REVIEW COMMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
BAY VISTA
BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA
MAY 2000
For
Altman Development Corporation
2201 Corporate Boulevard NW
Suite 200
Boca Raton, FL 33431
ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC.
1001 North US Highway 1, Suite 304
Jupiter, Florida 33477
(561) 743-5141
EP99096.02
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. SITE CONDITIONS. ........ ....... ..... .................................. ..... ... ....... ..... ........... .... ...... .... ...1
A. Site Location.. .......... .... ...... .............. ..................................................... ........ ......1
B. Aerial Photograph. ......... ......................... ............. ............................. ..... .............1
C. Soil Types..... ................................... ..... ..... ....... .................................................. 1
D. Vegetation and Wildlife Inventory .....................................................................1
E. Endangered, Threatened, and Species of Special Concem.................................5
F. Colonial Bird Nesting or Roosting Areas ...........................................................5
G. Archaeologically and Geologically Significant Features.................................... 5
II. PROJECT DESIGN....... ........ ...... .,. .............. ....... .......... ....................... ................... .......6
A. Site Plan.............................................................................................................. 6
B. Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Setbacks ........................................................... 6
C. Other Authorizations.. ...................................... ...... ..... .......... ..............................6
D. Mitigation Area...... ....... ......................... ..... .............. .................................. ........7
REFERENCES ...........................................................................................................................8
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Site Location Map................. ....... .............. ...... ............................ .................. .....2
Vegetative Communities.. ........................ ................................. ..........................3
Site Soils Map.............. ......................... ........ ............. .............. .......... ..... ............ 4
11
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
BAY VISTA
BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA
I. SITE CONDITIONS
A. Site Location
Environmental Services, Inc., (ESI) conducted an environmental assessment of the
approximately 14-acre site. The site is located east of U.S. Highway 1, approximately 0.25
mile south of Woolbright Road in Sections 33 and 34, Township 45 South, Range 43 East,
Boynton Beach, Florida (Figure 1). The site comprises several parcels with various current
and past uses including single family residences and a commercial nursery facility on the
northwestern portion, and two commercial restaurant facilities and a vacant lot on the
southwestern portion. The site is bounded by multi-family residential developments on the
north and south, by the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AIW) on the east, and by U.S.
Highway 1 on the west.
B. Aerial Photograph
A copy of a 1 "=200' aerial photograph dated May 1995, with property boundaries and habitat
types indicated, is included as Figure 2.
C. Soil Types
The USDA Soil Conservation Service Soil Survey for Palm Beach County Area (1978) was
consulted for site soils information. The soils mapped for the site include Arents Urban Land
Complex and Myakka Urban Land Complex (Figure 3). Both ofthese soil types are typical
of former marshes and swamps that were historically filled for urban use.
D. Vegetation and Wildlife Inventory
An aerial photograph with existing vegetative communities delineated is included as Figure
2. The vegetative communities were delineated utilizing Florida Land Use, Cover and
Forms Classification System (Florida Department of Transportation 1999) (FLUCFCS). The
vegetative communities on the site can be grouped into two categories including urban land
and mangrove swamp.
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Location l\fap
Bay Vista
Boynton Beach, FL
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f Scale 1 " 2000'
,
I Date May 2000
/project No. EP99096.021 Figure 1
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ENVIRONMENTAL
SERVICES,INC,
Jupiter, Florida
Date of Aerial Photo: May 1995
Vegetative Communities I Scale -
1" = 200'
-
Bay Vista Date May 2000
-
Boynton Beach, FL Project No. EP99096.02 Figure 2
110 - Urban, residential
140 - Urban. commercial
190 - Urban. open land
612 - Mangrove swamp
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SOIL MAP UNITS
Ax - Arents Urban Land Complex
Mu - Myakka Urban Land Complex
* Soil Survey of Palm Beach County Area, Florida, 1978,
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ENVIRONMENT AL
SERVICES,INC,
Jupiter, Florida
Soil Map
Boynton Beach Parcel
Palm Beach County, Florida
Scale 1" = 1666.67'
Date October 1999
Project No. EP99096
Figure 3
The area identified as urban land consists of areas of intensive use with much of the land
occupied by man-made structures. The subject site includes both commercial and residential
urban uses. Most of the vegetation found within the urban land area is associated with
developed and/or disturbed areas. The vegetation consists of predominantly exotic or
nuisance species such as Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius), mahoe (Hibiscus
tilaceus), banyan (Ficus bengalensis), melaleuca (Melaleuca quinquenervia), schefflera
(Schefflera actinophylla), and scattered occurrences of cabbage palm (Sabal palmetto), and
royal palm (Roystonea elata).
