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ECOLOGICAL REPORT 12/20/1988 " ECOLOGICAL REPORT FOR QUANTUM CORPORATE PARK BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA AMENDMENT #3 DECEMBER 20, 1988 'I. ~ ! ,. 'f. THIS REPORT IS AN AMENDMENT TO THE ORIGINAL ECOLOGICAL REPORT DATED AUGUST 4, 1986, AS AMENDED ON MARCH 16, 1987, AND AS AMENDED ON JANUARY 5, 1988. AMENDMENT #3 DECEMBER 20, 1988 I NTRODUCTl ON It Is Important as we contInue the long term development of Quantum Corporate Park that there be a c I ear understand I ng of the Deve I oper' s Intentions and responsibilIties, as well as those that he must interface wIth at each of the varIous controlling agencies. The contInued discussion of factors Impacting decisIons wIth respect to Sand Pine Scrub, have clouded a number of the specIfic requirements of the Development Order with recommendatIons that tend to unjustly expand the original requirements. The Developer has taken the posItion steadfastly, since their acquisition of the property, that they are dedIcated to the pres~rvatfon of 40 acres of Sand Pine Scrub on the property known as Quantum Corporate Park. Consistent with that commitment Is the Developer's be 1 i ef that the Deve I opment Order runs with the I and and trldt a II subsequent land owners and developers of property withIn Quantum Corporate Park are bound by the same requirements and restrictions of the Development Order. The Importance of thIs distinctIon is that the //- ent I re land area of Quantum Corporate Park has not and will not be developed at this time. The individual tracts remain undeveloped. Many of the Deve I opment Order requ I rements are keyed to deve I opment since that Is the approprIate tIme for decision making relative to those parcels of land. We continue to present this argument and, therefore. ask you, within the further discussions of this amendment, to delay some of your final decIsions wIth respect to Sand PIne Scrub, until specific lots Including such scrub areas are developed. The presentatIon of thIs amendment begins wIth a restatement of portIons of the Deve I opment Order and hopefu II y a c I ear de 1 I neat I on of exact 1 y what the Developer's responsibIlities are at thIs Juncture. Fol lowing that clarifIcation Is a discussion of mlcrosltlng - the procedure that wi 11 be ut I I Ized to both ensure the preservat Ion of scrub areas unt f1 the mlcrosttlng has been finally delineated. and also. an Identification of the procedure to be ut II f zed f n I dent i fy I ng those areas. F i na II y, the rema f nder of the amendment wIll be a narrat I ve that fo II ows the questIons raised In MIke Busha's letter of ~arch 9, 1988. DEVELOPMENT ORDER CONDITION #6 "(6lThe Developer shall preserve In vIable conditIon a minimum of forty (40) acres of Sand Pine Scrub canopy, understory and groundcover vegetat Ion. Pr lor to commencement of any c I ear I ng actIvitIes, the Developer shall survey the site to determine the numbers and distribution of any populations of the Gopher Tortoise, FlorIda BurrowIng Owl. FlorIda Gopher Frog, Florida Mouse. and FlorIda Scrub LIzard whIch occur. Sand Pine Scrub Preserve area(s) shall be of appropriate size, quality and arrangement to maintaIn all populations of the species. A preservatIon plan shall be developed which: (a) IdentIfIes and delineates the boundarIes of Sand Pine Scrub habitat areas to be preserved; (bl provides for the effective relocation Into preserve area(s) of any populatIons of the specIes of concern listed above whIch occur outside the preserve area(s) lImits; and (cl provIdes a management program for the Sand PIne Scrub Preserve area(s) whIch wIll provIde and maintain suitable habitat for the species of concern whIch exist or are relocated into the area(s). The above plan shall be submItted to the City of Boyntorl B.::ach. FlorIda Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission. Department of Natural Resources, and the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Counci I. No development shall occur until the plan has been approved by all of the responsIble agencIes and the animals are relocated In accordance with the approved plan." '-, To begin with, the Developer has. compIled completely with some of the requIrements of Condition #6 as follows: Prior to the commencement of any clearing actIvitIes, the Developer did survey the site, presented It to the applicable agencies, received approval of the surveys, and relocated anImals with respect to the conditions Imposed wIthin a sub- area of the 40 acre northern preserve (Preserve Area #1). Such sub-area Is still contaIned withIn the 25.7 acre preserve as Incorporated in our current Master Site Development Plan and dedIcated under our plats for continued preservatIon. Next. the Developer has developed a Preservation Plan whIch accomplIshes the following: a) The plan Identifies and delineates by survey and legal descrIption the boundaries of the two Sand Pine Scrub areas that will be preserved. The tota I area of such preserves is 40 acres. The Development Order does not contain any provIsion that these areas be fenced or otherwise des I gnated on the property. The additional delIneation of Sand Pine areas in the amount of 12 acres wI II be IdentIfIed on specIfic development tracts as they are developed. b) The plan that has been developed provided for the effective relocation Into the preserve area of the populations of specIes of concern listed withIn CondItion #6 that were discovered as part of the site survey. The animals were relocated In accordance with the dIrections of the Game and Freshwater Fish Con.nlsslon as Identified In the prevIously approved copy of the EcologIcal Plan. c) The Developer has provIded a management program for the northern Sand Pine Scrub Preserve area wh I ch w f II prov I de and I1Id I nta i n suitable habitat for the species of concern which exist or are relocated Into the area. It Is a Developer's belief that through complIance with Sections A, B, and C of the Preservation Plan that they have. In effect, fully completed the requirements of the PreservatIon Plan, except for the fInal del ineatlon of the additional 12 acres of scrub yet to be defIned In the mlcrosited areas. If, for any reason. you disagree with that position, It Is Important that we discuss It Immediately. The fInal paragraph of Condition #6 requIres that the Preservation Plan be submitted to the applicable agencIes for approval and that no development shall occur until the plan has been approved by all agencies and the animals were relocated In accordance with the approved plan. Both of these requirements have been fulfilled, and an approval to begin clearing was received. Since approval. It was determined that additional scrub other than what was provIded within the preserve must be Identified. However, It was never determined that the relocation of species of concern was InvalIdated by such discovery. Furthermore. the preserve area within the northern section of Quantum Corporate Park was ma I nta I ned at 25.7 acres to spec I fIca 11 y a 11 ow appropr I ate areas for such specIes. Again, since we have fully complied wIth the requirements for the Preservat Ion P I an. we see as our on I y respons I b I 1 ity the establishment of 12 acres of mlcroslted Sand Pine Scrub area; not as a habItat for endangered species. but as an area to provide for our requirement to preserve 40 acres of Sand Pine Scrub. There are a few other specIfIcs wIth respect to the Development Order language that are necessary to view closely so that a proper InterpretatIon of the mlcroslted areas can be made. a) In the fIrst paragraph of Condition #6, the Development Order states that "Sand Pine Scrub Preserve areas shall be of appropriate size, quality, and arrangement to maintaIn all populations of these specIes". Since the only requirefn"nt for size, quality, and arrangement have to do with the mairltenance of endangered species, we do not think stringent requir6ments on the mlcroslted areas were contemplated by thIs Develor~ent Order condition. It must be remembered that all relocated species have been moved to the 2S.7 acre preserve at the north end of the park. b I I t must be po I nted out that the Preservat ion P I an ca 1 I ed for under CondItIon #6 has to do with the plan that preserves the specIes of concern listed In the first paragraph of the >--~-- cond I t I on, (1.) U,E: plan f1eo::ded to be deve 1 oPE:d SuLl, t Io"t it Id,mtlfled the boundaries. of the habitat areas t,) be pr~s~rved; (2.) provided for tho:: effE:ctlve reloccotion Into the p'berVE: popu I at ions of the SPE:C I es and; (3. ) pro v I ded " m,,".j~em~nt program for the Sand Pine Scr ub Preserve wh I ch 101 III pr c'. I dt' ar,u maintain suitable habitat for the species of concern. It is clear that the Preservation Plan has to do wltn pr~s,'rvlng co hal.litat for the species of concern rather them an "'''~istem containing specific plar,b and soi Is. c) Finally, we must note under Item C of Condition #6 lI,at the rE:gu I rement I s for a ffiilnagement program, not for d ~f.J"C I f i c management plan. Wo: interpret the difference LeinSI that co management program out I ines the kinds of thing; ttl..,t wi II be done, how they shou I d be under'taken, and wI,O 51,,0.11 d be responsible. We don't bel ieve a management pro';jI'"m gds into spec I f I c cost est i m",tes for undertak I ng act Ions ye"r" I n the future, nor the Identification of methods of pcoYllIents fe,r SUCt, act I v I ties, on I y the fact that I n order to manag~ u,,, I...>b i tat such th I ngs wi i I be undertaken at the direct I on of c0ln~let ent supervisory control and that the responsibility to Carry It out is clearly dedicated and undertaken by the Propel ty Owners Association, as Identified In the Protective Cov"nants already recorded for Quantum Corporate Park. HICROSITING AS ADDRESSED WITHIN THE ADA The Boynton Beach Park of Cammer ce (nk/a) Quantum Park at tJuyr,t(,r, I:lo:"c'-d ADA Is fUlly Incorporated into the Development Order pur,uant to Condition #1 of the Development Order. Pages 41 and 42 of App"ndiA 18- A-I have been Included herein for your reference. On pdge 42. conclusion and recommendation #7 reads as follows: (7)" "At least 251. of the existing undisturbed Sana Pir,e Scrub Vegetation (32 acres) at the eastern edge of the propert~'. allJ jlJst northwest of 22nd Avenue. be preserved by jUd I c i 0"5 ;; it i rig of buildings on the various lots in this parcel (see m"l'-s Ii dl,cJ /j__I). "Note: Preservation of ttlis portion of the S"nd Pin" Scrub vegetat Ion sha II ue the r-espons i b i I i ty of the for Jp"r t y (Jwr,ers Association cond an Architectural Review Committee. / As we all know, the final requir-ement, as stated In t1,e Dev"I"pment Order, was the preservation of 40 acres, of Sand Pine ScruL.. within Quantum Corporate Park. _ It is Important to note, however. thal from the ear llest phases of Sand Pine preservation discussion. tile inr,,"tions wer-e to allow mlcrosltlng of Sand Pine on specific de',eloprru",L lots. Hare particularly, It was also noted that the portion of S<lnd Pir,e Scrub that would be preserved on Individual building lots would be (Wtermlned at the time buildings were sited on such lots and development of such .~ / lots were to take place. Furthermore. It was determined that the Property Owners AssQclatlon and the Architectural Review Committee would be the appropriate bodies to be involved In such delineation of mlcroslted areas when such parcels developed. This process, as endorsed by the Development Order, Is what we plan to follow In the completion of this project. HICROSITING OF 12 ACRES OF SAND PINE SCRUB The Developer cannot give up Its flexibility with respect to microsltlng Sand Pine Scrub areas until such time as Individual tracts of land are developed. Therefore, micros I tes cannot be I dent I fled at th is t I me. However, to assure all agencies that appropriate scrub Is retained In the undeveloped areas (on development tracts) In excess of 12.0 cocres, we have submitted herewith an existing record of the additional Sand Pine Scrub that exists at this time. Included herewith Is ii 200 scale aerial photograph and tract map del ineatlng those areas of remaining Sand Pine Scrub. Furthermore. Quantum Corporate Park hereby agrees to submit an area tract map on a quarterly basis Identifying those potential Sand Pine Hlcrosltes that still exist and those that have been delineated within development site plans as preserve areas that shall be held In preservation In perpetuity. The tract map will be submitted quarter I y unt I 1 such t I me as the add I t I ana 1 12 acres of Sand Pine Hicrositlngs have been dedicated. The time of dedication and acceptance wi 11 be at the completion of lot development so that no danger of destroying dedicated Sand Pine could occur during lot development. , -, Ecoch quarterly submission of the tract map wi I I be reviewed with the Forester of the City of Boynton Be"ch for tt,elr concurrence. anLl tt,en submitted to the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Counci I for thE:lr concurrence. In addition to the mlcroslted areas of existing scrub there t,as been, and will continue to be, a pOlicy held by Quantum Corpurat" P"rk developers to allow and encourage developers of Individual sit~s to replant landscape areas witt, scr'ub vegetation. Througt, tim", a, such scrub areas fully develop, the developer may wish to pet it jun rr"asure Coas t Reg i ana I PI ann i ng Counc i 1 to approve such areas "s Sa; I(J Pine Hicrosite areas. Since It is Impossible to consider all of the variations of ;0; Is and plant materials that may be Involved In this type of ree;l"mat iun and Sand Pine reestab I i shment, our proposa I I s to mere I y I eave tt,e Lkc i 5 i on concerning the scrub's viability to the City Forester and Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council at the time such petition is made. Given that flexlbi Ilty, decisions about such replanted areas and the 4 a':Tes of scrub fingers already planted can be left to a time that tt,elr' viabl I ity Is assured by on-site Investigation after establishment of vegetdtion. RESPONSE TO HICHAEL BUSHA'S LETTER TO CARHEN ANNUNZIATO DATEO HARCH 9. 