Preliminary Environmental Site Assessment Report

Transcription

1 Science Working For You Preliminary Environmental Site Assessment Report Wetland and Wildlife Survey Volusia County Parcel Prepared for: Orange Blossom Trail Orlando LLC Old Kings Road South Jacksonville, Florida By: Palmer Biological Services, LLC C/O Farley Palmer 817 East 15 th Avenue New Smyrna Beach, Florida August 21, 2017 Palmer Biological Services East 15 th Avenue - New Smyrna Beach, Florida Phone: Farleypalmer@gmail.com palmerbiologicalservices.com

2 2 Table of Contents Section Page Number Project Summary 3 Scope of Work 3 Ecological Systems 3 Wetland Delineation 3, 4 Listed Species 4, 5 Conclusions/Recommendations 5 Attachments 6-9 References 10 Palmer Biological Services East 15 th Avenue - New Smyrna Beach, Florida Phone: Farleypalmer@gmail.com palmerbiologicalservices.com

3 A. Project Summary 3 The project site for this study is located south of Brooks Circle in Oak Hill, Florida. The site consists of approximately 26 acres of mixed upland and wetlands. This proposed building site is planned for development, but will first require a zoning change. The data presented in our report is intended to supply the required information for the zoning change proposal. Scope of Work On August 18 th and 21 st, 2017 Farley Palmer, consulting biologist with Palmer Biological Services visited the subject parcel and performed a wetland delineation and protected species survey of the property. The entire parcel was surveyed using soil analysis, vegetation identification, hydrologic indicator ID and visual inspection to establish wetland lines and identify any listed plant or animal species that may be present on the site. Ecological Systems The Orange Blossom Trail Orlando LLC project site consists of several ecological systems: Uplands: The subject property has been partially cleared, and evidence exists of excavation activity in several areas of the property. Ecological systems that remain are fragmented and have been somewhat degraded due to past land use of the parcel. Xeric Oak (FLUCCS 421), Pine/Xeric Oak (FLUCCS 412) and Pine/Mesic Oak (FLUCCS 414) ecological communities exist on the parcel. There are several excavated ponds and a canal present on the parcel as well. Maps showing the features on the site are included in the attachments section. B. Wetland Delineation The wetland survey portion of this study was performed as per FAC "Delineation of the Landward Extent of Wetlands and Surface Waters" (FDEP 1994). The canal on the parcel was not flagged for the purposes of this survey. The majority of the site is uplands. Several other wetland/excavated ponds were flagged with numbered markers and their wetland boundaries are shown on the wetland aerial sketch in the attachments section. Vegetation Endemic vegetation on the parcel...especially the eastern side...has been cleared and a shrubby understory of various grasses and shrubs have begun to take over the site. Invasive/exotic species such as Brazilian Pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius) and Cogon Grass (Imperata cylindrica) are present in several areas. The western side of the property contains a more endemic population of Slash Pine (Pinus elliotti), Live Oak (Quercus virginiana) and Cabbage Palm (Sabal palmetto). Other common species fill out the understory and include Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens) and Wax Myrtle (Myrica cerifera). Wetland species found included Swamp Bay (Persea palustris), Carolina Willow (Salix caroliniana), Cinnamon Fern (Osmunda cinnamomea) and Primrose Willow (Ludwigia spp.) Soils The Soil Survey of Volusia County, Florida (1978) indicates the presence of a several soil types on the subject parcel: Daytona Sand, 0 to 5% slopes, dominates the parcel (Soil Type 17) - This soil type is a moderately well drained sandy soil that generally occurs in low sandhills or in raised areas of the flatwoods. In most years the seasonal high water table is below 72 inches. The potential is high for community development.