The area identified as mangrove swamp is variably inundated, depending on the tide. The
mangrove swamp area is jurisdictional wetland for both State and Federal regulatory
agencies. Black mangrove (Avicennia germinans) dominates the area, with red mangrove
(Rhizophora mangle) and white mangrove (Laguncularia racemosa) also occurring in the
canopy. Other vegetative species found within the mangrove swamp area include
buttonwood (Conocarpus erecta) and exotic and nuisance species such as Brazilian pepper,
mahoe, and melaleuca. The exotic species are confined mainly to the mangrove swamp
perimeters and the northwestern corner of the swamp, where significant disturbance has
resulted from the existing nursery facility.
Wildlife observed or evidenced on the site occurred only in the mangrove swamp area and
included fiddler crabs (Uca sp.), raccoon (Procyon lotor), little blue heron (Egretta
caerulea), yellow-crowned night heron (Nyctanassa violacea), white ibis (Eudocimus albus),
prairie warbler (Dendroica discolor), and yellow-rumped warbler (Dendroica coronata),
E. Endangered, Threatened, and Species of Special Concern
Listed wildlife species are found in Florida's Endangered Species, Threatened Species and
Species of Special Concern, Official Lists (FGFWFC 1997). A series of pedestrian transects
were conducted across the property to observe for occurrence of any listed species.
The little blue heron and white ibis that were observed on the site are listed as Species of
Special Concern by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FFWCC). The
birds were observed foraging on the site and no nests or evidence of nesting activities were
observed, indicating the birds are likely not permanent residents of the site.
F. Colonial Bird Nesting or Roosting Areas
There are no known areas of colonial bird nesting or roosting on the subject site.
G. Archaeologically and Geologically Significant Features
No archaeologically significant features were observed during the site investigations,
However, to verify the observations, a routine check is being coordinated with the State
5
Historic Preservation Office. No geologically significant features were observed or are
known to occur on this site.
II. PROJECT DESIGN
A. Site Plan
The footprint of the proposed project is located mainly in the vegetative community
identified as urban land, The applicant, in development of the proposed site plan, has
minimized potential impact to the mangrove swamp wetland area to the greatest extent
practicable. The mangrove swamp will be an asset to the development. Only two small
areas (0.18 acre total) of development impact is located within the area identified as
mangrove swamp. The proposed impacts are located in highly disturbed areas of the
mangrove swamp. A boardwalk is proposed through the eastern side of the mangrove
swamp. The boardwalk will provide north-south access for residents, as well as an
opportunity to passively enjoy the native vegetation and wildlife in the mangrove preserve
area.
B. Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Setbacks
The Boynton Beach Comprehensive Plan recommends a minimum 150- foot setback along
the AIW. The intent of this setback is to protect and conserve important natural resources,
such as mangrove, that occur along the shoreline. Where mangrove wetland occurs on the
subject site, an average 340-foot buffer has been maintained from the AIW shoreline, as
shown on the current site plan. The extreme northeastern and southeastern portions of the
project site have been historically cleared, filled, and developed. Because these portions of
the site do not contain significant natural resources, a 150-foot setback would not serve a
purpose, A 200-foot development setback from the AIW channel is required and will be
maintained in these areas, consistent with the surrounding developments. Shoreline
treatments, such as rip-rap and mangrove plantings will be implemented in AIW areas
adjacent to proposed retaining walls.