1988 The following convnentary attempts to provide a complete explanation for those Items requested In Hichael Busha's letter of Harch 9, 1988. Some of the Items that have been requested fall outside the responsibilities of the Oeve I oper as 11 sted I n the Deve 1 opment Order Cond f t Ions #6 and #9. Wherever we could comply with these additional requests, we have wi 111ngly. With respect to other reconvnendatfons or suggestions that add specific complications to the completion of our work, we regret that we cannot readily comply with all of these. A detal led review Is as follows: Under the wetland and littoral zone plan, we have Incorporated Into our attachments a number of Items which we believe wi 11 fully clarify the questions raised In this section of the letter. We have Included boundary surveys of both of the existing preserved wetlands. Including therewith reports for the exotic removals within those wetlands and their ongoing management plans. both approved by the DER under their permit conditions. Additionally we have submitted a set of drawings which show the complete plant list and planting plans for all of the lakes within the park Identifying the littoral zones and hardwood swamp areas. The plans are depicted In such a way that they are tied directly Into the Haster Site Development Plan. approved In February of this year. The second paragraph of Page 2 of Hr. Busha's letter addresses the lack of surveyed locations of microslted scrub areas. The preceding Information Identifying "Conclusion and Recommendations" of the ADA Indicates that surveyed locations of microslte coreas are not appropriate until Individual tracts have been approved for deve I opment. Furthermore, we have proposed wa I t I ng unt 11 development on these tracts is complete and a survey of actual remaining scrub Is made, as a means of greater assurance. A case In point Is our first development site, Publ Ix Super Harket/Dlstrlbutlon Center, which has retained a 20' strip of Sand Pine Scrub on their easternmost boundary. Upon completion of the site, which should occur In February or March of next year, it Is the IntentIon of the Property Owners Association to investigate the Sand Pine Preserve area, review It with the City of Boynton Beach Forester, and have It delineated as a Preserve Mlcrosite are". At that time, a legal description and survey of the area wi II be prepared. With respect to Identifying those scrub areas whiCh are options for mlcrosltlng, please refer-to the enclosed tract map that Identifies all areas of existing Sand Pine Scrub on the site. All of these areas will remain until such time as the Individual lots are developed. Prior to the commencement of any clearing beyond what was done for the infrastructure Improvements (conpleted at this time), a site plan approval and permit must be obtained from the City of Boynton Becoch. This process Is the control by which the Deve 1 oper and the Quantum Corporate Park Property Owners Association assures that no additional Sand Pine Scrub wi II be cleared without the express permission of the City and the Developer, and such permission will only be given with a complete understanding that a 12 acre area of potentla1 mlcrosltlng sti 11 exists within the Quantum Corporate Park site. Paragraph #3 on Page 2 of the letter discusses the reduction of the northern preserve area from 40 acres to 25.7 acres. The size of the existing preserve was determined based upon animal relocation. We apprec I ate Treasure Coast. s pos I t I on that the reduct Ion does not affect the relocated populations and have pursued confirmation of such position from Joan Diemer of the Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission. Hs. Diemer has received the enclosed letter from us requesting official confirmation of these facts. Paragraph #3 on Page 2 of the I etter I nd I cates that add I t I ana I gopher tortoise burrows were observed on tracts not being developed at this time within Quantum Corporate Park. Please be aWdre that the park Is surrounded by lands that have a relatively high occurrence of gopher tortoise burrows. When we trapped and 'relocated all of the gopher tortoise on our 562 acres to the 25 acre / preserve, we opened considerable area for Intrusion of gopher tortoIse from borderIng properties. We expect this IntrusIon to contInue. Under the requirements of the Development Order, we have surveyed and trapped the Initial populations In accordance with the requirements. All animals were relocated to the 25.7 acre preserve area. In the future development of Individual parcels, the Developer, whether It be Quantum Associates or someone who has purchased land from us, has a responslbf I Ity to deal with the endangered species In concert with the Development Order. However, the park Deve 1 oper does not contemp I ate any further an I ma I survey nor relocatIon as part of the Infrastructure Improvement. In the final paragraph of Page 2, there Is discussion concernIng what requirements there are wIth respect to Sand Pine management. The Development Order Clearly requires the Developer to prepare a management program which will provide and maintain suitable habitat for the species of concern. We feel the plan already submitted approprIately carries out the mission. However. In the interest of mak I ng I t more comprehens I ve, we have asked our consu I tant to elaborate on the management of these areas and he has done so. Included hereIn Is the Resource Management Plan for the Sand Pine Scrub Preserves and 2 dated 13 of December, 1988. Since the Management Program required by the Development Order has been geared towards maintaining scrub habitat for endangered species, it is not our intent to prepare a Management Plan for the mlcroslted areas. Page 3 of the letter under Hanagement Plan Goal. lists the first goal as long term maintenance of vegetative diversity. Although this may be desirable. It Is not clear that this Is a requirement of the Developer under the Development Order. The second part of the plan goal. Longterm Provision of Suitable Habitat for Endangered and Threatened Species. again. this Is clear that It Is a Developer responslbfl Ity In the Development Order and we have appropriately addressed It. Item #3 in the Management Plan goal Is the scrub salls preservation. This again is not a specific requirement of the Deve 1 opment Order. A 1 though these I terns are not spec I f I c requ I rements of the Deve I opment Order. we have endeavored to keep them utmost In our consideration In the preparation of our Management Plan. Of the Items A through F requested In the letter. Items A. Band C, considering the caveats just expressed. are discussed in detail in the Resource Management Plan for Sand Pine Scrub Preserve #1 and #2. Quantum Corporate Park. 1 tem D. You have requested an est I mate of the tota I cost of Implementing the proposed Habitat Management Plan, inCluding personnel required. We are unaware of what costs might be since they are so dependent upon adjacent deve 1 opnlent at the time of management procedures. They are also highly Influenced by changes In codes and other laws which affect the procedures. A current estimate In 1988 dollars is $11.300.00. Under Item E you've asked for the entity responsible for ImplementatIon of the proposed Hanagement Plan. Again, there Is only a management program, and the entity responsible for carrying out the program and delineation of the specIfic plan that ties with the timIng and the adjacent development. Is the Quantum Corporate Park Property Owners Association. Under Item F, the Instrument which provides reasonable assurance that the fInancial and institutional abilIty to carry out the commitments Included In the Hanagement Program exists, Is the Quantum Corporate Park Covenants which have been recorded as part of the plat approval process for Quantum Corporate Park. A copy of such Covenants are Included herein. The first paragraph of Page 4 of Hr. Busha's letter discusses the rei lef of mlcroslted areas, should additional Sand Pine Scrub be created elsewhere on the property. Consistent with my comments earl ier. I agree with Hr. Busha's position that Sand Pine Scrub creation experiments cannot be approved until a criteria Is established. However. 1 think the appropriate formation of the crIterIa depends upon the wItness of a successful creation experiment. We feel It Is appropriate to address this Item when we have areas that are felt by our consultant to be appropriately considered as Sand PIne Scrub. At that time, the prevailing definitIon of Sand PIne Scrub can be used to evaluate It. WIth respect to the last paragraph of Hr. Busha's letter. it has been much more efficient for us to specifically respond to the areas of concern raIsed by the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Councl I rather than revIsiting the areas of the previously developed plan. 1 trust that the plan, as presented herein, addresses all existing concerns and can brIng us to a speedy approval of the document and Implementation of the remainder of the plan. '-, . . ~ ENCLOSURES 1. Letter from George Zimmerman to Joan Diemer at the FlorIda Game & Freshwater Fish Commission dated December 21. 1988. 2. Boundary surveys of the two wetlands. 3. The Wetland Exotic Removal Plan and Management Plan as prepared by Don Richardson. (get dates) 4. Ten blueprint drawings Indicating the lake plantlngs for the littoral zones and the hardwood swamps. The plans have been prepared so that they tie-In completely with the approved Master Site Development Plan. 5. Boundary survey of Sand Pine Preserve Area #1. 6. Boundary survey of Sand Pine Preserve Area #2. 7. Resource Management Plan for Sand PIne #2. dated 13 December, 1988 Consultants/Donald Richardson, PhD. Scrub Preserve Areas #1 and prepared by Ecological 8. Aerial photograph at 1" " 200 scale taken at the completion of clearIng for the Infrastructure development of Quantum Corporate Park. The date of the photograph Is October. 1988. 9. A coordinated tract map at 1" " 200 scale that Indicates the two Sand Pine Preserve areas and the remaIning Sand Pine Scrub areas that can be potentIal mlcrosited areas located within tracts yet to be developed at a later date. 10. PageS 41 and 42 of Append I x 18-A-I of the Boynton Beach Park of Commerce (N/K/A Quantum Park at Boynton Beach) ADA. These pages are Included and Incorporated Into the Development Order pursuant to ConditIon 'I of the Development Order. 11. A copy of M I chae I Busha' s 1 etter to Mr. Carmen Annunz I ato dated March 9. 1988. 12. Quantum Corporate Park Protective Covenants ..,. R~lll\' "In "'nrl LluJc:rJale DUin: QUANTUM CORPORATE PARK December 21, 1988 Hs. Joan Diemer FlorIda Game & Freshwater Fish Commission 4005 South Haln Street Galnsevllle, Florida 32601 Re: Endangered Species Location - Quantum Corporate Park Dear Ms. Diemer: We are currently trying to finalize all of our EcologIcal approvals with the City of Boynton Beach and the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council. It has come to our attention that you have never responded in writing concerning our last Master Plan change approved by the City of Boynton Beach In February, 1988. Treasure Coast has asked that you respond concernIng the reduction In size of the northern preserve area from 40 acres to 25.7 acres, and the Introduction of a new preserve area of 14.3 acres in the southern portion of the site. To refresh your memory, the change In Sand Pine Preserve areas did not require any further relocation of animals, and all animals remained In the areas Into which they were originally located. These facts are substantiated by the original animal containment fence and the subsequent monitoring reports prepared and distributed to you by Ecological Consultants (Don Richardson). Our understandIng, that comes from discussions with Don, is that you are In accord wIth the animal relocations and the reconfigured Sand Pine Preserve. We would be grateful if you could confirm such to the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council and copy ourselves and Carmen Annunziato at the City of Boynton Beach with your communication. Thank you for your assistance. Very truly yours, , <!j,1. )!.