4 Soils (continued) 4 Placid Fine Sand (Soil Type 48) is found in the northwest corner of the parcel. This soil is very poorly drained, although on this property, excessive drainage created by the excavated canal has apparently lowered the water table. Wetland "d" was flagged near the area where the Placid Fine Sand was found. Immokalee Sand (Soil Type 29) is poorly drained and was found in the vicinity of wetland "a" on the southwest corner of the parcel. Tavares Sand (Soil Type 63) is moderately well drained and found at the extreme southwest corner of the parcel. Hydrologic Indicators: Hydrologic indicators found in the wetland areas included: buttressing, rafted debris, morphological plant adaptations and elevated tussocks. C. Listed Species Animal species a full list of the Florida Wildlife Commission s listed species may be viewed by visiting the FWC website at: Many of the listed species can be found in areas nearby the proposed project. Gopher Tortoise - (Gopherus polyphemus) Our Gopher Tortoise survey was performed using a 50-foot transect grid in the open areas of the parcel and a 25-foot grid in the wooded areas. Many tortoise burros were found on the property with the majority being active burrows. Several tortoises were observed foraging as well. The attached map shows the areas where tortoise burrows and foraging activity were most prevalent. All burrows found were flagged with orange surveyor tape. The Gopher Tortoise is a protected species, and all burrows within 25 feet of the proposed construction area must be excavated or bucket trapped in order to relocate the animals prior to construction activity. Scrub Jay - (Aphelocoma coerulescens) In Florida, Scrub Jays are usually found only in specific ecological environments. The ecological systems present on the subject parcel are not prime Jay habitat. Typical weep or scold calls were not heard during the survey. Although all wildlife on the site was noted, no Scrub Jays were found. Bald Eagle - (Haliaeetus leucocephalus). During our survey, the trees on the site were searched for the presence of nests that might be inhabited by eagles. No eagle nests were found during the survey. In order to add to our findings, a search of the FWC eagle nest locator was performed. The closest nest was found to be 0.97 miles away from the site. Permitting is only required for construction directly adjacent to an active nest. Osprey - (Pandion haliaetus)). A single, active Osprey nest exists on the subject parcel. Its approximate location is shown on the map in the attachments section below. Ospreys are large raptors that are protected in Florida. If an Osprey nest must be destroyed, permitting is required and a replacement structure must be erected. Other Listed Animal Species A complete review of Federal (US Fish and Wildlife) and Florida (Florida Wildlife Commission) listed species was done prior to the field work performed on August 18 th and 21 st, Any fauna specie not immediately recognized was identified and compared to the species lists. No mammal species or mammal dens were observed during the survey. Bird species observed were limited to common songbirds. Reptile species observed were common Anoles.

5 Plant species Please visit Forests/Forest-Health/Florida-Statewide-Endangered-and-Threatened-Plant-Conservation-Program/Florida-s- Federally-Listed-Plant-Species for a full list of Florida s federally listed plant species. The subject areas for this project were surveyed for the presence of plants from this list, as well as any plants specific to Volusia County ( that may be growing on the site. Plant species observed during our survey were generally common and were those expected to be found in the ecosystems that exist on the parcel. No listed plant species were found during our survey. D. Conclusions / Recommendations The data presented in this report is intended to provide an overview of environmental conditions on the site which will aid in determining future zoning of the property. We performed a wetland delineation survey using soils, hydrologic indicators and plant species to determine the presence or absence of wetlands on the site as detailed in the Florida Unified Wetland Rule. As discussed in the previous section, the animals and plants observed on the site were identified and compared to the published lists. If the site is proposed for development, a detailed Gopher Tortoise survey will be required to show burrow status and location. Permitting for removal and erection of a nesting structure will be required for the Osprey nest. The majority of the site is uplands and the wetland areas are small and isolated. Based on development plans, wetland mitigation may be required after assessment and coordination with local, state and federal regulatory authorities. No other site conditions were found that would require further environmental permitting for site development. All environmental surveys and wetland delineations are subject to regulatory review. Please direct any questions to Farley Palmer at Palmer Biological Services East 15 th Avenue - New Smyrna Beach, Florida Phone: Farleypalmer@gmail.com palmerbiologicalservices.com

6 6 E. Attachments Vegetation and elevation map showing FLUCCS codes and elevation in feet

7 Map showing soil types as found in the Volusia County Soil Survey 7

8 8 Tortoise Burrows Osprey Nest Tortoise Burrows Tortoise Burrows Aerial of site showing tortoise burrow locations and Osprey nest

9 9 Uplands Wetland "d" flag #'s 1d thru 7d Uplands Wetland "b" flag #'s 1b thru 7b Canal Wetland "c" flag #'s 1c thru 5c Uplands Wetland "a" flag #'s 1a thru 7a Map showing flagged wetlands and canal

10 10 References 1. Florida Wildlife Commission List of Threatened and Endangered Species (FWC 2017). 2. Volusia County GIS mapping online services (Volusia County 2017). 3. Florida Scrub-Jay General Survey Guidelines and Protocols (US Fish and Wildlife 2016). 4. ISB: Inventory of Florida Vascular Plants. (University of South Florida 2007). 5. University of Florida Aerial Photo Archive. (Online services 2006). 6. Florida s Endangered Species, Threatened Species, and Species of Special Concern (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission 2009). 7. USFWS Threatened and Endangered Species System-TESS (US Fish and Wildlife Service 2017). 8. Google Earth online aerials (2017). 9. FWC Gopher Tortoise Guidelines (FWC 2017). Palmer Biological Services East 15 th Avenue - New Smyrna Beach, Florida Phone: Farleypalmer@gmail.com palmerbiologicalservices.com