and/or herbicide applications. Long-term management goals for this community should include restoring it to the appropriate former plant community. HIGH PINE AND SCRUB hills with mesic or xeric woodlands or shrublands; canopy, if present, open and consisting of pine or a mixture of pine and deciduous hardwoods. Scrub Scrub communities are xeric uplands located on deep, dry, infertile sandy soils with open or dense shrubs, including scrub oak, with or without pine canopy. In our area scrub is often dominated with a thicket of three species of oak: myrtle, sand live (Quercus geminata) and Chapman (Quercus chapmanii). Two other common shrubs found in this community are saw palmetto and fetterbush. White, bare sandy areas are commonly scattered throughout this community. Deer lichen (Cladonia spp.) is also common on the ground and oak mistletoe (Phoradendron leucarpum) is commonly found in the canopy. Common wildlife utilizing scrub includes gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus), palm warblers (Dendroica palmarum) and nine-banded armadillos (Dasypus novemcinctus). Fire return intervals on oak-dominated scrub are estimated to be between 5 and 20 years. This is due to the fact that although the plants are highly flammable, it is difficult for scrub to become ignited due to the lack of fine fuels on the ground as compared to flatwoods or prairie communities. Many land managers attempt to burn scrub at ideal intervals for Florida scrub jays (Aphelocoma coerulescens). The goal is to allow the oaks to grow enough to become mature and produce acorns, but then to burn the scrub before it attains heights greater than 5.5 feet. Often, the burn rotation must be more frequent in long-unburned scrub for the first few burns. 38

42 Scrub (Disturbed) The biggest cause of disturbance in scrub communities is lack of fire. Without fire, shrub canopies form causing shading out of herbaceous ground covers, or palmetto thickets form and create monocultures. Without hot, frequent fires, scrub can become unable to sustain scrub jays and gopher tortoises. PINE FLATWOODS AND DRY PRAIRIE mesic or hydric pine woodland or mesic shrubland on flat sandy or limestone subtrates, may have a hard pan that impedes drainage. Wet Flatwoods Wet flatwoods are characterized as relatively open-canopy forests of scattered pine trees and some cabbage palms (Sabal palmetto) with a sparse understory and a dense ground cover of hydrophytic herbs and low shrubs. Wet flatwoods occur on relatively flat, poorly drained terrain where water frequently stands on the surface for one or more months of the year. This type of flatwoods can be distinguished from mesic and scrubby flatwoods by the absence or low levels of saw palmetto and low-growing oaks. Many plants here are under the stress of water saturation during the wet season and under the stress of dehydration during the dry season. In addition to south Florida slash pines, wax myrtle, peelbark St. John s-wort (Hypericum fasciculatum), blue maidencane (Amphicarpum muhlenbergianum) and hairawn muhly (Muhlenbergia capillaris) may be present. Animals utilizing this plant community include red-shouldered hawk (Buteo lineatus), blue-gray gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea), downy woodpecker (Picoides pubescens) and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). Natural fire regimes for this plant community range from every 1-4 years. Without a regular fire, wet flatwoods will gradually be invaded by shrubs and the closed canopy would gradually eliminate the groundcover herbs and shrubs. Wet Flatwoods (Disturbed) Wet flatwoods are considered disturbed due to lack of fire and or heavy invasive plant coverage in the midstory. Invasive exotic plant removal, wax myrtle removal and pine tree thinning can be used to restore these areas. Mesic Flatwoods Synonyms for this plant community include pine flatwoods and pine savannahs. Mesic flatwoods occur on relatively flat, moderately to poorly drained soils. Standing water is common for brief periods during the rainy season. Mesic flatwoods are characterized as 39

43 having an open canopy with widely spaced pine trees and a dense ground cover of herbs and shrubs. Typical plants growing in this community include south Florida slash pine, saw palmetto, coastal plain staggerbush (Lyonia fruticosa), and bottlebrush threeawn (Aristida spiciformis). White-eyed vireo, red-bellied woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus), pine warbler (Dendroica pinus), great horned owl (Bubo virginianus) and squirrel treefrog (Hyla squirella) utilize mesic flatwoods. The average fire return interval in mesic flatwoods is 3.2 years with a historic maximum of ten years between burns. Without frequent fires, mesic flatwoods will succeed into hardwood-dominated forests whose closed canopy will gradually eliminate the groundcover of herbs and shrubs. On the other hand, too frequent or too hot fires can eliminate pine recruitment and eventually transform the mesic flatwoods into dry prairie. Research has demonstrated that varying the season and interval between burns produces the most diversity of herbaceous ground cover plants (Robbins and Myers 1992). Mesic Flatwoods (Disturbed) Mesic flatwoods that became overgrown with a thick, high palmetto understory and a dense pine canopy are considered disturbed. Ideal ranges for natural areas of south Florida slash pine range from with a range of square feet of basal area which provides adequate sunlight for herbaceous plants and new pine recruitment as well as sufficient pine needles to carry fire (FDOF et al. 2008, Weston 2009). Invasive exotic vegetation and feral hog damage can also disturb mesic flatwoods. Scrubby Flatwoods Scrubby flatwoods are characterized by an open canopy of widely scattered south Florida slash pine trees with a sparse, shrubby understory of scrub oaks, myrtle oak, Chapman s oak, running oak (Quercus elliottii) as well as understory plants including pennyroyal (Piloblephis rigida), prickly pear, (Opuntia compressa), gopher apple (Licania michauxii) and shiny blueberry (Vaccinium myrsinites). There may be small bare sand openings lacking vegetation throughout this community that are conducive to scrub jay acorn caching. The white sandy soil found here is typically several feet deep and drains rapidly. These areas usually do not flood even under extremely wet conditions. Animals seen in this community include gopher tortoises, eastern phoebes (Sayornis phoebe), eastern diamondback rattlesnakes (Crotalus adamantus) and pine woods treefrogs (Hyla femoralis). 40

44 Naturally occurring fire returns every 5-15 years. This longer return interval is due to the lack of ground vegetation, open sandy patches and abundance of non-combustible scrub-oak leaf litter that is present. In some cases, shorter fire returns, by utilizing prescribed burns, are desirable to help control oak growth in fire suppressed situations. Scrubby Flatwoods (Disturbed) Due to lack of fire, saw palmetto and scrub oak understory has become too high and thick to support gopher tortoises, Florida scrub jays and other scrub dependent species. A dense understory is undesirable for gopher tortoises that depend on a wide variety of understory plants and open sandy areas to lay their eggs. Encroachment of oaks from adjacent communities can also indicate disturbance. Dry Prairie Dry prairie (or palmetto prairie) communities are typically a community of low shrubs, grasses and forbs with very few, if any pines (Pinus spp.). It is believed that this community s structure is created by high fire frequency combined with flat topography and soil types that tend to flood and hold water longer than mesic flatwood communities. Characteristic plants growing in dry prairies include low saw palmetto and wax myrtle, dwarf live oak (Quercus minima) as well as a wide variety of herbaceous species including lopsided indiangrass (Sorghastrum secundum), milkworts (Polygala spp.), and yellow-eyed grasses (Xyris spp.). Northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus), eastern meadowlark (Sturnella magna), eastern towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus), Florida sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pratensis), oak toads (Anaxyrus quercicus) and bobcat (Lynk rufus) often utilize dry prairie. Natural fire regimes for dry prairies are every 1-2 years. Dry Prairie (Disturbed) Disturbance indicators include the palmetto height and pine tree density is greater than average, most often due to lack of fire. Invasive exotic vegetation can also become established. COASTAL UPLANDS mesic or xeric communities restricted to barrier islands and near shore; woody or herbaceous vegetation; other communities may also occur in coastal environments. 41

45 Beach Dune This pioneer community is comprised of active coastal dune with sand substrate and xeric conditions. Fire is rare to non-existent in this marine influenced community. Winds help form dunes and without vegetative coverage, wind will continue pushing material onto inland vegetation. Dune systems cushion the impact of waves, particularly during tropical storm events. Vegetation is primarily open herbaceous coverage with no canopy. Plants include salt spray tolerant grasses, sea oats (Uniola paniculata), and railroad vine. A wide variety of small mammals, sea turtles, and several varieties of listed shorebird species depend on this community. Beach Dune (Disturbed) Vehicles and beach-goers can easily dislodge vegetation and alter the shape of dunes. High winds and tropical storm events can devastate this community. Few invasive exotics become established in this community. Coastal Strand This is a stabilized coastal dune with sand substrate and xeric conditions. Fire is rare to non-existent in this marine influenced community. Vegetation is primarily dense shrubs, including saw palmetto or seagrape. Plants in this community are less salt tolerant and often develop dead twigs as a result of salt spray. A wide variety of birds, including the piping plover (Charadrius melodus) and snowy plover utilize this community. Coastal Strand (Disturbed) Coastal strand communities are vulnerable to invasion by exotic plants, including Australian pine (Casuarina equisetifolia). Tropical storm events can drastically alter this community. Too much inundation with salt water can kill vegetation. These areas are often disturbed by beach visitors and their activities. Many areas of coastal strand have been developed, or face development pressure. Maritime Hammock Climax community areas of stabilized coastal dune with sand substrate found inland from coastal strand communities with xeric to mesic conditions. Fire is rare in this marine influenced community. Freshwater from rain events can collect in this community and provide drinking opportunities for wildlife. The canopy is closed and comprised of evergreens along with live oak, cabbage palm, red bay (Persia borbonia), red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) in temperate maritime hammock; or gumbo limbo (Bursera simaruba), seagrape, and white or Spanish stopper 42

46 (Eugenia foetida) present in tropical maritime hammock. Wildlife includes great blue herons (Ardea herodias), brown pelicans (Pelicanus occidentalis), eastern cottontails (Sylvilagus palustris), softshelled turtles (Frionyx ferox), and eastern diamondback rattlesnakes. Maritime Hammock (Disturbed) Coastal strand communities are vulnerable to invasion by exotic plants, including Australian pine. Tropical storm events can drastically alter this community. Too much inundation with salt water can kill vegetation. These areas are often disturbed by beach visitors and their activities. Many areas of coastal strand have been developed, or face development pressure. Shell Mound These small hills of shells deposited by Native Americans are generally mesic-xeric. Vegetation is often a closed canopy of mixed hardwoods such as soapberry (Sapindus saponaria), and gumbo limbo. Fire is rare in this marine influenced community. These areas are often archeologically sensitive and not identified on maps within Land Stewardship Plans to deter potential illegal removal of artifacts or disturbance to the sensitive area. Shell Mound (Disturbed) Looting of shell mounds is common by individuals illegally collecting artifacts. Feral hogs can root up shell mounds, and invasive exotic vegetation can overtake them. Coastal Berm This xeric-mesic community originates from extreme tidal and storm events where sand and shell substrate are deposited to form a berm beyond the mean high tide level. Soils are often a mixture of peat, shell, sand and woody debris which allows for a variety of vegetation types to occur. Coastal berms are extensively marine influenced and natural fires are rare. This community often takes the place of dune systems along the southwest Florida coast because we lack daily winds strong enough to form true dune systems. Vegetation structure is variable, with a mix of tropical herbs, shrubs and trees, including cabbage palms and sea grape (Coccoloba uvifera). Coastal Berm (Disturbed) Although not suited for development, this community receives pressure from developed beachfront areas due to vehicles on the beach and beach-goers trampling vegetation. Tropical storm systems can destroy coastal berm areas and invasive exotic vegetation can become established. Feral hogs can pose soil disturbance issues. 43

47 Coastal Grassland This coastal flatland is located behind dunes with stable sand substrate and is mesichydric. Coastal grassland is found primarily on broader barrier islands. This community can form as barrier islands build seaward and new dunes are formed, or as part of beach system recovery after a storm overwash. Without storm events or other disturbances, this community will eventually be replaced with woody vegetation and succeed into a climax coastal community. Fire is an occasional occurrence in this marine influenced community. Vegetation is primarily salt tolerant grasses and herbs including sea oats, bluestem grasses (Andropogon spp.), and hairawn muhly. No canopy is present. Wildlife includes snowy plover (Charadrius alexandrinus), Wilson s plover (Charadrius wilsonia), and American oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus). Coastal Grassland (Disturbed) Invasion by Australian pine after storm events can alter the natural succession of coastal plant communities by blocking sand shifting and shading out other native vegetation. FRESHWATER NON-FORESTED WETLANDS herbaceous or shrubby palustrine communities in floodplains or depressions; canopy trees, if present, very sparse and often stunted. PRAIRIES AND BOGS short hydroperiod; dominated by grasses, sedges, and/or titi. Wet Prairie Wet prairies are described as a treeless plain with a ground cover of grasses and herbs including a wide variety of sedges (Rhynchospora spp., Scleria spp.), as well as, whitehead bogbutton (Lachncaulon anceps), shortleaf rosegentian (Sabatia brevifolia) and gaping panicum (Panicum hians). This community occurs on relatively flat, poorly drained low areas and soil typically consists of sands with a clay or organic component. Wet prairie communities are extremely important in providing breeding and foraging habitat for a variety of wildlife. Animals utilizing this community include Wilson s snipe (Gallinago delicata), Florida cricket frogs (Acris gryllus dorsalis) and striped mud turtles (Kinosternon baurii). 44

48 Wet prairies are fire dependent communities with some species dependent upon fire to stimulate reproduction. Typically these areas burn every 2-3 years and become invaded with wax myrtle and other trees and shrubs during longer fire intervals. These larger plant species eventually reduce the hydroperiod through increased evapotranspiration and increased biomass and shade out the groundcovers. Wet Prairie (Disturbed) Due to lack of fire, or fires primarily set during winter months, invasion by wax myrtle and other shrubs can occur. A combination of mechanical and chemical removal will likely be necessary to reduce the cover since there is not sufficient understory in these areas to carry a fire. Feral hog activity can create soil disturbance conducive for invasive exotic vegetation to seed into the area. Altered hydroperiods can also inundate/dry out wet prairie systems. Marl Prairie Marl prairies are sparsely vegetated (20-40% cover of graminoid type species) found on marl substrates in south Florida. Marl is a fine white mud formed from the calcite made of periphyton. This soil is highly alkaline and impermeable as compared to the sandy soils of a wet prairie. They are seasonally flooded (2-4 months) with shallow water. Typical plants include starrush whitetop (Rhynchospora colorata), gulfdune paspalum (Paspalum monostachyum), yellow-eyed grasses and pineland heliotrope (Heliotropium polyphyllum). Wildlife species found in this community include Bachman s sparrow (Aimophila aestivalis), Florida sandhill cranes and oak toads. Marl prairies normally dry out during the winter and are subject to fires at the end of the dry season, with the most acres naturally burning in May. Fires at this time stimulate flowering of the dominant grasses. Herbaceous species recover rapidly from fire and biomass reaches pre-fire levels at the end of two years. For the first two years after fire this community will burn only patchily, if at all. Marl Prairie (Disturbed) Invasion by woody species, primarily wax myrtle, in this plant community is typically caused by shorter hydroperiods and lack of fire. Soil disturbance, caused by feral hogs or motorized equipment can also alter this community. 45

49 Shrub Bog Shrub bog communities are characterized by dense stands of evergreen shrubs, vines and short trees. The soil is mucky and often covered with up to 12 of water. There may be some small patches of open water and there are few herbaceous plants. Typical plants in this community include wax myrtle, Carolina willow, laurel greenbriar (Smilax laurifolia) and Jamaica swamp sawgrass (Cladium jamaicense). They are typically found on the border of swamps and upland communities, in stream drainages and in flat, poorly drained areas between rivers. Wildlife found in this community includes green treefrogs, red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) and common yellowthroats (Geothylpis tristis). Natural shrub bogs will typically have fire burn into the edges from surrounding upland communities. During droughts fire may burn through the community. If the soils are dry enough, the fire may kill the shrubs, although the majority of the time the plants will resprout from the roots. Long durations of lack of fire in wet prairies and wet flatwoods can also result in those communities succeeding into a shrub bog. Shrub Bog (Disturbed) Invasive exotic vegetation can easily alter a shrub bog community. Feral hog rooting can cause damage to vegetation as well as soil disturbance. Lack of fire can allow pines and other trees to become dominate and shade out the shrub component. Increasing/decreasing water levels over long periods also impacts this community. MARSHES long hydroperiod; dominated by grasses, sedges, broadleaf emergents, floating aquatics, or shrubs. Depression Marsh Synonyms for this community include isolated wetland, ephemeral pond and seasonal marsh. Depression marsh areas are characterized as shallow, usually rounded depressions in sand substrate which typically consists of open, treeless areas with herbaceous vegetation that is often growing in concentric bands. They are often found within fire-maintained plant communities like mesic flatwoods or dry prairies. Plants found in this community range from beaksedges and peelbark St. John s-wort in the shallow margins to alligatorflag (Thalia geniculata) and spadderdock. Hydrologic conditions vary, with most depression marshes drying in most years. Hydroperiods range widely from as few as 50 days or less to more than 200 days per year. 46

50 Depression marshes are considered extremely important in providing breeding or foraging habitat for numerous amphibian species and wading birds. Animals using this community include great egrets (Ardea alba), great blue herons and Florida cricket frogs. Fire is important to maintaining this community by restricting the invasion of shrubs and trees, which would eventually reduce the hydroperiod through increased evapotranspiration and biomass as well as shading out the wetland herbaceous vegetation. The duration between burns will depend on the surrounding natural community. Depression Marsh (Disturbed) Lack of fire can cause invasion of woody vegetation. Feral hogs can cause soil disturbance and damage vegetation. Invasive exotic vegetation can easily infest these communities. Basin Marsh This community is an herbaceous wetland that is a basin of peat or sand substrate which is seasonally inundated with freshwater from rainfall. Submerged, floating, emergent and grassy zones are present, along with possible shrub patches. Vegetation includes yellow pondlily (Nuphar advena), pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata), bulltongue arrowhead (Sagittaria lancifolia) and southern cattail (Typha domingensis). Wildlife species include nesting sandhill cranes, great blue heron, river otter (Lutra canadensis) and Florida cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus conanti). Basin Marsh (Disturbed) During periods of drought, dog fennel and other weedy vegetation can colonize on exposed marsh bottoms and lowered water levels can allow wax myrtle and other shrubby vegetation to encroach and eventually shade out herbaceous vegetation. If water levels do not fluctuate seasonally, cattail, which can tolerate long periods of inundation, can become dominant. Too much or too little fire will alter plant species. Invasive exotic vegetation and feral hogs can cause extensive damage to this system. Ditching for drainage or construction of cow wells is a common disturbance in marsh systems. Slough Marsh Slough marsh communities are seasonally inundated, herbaceous plant communities growing in broad channels with intermittently flowing water and a sand/peat substrate. Vegetation grows in zones, depending on the duration of standing water and the depth of the water. The deeper zones contain plants such as bulltongue arrowhead and 47

51 pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata) while the shallower edges are dominated by sand cordgrass (Spartina bakeri), various sedges (Rhynchospora spp., Fimbristylis spp., Eleocharis spp.) and other grass species. Wildlife found in this community includes snowy egrets, gray catbirds (Dumetella carolinensis), tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) and killdeer (Charadrius vociferous). Fire should be allowed to burn from adjacent uplands into slough marsh communities and naturally extinguish. Fire regime should be 3-10 years. This helps to prevent shrub encroachment by wax myrtle, coastalplain willow (Salix caroliniana) and groundsel tree (Baccharis halimifolia). Slough Marsh (Disturbed) During periods of drought, dog fennel and other weedy vegetation can colonize on exposed bottoms and lowered water levels can allow wax myrtle and other shrubby vegetation to encroach and eventually shade out herbaceous vegetation in the deeper water zones. Too much or too little fire will alter plant species. Invasive exotic vegetation and feral hogs can cause extensive damage to this system. Ditching for drainage or overdrawing water for agriculture or human consumption can alter hydrology. Slough Sloughs are the deepest drainage ways within swamps and marsh systems. They are broad shallow channels inundated with slow moving or stagnant water, although they can completely dry out during drought periods. Fire is a rare occurance in this sparsely canopied community. Plant species in this community include bald cypress, common buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) and pond apple (Annona glabra). Submerged plants include bulltongue arrowhead and creeping primrosewillow (Ludwigia repens). Sloughs are very vulnerable to hydrological disturbances. Wildlife documented in this community includes white-eyed vireos, Carolina wrens and Florida leopard frogs (Lithobates sphenocephalus sphenocephalus). Slough (Disturbed) Slough systems are sensitive to ditching or other water diversions, drought and excess water levels which can allow non-desirable plant species to become established. Feral hog damage, invasive exotic vegetation and catastrophic wildfires or peat fires can also alter slough systems. 48

52 Pond Apple Slough A slough dominated by pond apple (Annona glabra) with lots of epiphytes and canopy cover. FRESHWATER FORESTED WETLANDS floodplains or depressions dominated by hydrophytic trees. Dome Swamp Dome swamps are characterized as shallow, forested, usually circular depressions that generally present a domed profile because larger trees grow in the center and smaller trees grow on the periphery. Typical plants found in these communities include bald cypress, cabbage palm, myrsine and swamp fern. Wildlife documented in the dome swamps includes northern cardinals, blue-gray gnatcatchers and gray catbirds. The typical hydroperiod for dome swamps is 180 to 270 days per year and fire is an important component for maintaining healthy species composition. Without fire, the dominant canopy can succeed to hardwoods. The fire frequency varies from 3-5 years on the edge and years in the center. Dome Swamp (Disturbed) Dome swamps can become invaded with slash pines due to shortened hydroperiods. Lack of fire can allow for hardwood succession. Feral hogs can cause vegetation damage and soil disturbance. Strand Swamp Strand swamps are shallow, forested wetlands, typically linear in shape and dominated by bald cypress with an extensive variety of understory and herbaceous plants including pond apple, laurel oak, myrsine, royal fern (Osmunda regalis var. spectabilis) and sawgrass. Thick vines such as laurel greenbrier and eastern poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) can make this a challenging community to walk through. Hydroperiods for this community range from days and the water remains the deepest in the center of the channels. The plant diversity in this community is often a result of slight topographical changes, including the epiphytic nature of some plants to grow on the stumps and rotting logs of fallen trees. 49

53 Wildlife documented utilizing strand swamps include pileated woodpeckers (Dryocopus pileatus), yellow rat snakes (Elaphe obsoleta quadrivittata), and eastern gray squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis). Strand Swamp (Disturbed) Strand swamps can become invaded with slash pines due to shortened hydroperiods. Lack of fire can allow for hardwood succession. Feral hogs can cause vegetation damage and soil disturbance. Ditching or other water flow alterations can impact hydroperiods. Invasive exotic vegetation also alters this system. HARDWOOD dominated by a mix of hydrophytic hardwood trees; cypress or tupelo may be occasional or infrequent in the canopy; short hydroperiod. Baygall Baygall communities are characterized as densely forested, slope or depression wetlands with peat substrate, usually saturated and sometimes inundated, with an acidic ph. Evergreen trees form a closed canopy which often looks like a tall, dense thicket and bay species including loblolly bay (Gordonia lasianthus), sweetbay (Magnolia virginiana), and swamp bay (Persea palustris) are dominant. Fires are not a regular occurance due to the normally saturated soils, however fires in adjacent plant communities should be allowed to naturally extinguish in the baygall to prevent bay species from encroaching into other plant communities. Other plant species may include a mix of coco plum (Chrysobalanus icaco), fetterbush, and dahoon holly (Ilex cassine), with herbaceous coverage often lacking or consisting of fern species. Animals in this community include Florida black bear (Ursus americanus floridanus), bobcat (Lynx rufus) and wading bird rookeries. Baygall (Disturbed) Drought can produce conditions conducive to catastrophic fires which destroy the canopy and can burn in the peat for months. Peat fires can cause baygalls to be colonized by marsh vegetation and with the elimination of the peat soil coastal plain willow can become dominant and swamp or marsh systems will be created. Altered hydrology, feral hogs and invasive exotic vegetation also cause disturbances to this community. Hydric Hammock Hydric hammocks are a closed canopy community primarily consisting of oaks and palms with a scattered understory and moderate cover of herbaceous species. Soils are moist, poorly drained and often there is a shallow depth to limestone. These communities are seldom inundated for more than 60 days per year. The primary canopy trees can include 50

54 laurel oak and cabbage palm. Additional understory species may include swamp bay, wax myrtle and wild coffee (Psychotria nervosa). Hydric hammocks create a large oak mast which is important for wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) and Florida black bear. Other wildlife documented in this community includes gray catbirds, green anoles (Anolis carolinensis) and brown thrashers. The hydroperiod of hydric hammocks is typically short, but soil moisture typically remains high during the year. Due to their generally saturated soils and the sparse herbaceous cover, hydric hammocks rarely burn. Prairie Hydric Hammock This community is an isolated stand of hydric hammock within a broader area of pyrogenic vegetation, usually associated with floodplain marsh. This is a treed area, generally dominated by cabbage palm and live oak. The understory is open and sparse. Wildlife is similar to the hydric hammock dwellers. Hydric Hammock (Disturbed) Soil damage caused by off-road vehicles can result in erosion and formation of ruts which increase water runoff. Hydric hammocks are favorite habitats for feral hogs, and rutting damage is often large-scale, both to soil and vegetation coverage. Other disturbances include alterations to hydrology due to ditching or creation of artificial ponds, catastrophic wildfires, as well as invasion by exotic vegetation. MARINE and ESTUARINE VEGETATED WETLANDS intertidal or supratidal zone dominated by herbaceous or woody halophytic vascular plants; salinity >0.5 ppt. Salt Marsh Salt marsh communities are characterized as natural saline soiled communities dominated by grasses which are inundated with saltwater by daily tides and are found along saltwater bodies of water. There are on mucky, sandy or limestone substrate and are treeless, with few shrubs. Characteristic plant species include saltmarsh cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora), seaside oxeye, and saltwort (Batis maritime). Fire is occasional or rare. Wildlife species include marsh rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris), white ibis (Eudocimus albus) and raccoon (Procyon lotor). 51

55 Salt Flat This is a salt marsh with lots of bare, exposed soil on slightly elevated areas within a salt marsh. High salinity and dry conditions result in limited and often stunted cover of succulent salt tolerant plant species. Salt Marsh (Disturbed) Salt marshes are vulnerable to off-road vehicle use which creates deep ruts for water to flow through and destroys vegetation. Fresh water inundation from un-natural man-made releases, as well as ditching can impact this community. In Lee County many salt marsh areas are disturbed from construction of mosquito ditches. Mangrove Swamp These estuarine wetlands are on muck/sand/or limestone substrate. They are inundated with saltwater by daily tides. The dominant plants in this community are black mangrove (Avicennia germinans), red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle), white mangrove (Laguncularia racemosa) and buttonwood (Conocarpus erectus). Few herbaceous plants occur in the sparse understory. Plants must be halophytic to survive in this community. The dominant species of mangrove found in different areas is dependant on abiotic factors such as tidal flushing and salinity. This is a nutrient rich community which sustains large populations of barnacles (Balanus spp.) and oysters (Crassostrea spp.) as well as bacteria and other decomposers. Wildlife species include brown pelicans, white ibis and raccoons. Mangrove Swamp (Disturbed) Development and resulting human usage of this community can result in removal of mangroves. Feral hogs and invasive exotic plants also impact mangrove swamps. Mosquito ditches were historically placed in this community. LACUSTRINE - Non-flowing wetlands of natural depressions lacking persistent emergent vegetation except around the perimeter. Flatwoods/Prairie Lake These are shallow, still water or flow-through basins in flatlands with high water table that frequently have a broad littoral zone and a sand or peat substrate. Water chemistry varies but often water will be colored or clear, acidic to slightly alkaline with moderate mineral content and oligo-mesotrophic to eutrophic conditions. An abundance of amphibians utilize this community, along with mammals such as opossum and raccoon. 52

56 Flatwoods/Prairie Lake (Disturbed) This community is easily disturbed by ditching, off-road vehicle use, invasive exotic vegetation and feral hogs. Droughts can allow woody vegetation to grow and alter this system. Marsh Lake This community is a relatively shallow, open water area with still water or flow-through, within wide expanses of freshwater marsh. The substrate is peat, sand or clay and water chemistry is variable, but characteristically water is highly colored and acidic with moderate mineral content (sodium, chloride, sulfate) and oligo-mesotrophic to eutrophic conditions. Marsh Lake (Disturbed) Alterations to water levels greatly impact this community. Lack of fire from surrounding communities can allow encroachment by wax myrtle and other woody species. Invasive exotic vegetation and feral hogs are also common disturbances to this community. Swamp Lake Synonyms for this community include cypress pond, gum pond, blackwater lake or pond which are generally characterized as shallow open water zones, with or without floating and submerged aquatic plants, that are surrounded by basin swamp or floodplain swamp. They are generally permanent water bodies where water levels fluctuate substantially and may become completely dry during extreme droughts. Swamp lakes are extremely vulnerable to hydrological manipulations which lower the water levels and hasten successional processes. Typical plants include spatterdock, coontail, milfoil and pickerelweed. Typical animals include mosquito fish (Gambusia spp.), southern leopard frog and northern river otter. RIVERINE - Natural, flowing waters from their source to the downstream limits of tidal influence and bounded by channel banks. Blackwater Stream Blackwater streams are the most widely distributed and numerous riverine systems in the southeast Coastal Plain. They are created from broad areas that collect rainfall that is slowly discharged into the stream. The water is tea-colored from the tannins and organic matter collected during this upstream drainage. Plants growing on the banks of the creek may include saw palmetto, bald cypress, eastern poison ivy, and Virginia willow. 53

57 A few animals that have been documented utilizing the stream and bank vegetation include green treefrogs (Hyla cinerea), Carolina wrens and American alligators. Blackwater Stream (Disturbed) Ditching or other artificial drainage can alter flow patterns. Invasive exotic vegetation can become dominant. Feral hogs can cause soil erosion and destruction of vegetation. Seepage Stream This community is characterized by clear to lightly colored water derived from shallow groundwater seepage. They tend to be seasonal and a mix of vegetation can occur along them. Mammals will use them seasonally as a drinking area and fish may swim into them from other bodies of water the stream drains into. Seepage Stream (Disturbed) Agricultural disking and cattle can alter flow or eliminate this system completely. Feral hogs, invasive exotic vegetation, ditching and alteration of ground water levels can also cause disturbance. MARINE/ESTUARINE - The distinction between the Marine and Estuarine Natural Communities is often subtle, and the natural communities types found under these two community categories have the same descriptions. For these reasons they have been grouped together.) - Subtidal, intertidal and supratidal zones of the sea, landward to the point at which seawater becomes significantly diluted with freshwater inflow from the land. Consolidated Substrate FNAI defines this community as an expansive subtidal, intertidal and supratidal area composed primarily of non-living compacted or coherent and relatively hard, naturally formed mass of mineral matter, mainly coquina limerock or relic reefs. Sponges, stony corals and a variety of algae species may be present. Seagrass is very sparce and rarely found in this community. Unconsolidated Substrate Expansive subtidal, intertidal and supratidal composed primarily of loose mineral matter. The most commonly used terms for this community is beach, mud flat or tidal flat.mud flats may support large populations of organisms such as tube worms, sand dollars, mollusks, isopods, amphipods, burrowing shrimp, and a variety of crabs. These organisms are not readily visible but their densities can reach the tens of thousands per meter square, making this community important feeding grounds for bottom feeding fish, 54

58 including flounder (Paralichthys spp.) and sheephead (Archosargus probatocephalus), as well as shorebirds. ALTERED LANDCOVER TYPES FNAI recognizes that not all habitats and landscapes in Florida are in natural condition. Some have been completely converted from their historic natural community (e.g., agriculture, pasture) while others have been severely altered by human impacts such as fire suppression or silvicultural activities. These altered habitats do not fit into FNAI s Natural Community Classification. For these reasons FNAI recognizes the following altered landcover types to describe the most common non-natural habitats observed on conservation lands in Florida (FNAI 2010). Abandoned field This disturbed community is defined as early successional areas that were formerly used for agriculture. Restoration activities to smooth furrows and remove the exotic grasses may need to occur before it can become a viable plant community. Plants found within this disrupted community can include wax myrtle, small live oaks, netted pawpaw (Asimina reticulata), and bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum var. saurae). Wildlife utilizing abandoned fields include bobwhite quail, Big Cypress fox squirrel (Sciurus niger avicennia) and cottontail rabbit. Abandoned pasture Improved pastures without recent activity (grazing, mowing, burning) to maintain the community as a pasture. Generally designated when weedy cover from woody species is greater than 20 percent. Agriculture Row crops, citrus groves, and sod fields that are currently being maintained to grow products for human or domesticated animal use. Canal/ditch Artificial drainageway Clearing Dove fields, wildlife food plots, clearing of unknown origin, etc. Developed Mines, check stations, ORV use areas, parking lots, buildings, maintained lawns (as part of recreational, business, or residential areas), campgrounds, recreational, industrial, and 55