( It), ZL;ILIIl{ GEORGE W: ZIMMERMAN Vice President of Development 1 /llrO\../' ((1..(IIL J GWZ:aem (dlemer) CC: Mr. Hlchael J. Toll Hr. Carmen Annunziato Hr. Hichael Busha Mr. Donald Richardson David S. Pressly, Esq. The 110 Tower. 21st Floor. 110 Southea'il Sixth Slreet . Fort Lauderdale, Florida .1.1301-3-11:) Broward IJOS) 7bJ-tIlltlll. FAX i:\OSI 7bJ.X'I'Jb. Palm Beach 140717.14..155S . Dade (JOS) 9-IS-XIIO. I<<X~411.SI14 A DeUf!i('hllrelunJ Propert;es- Aldl'i" Simon Joint J't.ntUrt' The Building. 112S Northeast 125 Street. North Miami. Florida 331hl - 1.10S1 X91-hXI~)' FAX 1,10'>1 X9S.X14I _/ :>:l ~ H VI trI t:l w ...... .... '" ...... 00 -..J t-<"l trlH GlGl :1>'<:: t. :>:l trI t:l trI* Ulw n :>:l HW '1:1' 1-')00 H 0:1>' zn :>:l Intrl Ul~ C::trI :>:ll-') <:t-< trI~ ><t:l 00 So, ...'" '" , -1:- 0E~ . ~ , I.... ...- '~E ...-, ....... I, 1>0 ~.~ zz " t "'0 .1 a ... '" i co ~ i :0 ... 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Dear Mike: TAMPA, FL 33614 (813) 866-4266 Enclosed is a revised copy of the exotic removal protocol for the 6 acres of non-jurisdictional DER wetlands located L c:-;': northwest portion of the project. If you have any quest~ons, please give me a call. Sincerely, ~~ ~ ,tf'd/ ~ Donald Richardson, Ph.D. DRR/jlr ~ ECO OGICAL CONSULTANTS 7301 SUMMfABAIDGf DR. TAMPA, FL 33814 (813) 886,4288 III May H88 Hr. Rich Bude11 Florida Department of Agriculture Room 2118B Mayo Building Tallahassee, Fl. 32399-11811" Re: Exotic Removal proposal for Quantum Park, Boynton Beach. Dear Mr. Budell: Enclosed is a revised copy of the exotic removal protocol for the 6 acres of non-jurisdictional DER wetlands located in tp~ northwest portion of the project. As we discussed on the telephone, please send me written approval for use of Arsenal within Florida wetlands. A copy should also be sent to Mr. Mark Latch, Bureau of Permitting, DER. If you have any comments or require changes, please indicate on your copy or in a letter.. Thank you for your cooperation. Sincerely, ~~~L_/- Donald RiChardson, Ph.D. DRR/jlr EXOTIC REMOVAL FROM NONJURISDICTIONAL WETLANDS WITHIN THE QUANTUM PARK DEVELOPMENT, BOYNTON BEACH. . Rev heCl As specified in the Department of Environmental Regu~~tin" Permit '591268889 under Specific Conditions Numbers 5 and 6, cl! exotic vegetation will be removed from the wetlands and replante~ with hardwood swamp species. Specific item Number 6 requires the locations, numbers anCl species of plants that will be removed anCl a list of those to be installed. The following report details a plan to remove the existing punk trees (Melaleuca quinquenervia) from both wetlands. After a close examination of both systems, the sQuthern wetland (2.2 acres) is dominated by two dense stands (0.11 acres) of punk trees on the northwest corner and western edge. A smaller group of trees were also found within a 20 foot hand along the southeast and eastern edges of the wetland. As per the requirements established within the Development Order, most of the fringing Melaleuca trees (ca. 361) were removed from the wetland. Each tree was removed from the berm with a front end loader and a chain. This would preclude the need for heavy equipment in the wetland since the peat laye~~ exceed 4 feet in many areas. The dense stands required special consideration since they extend out into the wetland beyond the limits of the heavy equipment. A berm was constructed out into the wetland several meters in order to reach the southern extent of the Melaleuca head. The trees were also removed as indicated above. All berm ~ <: / materials w~re removed to existing grade to allow germination from existing seed sources. Under the present water conditions, most of the naturally occurring herbaceous species "rOL'l~ germinate from the existing muck layers. Isolated trees within the wetland (ca. 89 saplings) will l)t; treated with the herbicide, Arsenal. This herbicide was requested for use at Quantum Park by the Florida Department of Agriculture. Arsenal has been used effectively for control of Melaleuca and Brazilian pepper within Florida. Prior to the treatment of isolated Melaleuca trees, the water table within the wetland will be slightly lowered to within a few inches of the muck layer or applied during spring drought conditions. All treatments will be administered so that no herbicide reaches the water table. Application to Melaleuca will be done 113ing t'J", frill/girdle technique as indicated in the Supplemental La~Bll~b report (EPA SLN No. FL-871111II) for Arsenal. Since most of the trees are less than 6 inches in circumference, ~pproximately 511' of the bark will be removed and a cut made into at least two growth rings. Undiluted Arsenal will be brushed into each cut. Re-application may be required for those trees that a:~ n~~ killed during the first treatment. The above protocol for exotic removal would require the installation of some hardwood tree species. Understory ferns and herbs will recolonize these areas within several months. Only in areas which do not respond to natural germination will wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera), dahoon holly (~cassine) or red bay (persea palustris) be installed. 3 All trees (3 gallon nursery grown stock) will be installed on 10 foot centers or in small clumps to simulate the natural landscape. Approximately 48 trees would be required based on the 0.11 acres of Melaleuca removed. Aftmr ~h= area has been cleared of Mela) euca, any exposed soil will be lowered to grade elevations in order to prevent Brazilian pepper coloniZiltion. The 3.8 acre wetland adjacent to the City Park is dominateq by 0.20 acres of dense Helaleuca. Host of the existing Melaleuca trees (ca. 300-500 trees including saplings) occur in the southwest corner of the site and average 3-8 inches dbh, becoming smaller to the east. The remaining trees are located in a small stand in the northeast corner of the site. To date, the dense stands of Melaleuca as referenced a~'ovs have been removed from the wetland. Isolated trees will be trea ted us i ng the fr ill/g i rd Ie techn i que as descr ibed in the Supplemental Labeling report for Arsenal. A copy of the Supplemental Labeling report for Arsenal has been included in this report. The same precautions regarding surface ~'ater conditions will be followed for this wetland during the treatment phase of the project. The natural vegetation of this wetland is dominated by several herbaceous species and scattered wax myrtles. As stated above, no herbaceous planting would be initiated unless natural recruitment does not occur. Approximately 89 trees will be installed in the former Melaleuca areas. A mixture of wax rnj:tl~ , /' -~- 4 (Myrica cerifera), red bay (persea palustris) and dahoon holly (~ cassine) will be planted on III foot centers or in small clumps to simulate natural swamp development. There has been some discussion suggesting that a possible alternative would be to completely remove the wetland and repla~~ with native species. Muck layers in these wetlands exceed j_~ feet in thickness; thus requiring some form of de-mucking for removal of the exotics. The muck would later have to be installed to proper elevations and replanted with both oath,.., trees and herbs. This type of exotic removal may stimu:i::~~ Melaleuca establishment in the wetlands and therefore, a poor altenative to preservation of an already functioning wetla-nd. A maintenance program would be initiated to curtail possible exotic recruits or to further retreat those trees that might not have been killed during the initial treatment with herbici,<:le. Since this herbicide will be applied during low water and by hand, death the other woody species will be held to a minimal level. Maintenance will occur every 60 days in order to treat new seedlings or to retreat saplings that were not killed during the first application. All monitoring reports will be submitted to the deve' ~_'(lr~ of the property for submittal to the required ~g&nc~~~. Monitoring will occur semi-annually for the first and seconu year. Monitoring reports will include percent mortality of treated exotics, percent cover by natural wetland species, and 4 survival data on planted trees. Color photographs will be used to document the elimination of exotic species from the wetlands. All Melaleuca trees were removed from the wetlands by the Ryan Corporation. Trees were placed in piles and allowed to dry for several weeks. All Melaleuca will be burned on site in large earthen pits supplied with forced air to reduce carbon formatior and smoke. This method has been excellent to contro~ .'1""C'.f"' problems which may affect local neighborhoods or Inters~a~~ traffic. / 5 I I ~ :1 II I (EPA REG, ~O, 241-273) _.;..,_,__.,. r o --, L __....., ,:.~~EPA SlN N-O, FL-870011n~___ ___ -_..-~ FOR DISTRIBUTION AND USE ONLY WITHIN FLORIDA , I I \ _I _ -"- .- , FOR CONTROL OF MELALEUCA AND BRAZILIAN PEPPERTREE IN NON-CROP IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA' ACTIVE INGREDIENT: Isopropylamine salt of Imazapyr (2-[4,5-dihydro-4-methyl-4-(1-methylelhyl)-5-oxo-1 H-im- Idazol.2-yl)-3-pyridlnecarboxylic acid)'. . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . 27,6% INERT INGREDIENT. . . ... .. .. . . . ... .. . . ... . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .. . . .. . .. . .. . . . . _ .. _72.4% TOTAL.. . . . . .. I" . . . . . ............... . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . ... . .. . . .... ... .. .. 100:0C'/CI 'Equlvalonllo 22,8% 2-14.5-<lIhydrll+molhyl-4-(l.molhylolhyll-S-ox.;.' H-lmidazol-2-Ytj:'3-pyridi,,_xylic ocid ot 2 pounds acid por gallon. ,.... ~.;,.: ----DIRECTIONS 'FOR USE" - - - --/ FRILUGIRDLE TFf.EATMENTS It is a violation 01 federal law to use this product Using a hatchet or machete, rhake cuts through the In a manner Inconsistent with its labeling. bark and completely aroundtti'e tree with no mOle ARSENAL- herbicide is recommended lor the than 3 inch Intervals betwee~"cut edges, The cut control 01 Brazilian peppertree (5ch/nus lare. should angle downward e~t~nding into the cam. b/nlhilollus) and Malaleuca (Mela/eucs qu/quana,.. bium enough to expose atl~t two growth rings, v/a) In non-crop In Rorida. All treatments should be Using a spray applicator or til'Ush. apply a solution made only during the annual dry season and only containing undiluted ARSENI\L into each cut until when surface water conditions are In compliance 'thoroughly wet. Do not apply so much herbicide with those specified on this label In the Instructions that runoff to the ground or water occurs, Do not lor use lor a particular application method. Do not 'make this type 01 application lithe tree is in flowing apply this material in any manner not specified on water, The site 01 the cut should be one foot abOVfl this label, Do not apply to runoff. the expected level 01 the suliace water il standing or flowing water Is anticipated at the site within OM _L _ __ _ _, .__ __._ week, On smaller trees (4' to 6' circumference) cut INJECTION TREATMENTS 0" ,on both sides 01 tree (I,e, 59% of circumference) Using standard Injection equipment, apply 1 milll-o ~nd apply undiluted herbicide' as described above. liter 01 undiluted ARSENAL solution at each Injec-' 0 , - --- ---,...... tion site around the tree with no more than 3 inc~ ' : HELD S Intervals between cut edges. Insure that the inlec, , ~ LOW.VOLUME HAND- PRAYER tor completely penetrates the bark at each site. I~ ' APPUCATIONS standing or 1I0wlng water Is present or expected ARSENAL herbicide may be applied using back- within the next week, the Injection sltl/ should be a~ pack. knapsack and other pump-up type pressure least one loot above the average waler level. It no sprayers used to direct application to tree foliage. standing or flowing water Is presen or expected Thoroughly mix a 1 percent solution of ARSENAL within the next week, the Injection sites should be !n vegetation to be controlled with the spray solu- near the ground level when using tubular injector tion, DO NOT make this type of application il the equipment. or at waist height when using the tree is in standing or lIowing water, DO NOT over HYPO. 