c. Other Authorizations
Authorization will be obtained from the South Florida Water Management District
(SFWMD) and the U.S, Army Corps of Engineers (CE) for the proposed impacts to the
wetland and wetland buffer areas, Both agencies have verified the delineated wetland line
and have attended pre-application meetings to discuss the proposed project. The current site
plan incorporates recommendations ofSFWMD and CE staff. As compensatory mitigation
for impacts within the mangrove swamp wetland and buffer areas, the applicant proposes
preservation and enhancement of the remaining mangrove swamp,
6
D. Mitigation Area
The mitigation area comprises approximately 3.1 acres of mangrove swamp. The wetland
will be preserved by placement of a conservation easement, to be recorded with Palm Beach
County. Enhancement activities will include removal of exotic and nuisance plant species,
removal of trash and debris, and planting of desirable wetland plant species,
A detailed mitigation plan is being prepared for the SFWMD and CE permitting processes
and will be included as a part of permit authorizations from both agencies.
7
REFERENCES
Florida Association of Environmental Soil Scientists. 1995. Hydric Soils of Florida Handbook, 2nd
Ed. 409 p,
Florida Department of Transportation. 1999, Florida Land Use, Cover & Forms Classification
System. Tallahassee, Florida 91 p.
Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission, 1997. Florida's Endangered Species, Threatened
Species and Species of Special Concern, Official Lists. Tallahassee, Florida. 22p.
U, S. Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, 1978. Soil Survey of Palm Beach
County Area, Florida. 123 p. + maps,
USAE Waterways Experiment Station Environmental Laboratory, 1987, Corps of Engineers
Wetlands Delineation Manual, Technical Report Y-87-1, US Army Engineer Waterways
Experiment Station, Vicksburg, Mississippi.
8
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DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
JACKSONVILLE DISTRICT CORPS OF ENGINEERS
WEST PALM BEACH REGULATORY OFFICE
400 NORTH CONGRESS AVENUE, SUITE 130
WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA 33401
::':?C".i--I=I\j'ED
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N 0 V 1 2 1999
November 8, 1999
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Regulatory Division
South Permits Branch
1~~90472~,(jF-RM)
Boynton Beach Parcel
C/o Environmental Services, Inc.
ATTN: Mary Cottrill
1001 North U.S. 1, Suite 304
Jupiter, Florida 33477
Dear Ms Cottrill:
Reference is made to a jurisdictional determination for
the Boynton Beach Parcel located in, Sections 34 and 34,
Township 45 South, Range 43 East, Palm Beach County,
Florida.
The delineation shown on the attached map has been
verified by Ronald C. Miedema and represents the approximate
upland/wetland boundary for purposes of determining the U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers jurisdictional line. If any changes
in the location of this project are necessary, another
jurisdictional determination should be conducted. It is
your responsibility to obtain State, local or other Federal
approvals for your project, if required.
Please be advised that this jurisdictional delineation
shown reflects current policy and regulations and is valid
for a period no longer than 5 years from the date of this
letter. If after the 5-year period this jurisdictional
determination has not been specifically revalidated by the
Corps of Engineers, it shall automatically expire. Any
reliance upon jurisdictional correspondence beyond that time
frame may lead to incorrect planning and design efforts as
well as possible violations of current Federal laws and/or
regulations. You may revalidate or update the jurisdiction
guidance as appropriate for your project duration. Any
revalidation or updating will then reflect current Federal
laws and regulations.
The jurisdictional areas are regulated by the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers pursuant to Section 404 of the Clean
Water Act and/or Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbor Act of
1899. Any activities undertaken in these areas may require
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Department of the Army authorization. Other federal, state
or local permits may also be required.
Thank you for your cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers Regulatory Program. If you have any questions,
please contact Ronald C. Miedema at the above letterhead or
by telephone at (56l) 683-2917 or fax 4941.
, . ~ ~ ...
Sincerely,
R~l..J p.....~ ~
~ Linda S. Ferrell
~Chief, South Permits Branch
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Scale 1 " = 200'
Date October 1999
Project No, EP99096
ENVIRONMENT AL
SERVICES, INC,
Jupiter, Florida
Figure 1
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Potential Wetland Areas
Boynton Beach Parcel
Palm Beach County, Florida