59 residential areas Invasive exotic monoculture Stand of invasive exotic plant species that have eliminated the native vegetation, or nearly so. Impoundment/artificial pond Stream or watershed impoundment, water retention ponds, cattle ponds, and borrow pits Pasture - improved Dominated by planted non-native or domesticated native forage species and evidence of current or recent pasture activity and/or cultural treatments (mowing, grazing, burning, fertilizing; Agro-Ecology Grazing Issues Working Group 2009). Improved pastures have been cleared of their native vegetation. Most improved pastures in Florida are planted with bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum) and to a lesser extent with Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) or pangolagrass (Digitaria eriantha). Weedy native species are often common in improved pastures in Florida and include dogfennel (Eupatorium capillifolium), many species of flatsedge (Cyperus spp.), carpetgrasses (Axonopus spp.), crabgrasses (Digitaria spp.), and rustweed (Polypremum procumbens) among many others. Lawns or turf areas that are being maintained by mowing for human/recreational-use should be classified as developed (see Developed above). Pasture - semi-improved Dominated by a mix of planted non-native or domesticated native forage species and native groundcover, due to an incomplete conversion to pasture, not regeneration. Semiimproved pastures have been cleared of a significant percentage of their native vegetation and planted in non-native or domesticated native forage species, but still retain scattered patches of native vegetation with natural species composition and structure (most often small areas of mesic flatwoods) among the pastured areas. The planted areas are usually dominated by bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum) and can resemble improved pastures. Seeding of bahiagrass can also occur within areas of native groundcover. This category should apply regardless of recent pasture maintenance. Pine plantation Areas altered by silvicultural activities. These include lands where either 1) planted pines are having or will have an ongoing detrimental effect on native groundcover, 2) the history of planted pines has damaged ground cover to the point where further restoration beyond thinning and burning is required, and/or 3) the method of planting (e.g. bedding) has severely impacted groundcover. Pine plantations in Florida are often dominated by 56

60 even-aged loblolly, sand, or slash pine (Pinus taeda, P. clausa, or P. elliottii, respectively). Dense pine plantations typically have sparse to absent herbaceous vegetation as a result of shading or a cover of deep pine needle duff. These plantations may be very shrubby or vine-dominated or open at ground level. The groundcover in most cases has been severely impacted by mechanical site preparation, such as roller chopping and bedding. However, while perennial grasses such as wiregrass may be greatly reduced, many components of the native groundcover persist even though the relative abundance is altered. Groundcover can be partially restored by thinning and/or frequent burning, although some planting of perennial grasses such as wiregrass may be required. With activities such as thinning and burning, plantations with intact native groundcover can be restored to the former natural community. Road Paved or unpaved Spoil area Area where dredge or spoil material is deposited, may be re-colonized by plants Utility corridor Electric, gas, telephone right-of-ways Cultural Hardwood Forest This disturbed community resembles hammock communities. They are created from pine flatwoods that have been invaded by oaks due to lengthy fire suppression or from cleared fields that have succeeded back into forests. Restoration to a more natural community requires mechanical tree removal, reintroduction of fire and, sometimes, seeding or planting of herbaceous species. Plants may include south Florida slash pines, saw palmetto, live oak and cabbage palms. iii. Fauna. Discusses the native fauna occurring on site and includes discussion on invasive exotic animal occurrence and management. Animal lists for each preserve will be included in the Appendix section of the LSP. Faunal species observed within preserves are, in part, a result of local the diverse plant communities extant, the health of those plant communities, the preserve s location, and its continuity and proximity to other natural areas. Native wildlife (including listed species) and exotic animals have been documented within all of the preserves in Lee County. 57

61 Exotic animal species have some degree of impact on the native plants, soils and animals within preserves. Of all the exotic animals present in Lee County, feral hogs are of primary concern. Feral hogs are generalists in both their diet (omnivores) and their ability to adapt to a variety of environments. Their rooting behavior loosens the soil and accelerates erosion, sets back plant succession, reduces earthworm activity, and exacerbates exotic plant invasion (Mungall 2001). Lee County currently funds a hog trapper to remove feral hogs from county parks and preserves, and plans in the future to implement a hog hunting program. All Lee County preserves will not contain nor will they support feral cat colonies. FWC s Feral and Free Ranging Cats policy is To protect native wildlife from predation, disease, and other impacts presented by feral and free-ranging cats (FWC 2003). Any feral cats will be trapped and taken to Lee County Animal Services. The American Veterinary Medical Association opposes placement of managed cat colonies on public lands or in any area that could threaten at-risk wildlife or in areas that may pose a zoonotic risk to the public ( Stewardship goals within Preserves will focus on maintaining healthy, functioning ecosystem processes therefore providing optimal habitat for native wildlife (including listed species). Restoration of the disturbed areas, application of prescribed fire in pyric communities and control of invasive exotic plants and animals will be critical components in providing the best possible habitat for native wildlife. iv. Designated Species. (Endemic, rare, threatened, endangered, special concern, imperiled, critically imperiled). Within the compiled species lists identify species present falling within any of these categories using the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) document titled Florida s Endangered Species, Threatened Species and Species of Special Concern, or additional documents for all plants and animals listed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), the Institute for Regional Conservation (IRC) and FNAI. Also discuss management techniques to benefit these species and ameliorate their habitat requirements if necessary. Discuss the management threshold of each designated species. Designated species will be noted on the animal list in the appendix of each individual preserve LSP. At time of LSP writing, authors should review most up to date listed species documents for changes in status and any additions/deletions from lists. There are a variety of designated animal and plant species found on our Preserves. Although all native plant and animal species found on the Preserve have some protection due to the preservation of this property, certain species need additional attention. For 58

62 stewardship purposes, all plants and animals listed by the USFWS, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the Institute for Regional Conservation and FNAI will be given special consideration. Typically, designated species will benefit from proper stewardship of the biological communities in which they occur. However, some species may require additional measures to ensure their protection. Practices likely to benefit wildlife and plants at the Preserve include exotic plant control, protecting and restoring water resources, prescribed fire, trash removal, wildlife monitoring, feral and exotic animal control, rollerchopping, pine tree thinning, restricting construction of maintenance trails in certain areas and enforcement of no littering, no hunting (unless feral hog hunting is approved) and no motorized vehicles regulations. Wildlife Species The following is a brief summary of each designated wildlife species explaining why they are in decline. Unless stated otherwise, the reasons for the species decline and the management recommendations, if available, were obtained from Hipes et al. (2001). Gulf Sturgeon The gulf sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi) is the only sturgeon species found in Florida s gulf coastal waters or drainages. Adults and subadults spend the coldest 3-4 months in the Gulf of Mexico and the rest of the year in major panhandle rivers. They are in decline due to the damming of many of north Florida s rivers that drain into the Gulf. Gopher Frog The gopher frog (Rana capito) is becoming increasingly rare throughout its range, primarily due to habitat loss and degradation, as well as the decline of the gopher tortoise, whose burrows often provide homes for this species. Gopher frogs depend on temporary breeding ponds, which rarely support large predatory fish, surrounded by healthy upland ecosystems. They are known to disperse up to a mile from their breeding ponds. In south Florida, gopher frogs may breed year round, but their main breeding season is from October through April when they migrate to ponds during heavy rains. If their presence is discovered, a 30-meter buffer zone around the wetlands should be established where there is no soil disturbance and herbicides are discontinued during breeding and tadpole development periods, which last 3-5 months (Bailey 2003). 59

63 Allowing fire to burn through the wetlands late in the dry season will maintain the breeding ponds as open, grassy habitats and prevent shrub encroachment. American Alligator American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) have recovered dramatically since the 1960s. There are now some populations large enough to support limited harvests. Pollution and destruction of wetlands are currently the main threat to this species. Protecting wetlands from ditching, filling and pollution are the management recommendations for this species. American Crocodile The American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) is occasionally sighted in Lee County. South Florida is the northernmost edge of the crocodile s range and they were probably never very numerous in the state. However, its range has shrunk considerably due to the increase in human population. The number one cause of mortality for this species in the United States is U.S. Highway 1 in the Florida Keys (Moler 1992). Gopher Tortoise Gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) are in decline throughout their range due to loss and degradation of habitat. As a species dependant on dry, upland communities much of their habitat has been lost to urban and residential development, agriculture, citrus groves, mining and pine plantations. Additional threats include a highly contagious respiratory disease and human consumption. Exotic plant removal, pine tree thinning, brush reduction, and prescribed burning will benefit this species. Before restoration activities that utilize heavy equipment take place in areas with high burrow concentrations, staff will provide operator burrow maps, or will mark off burrows. Staff will determine if burrows will be flagged and equipment operators will be advised to stay away from the burrows based on type of work being planned and time of year. High intensity chopping should be planned for winter months when gophers will be less active outside of the burrow. Florida Scrub Lizard The Florida scrub lizard (Scelaphorus woodi) is found in xeric, fire managed communities with deep sands. It is considered rare or possibly extirpated in Lee County. Protection of coastal scrub and sandhill communities is imperative to the survival of coastal populations. Development, conversion of land for citrus farming and lack of fire in suitable habitats are other threats to this species. 60

64 If found on a preserve, photo documention will be supplied to FWC. Eastern Indigo Snake The Eastern indigo snake (Drymarchon corais couperi) is a large, iridescent black snake with a red, coral, or white throat (record length, 8.6 feet). This species is found in a large spectrum of habitats throughout Florida and southern Georgia, often associated with gopher tortoise burrows. The Eastern indigo is threatened throughout its range due to habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation. Although it is now illegal to possess this animal without the proper permits, the pet trade is another cause for decline of this species. The most common causes of mortality are human caused, either by people afraid of snakes or accidental highway mortality. The indigo snake utilizes a home range of approximately acres, and the males are territorial during the breeding season. The indigo snake feeds diurnally on fish, frogs, toads, lizards, snakes, small turtles, birds, and small mammals, often around the edge of wetlands. The eastern indigo snake breeds from November through April, then lays 5-10 eggs in May or June (USFWS 1982). Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake Although not an officially listed species, the eastern diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus) is commonly thought to be in decline throughout its range. Scientists believe that it requires 10,000 acres or more to sustain long-term viable populations. Additional threats to this species include indiscriminate killing because of fear, as well as for trade and being hit by cars. Common Kingsnake The subspecies of common kingsnake in our area is the Florida kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula floridana). Although rarely seen, it is found in pinelands, hardwood hammocks, cypress strands, prairies, marshes, estuaries, sugar cane plantations, and stands of melaleuca (Australian punk trees). Threats include habitat fragmentation, development, invasive plant species altering habitats and vehicle collisions on roadways. Sea Turtles Loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta), green (Chelonia mydas), hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricate), Kemps Ridley (Lepidochelys kempii) and leatherbacks (Dermochelys coriacea) face many challenges in Florida including coastal development, boat propellers, hatchling disorientation due to bright lights, human consumption of turtles and their eggs, pollution, shrimp trawls, long-line and gill-net fisheries, fire ants, nest depredation due to exploding raccoon populations and beach erosion. 61

65 All are present in the Gulf of Mexico, and loggerheads, green and Kemp s ridley sea turtles are known to nest on Lee County beaches. According to Eve Haverfield of Turtle Time Inc., a non-profit organization that monitors sea turtle nesting throughout the county, raccoon predation on nests is an on-going issue. If sea turtles nest on one of our Preserves, staff will coordinate with the appropriate agency for nest monitoring assistance and will remove any trash that may interfere with either the adult or hatchling turtles. Ornate Diamondback Terrapin The ornate diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin macrospilota) is not a listed species in Florida, but is still protected by FWC with possession and trade limitations. The biggest threats to terrapin populations are habitat degradation and incidental drowning in crab traps. Very little is known about terrapins in the state and according to FNAI, statewide population surveys and monitoring are sorely needed. If discovered on a preserve, nests will be marked and GPS coordinates taken. If there appears to be excessive predation by raccoons, measures similar to those listed for the loggerhead turtle, will be taken to reduce the problem. All information gathered by staff will be shared with interested FWC officials or other researchers working on the species. Pelicans and Frigatebirds The brown pelican s (Pelecanus occidentalis) decline historically was due to DDT and other pesticides used in the 1950s and 1960s. Although numbers are up, there are still unexplained fluctuations. Other population impacts are food shortages, pollution, human disturbances, monofilament entanglements, freezing weather and increased turbidity in water. The magnificient frigatebird (Fregata magnificens) is seen in summer along the coasts of Florida. They spend much of their time soaring over the Gulf searching for prey such as squid and flying fish, and often harass other birds in an attempt to dislodge their captured prey. Oil spills and siltation can impact the birds ability to see prey on the water surface. Two nesting areas exist in the Keys, and storm events can impact these breeding areas. Herons, Egrets, Ibises, Bitterns and Spoonbills The little blue heron s (Egretta caerulea) and tricolored heron s (Egretta tricolor) decline are due to loss of freshwater wetlands and alteration of their natural hydroperiod. There is also some indication that pesticides and heavy metal contamination may affect this heron. Yellow-crowned (Nyctanassa violacea) and black-crowned (Nycticorax 62

66 nycticorax) night heron populations have probably declined due to illegal shooting, disturbance at breeding colonies, and drainage of wetlands used for foraging. In Florida, the destruction and alteration of more than half of the wetlands, due to the phenomenal increase in population has caused a substantial decline in ardeids. Wetlands have been filled and or impacted by housing developments, agriculture, human activity (i.e. sports, recreation) and the infrastructure that supports these activities (Rodgers et al. 1996). Great white heron (Ardea herodius occidentalis) population decline can be attributed to all of the above mentioned issues. Like these herons, the great egret (Ardea alba), reddish egret (Egretta rufescens) and snowy egret (Egretta thula) have been declining throughout their ranges since the 1950s. Scientists believe that the main reason for this decline is the loss and alteration of wetlands where they forage. Similar to the herons and egrets listed above, the white ibis (Eudocimus albus) and glossy ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) are declining throughout their range due to the reduction and degradation of wetlands and human disturbances to their rookeries. During the summer months, least bitterns (Ixobrychus exilis) breed throughout eastern and central U.S. and southern Ontario from coastal Maine to Florida, and westward to the eastern Dakotas and central Texas. They are known to be in scattered locations in the western United States, in Mexico, Caribbean, and Central and South America. During winter months, least bitterns range from the mid-atlantic seaboard to south Florida and southward. They prefer freshwater or brackish marshes with tall emergent vegetation and are difficult to survey, so few data are available. Loss of wetland habitat and the encroachment of exotic species of marsh vegetation may pose a threat (CLOa 2003). The roseate spoonbill (Platalea ajaja) nests in coastal mangrove areas with a mix of other bird species and occasionally in willowheads around freshwater systems. They forage in shallow-water. Their decline is attributed to human disturbance of nesting colonies, alteration of foraging sites and alterations of hydrologic patterns. Storks and Cranes Wood storks (Mycteria americana) are very sensitive to water levels in freshwater wetlands, as they require high concentrations of fish in fairly shallow water for foraging. Florida sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis pratensis) and the migratory greater sandhill crane are indistinguishable from each other. Threats to Florida sandhill cranes include loss and degradation of wetlands, fire suppression, free ranging dogs and cats and entanglement in fencing (Rodgers et al. 1996). Unnaturally high water levels during 63

67 nesting seasons and extended droughts are both threats that wood storks and Florida sandhill crane face. Ospreys, Eagles and Hawks Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) populations have declined in south Florida recently and it is speculated that lowered food availability is the cause. Historically, osprey populations declined drastically due to egg shell thinning from the use of organopesticides (DDT). Bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) numbers have steadily increased in Florida after a low of 120 active nests in 1973, primarily caused by impacts from DDT and related pesticides. Still, loss of habitat and human disturbance due to development is a primary concern for this species. Secondary poisoning of bald eagles from the consumption of lead shot in waterfowl contributed to the 1991 ban on lead shot for waterfowl hunting in the United States. During the summer Cooper s hawks (Accipeter cooperii) breed across southern Canada southward to southern United States and into central Mexico. In the winter, they range throughout the United States and Mexico. They breed in deciduous, mixed, and coniferous forests, although documentation of breeding in south Florida is scant, and are becoming more common in suburban and urban areas. Declines of the Cooper's hawk in the late 1940s and 1950s were blamed on DDT and pesticide contamination. Populations started increasing in the late 1960s, but it is still listed as threatened or of special concern in a number of states. The Cooper s hawk appears to be adapting to breeding in urban areas, which may help increase populations (CLOb 2003). The short-tailed hawk s (Buteo brachyurus) Florida population is very small, with about 400 birds concentrated mainly in the southern part of the state. Although this species is found in other tropical lowlands, Florida s population has probably been isolated for hundreds or even thousands of years. Effects of loss of habitat to urbanization and deforestation are poorly known, but studies suggest that development poses a threat. Florida rehabilitators have treated birds for gunshot wounds and collisions with cars. Nesting habitat has been lost to cypress logging as these birds appear to have high fidelity to their breeding sites. Kites Swallow-tailed kites (Elanoides forficatus) migrate to southwest Florida from South America in late February/early March for their nesting season that lasts through late 64

68 July/early September. In the early 1900s, swallow-tailed kites were confirmed as nesting in 21 states; today they are only found in seven southeastern states including Florida. Loss of nesting sites through development and conversion to agriculture are the major threats to this species. The Everglades snail kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis plumbeus), the subspecies of the snail kite in the United States, is endangered because many of the marshlands that serve as its habitat have been drained for development, which in turn has caused diminishing numbers of the kite's prey species, the apple snail (Pomacea paludosa). Success in locating apple snails is further obstructed by the introduction of exotic plants such as water lettuce, which hinders foraging. Apple snails have also suffered from agricultural runoff, eutrophication, pesticides and other pollutants. There were only 65 snail kites known to exist when the Endangered Species Act was passed in This species has managed a comeback resulting in a 1997 population of 995 birds. The white-tailed kite (Elanus leucurus) favors agricultural aeas, grasslands, marshes or other open lands along the Gulf Coast. Their primary prey is small rodents, although they will occasionally feed on small birds, reptiles and amphibians. Conversion of agricultural/open lands for development, collisions with vehicles and ingestion of rodents poisoned with rodenticide are causing a decline in the population. Falcons The crested caracara s (Caracara cheriway) range has contracted and become more fragmented because their habitat is threatened primarily by residential development and conversion to more intensive agricultural (e.g., citrus) uses. The crested caracara s large habitat requirements makes land acquisition and/or development of incentives (e.g., cooperative agreements, conservation easements, tax breaks) for private landowners to maintain their ranch lands for their long-term security an important task. The southeastern American kestrel (Falco sparverius paulus) is found in open pine habitats, woodland edges, prairies, and pastures throughout much of Florida. Nest sites are cavities in tall dead trees or utility poles generally with an unobstructed view of the surroundings. The availability of suitable nesting sites is paramount during breeding season. Open patches of grass or bare ground are needed in flatwoods settings, since thick palmettos prevent detection of prey. Natural nesting and foraging habitats have declined, as sandhill and open flatwoods habitats are converted to intensive agricultural lands and residential development. Pastures may be used by the breeding species but often lack snags used for nesting 65

69 sites. A key habitat feature necessary for breeding is a suitable cavity tree. Cavity trees are usually excavated in large pines and, less frequently, oaks by various woodpeckers. Additional management activities will permit leaving a reasonable number of tree snags to increase nesting opportunities. The peregrine falcon (Falco peregrines) is a migratory, seasonal resident of Florida. Originally listed due to drastic population declines caused by organophosphates such as DDT, peregrine populations recovered enough to be de-listed from the Federal endangered species list in 1999 and from the Florida state list in Peregrines feed on birds, especially shorebirds and waterfowl during their migration and over-wintering. Pollution and decreased availability of food for wading birds and waterfowl can impact peregrine populations. Alteration of wetlands for development or agricultural purposes can also decrease prey availability. In Florida, merlin s (Falco columbarius) are considered non-breeding winter residents (CLOc 2003). Alteration of land for development and infrastructure, collisions with vehicles, illegal shooting and poisoning as a result of rodent baiting directly contribute to the decline of this species. Lack of prescribed burning can allow open meadows and grasslands to become invaded with woody vegetation which can interefere with merlin foraging. All raptors are subject to collisions with cars, communication towers, high tension powerlines and buildings. Indiscriminate shooting and poisoning of waterfowl as a result of lead shot also impact raptors. Limpkin The limpkin (Aramus guarauna) is a large, long-billed, long-legged wader of swamps and marshes. Its bill is heavy and slightly decurved, allowing easy access to its preferred food, the apple snail. Pollution, hydrological disruptions, and an increase in invasive plants threaten the health of the apple snail population and hence the limpkin. Rails and Avocets The black rail (Laterallus jamaicensis) depends on marshes that are rarely inundated with tidal water, primarily high marshes. Declines in population are attributed to coastal development, conversion of marshes for agriculture, ditching, cattle grazing in marshes, and unseasonal drought or flooding. More research is needed on the timing of prescribed burning and its impact to black rails. 66

70 The Florida clapper rail (Rallus longirostris scottii) resides in coastal marshes and mangrove swamps throughout the state year-round. They will forage on exposed mudflats during low tides and construct nests in higher areas of tidal marshes to avoid flooding of nest during high tide. Tropical storms can inundate nesting areas resulting in drowned eggs or chicks. Coastal marshes are succeptable to alterations for development, agriculture and navigation. Both rail species face impacts from invasive exotics, alteration of hydroperiods and predation by feral cats and high concentrations of raccoons. The American avocet (Recurvirostra americana) winters along the coast of Florida. They feed in shallow water and eat a variety of aquatic invertebrates. Collisions with buildings, transmission lines and communication towers during migration, as well as alteration of wetlands for development or agricultural purposes impact this species. Water pollution and siltation can compromise quality and availability of food. Owls The Florida burrowing owl is a ground dweller that will dig its own burrow or utilize already formed burrows created by other animals. They reside in sparsely vegetated areas of sandy ground, primarily ruderal areas such as pastures, road right-of-ways, and residential yards. Their close relationship with human altered habitats exposes them to collisions with vehicles, feral dog and cat attacks, pesticide poisoning and human harassment. Fireants also prey on eggs and young owls. Maintaining low vegetation around the burrow through use of prescribed burning or mowing is key to management of this species. Buffer zones on preserves should be established to prevent construction of trails or facilities near burrowing owls. Woodpeckers The red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis) inhabits open, mature pine flatwoods that have good diversity of groundcover and an uneven aged stand of pines. Habitat fragmentation and poor management of appropriate habitat, along with development and clearing of forest for agricultural purposes threatens this species. Maintaining open parklike conditions with adequate forage species is key to continued territory use. The hairy woodpecker (Picoides villosus) is a resident from central Alaska to Newfoundland, southward to Florida and Central America, but can also be found in the Bahamas. They are found in mature woods, small woodlots, wooded parks, and residential areas with large trees. Hairy woodpeckers build their nest in cavities of trees or a dead branches and do not put additional materials in the cavity. They are 67

71 considered common and widespread, but may be declining in some areas. The hairy woodpecker is attracted to the heavy blows a pileated woodpecker makes when it is excavating a tree. The hairy forages in close association with the larger woodpecker, pecking in the deep excavations and taking insects that the pileated missed (CLOd 2003). Vireos, Jays, Warblers and Sparrows The black-whiskered vireo (Vireo altiloquus) is migratory, but is known to breed only in Florida. Eggs are laid between May and July in nests built in forks of trees. It resides in mangrove swamps and tropical hardwood forests in south Florida and feeds primarily on insects. Development and alterations to mangrove habitats pose the greatest threat to this species. Cowbird parasitism has occurred in vireo nests, and predation by feral cats and raccoons occasionally occurs. The Florida scrub jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens) is endemic to Florida and is in decline throughout their range due to loss and degradation of habitat. This species is dependent upon oak species for a large portion of their diet. Additional threats include feral/free roaming cats and land alterations that affect more than 1/3 of an established territory of a jay family. Lack of wildfire/prescribed fires allows habitat to become overgrown and unsuitable for this species. The optimal average height of the shrub layer for scrub jays is 4 to 5.5 feet (Breininger and Carter 2003). See Appendix W for specific guidelines for scrub jay management. The Florida prairie warbler (Dendroica discolor paludicola) inhabits mangrove woodlands but is also known to breed in coastal strands of live oaks. They forage in the lower branches on insects and spiders. The biggest threat to this species is removal of mangroves or alterations to their canopies through large-scale trimming. Tropical storms can also dessimate mangrove areas. Protection of mangrove systems will ensure continued survival of the species. The Bachman s sparrow s (Aimophila aestivalis) nests are grassy domes placed on or near the ground in a palmetto clump or dense shrub and lay 3-4 white eggs from early April through July (Kale and Maehr 1990). Loss of habitat, predation (i.e. cats, raccoons), and forest management techniques are reasons listed for their decline. Thinning of forest canopy and controlled burns can create suitable habitat for these birds. Thinning also provides more open habitat for a few years following timber harvest. Old-field habitat was once provided by abandoned farmland. Extensive ground disturbance during site management should be avoided (MDC 2007). 68

72 Terns Royal terns (Sterna maxima) biggest conservation challenges concern their nesting colonies, where the high concentration of these birds makes them vulnerable to single disasters. Habitat destruction, human disturbance, pollution and predators also affect them. Royal terns are not known to nest in Lee County, but utilize our areas for feeding and rest during migration. Sandwich terns (Sterna sandvicensis) are known to nest in only 4-5 sites in Florida, none of which are in Lee County. They face the same survival challenges as the royal tern. Although still listed as Threatened by the state of Florida, the least tern (Sterna antillarum) appears to be increasing in numbers since the 1970s. The same factors that affect the other terns listed above also affect least terns. This species is known to regularly nest on natural sandy beaches as well as gravel rooftops throughout Florida including Lee County. The Caspian tern (Sterna caspia), a Species of Special Concern, can be found along the coastlines of North America and inland across much of Canada and the western United States. Their diet consists solely of fish, and few nesting colonies have been documented in Florida. Their eggs and young are vulnerable to beach goers and predation by raccoons and fire ants because their nest consists of a scrape in the sand. If any nesting areas are discovered on a preserve, they should be roped off to provide additional protection. Plover The piping plover (Charadrius melodus) is federally threatened due to loss and degradation of habitat, shoreline erosion, human disturbance and predators including domestic animals. Additionally some areas of Lee County have been designated as a critical habitat for this species by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Critical habitats are defined as specific geographic areas that are essential for the conservation of a threatened or endangered species and that may require special management and protection. Piping plovers prefer sandflats adjacent to inlets or passes, sandy mudflats along prograding spits and overwash areas as foraging habitats (Hecht 1996). As a winter visitor to Florida, the primary concern is increased harassment by both people and pets while foraging. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has discovered that the wintering sites in Florida currently face the greatest threats from human disturbance. Other concerns include inlet and shoreline stabilization, dredging of inlets, beach maintenance and renourishment and pollution (Hecht 1996). Since these birds spend 55-80% of their 69

73 lives in wintering areas, factors that affect their well-being on the wintering grounds can substantially affect their survival and recovery (Hecht 1996). Like the piping plover, snowy plovers (Charadrius alexandrinus tenuirostris) are declining due to loss of habitat and increased harassment by humans and pets. This species does nest in Florida, including beaches on Sanibel, Little Estero and Marco Island, in fact Sanibel has the largest population of nesting snowy plovers south of the Florida panhandle. The Wilson s plover (Charadrius wilsonia) is also declining due to loss of habitat and human/pet disturbances. Oystercatchers, Skimmers and Cuckoos American oystercatchers (Haematopus palliatus) are declining due to loss of habitat and harassment from people and domestic animals. They are known to nest on spoil islands owned by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service approximately 1 ½ miles northwest of the San Carlos Bay-Bunche Beach Preserve. Black skimmers (Rynchops niger) are in decline due to loss of habitat, human disturbance, predators (both wild and domestic) and flooding of their nesting areas. The mangrove cuckoo (Coccyzus minor) has a very secretive nature and dense mangrove forests often make it hard to locate them. These birds are found in Lee County throughout the year, with their numbers increasing during the summer breeding season. Although little is known about the life history of this species, it is known that un-fragmented mangrove forests are essential for their survival. Florida Bonneted Bat The Florida bonneted bat (Eumops floridanus) is a medium-sized bat with very long ears that extend to the center of the back when laid down. Its long ears distinguish this species from all other Florida bats. It inhabits forested communities, particularly those associated with floodplains, supporting large, hollow trees used for roosting; also pine flatwoods and mixed oak-pine forests. This bat is known from less than a dozen locations in Florida, at least four of which are on public or private conservation lands. Sherman s Short-tailed Shrew The Sherman s short-tailed shrew (Blarina shermani) inhabits grassy areas at the edges of basin and depression marshes and mesic flatwoods. This animal may be extinct since 70

74 the only documentation is of a siting near Hickey s Creek Mitigation Park many years ago. If found on a preserve, mosaics should be maintained and fires should be allowed to burn through ecotones and basins to promote dense herbaceous cover. Documentation should be provided to FWC to prove this animal is not extinct. Insular Cotton Rat The insular cotton rat (Sigmodon hispidus insulicola) can be found in pine flatwoods, dense cordgrass, dry fields, dry edges of marshes and in garbage dumps. It is succeptable to rodenticides, alteration of habitat for development or agricultural activities which remove dense grassy cover, and predation by feral cats. Prescribed burning will help maintain open grassy areas. Care should be given when removing trash from preserves to ensure habitat is not disturbed. Round-tailed Muskrat The round-tailed muskrat (Neofiber alleni) is nocturnal and constructs dens by weaving grasses and other marsh vegetation into domes of varying size. It lives in shallow marshes of variable size and plant species composition. It is distributed in patches across the state and is threatened by isolation of populations resulting from development and wetland drainage. Occasional fires are needed to maintain the marsh habitat, but because vegetation needed for food and cover grows back more slowly after winter burns, growing-season burns may be preferred. Fox Squirrels The Big Cypress fox squirrel is in decline throughout its range primarily due to loss and degradation of habitat. Although the number of this subspecies of fox squirrel in Florida is unknown, based on the amount of known habitat loss, fox squirrel populations have undoubtedly declined at least 85% from pre-settlement levels (Humphrey 1992). The Sherman s fox squirrel has been eliminated from much of its historic range. Many acres of the fox squirrel s pine-oak forest have been converted to pine plantations, agriculture and development. Collisions with vehicles are another common cause of decline for both species. Regular burn regimes of 2-5 years during the growing season (April-July) are critical to maintain their habitat with an open canopy with minimal understory. Fires must be allowed to burn into cypress or other wetland communities to create and maintain broad, diverse transition zones for the Big Cypress fox squirrel. The Sherman s fox squirrel 71

75 benefits from fires on the same regime and during growing season to reduce brush and shrubby vegetation in order to maintain open park-like conditions. Florida Panther The Florida panther (Puma concolor coryi) is extirpated from most of its historic range in the southeastern United States, but exists in small populations in south Florida. The Florida panther's decline is due mainly to loss, fragmentation, and degradation of habitat. Other habitat related threats include inbreeding, insufficient numbers of large prey, disease, and mercury and other environmental contaminants. Institutional constraints and negative public perceptions also threaten the future survival of the Florida panther. The large cats require extensive areas of mostly forested communities. Large wetlands that are generally inaccessible to humans are important for diurnal refuge. They will tolerate improved areas in a mosaic of natural communities. West Indian Manatee The manatee (Trichechus manatus) can be found in many inland streams and rivers as well as the Gulf of Mexico. Travel inland occurs during cold snaps and for birthing. Prop scars, pollution or siltation negatively impacts seagrass beds, which in turn decreases food availability. Collisions with boats, entrapment in crab traps and fishing line are other causes of mortality. Florida Black Bear The Florida black bear is in decline due to the loss of core habitat and of corridors capable of handling their large ranges. A wide variety of forested communities are needed to support the varied seasonal diet of black bears. Forested wetlands are particularly important for diurnal cover. The Florida black bear faces numerous challenges including poaching, roadkill mortality, low reproductive rate and most importantly loss of habitat to timber harvesting, development and other uses. Long-term conservation of the Florida black bear is dependent upon preservation of large contiguous woodlands. Scientists with FWC have found the average home range for female black bears is almost 7,000 acres and males average over 42,000 acres (Humphrey 1992). Although preserves may not be large enough to provide year round home range, they can act as foraging and denning sites as well as a safe corridor for travel. Scientists have found that large scale winter burning reduces the diversity of food available to bears as compared to growing season burns (Humphrey 1992). Prescribed burns conducted in the late spring would not only be beneficial to bears, but many other species as well. 72

76 Plant Species In addition to designated wildlife, preserves may provide habitat for plant species listed by the IRC or FDACS. The following is a brief summary of the FDACS designated plant species explaining why they are in decline and typical communities where they are located. Pretty False Pawpaw Pretty false pawpaw (Deeringothamnus rugelii), also known as white squirrel banana, is a state and federally endangered species rarely found in pine flatwoods. Curtiss Milkweed Curtiss milkweed (Asclepias curtissii) is a state endangered plant found in scrub communities. Wild Birdnest Fern Wild birdnest fern (Asplenium serratum) is a state endangered plant found in moist hammocks and swamps and is epiphytic on stumps, logs, humus piles and rarely on rocks. Fakahatchee Bluethread Fakahatchee bluethread (Burmannia flava) is a state endangered plant rarely found in moist prairies. Manyflowered Grasspink Manyflowered grasspink (Calopogon multiflorus) is a state endangered plant found in flatwoods. West Indian Cock s Comb West Indian cock s comb (Celosia nitida) is a state endangered plant occasionally found in hardwood hammocks. Iguana Hackberry Iguana hackberry (Celtus iguanaea) is a state endangered plant found rarely in shell middens. Spiny Hackberry Spiny hackberry (Celtis pallida) is a state endangered plant found rarely in shell middens. 73