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"'5% ~"'~ hlll RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR SAND PINE SCRUB PRESERVE '1 AND '2, QUANTUM PARK, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA. 13 December 1988 by Donald Richardson, Ph.D. Ecological Consultants 7301 Su~nerbridge Drive Tampa, Florida 33614 2 Introduction As per the Development Order proposed by the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council and the City of Boynton Beach, approx imately 40 acres of sand pine scrub vegetation was set aside as a nature preserve within the Quantum Park (DR!) project. Since most of the scrub within the above referenced proj8ct had been severely disturbed by sporadic understory cle"ring and livestock grazing, the said 40 acres was divided Into two disjunct sand pine preserves (Figure 1). preserve.l i:; located north of N.W. 22nd Avenue and contains about 25.7 aCh,S of sand pine scrub and abandoned dry prairie/pine flatwoods habitats (Figure 2). Approximately 14 acres of this site is dominated by sand pine scrub vevegation. Preserve 12 is located west of High Ridge Road and south of N.W. 22nd Avenue and includes a mixture of 13.0 acres of sand pine scrub and 1.3 acres of disturbed grassland (Figure 3). The remaining 12 acres of sand pine scrub needed to meet the 40 acre requirement will be selected from extant scrub areas and recreated or reclaimed scrub landscapes (Amendment .3). The purpose of this report is to define the proposed management philosophy and methodology for longterm preservation of these two preserve sites. BASIC MANAGEMENT PHILOSOPHY The objective of the resource management plan is to preserve, through management, a representative sample of an original Florida ecosystem, thereby maintaining the natural 3 diversity of both plants and animals. RESOURCE DESCRIPTION PRESERVE n Disturbances to plant communit ies have long been v iewed as an outside threat to the normal functioning of the cOim'hlllity. In the sand pine scrub community, the resilency of most of the indicator species has been attributed to recovery vi" sprouting from preexisting root stocks, as very few species in the scrub recover via seed (i.e., Ceratiola ericoides and Pinus C'l~). The vegetation of the preserve area is charact0rized as young or early successional sand pine scrub with scatt0red areas of dry prairie/pine flatwoods. A total of 119 plant sp0cies (41% are obi igate to sand pine scrub) have been observed IHthin the preserve (Table 1). Although clearing of the llnderstory and thinning of the sand pine occurred prior to 1983, community recovery is rapidly occurring. The overstory trees are dominated by widely spaced sand pine (Pinus clausal (138 trees per acre) of at least two diUerent age classes (10-20 years and 20-35 years). Tree core data from established permanent plots indicates that the avera~e age of sand pine is 18.34 years old, with the oldest trees (19-36 years) in the northeastern corner of the preserve. There were no trees greater than 38 years, however, hundreds of young sapling are scattered throughout the preserve. Trees vary in size from 2.7- 36.7 cm dbh, reaching heights of 37-46 feet. The shrub layer is dominated by widely spaced scrub oaks 4 (Quercus myrtifolia, Quercus geminata), Palafoxia teayi, jo intweed (Polygonella polygama) and scrub mint (Conradina grandiflora). Average stern densities were highest for myrtle oak (93.8 sterns per 5 x 5 m quadrat) and sand live oak (79.8 stems per 5 x 5 m quadrat), while average height was 21.3 - 6B.5 cm. One year from the initial sampling effort, stem densities slightly decreased for both species of oaks, but shuwed some increase for jointweed (Polygonella polygama) and Palat",ia feayi in the permanent sampling plots. Changes in shrub stem densities over time for the Quantum Park scrub communities is consistent with other scrubs in south Florida. Recent data collected from III year fj"ld plots at Jonathan Dickinson State park indicate that scrub species composition remains fairly constant in mature scrub, however, stern densities in oaks shows a 2-3 fold increase. Changes in shrub densities within the preserve may not change much over the next few years since most of the understory was reduced to the ground surface in 1983. Seed inputs from existing Gaks will require longer intervals before new seedlings can be detected. The overall diversity is much higher than compared with other mature scrubs or other areas within Quantum Park (Richardson et al. 1986). Except for the oaks, other characteristic shrubs have begun to germinate in the open areas of the preserve. These shrubs include rosemary (Ceratiola ericoides), rusty lyonia (Lyonia ferruginea), scrub mint (Conrad ina grand i flora), tallowwood (x imenia allier icana), and \ __ ____L_ 5 jointweed (Polygonella ciliata and !:.:. gracilis). probably the most dramatic change in the shrub j"yer has been the establ ishment of Ceratiola. Rosemary often does not germinate until 2-5 years postfire, and its seedlings do not reach reproductive maturity for la to 15 years. To ,jilte, more than 25 2 year old shrubs have been observed throuljhout the preserve area. Johnson (1986) has shown that stand blomass increases slowly from 2 to 4 years, rapidly from 4 to 10 years and less rapidly between 10 and 35 years. The herbaceous component of the preserve area is represented by 92 species, including a large proportion (35%) of wt':ed species that have colonized disturbed areas (i.e., brush piles, trails and even gopher tortoise mounds). The most common herbs include broomsedge grass (Andropogon virginicus), ~~ rt':trorsus, Dichanthel ium sabulorum, innonence (Euphorbia pOlyphl'lIa), and hairsedge (Bulbostylis ciliatifolia). Average pelcent cover for the 8 permanent 1 x 1 m2 plots was 34% in 1987 and 3a% in 1988, showing a slight decrease which was largely attributed to a loss of broomsedge grass from the plots. Even though the percent cover decreased from 1987 to 1988, the number of species within the 4 sampling plots increased from 15 to 19. This change was due to an increase in the number of scrub endemics that have germinated throughout the preserve. Some of the mor" notable species include Bulbostylis, Lechea, Euphorbia, Dichanthelium, Aristida, Croton, and Liatris. Ruderal components have invaded the margins of the preserve 6 due to past disturbance from livestock. Several horses Qnd goats from the adjacent property have periodically enl0red the preserve. This has resul ted in some areas be i ng ('"nip letel y denuded from horses rolling in the sand for insect protection. Also the adjacent properties have been disturbed for such a long time that the ruderal components are well establ ished and potential seed banks are high. SCRUB FINGERS OF PRESERVE 41 Approximately 4 acres of sand pine scrub was created in an effort to increase the total nUlllber of acres within the sand pine preserve. A soil mulching technique utilized by the phosphate industry was used to recover 4 acres from former sand pins scrub slated for development on the project. To date, the establishement of scrub vegetation on these newly created ridges has been slow because of invasion by local pasture grdsses and weeds, drought, and localized disturbance from livestock. With time, these areas within the preserve will eventually become recognizable scrub in the early stages of development and may be used to el iminate an equi valent amount of scr ub from other commercial lots within the project. However, sinc€: scrub reclamation is in its infancy, this process may take H1iiny years before these areas are acceptable to all parties involved. PRESERVE 12 Historically, this tract of scrub vegetation shares a similar background with the preserve north of N.W. 22nd Ave. in that the understory was cleared in the early 1980's. What's 7 interesting about this 14 acres is that regeneration of a"nd pine has been prolific. This indicates that the type of mechanical disturbance used to clear the understory vegetation in this portion of the scrub caused less disturbance of soil profiles when contrasted with the area to the north or coodit Ions were more favorable for seed dispersal and/or germinatiun. Most of the area north of N.W. 22nd Ave. was cleared with a root rake which caused severe mechanical disruption and alteration of soil profiles. This type of clearing tends to remove a vast amount of underground roots and corms whIch would normally germinate with time. It appears that the 14 acres south of the N.W. 22nd Ave. was mowed, raked, or bulldozed in a slightly different fashion since many more endemic species and sand pine have germinated over the past 5-6 years. The site is dominated by sand pine (p inus cIall:>a) which range in size from 15-41 cm dbh reaching heights of 16-11 meters. Most of the trees lean to the west because of oftahore sea breezes. Tree core data indicates that most of the liJrger sand pine range in age from 21-45 years (Table 2). Exi:>ting sand pine densities within the preserve average about 45 trees per acre. Sand pine recruitment from ex isting seed bank reserves and periodic release by mature trees has been prolific for this scrub. Seedling densities range from 280 to 340 trees per acre. The shrub layer is dominated by scattered sand live oak (Quercus geminata), rosemary (Cerat.iola ericoidesl, Palafoxia feayi, jointweed (Polygonella polygama), saw palmette (Serenoa 8 repens), and scrub mint (Conradina grandifloral (Table 3). A large portion of the tract is covered with a dense m"t of love vine (Cassytha filiformis) which has killed many scrub mints. Most of the young rosemary appear to be about 3-5 years old based on nodal counts. The herbaceous layer is composed of wiregrass (Aristida gyrans), silkgrass (Pityopsis graminifolia), scrub sedge (Rhynchospora megalocarpal, hai rsedge (Bulbostyl is c i IL;~l i folia) , sand spike moss (selaginella arenicola), Dichantheliurn sabulorum, prickly pear cactus (Opuntia humifusa), rlatal grass (Rhynchelytrum repens), broomsedge grass (Andropogon :J..2C5!inicusl, and sawbriar (Smilax auriculatal (Table 3). Within the sand pine scrub preserve, approximately 1.3 acres along the western edge of the site (Figure 2B) is best classified as ruderal vegetation. It appears that these areas were once utilized as dump sites for building and residenti,,] debris. These areas support a thick grass layer composed of several weedy or exotic species. The dominant species include bahia grass (paspalum notatum), broomsedge grass (Andropogon viryinicus), natal grass (Rhynchelytrum repens), wild grape (Vitis munsoniana), and pokeweed (Phytolacca americana). Other associates include dogfennel (Eupatorium capillifoliuml, Caesar weed (Urena lobata), begger-ticks (Bidens alba), dwarf horseweed (Conyza canadensis), Sida cordifolia, periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus) and Brazil ian pepper (Schinus terebinthi fol ius) (Table 3) . 9 Within the disturbed vegetation, open sandy Jreas are dominated by a mixture of sand pine scrub species, mOSI notably, sand live oak, jointweed, pawpaw (As imina reti~L'-),- fetter bush, prickly pear cactus, Palafox ia feayi, and U""j softly (Cnidoscolus stimulosus) (Table 3). MANAGEMENT PROCEDURES In the stated objectives for the management at the property, there are major responsibilities for the long term preservation of the vegetation, wildlife, and soils, plus the area' 5 natural resources. In this role, the following comments are r<;asonable judgements as to the management "state of the art", su that the preserves will be sufficlently protected for the future and not just short-term realities. Assessment of impact and rndnagement recommendations are based on field observations, comparison of past records, and a review of pertinent literature. Fire Management Fire has a necessary historical role in the perpetuation of sand pine scrub and maintaining its diversity of vegetation. Man's efforts to suppress fires and the development of firebreaks provided by human activity (I.e., roadways) have created the need for investigating prescribed burning programs to maintain sand pine scrub. Maintenance of sand pine forests fit a general classification scheme where high intensity crown fires occur only once in the lifetime of sand pine or about every 30-60 years (Harper 1915, 1927; Webber 1935; Laessle 1958, 1967; Christensen 10 1981) and have virtually defied man's control efforts (Johansen and Cooper 1965; Hough 1973). Plow-lines are ineff0ctive and actions of people, equipment and tools on the ground are usually futile. Due to the potential devastation of t:hese t.ypes of wildfires, attempts at fire suppression have been the norm in Florida for more than 30 years. The unpredictable nat:ure of these fires, their infrequent occurrence, and the lack of information on conditions favorable for planned ignition in scrub habitats, have not allowed for the application of prescr ipt ion burning. Except where sites were totally mechanically prepared and treated as slash burns as in the Ocala National Forest, to date, there are only a few examples of prescribed management fires that imitate a control crown fire in sand pine scrub communities (Cooper 1972) (which are found in central and southern Florida dominated by pinus clausa var. clausa). Winter prescribed fires have been used extensively with much success in the Choctawhatchee sand pine communities (which are found in northern Florida dominated by pinus clausa var. immuginata), as the understory fuels associated with this community are light and produce low intensity fires at this time of the year (Cooper 1972). However, wildfires continue to be the rule and literature on prescribed burning in sand pine scrub is limited. Recently, Doren et. al. (1987) successfully burned two separate sand pine scrub preserves in Boca Raton using a modified fuel model to develop an effective prescription for burning sand 11 pine scrub under controlled conditions. The results of these controlled burns suggest that an effective, safe means exists to burn sand pine scrubs in a developed landscape, providing this option is available without smoke management problems and if weather conditions dictate prescription burning of t1w Quantum Park scrubs is possible. Management options for these two preserves range from a decision 1) to do nothing and let nature take its course; 2) to manage for the maintenance of a viable scrub ecosyst"m, which implies the natural biota, or 3) to focus management on the needs of one or more species. The decision to emphasize ecosystem or species management depends on the entity responsible for management, type of preserve, management objectives, area of the preserve and the nature of the surrounding lands. Within the sand pine scrub preserves of Quantum Park, the management objectives should focus on 1) maintenance of normal ecosystem processes which i ncl ude the perpetuat ion of endemic scrub plants and animals, 2) the conservation at local soil characteristics which support the vegetation; 3) maIntenance or restoration of normal hydrologic conditions; and 4) the prevention of establishment of exotic species. Prior to the formulation of a step-by-step approach for the maintenance of these two preserves, it has been decided that each preserve will be divided into several smaller components In order to provide mixed stands of different ages. Based on the life history characteristics of the sand pine (pinus clausal and 12 rosemary (Ceratiola ericoides) , a 30-50 year burn cycle has been adopted for this study. This was based on the specific mortality traits of sand pine (senescence at 50-60 years) and rosemary (senescence at 20-30 years). To further age each preserve, tree core data was gathered from randomly selected sand pines scat tered througho ut each preserve (Table 4). Us i n9 ttli s da ta, the scrub community of each preserve was divided into definable tracts that will be used to maintain the ecological diversity of the scrub (Figures 4A and 4B). FUEL MODEL The chaparral/high pocosin/mature shrub model (NFFl. Model 4) (Anderson 1982), was considered suitable as a base for developing a fuel model for the sand pine scrub community in central and south Florida (Table 4). NFFL Model 4 presupposes a brush/shrub fuel understory six or more feet high, flammable fal iage, a nearly continuous secondary overstory, with heavy loading of live and dead fine woody materials. Except for the more scattered understory, this is very similar to the sand pine scrub of the Quantum Scrub and seemed likely to be accurate in predictions of fire behavior in these fuels. Unlike some of the western brush types, which can usually be burned quite successfully under less than extreme conditions (Wright and Bailey 1982), sand pine has been virtually impossible to prescribe burn, and rarely burns except under the most extreme conditions (Cooper 1972) prescription parameter development for a sand pine scrub burn in southeastern Florida was based on a number of restrictive 13 conditions relating to each scrub site: both preserves are surrounded by local or large scale development, preserve n is adjacent to a proposed city park, and preserve .2 wi 11 be surrounded by industrial or commercial lots and possibly a hotel to the north. For permitting purposes, the stagnation index was required to be below 7 (Florida Department of Agriculture 1976). Environmental parameters used to establish fire behav ior predictions needed to provide for a reasonably intense fire in order to ensure that the sand pine scrub fuels would burn, yet be of moderate enough nature to be relatively certain of having acceptable fire behavior and smoke conditions. The following ranges of prescription parameters will be used in the scrub model: midflame windspeed of )-7 mph; wind direct ion easterly- southeasterly; relative humidity 45%-60%; 1 hour dE,ad fuel moisture < 11%; live woody fuel moisture 25%-75%; dry bulb temperature 75-85 of; and cloud cover < 10%. Val ues outside of the indicated ranges were also tested in the model but tound to be unacceptable (Doren et. a1. 1987). Fuels like the chaparral, which contain highly volatile compounds (we considered sand pine scrub such a fuel) require more preparation for prescribed burning than other fuel types (Wright and Bailey 1982). Because of the maximum spotting distance of 0.4 miles (0.64 km) and a probability of Ignition of 70, some site preparation will be considered necessary in order to ensure a successful burn and protect the values at risk. SITE PREPARATION ..._--'-~ 14 Three to four weeks prior to each burn, 10-20 m wide strips around each proposed burn site will be crushed using a small empty, roller drum-chopper (Model SL-7, Marden Manufacturing). One pass over the vegetation, with drums set parallfcl to each other, will be sufficient to produce a light slash, without appreciable soil disturbance or fuel compaction. A narrow (2-4 m wide) fire lane will be established around each preserve prior to each burn in order to prevent the possibility of a fire escaping into adjacent development lots. All of the sand pines within the chopped area will be dropped into the site to prevent spotting and to create hot-spots to help prepare a seed bed and open areas. Approximately 10-15 days will be required without rain in order to dry out the crushed fuels sufficiently and reduce fuel moisture to prescribed levels. Within Preserve 11, the dry prairie/pine flatwoods areas will be burned separately from the canopied areas of scrub. Due to the n_ature of the dry prairie, it - may be necessary to herbicide some of the grass pre-burn in or-der to stimulate the seeding of scrub species from the existing adjacent ridge. The sand pine fingers will not be regularly burned for at least 20 years except in areas now dominated by bahia grass. The most southern finger has been invaded from the west by bahia grass, nut sedge, and Ceasar's weed. These three species indicate that' soil conditions may not be suitable for longterm scrub surv ival since bahia grass will most likely out-compete early scrub colonizers. In an effort to eradicate these 15 troublesome species, areas ofbahia grass will be herbicided and then mulched with hay or other suitable materials in order to increase fuel loads. The area will then be burned and a thin layer of scrub top soil will be broadcast over the burned areas. This should help the establishment of scrub species. Since these species are scattered over other areas within the scrub fingers, herbicide without mulching will be used on a local scale. The entire area will be seeded with sand pine which can be purchased through the Division of Forestry. Small scrub oaks and other nursery grown stock will be planted to form small islands within each of the fingers. Since the oldest trees occur in the northeastern corner of the sand pine scrub of Tract il, the interior core of the oldest trees will be left standing for the burn. The sand ptne around the fringes will be dropped in place after the are" tS roller chopped (Figure 5A). The remaining areas will also be chopped, however, no sand pine will be felled. This will allow seed input from the trees left stand ing as a result of seed release following the fire. Tract 2 will be roller chopped in a similar fashion to that of Tract 1. Two small islands of vegetation will remain standing with no mechanical alteration. The other areas will be roller chopped and the sand pines dropped in place (Figure 5A). In order increase diversity and to prevent the unaltered areas from ignition during the burn, these areas will be watered by a temporary sprinkler system at least one day pre-burn. This will / / . -~-------_/ 16 increase the water content -of the vegetation and make it d iff icult to ignite. Burning will occur between the months of December and February, following a wet month. If drought conditions prevail prior to the scheduled burn and the drought index is high, it should be postponed until conditions favor a controllable fire. The exact firing pattern of the burn will be decided by the burning agency (Le., Division of Forestry, private firms, or local government) on the day of the burn. Head fires will be used were applicable to simulate the fir0 behavior (and effects) of naturally occurring fires, and to ensure as complete a burn of the vegetation as possible. All existing structures (i.e., boardwalks, fence ~osts, etc) that may have been constructed within the preserve at the time of the burn should be protected by herbiciding in advance of the burn and then raking down to mineral soil to remove debris from around the structures. This would reduce the flne fuels necessary to carry a ground fire. Since the site is currently being utilized as a relocation site for gopher tortoise and Florida mice, all burrows should be flagged prior to roller chopping. If the preserve is fenced at the time of the burn, access should be made to the closest point of entry by removing a section of fence to reduce damage to the remaining unburned areas and reduce soil disturbance. This can be coordinated with the on-site property association and the City of Boynton Beach. Preserve *2 was also divided into 2 separate burn areas u_..~. - 17 (Figure 5B) based on the natural contours and the existing disturbed areas within the preserve. Each burn site will be roller chopped in a similar fashion as Preserve il so that small islands of standing vegetation remain (Figure 5B). All sand pine on the margins of each tract will be dropped in place to prevent spotting in nearby vegetated areas. The fuel llIodel and prescription used on Preserve il will also be utilized for these burns. A temporary watering system will also be utilized for those areas that will not be burned. BURN SCHEDULE The following burn schedule will be utilized for the sand pine preserves at Quantum Park: Preserve il Tract i 123 Preserve i2 Tract I 1 2 Year 1988 1993 1998 2003 2008 2013 2018 2023 2028 2033 2038 2043 2048 2053 2058 2063 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x The burn schedule was design to fit the existing age distribution within each sand pine parcel. The sand pines within Tract 11 of preserve 11 average about 30-35 years of age. Since this is the oldest portion of the scrub on this ridge, burning will occur in 18 20 years when the trees begin to reach senescence. Some of the older trees will be left to reach old age without the effect of burning; Seeding into the burned areas will occur from the existing margins of the scrub. Tract '2 will be burned in approximately 30 years when the trees reach maturity. The dry prairie/pine flatwoods community will be burned every 5 years in order to stimulate new growth of herbs and grasses for local gopher tortoise populations. Areas within the prairie that are invaded by scrub species will be excluded in the following burn year. This will promote the development of scrub islands within the dry prairie system. The exact areas to be excluded in each subsequent burn will be decided by the City Forester or a private consultant prior to the prescribed burn. Sand pine within Preserve '2 range in age from 11-37 years with an average age of 19.5 years. Since no age specific d istr ibut ion ex ists within thi s preserve area, the si te was randomly divided to be burned on a 30 and 50 year rotation, beginning with tract .1 of preserve '2. Tract .2 will be burned in the opposite rotation sequence (50 and 30 years) to "l1ow for ecological diversity for local wildlife and plants. AGENCIES AND MATERIALS FOR BURNING Prior to each burn, a permit for burning will be obtained from the city forester. The burning will be coordinated with the city fire department who may be able to assist with fire protection equipment at the time of the burn. The State Division of Forestry will be contacted to disk existing fire lanes or to \ \ 19 create new lanes depending on _the conditions of the surrounding fuels and vegetation. If used, all fire plowing will be kept to a minimum depth (3 to 6 inches). The burn will be conducted by a private agency such as Forest Resources Management, 1528 Hendry Street, Fort Myers, Fl. 33901. Depending on tbe