77 Coastal Dune Sandmat Coastal dune sandmat (Chamaesyce cumulicola) is a state endangered plant found on dunes and scrub. Cowhorn Orchid/Cigar Orchid Cowhorn orchid (Cyrtopodium punctatum) is a state endangered plant found in cypress swamps and scrub cypress strands. It is epiphytic and rarely terrestrial. Ghost Orchid Ghost orchid (Dendrophylax lindenii) is a state endangered epiphytic plant found in cypress swamps and wet hammocks. Dingy-flowered Star Orchid Dingy-star orchid (Epidendrum anceps) is a state endangered epiphytic plant found in swamps. Umbrella Star Orchid Umbrella star orchid (Epidendrum floridense) is a state endangered epiphytic plant found in cypress and hardwood swamps. Night-scented Orchid Night-scented orchid (Epidendrum nocturnum) is a state endangered epiphytic plant found in cypress swamps, moist hammocks and mangroves. Stiff-flower Star Orchid Stiff-flower star orchid (Epidendrum nocturnum) is a state endangered epiphytic plant found in swamps and moist hammocks. Big Cypress Star Orchid Big cypress star orchid (Epidendrum rigidum) is a state endangered epiphytic plant found in cypress swamps. Sanibel Island Lovegrass Sanibel Island lovegrass (Eragrostis pectinacea var. tracyi) is a state endangered plant found on beaches and disturbed sites. 74

78 Tampa Mock Vervain Tampa mock vervain (Glandularia tampensis) is a state endangered plant found in clearings in moist hammocks. Wild Cotton Wild cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) is a state endangered plant found on coastal beaches and coastal hammocks. Hammock False--- Reinorchid Hammock false reinorchid (Habenaria distans) is a state endangered plant found in moist hammocks. Prickly Applecactus Prickly applecactus (Harrisia aboriginum) is a state endangered plant found in coastal hammocks and shell middens. Spiked Crested Coralroot Spiked crested coralroot (Hexalectris spicata) is a state endangered plant found in calcareous hammocks and shell middens. Drysand Pinweed Drysand pinweed (Lechea divaricata) is a state endangered plant found in pine flatwoods. Small s Flax Small s flax (Linum carteri var. smallii) is a state endangered plant rarely found in pinelands. Nightblooming Waterlily Nightblooming waterlily (Nymphaea jamesoniana) is a state endangered plant found in shallow ponds, canals and sloughs. Hand Fern Hand fern (Ophioglossum palmatum) is a state endangered epiphytic plant found in hammocks and cypress swamps usually on Sabal palmetto. 75

79 Coral Panicum Coral panicum (Paspalidium chapmanii) is a state endangered plant found in hammocks, prairies and disturbed sites. Plume Polypody Plume polypody (Pecluma plumula) is a state endangered epiphytic plant found in wet hammocks and swamps. It is occasionally found terrestrially or on rocks. Greater Yellowspike Orchid Greater yellowspike orchid (Polystachya concreta) is a state endangered epiphytic plant found in cypress swamps, hammocks and mangroves. Small Prescott Orchid Small prescott orchid (Prescottia oligantha) is a state endangered plant found in tropical hammocks. Clamshell Orchid Clamshell orchid (Prosthechea cochleata) is a state endangered epiphytic plant found in swamps, mangroves and hammocks. Ray Fern Ray fern (Schizaea pennula) is a state endangered plant found in swamps on rotting stumps and on the base of Osmunda regalis. Texas Ladiestresses Texas ladiestresses (Spiranthes brevilabris) is a state endangered plant found in wet flatwoods and flatwoods. Showy Dawnflower Showy dawnflower (Stylisma abdita) is a state endangered plant found in scrub. Lattice-vein Fern Lattice-vein fern (Thelypteris reticulata) is a state endangered plant found in wet hammocks and cypress swamps. Cardinal, Giant and Fuzzywuzzy Airplants Cardinal airplants (Tillandsia fasciculata var. densispica), giant airplants (Tillandsia utriculata) and Fuzzywuzzy airplants (Tillandsia pruinosa) are found in hammocks, 76

80 cypress swamps and pinelands. These airplants are listed by FDACS as endangered. Threats to these plants include illegal collecting, habitat destruction and the Mexican bromeliad weevil (Save 2004). Now listed as Endangered, they were once considered common before the arrival of the weevil in Florida in the late 1980s. Dildoe Cactus Dildoe cactus (Acanthocereus tetragonus) is a state threatened plant found in disturbed, dry coastal hammocks. Golden Leather Fern Golden leather fern (Acrostichum danaeifolium) is a state threatened plant found in mangrove swamps, saltwater and brackish marshes and coastal hammocks. Its range is restricted to the southern coastal regions of Florida. Pinepink Pinepink (Bletia purpurea) is a state threatened plant found in south Florida rockland pinelands and scrub habitats. Angularfruit Milkvine Angularfruit milkvine (Gonolobus suberosus) is a state threatened plant found in hammocks. Snowy Orchid Snowy orchid (Habenaria nivera) is a state threatened plant found in wet flatwoods, bogs, prairies and wet ditches. Joewood Joewood (Jacquinia keyensis) is a state threatened plant found in coastal hammocks. Nodding Pinweed Nodding pinweed (Lechea cernua) is a state threatened plant found in scrub. Catesby s Lily Catesby s (or pine) lily (Lilium catesbaei) is a state threatened plant found in moist flatwoods and savannas. There is concern that the population of this species is decreasing and is likely to become endangered in the near future. As a plant found in a fire dependent plant community, it generally benefits from occasional fire (USF 2004). 77

81 Florida Mayten Florida mayten (Maytenus phyllanthoides) is a state threatened species found in coastal hammocks and dunes. Simpson s Stopper Simpson s stopper (Myrcianthes fragrans) is a state threatened species found in coastal hammocks and rarely inland. Giant Sword Fern Giant sword fern (Nephrolepis biserrata) is a state threatened species found in swamps and hydric hammocks. Florida Beargrass Florida beargrass (Nolina atopocarpa) is a state threatened species found in wet flatwoods. Erect Pricklypear Erect pricklypear (Opuntia stricta) is a state threatened species found in shell middens, dunes, and coastal hammocks. Rose Pogonia Rose pogonia (Pogonia ophioglossoides) is a state threatened species found in marshes and wet flatwoods. Giant Orchid Giant orchid (Pteroglossaspis ecristata) is a state threatened species found in sandhills, pinelands and oak hammocks. Leafless Beaked Ladies -tresses Leafless beaked ladies -tresses (Sacoila lanceolata) is a state threatened species found in swamps and hydric hammocks. Inkberry Inkberry (Scaevola plumieri) is a state threatened species found in coastal strands. Lacelip Ladiestresses Lacelip ladiestresses (Spiranthes laciniata) is a state threatened species found in hypericum-sedge marshes and open cypress swamps. 78

82 Long-lipped Ladies -tresses Long-lipped ladies -tresses (Spiranthes longilabris) is a state threatened species found in moist, grassy roadsides, and pine flatwoods habitats. Little Ladiestresses Little ladiestresses (Spiranthes tuberosa) is a state threatened species found in dry flatwoods, sandhills and scrub. West Indian Mahogany West Indian mahogany (Sweitenia mahogani) is a state threatened species found in coastal hammocks. Broad Halberd Fern Broad halberd fern (Tectaria heracleifolia) is a state threatened species found in mesic hammocks around shaded limestone edges, sinkholes and outcrops. Northern Needleleaf The northern needleleaf (Tillandsia balbisiana) is a state threatened species occasionally found in a variety of communities including pinelands, hammocks and mangroves. Threats to this species include the exotic Mexican bromeliad weevil (Metamasius callizana) and habitat destruction (Save 2004). Currently, scientists are researching biological control agents for the exotic Mexican bromeliad weevil. Staff will keep current with the research developments and work with scientists in the future if the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is in need of release sites. Needleroot Airplant Orchid Needleroot airplant orchid (Harrisella porrecta) is also known as leafless harrisella and a local common name of jingle bell orchid, because the fruits hang in little clusters (Brown 2002). It is listed by FNAI as G4/S1 and by FDACS as Threatened. General habitats found in include hardwood hammocks, sloughs, cypress domes, and old citrus groves. Twisted Airplant Twisted airplant (Tillandsia balbisiana) is a state threatened epiphytic species found in hammocks and cypress swamps. Leatherleaf Airplant Leatherleaf airplant (Tillandsia variabilis) is a state threatened epiphytic species found in hammocks and cypress swamps. 79

83 Redmargin Zephyrlily Redmargin zephyrlily (Zephyranthes simpsonii) is a state threatened species which grows naturally in low pine flatwoods and savannas and at margins of wet hammocks. It also is adapted to pastures developed from such areas and to moist mowed roadsides. The main limiting factor appears to be competition from other plants and habitat destruction. Royal Fern Royal fern (Osmunda regalis var. spectabilis) is listed as Commercially Exploited by FDACS. This plant is distributed throughout Florida and can be found in wet flatwoods, basin and dome swamp communities. Florida Butterfly Orchid Although locally abundant (Brown 2002), the Florida butterfly orchid (Encyclia tampensis) is designated as Commercially Exploited by the FDACS. A plant that is designated as Commercially Exploited is considered to be threatened by commercial use. When creating any trails, consideration will be made to avoid areas where these plants are growing. If the plants will be damaged during restoration activities, a permit will be obtained from FDACS to remove them before work commences. Plants growing on invasive exotic vegetation, to be destroyed, will be relocated on the site if economically feasible. Coontie Coontie (Zamia pumila) is listed as Commercially Exploited by FDACS. It can be found in oak hammocks, pinelands and shell middens. Nodding Club-moss Nodding club-moss (Lycopodiella cernua) is listed as Commercially Exploited by FDACS. It can be found in wet flatwoods, pond margins, bogs, hammocks and ditches. Cinnamon Fern Cinnamon fern (Osmunda cinnamomea) is listed as Commercially Exploited by FDACS. It can be found in swamps, bogs and marshes. The Institute for Regional Conservation (IRC), which is not a regulatory agency, also maintains a listing of threatened plant species, some of which may be found on individual preserves. Land Stewardship Plans will individually address IRC listed plants and 80

84 management of them. IRC s designation is either obtained from their book Rare Plants of South Florida: Their History, Conservation and Restoration, (Gann 2002) or Internet website ( Scientists working for this Institute have conducted a tremendous amount of field work and research documenting plants occurring in conservation areas in the 10 southernmost counties of Florida. This initial floristic inventory allowed the IRC to rank plant species to indicate how rare/common these plants are in protected areas. Rare plants are defined as being either very rare and local throughout its range in south Florida ( occurrences, or less than 10,000 individuals), or found locally in a restricted range. IRC only ranks those taxa as rare with fewer than 100,000 individuals. Imperiled plants are those that are imperiled in south Florida because of rarity (6-20 occurrences, or less than 3,000 individuals) or because of vulnerability to extinction due to some natural or human factor. IRC only ranks those taxa as imperiled that have fewer than 10,000 individuals. Critically Imperiled plants are defined as being either extreme rarity (5 or fewer occurrences, or fewer than 1,000 individuals), or because of extreme vulnerability to extinction due to some natural or human factor. IRC only ranks those taxa as critically imperiled with 10,000 or fewer individuals. In their book, (Gann 2002), the authors provide an entire chapter of recommendations to help restore south Florida s rare plant diversity. Several of these recommendations, particularly those that protect plants on the Preserve and relate to stewardship practices, will be followed. More information on the specifics techniques used will be discussed in the Management Action Plan. The following list highlights those recommendations by IRC that will be incorporated into the management of preserves: Prohibit recreational activities such as off-road vehicle use to avoid impacts to rare plant populations. Prevent illegal poaching of rare plants. Prosecute poachers to the fullest extent of the law. Implement an ongoing exotic pest plant control program. Educate exotic plant control crews about the rare plants to ensure they avoid nontarget damage. Trap wild hogs, which can completely destroy the above ground vegetation and disturb all the soil in an area where they are feeding. Initiate prescribed fire regimes in communities that are fire adapted since fire as a management tool is extremely critical for the protection of many rare plants. Divide the site so the entire area is not burned during the same year will also help protect these communities. Ensure that management activities do not negatively impact rare plant populations. 81

85 v. Biological Diversity. Discusses the diversity of the site and how to maintain or increase it. Biological diversity (also called biodiversity) is "the variety of life and all the processes that keep life functioning" (Keystone Center 1991). Biodiversity includes: 1] the variety of different species (plants, animals, microbes, etc.), 2] the genes they contain, and 3] the structural diversity in ecosystems. Overall site diversity is dependent on the types of natural plant communities present, their size and the combination of these factors. Larger sites are more likely to maintain sustainable populations of wildlife than smaller sites. Similarly, sites with a greater assortment of plant communities are more likely to host a larger diversity of plants and animals. Biodiversity varies depending on the type plant community present and increases with proper land stewardship activities including invasive exotic plant removal, hydrologic restoration and prescribed fire. The wealth of biodiversity supports ecological processes that are essential to maintain ecosystems. Healthy and functioning ecosystems provide optimal habitat for the plants and animals that depend on them and provide ecosystem services such as the protection of water resources, appropriate flood control, the proper maintenance of nutrient cycles and carbon sequestration. Every effort should be made within the acquisition process to add to existing sites and conservation lands and discourage the buying of small unconnected areas. Principles of biodiversity management such as wildlife corridors, maximizing parcel size and maintaining landscape features should be applied in both acquisition and stewardship of the acquired lands. The range and size of plant communities contributes to the wildlife diversity found across each site, including a variety of birds, mammals, and reptiles. Therefore, the overall approach to site stewardship includes protection of native plants across the landscape to enhance the overall biodiversity of the site. Native plant management includes the control of invasive exotics and native plant species, controlling exotic animals such as hogs that impact the plant community, and maintain or mimic natural functions that form the community such as soils, hydrology and fire. In some cases man-made assistance may be needed to increase diversity on a site that may lack specific requirements for individual species. These would include adding bird houses in communities where the forest is too young to provide suitable cavities for cavity nesting wildlife, adding soil additives where unnatural soils such as spoil or old farm fields occur or creating a new community to adapt to altered site conditions. Cattle and other livestock may also be used as a management tool until restoration can occur. The use of cattle to create open prairie like habitats may increase diversity until the time a native habitat can be returned to a site. Cattle can also be used to keep exotics at bay. 82

86 The integrity and diversity of each C20/20 preserve must be protected when and where possible. Where applicable, Land Stewardship staff will perform the following actions in this regard: Control of invasive, exotic vegetation followed by annual maintenance to provide more suitable habitat for native aquatic and terrestrial species. Under the guidelines of the mitigation plan, the site is to be maintained for a period of five years and includes monitoring events to ensure the site is achieving the success criteria and that exotic plants do not become reestablished. Control invasive exotic animal populations to reduce their impacts on the herbaceous plants, native animals and soils. Maintain boundary signs to eliminate illegal access to the Preserve and protect fragile ecosystems. Continue to monitor the site for illegal off-road vehicle (ORV) use and install fencing if necessary. Install and maintain no berry picking signs to inform palmetto pickers it is illegal to harvest them on the preserves. Implement a prescribed fire program to closely mimic the natural fire regimes for different plant communities to increase plant diversity and ensure the canopies remain open. Where necessary, install perimeter fire breaks to protect resources on the Preserve and surrounding neighbors in the event of wildfires. Remove any debris and prevent future dumping on-site. Conduct on-going species surveys utilizing volunteers and staff to catalog and monitor the diversity that is present. Temporary closure of flooded trails to prevent soil disturbance and avoid plant damage. Reduce canopy cover in appropriate habitats to promote herbaceous plant diversity. Use adaptive management if monitoring of restoration techniques indicates a change may be necessary. Offer public access that allows citizens to enjoy the preserve while protecting sensitive plant communities and wildlife needs. Enhance hydrologic conditions to return to historic hydroperiods. Improve hydrologic flow and create littoral shelves on numerous borrow ponds. Prevent and prosecute proaching and removal activities (e.g. palmetto berries, illegal hunting, pine cone and orchid collection). 83

87 After cattle leases have been terminated, remove any interior fencing no longer needed. C. Cultural Resources i. Archaeology. Refer to the Florida Master Site File, available at the Lee County Division of Planning of the Department of Community Development, for archaeological information. The archaeological sensitivity layer can be found on the M drive and individual maps of sensitivity areas are placed in the individual preserve folders on the S drive. In 1987, Piper Archaeological Research, Inc. conducted an archaeological site inventory of Lee County. They were able to identify 53 sites, increasing the total number of known archaeological sites in Lee County to 204. They also created a site predictive model and archaeological sensitivity map for the county that highlighted areas likely to contain additional archaeological sites. The study defines this level as areas that contain known archaeological sites that have not been assessed for significance and/or conform to the site predictive model in such a way that there is a high likelihood that unrecorded sites of potential significance are present. If these areas are to be impacted by development activities, then they should be subjected to a cultural resource assessment survey by a qualified professional archaeologist in order to determine the presence of any archaeological sites in the impact area and/or assess the significance of these sites (Austin 1987). If any restoration projects within these boundaries require major soil disturbance (for example, excavation of soil), a professional archaeologist will be hired to conduct a survey of the area to be impacted. If evidence of artifacts are found in the area during restoration activities, staff will follow the Division of Historical Resources (DHR) Best Management Practices: An Owner s Guide to Protecting Archeological Sites ( ) and immediately DHR will be contacted. Staff will also work with DHR to designate the Preserve as a State Archeological Landmark Zone under Section This would extend protection of the site and allow for protection procedures under the provision of Chapter 267, Florida Statutes, Sections (a) and (b). Collection of artifacts and/or any disturbance of the archaeological site will be prohibited unless prior authorization has been obtained from the Department of State, DHR. The site will be managed in coordination with recommendations of the DHR and, if necessary, the site will be kept confidential with periodic monitoring for impacts. If any significant archaeological resources are found and confidentiality is not found to be necessary, they will be incorporated into a public educational program. 84

88 ii. iii. Land Use History. Provides a brief history of the site, prior ownership and historical land use. Describe any existing structures on site resulting from prior human activity. Public Interest. Describes how the land was acquired for preservation. V. Factors Influencing Management A. Natural Trends and Disturbances. Discusses natural trends that affect management of resources on site. These trends range from avian migration, which will be site specific, to wide ranging trends affecting all of south Florida such as seasonal droughts and hurricanes. Discuss how to manage prior to and in the aftermath of such natural disturbances, if appropriate. In the event of hurricane or other large scale impacts to an individual preserve, maps should be included in the individual LSP or placed in the preserve folder on the S drive. Natural trends and disturbances influencing native communities and stewardship include hurricanes, flooding, wildfires, occasional freezes, and the pattern of wet and dry seasons. Implementation of the Management Action Plan will take all of these factors and their influence on projects at the preserve into consideration. For example, a tropical storm or hurricane could damage large amounts of vegetation, as could a wildfire. It may be necessary to remove or mulch downed vegetation following a hurricane if the debris increases the chance of negative impacts to wildlife habitat or public safety from a wildfire. Construction of trails and trailheads will need to take the possibility of a tropical storm, wildfires and seasonal flooding into consideration. A significant storm could damage the vegetation and it may be necessary to bring in heavy equipment to remove vegetation from trails and fence lines after a storm. Wildfires caused by lightning strikes are natural occurrences in Florida. The Florida Forest Service Caloosahatchee District - and LCPR staff have developed a wildland firefighting protocol for County preserves. This agreement between FDOF and the county should help to minimize impacts to the Preserve from the utilization of bulldozers, plows, and other emergency firefighting equipment creating dozer lines to stop the fires. A Fire Management Plan has been completed for Lee County owned conservation lands to help decrease the impact of catastrophic wildfires on the preserves and neighboring lands. The FDOF has received a copy of this plan and will continue to receive updated maps of newly acquired parcels showing the locations of gates, firebreaks, management units, and water sources. Land Stewardship staff will lead periodic site visits for FDOF staff in order to familiarize them with the site and current management efforts. Fire lines on both the perimeter of the Preserve and within the Preserve will be kept clear of debris and disked or mowed a minimum of once a year during the onset of the dry (wildfire) season. 85

89 Stewardship (invasive exotic plant control, prescribed burning, etc.) of the preserve is influenced by seasonal flooding. The Land Stewardship Operations Manual s (LSOM) exotic plant prescription form will be used to define the conditions for control activities by contractors. Care shall be taken to prevent herbicide from running off during a typical summer thunderstorm so as not to affect non-target plants. Only herbicides approved for aquatic application will be used for treatment of vegetation in standing water or where flooding may occur. The use of heavy equipment will be limited to the dry season for the majority of the site. The timing of prescribed burns will also be influenced by seasonal rain, weather, wind patterns and wildlife needs. B. Internal Influences. Identify and describe human influence and impact on the site. Describe human activities occurring at the site prior to acquisition, and determine what restoration or management activities are required to improve impacted habitats. C. External Influences. Identify possible encroachments or impacts from adjacent land use and discuss management approach to alleviate such impacts. It will be important to establish a rapport with neighbors and neighborhood associations. D. Legal Obligations and Constraints. i. Permitting. Discuss potential permit requirements for the preserve and the agency staff may need to coordinate with. ii. Other Legal Constraints. Constraints to be identified, examples of which include: impacts from easements, deed restrictions, right-of-ways, water conveyance structures, and retained subsurface rights. iii. Relationship to Other Plans. Suggested topics for discussion include relationship of the preserve s management to other plans such as the Lee County Comprehensive Plan, a watershed plan, or adjacent conservation area under another management organization. Local ordinances and land use laws will also be taken into consideration. The Lee Plan, Lee County s comprehensive plan, is designed to depict Lee County as it will appear in the year Several themes have been identified as having great importance as Lee County approaches the planning horizon (LCDCD 2009). These themes are: The growth patterns of the county will continue to be dictated by the Future Land Use map. The continued protection of the county s natural resource base. The diversification of the county s traditional economic base. The expansion of cultural, educational and recreational opportunities. A significant expansion in the county s physical and social infrastructure. 86

90 The entire Lee Plan can be found on the Internet at: The following are the sections which may affect the management of a specific Preserve. Chapter I, Policy 1.4.6: The Conservation Lands include uplands and wetlands that are owned and used for long range conservation purposes. Upland and wetland conservation lands will be shown as separate categories on the FLUM. Upland conservation lands will be subject to the provisions of this policy. Wetland conservation lands will be subject to the provisions of both the Wetlands category described in Objective 1.5 and the Conservation Lands category described in this policy. The most stringent provisions of either category will apply to wetland conservation lands. Conservation lands will include all public lands required to be used for conservation purposes by some type of legal mechanism such as statutory requirements, funding and/or grant conditions, and mitigation preserve areas required for land development approvals. Conservation Lands may include such uses as wildlife preserves; wetland and upland mitigation areas and banks; natural resource based parks; ancillary uses for environmental research and education, historic and cultural preservation, and natural resource based parks (such as signage, parking facilities, caretaker quarters, interpretive kiosks, research centers, and quarters and other associated support services); and water conservation lands such as aquifer recharge areas, flowways, flood prone areas, and well fields lands designated as conservation are also subject to more stringent use provisions of the 2020 Program or the 2020 ordinances. (Added by Ordinance No , Amended by Ordinance No.02-02) Chapter IV, Objective 60.1: COUNTY-WIDE PROGRAM. Lee County will continue its efforts in developing a surface water management program that is multi-objective in scope and is geographically based on basin boundaries. (Amended by Ordinance No , 00-22) Under Policy : Incorporate, utilize, and where practicable restore natural surface water flowways and associated habitats. (Relocated by Ordinance No ) Chapter V, Objective 85.4: To provide multi-use trails within Lee County and its municipalities for recreation, transportation, and economic development consistent with the Greenways Master Plan. (Added by Ordinance No ). Chapter V, Objective 86.1: The county will provide information and education programs regarding its cultural history and its environment at appropriate facilities. (Amended by Ordinance No , 00-22) 87

91 OBJECTIVE 104.1: ENVIRONMENTALLY CRITICAL AREAS. Within the coastal planning area, the county will manage and regulate, on an ongoing basis, environmentally critical areas to conserve and enhance their natural functions. Environmentally critical areas include wetlands (as defined in Goal 114) and Rare and Unique upland habitats. Rare and Unique upland habitats include, but are not limited to: sand scrub (320); coastal scrub (322); those pine flatwoods (411) which can be categorized as "mature" due to the absence of severe impacts caused by logging, drainage, and exotic infestation; slash pine/midstory oak (412); tropical hardwood (426); live oak hammock (427); and cabbage palm hammock (428). The numbered references are to the Florida Land Use Cover and Forms Classification System (FLUCFCS) Level III (FDOT, 1985). (See also Policy ) The digitization of the 1989 baseline coastal vegetation mapping (including wetlands and rare and unique uplands, as defined above) will be completed by (Amended by Ordinance No , 00-22) Chapter VII, Goal 107: Resource Protection: To manage the county's wetland and upland ecosystems so as to maintain and enhance native habitats, floral and faunal species diversity, water quality, and natural surface water characteristics. OBJECTIVE 107.1: RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN provides the county will continue to implement a resource management program that ensures the long-term protection and enhancement of the natural upland and wetland habitats through the retention of interconnected, functioning, and maintainable hydroecological systems where the remaining wetlands and uplands function as a productive unit resembling the original landscape. (Amended by Ordinance No , 00-22) Under Policy e. The county (or other appropriate agency) will prepare a management plan for each acquired site for the long term maintenance and enhancement of its health and environmental integrity. The management plan will address any necessary people management (e.g., fences and signage to prevent incompatible uses such as off road vehicle use and hunting); surface water management and restoration; ecosystems restoration; litter control; fire management; invasive exotic plant and animal control; and, where appropriate, compatible recreational use facilities. The plan will also address how maintenance will be funded. Chapter VII, Objective 107.3: WILDLIFE provides the county will maintain and enhance the fish and wildlife diversity and distribution within Lee County for the benefit of a balanced ecological system. (Amended by Ordinance No ) POLICY : encourages upland preservation in and around preserved wetlands to provide habitat diversity, enhance edge effect, and promote wildlife conservation. Initiating a prescribed fire regime and removing invasive exotics will follow this policy. 88

92 Chapter VII, Objective 107.4: ENDANGERED AND THREATENED SPECIES IN GENERAL. Lee County will continue to protect habitats of endangered and threatened species and species of special concern in order to maintain or enhance existing population numbers and distributions of listed species. POLICY states to identify, inventory, and protect flora and fauna indicated as endangered, threatened, or species of special concern in the "Official Lists of Endangered and Potentially Endangered Fauna and Flora of Florida," Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission, as periodically updated. Lee County's Protected Species regulations will be enforced to protect habitat of those listed species found in Lee County that are vulnerable to development. There will be a funding commitment of one full-time environmental planner to enforce this ordinance through the zoning and development review process. (Amended by Ordinance No , 94-30, 00-22) Chapter VII, Objective 107.8: GOPHER TORTOISES. The county will protect gopher tortoises through the enforcement of the protected species regulations and by operating and maintaining, in coordination with the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission, the Hickey Creek Mitigation Park. (Amended by Ordinance No ) POLICY provides that the county's policy is to protect gopher tortoise burrows wherever they are found. However, if unavoidable conflicts make on-site protection infeasible, then off-site mitigation may be provided in accordance with Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission requirements. (Amended by Ordinance No ) Chapter VII, Objective : WOODSTORK. Lee County will maintain regulatory measures to protect the wood stork's feeding and roosting areas and habitat. (Amended by Ordinance No , 00-22) Under Policy : County protected species regulations will continue to include wood storks as a Lee County Listed Species, requiring surveys for and protection of wood stork habitat. The county will continue to maintain an inventory of documented feeding, roosting, and rooking areas for the wood stork to ensure that surveys submitted through the Protected Species Ordinance include such areas. (Amended by Ordinance No , 00-22) Under Policy : The county will continue to require management plans for existing wood stork feeding, roosting, and rooking areas to utilize "Habitat Management Guidelines for the Wood Stork in the Southeast Region" (U.S Fish and Wildlife Service, 1990). (Amended by Ordinance No , 00-22) Chapter VII, Objective : FLORIDA PANTHER AND BLACK BEAR. County staff will develop measures to protect the Florida panther and black bear through greenbelt and acquisition strategies. (Amended by Ordinance No , 00-22) Under Policy : Lee County will maintain and update data on sitings and habitat for the black bear and 89

93 Florida panther. (Amended by Ordinance No ) Under Policy : The county will continue to protect and expand upon the Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed Greenway, a regionally significant greenway with priority panther habitat, through continued participation in land acquisition programs and land management activities and through buffer and open space requirements of the Land Development Code. (Amended by Ordinance No ) Under Policy : In any vegetation restoration projects conducted by Lee County for land acquired due to its environmental sensitivity (such as the Six Mile Cypress Strand and the Flint Pen Strand), plant lists will include species that provide forage for the prey of the Florida panther and forage for the black bear. (Amended by Ordinance No ) OBJECTIVE 113.1: COASTAL PLANNING AREA IN GENERAL. Lee County will manage the coastal planning area to provide a balance among conservation of resources, public safety capabilities, and development. (Amended by Ordinance No , 00-22) Under Policy : Lee County will protect and conserve the following environmentally sensitive coastal areas: wetlands, estuaries, mangrove stands, undeveloped barrier islands, beach and dune systems, aquatic preserves and wildlife refuges, undeveloped tidal creeks and inlets, critical wildlife habitats, benthic communities, and marine grass beds. (Amended by Ordinance No ) OBJECTIVE WETLAND: The natural functions of wetlands and wetland systems will be protected and conserved through the enforcement of the county's wetland protection regulations and the goals, objectives, and policies in this plan. "Wetlands" include all of those lands, whether shown on the Future Land Use Map or not, that are identified as wetlands in accordance with F.S (17) through the use of the unified state delineation methodology described in FAC Chapter , as ratified and amended by F.S (Amended by Ordinance No , 00-22) OBJECTIVE 128.5: MARINE FACILITIES SITING CRITERIA. The county will consider the following criteria in evaluating requests for new and expanded marinas, other wet slip facilities, dry slip facilities with launches, and boat ramps in order to make efficient use of limited shoreline locations and to minimize environmental impacts. (Amended by Ordinance No , 07-09) Under Policy : Proposed boat access facilities (and expansion of existing facilities) in the following areas face a variety of technical, legal, or environmental obstacles which must be addressed during the review process: Aquatic Preserve (DEP) Outstanding Florida Waters (DEP) Class I Waters (DEP) Marine or Estuarine Sanctuaries (NOAA) 90

94 Manatee Sanctuaries or Critical Manatee Habitats (DEP, USFWS, USACE) Approved or conditionally approved shellfish harvesting areas (DEP) Federal navigation channel setbacks (USCG, USACE) Bridge/road right-of-way easement (County DOT, State DOT) Other Endangered/Threatened Species Habitat (USFWS, DEP, USACE) Extra caution and consideration will be given prior to authorizing use of areas with high environmental values. (Amended by Ordinance No , 07-09) E. Management Constraints. Discusses all issues that will influence or constrain the management of the preserve, including but not limited to boundary protection, adjacent land uses, fire management and mitigation. F. Public Access and Resource Based Recreation. Describes opportunities available at the site. Many issues will be taken into consideration in determining resource based activities that will be offered to the public at each site, including but not limited to, acreage of the site, presence of similar facilities nearby, habitat types present, presence of listed species and/or sensitive areas such as wetlands. Establish a sustainable site-specific public use plan, if appropriate. G. Acquisition. Provides a history of the acquisition process that has led to the existing preserve boundary. Include information such as total acreage, purchase price, parcel STRAP number(s), current and recommended land use and zoning categories. Must also include official Legal Description(s) placed in the appendix. VI. Management Action Plan A. Management Unit Description. Depending on the size of the site it may be divided into any number of management units for practicality and efficiency. A description of the unit breakdown will be included with a map showing all units and acreage. Management activities for each unit will be discussed separately. This is one of the most important parts of the management plan. Natural resource information, along with, factors influencing management, are to be integrated in order to devise actions that will restore and maintain a sustainable habitat and provide, if appropriate, access and resource based recreation to the public. B. Goals and Strategies. For each management goal for the site describe the objective, necessary activities and performance standard. Although Management Action Plan goals will be site-specific, Land Stewardship staff will adhere to general standards, set for all land stewardship activities, by which to judge the achievement of goals. The following is a list of issues to be considered and items to be included in developing actions for the unit management plan (within the subcategories of Natural Resources, Outside Consultants, Overall Protection, Public Use, and Volunteers): 91

95 Conservation/restoration of biological native communities. Include: Exotic removal plan. Debris removal plan. Brush reduction plan. Conservation/restoration of ecosystem functions. Fire line/break installation and prescribed burning plan. Protect/enhance water resources. Determine site water quality/quantity and either maintain or improve if necessary. Determine historical hydroperiod and/or sheetflow and recommend feasible restoration features. Conservation of all species present. Maintain habitat requirements and improve where necessary. Provide management maps depicting location of land stewardship activities to be conducted on site. Research scientific literature, and contact other groups and agencies, for data on similar land management activities in order to improve and facilitate our practices. Potential consultants needed for restoration efforts, surveys, and/or facilities development. General upkeep and security of the property and facilities. Install fence and signage. Identify research needs. Establish opportunities for multiple uses and compatibility (i.e. storm water control, water recharge, lease for cattle grazing, etc.) Provide appropriate public access and responsible public use. Development of facilities in accordance with the natural resources, factors influencing management, and management actions. Take into consideration existing structures if present on site. Develop effective environmental education programs and aesthetically pleasing interpretive displays using the biological and cultural wealth of the site. Assist with the establishment of a volunteer program for the site. VII. Projected Timetable for Implementation. Provides a projected timetable for implementation and completion of the action plan. It will be necessary to prioritize land stewardship activities according to their impact on the natural environment, feasibility, aesthetic value, seasonal conditions, and funding limitations. A sample is included in Appendix X. VIII. Financial Considerations. Discusses all sources of funding available for accomplishing site action plan, and prioritize and budget accordingly. Provide cost estimates and include them in an appendix. A sample is included in Appendix Y. 92

96 IX. Literature Cited. List all references cited in the stewardship plan using accepted format (Council for Biology Editors (CBE) Citation Guide). X. Appendices. Suggested appendices include, but may vary with each stewardship plan: flora and fauna species lists, copy of recorded easements, deed restrictions, legal descriptions, and agreements. 93