weather cond it ions on the day of the burn, the Florida HigbwdY Patrol will be notified about possible smoke problems on 1-95. Crew size and equipment will be determined by the agency conducting the burn. The estimated cost, based on 1988 figures, for the above work will be about $8,000.00 for burning 10 acre blocks. The cost for burning less acreage may be slightly less, however, mobilization costs will be very similar. The above cost estimate includes any changes necessary to the burn plan, chopping the site, coordination with local and state agencies, man-power to conduct the burn, and permit acquisition from city and state agencies. The cost, based on 1988 figures, for burning the dry prairie will be about $1,500 to $2,000 for coordination, permits, and on-site burning. If burning turns out to be an unacceptable means for maintaining the existing scrub, due to smoke management or excessive explosive fuels, then mechanical means such as roller chopping will be utilized. This alternative method will require an empty roller chopper that will bend and break the vegetation near ground level, causing minimal soil disturbance. Tbe use of a water filled chopper would cause severe soil disturbance which could effect the longterm survival of these scrubs. The chopped 20 vegetat ion would then be removed from the site to a 11 ow s cr ub regeneration. Since most of the seed trees would be removed, these areas could then be seeded with sand pine ,by using the methodology utilized in the Ocala National Forest. Mechanically seeding some areas and not other would provide scrubs of various age classes, a benefit for longterm survival of many of the scrub animals. Implementation of the above management plan will require the financial commitment from the local property association and the commitment by the City of Boynton Beach. In contrast to the abo~e scrub management plan, approximately 1.3 acres of ruderal vegetation withln preserve .2 should be immediately altered to allow the establishment of scrub vegetation. These previously disturbed areas along the west edge of the site should be herbicided, mulched as described dbove and burned. A thin layer of scrub soil could then be sCattered over the burn areas and then the area seeded with sand pine. prescr ibed burning would require the format ion of a sandy fire break between the existing scrub and the ruderal vo:getation. Burning should occur when the winds are out of the east to prevent smoke management problems on the interstate highway. This would force the flame front to the west, away from the sand pine scrub vegetation. Once the disturbed areas have been burned, sand pine seeds should be broadcast and slightly trenched into the sand about 2 inches. Other trees such as sand live oak could also be planted 21 in these disturbed areas to simulate oak thickets which could be utilized by scrub jays as suitable nesting sites. Observations from other scrubs indicate that oak thickets wi th as few as 5 trees have been utilized as nesting sites by scrub jays. Two small oak thickets will be planted within the disturbed areas. Each thicket will be planted with 5 field grown sand I ive oaks which range in height from 5-7 feet. The trees will be placed in a pattern to produce a dense canopy required for nesting. The burning of the ruderal vegetation within Preserve *2 would require a permit from the City Forester and coor-dination with the City of Boynton Beach fire department. EXOTIC PLANT REMOVAL One of the most serious threats to any native plant community in south Florida is the invasion of exotic vegetation. Exotics can modify normal ecological processes or relationships, including predator-prey and herbivore-plant relationships, nutrient and energy cycles, and soil-building and erosion processes. It has also been shown that the general stability of Florida's natural communities is also reduced. Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius) and punk tree (Melaleuca quinquenervia) do occur within the preserve areas. An on-gOing treatment program was initiated on the 20 May 1987 by treating the base of each shrub or tree with herbicide (Garlon 4). The eradication process will be extended to all non-scrub species throughout the preserve areas in order to reduce unwanted seed banks which may affect the long-term survival of the scrub ( 22 commun i ty. The above management plan provides a step-by-step program to fulfill the requirements of the Development Order and the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council. Modifications to the above plan may be in order as new information becomes available concerning the fire ecology of the sand pine scrub community. / ~- " 23 Figure 1. Location of Preserve #1 and Preserve #2 within the Quantum Park project, Boynton Beach, Florida. . " ::-":""(':'1, '" .--- 11'._.:..;..\ il illi ! :1' ; ,.. .. ..O' , 'I :: I!l , ,- PI'(;5er'Je ii;'~ --- 24 Aer i a1 scrub, within areas the dry of sand pine retention pond Figure 2. photograph showing dry prairie, and Preserve #1. r ~~. ~~..:~\<:~~:.\~ .J). :.", r.' '. ....~. . ',." .~r.. , , .' . I .:~... .-."....,.-:- -I. t?~;;;.:_;'t \;.'>''; .i "':) ~~, f:' t 1"-",...._, j,;, ,.,.' . ':.' ,,."'/'J" ,/.;,/ ~,'~,:,:, t-u ',;" ........ ,I. lLJ Q::: '.. ", r." ~ .'... '.'." ,'",". t~:,):'~.:;>:: ,", .,""/"'-: ....-;. . . .'~ t. 1~;':' :" .....: ~'; :...... ; : ." :''1'. :JiXs::~// ':,~;': : ;0":' .~ -.... ,.:... 'r. '. i'f:" ',;; DRY PRAIRIE ~ ~ . ,. ..~ ~. " '" : :. ; ~ -j ,. :~ ~\..'~;>~ r. :'. '. 1i;:; I,::~( .,-',.. .,' ,- /'!. . '.:~ '. j.'" ,_."r ,. ,:~;i~ij::~: . , .... " '.\1," J;.",:!}o.. ,I .~ ".:. 1" ~; .... .. .!.,!. ~~ . . .I,;., . I,:r,,: :. . " :,: t;~ J::.~' :..'.1 :,f-, /1:.- ; ,. ....~ ;- r' >- Q::: C " ');, ./ / i / , ,t.~ " I' ';.~ .. ! z. 0,.. (:.... ...... :~" . .. '-'" .'.. ",' <- .. . .,~ . , . :'-'1 ".,:', ...., .1. . "0 " ;{~ . ~ ~ , - '. ,~. . .' -('\. .1": .' 'j" " i:", . , , . " ,. ' '" ~H' ':" 25 Figure 3. Aerial photograph showing areas of sand pine scrub and ruderal vegetation within Preserve #2. . Figure 4A. Burn tracts for Preserve #1. --. r, " .' ,~,' . '. : '~.,. -..... ....../t ."'.... :>.. #I'.>~~I:-'''" ,... ......... ....""i..... r " - ~ , . If.~':.;:~;.l :, ."'. :.".,,:.. . . (' 1~;;;~'~C: ..~.. ;: ~r; '. ,J.!f " J: i l"~ ',I':' !" ,..:. il/~:[t~;j; ~\..::,.;_... ,'i:",' .'/~f "".. l." .;~ ~,i '."'.T . ',,, ~,' ,- .. '. TRACT 3 ~i-:.~".'. " '. r. ;~::.:-, APPRO)(. LOCATION F MIIC/f. ~''I. :.., .' ".:. . I >~,!~~" 6!~' l r.. " .' ....,,,,,r...l. J ~ :. . f ~ I . 11\ . ~ ," ,(>1 '" .. . _I ';', ~ ", t-' tl~ '... l~' ;"t~ -!; '," ~~.. . . I'"l 4 \.,. ~ \'"'' . ',,' ,. . \tI'~";O:' '1Ir' '~R: ~-A\l' ~:*::-~:1 :./~[, '::~~:~." ';~;' I - t., ~ 11'" 11 1'.'\' ......;:... .t!:i ,4.), ,\' . \ .l' ....., . ",II l >l" ',I...~.~,..~....'.s.... . ",0 '1'_ .\" . ..' .' ~. .........: . ". ~'t" t .~ : (.' .' ,'-" ~, ,... , ~ . ': ," ,.. (li. ~~. . t _' ~":,""\,-,, ".. t A~ '~'n~ .:;; ~,,- .'. . 1. .. ~.:,'.._::'.:'::"'.~~.~ '::;"'l;.~t:'i":''''Y . , .. . ....:.-:.. ~:';;".'!,(1 r: r~~ ,J>~~: \l~:"" ~~\:., ,~~: v " '1' . ,.,.' '<<'., ~ ( .\-\ ..... , ~ .... . f JI. ~',i ~I'" . . ..". .. ~ ~~. .......r" .'~ . ..~.r:~:..-:.,':,: ,..'\ l' ..-"" \ ' '_ .' ~. , ,.,)o.{~.. .~ '.". .. ..\tt . .~~l~ fl .r, ~'.'.!II." "'; ",.'.. . ,~.; t. r Ii' .~ . .:-~'.I'. (. . " \ t I'i. . .. I-, ;;;. .. " t1~ . '.'.",-, ...,.....'~I.) ,1.'4 ({..,' 'l: . t" '~i?': ., ~"~H ,~".~'JRA>:i ~. ~~t~... ~,/~ ., '." ;,','~~',..-:, :1 ~. ~," ~ ~, ....: . '.~ { .u':...~~J ~. . S"(:.': . ~ , , 1'~1 26 -----:-;-1--.-~- , ~~.. ..., , . "1" I',JI~"/",:, . ,.' '. . . " .~ '1:(. ~ , . . . ,. : , .~J . '." . .,.,..' '." , . ,):' / I ,.., 0. ,.; '-1'" .t! '~ , . ,- ,. r " I;' ,~ 'i..:. , 1":"1-._. '.\. ~j!.~i.Y " ",:. ,1. .,,:.'. , . :''-.1 \.' .....,4 '.J .:~ " . '., '. .' :~-~. . ., ~ >~.' .':..:;, " . ,. t"~\i ~ Figure 4B. Burn tracts for Preserve 12. ,{~,.,~t.: ...'1.. '.' f'l: t~,~~~~n\ 1 ~::~:~;~;:,'/~,:, ':.',:~:,' ~. .~~;". !{~~f!\{t[;:.\4, ' t' ':""'~"'I~.r.'. ...i. .I)"'.,' , '\. ,J .::" t"'f" ..~.,.1't .",,~.,... " ..... . . 'i.. . ....:a~~...~,(.;: ;. 'l '/rj'~',!,,," .- .. ~'J. III""" . . :.: It[',~' ...... 3'-':~~r.. .....r."i' :.t'f'" , .... ~ . ..... '.l:i''tl 'M. ...l\!. ...., ,~~, !'~. tf~~I:rli"Jll'~;~~~~:;. :i~;J..~". \ ~ ~ "If.;t ~..:'." ~~;"l. : l: ~"j'. );0] it . ",~jJ;2I'. 'HI . ..' . r J} "!?:.f~ r. ',:.'.., .t 'jl.' i}:l.~ $i;.~1?;2;' 1-:':y:I}I:~'~ ...... . I.: ::' , ":,": ;:t~!~;:U~,..'i~',';:;,/' ~... ~ ~t "'.t"....:.... ,.....1..,.1 I 0'... ,;.......,.,....1...,~.~"'t, .,.... " '. ,:t.'(; ~:.~~,\\'}...;.:".l.:,..:.~ . . '" '. " , '. -----. , \ , , 'jf :' 'r .A ',! " . ,> ~ 1-1'.' ROSSI "~~'~', ' tit,:... t.; , . .~.. " . ., .. " . ' ~ _L___ 27 Tract 1 , " Figure SA. 28 Areas within Preserve #1 that must ,be roller chopped (diagonal lines) prior to the prescribed burn. {"r .... 0 .',' .. '. .... ... -.' .... J),...~... r' ........ r' ," ,..: ~ :': '. , -- ..... .' '. -;. .. (". :;'t.~..., .......- -'. .:.... ...'.... ;......::... . "" ....,' .,' .,.;..' ,'0:, 'r '. ,':.,' ", .,",'..# . ~'-", b:t~~:--:~~:> ::>:: /:i ".1 " Scrub I",' '\~~.l;'~'b.~ ~ ',,, ::t..: .,' oc' '. ~i>; :::~( ~#;:~~>":!:I Roller chop Trees up ..:,..... ;:.......\.. .---~- , " "",- ,,j } ~:"; ,l "; . ': "!"';"'.:, , ....r':;J .f' 'T- c, '---- -.-... ! Ro 11 er chopped Trees up Ro 11 er chopped Trees do~m i" r:" .~ '''', .... t" . h'. If _ . ..'-p;-, ~ '.!/-, na 1 tered Scrub .' ,: -:--. .~. '-.:. ;'. .,'~'. ...,~..' '.ft:,-' :;. .,' 5:'-", ", '.. .. '. ..,... .' "f'\.f. t' >.'; ., i', '. :": .. . ' ,..;H:-. Una 1 tered Scrub Figure SB. Una 1 tered Scrub Unaltered Scrub Areas within Preserve 42 that must be roller chopped (diagonal lines) prior to the prescribed burn. ~ ~',1:' ",. ,;;; ..... . . :( "",,' ~!~l(~~?tl~ :iz>. -:~'i;, ';':. m>. :1' .,. ..., .l/;\ I " . ~., ..; .:!P' . ..., .. 'S,.'.'. ~J ~.:' ".. ';7$ " -n. ; . "',~:J.~;; ~. ~~;" ~,..;:jr"~"'Ar, . .t:~., :~"'L!";,~:: ,.::-..k..':' '... ,F.". ,'.' ...,.. '.',.'..,., , ~~. ~.:.~. :::J:: 'i~,:: '1'4:,...... i. :-:t.~.'~...' ..;J...., . ~ .'.,ol,.;!'':'"......., i., .... .' f~~..J ~'-'~..f~II':1,....,.!;.~..... .." '. ..~":.fj.ljl.,.,..D....~\...;. '. I '" - '~';!:-#"I':: .:. ~"'" ~.. [i'1 ' t.qt, ..:.:,:~;Il IIf":" .:;l~ ", . r,J" ~.~"., -. '. ,,"..-: " ,,' . '.. . . '.' "':., ,II,. ~ . . r. . ''\,' ...~~~.: ;,..,.. .,. . ',. ',,:' ,..?;:'~~;f~;\,tt'::€i ~, ,.,.. .'",J , ','" 0" J."; ;.:. ~:~:,~ . :', ':.:;" ~_~ :L-: t(.1..",~, :, '.. l)i:.'~ .1\1;- '.~~\ . ':' , . ... t-'.::...~..';':. .'....,..\~:. .,' . MO ~,._' > ".,,'.;. :'-~,,:.,.., - 'II'; t!.. .:' .:':~~'~/~.~~..J\,":\:.~.:~. j,; .~,}~:~ }~ ~~ 0 . 4." ~'':''Q-.'' .:~ ~ .,. . .0:: .'\.....', '... '.' _.' ~ ~,:.~,:~:','. ;:';\: ~ .., ..;J\;" ~~ :d:.:;": ::, '....; ft';.' lr.~'.' "" '." .r..' ror:t':~ '.. 0 .. o- r. ; ~ ,.., .~ I" ., I.'.... '\, J.:: 't ", !. \~ 'f. ~rl 10' ',... ' "'..." J 'I' :', ; ~. ",' I ,...". . ~ ',~ ..... f'lJ, I'!-~.., ~'. .~1; -;,' .- . ,. ~~I"\O 0" .'.~. (;..~~~,i~~~' ..".. 29 ( . :\ r.t.. \, , , J Roll er chopped Trees up Una 1 tered Scrub Ro 11 er Chopped Trees up " Roller' chopped Trees down 'Una ltered Scrub Roller chopped Trees down . :~'t"" . :.. \ Roller chopped trees up ., ' .,. ' .. 311 Table 1. Checklist of the vascular flora for the Sand Pine Preserve .1 at Quantum Park, Boynton Beach. Scientific Name Common Name Trees Acacia auriculaeformis Ficus Aurea llex cassine' Melaleuca quinquenervia Pinus clausa , Pinus elliottii Sabal palmetto Earleaf Acacia Strangler fig Dahoon holly Punk tree Sand pine Slash pine Cabbage palm Shrubs Asimina obovata Asimina reticulata Befaria racemosa Ceratiola ericoides Conradina grandiflora Gelsemium sempervirens llex glabra Licania michauxii Lyonia ferruginea Lyonia lucida Palafoxia feayi Quercus chapmanii Quercus geminata Quercus myrtifolia Rubus trivialis Sabal etonia Schinus terebinthifolius Serenoa repens Vaccinium myrsinites Ximenia Americana PawPaw PawPaw Tarflower Rosemary Scrub mint Yellow jassamine Gallberry Gopher plum Rusty lyonia Staggerbush Palafoxia Chapman's oak Sand live oak Myrtle oak Blackberry Scrub palm Brazil ian pepper Saw palmetto Huckleberry Tallowwood Herbs Abrus precatorius Ambrosia artemisiifolia Andropogon virginicus Aristida gyrans Aristida spiciformis Aristida stricta Asclepias curtissii Aster tortifolius Balduina angustifolia Bulbostylis ciliatifolia Cassia chamaecrista Roasary pea Ragweed Broomsedge grass Wiregrass Bottlebrush threeawn wiregrass Curtiss milkweed white-topped aster Yellow buttons Hair sedge partridge-pea 3l Cassia nictitans Cassia occidentalis Cassytha filiformis Catharanthus roseus Cenchrus i~certus Centrosema virginianum Chrysopsis scabrella Commelina erecta Conyza canadensis Crotalaria rotundifolia Croton glandulosus Crotonopsis linearis Cuthbertia ornata cynodon dactyl on Cyperus haspan Cyperus planifolius Cyperus retrorsus Dalea feayi Dichanthelium dichotomum Dichanthelium sabulorum Digitaria serotina. Diodia teres Eclipta alba Emilia fosbergii Eupatorium capillifolium Euphorbia milii Euphorbia polyphylla Euthamia minor Froelichia floridana Galactia regularis Gelsemium sempervirens Gnaphalium pensylvanicum Hedyotis procumbens Helianthemum nashii Heliotropium polyphyllum Heterotheca subaxillaris Indigofera hirsuta Lechea cernua Lechea deckertii Liatris chapmanii Linaria canadensis Mollugo verticillata Momordica charantia Opuntia humifusa paspalum notatum paspalum setaceum Phytolacca americana Pityopsis graminifolia polanisia tenuifolia polygala incarnata polygonella ciliata polygonella fimbriata Wild sensitive plant Coffee senna Love vine periwinkle Sand spur But terfly-pea Goldenaster Dayflower Dwarf horseweed Rabbi t-bells Croton Rushfoil Roseling Bermudagrass Nutsedge Blanket crabgrass Poor Joe Cupid's shavingbrush Dogfennel Crown-of-thorns spurge Cottonweed Yellow jassamine Cudweed Innocence Heliotrope Camphorweed Hairy indigo Blue toadflax Indian chickweed Wild balsam apple Prickly-pear cactus Bahia grass Thin paspalum Pokeweed S ilkgrass Procession flower Wireweed Sandhill wireweed I .