97 VIII. SUGGESTED REFERENCES AND READINGS See books in Land Stewardship Library and Environmental Resource Center Library at PRSSF An extensive collection of papers, manuals and articles has been compiled and stored at: S:\TERRY\C2020\14- LSOM\LandStewardshipOperationsManual\2011_DRAFT_LSOM_UPDATE\recommended reading The following is a list of documents in this folder as of LSOM approval date: Weed Control Methods Handbook: Tools and Techniques for Use in Natural Areas Proceedings of the Regional Cogongrass Conference: A Cogongrass Management Guide Cultivation Information for Common Species Ecological Effects of Prescribed Fire Season- A Literature Review Wildland Fire in Ecosystems Fire and Nonnative Invasive Plants Potential fire behavior in pine flatwood forests following three different fuel reduction techniques Water Quality Best Management Practices for Florida Cow/Calf Operations Florida Invaders Groundcover Restoration Implementation Guidebook FWC Position Statement on Hardwood Control Injured and Orphaned Wildlife Tips Lightning Season Burning Friend or Foe of Breeding Birds SWS Research Brief on Mangrove Restoration Should Mechanical Treatments and Herbicides be Used as Fire Surrogates To Manage Florida s Uplands Mitigating Old Tree Mortality in Long-Unburned, Fire-Dependent Forests; A Synthesis Plow-line Disturbance From Wildfire Suppression in Two Florida State Parks Postfire survival in south Florida slash pine: interacting effects of fire intensity, fire season, vegetation, burn size, and bark beetles Post-fire tree stress and growth following smoldering duff fires Fuel treatments reduce the severity of wildfire effects in dry mixed conifer forest, Washington, USA Response of Rare Plant Species to Fire in Florida s Pyrogenic Communities The Role of Fuel Breaks in the Invasion of Nonnative Plants Scrub Management Guidelines for Peninsular Florida: Using the Scrub-Jay as an Umbrella Species Seeding dates for Florida ecotypes of native wildflowers and grasses Silviculture Best Management Practices The Myth of Catastrophic Wildfire: A New Ecological Paradigm of Forest Health Weed Seed Dispersal by Vehicles Effects of Mechanical Treatments and Fire on Florida Scrub Vegetation (see also Treatment on Florida Scrub note about document) A Landowner s Guide for Wild Pig Management: Practical Methods for Wild Pig Control Staff will continue to add relevant information to this file. 94

98 LITERATURE CITED Agro-Ecology Grazing Issues Working Group. Florida Land Terms. The Florida Center for Environmental Studies. Florida Atlantic University [Internet]. [cited 2010 Jun 3]. Available from: Austin RJ An Archaeological Site Inventory and Zone Management Plan for Lee County, Florida. St. Petersburg: Piper Archaeological Research, Inc. Bailey M Managing and Monitoring Gopher Frog Populations. Amphibians of Southeastern Ephemeral Wetlands, Gopher Tortoise Council Annual Meeting; 2003 Oct 4; Wekiwa Springs State Park, Apopka, Florida. Belden, RC. Feral Hogs: The Florida Experience. In: Feral Swine Symposium. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Wildlife Research Laboratory, 1993 [Internet]. [cited 2011 April 5]. Available from: Breininger, DR, Carter GC Territory quality transitions and source-sink dynamics in a Florida Scrub-Jay population. Ecological Applications 13: Brown PM Wild Orchids of Florida. Gainesville: University Press of Florida. 432 p. [CLOa] Cornell Lab of Ornithology. All About Birds: Least Bittern [Internet]. [cited 2008 Sept 5]. Available from: [CLOb] Cornell lab of Ornithology. All About Birds; Cooper s Hawk [Internet]. [cited 2008 Sept 5]. Available from: [CLOc] Cornell lab of Ornithology. All About Birds; Merlin [Internet]. [cited 2008 Sept 5]. Available from: [CLOd] Cornell lab of Ornithology. All About Birds; Hairy Woodpecker [Internet]. [cited 2008 Sept 5]. Available from: Cooke RE Geology of Florida. In Ecosystems of Florida (Myers & Ewel eds.). Orlando: University of Central Florida Press. 95

99 Cowardin LM, Carter V, Golet FC, LaRoe ET (Department of the Interior) December. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Biological Services. Classification of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the United States. Washington, D.C.: DOI. 131 p. Available from: Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C.; FWS/OBS-79/31 Cox J, Inkley D, Kautz R Ecology and habitat protection needs of gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) populations found on lands slated for large-scale development in Florida. Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission Nongame Wildlife Program Technical Report No. 4. Tallahassee, FL. 75 p. [DHR] Florida Department of State Division of Historical Resources, Bureau of Archaeological Research. [Internet]. Tallahassee (FL): Best Management Practices: An Owner s Guide to Protecting Archeological Sites, 2005 January. [cited 2008 Dec 2]. Available from: Diemer J Gopherus polyphemus, Gopher tortoise. In The Conservation Biology of Tortoises. IUCN Species Survival Commission. Occasional Paper No p. Duever MJ, Carlson JE, Meeder JF, Duever LC, Gunderson LH, Riopelle L, Alexander TR, Meyers RL, Spangler DP The Big Cypress National Preserve. New York: National Audubon Society. Ellisor JE Feral hog studies. Federal Aid Project. No. W-101-R-4 Final Report. 6 p. Everitt JH, Alaniz MA The Ecological Impacts of Feral Swine. In David R. Synatzske, Feral Swine Symposium. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. [FCC] Florida Climate Center [Internet]. Tallahassee (FL): The Center for Ocean-Atmospheric Predictions Studies; 2005 [cited 2005 Dec 7]. Available from: [FDOF et al.] Florida Division of Forestry, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, USDA Natural Resources and Conservation Service, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences and Private Natural Resource Consultants and Land Managers [Internet] Forest Stewardship Management Plan, Camp Caloosa. [cited 2009 Dec 29]. Available from: 31 p. 96

100 [FDOT] Florida Department of Transportation January. Florida Land Use, Cover and Forms Classification System. Third Edition. Tallahassee: DOT, Surveying and Mapping Office. 93 p. (FLEPPC) Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council. [Internet]. Ft. Lauderdale (FL): FLEPPC 2009 List of Florida's Invasive Plant Species Fall 2009 [cited 2010 Mar 10]. Available from: [FNAI] Florida Natural Areas Inventory. [Internet]. Tallahassee (FL): Guide to the Natural Communities of Florida 2010 Update [cited 2010 March 2]. Available from: [FNAI & FDNR] Florida Natural Areas Inventory and Florida Department of Natural Resources Guide to the Natural Communities of Florida. Tallahassee: FNAI & FDNR. [FWC] Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. [Internet]. Tallahassee (FL): Review of Free Ranging Cats Policy; May 30, [cited 2006 Sept 9]. Available from: Gann GD, Bradley KA, Woodmansee SW Rare Plants of South Florida: Their History, Conservation, and Restoration. Institute for Regional Conservation. Miami. Hecht A, Arvin D, Melvin S, Nicholls J, Raithel C, Terwilliger K Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus) Atlantic Coast Population Revised Recovery Plan. Hadley (MA): U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Region Five. Henderson WG Jr Soil Survey of Lee County, Florida. USDA Soil Conservation Service. Hipes D, Jackson DR, NeSmith K, Printiss D, Brandt K Field Guide to the Rare Animals of Florida. Tallahassee: Florida Natural Areas Inventory. 122 p. Humphrey, SR, editor Rare and Endangered Biota of Florida, Volume 1. Mammals. Gainesville: University Press of Florida. 392 p. [IRC] Institute for Regional Conservation. Floristic Inventory of South Florida Database. [Internet]. [cited 2006 Jan 30]. Available from: 97

101 Kale HW II, Maehr DS Florida s Birds: A Handbook and Reference. Sarasota: Pineapple Press, Inc. 288 p. Keystone Center Biological Diversity on Federal Lands: Report of a Keystone Policy Dialogue. Keystone, CO: The Keystone Center. 96 p. [LCDCD] Lee County Department of Community Development. The Lee Plan 2009 Codification As Amended through May 2009 [Internet]. [cited 2010 March 2] Available from: [LCPR] Lee County Parks and Recreation. Parks and Recreation Ordinance [Internet]. [cited 2007 Jul 23]. Available from: Lee_County_Parks_and_Recreation.pdf [MDC] Missouri Department of Conservation. Endangered Species Guidesheet Bachman s Sparrow [Internet]. [updated 1997 Jun: cited 2007 Sept 21]. Available from: Miller JE, A National Perspective on Feral Swine. In Feral Swine Symposium. Fish and Wildlife, Extension Service, USDA, Washington, D.C. Missimer TM, Scott TM, editors Geology and hydrology of Lee County,Florida. 9 th Annual Southwest Florida Water Resources Conference; 1999 Nov 18 & 19; Ft. Myers (FL). Tallahassee: Florida Geological Survey. 230 p. Moler PE Rare and Endangered Biota of Florida, Volume III. Amphibians and Reptiles. Gainesville: University Press of Florida. Mungall EC Exotics. Ecology and management of large mammals in North America. Demarais S, Krausman PR, editors. Upper Saddle River (NJ): Prentice Hall p. Myers RL, Ewel JH, editors Ecosystems of Florida. Orlando: University of Central Florida Press. Nowak RM A National Perspective on Feral Swine. In James E. Miller. Fish and Wildlife, Extension Service, USDA, Washington, D.C. Postmus B Lee County Bird Patrol Volunteer. 98

102 Rodgers JA Jr., Kale HW II, Smith HT, editors Rare and Endangered Biota of Florida. Volume V Birds. Gainesville: University Press of Florida. Rupert FR A Guide Map to Geologic and Peleontologic Sites in Florida [Map Series No. 125]. Tallahassee: Florida Geological Survey. Save Florida s Native Bromeliads: Conservation of Endangered Airplants Through Biological Control and Seed Collection [Internet]. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agriculture Sciences. [cited 2004 Nov 8]. Available from: Southeast Regional Climate Center [Internet]. Columbia (SC); [cited 2010 Mar 1]. Available from: Stubbs SA Solution a dominant factor in the geomorphology of peninsular Florida. In Ecosystems of Florida (Myers & Ewel eds.). Orlando: University of Central Florida Press. (SWFRPC) Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council. Strategic Regional Policy Plan [Internet]. Ft. Myers (FL); [cited 2010 Feb 12]. Available from: Synatzske DR The ecological impacts of feral swine. In Feral swine: A compendium for resource managers: Proceedings of a conference (Hanselka & Cadenhead eds.). Texas Agricultural Extension Service, College Station. Tate J, Thompson RL The Ecological Impacts of Feral Swine. In David R. Synatzske, Feral Swine Symposium. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Artesia Wells. Tiner RW In Search of Swampland, A Wetland Sourcebook and Fieldguide. New Brunswick (NJ): Rutgers University Press. Towne CW, Wentworth EM A National Perspective on Feral Swine. In James E. Miller. Fish and Wildlife, Extension Service, USDA, Washington, D.C. [USDOI] U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Minerals Management Service April. Southwest Florida Ecological Characterization: An Ecological Atlas. Washington, D.C. (USF) University of South Florida Department of Biology. Lilies & Fire [Internet]. Fox Lab [cited 2005 Jan 26]. Available from: 99

103 [USFWS] U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Eastern Indigo Snake Recovery Plan. Atlanta: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 23 p. [USFWS] U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service South Florida Multi-species Recovery Plan. Atlanta (GA): U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service p. Weston M (FDOF). Imperial Marsh management plan review [electronic mail on the Internet]. Message to: Laura Wewerka (C20/20) Jan 27, 8:15 am [cited 2009 Feb 13]. [one screen]. White WA The Geomorphology of the Florida Peninsula, Geological Bulletin No. 51 [Internet]. Tallahassee (FL): State of Florida, Department of Natural Resources, Bureau of Geology. [cited 2005 March 22]. Available from: Wilder G Additional Notes For First Lecture, Ft. Myers, FL, Florida Gulf Coast University, 23 p. (WMI) WilsonMiller, Inc. Island Park Stewardship Plan (Estero Marsh Preserve Land Stewardship Plan). December Fort Myers, FL. Solicit No. CN-03-07, Project No. 4007, Contract No Wunderlin RP, Hansen BF Guide to the Vascular Plants of Florida. Second Edition. Gainesville (FL): University Press of Florida. 100

104 IX. APPENDICES A. Florida Prescribed Burning Act, Florida Statute B. Florida Open Burning, Administrative Code 5I C. Prescribed Burn Prescription Form D. Pre-Burn Checklist and Crew Briefing E. Prescribed Burn Planning and Action Form F. Prescribed Burn Participation Log G. Weather Recording Log H. Exotic Logging Contract I. Invasive Exotic Prescription Form for Contractors J. Invasive Exotic Treatment Methods K. Herbicide Mixing Chart L. Timber Sale Agreement M. Conservation 20/20 Enabling Ordinance, N. Gopher Tortoise Relocating Procedures O. Parks and Recreation Ordinance P. Preserve Boundary Sign Q. Fence Specifications R. License for Cattle Grazing S. Lee County Preserves Stewardship Plan Outline T. Stratigraphic Units Map U. Physiographic Provinces Map V. Soil Characteristics Table W. Scrub Jay Management Guidelines X. Projected Timetable Y. Financial Considerations 101

105 Appendix A. Florida Prescribed Burning Act, Florida Statute Open burning authorized by the division. (1) DEFINITIONS. As used in this section, the term: (a) Prescribed burning means the controlled application of fire in accordance with a written prescription for vegetative fuels under specified environmental conditions while following appropriate precautionary measures that ensure that the fire is confined to a predetermined area to accomplish the planned fire or land-management objectives. (b) Certified prescribed burn manager means an individual who successfully completes the certification program of the division and possesses a valid certification number. (c) Prescription means a written plan establishing the criteria necessary for starting, controlling, and extinguishing a prescribed burn. (d) Extinguished means that no spreading flame for wild land burning or certified prescribed burning, and no visible flame, smoke, or emissions for vegetative land-clearing debris burning, exist. (2) NONCERTIFIED BURNING. (a) Persons may be authorized to burn wild land or vegetative land-clearing debris in accordance with this subsection if: 1. There is specific consent of the landowner or his or her designee; 2. Authorization has been obtained from the division or its designated agent before starting the burn; 3. There are adequate firebreaks at the burn site and sufficient personnel and firefighting equipment for the control of the fire; 4. The fire remains within the boundary of the authorized area; 5. Someone is present at the burn site until the fire is extinguished; 6. The division does not cancel the authorization; and 7. The division determines that air quality and fire danger are favorable for safe burning. (b) A person who burns wild land or vegetative land-clearing debris in a manner that violates any requirement of this subsection commits a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s or s (3) CERTIFIED PRESCRIBED BURNING; LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS AND PURPOSE. (a) The application of prescribed burning is a land management tool that benefits the safety of the public, the environment, and the economy of the state. The Legislature finds that: 1. Prescribed burning reduces vegetative fuels within wild land areas. Reduction of the fuel load reduces the risk and severity of wildfire, thereby reducing the threat of loss of life and property, particularly in urban areas. 2. Most of Florida s natural communities require periodic fire for maintenance of their ecological integrity. Prescribed burning is essential to the perpetuation, restoration, and management of many plant

106 and animal communities. Significant loss of the state s biological diversity will occur if fire is excluded from fire-dependent systems. 3. Forestland and rangeland constitute significant economic, biological, and aesthetic resources of statewide importance. Prescribed burning on forestland prepares sites for reforestation, removes undesirable competing vegetation, expedites nutrient cycling, and controls or eliminates certain forest pathogens. On rangeland, prescribed burning improves the quality and quantity of herbaceous vegetation necessary for livestock production. 4. The state purchased hundreds of thousands of acres of land for parks, preserves, wildlife management areas, forests, and other public purposes. The use of prescribed burning for management of public lands is essential to maintain the specific resource values for which these lands were acquired. 5. A public education program is necessary to make citizens and visitors aware of the public safety, resource, and economic benefits of prescribed burning. 6. Proper training in the use of prescribed burning is necessary to ensure maximum benefits and protection for the public. 7. As Florida s population continues to grow, pressures from liability issues and nuisance complaints inhibit the use of prescribed burning. Therefore, the division is urged to maximize the opportunities for prescribed burning conducted during its daytime and nighttime authorization process. (b) Certified prescribed burning pertains only to broadcast burning. It must be conducted in accordance with this subsection and: 1. May be accomplished only when a certified prescribed burn manager is present on site with a copy of the prescription from ignition of the burn to its completion. 2. Requires that a written prescription be prepared before receiving authorization to burn from the division. 3. Requires that the specific consent of the landowner or his or her designee be obtained before requesting an authorization. 4. Requires that an authorization to burn be obtained from the division before igniting the burn. 5. Requires that there be adequate firebreaks at the burn site and sufficient personnel and firefighting equipment for the control of the fire. 6. Is considered to be in the public interest and does not constitute a public or private nuisance when conducted under applicable state air pollution statutes and rules. 7. Is considered to be a property right of the property owner if vegetative fuels are burned as required in this subsection. (c) Neither a property owner nor his or her agent is liable pursuant to s for damage or injury caused by the fire or resulting smoke or considered to be in violation of subsection (2) for burns conducted in accordance with this subsection unless gross negligence is proven. (d) Any certified burner who violates this section commits a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s or s

107 (e) The division shall adopt rules for the use of prescribed burning and for certifying and decertifying certified prescribed burn managers based on their past experience, training, and record of compliance with this section. (4) WILDFIRE HAZARD REDUCTION TREATMENT BY THE DIVISION. The division may conduct fuel reduction initiatives, including, but not limited to, burning and mechanical and chemical treatment, on any area of wild land within the state which is reasonably determined to be in danger of wildfire in accordance with the following procedures: (a) (b) Describe the areas that will receive fuels treatment to the affected local governmental entity. Publish a treatment notice, including a description of the area to be treated, in a conspicuous manner in at least one newspaper of general circulation in the area of the treatment not less than 10 days before the treatment. (c) Prepare, and the county tax collector shall include with the annual tax statement, a notice to be sent to all landowners in each township designated by the division as a wildfire hazard area. The notice must describe particularly the area to be treated and the tentative date or dates of the treatment and must list the reasons for and the expected benefits from the wildfire hazard reduction. (d) Consider any landowner objections to the fuels treatment of his or her property. The landowner may apply to the director of the division for a review of alternative methods of fuel reduction on the property. If the director or his or her designee does not resolve the landowner objection, the director shall convene a panel made up of the local forestry unit manager, the fire chief of the jurisdiction, and the affected county or city manager, or any of their designees. If the panel s recommendation is not acceptable to the landowner, the landowner may request further consideration by the Commissioner of Agriculture or his or her designee and shall thereafter be entitled to an administrative hearing pursuant to the provisions of chapter 120. (5) DUTIES OF AGENCIES. The Department of Education shall incorporate, where feasible and appropriate, the issues of fuels treatment, including prescribed burning, into its educational materials. History. s. 9, ch ; s. 41, ch ; s. 21, ch

108 Appendix B. Florida Open Burning, Administrative Code 5I I Open Burning Allowed. (1) Open Burning in General. Authorization must be obtained from the Florida Division of Forestry for burns relating to agriculture, silviculture and pile burning. The Division of Forestry will set special requirements for all types of authorizations, (certified or non-certified), in order to protect public health and safety, including; on site inspections, restricting wind direction, limiting the burning period, within each day or to a specific number of days for those types of authorizations that allow for multiple burning days, halt or limit burning when fire danger is too high in all, or specific parts of the state, and requiring specific personnel and control equipment on site. Any authorized burn that goes out of compliance, but has not escaped the authorized area will be allowed a maximum of two hours to be brought into compliance by the person responsible. In the event that the Division determines that there is a threat to life, public safety or property, immediate suppression action will be taken by the Division of Forestry. (2) Open Burning for Certified Prescribed Burn Managers (CPBM). All burning conducted under this section is related to broadcast burning for the purposes of: Silviculture, Wildlife Management, Ecological Maintenance and Restoration, Range and Pasture Management. Open burning authorizations under this section require the Certified Prescribed Burn Manager s certification number be presented at the time of the request, and that a Certified Prescribed Burn Manager be on site for the entire burn. (a) Prescription. A prescription for the burn must be completed prior to any ignition and it must be on site and available for inspection by a Department representative. The prescription will contain, as a minimum, the following: 1. Stand or Site Description; 2. Map of the area to be burned; 3. Number of personnel and equipment types to be used on the prescribed burn; 4. Desired weather factors, including but not limited to surface wind speed and direction, transport wind speed and direction, minimum mixing height, minimum relative humidity, maximum temperature, and the minimum fine fuel moisture; 5. Desired fire behavior factors, such as type of burn technique, flame length, and rate of spread; 6. The time and date the prescription was prepared; 7. The authorization date and the time period of the authorization; 8. An evaluation and approval of the anticipated impact of the proposed burn on related smoke sensitive areas; 9. The signature and number of the Certified Prescribed Burn Manager. (b) Open Burning Hours. 1. Daytime CPBM Authorizations will be issued for the burning to be conducted from 8:00 a.m. (CT) or 9:00 a.m. (ET) and the fire must discontinue spreading one hour after sunset. 2. Nighttime CPBM Authorizations will be issued with a Dispersion Index of 6 or above for the burning to be conducted between one hour before sunset and 8:00 a.m. (CT) or 9:00 a.m. (ET) the following day. Ignition of these fires is authorized up to midnight, however the fire can continue to spread until 8:00 a.m. (CT) or 9:00 a.m. (ET) the following day. If additional time is required a new authorization (daytime) must be obtained from the Division. The Division will issue authorizations at other times, in designated areas, when the Division has determined that atmospheric conditions in the vicinity of the burn will allow good dispersement of emissions, and the resulting smoke from the burn will not adversely impact smoke sensitive areas, e.g., highways, hospitals and airports. (c) Burn Manager Certification Process. Certification to become a Certified Prescribed Burn Manager is accomplished by: 1. Satisfactory completion of the Division of Forestry s Prescribed Fire Correspondence Course and direct experience in three prescribed burns prior to taking the course; or 2. Satisfactory completion of the Division of Forestry s Prescribed Fire Classroom version of the Correspondence Course and a minimum of managing three prescribed burns prior to taking the course; or 3. Satisfactory completion of the Florida Inter-Agency Basic Prescribed Fire Course and direct experience in three prescribed burns following successful completion of the classroom training. The burns

109 conducted during the training do not count as part of this three burn requirement. 4. Applicants must submit a completed prescription for a proposed certifying burn to their local Florida Division of Forestry office prior to the burn for review and approval, and have the burn described in that prescription reviewed by the Division of Forestry during the burn operation. The local Division of Forestry District Manager (or their designee) will recommend DOF Prescribed Burn Manager certification upon satisfactory completion of both the prescription and required number of burns. 5. In order to continue to hold the Division of Forestry Prescribed Burn Manager Certification the burner must comply with paragraph 5I-2.006(2)(d), F.A.C., or Division Certification will terminate five years from the date of issue. (d) Certification Renewal. A Certified Prescribed Burn Manager must satisfy the following requirements in order to retain certification. 1. Participation in a minimum of eight hours of Division of Forestry approved training every five years relating to the subject of prescribed fire, or participation in a Division of Forestry recognized Fire Council Meeting; and 2. The Certified Prescribed Burn Manager has submitted their certification number for two completed prescribed burns in the preceding five (5) years; or 3. Participation in five (5) burns and have this documented and verified in writing to the Forest Protection Bureau s Prescribed Fire Manager of the Division of Forestry by a current Certified Prescribed Burn Manager; or 4. Retaking either the Prescribed Fire Correspondence Course or the Inter-Agency Basic Prescribed Fire Course. (e) Decertification. A Certified Prescribed Burn Manager s certification shall be revoked if the Burn Manager s actions constitute violations of Florida law and agency rules which equal or exceed 15 points within any two year period using the Certified Prescribed Burn Manager Violations Point Assessment Table, September, 2008, which is hereby adopted and incorporated by reference and is available at: A decertified Burn Manager must complete the Burn Manager Certification process outlined in paragraph 5I-2.006(2)(c), F.A.C., in order to be recertified. (3) Open Burning Non-Certified Broadcast Burners. All burning conducted under this section is related to broadcast burning of acreage not conducted as a certified prescribed burn. Authorizations for this type of burning are issued on the day of the burn or after 4:00 p.m. of the previous day. (a) Daytime Non-Certified Authorizations will be issued for the burning to be conducted from 8:00 a.m. (CT) or 9:00 a.m. (ET) and the fire must discontinue spreading one hour before sunset. (b) Nighttime Non-Certified Broadcast Authorizations will be issued with a Dispersion Index of 8 or above for the burning to be conducted between one hour before sunset and 8:00 a.m. (CT) or 9:00 a.m. (ET) the following morning. Ignition of these fires is authorized up to midnight CT or ET, specific to the time zone where the fire is located; however the fire can continue to spread until 8:00 a.m. (CT) or 9:00 a.m. (ET) the following day. If additional time is required, a new daytime authorization must be obtained from the Division. (4) Pile Burning General. The size and number of piles shall be dictated by the materials to be burned and the time available for burning. All pile burning must adhere to the following: (a) The moisture content and composition of the materials to be burned shall be favorable to good burning which will minimize emissions. The amount of dirt in the piles or rows shall be minimized to enhance combustion and reduce emissions; and (b) The pile or windrow burning must be set back one hundred (100) feet from any paved public roadway and the prevailing winds will direct the smoke away from any occupied buildings (other than the landowners) or roads. Pile burning for paved public road maintenance and widening is exempt from the 100 foot set back as long as the visibility on the roadway is not reduced to less than 1,000 feet; and (c) The pile burning is attended at all times; and (d) The pile burning must meet one of the following setback requirements: 1. Residential, and Agricultural/Silvicultural pile burning must be set back three hundred (300) feet or more away from any occupied building other than that of the landowner and fifty (50) feet from any wildlands, brush or combustible structure.

110 2. Non-Residential pile burning without an Air Curtain Incinerator must be set back one thousand (1,000) feet or more away from any occupied building and one hundred (100) feet from any wildlands, brush or combustible structure. (e) Exception to Setbacks An exception to the setbacks in subparagraphs 5I-2.006(4)(d)1. and 2., F.A.C., will be granted if all of the affected parties agree in writing to allow the burn to take place. (5) Tree Cutting Debris Burning. Open burning to dispose of tree cutting debris shall be conducted using a DEP permitted air curtain incinerator. Open burning to dispose of tree cutting debris without use of a permitted air curtain incinerator is allowed provided: (a) The tree cutting debris was generated on residential premises of not more than two family units; and (b) The open burning is restricted to the site where the tree cutting debris was generated; and (c) The open burning is conducted in accordance with all provisions applicable to pile burning as set forth by the Division of Forestry at paragraphs 5I-2.006(4)(a), (b), (c), (d)1., and (e), F.A.C.; and (d) The open burning is not prohibited by any local, county, or municipal rule or ordinance or the open burning is conducted in accordance with any such rule or ordinance to the extent that such rule or ordinance is stricter than the provisions of this subsection. (6) Air Curtain Incinerator Burning. The use of an Air Curtain Incinerator is allowed for the combustion of land clearing debris, provided the incinerator has a DEP air permit or has been specifically exempted from air permitting by the DEP. If an air curtain incinerator has been exempted from air permitting by the DEP, prior authorization to use the incinerator must be obtained from the Division of Forestry. Operation of an exempt air curtain incinerator shall be authorized provided that open burning would otherwise be allowed under this chapter and the following conditions are met: (a) Only kerosene, diesel fuel, drip torch fuel, clean dry wood or lightered pine, virgin oil, natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas may be used to start the fire in the incinerator. The use of used oil, chemicals, gasoline, or tires to start the fire is prohibited. (b) An air curtain incinerator must be located at least 300 feet from any occupied building and 50 feet from any wildlands, brush, combustible structure, or paved public roadway. (c) Incinerators equipped with refractory-lined walls, shall begin charging no earlier than sunrise and must end no later than one hour after sunset. (d) Incinerators not equipped with refractory lined walls shall begin charging no earlier than 8:00 a.m. (CT) or 9:00 a.m. (ET) and must end no later than one hour after sunset. (e) Regardless of the air curtain incinerator type, after charging ceases, air flow shall be maintained until all material within the air curtain incinerator has been reduced to coals, and flames are no longer visible. A log shall be maintained on site, and available upon request, that documents daily beginning and ending times of charging. (f) If the air curtain incinerator employs an earthen trench, the pit walls (width and length), shall be vertical, and maintained so that the combustion of the waste within the pit will be maintained at an adequate temperature and with sufficient air re-circulation to provide enough residence time and mixing for proper combustion and control of emissions. Pit width shall not exceed twelve (12) feet. (g) The waste material shall not be loaded into the air curtain incinerator such that it protrudes above the level of the air curtain in the pit. (h) Ash shall not be allowed to build up in the pit of the air curtain incinerator to higher than 1/3 the pit depth or to the point where the ash begins to impede combustion, whichever occurs first. (i) Excessive visible emissions are not allowed except for a period of up to 30 minutes during start ups. (j) The air curtain incinerator shall be attended at all times while materials are being burned or flames are visible within the incinerator. (k) The burning will not exceed 6 months on the same site from the date of the initial authorization from the Division of Forestry, unless the Division is notified of an exemption by DEP. (l) Exceptions to the setback requirements from occupied buildings shall be granted by the Division of Forestry when the applicant obtains a signed written statement from every affected resident within the setback area that waives their objections to the open burning associated with the land clearing operation

111 and presents the statement to the Division of Forestry 48 hours in advance of the burning. (m) If the owner or operator of the air curtain incinerator, by lease or other means, grants authority to operate the incinerator to a person not in the employ of the owner, the owner shall provide such person with a copy of this rule section s requirements. (7) Off Site Burning. Any open burning of land clearing debris that is allowed by this chapter is restricted to the site where the material was generated and such material shall not be transported to another property to be burned, unless the land clearing debris has been generated by the person, or their agent, who owns or leases the property where it was generated and to where it is transported, and operates an air curtain incinerator in compliance with all applicable paragraphs of subsection 5I-2.006(6), F.A.C. (8) Open Burning for Certified Pile Burners (CPB). All burning conducted under this section is related to pile burning in Florida regardless of the purpose. The Division of Forestry will issue multiple day authorizations up to three days when the Fire Readiness Level has been set to 1 or 2. CPB s must comply with the hours of operation listed in paragraph 5I-2.006(8)(b), F.A.C. A three day authorization does not allow for burning past one hour after sunset each day. Authorizations for this type of burning are issued on the day of the burn or after 4:00 p.m. of the previous day. Open burning authorizations under this section require that the Certified Pile Burner certification number be presented at the time of the request, and that a Certified Pile Burner sign the startup log and shutdown log, indicating that the piles are properly setup and shut down, attached to the burn plan located at each site on a daily basis. (a) Pile Burn Plan. A plan for the burn must be completed prior to any ignition and it must be on site and available for inspection by a Department representative. The plan will contain, as a minimum, the following: 1. Burn location; 2. Soil type and moisture; 3. Number of personnel and equipment types to be used on the pile burn; 4. Desired weather factors, including but not limited to surface wind speed and direction, minimum relative humidity, drought index, days since rain, maximum temperature, and the dispersion index; 5. Fuel type and condition (how long has it been drying); 6. The time and date the plan was prepared; 7. The authorization date and the time period of the authorization; 8. An evaluation and approval of the anticipated impact of the proposed burn on related smoke sensitive areas; 9. Adjacent landowners to notify; 10. Special precautions; 11. The signature and number of the Certified Pile Burner. (b) Open Burning Hours. CPB Authorizations will be issued for the burning to be conducted from 8:00 a.m. (CT) or 9:00 a.m. (ET) and the fire must not have any visible flame after one hour after sunset except in smoke sensitive areas where there must be no visible emissions one hour before sunset. (c) Pile Burner Certification Process. Certification to become a Certified Pile Burner is accomplished by: 1. Satisfactory completion of the Division of Forestry s Certified Pile Burner Course, and 2. Applicants must submit a completed plan for a proposed certifying burn to their local Florida Division of Forestry office within one year of completing the classroom training and prior to the certifying burn for review and approval. After the plan has been approved the burn described in that plan must be reviewed by the Division of Forestry during the burn operation. The local Division of Forestry District Manager, or their designee, will recommend DOF Pile Burner certification to the Forest Protection Bureau upon satisfactory completion of both the plan and the review of the actual burn. 3. In order to continue to hold the Division of Forestry Pile Burner Certification the burner must comply with paragraph 5I-2.006(8)(d), F.A.C., or Division Certification will terminate five years from the date of issue. (d) Certification Renewal. A Certified Pile Burner must satisfy the following requirements in order to retain certification:

112 1. The Certified Pile Burner has submitted his or her certification number for five completed pile burns in the preceding five (5) years; or 2. He or she must retake the Pile Burner Certification Training Course. (e) Decertification. A Certified Pile Burner s certification shall be revoked if the Certified Pile Burner s actions constitute violations of Florida law and agency rules which equal or exceed 15 points within any two year period using the Certified Pile Burner Violations Point Assessment Table, September, 2008, which is hereby adopted and incorporated by reference and is available at: A decertified Pile Burner must complete the Pile Burner Certification process outlined in paragraph 5I-2.006(8)(c), F.A.C., in order to be recertified. (9) Open Burning for Non-Certified Pile Burners. The division will issue authorizations for one day only for all pile burning, except for those burning citrus. Citrus pile authorizations will be issued for up to three days. Non-Certified Pile Burners must comply with normal hours of operation listed in this section on a daily basis. A three day authorization does not allow for night time burning. Non-Certified Pile Burners shall not begin burning before 8:00 a.m. (CT) or 9:00 a.m. (ET) and the burn shall have no visible flame one hour before sunset or anytime thereafter. In smoke sensitive areas the piles must be extinguished with no visible emissions one hour before sunset. Authorizations for Non-Certified Pile burning are issued on the day of the burn or after 4:00 p.m. of the previous day. (10) Recreational Open Burning. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit the legal open burning of vegetative debris and untreated wood in a campfire, outdoor fireplace, or other contained outdoor heating or cooking device, or on cold days for warming of outdoor workers. Furthermore, nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit the open burning of vegetative debris or untreated wood in a recreational or ceremonial bonfire, as long as the fire is attended at all times and is completely extinguished with no visible emissions if the area is to be left unattended. The person or persons responsible for the recreational fire shall ensure compliance with any applicable open burning rules adopted by the Division of Forestry of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. (11) Open Burning Exceptions. The Director of the Division of Forestry is authorized to grant exceptions in furtherance of public health, safety and welfare, to the open burning rules within Chapter 5I- 2, F.A.C., in the event of an emergency that would require the destruction of vegetative debris or animal carcasses in the most expeditious means possible. Examples would include the burning of vegetative matter or animal carcasses resulting from an insect or disease infestation, or resulting from storm damage e.g., hurricanes or tornados. Specific Authority (23), (28), (3)(e) FS. Law Implemented (28), , (1)(b), (2), (3) FS. History New , Formerly 17-5, Amended , Formerly 5I-2.06, Amended , , , , ,

113 Appendix C. Prescribed Burn Form LANDOWNER: SITE NAME: BURN UNIT NO: SECTION: TOWNSHIP: RANGE: ACRES TO BURN: BURN DATES (LAST THREE BURNS): UNIT DESCRIPTION: BURN OBJECTIVES: PERSONNEL REQUIRED: EQUIPMENT REQUIRED: PASSES SMOKE SCREENING SYSTEM: YES NO POSSIBLE SMOKE SENSITIVE AREAS: SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS: NOTIFY THE FOLLOWING: WEATHER/FIRE BEHAVIOR FACTORS: PREFERRED FORCASTED OBSERVED SURFACE WINDS (SPEED/DIRECTION): DIR SPEED DIR SPEED DIR SPEED MIN / MAX MIN / MAX MIN / MAX MIDFLAME WINDS DIR SPEED DIR SPEED DIR SPEED (SPEED/DIRECTION): MIN / MAX MIN / MAX MIN / MAX TRANSPORT WINDS: MPH MPH MPH MINIMUM MIXING HEIGHT: FT. FT. FT. DISPERSION INDEX: TEMPERATURE: MIN MAX MIN MAX MIN MAX F F RELATIVE HUMIDITY: MIN% MAX% MIN% MAX% MIN% MAX% FINE FUEL MOISTURE: % % RATE OF SPREAD (CHNS/HR): STARTING TIME: BURN TECHNIQUE(S) flank/head/strip: FLAME LENGTH: FT. FT. DAYS SINCE 1/2" RAIN: LVORI (night visibility index: 1= low fog potential, >5=fog likely) CERTIFIED BURN MANAGER: SIGNATURE: CERTIFICATION NUMBER DATE DATE OF BURN: FFS AUTHORIZATION # PRESCRIPTION APPROVED BY: DATE:

114 Appendix D: Pre-Burn Checklist & Crew Briefing I. Preparation prior to burn Burn Unit Date Units to be burned Inspect and maintain all equipment including chain saws, hand tools, vehicles, drip torches, back pack sprayers etc. Fire extinguisher and first aid kit in each vehicle Disk fire lanes and inspect prior to ignition Notification of appropriate personnel and agencies Florida Division of Forestry (to assist if necessary) Florida Highway Patrol (if necessary) Lee County Sheriffs Office (if necessary) Local fire departments (to assist, if necessary) Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (if necessary) Adjacent property owners (create and maintain list) Parks and Recreation Administration staff Florida Power and Light / Lee County Electric Coop (if necessary) East County Water Control District (if necessary) Prepare prescription burn plan, maps, and prescription II. Crew briefing Distribute copies of prescription, burn plan, and maps to crew Discuss burn plan purpose Firing technique Review crew organizations and assignments Discuss potential hazardous zones Discuss stationing of vehicles (always leave keys in vehicles with windows up Discuss fire and smoke behavior Estimate time of ignition and burn duration Identify emergency escape routes Location of drinking water and food Mop-up procedures Answer questions III. Prior to ignition Obtain burn authorization from the Florida Division of Forestry Monitor five day weather forecast Check on-site weather Confirm crew assignments IV. Post burn Conduct mop-up Confirm fire is dead out Conduct next day inspection Conduct post burn evaluation within one month of burn Conduct post burn meeting with crew to discuss both the positive and negative aspects of the burn Create file for each burn with burn plan, map, and prescription

115 Appendix E: Prescribed Burn Planning and Action Form Site Name Unit # Physical Features and Vegetations: Objective: Acceptable Range of Results: Site Preparation: Safety considerations: Smoke Management: Safety Zones and Escape Routes: Communication and Coordination: Personnel: Contingency Plan: Mopup:

116 Appendix F. Prescribed Burn Participation Log Prescribed Burn Participation Log Crew Member Name CPBM # Date of Burn Preserve/Park DOF Authorization Number Burn Boss (print name) Burn Boss s CBPM # Burn Boss Signature

117 Appendix G. Weather Recording Log Location of fire: Observer: Date(s): Recording Frequency: (hourly, half-hourly, 15 minutes ) Time Dry Bulb Wet Bulb RH Wind Speed Average Gusts Wind Direction % Cloud Cover *Cloud Type *Current Conditions *Fire Behavior Comments *Beaufort Wind Scale: *Current Conditions: *Fire Behavior: 0= wind speed <1mph CALM smoke rises vertically 0 = Clear (<10% cloud cover) B = Backing 1= 1-3mph LIGHT AIR rising smoke drifts 1 = Scattered/variable (10-50% cloud cover) H = Heading 2= 4-7mph LIGHT BREEZE leaves rustle; calm wind on face 2 = Broken (60-90% cloud cover) F = Flanking 3= 8-12mph GENTLE BREEZE leaves and trees constant motion 3 = Overcast (>90% cloud cover) S = Spotting 4= MODERATE BREEZE moves some branches (too windy to spray) 4 = Foggy C = Crowing 5= FRESH BREEZE small trees begin to sway (way too windy to spray) 5 = Drizzle *Cloud Type: 6 = Rain 0 = Cumulonimbus (Thunderhead) 7 = Showers 1 = Cumulus (Cauliflower) 8 = Thunderstorm in progress 2 = Alto Cumulus (Sheepbacks) 3 = Cirrus (High feathery)

118 Appendix H. Exotic Logging Contract

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127 Appendix I. Invasive Plant Prescription Form TO BE FILLED OUT BY LEE COUNTY STAFF Site Name/ Management Unit: Acres to Treat: Date: Prepared By: Plant Community Type(s): GENERAL SITE CONDITIONS General Soil Sand Muck Clay Other Any special concerns (public use, time of year, hydrology, cattle, rare plants or wildlife, etc.): Weather conditions: Herbicide application must be conducted under label specifications according to temperature and rainfall TO BE FILLED OUT BY CONTRACTOR Date: Name: Company Address Phone Fax Treatment methods Control methods: ex: foliar spray, basal spray, cut stump etc. Herbicide Application rate (%) Target plant species

128 Appendix J. Invasive Exotic Treatment Methods Invasive Exotic Plant Upland Wetland Common/Scientific Name Herbicide Recommendation Herbicide Recommendation Notes G4 2-3% + DLZ (foliar) Can also hand gather potatoes or dig up Air Potato/Dioscorea bulbifera G4 10% + oil (cut stump) tubers, but dispose of plant materials in Rodeo 50% (foliar) Vista 1% + DLZ 0.25% (foliar) garbage bags. RUpPro 1.5% (foliar) Arrowhead Vine/ RUpPro 3% + DLZ (foliar) Dig up or hand pull and dispose in garbage Syngonium podophyllum Rodeo 50% (foliar) bags. Herbicide may take multiple G4 10% + oil (basal bark) treatments Arrowleaf Elephantear/ Dig up or hand pull and dispose in garbage RUpPro 2% DLZ (foliar) Rodeo 2% + surfactant (foliar) Xanthosoma sagittifolium bags. Plant sap is a skin irritant. Asparagus-fern/ Asparagus sprengeri RUpPro 1% % DLZ (foliar) Dig up or hand pull and dispose in garbage G4 15% + oil <6"DBH (basal bark) G % + oil >6"DBH (basal bark) Australian Pine/ G4 50% + oil (cut stump) Rodeo 60% (foliar) seedlings can be hand pulled Casuarina equestifolia G4 5% + DLZ (foliar) G3A 1.5%, Habitat 0.5%, DLZ (foliar) Bahiagrass/Paspalum notatum RUpPro % + DLZ (foliar) Balsam Apple/ Momordica charantia Vista 1% + DLZ 0.25% (foliar) N/A DLZ may not be necessary G3A 25% (cut stump) G4 20% + oil (cut stump) Beach Naupaka/ G4 10% + oil (basal bark) Can be dug or hand pulled Scaevola tacccada RUpPro 5-10% + DLZ (foliar) G4 4% + DLZ (foliar) Bermuda Grass/Cynodon spp. RUpPro 3% + DLZ (foliar) Rodeo 3% (foliar) Bishopwood/Bischovia javanica G4 15% + Stalker 5% + oil (basal bark) Arsenal 10% <4"DBH (cut stump) Rodeo 60% (cut stump) Bowstring Hemp/ Sanseveria G % + oil (foliar) N/A Dig up or hand pull and dispose in garbage

129 hyacinthoides G4 20% + oil (cut stump) G % + oil (basal bark) For larger trees, adding 1-2% Stalker Brazilian Pepper/ G4 2% + DLZ (foliar) may make cut stump and basal bark Rodeo 60% (cut stump) Schinum terebinthifolius Plateau.625% + DLZ (foliar) treatments more effective. Arsenal 1% + DLZ (foliar) G4 5% + 1% 2-4-D (foliar) Burmareed/ RUpPro 1-3% + DLZ (foliar) Apply 5% treatment after mowing and Neyraudia reynaudiana RUpPro 5% + DLZ (foliar) allow plant to grow 12-18". Do not mow if G4 + oil 10% (cut stump) plant has seeds (or collect and bag them) Caesar's Weed/Urena lobata RUpPro 2-3% + DLZ (foliar) Vista 0.5-1% + DLZ 0.25% (foliar) Aquastar 3/4-1% (foliar) hand pull seedlings Carrotwood/ G4 15% + oil (basal bark) Cupaniosis Rodeo 50% (basal bark) hand pull seedlings Arsenal 1% (foliar) anacardioides Castor Bean/Ricinus communis RUpPro 2-3% + DLZ (foliar) Rodeo 2-3% (foliar) hand pull seedlings Cattail/Typha spp. RUpPro 1.5% + Kinetic (foliar) Rodeo 0.75% + surfactant 0.5% (foliar) hand pull if submerged Chinaberry/Melia azedarach Chinese Brake Fern/Pteris vittata Chinese Fan Palm/ Livistona chinensis Chinese Tallow Tree/ Sapium sebiferum G % + oil (basal bark) G4 30% + Stalker 3% + oil (cut stump) G3A 50% (cut stump) G3A 1% + DLZ (foliar) Arsenal 1% + DLZ (foliar) RUpPro 2-3% + DLZ (foliar) G % + DLZ 0.25% (foliar) G4 20% + oil (cut stump) G % + oil (basal bark) G4 20% DBH<10" + oil (cut stump) G4 20% + Stalker 3% DBH>10" + oil (cut stump) G3A 50% (cut stump) G3A 1% + DLZ (foliar) Basal bark treatment 2' of trunk. For foliar treatment, wet all foliage October - July and 50% of foliage July - October More than one treatment often necessary Can be cut down with no herbicide hand pull seedlings

130 Climbing Cassia/Senna pendula G4 20% (basal or cut stump) G3A 0.5% + Reward 0.5% (foliar) G4 15% + Stalker 3% + oil (basal bark) G4 5% + DLZ (foliar) Arsenal 1% + DLZ (foliar) G4 0.5% + RUpPro 1.5% + Kinetic 0.5% (foliar) hand pull seedlings May want to mow or burn first to reduce Cogon Grass/ RUpPro 2% + Arsenal 1% (foliar) biomass. Good idea to vary herbicide Imperata cylindrica RUpPro 2% spring followed by treatments. May take 3-6 weeks to see Coral Vine/Antigonon leptopus Council Tree/Ficus altissima Downy Rosemyrtle/ Rhodomyrtus tomentosa Durban Crowfootgrass/ Dactyloctenium aegyptium Dwarf Papyrus/Cyperus prolifer Earleaf Acacia/ Acacia auriculiformis Arsenal 32 oz per acre in fall (foliar) Arsenal 1% + DLZ (foliar) Arsenal 0.5% + DLZ 1.5% + G3A 5% (foliar) a kill from treatment. Yet to be determined Recommend initial trial: RUpPro 3% + DLZ 0.5% (foliar), use aquatic labeled herbicides in wet areas G4 10% + oil (basal bark) G4 10% + oil (basal bark) G4 10% + DLZ (cut stump) G4 10% + oil (cut stump) Arsenal 1% + DLZ 1% (foliar) RUpPro 2-3% + DLZ (foliar) Rodeo 2-3% (foliar) Yet to be determined Recommend initial trial: Renovate 3 3% + aquatic surfactant (foliar) or 10% (cut stump) G % + oil (basal bark) G3A <6" DBH 20% (cut stump) hand pull seedlings. Treat before burning G3A >6" DBH 25-30% (cut stump) Flamegold/Koelreuteria elegans G3A 100% (cut stump) Golden Pothos/ G4 + oil 10% (basal bark) hand pull and dispose of all plant material Epipremnum pinnatum G4 3% + DLZ (foliar) in plastic bags Grapevine/Vitis rotundifolia Guava/Psidium guajava Guineagrass/ Panicum maximum Japanese Climbing Fern Vista 0.5% (foliar) G4 50% + oil (cut stump) G4 15% + Stalker 5% + oil (basal bark) RUpPro 3% + 0.5% DLZ (foliar) Arsenal 2-3% + DLZ (foliar) Arsenal 1% + 2% RUpPro (foliar) Rodeo 50% (cut stump) Rodeo 1-2% + DLZ (foliar)

131 Lygodium japonicum Java Plum/Syzygium cuminii Lantana/Lantana camara Laurel Fig/Ficus microcarpa Lead Tree/ Leuceana leucocephala Life Plant/Kalanchoe pinnata Limpograss/ Madagascar Rubbervine/ Cryptostegia madagascariensis G4 50% + oil (cut stump) G4 15% + Stalker 5% + oil (basal bark) RUpPro 2-3% + DLZ (foliar) Arsenal 1% + DLZ (foliar) G4 10% + oil (basal bark) G4 10% + oil (cut stump) G3A 50% (cut stump) G4 10% + oil (basal bark) G % + oil (basal bark) G4 50% + oil (cut stump) G4 2-3% + DLZ (foliar) RUpPro 10% (foliar) 3% glyphosate % surfactant 2% Rodeo + 1% Destiny Rodeo 60% (cut stump) Rodeo 20% (foliar) Do not mow. Hand pull and dispose of all plant material in plastic bags Mow or disk first. Spray at 4-6 height. Follow up treatment at 3-4 regrowth. Yet to be determined Recommend initial trial: G4 5% + oil (foliar), G4 10% + oil (cut stump), use aquatic labeled herbicides in wet areas Arsenal 10-15% (cut stump) G3A 20-50% (cut stump) Melaleuca/ G4 20% + oil (cut stump) Rodeo % (cut stump) When using generic Garlon, you may Melaleuca quinquenervia Plateau 1.5% + RUpPro 1.5% + DLZ (foliar) Rodeo 3% + 0.5% DLZ (foliar) seedlings need to bump up the % to 7% for foliar Mexican Petunia/ Ruellia tweediana G3A 1.5%, Habitat 1.5%, DLZ (foliar) G4 1.5% + DLZ 0.5% + Arsenal 0.5% (foliar) G4 5% + DLZ (foliar) RUpPro 3% + 0.5% DLZ (foliar) Rodeo 3% (foliar) follow up treatment in 3 months Mimosa/Albizia julibrissin G4 15% + oil (basal bark) larger trees may require retreatment Monk Orchid/ Oeceoclades maculata Morning Glory/Ipomoea spp. Yet to be determined Recommend initial trial: Hand pull or RUpPro 3% + 0.5% DLZ (foliar) G4 10% + oil (cut stump) Napier Grass/ RUpPro 1-3% + DLZ (foliar) If mowed, allow 8-12" regrowth before Pennisetum purpureum G4 0.5% + RUpPro 1.5% + Kinetic 0.5% (foliar) applying herbicide. Bag and remove

132 Natal Grass/ Rhynchelytrum repens Plateau 8oz per acre (foliar) RUpPro 2-5% + DLZ (foliar) Spray in spring, prior to seed set Old World Climbing Fern/ RUpPro 2-3% + Kinetic (foliar) Follow up treatment often necessary. Rodeo 2-3% + Kinetic Lygodium microphyllum Escort 2 oz per 100 gal. (foliar) Poodle cut and thoroughly spray foliage Orchid Tree/ Bauhinia variegata Oyster Plant/ Tradescantia spathacea Para Grass/Urochloa mutica Peruvian Primrosewillow/ Ludwigia peruviana Queen Palm/ Syagrus romanzoffiana Rosary Pea/Abrus precatorius Rose Apple/Syzygium jambos G4 10% + oil (basal bark) G3A 50% (cut stump) Vista 1% + DLZ 0.25% (foliar) Arsenal 1% (foliar) RUpPro 1.5-2% + 0.5% DLZ (foliar) Rodeo 1.5-2% + 0.5% DLZ (foliar) Best to spray in winter or spring Yet to be determined Recommend initial trial: Renovate 3 3% % aquatic surfactant (foliar) or 10% (cut stump) G4 20% on growing tip G4 10% + oil (basal bark) G3A 50% (cut stump) G4 10% + oil (cut stump) G % + oil (basal Bark) Cut down as close to base as possible mature trees may take 9 months to die Royal Poinciana/Delonix regia G3A 50% (cut stump) seedlings can be hand pulled Schefflera/ Schefflera actinophylla Seaside Hibiscus/ Hibiscus tiliaceus Seaside Mahoe/ Thespesia populnea Senegal Date Palm/ Phoenix reclinata G3A 50% (cut stump) G4 20% + oil (basal bark) G3A 50% (cut stump) G4 10% + oil (basal bark) G3A 50% (cut stump) G4 10% + oil <2" DBH (basal bark) G4 25% + oil >2" DBH (basal bark) G3A 50% (cut stump) G4 10% + oil (basal bark) Rodeo 100% (cut stump) plants slow to die under basal treatment seedlings can be hand pulled Sesbania/Sesbania spp. RUpPro 5% + G3A 2% (foliar) can be hand pulled Shoebutton Ardisia/ Ardisia elliptica Shrimpplant/ Blechum pyramidatum G3A 20% (cut stump) RUpPro 3% + DLZ (foliar)

133 Sisal Hemp/Agave sisalana Small Leaf Spiderwort/ Tradescantia fluminensis Smutgrass/Sporobolus indicus Strawberry Guava/ Psidium cattleianum Surinam Cherry/Eugenia uniflora Yet to be determined Recommend initial trial: G4 5% + oil (foliar) RUpPro 1-2% + DLZ (foliar) G3A 1-2% + DLZ (foliar) % RUpPro (foliar) G4 50% + oil (cut stump) G4 15% + Stalker 5% + oil (basal bark) G4 15% + Stalker 5% + oil (basal bark) G4 5% + 0.5% DLZ (foliar) Rodeo 50% (cut stump) Rodeo 60% (cut stump) Sword Fern/Nephrolepis spp. RUpPro 1.5% + DLZ (foliar) Rodeo 1.5% (foliar) Torpedo Grass/Panicum repens Tropical Soda Apple/ Solanum viarum Turkeyberry/Solanum torvum Twinleaf Nightshade/ Solanum diphyllum Umbrella Plant/ Cyperus involucratus Wandering-Jew/ Tradescantia zebrine Washington Fan Palm/ Washingtonia robusta Water Pimpernel/ Samolus ebracteatus Waterhyacinth/ Eichhornia crassipes Waterlettuce/Pistia stratiotes Wedelia/Sphagneticola Arsenal 1% (foliar) RUpPro 3% + DLZ (foliar) G4 10% + oil (basal bark) Vista 1-1.5% (foliar) G4 5% + 0.5% DLZ (foliar) Rodeo 1.5% + DLZ 0.5% (foliar) may take repeated applications Best to spray in summer or fall. Re-apply when plants are 4-6" tall. Will take several years to control. Don't grade, disk or chop. After fire spray when plants are 4-6" tall. Can hand pull and remove fruit. Yet to be determined Recommend initial trial: RUpPro 2% DLZ (foliar), use aquatic labeled herbicides in wet areas RUpPro 3% + DLZ (foliar) Vista 1% + DLZ 0.25% (foliar) Yet to be determined Recommend initial trial: Renovate 3 3% + aquatic surfactant (foliar) or 10% (cut stump) G3A 2% + DLZ (foliar) Vista 1% + DLZ 0.25% (foliar) G4 20% + oil (in apical bud) Herbicide not necessary, can just cut tree down at base. Yet to be determined Recommend initial trial: RUpPro 1.5% +.05% DLZ (foliar), use aquatic labeled herbicides in wet areas Milestone 0.25% + DLZ 0.25% (foliar) Rodeo 2% (foliar) Rodeo % + surfactant % (foliar) Apply between mid-summer and winter

134 trilobata West Indian Almond/ Terminalia catappa West Indian Marsh Grass/ Hymenachne amplexicaulis Wetland Nightshade/ Solanum tampicense Wild Taro/Colocasia esculenta Women's Tongue/ Albizia lebbeck Wright's Nutrush/Scleria lacustris Vista 1% + DLZ 0.25% (foliar) G3A 50% (cut stump) G4 20% + oil (basal bark) RUpPro 2% + DLZ (foliar) 2-4-D 1% (foliar) RUpPro 2% + DLZ 0.5% (foliar) Rodeo 2% (foliar) Rodeo 2% (foliar) 2-4-D 1% (foliar) Rodeo 1-1.5% (foliar) G4 10% + oil (cut stump) G3A 50% (cut stump) G4 10% + oil (basal bark) do not mow or cut leaves

135 Appendix K. Herbicide Mixing Chart Herbicide Mixing Chart Herbicide per tank = spray tank volume x % solution required 100 EXAMPLE: Herbicide per tank = 4 gal x 3 =.12 gal x 128 (oz per gal) = oz of herbicide 100 Use the following chart for amount of herbicide needed in ounces: Tank vol..5% 1.5% 2% 3% 5% 10% 15% 20% 30% 50% 2.5 pints gal gal gal gal gal gal gal (11.25 gal of oil in drum) Mixing sequence if using SURFACTANTS 1) Begin with a clean container 2) Fill tank 2/3 ¾ with water or other solvent 3) Add antifoam agent if necessary 4) Add herbicides in the following order a) Dry flowables or dispersible granules b) Flowables c) Water soluable pesticides d) Emulsifiable concentrates 5) Agitate 6) Add surfactants (spreaders/stickers) and lightly agitate 7) Complete filling tank with water or other solvent with minimal agitation. For optimal results, use mixes with spreaders within 36 hours

136 Appendix L. Timber Sale Agreement

137 1. ACTION REQUESTEDIPURPOSE: Approve and execute Partnership Agreement between Lee County and Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Forestry (DOF) for restoration activities to include thinning of slash pine trees and prescribed burning to improve the quality of wildlife habitat and return Conservation 20/20 preserves to historic conditions. MU 2. FUNDING SOURCE: No f~rnds requi.yedt. 3. WHAT ACTION ACCOMPLISHES: Partnership agreement will allow restoration thinning of select pine stands on Conservation 20/20 preserves in accordance with approved Land Stewardship Plans. 4. MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATION: APPROVE - 5. Departmental Category: /, 1\13 6. Meeting Date: I 8. dequirement/purpose: (spec&) I 9. Request Initiated: 1 Commissioner Agenda: Consent 1 - Statute - 1 Administrative Parks & Recreation 01 lcli F p % + l p l IW By: John Yarbrough, Director ofparks and Recreation ~ ~ - 1 ~ Division I I 01 Walk-on ID- (ftly,vfwl 10. Background: Each Conservation 20/20 preserve has (or will have) a Board of'khunty Commissioners approved Land Stewardship Plan. Site restoration projects, including exotic species removal, wildlife habitat enhancement, pine tree thining etc. are identified within the Land Stewardship Plan. This partnership agreement permits the Division of Forestry to plan, administor and supervise the harvest of pine trees on Conservation 20/20 preserves where it is needed as a part of the site restoration identitifed within the approved Land Stewardship Plan. The Division of Forestry will be paid the greater of (a) 10% of the total sales revenue or (b) the actual cost of sale preparation plus 3% of the total sales revenue for an administration fee. The balance of the revenue raised in this restoration pine sale will be placed into the Conservation 20/20 management fund for exotic plant removal or other restoration projects.

138 Partnership Agreement between Lee County and State of Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Division of Forestry FDACS COWTRACT # 0 I2320 This Partnership Agreement is made and entered into this ~ day of 2007, between Lee County, a political subdivision and Charter County of the State of Florida, hereinafter referred to as the COUNTY, and the State of Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Forestry, hereinafter referred to as the DOF. WITNESSETH WHEREAS, certain lands are owned by the COUNTY and managed through the COUNTY S Department of Parks and Recreation through the Conservation program (C20/20); and WHEREAS, certain lands acquired through C20/20 were acquired using funds provided through Florida Forever and grant partnerships with Florida Communities Trust (FCT); and WHEREAS, these lands acquired through the COUNTY S C20/20 program are to be utilized for conservation and stewardship of the natural resources, outdoor nature based recreation, environmental education and related public purposes; and WHEREAS, in the land stewardship plan for these lands, provisions are made to provide for maintenance of the sites in a natural state and/or to restore sites to enhance natural resource values; and WHEREAS, several of these preserves require restoration activities to include thinning of slash pine trees and prescribed burning to improve the quality of wildlife habitat and return these communities to historic conditions; and WHEREAS, the DOF has the expertise required to perform the services identified under this Agreement and desires to assist the COUNTY in administering logging activities at selected properties for restoration purposes. NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto, for and in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein agree as follows: 1. The DOF shall plan, administer, and supervise the harvest of timber on COUNTY lands in accordance with ATTACHMENT A, Scope of Services, attached hereto and made a part hereof. 2. The DOF shall receive revenues from all timber sales it administers on behalf of the COUNTY pursuant to this Agreement. DOF will be paid the greater of: (a) ten percent (10%) of the total sales revenue or (b) the actual cost of sale preparation plus 3% of the total sales revenue for an administrative fee. Funds retained by DOF for sale preparation shall cover the cost of field consultation with COUNTY staff, field reconnaissance to

139 prepare the sale, necessary timber cruising or marking, purchase of expendable field supplies, and preparation of the sale package. The sale preparation and administrative fee retained by the DOF shall cover the cost of solicitation and receipt of bids, execution of contract, and supervision of the sale while in progress. Once each sale is completed, DOF will subsequently remit to the COUNTY the total sales revenue accrued from these sales, minus DOF s fee for sale preparation and administration. If DOF hires a private contractor to perform any of the above listed activities, DOF will pay the contractor s fee from their share of the revenues The COUNTY shall complete any road repairs necessary to access and remove timber from the sites above and beyond those road repairs the timber harvest contractor would be responsible for under the timber harvest contract. The COUNTY shall also assist DOF with field administration of timber sales. Such assistance will be mutually agreed upon in advance and include activities such as site visits and truck tallies. It is understood by both parties that the COUNTY lands shall be managed in a manner consistent with the approved County land stewardship plan. The COUNTY S Project Manager is: Cathy Olson Conservation 20/20 Senior Supervisor Department of Parks and Recreation 3410 Palm Beach Boulevard Fort Myers, Florida telephone (239) The DOF s Project Manager is: Butch Mallett Senior Forester Florida Division of Forestry Other State Lands Broad Street Brooksville, FL telephone (352)

140 The DOF's local contact is: Michael Weston CFA Senior Forester Florida Division of Forestry Palm Beach Boulevard Fort Myers, Florida telephone (239) Ext. 118 All project matters shall be directed to the Project Managers for appropriate action or disposition The COUNTY represents that it has the right to agree to resource management activities necessary to facilitate the sale of forest products on COUNTY lands by the DOF. The COUNTY, or its duly authorized agents, shall have the right to inspect the COUNTY timber project areas and the works and operations thereon of the DOF in any matter pertaining to this Agreement. This Agreement and any rights and privileges contained herein are for the sole use of the DOF and shall not be assigned or transferred to another party without prior written approval of the COUNTY. The DOF shall have the right to enter and occupy COUNTY lands for the purposes necessary to meet its designated responsibilities, including protection of those lands. The DOF's agents and employees shall take all reasonable measures to provide security against damage, degradation and unauthorized uses of the COUNTY lands and natural resources. 10. The DOF shall submit a report at a minimum of twice every calendar year to the COUNTY on items related to its timber management activities on the COUNTY lands during the year. 11. The COUNTY and DOF agree that this Agreement shall confer upon the DOF the right to implement silvicultural treatments necessary to facilitate the sale of timber on the COUNTY lands. The DOF shall investigate any and all claims of injury or damage either for or against the COUNTY or the DOF pertaining to forest resource management activities conducted on the COUNTY lands by the DOF and shall notify the COUNTY regarding the legal action deemed appropriate to remedy such damages or claims. 12. The COUNTY and DOF hereto agree that each party shall be solely responsible for the negligent or wrongful acts of its employees and agents during the course of normal working conditions. However, nothing contained herein shall be construed as an indemnity or constitute a waiver by either party of its sovereign immunity or the provisions of Section

141 768.28, Florida Statutes, as amended from time to time, or any other law providing limitations on claims. 13. This Agreement shall be effective upon execution by both parties, and shall remain in full force and effect until terminated as provided herein. Either party may terminate this Agreement for cause or convenience by giving sixty (60) days notice in writing to the other party of its intent to do so. 14. Upon such termination invoked by either the DOF or the COUNTY, and upon cessation of timber operations on said COUNTY lands, by the DOF, the DOF agrees to remove any improvements placed or made by the DOF at DOF s sole cost and expense. 15. To the extent required by law, the DOF will be self-insured against, or will secure and maintain during the life of this Agreement, Worker s Compensation Insurance for all of its employees connected with the work of this project. Such self-insurance coverage shall comply fully with the Florida Worker s Compensation law. In case any class of employees engaged in hazardous work under this Agreement is not protected under Worker s Compensation statutes, the DOF shall provide adequate insurance satisfactory to the COUNTY, for the protection of its employees not otherwise protected. 16. The DOF warrants and represents that it is self-funded for liability insurance, appropriate and allowable under Florida law, and that such selfinsurance offers protection applicable to the DOF s officers, employees, servants and agents while acting within the scope of their employment with the DOF. 17. This Agreement represents the entire agreement of the parties. Any alterations, variations, changes, modifications, waivers of provisions of this Agreement shall only be valid when they have been reduced to writing, duly signed by each of the parties hereto, and attached to the original of this Agreement, unless otherwise provided herein.

142 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Forestry, and Lee County Department of Parks and Recreation have caused this Agreement to be duly executed and effective as of the date last written below. WITNESSES STATE OF FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES, C m i m m R BY. MIKE GRESH. DIRECTOR DIVISION OF ADMINISTRATION STATE OF FLORIDA COUNTY OF LEON instrument w a r before e this / day of J,2007,by tgjm, as Director, Division of Administration, Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, who is personally known to me and who did take an oath. m r e n A. Mever 1 ommission # s October 20 2G08 My Commission Expires: WITNESSES LEE COUNTY, FLORIDA BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS BY: BOB JANES, CHAIR AS APPROVED BY THE BOARD ON

143 ATTACHMENT A Scope of Services Lee County is desirous of managing timber on selected Conservation 20/20 lands for the purposes of maintenance or restoration. These lands include flatwoods ecosystems, as well as disturbed community types. The goal of restoration is to return these communities to historic conditions, and to improve the quality of wildlife habitat. Within the restoration areas, slash pine trees will be thinned to a density appropriate for the management goals of the timber unit. Typically, healthy, dominant slash pine trees will remain as a seed source for pine regeneration. The DOF agrees to perform the tasks stated below. The identified tasks are as follows: Provide assistance to COUNTY staff in marking the timber that is to be removed for restoration purposes. In natural stands, the leave trees shall consist of healthy, mature slash pine. Where surrounding stands do not provide large den trees,, leave the old flat-topped slash pines, large overtopped slash, (>IO in. d.b.h.) and any cat-faced pines within the sale areas. Pines will be selectively removed to allow enough room in between clusters of trees for future roller chopping or other brush reduction activities. Timber harvesting, combined with brush reduction and a prescribed burning program, will be the quickest way to increase biodiversity and retum these stands to a more hstorical condition. Any environmentally sensitive areas, such as wetlands, that are encountered while marking the timber must be recorded and documented. Do not mark any timber in such areas that could potentially damage or destroy the area. Areas of concern include, but are not limited to, seasonal ponds, cypress strands, wet prairies, archaeological sites, cultural sites, and threatened or endangered plant or animal habitations (e.g. inactive or active bald eagle nest trees, fox squirrel nests, gopher tortoise burrows). A foot buffer zone may be marked around these sensitive wetland habitats and will be marked around cultural, archaeological and listed species habitats that the equipment must stay out of. In addition, tree thinning activities will only take place during the dry season. In areas where saw palmetto is the dominant ground cover, timber harvesting skid trails will be scattered over the general harvest area to disperse the impacts to a broader area of saw palmetto. Slash piles will be spread in piles no higher than 18 or near remaining trees. No slash will be left on roads or trails after work is completed. Remaining tree stumps shall be no higher than 8. All timber sales operations must be conducted in accordance with the most current Florida Silviculture Best Management Practices Manual.

144 3. The DOF agrees at a minimum to assist and administer the needed timber sales within the COUNTY during the term of this Agreement. These sales would include reducing merchantable pine basal area The DOF will prepare timber sale packages, mail the packages to prospective bidders, and be responsible for overseeing the harvesting operations. Timber revenues will be receipted by the DOF and revenues (less the 10% administrative fee) returned to the COUNTY at the end of each sale. In the event the actual cost of the sale preparation plus 3% of the total sales revenue exceeds 10% of timber sale revenues, the County will pay the actual cost of the sale preparation plus 3% of the total sales revenue. The DOF will obtain COUNTY approval prior to initiating any timber sale. This will include COUNTY approval of the entire timber sale bid package, including the timber sale agreement, prior to mailing to prospective bidders. 6. The DOF agrees that all applicable Federal, State and COUNTY laws and regulations will be adhered to. The County regulations include but are not limited to: a. Management of the lands shall be for conservation of the natural resources and to provide environmental education and passive recreation opportunities. Damage to non-harvested trees shall be limited as much as possible. Root systems of leave trees are to be impacted as little as possible. Only double marked trees may be removed, leaving the lowest mark on the tree for verification, unless for a particular sale, a decision is made to double mark the leave trees. b. Logging slash will be spread around the site. All ramps and loading decks shall be re-graded to natural soil level. C. No off-road motorized vehicles are allowed, except for authorized land management activities. d. No hunting is allowed. e. No collecting ofplants or animals (dead or alive), for any purposes is allowed, except by special permit or agreement issued by the Lee County Parks and Recreation staff. f. No pets are allowed. 5 h. i. No illegal activities are allowed. No trash kom the contractor or DOF personnel shall be left on site at the end of each work day. A hydraulic spill containment kit shall be on-site during all harvesting work and be used for all hydraulic fluid spills.

145 Healthy flatwoods communities are characterized by open, uneven-aged pine stands that allow a considerable amount of sunlight to reach the forest floor. Ground cover consists of a diverse mixture of grasses, herbaceous plants and dried pine needles that foster frequent lightning season fires. Saw palmettos are scattered and low growing. Unfortunately, some of the pine flatwoods stands in Lee County Preserves have become overgrown due to years of fire suppression and previous land use practices. Some of the stands are very dense and filled with thick, skinny pines with few other plants, beyond some weedy and exotic species (Figure A). Other flatwoods stands have larger pines, surrounded by extremely high; thick palmetto bushes (Figure B). Ecological benefits of thinning pine trees rn rn Many wildlife species benefit from healthy flatwoods for the diversity of plants, and open midstory to watch for predators. This includes listed species such as gopher tortoises, eastern indigo snakes, Sherman's and Big Cypress fox squirrels and redcockaded woodpeckers. Remove weak and diseased trees before the health problem spreads throughout the stand. = Create openings which allow new seedlings to get established to ensure an uneven aged stand of trees. Slash pines typically only live 100 years, and so it is important to have young trees growing up to replace the old ones. rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn Control the midstory growth of palmettos and other shrubs to allow young pines to grow. Reduce heavy fuel loads for prescribed burning and to prevent catastrophic wildfires. Provide room for fuel reduction through mowing, roller chopping, etc where prescribed burning is not feasible (small urban sites). Diminish the possibility of crown fire, which have a high risk of spotting over into adjacent areas, during a wildfire or prescribed fire. Crown fires also typically kill the pine trees, leaving an enormous amount of potentially dangerous snags (Figure C). Promote rare plant species such as beautiful paw paw and Simpson's zephyrlily that only grow in open flatwoods with periodic fires. Prevent significant forest die offs from pine beetles and other insects that attack trees that are stressed, such as those growing in dense pine stands. Allow staff to reduce fuels in urban-interface areas where the risk of high-intensity wildfires that could endanger people and property. Improve the habitat for future Lee County gopher tortoise relocation needs. In each stand, Land Stewardship staff has calculated the Basal Area (BA). This measurement is calculated by using a prism that measures both the number of trees and their diameter, per acre, in a stand. Ideal flatwoods conditions are between square feet of BA, which provides enough needles to carry a fire and enough sunlight for native grasses and other plants to thrive. Then with the assistance of Division of

146 Forestry staff, trees are carefully selected to achieve the goal of creating a healthy pine Flatwoods community (Figures D & E).

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162 Appendix N. Gopher Tortoise Relocation Procedures

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164 PURPOSE: To guide staff and outside entities in the protocols required for authorized relocation of gopher tortoises onto Lee County non- Conservation 20/20 lands. This relocation policy may be reviewed and adjusted if either the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) or United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) policy changes or Land Stewardship staff finds that current management practices are not adequate for conservation of the species. BACKGROUND: Currently, gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) are listed by the FWC as a Threatened species. In southwest Florida, habitat destruction, degradation and fragmentation are the primary reasons for the decline of this species. The gopher tortoise is considered to be an ecological keystone species by many scientists (Eisenberg 1983, Dodd 1984). In addition to acting as a home base, gopher tortoises are dependent upon the burrows they excavate for protection against fire, predators and climate extremes. Burrows are also important habitat for over 300 invertebrate and sixty vertebrate species (Diemer et. al 1989). Several of these species are considered commensal species, or species that depend intimately upon tortoise burrows in some parts of the tortoise range. Some of the species that utilize tortoise burrows; gopher frogs (Rana capito), Florida pine snakes (Pituophis melanoleucus mugitus), burrowing owls (Athene cunicularia), and Florida mice (Podomys floridanus) are also listed as Species of Special Concern by FWC. Additionally, both FWC and USFWS list the eastern indigo snake (Drymarchon corais couperi) as Threatened. With increasing development in Lee and surrounding counties, land stewardship staff recognizes the need for conservation-based gopher tortoise relocations from development sites. However, there is a concern that the urgency of the development activities often forces tortoises into less desirable sites without established stewardship plans or adequate long-term management funding. In general, Parks and Recreation preserves (including those purchased through the Conservation 20/20 program) are managed at the community level and not for individual species. This community stewardship approach provides for a diverse array of native plants and wildlife without artificially selecting for a single species at the expense of other species. Natural community stewardship is generally more ecologically balanced and fiscally prudent than stewardship for a single species. The stewardship of Conservation 2020 preserves is further governed in accordance with the enabling ordinance (Lee County Ordinance 05-17, as amended). The Conservation 20/20 preserves are managed for natural areas, wildlife resources, passive, nature-based recreation and for water resources. The conservation 20/20 enabling ordinance provides for mitigation opportunities for public (but not private) projects. Each mitigation proposal is carefully reviewed by Parks and Recreation staff, the Management Subcommittee and the

165 Conservation Lands Acquisition and Stewardship Committee before moving forward on a project. Criteria include: Matching the public need with the appropriate preserves (ecological compatibility) Reviewing future plans to ensure that conflicts are minimized (both restoration and recreation plans) Ensure mitigation plans do not negatively impact extant communities or wildlife Ensure that the mitigation plans complement the Board approved land stewardship plan Conservation 20/20 relocations will be managed through separate criteria on a site by site project basis. Other parks and preserves managed by Lee County will only accept tortoises once the criteria outlined in this document are met. Land Stewardship staff will consider receiving, on a case-by-case basis, gopher tortoises from rehabilitation centers, such as CROW on Sanibel, which are deemed healthy enough to be returned to the wild and do not test positive for URTD exposure. Land Stewardship staff must be contacted prior to the release of any rehabilitated tortoise on Parks and Recreation managed property including Conservation 20/20 lands. Releasing a rehabilitated tortoise will be treated as relocation and where applicable the procedures outlined in this document will be followed. The Hickey s Creek Mitigation Park and adjacent public lands will not be used as a recipient site for relocations or rehabilitated tortoises. The creation of this park was and continues to be for protecting an existing viable gopher tortoise population. All recipient sites considered by Land Stewardship will consist of no less than 40 acres of suitable gopher tortoise habitat as defined by adequate forage, canopy cover, depth to water table greater than 1.5 feet, soil types and access to site for land stewardship activities deemed necessary for perpetual management of relocation site. Prior to final decisions on relocation sites, master plans and land stewardship plans will be consulted for any future construction of buildings or other facilities which would be impeded by relocations. Relocations onto Lee County Parks and Recreation (LCPR) lands are conservation-based and not humane-based, therefore relocations of 5 or fewer tortoises will be directed to FWC for assistance with identifying non-parks and Recreation relocation sites or establishing on-site relocations (In spring 2009 FWC will implement a 10 or fewer tortoise permit).

166 Procedure Administrative/Review 1. Lee County Parks and Recreation staff reserves the right to deny any request for tortoise relocation to county-owned lands or lands managed by the Department of Parks and Recreation if, at the discretion of the Land Steward and the Department Director, the proposed relocation will not serve to enhance the overall biological diversity and environmental integrity of these lands, or if it will hinder future habitat restoration projects. A site will not be used for gopher tortoise relocations until a land stewardship plan (LSP) has evaluated the site and found it an appropriate area for relocations. The LSP must also address long-term management of the site to ensure appropriate habitat conditions for gopher tortoises will be maintained into perpetuity. Once the LSP has been approved, an FWC permit to establish the site as a relocation site will be applied for. Generally, a proposal to relocate gopher tortoises must demonstrate that there is a potential public benefit to the project and that the potential for benefit exceeds the potential for adverse impacts to indigenous tortoise populations. Further restrictions or requirements, in addition to those described herein, may be imposed on a site-specific basis by the Land Stewardship Coordinator. Tortoises may not be relocated to a Lee County Department of Parks and Recreation receiving site from projects outside of Lee County. 2. All requests for permission to relocate gopher tortoises to county owned land managed by Lee County Department of Parks and Recreation shall be submitted in writing to the Land Stewardship Manager, who will coordinate a review by the Land Stewardship Coordinator responsible for the proposed relocation site. The written request must also contain information on the status of coordination with FWC, the Lee County Division of Environmental Sciences and the appropriate city/county environmental permitting agency. Land Stewardship staff is responsible for being familiar with the most current FWC guidelines (available at on gopher tortoise relocation prior to accepting any gopher tortoises on Lee County parks and preserves. This will ensure the protection of the integrity of all gopher tortoise populations present on County parks and preserves. The proposed receiving site must be identified through appropriate field surveys as described in this procedure. The applicant shall also submit an approved five-year monitoring plan that is designed to measure the success of the proposed relocation project. 3. All on-site activities associated with a tortoise relocation proposal or project must be coordinated with the Land Stewardship Coordinator for the park or preserve. Day use authorization will be required for vehicular access to County-owned lands and the Land Stewardship Section may, at its discretion,

167 require that County staff be present during any survey, monitoring or tortoise release activities. 4. Once land stewardship staff provides written acceptance of the relocation proposal, and prior to any relocation, a performance bond or a cash bond held in escrow of $5,000 must be submitted to Lee County Parks and Recreation by the sponsor of a permitted relocation project. The bond will be terminated upon successful completion of all post-relocation monitoring requirements. Alternatively, the sponsor may submit an irrevocable letter of credit. This requirement may be waived to accommodate volunteer or not-forprofit projects, as determined on a case-by-case basis. Internal Lee County projects will be coordinated through Conservation 20/20 staff and will follow separate protocol. A non-refundable deposit of $3000 to hold the recipient site for the sponsor of the permitted relocation project will be required in conjunction with the written request for relocation (This will be refunded if Land Stewardship staff cannot accommodate relocation). This deposit will be used to conduct a gopher tortoise survey on the recipient site and to compile a gopher tortoise management plan for the site prior to relocation activities and to pay the fee to FWC for establishing the relocation site. The survey work and written plan will be completed by an environmental consultant hired by Land Stewardship staff. This consultant must be qualified as an Authorized Agent through FWC. Upon receipt of deposit the recipient site will be held for six months, at which time if the relocation has not been completed the site will no longer be reserved and the performance/cash bond or irrevocable letter of credit will be returned. 5. A fee of $4000 per permitted tortoise from projects within Lee County will be charged for habitat restoration, prescribed burning and other management activities required due to relocation and subsequent management requirements. This fee must be paid half at initiation of relocation project and the final half on the day of relocation and will be used to cover all costs of perpetual maintenance of the relocation site. (FWC stakeholders meeting notes estimate a base figure of $6,278 - $8,630 per tortoise at a stocking rate of 2 tortoises/acre.) 6. Permitted relocations must be completed within a 60-day time interval approved by the Land Stewardship Coordinator, the appropriate city/county environmental permitting agency and the FWC. The specified time interval should not overlap with periods of seasonal dormancy or inactivity among gopher tortoises. Relocation will not be allowed during times of standing water on the recipient site, or when the weather is forecasted for overnight lows below 50 degrees F for a minimum of three nights after the tortoises are to be moved. 7. The County s Land Stewardship Coordinator will make the recommendation to the Parks and Recreation Director, for the final determination for proposed

168 relocation projects on non Conservation 20/20 lands, approval of which shall be contingent upon issuance of a relocation permit by the FWC. The Applicant must comply with all capturing, handling, transport and health consideration protocols recommended by the FWC. Pre- Survey Requirements 1. The sponsor of the relocation project must provide survey data and maps that demonstrate the proposed receiving site satisfies the site selection criteria enumerated below as compared to the site from which the tortoises were relocated from. A consultant hired by Land Stewardship staff will prepare a report on the suitability of the proposed receiving site as assessed for suitable gopher tortoise habitat. A FLUCFCS code map of the property will be compared with the list of habitat types as listed in the most currently published FWC s Available Options to Address the Presence of Gopher Tortoises on Land Slated for Development. Soil samples will be taken and the Lee County Soil Survey will be consulted to determine if the site has the appropriate soil types to support tortoises and burrowing activities. Depth to water table will also be measured and data from the Natural Resources ground water monitoring stations will be consulted to determine average depth to water table. Plant surveys will be conducted investigating both canopy cover and diversity of forage. A maximum tree canopy cover of 40%, keeping in mind future growth of shrubs and trees, will be allowed. Plant surveys will be conducted according to methods in The Natural History and Management of the Gopher Tortoise (Krieger Publ. 2008). Only areas with sufficient forage will be considered for relocation. All gopher tortoise burrows encountered on the recipient site will be mapped using GPS. 2. If the relocation site is considered to have suitable FLUCFCS code, soils, canopy cover and forage for tortoises, a burrow survey will be conducted. Every gopher tortoise burrow on the potential host site will be mapped using GPS and classified as either potentially occupied or abandoned. Burrow survey methods employed will follow protocol established in FWC s Gopher Tortoise Permitting Guidelines and must be documented sufficiently to allow repetition. A minimum of 15 percent of the total land area of the proposed receiving site must be encompassed within the area surveyed to obtain an accurate estimate of population density. Tortoises/Acre= (Total Potentially Occupied Burrows) X (0.50) (Total Acres within Survey Area) Criteria Governing Relocations 1. If no burrows, or very few active burrows are found, Land Stewardship staff, the environmental consultant hired by Lee County and a representative for the sponsor of the permitted relocation project will meet to discuss why there is not an established population of tortoises at that specific site. Typical declines of tortoise populations in upland habitats include human or animal

169 predation, lack of fire, invasive plant infestation, poor quality habitat, and /or disease. Once a cause for the specific recipient site is determined, the Land Stewardship Coordinator will provide a plan to the entity requesting relocation on how the problem will be resolved before the relocation can occur. 2. The population density of a proposed receiving site must be below 1 tortoise per acre, as determined by the requisite site surveys previously described in this plan. Lee County Land Stewardship staff reserves the right to lower the number of tortoises accepted for relocation per acre if there is evidence of existing recruitment onto the park or preserve. Restocking or reintroduction rates must not result in a final, post-relocation population density that exceeds one tortoise per acre in flatwood and/or scrub sites, or two tortoises per acre in pasture and/or old field sites with sufficient grassy cover and a commitment in the site stewardship plan to maintain pasture through prescribed burning, mowing, or cattle grazing (excluding cogon and guinea grass). Generally, donor populations consisting of 20 or more individuals should be reserved for reintroduction to unoccupied sites. This habitat measurement cannot include seasonally flooded areas or beach berm low tide line. (FWC states that the larger the protection area, the greater the benefits will be in terms of assuring gopher tortoise persistence and preserving characteristics of the wildlife habitat to which gopher tortoises are inextricably linked. They recommend that a population of at least individuals are needed to assure meaningful levels of persistence, and that populations of this size will require acres of appropriate habitat depending on habitat quality and the degree of management available for a preservation area to satisfy general ecological requirements. 3. The release habitat area will be entirely fenced to discourage, impede or inhibit unrestricted movement by tortoises, in order to limit initial contact and competition with surrounding, indigenous tortoise populations. For these reasons, a release habitat area will be constructed. It will be constructed with powder coated poultry wire and silt fencing (FWC recommends the Belton Industries woven fabric silt fencing) and stakes dug a minimum of 6-12 inches into the ground and at least two feet above ground to prevent the tortoises from either burrowing under or climbing over the enclosure (see Figure 1). Hay bales will not be allowed as a substitute for fencing. The release habitat will be a minimum of 10 acres and final size will be determined on a one additional tortoise per acre basis. It will be located in an area that has a wide variety of native forage, especially native grasses, and contain both shady and sunny areas. Once relocation has occurred, the silt fencing will remain in place and be maintained for a minimum of six months and a maximum of one year. Fence construction, monitoring, maintenance and removal will be the responsibility of the sponsor of the permitted relocation project. During the first month after relocation the fence will be checked weekly for any signs of failure. After the first month the schedule will shift to a monthly inspection. Fence inspection and repairs must also occur within three days of request by the Land Stewardship staff. Once Land Stewardship staff is confident the

170 relocation fencing is no longer needed, the fence will be removed and site restored to natural grade by the sponsor of the permitted relocation project. All fencing costs, construction, maintenance and removal will be the responsibility of the sponsor of the relocation or its agent and is included in the $4000 per tortoise fee. 4. All FLEPPC Category I and II listed invasive exotic plants ( within the release habitat area will be treated by a contractor hired by Lee County and paid for by the sponsor of the permitted relocation project. The Land Stewardship Coordinator has the option of requiring other plants to be controlled as well. One year and five year followup treatments will be paid for through the long term management account established for the recipient site. If plantings for forage are required after the exotic plant removal work in order to meet forage criteria, this fee will be charged to the sponsor of the permitted relocation project. Weed barrier will not be allowed as part of the planting project. Mulching will be considered on a case by case basis. 5. If the relocation site is at a park or preserve open for public access, a fee for creation and installation of an educational sign will be charged to the sponsor of the permitted relocation project. The sign will be designed and installed by land stewardship staff. 6. If the release habitat area is within 500 feet of a two lane road or multi-lane highway a permanent solid barrier will be constructed. This barrier will be dug 18 inches below grade and extend 24 inches above grade to minimize the chance of the tortoises being hit by vehicles. This permanent barrier will be constructed of powder-coated chain link fence, or other non-corroding material deemed suitable by Land Stewardship staff. 7. Starter burrows will be dug approximately one meter deep at a 4:1 slope for 35% of the tortoises being placed within the pen if more than 5 tortoises are relocated, and one starter burrow for each tortoise for relocations of 5 or fewer. The sponsor of the permitted relocation project is responsible for the starter burrows to be dug no more than three days prior to the scheduled day of relocation. 8. The applicant shall provide documentation that each tortoise to be released onto Lee County-owned lands has been screened for exposure to mycoplasmal Upper Respiratory Tract Disease (URTD). Screening must consist of a serological assay or other recognized procedure that is effective in detecting exposure to URTD. Any population in which symptomatic or seropositive tortoises have been detected will be considered unsuitable for release onto Lee County-owned lands unless a future site is created to take only seropositive tortoises (symptomatic tortoises cannot be relocated per FWC policy). Gopher tortoise surveys of adjacent land to this site would be

171 required before Lee County would accept URTD positive tortoises to ensure we are not responsible for potentially impacting adjacent populations. 9. Gopher tortoises with poor or thin body condition, lethargic, weak or depressed tortoises, or tortoises with abnormal respiratory sounds (i.e. gurgling associated with pneumonia) shall be excluded from relocation. 10. Additional diagnostic tests for other infectious diseases may be required if they become available. 11. Whenever possible, native commensal burrow species should also be relocated from the donor site. Additional permits may be required from the FWC and/or the USFWS before relocation of certain commensal species may be conducted. Commensals must be relocated to their native communities so caution must be taken to ensure appropriate sites are chosen if commensals are part of the relocation process. Relocation of commensals must be addressed in the initial written request for permission to relocate tortoises onto county lands and include information on compliance with regulations, federal and state, applicable to these species. 12. Relocated tortoises must be individually marked following the scute marking scheme (Appendix P in land stewardship manual) prior to release at the receiving site so that the fate of relocated individuals may be tracked. Staff will provide a starting number so as to avoid confusion with other tortoises that may have been relocated, or already reside on other Lee County parks or preserves. The size, weight, sex and any distinguishing features of each relocated tortoise must also be recorded prior to the release and the data shall be included in the initial post relocation monitoring report submitted to the Land Stewardship Coordinator. 13. When the tortoises arrive at the designated relocation site a 1/8 drill bit will be used for adult tortoises, 1/16 for juveniles, and hatchling tortoises will be marked using nail clippers. Marking will be the responsibility of the party requesting relocation. A representative of Lee County land stewardship staff will be present to fill out the data sheets, ensure that the tortoises are being marked and measured correctly and are kept in a shady area until being released. Monitoring Requirements 1. The sponsor of a permitted relocation project will be responsible for monitoring the status of relocated tortoises and documenting the success of the project. For the first week monitoring of the fence and of the relocation areas shall be conducted three times a week, then weekly for the first two months. The monitoring shall focus on checking the condition of the fence, determining new burrow construction and looking for tortoises that have been

172 turned over onto their backs. The initial post- relocation monitoring survey must be conducted within 30 days of the end of the stipulated 60-day relocation period. Subsequent surveys will be conducted annually for five years thereafter. 2. Post- relocation burrow surveys conducted to estimate burrow density must employ the same methodology used in the pre- relocation survey of the receiving site. 3. The results of each post-relocation survey must be summarized in a report submitted to the Land Stewardship Coordinator for the relocation site within 30 days of completing the survey. 4. Every effort should be made to incorporate data regarding the status of indigenous tortoises into pre relocation and post relocation survey reports. These data should include information on size/age class distribution of resident tortoises and other pertinent demographic or morphometric data which may permit analysis of impacts to the indigenous individuals. Data regarding size may consist of estimates based upon burrow width but should consist of actual size and weight measurements whenever possible. 5. Failure to meet these monitoring requirements will result in non-refund of all or part of the $5000 bond or cash bond held in escrow. Figure 1

173 Checklist for Land Stewardship Staff: Prior to any relocation action: Review current FWC gopher tortoise permitting guidelines Consult land stewardship/management plan and master plan for identified release sites to ensure infrastructure or habitat alterations are not planned for site Ensure population is below 1 tortoise per acre and little or no recruitment is occurring on relocation site before proposing park/preserve as relocation site and that final restocking meets criteria of this plan Write LSP for relocation site Hire Authorized Gopher Tortoise Agent environmental consultant to conduct tortoise survey and compile a tortoise management plan for the recipient site (cost reimbursed through $3000 non-refundable deposit) -FLUCFCS code map of recipient site compared to FWC s Gopher Tortoise Permitting Guidelines -soil samples taken and consultation of Lee County Soil Survey to determine if appropriate soil types are present to support tortoises and burrowing activities -measure depth to water table and compile data from the Natural Resources ground water monitoring stations to determine average depth to water table -conduct plant surveys for canopy cover and diversity of forage (maximum canopy allowed on site will be 40% into perpetuity once relocation occurs) -survey a minimum of 15% of the recipient site to obtain a statistically defensible estimate of population density on recipient site -if site is determined a viable relocation site GPS all visible burrows across entire proposed recipient site -include barrier fencing plan Submit permit application to FWC for recipient site permit and pay associated contributions once tortoise management plan for recipient site is completed Date: Designate scute marking numbers unique for each relocation site Upon receipt of written request for relocation: Review relocation request letter to ensure FWC, Lee County Division of Environmental Sciences and the appropriate city/county environmental permitting agency have been contacted

174 If letter is a request from a rehabilitator the request will be treated on a case by case basis and Land Stewardship staff will consult to devise plan If relocation request is for 20 or greater tortoises reserve a relocation site with no existing tortoises (consider restocking needs of site) Contact FWC, Lee County Division of Environmental Sciences and the appropriate city/county agencies involved to verify status of permits and acknowledge agreement to receive tortoises If commensal species will be located, ensure they are native to relocation site and it provides suitable habitat for all stages of the species life cycle, and that permit requirements are met if necessary. If not native to the site, inform requestor that commensal relocation will not be possible. Compare proposed receiving site to the site from which tortoises will be relocated to ensure satisfaction of site selection criteria described in this plan Consult land stewardship/management plan and master plan for identified release site to ensure no revisions have been made which will null availability for relocation Land Stewardship Manager consults with Land Stewardship Coordinator for release site Land Stewardship Manager writes letter of acceptance/denial to entity requesting relocation and send copy of Lee County Parks and Recreation Gopher Tortoise Relocation Plan If relocation is denied: Return $3000 deposit check and notify FWC denial of relocation Date: If relocation is to be accepted: Receipt of $3000 non-refundable deposit to hold site Date: Receipt of performance bond/letter of credit/cash bond Date: Receipt of $3000 per permitted tortoise Date: Date of termination of hold for site

175 Date: Place $5000 performance or cash bond in escrow Date: Place $3000/permitted tortoise into designated account Date: Site visit with relocation requestor to discuss fence/barrier installation Date: Hire contractor to treat all FLEPPC listed Category I and II invasive plants within release habitat area if needed and submit cost estimate and final bill to entity requesting relocation Conduct prescribed burning if needed Provide authorization for day use vehicular access to recipient site Receive 5 year monitoring plan Date: Design and install educational sign for release sites on parks or preserves open for public use (submit bill to entity requesting relocation) Ensure relocations do not occur during times of standing water on recipient site, or when the weather is forecasted for overnight lows below 50 degrees F for a minimum of three nights after the tortoises are to be moved Receive testing results for all tortoises prior to finalizing relocation Day before relocation: Check weather reports for temperature for week of release Inspect fence, starter burrows, and condition of release habitat Call relocator and ensure bleach solutions, drills and bits, nail clippers and all other necessary equipment will be brought Day of relocation: Ensure all sampling and sanitation protocols recommended by FWC are complied with Inspect fencing prior to initiating release

176 Data sheet and Cagle number for each tortoise completed Post relocation: Weekly checks on release pen for first two months Date: Date: Date: Date: Date: Date: Date: Date: Provide notification if fencing failures are discovered (must be repaired within three days of notification) Dates: After first month notify relocation requestor if inspection schedule can be moved to once a month Date: Authorize removal of fence and ok restoration of fence area to natural grade Contact FWC permitting office if tortoise numbers decline during their stay in the release habitat area Date: Notes: Upon receipt of 5 th year monitoring report: Terminate the $5000 cash/performance bond or irrevocable letter of credit (Provide written notification that $5000 bond/letter of credit will not be returned if monitoring reports were not received as scheduled) Date:

177 Checklist for Entity Requesting Relocation: Conduct gopher tortoise and habitat survey of site to be developed (Ensure all sampling and sanitation protocols recommended by FWC are complied with.) Submit written letter requesting relocation site to Land Stewardship Manager with Lee County Parks and Recreation and include -status of FWC permits, and any other required city/agency permits -indicate this is a private project (public projects go through Conservation 20/20) -provide number of tortoises requiring relocation -meet criteria that development is within Lee County -provide survey data and maps -address any commensal species and status of any permits related to each -include check for $3000 to reserve relocation site (non-refundable unless relocation is denied by Land Stewardship staff) Obtain appropriate FWC permits for relocation of gopher tortoises (FWC relocation permit will identify recipient site on the application) Once Relocation Permit is obtained contact Land Stewardship Manager and provide copy of FWC permit Upon receipt of official written response from Land Stewardship staff submit a $5000 performance or cash bond or irrevocable letter of credit to be held in escrow and written acknowledgement of acceptance of terms laid out in the Lee County Parks and Recreation Gopher Tortoise Relocation Plan (GTRP) Submit within 20 days of receipt of acknowledgement letter from Lee County Parks and Recreation a check for $2000 for each permitted tortoise to be relocated, and on day of relocation present a check for the remainder of $2000 per permitted tortoise Complete relocation within the 60-day time period approved by Land Stewardship Coordinator of the relocation site Schedule site visit with Land Stewardship Coordinator of relocation site Pay for initial treatment of all FLEPPC Category I and II listed invasive exotic plants within the release habitat area Pay for planting of forage species if required after exotic plant removal

178 Pay for design of educational sign for relocation sites in parks or preserves open for public use Submit a five year monitoring plan designed to measure the success of the proposed relocation project Construct release habitat area according to fencing requirements in the GTRP Install starter burrows no more than three days before relocation for 35% of the tortoises relocated or one for each if 5 or fewer tortoises are relocated Provide documentation for each tortoise to be released on screening for URTD and any other required diagnostic tests for infectious diseases. If seropositive tortoises are found contact Land Stewardship Coordinator to discuss issue (symptomatic tortoises cannot be relocated) Day before relocation: Check weather reports for temperature for week of release Inspect fence, starter burrows, and condition of release habitat Ensure bleach solutions, drills and bits, nail clippers and all other necessary equipment will be brought and tortoises are stored and transported in conditions required by FWC Confirm with Land Stewardship Coordinator arrival time and any other needs/concerns Day of relocation: Ensure all sampling and sanitation protocols recommended by FWC are complied with Inspect fencing prior to initiating release Data sheet and Cagle number for each tortoise completed in conjunction with Land Stewardship Coordinator Post relocation: Conduct monitoring of release site three times a week for first week, then weekly for first two months. Check condition of fence and make repairs, determine new burrow construction, and turn over tortoises on their backs

179 Conduct and submit initial post- relocation monitoring survey within 30 days of the end of the stipulated 60-day relocation period Subsequent surveys will be conducted annually for five years thereafter and are due within 30 days of survey completion Maintain and monitor release site fencing for a maximum of one year -first month after relocation occurs fence will be checked weekly and repairs will be made immediately -after first month fencing will be assessed and Land Stewardship staff may move inspection schedule to once a month if no issues arise -fencing failures must be repaired within three days of notification from Land Stewarship staff Remove fencing and restore to natural grade within 30 days of receipt of written notification from Land Stewardship Coordinator Upon receipt of 5 th year monitoring report: Lee County will provide written notification of completion of project and terminate the $5000 cash/performance bond or irrevocable letter of credit as long as all conditions of the GTRP were met

180 Forage plants for use in relocation site plantings Acacia famesiana Acacia pinetorum Acalypha gracilens Acalypha ostryifolia Aeschynomene americana Ageratina jucunda Amaranthus floridanus Ambrosia artemisifolia Ambrosia hispida Ambrosia trifida Amorpha herbaceae var. herbaceae Amphicarpum muhlenbergianum Andropogon floridanus Andropogon glomeratus var. glaucopsis Andropogon glomeratus var. pumilus Andropogon gyrans Andropogon longiberbis Andropogon ternaries Andropogon virginicus Andropogon virginicus var. glaucus Anthaenantia villosa Aristida palustris Aristida patula Aristida purpurascens Aristida spiciformis Asimina reticulate Asimina triloba Axonopus compressus Axonopus fissifolius Axonopus furcatus Balduina angustifolia Berlandiera subacaulis Bidens alba Blechnum serrulatum Bouteleloua hirsuta Bulbostylis ciliatifolia Bulbostylis stenophylla Bulbostylis warei Cakile lanceolata Canavalia rosea Carex longii Carphephorus corymbosus Carphephorus odoratissimus Carphephorus paniculatus sweet acacia pineland acacia slender threeseeded mercury pineland threeseeded mercury shyleaf hammock snakeroot Florida amaranth common ragweed coastal ragweed giant ragweed clusterspike false indigobush blue maidencane Florida bluestem purple bluestem bushy bluestem Elliott s bluestem hairy bluestem splitbeard bluestem broomsedge bluestem chalky bluestem green silkyscale longleaf threeawn tall threeawn arrowfeather threeawn bottlebrush threeawn netted pawpaw common pawpaw tropical carpetgrass common carpetgrass big carpetgrass coastalplain honeycombhead Florida greeneyes beggarticks swamp fern hairy gramma grass capillary hairsedge sandyfield hairsedge Ware s hairsedge coastal searocket baybean Long s sedge coastalplain chaffhead vanillaleaf hairy chaffhead