<./~- 32 polygonella gracilis polygonella polygama polypremum procumbens portulaca pilosa Pterocaulon virgatum Rhynchelytrum repens Rhynchospora megalocarpa Richardia brasiliensis Schrankia uncinata scoparia dulcis Selaginella arinicola setaria geniculata Seymeria pectinata Sida cordi folia Sisyrinchium solstitiale Smilax auriculata Solanum americanum solidago chapmanii So lidago str icta Spartina bakeri Spermacoce assurgens Spermacoce verticil lata Stipulicida setacea Tillandsia recurvata Tillandsia usneoides Tillandsia utriculata Trichostema dichotomum Urena lobata vitis munsoniana Wireweed Jointweed Rustweed Pink purslane Rabbit tobacco Natal grass Scrub sedge Sensitive briar Sweetbroom Sand. spike moss Foxtail grass Blue-eyed grass Sawbriar Common nightshade Goldenrod Goldenrod Sand cordgrass Ball moss spanish moss wild pine Forked blue-curls Caesar weed Wild grape 33 Table 2. Tree core data for Preserve 11 and 12. (Sampling within Preserve 11 was based on four '211 x 211 m quadrats. Sampling within Preserve 12 was based on a random walk in an east-west direction along animal survey lines) . Preserve 1 Quadrat 1 Density Avg. Avg. dbh age 1 1 6 18.7 18.6 1 2 18 14.5 17.8 1 3 13 15.7 16.3 1 4 9 25.6 21. 8 1 Total avg. 46 18.6 18.3 2 Total avg. 19 24.1 19.5 ,L-.L 34 Table 3. Checklist of the proposed 14 acre sand pine preserve. Scientific Name Common Name Trees Acacia auriculaeformis Brassaia actinophylla pinus clausa pinus elliottii Earleaf acacia Schefflera Sand pine Slash pine Shrubs Asimina reticulata Ceratiola ericoides Conradina grandiflora Ilex glabra Licania michauxii Lyonia ferruginea Lyonia lucida Palafoxia feayi ' polygonella polygama Quercus chapmanii Quercus geminata Quercus myrtifolia Saba 1 etonia Schinus terebinthifolius Serenoa repens Vaccinium myrsinites Ximenia americana PawPaw Rosemary Scrub mint Gallberry Gopher plum Fetterbush Staggerbush P ala fox ia Jointweed Chapman's oak Sand 11 ve oak Myrtle oak Scrub palmetto Brazilian pepper Saw palmetto Huckleberry Tallowwood Herbs Andropogon virginicus Aristida gyrans Asclepias curtissii Bulbostylis ciliatifolia Cassytha filiformis Chamaecrista fasciculata Cnidoscolus stimulosus Croton glandulosus Cyperus retrorsus Dalea feayi Dichanthelium sabulorum Eupatorium capillifolium Euthamia minor Euphorbia polyphylla Galactia regularis Hedoyotis procumbens Helianthemum nashii Heterotheca subaxillaris Broomsedge grass Wiregrass Curtis milkweed Hairsedge Love vine Partridge pea Tread softly Croton Nut sedge Dogfenoel spurge Milkpea Innocence Camphorweed 35 Lechea cernua Lechea deckert 11 Lupinus diffusus opuntia humifusa Paspalum notatum paspalum set"aceum Phytolacca americana Pityopsis graminifolia Polygonella ciliata Polygonella gracilis Polypremum procumbens Rhynchelytrum repens Rhynchospora megalocarpa Selaginella arenicola Setaria geniculata Seymeria pectinata S ida cord ifolia Sisyrinchium solstitiale Smilax auriculata Solidago stricta Stipulicida setacea Tillandsia recurvata Vitis munsoniana Nodding pinweed Blue lupine Prickly pear cactus Bahia grass Thin paspalum Pokeweed Silkgrass Wireweed Wireweed Rustweed Natal grass Scrub sedge Sand spike moss Foxta il grass Blue-eyed grass Sawbriar Goldenrod Ball moss Wild gra pe :::~""c"'. 36 Table 4. Comparison of fuel model parameters for Sand pine Scrub and NFFL Kodel 4. parametersa Sand pine Fuel Modela NFFLa 1 Hour (dead) fuel load (tons/acre) Hl hour (dead) fuel load (tons/acre) 100 hour (dead) fuel load (Tons/acre) Live herbaceous load (tons/acre) Live woody load (tons/acre) 1 hour fuel (Surface area to volume ratio, ft2/ft3) Live woody surface area to volume ratio (ft2/ft3) Depth of fuel bed (feet) Heat (BTU/ft2) Moisture of Extinction (%) Wind adjustment factor 5.01 4.01 2.00 0.00 S.0l 5.01 4.01 2.00 0.00 5.01 2000 2000 2000 8 8000 20 0.50 2000 6 8000 20 0.60 aAll measurements are given in standard units in the science of fire behavior. Conversion to metric would not be appropriate for the purposes of this paper. --------~~-- - CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS This property has been under. environmentsl stress for many years because of its use for livestock production and enhanced hunting and sand mining. Presently. cattle are grazing over the portion of the property north of N.W. 22nd Avenue. The past lowering of the water table has changed and decreased most of the historic wetlsnds to disjunct fairly insignificant aress that have been or are now used by cattle. Their disruption is further compounded by the invasion of Melaleuca quinquenervia and Schinus terebinthifolius. Regeneration of important upland plant species such as Pinus clausa and Pinus elliottii were seen infrequently over most of the property. Animal life is sparse because of the environmental decline. Frequent boat use of the canals bordering the property is believed to inhibit aquatic invertebrates and fish. It is concluded that the present use of the property will continue the environmental decline and that another projectet;! use such as an environmentally controlled light-industrial park w(;lUld add little to the present negative environmental situation. If properly buffered. the projected industrial park should have little. or no significant impact upon the surrounding region. It is recommended that: (1) as many native trees as feasible be saved and used as landscaping material; (2) the degrading wet areas be removed (they are presently mosquito 41 breeding areas during the wet season) and replaced with a series of lakes that will be effective in surface water control; (3) any wetlands that can be feasibly cleansed of exotics be retained; (4) plantings of native vegetation be planted on, and surrounding the sloped banks of the lakes with the concurrence of the environmental staff of the T.C.R.P.C.; (5) the littoral-benthic shoreline of the lakes be planted with native aquatic plants and the lakes stocked with native fish; and (6) the three protected wildlife species be removed to safer on-site locations prior to construction with the concurrence of the environmental staff of the T.C.R.P.C. and the D.N.R. .(7) at least 25% of the existing undisturbed sand pine scrub vegetation (32 acres) at the eastern edge of the property and just north of N.W. 22nd Avenue be preserved by judicious siting of buildings on the various lots in this parcel (see Maps Hand H-l). · NOTE: Preservation of this portion of the sand pine scrub vegetation should be the responsibility of the property owner's association and an architectural review committee. 42 March 9, 1988 \1 \;;\.011 VI \;; COOl.t regional planning council Mr. Carmen Annunziato, City Planner City of Boynton Beach 211 S. Federal Highway Post Office Box 310 Boynton Beach, FL 33425-0310 Subject: Quantum Park Development Ecological Plan c-.-"" c/\ ~__4I~!Ql;.6: of Regional Impact Dear ..H.... Council staff has reviewed the Ecological Plan for Quantum Corporate Park dated January 1988. The plan is submitted to address Development Order (00) Conditions 6 and 9 which relate to developer responsibilities for: 1) protecting and managing Sand Pine Scrub habitat and endangered and threatened species; and 2) preserving, creating, and managing wetland and littoral zone habitat. Except for a minor amendment to the wetland section (Part II) of the plan, the developer has adequately addressed his planning requirements for 00 Condition 9. However, sections of the plan addressing protection and management of Scrub habitat and endangered and threatened species will require significant modification prior to Council approval. Wetland/Littoral Zone Plan Site plan changes and lack of reference on lake area views (e.g., Figure l-A, etc.) to a master site plan make it impossible to determine where created littoral zone habitat is proposed to occur on the property. To allow this det!ermination which will assist in monitoring this aspect of the prcjact, laka araa views should include appropriate reference to a master site plan. Properly referenced lake area views and a master site plan with like references should be included in this section of the plan. Sand pine Scrub Preservation and Manaaeme~t Plan The intent of DO Condition 6 is to preserve a minimum of 40 acres of Sand pine Scrub habitat on the property including canopy, understory, and ground cover. Additionally, Condition 6 requires that a plan be prepared which: 1) identifies and delineates the boundaries of the Sand pine Scrub habitat area(s) to be preserved; 2) provides for the effective relocation of endangered and threatened animal populations into the preserve area(s); and 3228 s.w. martin downs blvd. sui.. 205 . p.o. bcac 1529 polm city, Rorido 33490 phon. (305) 286-3313 korsn L marcus cIlai~ jimminix vice chairman thomas 9, k.nny, III _crstary/tRasurcr donid m. cory executiw director Mr. Carmen Annunziato City of Boynton Beach March 9, 1988 Page Two 3) provides a management program area(s) to maintain suitable threatened species which exist preserve area(s). We understand that the developer is committed to preserving the 40-acre, minimum onsite. However, the plan does not include surveyed locations of microsited Scrub areas, nor does it provide measures to protect these and other Scrub preserves from development. Based upon staff's recent site visit and because of the location of preserve' areas amidst development, there is 90ncern that Scrub preserves will be comDromi~d. Therefore, it is recommended that the revised plan include surveyed locations of All Scrub preserves and commitments to properly delineate these areas in the field to protect them from development activities. Due to such activities Micrositing Area A (see Exhibit A) no longer provides an option for Scrub preservation. It is strongly recommended that actual field de 1 i neation and surveys be completed immediately for approval by City staff. for the Sand Pine Scrub preserve habi tat for endangered and in or are relocated into the Original proposals to protect endangered and threatened animal populations on the property depended upon relocation of these populations into a 40-acre preserve area. It is proposed that this 40-acre preserve be reduced to 25.7 acres by eliminating an area not containing Scrub. Staff is of the opinion that reducing the size of this preserve area as proposed will not interfere with protection of relocated populations. However, the Game Commission is the permitting authority with respect to this issue. Staff will base its final approval of this aspect of the plan on Game Commission concurrence with staff opinion. Written concurrence should be included in the amended plan. It should be noted that additional active and inactive Gopher tortoise burrows were observed clustered in a patch of small oaks in the south central portion of Micrositing Area G (see Exhibit A) . Once verified, the Game Commission should be notified of this occurrence and the potential for additional animals to be relocated into the 25.7-acre preserve area. Sections of the plan responding to preserve management do not provide enough information or direction 'for implementation. These sections discuss management philOsophies and set out programs that can result in the development of management plans for the Scrub preserves. It is what might be labeled a plan to prepare a plan. There is a detailed statement provided below, of the management goal and what needs to be included in the management plan so that the City and implementing entities are _.