181 Cenchrus echinatus Centella asiatica Centrosema virginianum Chamaecrista fasiculata Chamaesyce blodgettii Chamaesyce bombensis Chamaesyce cordifolia Chamaesyce cumulicola Chamaesyce hirta Chamaesyce hypericifolia Chamaesyce hyssopifolia Chamaesyce maculate Chamaesyce mesembrianthemifolia Chamaesyce ophthalamica Chamaesyce thymifolia Chapmannia floridana Chaptalia tomentosa Chenopodium berlandieri Chiococca alba Chrysobalaus icaco Chrysopogon pauciflorus Chrysopsis mariana Chrysopsis scabrella Cirsium horridulum Cissus trifoliate Cissus verticillata Cnidoscolus stimulosus Coelorachis rugosa Commelina erecta Conyza canadensis Coreopsis floridana Coreopsis leavenworthii Crotalaria rotundifolia Croton glandulosus Croton punctatus Cypernus compressus Cypernus croceus Cypernus cuspida Cypernus filiculmis Cypernus flavescens Cypernus ligularis Cypernus planifolius Cypernus polystachyos Cypernus retrorsus Dalia carnea var. carnea Desmondium floridanum southern sandbur spadeleaf spurred butterflypea partridge pea limestone sandmat Dixie sandmat heartleaf sandmat coastal dune sandmat pillpod sandmat graceful sandmat hyssopleaf sandmat spotted sandmat coastal beach sandmat Florida hammock sandmat gulf sandmat Alicia pineland daisy pitseed goosefoot milkberry coco plum Florida false beardgrass Maryland goldenaster coastalplain goldenaster purple thistle sorrelvine possum grape tread-softly wrinkled jointtailgrass whitemouth dayflower Canadian horseweed Florida tickseed Leavenworth s tickseed rabbitbells vente conmigo gulf croton; beach tea pooland sedge Baldwin s flatsedge coastalplain flatsedge wiry flatsedge yellow flatsedge swamp flatsedge flatleaf flatsedge manyspike flatsedge pinebarren flatsedge whitetassels Florida trefoil

182 Dicanthelium commutatum Dicanthelium dichotomum Dicanthelium ensifolium Dicanthelium erectifolium Dicanthelium laxiflorum Dicanthelium leucothrix Dicanthelium ovale Dicanthelium portoricense Dicanthelium strigosum var. glabrescens Dichanthelium ariculare Digitaria ciliaris Digitaria filiformis Digitaria serotina Diodia teres Drymaria cordata Dyschoriste angusta Dyschoriste oblongifolia Echinochloa muricata Echinochloa walteri Eleocharis baldwinii Elephantopus elatus Elionurus tripsacoides Emodea littoralis Eragrostis elliottii Eragrostis hypnoides Eragrostis pectinacea var. tracyi Eragrostis spectabilis Eragrostis virginica Erigeron quercifolius Erigeron vemus Erythrina herbacea Eupatorium mohrii Euphorbia polyphylla Euphorbia trichotoma Eustachys floridana Eustachys petraea Fimbristylis cymosa Fimbristylis puberula Froelichia floridana Fuirena breviseta Gaillardia pulchella Galactia elliottii Galactia regularis Galactia striata Galactia volubilis Galium hispidulum variable witchgrass cypress witchgrass cypress witchgrass erectleaf witchgrass openflower witchgrass rough witchgrass eggleaf witchgrass hemlock witchgrass roughhair witchgrass needleleaf witchgrass southern crabgrass slender crabgrass blanket crabgrass poor Joe west Indian chickweed pineland twinflower oblongleaf twinflower rough barnyardgrass coast cockspur Baldwin s spikerush tall elephantsfoot Pan-American balsamscale beach creeper Elliott s lovegrass teal lovegrass Sanibel Island lovegrass purple lovegrass coastal lovegrass oakleaf fleabane early whitetop fleabane coralbean Mohr s thoroughwort lesser Florida spurge sanddune spurge twospike fingergrass pinewoods fingergrass hurricanegrass hairy fimbry cottonweed umbrella sedge firewheel Elliott s milkpea eastern milkpea Florida hammock milkpea downy milkpea coastal bedstraw

183 Gaylussacia durnosa Geranium carolinianum Gymnopogon brevifolius Gymnopogon chapmanianus Hedyotis nigrans Hedyotis procumbens Hedyotis uniflora Hieracium megacephalon Helianthemum corymbosum Helianthemum nashii Hydrocotyle umbellate Hydrocotyle verticillata Indigofera caroliniana Ipomoea pandurata Ipomoea pres-caprae Ipomoea violacea Lantana involucrate Lechea cernua Lechea divericata Lechea sessiliflora Lechea torreyi Lepidium virginicum Liatris chapmanii Liatris gracilis Liatris tenuifolia Licania michauxii Lupinus diffuses Lygodesmia aphylla Melochia spicata Mimosa strigillosa Muhlenbergia capillaris var. capillaries Muhlenbergia capillaries var. filipes Oenothera humifusa Oenothera laciniata Opuntia humifusa Opuntia stricta Oxalis comiculata Palafoxia feayi Palafoxia integrifolia Panicum amarum Panicum anceps Panicum dichotomiflorum Panicum hemitomon Panicum hians Panicum rigidulum Panicum tenerum dwarf huckleberry cranesbill shortleaf skeletongrass Chapman s skeletongrass diamond flowers innocence clustered mille graine coastalplain hawkweed pinebarren frostweed Florida scrub frostweed manyflowered marshpennywort whorled marshpennywort Carolina indigo man-of-the-earth railroad vine heavenly blue morningglory coastal buttonsage nodding pinweed drysand pinweed pineland pinweed piedmont pinweed Virginia pepperweed Chapman s gayfeather slender gayfeather shortleaf gayfeather gopher apple skyblue lupine rose-rush bretonica peluda powderpuff hairawn gulf hairawn muhly beach eveningprimrose cutleaf eveningprimrose pricklypear erect pricklypear common woodsorrel Feay s palaflox coastalplain palafox bitter panicgrass beaked panicum fall panicgrass maidencane gaping panicum redtop panicum bluejoint panicum

184 Panicum virgatum Parthenocissus quinquifolia Paspalum bifidum Paspalum blodgettii Paspalum caespitosum Paspalum conjugatum Paspalum distichum Paspalum floridanum Paspalum leave Paspalum monostachyum Paspalum plicatulum Paspalum praecox Paspalum repens Paspalum setaceum Paspalum vaginatum Passiflora incarnate Pectis glaucescens Pectis linearifolia Pectis prostrada Penstemon multiflorus Phyla nodiflora Physalis angustifolia Physalis walteri Piriqueta caroliniana Pityopsis graminifolia Plantago virginica Poinsettia cyanthophora Poinsettia heterophylla Polygala lutea Polygala nana Polypremum procumbens Portulaca pilosa Portulaca rubricaulis Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium Pteridium aquilinum Ptilimnium capillaceum Quercus geminate Quercus laurifolia Quercus myrtifolia Quercus elliottii Quercus virginiana Reimarochloa oligostachya Rhus copallinum Rhynchosia michauxii Rhynchosia minima Rhynchospora baldwinii switchgrass Virginia creeper pitchfork crowngrass coral paspalum blue crowngrass sour paspalum knotgrass Florida paspalum field paspalum gulfdune paspalum brownseed paspalum early paspalum water paspalum thin paspalum seashore paspalum purple passionflower sanddune cinchweed Florida cinchweed spreading cinchweed manyflower beardtongue capeweed coastal groundcherry Walter s groundcherry pitted stripeseed narrowleaf silkgrass Virginia plantain paintedleaf fiddler s spurge orange milkwort candyroot rustweed pink purslane redstem purslane sweet everlasting bracken fern mock bishopweed sand live oak laurel oak myrtle oak running oak live oak Florida reimargrass winged sumac Michaux s snoutbean least snoutbean Baldwin s beaksedge

185 Rhynchospora colorata Rhynchospora divergens Rhynchospora fasicularis Rhynchospora fernaldii Rhynchospora intermedia Rhynchospora latifolia Rhynchospora megalocarpa Rhynchospora nitens Rubus trivialis Rudbeckia hirta Ruellia carolinensis Ruellia ciliosa Sabatia brevifolia Sabatia calycina Schizachyrium scoparium Scleria ciliate var. ciliate Scleria triglomerata Senna ligustrina Serenoa repens Sericocarpus tortifolius Sesuvium maritimum Sesuvium portulacastrum Setaria corrugate Setaria macrosperma Setaria parviflora Sida acuta Sida elliottii Sida rhombifolia Sideroxylon celastrinum Smilax auriculata Smilax bona-nox Smilax laurifolia Solidago canadensis Solidago fistulosa Solidago odora Solidago sempervirens Solidago stricta Solidago tortifolia Sorghastrum elliottii Sorghastrum secundum Spermacoce prostrate Sporobolus domingensis Sporobolus junceus Sporobolus virginucus Stachys floridana Stachytarpheta jamaicensis starrush whitetop spreading beaksedge fascicled beaksedge Fernald s beaksedge pinebarren beaksedge giant whitetop sandyfield beaksedge baldrush southern dewberry black-eyed Susan Carolina wild petunia ciliate wild petunia shortleaf rosegentian coastal rosegentian little bluestem fringed nutrush tall nutgrass privet wild sensitiveplant saw palmetto dixie aster slender seapurslane shoreline seapurslane coastal foxtail coral foxtail knotroot foxtail common fanpetals Elliott s fanpetals Indian hemp saffron plum earleaf greenbrier saw greenbrier laurel greenbrier Canada goldenrod pinebarren goldenrod sweet goldenrod seaside goldenrod wand goldenrod twistedleaf goldenrod slender indiangrass lopsided indiangrass prostrate false buttonwood coral dropseed pineywoods dropseed seashore dropseed florida betony native blue porterweed

186 Stillingia aquatica Stillingia sylvatica Stylosanthes biflora Symphyotrichum adnatum Symphyotrichum dumosus Tephrosia chrysophylla Tephrosia florida Tephrosia hispidula Tephrosia rugelii Tephrosia spicata Tridax procumbens Tridens flavus var. chapmanii Triplasis purpurea Uniola paniculata Vaccinium corymbosum Vaccinium darrowii Vaccinium myrsinites Verbena scabra Vernonia blodgettii Vigna luteola Viola palmate Vitis aestivalis Vitis cinerea var. floridana Vitis rotundifolia Woodwardia areolata Woodwardia virginica Yucca filamentosa water toothleaf queensdelight sidebreak pencilflower scaleleaf aster rice button aster scurf hoarypea Florida hoarypea sprawling hoarypea Rugel s hoarypea spiked hoarypea coatbuttons Chapman s purpletop tridens purple sandgrass seaoats highbush blueberry Darrow s blueberry shiny blueberry sandpaper vervain Florida ironweed hairypod cowpea early blue violet summer grape Florida grape muscadine netted chain fern Virginia chain fern Adam s needle

187 Appendix O. Parks and Recreation Ordinance 06-26

188 LEE COUNTY ORDINANCE NO AN ORDINANCE REPEALING AND REPLACING LEE COUNTY ORDINANCE 90-56, AS AMENDED BY ORDINANCE NO AND AS AMENDED BY ORDINANCE 02-12; PROVIDING FOR CODE ENFORCEMENT IN PARKS AND PRESERVES BY PARK RANGERS, REGULATING CERTAIN ACTIVITIES IN AND USAGE OF COUNTY PUBLIC PARKS AND PARK LITTORAL WATERS WITHIN LEE COUNTY; RELATING TO AMENDMENTS OF DEFINITIONS; DEPARTMENT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES; USE OF COUNTY RECREATION CENTERS AND COMMUNITY BUILDINGS; PROTECTION OF VEGETATION AND AMENDMENTS RELATING TO FIRE CONTROL; INTRODUCTION OF SPECIES; WEAPONS; BATHING AND SWIMMING; NUDITY; FISHING; LYNN HALL PARK PIER RULES; GAMES/ACTIVITIES; HORSEBACK RIDING; FEES AND CHARGES; DOMESTICATED ANIMALS; ADVERTISING AND COMMERCIAL SIGNS; SMOKING; INTOXICATING BEVERAGES; PARKING; TRAFFIC CONTROL; BICYCLES; ROLLER BLADES, ROLLER SKATES, SCOOTERS, SKATEBOARDS AND SEGWAYS; VESSEL CONTROL; PUBLIC DOCKS; SANITATION; PARK RULES AND OPERATING POLICIES AND PENALTY RESTITUTION AND ENFORCEMENT; PROVIDING FOR PENALTIES AND A FEE SCHEDULE, CONFLICT, INCLUSION IN CODE, SEVERABILITY, AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, the recreational use of the public parks is a treasured asset of this County which is afforded to the public at large, including residents of and visitors to the County; and WHEREAS, the manner, mode, type and degree of public uses of park resources sometimes conflict and must be reasonably reconciled to insure the maximum enjoyment of park resources by all persons; and WHEREAS, park resources, both natural and man-made, should be preserved for future generations of park visitors; and 1

189 WHEREAS, it is in the interest of the public health, safety and welfare that certain controls and regulations be placed on persons using public park resources to ensure maximum enjoyment of such resources by the general public, protect and presetve natural and man-made park resources, and reduce the risk of injury to those using the parks. NOW, THEREFORE, be it ordained by the Board of County Commissioners of Lee County, Florida that in order to promote the public health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Lee County, Florida the following Ordinance is hereby enacted: SECTION I: REPEALER CLAUSE: It is the intent of this ordinance to repeal and declare null and void and of no further effect Lee County Ordinances 90-56, and SECTION 11: This Ordinance will be known and cited as the Lee County Parks and Recreation 0 rd i nance. 2.1 PURPOSE The purpose of this Ordinance is to efficiently utilize County parks for recreation purposes, preserve park resources, and provide for the protection and safety of lives and property on and within the parks and recreation facilities under the jurisdiction and control of the Board of County Commissioners of Lee County, Florida. 2.2 APPLICATION These rules and regulations shall apply to all persons on any part of the property corn p risi ng the parks. 2

190 2.3 ENFORCEMENT (A) The Lee County Park Ranger Program is hereby established. It shall employ qualified persons who shall be invested with full and complete authority to enforce the provisions, requirements and regulations set forth herein and to discharge the duties of the office. Those persons designated as Park Rangers of Lee County shall have the authority to issue citations to enforce this Ordinance. (B) Whenever a Park Ranger has probable cause to believe that a violation of this Ordinance has occurred, the Park Ranger may issue a citation or summons and complaint to the violator, stating the nature of the violation with sufficient particularity to give due notice of said charge or of the violation by using the citation criteria set forth in Chapter Florida Statutes. (C) It is unlawful for any person to willfully refuse to sign and accept a citation issued by a Park Ranger. Violation of this section is a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided for in Florida Statutes. 2.4 OPPOSING A PARK RANGER It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly interfere with, oppose, resist, obstruct, hinder or in any manner prevent a Park Ranger, who is attempting to discharge or is in the course of discharging an official duty or fail to obey the lawful order of a Park Ranger. Violation of this section is a misdemeanor of the second degree punishable as provided for in Florida Statutes. 3

191 SECTION 111: DEFINITIONS The following terms when used in this Chapter shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section: 3.1 PARKS The term all parks operated and maintained by the Lee County Department of Parks and Recreation are defined to mean, parks, wayside parks, parkways, preserves and open spaces, playgrounds, recreation facilities and fields, museums, auditoriums, stadiums, ranges and buildings, lakes, streams, canals, lagoons, waterways, pools, causeways, bridges, roadways, marinas, boat ramps, beaches, piers, and abutting lands and adjacent littoral waters, which are used for recreational purposes, or as parks, and the pertinent rights-of-way presently under or hereinafter acquired and placed under the jurisdiction, control and administration of the Board of County Commissioners of Lee County, Florida, and all public service facilities located on grounds, buildings, and structures in Lee County which are under the control of or assigned for upkeep, maintenance or operation by Lee County. The term parks expressly includes the Sanibel Causeway facilities. 3.2 PARK PROPERTY The term park property when used hereinafter is defined to cover all property, real or personal, in or on parks. 3.3 PARK RANGER The term park ranger is defined as any person employed or appointed by Lee County who is authorized to investigate, pursuant to law, civil infractions relating to Lee 4

192 County public parks or beaches and to issue citations as provided in this ordinance, and to file charges based on such investigation. 3.4 DEPARTMENT Department shall mean the Department of Parks and Recreation. The Department is charged with the duty of administering, protecting, controlling and governing the parks and park property of Lee County. 3.5 PERSON The word person includes natural persons, firms, associations, joint ventures, partnerships, estates, trusts, business trusts, syndicates, fiduciaries, including any trustee, receiver, assignee, or similar representative thereof, corporations and all other groups and corn b i nations. 3.6 DIRECTOR Director is the Director of the Lee County Department of Parks and Recreation or hidher designee. 3.7 VEHICLE Vehicle is any wheeled conveyance, whether motor powered, animal-drawn, or self propelled. The term shall include any trailer in tow, of any size, kind or description. An exception is made for baby carriages, assistive vehicles for people with disabilities, and vehicles in the service of the County parks. 3.8 VESSEL Any motorized, wind driven, or paddle-propelled means of water related transportation within a County park or upon park littoral waters. The term specifically 5

193 includes, but is not limited to, personal water craft, commonly known as jet skis. The term shall not include rafts, floats or flotation devices, whether of canvas, rubber, styrofoam, or other substances intended or capable of assisting in the flotation of a person on or in the water. 3.9 IDLE SPEED The lowest speed at which a vessel can operate and maintain steering control. The actual speed will depend upon the design of the vessel and of the vessel s load, wind direction and speed, and sea conditions. Generally, it will be between I and 3 miles per hour for outboard and inboard/outboard vessel, between 2 and 5 miles per hour for fixed shawrudder water craft, and the minimum speed merely necessary to effectively traverse breaking water for personal water craft (jet skis) PARKING AREA Any designated part of a park road or area contiguous thereto set apart for the standing or stationing of any vehicle PARK ROADS All surfaced areas designated for vehicular traffic. All other surfaced or cleared areas are classified as a form of trail or path BATHING BEACH, BATHING AREA, OR SWIMMING AREA Any beach or pool designated as such in any park, including the actual sand beach, if any, and the adjoining land and littoral waters used for bathing and swimming. 6

194 3.13 POLICIES AND PROCEDURES Lee County Parks and Recreation maintains an Operations Manual. Unless otherwise specified in this Ordinance, all policies and procedures shall be followed as written in the Operations Manual which is incorporated herein as part of this ordinance and is on file with the Department. SECTION IV: PARK RULES AND OPERATING POLICY All persons having entered on or into any part of any park within Lee County shall be governed by this Ordinance, the reasonable rules and regulations approved by the Board of County Commissioners and issued and published by the Department and by orders, directions and instructions of the Department implementing this Ordinance or the approved rules. No person in a park shall fail to abide by the instructions of any Lee County park personnel. 4.1 HOURS Except for unusual and unforeseen emergencies and designated holidays, parks shall be open to the public every day of the year. The opening and closing hours for each individual park shall be posted therein for public information. 4.2 CLOSED AREAS Any section or part of any park may be declared closed to the public by the Director at any time and for any interval of time, either temporarily or at regular and stated intervals (daily or otherwise). Parks may be closed entirely or for certain uses, as the Director shall find reasonably necessary to protect the environment or public health, welfare and safety. 7

195 4.3 PERMIT A permit shall be obtained from the Director before participating in any activity within a park for which a permit is required hereunder or by the Lee County Parks and Recreation Operations Manual, or for any special event. STANDARDS FOR ISSUANCE. The Director may issue a permit unless he/she finds that there is reasonable probability: That the proposed activity or use of the park will interfere with or detract from the general public enjoyment of the park; That the proposed activity and use will interfere with or detract from the promotion of public health, welfare, safety and recreation; That the proposed activity or use is anticipated to incite violence, crime or disorderly conduct; That the proposed activity will entail unusual, extraordinary or burdensome expense or police operation by the County or by any City within which the park is located, given the nature of the proposed activity for which the permit is desired; That the facilities desired have been reserved for other use at the day and hour required in the application; That the proposed activity is not in compliance with Facility Reservation Policy and Procedures and Rental use, if applicable. The Director may place reasonable conditions on permits issued and/or may refer the permit application to the Board of County Commissioners for its approval in lieu of issuance or rejection of a permit hereunder. EFFECT OF PERMIT. A permittee shall be bound by all park rules and regulations and all applicable ordinances fully as if it were inserted in said permits. LIABILITY OF PERMITTEE. The person or persons to whom a permit is issued shall be liable for any loss, damage or injury sustained by any person whatever by reason 8

196 of the negligence of the person or persons to whom such permit shall have been issued. Proof of insurance shall be required for events when the Director decides it is necessary. REVOCATION. The Director shall have the authority to revoke a permit upon finding of violation of any rules or ordinance or upon good cause shown. 4.4 EXHIBIT PERMITS No person shall fail to produce and exhibit any permit from the Director that he claims to have upon request of any authorized person who shall desire to inspect the same. 4.5 INTERFERENCE WITH PERMITTEES No person shall disturb or interfere with any person or party occupying any area, or participating in any activity, under the authority of a permit. 4.6 USE OF COUNTY RECREATION CENTERS AND COMMUNITY BUILDINGS Buildings located in County parks shall not be used unless permission has been granted by the Department pursuant to the rules and regulations adopted by the Board of County Commissioners and Department. Buildings are to be used for the purpose of recreational activities, civic meetings, social gatherings and public functions. Buildings may be rented for a fee as established by the Department in the Administrative Code to cover cost of maintenance and administration. Such rental use is subject to Department reservation policy and procedures and rental use criteria as uniformly applied and articulated in the Lee County Parks and Recreation Operations Manual. 9

197 4.7 FEES AND CHARGES The Board of County Commissioners may by Resolution establish reasonable fees and charges for the use of any park facility or service as set forth in the Lee County Administrative External Fees and Charges Manual. 4.8 RESERVATION OF FACILITIES No person shall occupy any seat or bench, or enter into or loiter or remain in any pavilion or other park structure or section thereof which may be reserved and designated by the Director for the use of specific persons or groups of persons. Nor shall any person occupy an area designated and set aside for the use of individuals with disabilities, except for those persons attending to said individuals with disabilities. 4.9 CONCESSIONS, VENDING, AND PEDDLING No person shall operate a concession, or expose or offer for sale any service, article or thing; nor shall any person station or place on park property any stand, cart, or vehicle or vessel for the transportation, sale or display of any such article or thing. Exception is hereby made as to any regularly licensed concessionaire or other person engaging in such activities as authorized by the Board of County Commissioners and/or the Director. All properly authorized activities under this section are subject to reasonable regulation by the Director and require a written permit ADVERTISING AND COMMERCIAL SIGNS No person shall: announce, advertise, or call the public attention in any way to any article or service for sale or hire; paste, glue, tack or otherwise post any commercial sign, placard, advertisement, or inscription whatever; erect or cause to be erected any 10

198 commercial sign whatever on any public lands or highways or roads adjacent to a park, distribute any handbills or circulars, except by special permission from the Director. Pursuant to Lee County Administrative Code AC-1-19, no person shall place any political sign on any public lands or highways or roads adjacent to a park. SECTION V: RESOURCE PROTECTION 5.1 REMOVAL OF NATURAL OBJECTS No person or agent or employee of such person shall dig or move with the intent to remove, or remove from any park area, any beach sand, whether submerged or not, or any soil, rocks, stones, trees, shrubs, or plants, downed timber or other wood or materials or make any excavation by tools, equipment, blasting or other means or agency, or construct or erect any building or structure of whatever kind whether permanent or temporary in character, or run or string any public service utility into, upon or across such lands, except on special written permit issued hereunder by the Director. 5.2 PROTECTION OF VEGETATION No person or agent or employee of such person shall cut, carve or injure the bark, limbs or branches or mutilate trees in any way, or pick the flowers or seeds of any tree, plant or shrub, nor shall any person dig in or otherwise disturb grass areas, or any other way injure or impair the natural beauty or usefulness of any area, nor shall any person pile debris or material of any kind on or about any tree or plant, or attach any rope, wire or other contrivance thereto, whether permanent or temporary in character or in use. No person shall transplant or remove any tree or plant or part thereof, or collect or remove flowers, except in areas designated for that use such as gardens, or with special 11

199 permission by the Director. The Director shall control invasive exotic plants where appropriate for the restoration, maintenance and preservation of native plant communities. 5.3 FIRE CONTROL No person shall ignite or attempt to ignite any fire against or on any vegetation or park structures, except in designated fireplaces or grills. No person shall dispose of burning matches, smoking materials or other inflammable items within any park except in designated receptacles. Prescribed burning shall be conducted only by the Department where and when appropriate for the restoration, maintenance and preservation of certain p Ian t comm u n ities. 5.4 PROTECTION AND PRESERVATION OF WILDLIFE No person shall take, molest, harm, frighten, kill, trap, hunt, chase, tease, shoot, or throw missiles at any animal, wild animal, mammal or echinoderms such as starfish and sand dollars, nor shall any person remove or cause to be removed or have in their possession the young of any wild animal, or the eggs or nests, or young of any reptile or birds. No person shall take live shellfish from park property without proper authorization from the State of Florida. No person shall give or offer, or attempt to give to any wild animal any food item, tobacco, alcohol, foreign object or other known noxious substances nor attempt to pet any wild animal. No person shall transplant or remove any animal, wild animal, mammal, or echinoderms except in areas designated for that use, or with special permission by the Director. The Director is authorized to control nuisance wildlife where and when appropriate for the restoration, maintenance, and preservation of both native plant and wildlife communities. 12

200 5.5 INTRODUCTION OF SPECIES No person shall introduce into any park any plant or animal species by willful abandonment, negligence or for any other reason without written authorization from the Director. 5.6 LITTERING / DUMPING (A) POLLUTION OF WATERS. No person shall throw, discharge, or otherwise place or cause to be placed in the waters of any fountain, pond, lake, marsh, swamp, stream, bay, gulf or other body of water in or adjacent to any park or any tributary, stream, storm sewer, or drain flowing into such waters, any substance, matter or thing, liquid or solid. (B) REFUSE AND TRASH. No person shall bring in or dump, deposit or leave any bottles, broken glass, ashes, paper, boxes, cans, dirt, rubbish, waste, garbage, refuse, or other trash such as debris from beach raking. No such materials shall be placed in any waters in or contiguous to any park, or left anywhere on the grounds thereof, but shall be placed in the proper receptacles where these are provided; where receptacles are not so provided, all such materials shall be carried away from the park by the person responsible for its presence, and properly disposed of elsewhere. SECTION VI: VISITOR SAFETY 6.1 WEAPONS No person shall use, carry, or possess firearms of any description, or air-rifles, paint guns, spring-guns, bow and arrows, slings or any other form of weapon potentially injurious or harmful to wildlife and dangerous to human safety, or any instrument that can be loaded 13

201 with and fire blank cartridges, or any kind of trapping device, in any park except in areas specifically designated for such activity, by authorized law enforcement officials, or in the case of special events as permitted by the Director. Shooting into park areas from beyond park boundaries is forbidden without special permission from Director. 6.2 FIREWORKS AND EXPLOSIVES No person shall bring, possess, set off, or otherwise cause to explode or discharge or burn, any firecrackers, torpedo, rocket, or other fireworks or explosives of inflammable material, or discharge them or throw them into any park area from land or highways adjacent thereto, except as permitted by director. This prohibition includes any substance, compound, mixture, or article that in conjunction with any other substance or compound would be dangerous from any of the foregoing standpoints. 6.3 RESTROOMS AND WASHROOMS No person shall use the restroom and washrooms designated for the opposite sex, unless accompanied by a guardian, parent or caregiver. 6.4 BATHING AND SWIMMING Bathing and swimming is done at the risk of the park user. No person, regardless of age or manner of dress, shall swim, bathe or wade in any park waters or waterways designated as no swimming areas. Swimming activities shall comply with such regulations as to the hours of the day and safety limitations or such use as set by the Director and/or posted in the area. Areas where swimming is permitted will be designated by official signs and markings. 14

202 6.5 SURF OR SKI No person shall surf or ski at any public beach not designated specifically for that purpose. Body surfing is permitted. 6.6 GLASS CONTAINERS No person shall bring glass containers to any beach, pool, or public bathing area. SECTION VII: FISHING AUTHORIZATION. Fishing is authorized in park waters in accordance with Florida law, Florida Statutes , the rules of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and provisions of local ordinance except as follows: 7.1 SPECIFIC PROHIBITIONS No person shall fish off-shore from any type of vessel or from the beach within 200 feet of any swimming only exclusion area. Nor shall any person fish in any area where bathing or swimming is permitted or where such area is specifically designated as a no fishing area except fishing is allowed from the pier at Lynn Hall Park subject to the restrictions set forth on the attached Exhibit A. Fishing with nets, spears, snatch hooks and gigs is prohibited at all times. Cast netting is prohibited from the fishing piers. 7.2 COMMERCE PROHIBITED No person on park property shall engage in commercial fishing, or the buying or selling of fin fish or shellfish caught in any waters. Public boat ramps may be used to launch and/or retrieve commercial vessels. 15

203 SECTION VIII: VESSEL CONTROL Any person operating a vessel shall be governed by rules and regulations in Lee County Ordinance and as further amended and restated in Lee County Ordinance In addition, the following specific regulations shall apply to parks. 8.1 OPERATION IN SWIMMING ONLY VESSEL EXCLUSION AREAS No person shall operate any vessel within 500 feet of a park designated by posting as Swimming Only. Official patrol rescue craft, other official craft, and craft operating under emergency conditions shall be exempted from the provisions of this article while performing their official duties or operating in an emergency. 8.2 OPERATION OF VESSELS OUTSIDE SWIMMING ONLY VESSEL AREAS For areas not posted as Swimming Only exclusion area, no person shall operate a vessel at a speed in excess of idle speed in any waters within 500 feet of a park. 8.3 LAKES PARK The Board of County Commissioners has adopted, as a matter of operating policy, that the use of boats powered by internal combustion engines are prohibited in the Lakes Park system. The sole exception being at least one power boat for safety and security reasons, which will be operated by County staff only, at minimal power, approximately 40 horsepower and possible additional rescue boats for emergencies. Electric boats necessary for the operation of this park will be permitted. 8.4 LAUNCHlNGlRETRlEVAL OF VESSELS No person shall launch or retrieve a vessel from any park property which is not designated specifically for that purpose. 16

204 8.5 PUBLIC DOCKS No person shall use public docks for any purpose other than those as specified in the Parks and Recreation Operations Manual. 8.6 PROHIBITION DURING CLOSED HOURS No person shall launch, retrieve, dock or operate any vessel within a park or littoral waters after the park is closed. 8.7 POWER UP ON LAUNCH PAD No person shall accelerate a vessel engine while at any Lee County public boat ramp. SECTION IX: RECREATIONAL REGULATIONS 9.1 PtCNICKING PICNIC AREAS. Park personnel shall have the authority to regulate the activities in such areas when necessary to prevent congestion and to secure the maximum use for the comfort and convenience of all. Visitors shall comply with any directions given to achieve this end. AVAILABILITY. No person shall violate the regulation that use of the individual fireplaces together with tables and benches, generally follows the rule of first come, first served. This prohibition does not apply to rented or reserved facilities. NON-EXCLUSIVE. No person shall use any portion of the picnic area or of any of the buildings or structures therein for the purpose of holding picnics to the exclusion of other persons, nor shall a.ny person use such area and facilities for an unreasonable time if the facilities are crowded. This prohibition does not apply to rented or reserved facilities. 17

205 DUTY OF PICNICKER. No person shall leave a picnic area before a fire, if any, is completely extinguished and before all trash and refuse is placed in the disposal receptacles, where provided. If no such trash receptacles are available, then refuse and trash shall be carried away from the park area by the picnicker to be properly disposed of elsewhere. 9.2 CAMPING No person shall set up tents, shacks, or any other temporary shelter for the purpose of overnight camping, except in designated camping areas, nor shall any person leave in a park, after closing hours, any movable structure or vehicle to be used or that could be used for such purpose, except by special written permit granted by the Director. Failure to observe and comply with park rules may result in forfeiture of camping privileges. 9.3 GAMES/ACTIVITIES No person shall take part in or abet the playing of any games involving thrown or otherwise propelled objects except in areas set apart for such forms of recreation. 9.4 HORSEBACK RIDING No person shall ride a horse except in areas specifically designated for such activity or in the case of special events, as designated by the Director or for authorized law enforcement purposes. Where permitted, horses shall be thoroughly trained and properly restrained, and ridden with due care, and shall not be allowed to graze or go unattended, nor shall they be hitched to any rock, tree or shrub. 18

206 Riders should have proof of a negative Coggins test result for their horse(s) and must provided such documentation upon request from a Park Ranger. Failure to provide proof of such test will result in expulsion from the park. 9.5 DOMESTICATED ANIMALS (A) Domesticated animals are prohibited on park property, whether or not under restraint, with the following exceptions: I. Service animals or guide dogs which are specially trained to perform tasks for an individual with a disability. The tasks may include, but are not limited to, guiding a person who is visually impaired or blind, alerting a person who is deaf or hard of hearing, pulling a wheelchair, assisting with mobility or balance, alerting and protecting a person who is having a seizure, retrieving objects, or performing other special tasks. The guide dog or service dog must be capable of being properly identified as being from a recognized school for seeing-eye dogs, hearing-ear dogs, service dogs, including but not limited to, seizure-alert and seizure response dogs or guide dogs. II. Police dogs or horses on duty, horses in designated equestrian areas, or other domestic animals (B) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board from time to time may, by County resolution, designate specific County parks where animals may be allowed and whether or not under restraint. In the event the Board designates such areas where animals are allowed, any person who owns, or has apparent control over an animal in such area shall immediately remove all fecal matter that is deposited by said animal in those areas and 19