-~~ Mr. Carmen Annunziato city of Boynton Beach March 9, 1988 Page Three provided useful management prescriptions for the Quantum Scrub preserves. Manaaement Plan Goal: Long term maintenance of diversity, long term provision of suitable habitat for and threatened species and Scrub soils preservation. vegetative endangered Management plans should include: a. specific fire models and presc~iptions or specific nonfire methods proposed to be used in management; b. proposed habitat management schedules identifying blocks of land proposed for management with reference to the year in which management is proposed to take place; c. discussion verifying the proposed management approach as the most preferred based upon: 1) the habitat type, age of community and target species occurring within the preserve area; and 2) surrounding land uses, preserve size, etc.; d. a justified estimate of the total cost of implementing the proposed habitat management plan including personnel required; e. the entity responsible for implementation of the proposed management plan (said entity can be the developer, property owners association, a governmental, agency, environmental or conservation organization, or educational institution); and f. the instrument proposed to provide reasonable assurance of financial and institutional ability to carry out the commitments included in the proposed habitat management plan. It is requested that the City authorize no .land clearing (e. g. , fire breaks or lanes, etc.) or construction (e.g., boardwalks, observation decks, signage, etc.) within Scrub preserves until the management plan is developed and approved. Development of .~,...."" Mr. Carmen Annunziato City of Boynton Beach March 9, 1988 Page Four such items without an approved management plan may interfere with management options for this property. In previous correspondence and discussion, the developer h~s requested that he be given relief from preserving Scrub ~n microsited areas as Scrub creation experiments in the original preserve are demonstrated to be successful. Language is provided on page 73.1 of the plan to facilitate the process by which relief could be given. A flaw in the process proposed is that no qualitative or quantitative criteria is provided to determine success of Scrub creation experiments. Council staff is willing to work with the City and the developers consultant to develop such criteria. However, until criteria to determine success are agreed upon, staff cannot approve the language as provided. As a general observation the plan devotes a considerable amount of time to resource descriptions, endangered and threatened species requirements, sampling and trapping methodologies, and justification for selecting Scrub areas as preserves. These sections are no longer appropriate to include in the main body of the plan and contain information which are no longer accurate due to changes in preserve area size, location, and approach. The plan would be better served if these sections were corrected and included as appendices of the document. This approach would free the main body of the plan to mainly concentrate on a working preserve management plan. With a copy of this letter I have provided Dr. Donald Richardson my notes on the plan to provide him more detailed direction regarding amendments. If there are questions, please call. Sincerely, ~ Michael Busha Regional Planner MB:lg Attachment cc:v'G~orge Zimmerman Marina Gonzalez-Pennington Joan Diemer Donald Richardson Ray Fernald Sam Shannon l~ -. r I 1 Part II - HARDWOOD SWAMP, WETLAND, AND FRESHWATER MARSH MITIGATION r AND MANAGEMENT PLAN, QUANTUM PARK AT BOYNTON BEACH I . f As stated in the DRI report prepared by the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council and as contained in condition, the developer J shall establish a vegetated littoral zone of Hardwood Swamp/Freshwater I I Marsh comprising a total of no more than 11 acres as part of the surface water management system. No less than 5.5 acres of the 11 acre littoral zone requirement shall be maintained and comprised of species that are representative of Hardwood Swamp habitat found on-site including but not limited to swamp bay (Persea palustris), dahoon holly (Ilex cassine), and pond apple (Annona glabra) in association, with a typical herbaceous layer of ferns and other native indigenous hydrophytic vegetation. The littoral zone habitat shall be fully vegetated with native plant species and occur from lake control elevation to a depth of 3 feet below control elevation. In addition, the developer shall preserve on-site 6 acres of seasonally flooded wetland habitat designed to be of value to fish and wildlife species and consisting of native vegetation typical of such habitats. The Development Order states that prior to commencement of ( construction for any phase of the project ,:'the developer shall prepare a design and management plan for all wetlands or littoral zones that will be part of that phase. The plans shall: 1) incl ude a topographic map of the wetland or littoral zone, or include typical cross-sections; 2) specify how vegetation is to be established, '. f 2 f inc 1 uding the exten t, type, me thod and timing of any plan t ing to be j provided; and 3) provide a description of any management procedures to be followed in order to assure the continued viability, health and ( function of the littoral zone or wetland. The plan for each phase { shall be subject to approval by the City of Boynton Beach in consultation with the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council. f , In accordance with the Development Order, we offer this design, construction and management plan. It accounts for the development of ! the entire Park in a single phase. LITTORAL ZONE As per the amended Master Site Development Plan submitted for the Boynton Beach Park of Commerce Development, wetland areas in the ! . , freshwater lake system will be planted with freshwater hydrophytes in accordance with Figures lA-D. As stated above, 5.5 acres of the total 11 acres will be incorporated into the littoral zone planting scheme as depicted in the generalized lake section (Figure 2). Each littoral shelf will be covered with a minimum of 3 inches of organic top soil. The addition of topsoil to these sterile sandy planting areaS will provide 1) a suitable medium for long-term survival of all planted hydrophytes, 2) a soil medium that will retain needed nutrients and 3) a substrate that will reduce the threat of cattail (Typha domingensis) invasion onto these newly disturbed we t land areas. I. . f 4 f be required on a site by site basis, however, at least two rows of r hydrophytes will be planted to bridge clustered areas. All planting will commence in the spring and summer months in order to get plants f established before winter fronts begin. I It is suggested that, if possible, some natural zonation be utilized in the planting scheme. Soft rush and sawgrass should be f planted at mean high water or just above mean high water on the littoral shelf. Smartweed and lizard's tail should be planted at f water depths ranging between 0 and 8 inches or within the upper 3-5 f , feet of shelf. A mixture of arrowhead and pickerelweed will be planted from mean high water and outward from the bank to a depth of i . 24 inches. At depths exceeding 24 inches, water lilies will be planted on A~5 foo~c:"ntersj All water lilies will be planted with leaves still intact. This has been determined to increase survival of I L this species. Long-term management of the littoral zone will not be necessary, provided topsoil is added to the planting sites and quality plant material is utilized. At the discretion of the developer, some management of cattails may be desired in selected planting sites for aesthetic reasons. HARDWOOD SWAMP As indicated in the Master Plan, a total of 6 acres of Hardwood swamp will be preserved. Two isolated wetlands (Figures 3 and 4), a 3.8 acre parcel along the northern border of the property and a smaller 2.2 acre parcel to the south, will be managed to maintain local species diversity. I. ' I 3 As per the design constraints (Figure 2), the littoral shelf will I be constructed at a 5 to 1 slope. This will allow a minimum of about 8-10 feet of planting habitat for the mitigated areas. It is I important to note that the majority of species used for revegatation I of freshwater wetlands will grow to a maximum depth of about 18-24 inches. No species, except water lily (Nymphaea odorata), will be I planted at water depths exceeding 24 inches in order to maximize long-term survival. I Based on previous planting experience and other mitigation i projects, a mixture of the following species will be utilized: Arrowhead (Sagittaria lancifolia) f Pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata) Soft rush (Juncus effusus) White waterlily (Nymphae a odorata) i L Smartweed (Polygonum punctatum) Lizard's tail (Saururus cernuus) l Sawgrass (Cladium jamaicense) Based on the initial littoral zone acreage estimates, a total of approximately 25,000 herbaceous wetland hydrophytes would be required to plant the mitigation areas. Bare root plant material will be used in the planting areas because potted materials in these quantities are not available. Each plant will be a minimum of 12 inches in height and will be planted on staggered 3-foot c~rs or in clusters along the lake edge. Two or three rows of hydrophytes, depending upon the amount of shelf available, will be planted in the mitigation areas. Cluster planting at slightly higher densities (1-2 foot-centers) may I f 5 t These two wetlands are dominated by a dense shrub or small tree f layer that forms an impenetrable thicket. The dominant shrub or tree species include swamp bay (Persea palustris), Carolina ~illow r (Salix caroliniana), pond apple (Annona glabra), dahoon holly (Ilex cassine), wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera), and salt oush (Baccharis halimifolia). The herbaceous layer is common only f I along the sunny margins and is represented by the following species: swamp fern (Blechnum serrulatum), royal fern (Osmunda I regalis), redroot (Lachnanthes caroliniana), arrowhead (Sagittaria lancifolia), pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata), f sawgrass (Cladium jamaicense) and white waterlily (Nymphae a odora ta) . I The southern 2.2 acre wetland has been invaded by punk tree (Melaleuca quinquenervia). Due to the density of punk tree in this wetland, a major portion of the vegetation associated with this i L site will be removed and replanted with native hardwood swamp species. i L Individual hardwood trees within the wetland will be flagged and located for removal and/or preservation in situ. The actual number of plants and the location of planting within the 2.2 acre wetland will not be determined at this time. A resurvey of the plant species just prior to bulldozing will determine the type and number of individuals that may be lost and would have to be replaced to make the wetland func t iona 1 . Long-term management of these wetlands depends on controlling water table fluctuations during drought conditions. Every effort to maintain water tables at or slightly above ground level is important I f I 6 to prevent oxidation of the peat and to maintain a saturated soil f condition that would be conducive to regeneration of all associated species. For the southern 2.2 acre parcel, this should pose no I serious problems since the excavated lakes will be held at a I predetermined water table. In accordance with Condition 9 of the Development Order, 5.5 acres ( of Hardwood Swamp will be created above the mean high water line (Figure 2). As per the design constraints, the hardwood swamp will be f constructed at a 4 to 1 slope. This will allow approximately 8-10 I feet of planting habitat along the lake shores. Long-term maintenance of the swamp vegetation is dependent upon establishing and maintaining I saturated to temporarily flooded soil conditions. This will ultimately be regulated by storage of ground water in the lakes. \ I , Desired species for the hardwood swamp include swamp bay (Persea t palustris), dahoon holly (Ilex cassine), sweet bay (Magnolia virginiana), Carolina willow (Salix caroliniana), pond apple l (Annona glabra), red maple (Acer rubrum), and wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera). Nursery grown trees of various sizes (1-20 gallon) will be utilized throughout the mitigated areas. Transplanted trees from on-site wetlands will be used where possible. (Trees will be planted on 10 foot centers or in clumps to simulate natural field conditions. Based on a trees wetland affinity, the following zonation will be used in each hardwood swamp zone. More water tolerant species such as pond apple, red maple, and sweet bay will be planted near the mean l. r 7 r high water line or at the 12 foot elevation. Swamp bay, dahoon holly, r and Carolina willow will be planted above the saturated zone with wax myrtle occupying the ecotone between the hardwood swamp and the upland I vegetation. No specific numbers of required tree species can be- provided at f this time because many of these species may not be available when f planting commences. It may be necessary to alter planting specifications prior to planting the hardwood swamp zones. I ! 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