207 dispose of same in a lawful manner or in a trash receptacle for such waste provided on site. 9.6 ROLLER BLADES, ROLLER SKATES, SCOOTERS, SKATEBOARDS No person shall use roller blades, roller skates, scooters or skateboards on other than a paved vehicular road or path designated for that purpose. Roller blades, roller skates, scooters and skateboards must be used only in areas specifically designated for that purpose. 9.7 SEGWAY HUMAN TRANSPORTER No person shall use human transport devices or similar self-balancing, electricpowered transportation devices on county park property other than on a path designated for that purpose. Food and Drug Administration approved motorized disability access vehicles are excepted from this Section. 9.8 AVIATION No person shall launch or land within or upon any park, preserve or littoral waters any airplane, balloon, parachute, hang glider, or other aerial device, except that certain areas may be designated appropriate landing places for medical evacuation helicopters, law enforcement, or official government aviation equipment unless authorized by the Director. SECTION X: CONDUCT 10.1 SLEEPING Except for authorized campers in designated camping areas, no person shall sleep overnight in any area of a County park, including beaches, lawns, fields and wooded areas. 20

208 10.2 PANHANDLING No person shall solicit alms or panhandle contributions for any purpose, whether public or private, without the express written permission of the Director SMOKING Pursuant to Florida Statutes 386, Florida Clean Indoor Air Act, no person shall smoke within the confines of any indoor park facility. Additionally, smoking is not permitted in additional areas as designated in the Lee County Parks and Recreation Operations Manual GAMES OF CHANCE No person shall gamble, or participate in or abet any game of chance SIGNS No person shall carry on or engage in any activity which is expressly prohibited by a posted sign CONGREGATE No person or group of persons shall congregate in the vicinity of a public restroom or near an area designated for vehicle parking or other public use area so as to interfere with its use by other persons. No person shall sleep on park benches, picnic tables or other structures not specifically designated for such use BREACH OF PEACE No person shall conduct themselves in a riotous, disorderly, threatening, loud, abusive, insulting, indecent, boisterous or other manner so at to disturb the peace and good order in the park. 21

209 10.8 NUDITY IN PARKS OR BEACHES In each and every bathing area and on park property, all persons shall be so covered with a bathing suit so as to prevent any indecent exposure of the person, as that term is defined in Florida Statutes No person shall dress or undress on any beach or in any vehicle or other place in any park area, except at such bathing houses or structures as may be provided and maintained by the park for that purpose INTOXICATING BEVERAGESllLLEGAL SUBSTANCES GENERAL PROHIBITION. Except as herein provided, no person shall possess, consume, use, sell or distribute alcoholic or intoxicating beverages, or illegal substances in any park. No person shall enter or remain in any park under the influence of alcohol, other intoxicants, or illegal substances. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the sale, service and consumption of beer and wine at the Lee County Sports Stadium Complex, Red Sox City of Palms Stadium and Terry Park pursuant to a written contract with the Board of County Commissioners, is specifically excepted from the foregoing provisions and limitations. A person under a written contract with the Board of County Commissioners may sell, serve and/or permit to be sold or served beer and wine at professional major and minor league baseball games at the Lee County Sports Stadium Complex and Terry Park or at other events designated by the Board, and persons may consume said beer and wine sold therein on the premises only without violating the provisions of this section. Notwithstanding, the foregoing, the County ManagedAdministrator is hereby authorized to grant an alcohol permit for a one-time event at any County-maintained park. 22

210 10.10 OBSTRUCTION OF WALKWAYS/BENCHES/PUBLlC AREAS No person shall use a bench or walkway or other public use areas so as to interfere with its use by other persons, including storing any materials thereon, with the exception of designated camp sites and picnic tables that are reserved for such activities CLIMBING UPON PARK PROPERTY No person shall climb any tree or walk, or stand or sit upon monuments, vases, fountains, railings, fences or upon any other property not designated or customarily used for such purposes DEFACING OF BUILDINGS AND OTHER PARK PROPERTY No person shall willfully mark, soil, deface, or injure in any way, or displace, remove or tamper with, any park building, bridge, public restroom and washroom facility, table, bench, fireplace or other cooking facility, railing, paving or paving material, water line or other public utility or parts or appurtenances thereof or equipment thereon, park sign, notice or placard whether temporary or permanent, monument, stake, post, or other boundary marker, or other structure or equipment, facility or park property or appurtenance whatsoever, either real or personal METAL DETECTORS No person shall use a metal detector (to locate coins, jewelry or other lost objects) on an athletic field or in an environmentally sensitive area or in an area that may pose a safety hazard unless authorized by the department director or hidher designee. 23

211 10.14 ENCROACHMENT No encroachment on parks property will be permitted unless prior approval is obtained from Lee County Parks and Recreation. SECTION XI: TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS 11.1 PARKING The Department shall provide and mark off individual parking spaces to be used by patrons of park facilities. No person shall park any vehicle in any place other than that provided for by the Department nor shall such person park in the provided parking area except while such person is using park facilities. Parking shall be within the delineated area of one parking space. Fees for parking may apply in certain parks as established by the Lee County Administrative Code. Failure to pay the established parking fees may result in a written citation and/or fine NIGHT PARKING No person shall leave a vehicle standing or parked at night without lights clearly visible for at least 500 feet from both front and rear on any driveway or road area except when properly parked in a clearly designated parking area DOUBLE PARKING No person shall double park any vehicle on any road or parkway unless so directed by a park official or police officer ACCESSIBLE PARKING In accordance with Section , Florida Statutes, no person shall stop, stand, or park any vehicle within or to obstruct, any such specially designated and marked parking 24

212 space provided for individuals with disabilities unless such vehicle displays a Disabled Parking Permit or license plate issued pursuant to Florida Statutes UNAUTHORIZED MOTORIZED VEHICLE No vehicle shall be operated on park property or on any area other than that area specifically designated for the use of such vehicle. Motor vehicles are prohibited on all beaches in Lee County. Violations of any of the provisions in this section shall submit the offending vehicle to removal at owner s risk and expense and to other penalties as provided by law. No person shall drive any vehicle on any road except the paved or graded park roads or parking areas, or such other areas as may on occasion be specifically designated as temporary parking areas by the Director STATE MOTOR VEHICLE LAWS APPLY No person shall fail to comply with all applicable provisions of the State Motor Vehicle Traffic Laws in regard to equipment and operation of vehicles, together with such regulations as are contained in this and other ordinances ENFORCEMENT OF TRAFFIC REGULATIONS No person shall fail to obey all traffic officers and park employees, such persons being hereby authorized and instructed to direct traffic whenever and wherever needed in the parks and on the highways, streets, or roads immediately adjacent thereto in accordance with the provisions of these or other applicable regulations OBEY TRAFFIC SIGNS No person shall fail to observe carefully all traffic signs indicating speed, direction, caution, stopping or parking, and all others posted for proper control of vehicles. 25

213 1 I.9 SPEED OF VEHICLES No person shall ride or drive a vehicle within a park at a rate of speed exceeding a posted speed limit REPAIRS OR WASH VEHICLES No person shall repair or wash vehicles, except to make minor repairs in the event of a breakdown. 11.I 1 BICYCLES CONFINED TO ROADS. No person shall ride a bicycle, scooter, segwav, skateboard, or roller bladeskkates on other than a paved vehicular road or a path designated for that purpose. OPERATION. All persons shall ride a bicycle in a safe manner as directed by the Florida Statutes Chapter 316, to include Florida Statutes Section RIDER PROHIBITED. No person shall ride any other person on a bicycle which is designed for use by only one person. DESIGNATED RACKS. No person shall leave a bicycle in a place other than a bicycle rack when such is provided and there is a space available. IMMOBILE. No person shall leave a bicycle lying on the ground or pavement, or set against trees, or in any place or position where other persons may trip over or be injured by them MOUNTAIN BIKING This activity shall be limited to areas specifically designated for this sport. 26

214 12.0 PENALTY Violation of the provisions of this Ordinance or failure to comply with any of the requirements herein, shall be prosecuted in accordance with Section , Florida Statutes. Any person who violates this Ordinance or fails to comply with any provisions shall, upon conviction thereof, be punished by a fine not to exceed $500 or as set forth in the fee schedule (attached as Exhibit B ) or imprisonment in County jail not to exceed 60 days or both, as provided by law, and in addition shall pay all costs and expenses incurred by the County in prosecuting the case. In certain cases, restitution may be sought in addition to a fine and/or imprisonment. When determining the amount of a fine or restitution to be imposed for a violation of Sections (5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.6, and 10.13) the following factors should be consider: A. 8. C. The value of the products removed from the county s land and/or destroyed The cost to remove dumped debris. The diminished value of county land or products, or the cost of restoring the affected county land or products; D. The need to deter future violations EXPULSION Any person violating any of the provisions of this Ordinance shall be subject to expulsion from the park EFFECT The provisions of this Ordinance, except as set forth herein, shall be deemed cumulative, supplemental and alternative authority for the exercise of the powers provided 27

215 for herein. This Ordinance shall not be construed as repealing or superceding any other Ordinance or law except as specifically provided below SEVERABILITY The provisions of this Ordinance are severable and it is the intention to confer the whole or any part of the powers herein provided for. If any of the provisions of this Ordinance shall be held unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, the decision of such court shall not affect or impair any remaining provisions of this Ordinance. It is hereby declared to be the legislative intent that this Ordinance would have been adopted had such unconstitutional provision not been included therein EFFECTIVE DATE This Ordinance shall take effect as provided by law INCLUSION IN CODE It is the intention of the Board of County Commissioners that the provisions of this Ordinance shall become and be made a part of the Lee County Code and that sections of this Ordinance may be renumbered or relettered and the word Ordinance may be changed to section, article, or such other appropriate word or phrase in order to accomplish such intentions and regardless of whether such inclusion in the Code is accomplished. Sections of this Ordinance may be renumbered or relettered and the correction of typographical errors which do not affect the intent may be authorized by the County Manager or his or her designee, without need of Public Hearing, by filing a corrected or recodified copy of same with the Clerk of the Circuit Court. 28

216 18.0 REPEALER CLAUSE By enactment of this Ordinance, Lee County Ordinances 90-56, and are hereby repealed on the effective date of this Ordinance and of no further legal effect CONFLICTS Whenever the requirements or provisions of this amending ordinance are in conflict with the requirements or provisions of any other lawfully adopted ordinance or statute, the most restrictive requirements shall apply EFFECTIVE DATE This ordinance shall become effective immediately upon receipt of official acknowledgment from the office of the Secretary of State of Florida that the ordinance has been filed. (balance of page intentionally left blank) 29

217 THE FOREGOING ordinance was offered by Commissioner Judah, who moved its adoption. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Hall and upon being put to a vote, the vote was as follows: ROBERT JANES A. BRIAN BIGELOW RAY JUDAH TAMMARA HALL FRANKLIN B. MANN Ave Absent Ave Ave Aye DULY PASSED AND ADOPTED this 12 day of December, ATTEST: CHARLIE GREEN CLERK OF THE COURT BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF LEE COUNTY, FLORIDA By: '&3&. M& Deputy Clerk LEE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE- APPROVED AS TO FORM: By: 30

218 EXHIBIT A LEE COUNTY ORDINANCE 06-26, SECTION 7.1 LYNN HALL PARK PIER RULES Fishing is allowed on the Lynn Hall Park Pier, subject to the following rules and restrictions: IO. No shark fishing is allowed. No fishing within 200 feet of swimmers or of the bathing area. No baiting or chumming is allowed on or near the area. Baiting or chumming is defined as using cut up or ground up bait to put an attracting scent-line on or below the surface of the water, or to visually attract other fish. Do not use flashers, teasers or drop-lines in combination with live bait. No net, casting, spear, snatch or trap fishing is allowed. No more than one method of fishing in use per person and must be physically attended to at all times. Methods are defined as, abut not limited to, a pole or hand line. No live or dead bait larger than 8 inches may be used. No hooks larger than 5/0 may be used. The use of shark lures and rigs is strictly prohibited. All accidental shark catches must be cut loose. No landing or reeling in of sharks. Violation of this section is punishable as provided for in Section 12.0 above and may result in removal or exclusion from the pier and park. 31

219 EXHIBIT B SCHEDULE OF FINES FOR VIOLATION OF LEE COUNTY ORDINANCE I Section # Offense Refusing to Accept/ Sign Citation Opposing/Resisting 2nd Degree Ranger Misdemeanor Up to $ Or 60 Days Within Closed Areas :s Failure to Produce Reservations Concession, Vending, Peddling 4.10 Advertising/Commercial Signs Removal of Natural Objects Mandatory court Appearance/ Restitution Protection of Vegetation 1 Istoffense Znd Degree Misdemeanor Up to $ Or 60 Days Mandatory court Appearance/ Restitution 2 Offense 2 Degree Misdemeanor Up to $ Or 60 Days 2 Degree Misdemeanor Up to $ Or 60 Days Mandatory court Appearance/ Restitution Mandatory court Ap pea ra ncel Restitution srd Offense,2 Degree Misdemeanor Up to $ Or 60 Days 2nd Degree Misdemeanor Up to $ Or 60 Days Mandatory court Appearance/ Restitution Mandatory court Appearance/ Restitution I Fire Control Mandatory court Appearance/ Restitution Mandatory court Appearance/ Restitution Mandatory court Appearance/ Restitution 32

220 5.4 Wildlife Protection Mandatory Mandatory court court Appearance Appearance 5.5 Introduction of Species Littering/Dumping (A-Park Waters) Mandatory Mandatory (B Park Property) court court Appearance/ Appearance/ Restitution Restitution 6.1 Weapons Fireworks Occupying Restrooms of Opposite Sex Swimming in Unauthorized Area Su rf/s ki Glass Containers Fishing Prohibitions Commercial Fishing Vessel Operation in Swimming Area Vessel Outside Swim Area Lakes Park Boats Vessel Launch/Retrieval Public Docks Vessel Operation During Closed Hours Power Up on Launch Area Failure to Remove Picnic Items Unauthorized Camping Unauthorized GamedActivities Unauthorized Horseback Riding 9.5 Domesticated Animals Mandatory court Appearance Mandatory court Appearance/ Restitution

221 9.6 Roller Blades, Scooters Segway Aviation Sleeping Panhandle Smoking Games of Chance Failure to Obey Park Sign Congregate Breach of Peace Nudity in Parks Intoxicating Substance bst ructi ng Walkway I , Climbing Upon Park, Property Defacing Building/Park Property Mandatory Mandatory Mandatory court court court Appearance/ Restitution Appearance/ Restitution Appearance/ Rest it ution Metal Detecting Parking As designated by Ordinance No Accessible Parking As designated Violation by FSS or Unauthorized Motorized Vehicles State Motor Vehicle Laws Failure to Comply with Traffic Regulations

222 c r Exhibit A Obey Traffic Signs Speed of Vehicles Repair of Vehicles Bicycles Mountain Biking Shark Fishing Mandatory court Appearance/ Restitution Mandatory court Appearance/ Rest it ut ion Mandatory court Appearance/ Restitution (balance of page intentionally left blank) 35

223 I JEB BUSH Governor STATE OF FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF STATE STATE LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES OF FLORIDA SUE M. COBB Secretary of State December 15,2006 Honorable Charlie Green Clerk of Court Lee County Post Office Box 2469 Fort Myers, Florida Attn: Kathleen A. Motz, Deputy Clerk Dear Mr. Green: Pursuant to the provisions of Section , Florida Statutes, this will acknowledge receipt of your letter dated December 14,2006 and certified copy of Lee County Ordinance No , which was filed in this office on December 15, Sincerely, %y$e+& * Liz Cloud Program Administrator LC/cga DIRECTOR'S OFFICE R.A. Groy Building 500 South Bronough Street lollohossee. Florida a FAX: a5om.6735 TDD: 850, COMMUNllY DEVELOPMENT STATE LIBRARY OF FLORIDA STATE ARCHIVES OF FLORIDA, a FAX: a50.24s.6643 a FAX: a FAX: a50.4aa.4a94 LEGISLATIVE LIBRARY SERVICE RECORDS MANAGEMENT SERVlCES ADMINISlRAlIVE CODE AND WEEKLY a0.4~8.2ai 2 FAX: a '* FAX: a FAX: a a2 aso.4ea.9a79

224 Appendix P. Preserve Boundary Sign This is a Conservation 20/20 boundary sign. By removing the text Conservation 20/20, it can be installed at any Lee County Preserve. Lee County Parks and Recreation Conservation 20/20 Preserve Access restricted to designated entrance areas only

225 Appendix Q. Fence Specifications

226 Fencing Specifications Material and Installation Requirements All materials shall meet the following minimum specifications: 1) Field fence o Style # or o Class 3 galvanized o 47 height, 6 pullout spacing o installed on inside of posts o on corners, attach wire on outside of corner 2) Barbed wire o Class 3 galvanized, o 15.5 gauge (minimum), 4 point barb style o installed on inside of posts o on corners, attach wire on outside of corner 3) Wood Posts o 6-8 minimum diameter x 8 corner and brace posts o minimum diameter x 6 line posts (smaller line posts are not acceptable) o minimum diameter x 6 minimum cross members o Line posts spaced 10 apart o Line posts shall be set to a minimum depth of 24 inches o Corner and brace posts shall be set to a minimum depth of 36 inches o After posts are set, backfill must be thoroughly tamped around all posts o If 24 or 36 inch depth cannot be achieved due to rock, posts shall be set in ground with concrete o Posts shall be installed at same height so top of fence is level/even with ground. Do not cut post tops unless specified by Lee County representative. 4) H-bracing o Install a single H-brace at each end of project area 4 total o Barbed wire and field fence must be wrapped on all H-braces o Crossmember must be secured with galvanized brace pins at least 3/8 in diameter no toe nailing or notching brace posts o Must be secured with brace wire. Ground anchors are optional. 5) Stapling o Staples shall be 9 gauge or heavier galvanized o Staples shall be driven diagonally to wood s grain to avoid splitting posts

227 o Space shall be left between staple and post to permit free movement of wire 6) Top wire shall be 2 below the top of wood posts 7) Completed fence must be straight, tight and level 8) No trash or other materials will be left on site 9) Contractor is responsible for locate marking on underground utilities

228 Appendix R. License for Cattle Grazing The following is a generic license for cattle grazing which has been, and continues to be, utilized by this Department since the C20/20 program began acquiring properties with existing cattle grazing. This license is a template, which will be modified for each site according to specific requirements of the cattleman, such as stocking rates and grazing rotation. Land Stewardship staff will customize licenses for each park or preserve where this activity takes place. LICENSE AGREEMENT FOR CATTLE GRAZING This AGREEMENT made this day of, 2011, by and between LEE COUNTY, a political subdivision and charter county of the State of Florida, whose address is P.O. Box 398, Fort Myers, Florida , ( Licensor ); and John Doe, an individual, whose address is 1013 No Where Lane., Lehigh Acres, FL 33972, ( Licensee ). WHEREAS, Licensor is the owner of property situated in Lee County and depicted and described in attached Exhibit A; and WHEREAS, Licensor, in consideration of the fees paid and the covenants and agreements set forth herein to be kept and performed by the Licensee, does hereby grant to the Licensee a license solely for the grazing of cattle on Licensor s lands as depicted/described in attached Exhibit B ( Licensed Property ). NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants and conditions set forth below, the parties agree as follows: 1. Recitals. The above recitals are true and correct and incorporated herein as though fully set forth below. 2. License. Licensor hereby grants to Licensee a revocable, non-exclusive License to graze cattle on the property described in attached Exhibit B. 3. License Fee. Licensee agrees to pay Lee County $XX per license term or portion thereof on September 15 th of each year. Payment may be provided to the Conservation 20/20 Supervisor for appropriate processing.

229 4. Term. This License begins on the date it is fully executed and ends September 30. The term of this license may be extended for one additional year, ending September 30, provided Licensor agrees. 5. Revocation, Expiration, Termination or Cancellation. Licensor may revoke the License at any time with 30 days written notice to Licensee. Upon termination of the License, Licensee must remove all cattle and return the property to Licensor in as good or better condition that when it was first licensed. The parties understand and agree that this License Agreement may be canceled upon 48 hours written notice to the Licensee, if any of the Licensee s cattle are not kept within the confines of the Licensed Property as described on Exhibit B. Cattle may be transferred between adjacent or adjoining property, provided the properties are both the subject of a cattle license held by or involving Licensee, but the cattle must remain within the confines of the perimeter fencing. 6. Use of Licensed Property. a. Cattle grazing. Licensee understands and agrees the licensed property may only be used for cattle grazing and no other purpose. b. Maximum number of cattle. Licensee may not exceed XX head of Cattle on the licensed property at any time. c. Land management activity. Licensee must obtain written approval from the Conservation 20/20 Land Stewardship Supervisor prior to performing any land clearing, controlled burns, fertilizing, exotic removal, chopping, chemical spraying, or other land management activities. d. Hog removal. In order to preserve the licensed property and its use for cattle grazing, Licensee may trap and remove feral hogs, at Licensee s sole cost and expense, in a manner complying with state and local laws and regulations. e. Public Use. Licensee has a non-exclusive right to use the Licensed Property. Licensee may not prevent the entry of members of the public on the Licensed Property for purposes of maintenance of the preserve areas/property and recreational enjoyment by hikers. 7. Fencing. a. During the term of this License, Licensee must maintain all perimeter and interior fencing necessary to keep livestock within the licensed area as follows:

230 1. Along all road frontage the fencing must be, at minimum, a 5 strand barbed wire fence. 2. Along non-road frontage license boundaries the fencing must be, at minimum, a 4 strand barbed wire fence. 3. The fencing must be maintained in good repair and must effectively prevent cattle from roaming beyond the boundaries of the Licensed Property at all times during the term of this license. b. At the end of the license period stated in this Agreement, Licensee must turn over the Licensed Property with the fencing in good repair. In the event the fencing is not in good repair, Lee County may take one or more of the following actions: repair the fencing and send an invoice for the repair costs to Licensee; refuse to License County property to Licensee (including any entity involving the Licensee) in the future; or, take any other action the County deems appropriate. 8. Survey monuments. All section corners, quarter corners, and other survey monuments lying in the premises will be properly flagged by the Licensor. Licensee agrees to bear any survey costs for resetting these monuments in the event they are disturbed by the Licensee in any way. 9. Indemnification. Licensee hereby indemnifies and releases the Licensor from any and all claims for damages to both persons and property as the result of the cattle grazing; and, holds Licensor harmless from all damages during the term of this Agreement to include all reasonable fees, costs and expenses incurred for litigation in any forum resulting from damage claimed by third parties as a result of the Licensee's use of the property described in Exhibit "B". 10. Insurance. Licensee must maintain Premises Liability Insurance coverage through the license term and provide proof of insurance to Lee County Parks and Recreation for the duration of the license. The policy must provide minimum limits of $1,000,0000 (combined Single Limit of Bodily Injury and Property Damage). Lee County must be named as a Certificate Holder and Additional Insured on the insurance policy. (A copy of the insurance certificate is attached as Exhibit C.) 11. Personal property taxes. Licensee covenants and agrees to file an annual personal property tax return with the County of Lee, State of Florida, as required by law. 12. Assignment. This License is not assignable to any other party. 13. Notices. The contact information for the parties is as follows: Lee County, Licensor

231 Director of Parks and Recreation 3410 Palm Beach Boulevard Fort Myers, FL John Doe, Licensee 1013 No Where Lane. Lehigh Acres, FL or Amendment. This is the entire agreement between the parties and may only be amended in a writing executed with the same formality. 15. Governing law. This Agreement will be construed in accordance with the laws of the state of Florida. Venue for any court proceedings is in Lee County.

232 16. Severability. In the event any portion or provisions of this License Agreement is deemed invalid, the remaining provisions will not be affected and will remain in full force and effect. Witness: John Doe, Licensee Print Name: By: Witness: Print Name: Witness: Lee County Parks and Recreation Print Name: Director Witness: By: David W. Harner, II, Deputy Print Name: Approved as to form: By: Lee County's Attorney's Office [The Board of County Commissioners delegated authority to the Director of Parks and Recreation to enter short term leases/licenses for cattle grazing on Conservation 2020 lands and other lands managed by Lee County pursuant to Bluesheet # adopted on August 17, 1999.]

233 Appendix S. Land Stewardship Plan Outline Table of Contents VISION STATEMENT... I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY... II. INTRODUCTION... III. LOCATION AND SITE DESCRIPTION... IV. NATURAL RESOURCES DESCRIPTION... A. Physical Resources... i. Climate... ii. Geology... iii. Topography... iv. Soils... v. Hydrologic Components and Watershed... B. Biological Resources... i. Ecosystem Function... ii. Natural Plant Communities... iii. Fauna... iv. Designated Species... v. Biological Diversity... C. Cultural Resources... i. Archaeological Features... ii. Land Use History... iii. Public Interest... V. FACTORS INFLUENCING MANAGEMENT... A. Natural Trends and Disturbances... B. Internal Influences... C. External Influences...

234 D. Legal Obligations and Constraints... i. Permitting... ii. Other Legal Constraints... iii. Relationship to Other Plans... E. Management Constraints... F. Public Access and Resource-Based Recreation... G. Acquisition... VI. MANAGEMENT ACTION PLAN... A. Management Unit Descriptions... B. Goals and Strategies... VII. PROJECTED TIMETABLE FOR IMPLEMENTATION... VIII. FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS... IX. LITERATURE CITED... X. APPENDICES...

235 VISION STATEMENT I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY II. INTRODUCTION III. LOCATION AND SITE DESCRIPTION IV. NATURAL RESOURCES DESCRIPTION A. Physical Resources i. Climate ii. Geology iii. Topography iv. Soils v. Hydrologic Components and Watershed B. Biological Resources i. Ecosystem Function ii. Natural Plant Communities iii. Fauna Last updated: 12/2/2013

236 iv. Designated Species v. Biological Diversity C. Cultural Resources i. Archaeological Features ii. Land Use History iii. Public Interest V. FACTORS INFLUENCING MANAGEMENT A. Natural Trends and Disturbances B. Internal Influences C. External Influences D. Legal Obligations and Constraints i. Permitting ii. Other Legal Constraints iii. Relationship to Other Plans E. Management Constraints Last updated: 12/2/2013

237 F. Public Access and Resource-Based Recreation G. Acquisition VI. MANAGEMENT ACTION PLAN A. Management Unit Descriptions B. Goals and Strategies VII. PROJECTED TIMETABLE FOR IMPLEMENTATION VIII. FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS IX. LITERATURE CITED X. APPENDICES Last updated: 12/2/2013

238 Appendix T. Stratigraphic Units Map Last updated: 12/7/2011

239 Appendix T: Stratigraphic Units Map Legend Lee County Boundary Stratigraphic Units Other Units Holocene Tamiami Formation Tertiary-Quaternary

240 Appendix U. Physiographic Provinces Map Last updated: 12/7/2011

241 Appendix U: Physiographic Regions Map DESOTO PLAIN CALOOSAHATCHEE INCLINE GULF COASTAL LOWLANDS GULF BARRIER CHAIN CALOOSAHATCHEE VALLEY IMMOKALEE RISE Legend Lee County Boundary Physiographic Regions Caloosahatchee Valley Caloosahatchee Incline Desoto Plain Gulf Barrier Chain Immokalee Rise Gulf Coastal Lowlands Southwestern Slope Ten Thousand Islands SOUTHWESTERN SLOPE TEN THOUSAND ISLANDS

242 Appendix V. Soil Characteristics Table Last updated: 12/7/2011

243 Appendix V: Soil Characteristics Table Physical Attributes Biological Attributes Soil Map Total % of Habitats Wetland Hydrologic % Organic Potential as habitat for wildlife in-- Limitations for Types Symbol Acres Preserve (Range Site) Class (1) Group (2) Matter Openland Woodland Wetland Rangeland Recreational Paths & Trails Anclote Sand, Depressional 40 freshwater marshes/ponds P B/D * 2-10% very poor very poor good -- Severe: ponding Boca Fine Sand 13 South Florida flatwoods B/D 1-3% fair poor fair good Severe: wetness, too sandy Boca Fine Sand, Slough 74 South Florida flatwoods S B/D 1-3% poor very poor fair fair Severe: wetness, too sandy Caloosa Fine Sand 66 B very poor very poor poor -- Severe: too sandy Cocoa Fine Sand 55 longleaf pine-turkey oak hills A 1-3% poor poor very poor -- Severe: too sandy Copeland Sandy Loam, Depressional 45 freshwater marshes/ponds P D * 2-6% very poor very poor good -- Severe: ponding Daytona Sand 17 sand pine scrub B.5-1% poor poor very poor -- Severe: wetness, too sandy EauGallie Sand 9 South Florida flatwoods B/D 2-8% poor poor poor -- Severe: wetness, too sandy Estero Muck salt water marsh F D -- very poor very poor good -- Severe: wetness, excess humus Electra Fine Sand 76 south Florida flatwoods C 1-2% poor poor poor -- Severe: too sandy Felda Fine Sand 12 slough S B/D 1-4% fair poor fair -- Severe: wetness, too sandy Felda Fine Sand, Depressional 49 freshwater marshes/ponds P B/D 1-4% very poor very poor good -- Severe: wetness, too sandy Floridana Sand, Depressional 51 freshwater marshes/ponds P D * 6-15% very poor very poor good -- Severe: ponding, too sandy Gator Muck 19 freshwater marshes/ponds P D * 55-80% very poor poor good -- Severe: ponding, excess humus Hallandale Fine Sand 6 South Florida flatwoods B/D 2-5% poor poor fair poor Severe: wetness, too sandy Hallandale Fine Sand, Slough 75 slough S B/D 1-2% poor poor fair poor Severe: wetness, too sandy Hallandale Fine Sand, Tidal 8 salt water marsh F D 1-3% very poor very poor poor -- Severe: wetness, too sandy Immokalee Sand 28 south Florida flatwoods B/D 1-2% poor poor poor -- Severe: wetness, too sandy Isles Fine Sand, Depressional 39 freshwater marshes/ponds P D * 1-2% very poor very poor good -- Severe: wetness, too sandy Isles Muck 56 salt water marsh F D 20-30% very poor very poor fair poor Severe: wetness, too sandy Malabar Fine Sand 34 slough S B/D 1-2% poor poor fair -- Severe: wetness, too sandy Malabar Fine Sand, Depressional 44 freshwater marshes/ponds P B/D * 1-2% very poor very poor good -- Severe: ponding, too sandy Malabar Fine Sand, High 63 south Florida flatwoods B/D 1-2% fair poor fair fair Severe: wetness, too sandy Matlacha Gravelly Fine Sand 69 manmade areas C not estimated Severe: too sandy Matlacha Gravelly Fine Sand, Limestone Substatum 18 manmade areas C not estimated Severe: too sandy Myakka Fine Sand 11 south Florida flatwoods B/D <2% fair poor poor -- Severe: wetness, too sandy Myakka Fine Sand, Depressional fresh water marshes and ponds P D 1-2% very poor very poor good -- Severe: ponding, too sandy Oldsmar Sand 33 south Florida flatwoods B/D 1-2% fair fair poor -- Severe: wetness, too sandy Oldsmar Fine Sand, Limestone Substratum 50 cabbage palm flatwoods B/D 1-2% fair fair poor fair Severe: wetness, too sandy Orsino Fine Sand 61 sand pine scrub A <1% poor poor very poor -- Severe: too sandy Peckish Mucky Fine Sand salt water marsh F D -- very poor very poor fair -- Severe: wetness, too sandy Pineda Fine Sand 26 slough S B/D.5-6% fair poor fair -- Severe: wetness, too sandy Pineda Fine Sand, Depressional 73 freshwater marshes/ponds P D *.5-6% very poor very poor good -- Severe: ponding, too sandy Pineda Fine Sand, limestone substratum 77 slough S B/D 1-2% fair poor fair -- Severe: wetness, too sandy Pompano Fine Sand 10 slough S B/D 1-5% poor poor fair -- Severe: wetness, too sandy Pompano Fine Sand, Depressional 27 freshwater marshes/ponds B/D * 1-5% very poor poor good -- Severe: ponding, too sandy Smyrna Fine Sand south florida flatwoods B/D 1-5% fair fair fair -- Severe: wetness, too sandy St. Augustine Sand, Organic Substratum 25 ** B 1-3% very poor very poor poor -- Severe: too sandy Valkaria Fine Sand 14 slough, edge flatwoods S B/D 1-4% poor poor good -- Severe: wetness, too sandy Valkaria Fine Sand, Depressional 41 freshwater marshes/ponds P B/D * 1-4% very poor very poor good -- Severe: ponding, too sandy Wabasso Sand 35 South Florida flatwoods B/D 1-4% poor fair poor -- Severe: wetness, too sandy Wabasso Sand, Limestone Substratum 42 south Florida flatwoods B/D 2-5% poor fair poor -- Severe: wetness, too sandy Winder Sand, Depressional 62 freshwater marshes/ponds D.1-2% very poor very poor good -- Severe: ponding, too sandy Wulfert Muck 23 salt water marsh F D -- very poor very poor fair -- Severe: wetness, excess humus Color Key: (1) F - Flooding: The temporary inundation of an area caused by overflowing streams, runoff from adjacent slopes or tides. Upland S - Slough (sheet flow): A broad nearly level, poorly defined drainage way that is subject to sheet-flow during the rainy season Wetlands Rarely Present (Under 20%) P - Ponding: Standing water on soils in closed depressions. The water can be removed only by percolation or evapotranspiration. Wetlands Sometimes Present (20-40%) Wetlands Often Present (75-95%) (2) * Water table is above the surface of soil Wetlands Very Often Present (100%) B - Soils having a moderate infiltration rate (low to moderate runoff potential) when thoroughly wet. C - Soils having a slow infiltration rate (moderate to high runoff potential) when thoroughly wet. D - Soils having a very slow infiltration rate (high runoff potential) when thoroughly wet.

244 Appendix W. Scrub Jay Management Guidelines Last updated: 12/7/2011

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