Project No. 16RBT2441

RAPTOR BAY TOWERS LEE COUNTY PROTECTED SPECIES SURVEY

August 2016

Prepared For:

WCI Communities 24301 Walden Center Drive

Bonita Springs, Florida 34109 (239) 498-8200

Prepared By:

Passarella & Associates, Inc. 13620 Metropolis Avenue, Suite 200

Fort Myers, Florida 33912 (239) 274-0067

i

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

Introduction ....................................................................................................................................1 Land Uses and Vegetation Associations ........................................................................................1 Methodology and Discussion .........................................................................................................3 Survey Results ...............................................................................................................................6 Abundance of Protected Species Observed ...................................................................................6 Management Plan...........................................................................................................................9 References .....................................................................................................................................10

ii

LIST OF FIGURES

Page

Figure 1. Project Location Map ............................................................................................ 2

iii

LIST OF TABLES

Page

Table 1. Existing Land Use and Cover Summary ............................................................... 1 Table 2. Potential Lee County Protected Species by Habitat Type ................................... 3 Table 3. Summary of Habitat Coverage ............................................................................. 6 Table 4. Lee County Protected Species Abundance Calculations ..................................... 6 Table 5. Lee County Protected Species Survey Summary................................................. 7

iv

LIST OF APPENDICES

Page

Appendix A. Aerial with FLUCFCS and Wetlands Map ........................................................... A Appendix B. Aerial with FLUCFCS and Wetlands, Survey Transects, and Species Locations Map .................................................................................. B

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INTRODUCTION This report documents the Lee County protected species survey (PSS) conducted by Passarella & Associates, Inc. (PAI) on the 55.16± acre proposed Raptor Bay Towers site (Project). The purpose of the survey was to review the property for protected species in accordance with Lee County Land Development Code (LDC) Chapter 10, Article III, Division 8 (Protection of Habitat) Standards. The Project is located in Section 7, Township 47 South, Range 25 East, Lee County (Figure 1). More specifically, the property is located off of Coconut Road, approximately 1.5 miles west of US 41 and approximately 2.28 miles south of Corkscrew Road. The Project site is currently an active golf course and is adjacent to the Hyatt Coconut Plantation (Timeshares), Raptor Bay Golf Clubhouse, and Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve to the west. LAND USES AND VEGETATION ASSOCIATIONS The vegetation mapping for the Project was conducted using February 2016 Lee County rectified aerials. Groundtruthing to map the vegetative communities was conducted in June 2016 utilizing the Florida Land Use, Cover, and Forms Classification System (FLUCFCS) Level III (Florida Department of Transportation 1999). AutoCAD Map 3D 2015 software was used to determine the acreage of each mapping area, produce summaries, and generate the FLUCFCS map. A total of nine vegetative associations and land uses (i.e., FLUCFCS codes) were identified on the property. Table 1 provides the breakdown of the FLUCFCS codes by acreage. The FLUCFCS map with acreages is provided as Appendix A. Table 1. Existing Land Use and Cover Summary FLUCFCS

Code Description Acreage Percent of Total

182 Golf Course 34.00 61.6 411 Pine Flatwoods 2.74 5.0 427 Live Oak 0.51 0.9 514 Ditch 0.06 0.1 525 Shallow Pond 11.19 20.3 612 Mangrove Swamps 0.20 0.4 617 Mixed Wetland Hardwoods 0.33 0.6 626 Pine, Hydric 1.87 3.4 642 Saltwater Marshes 1.44 2.6 814 Road 2.82 5.1 Total 55.16 100.0

REVIEWED BY

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PROJECT LOCATIONSEC 7, TWP 47 S, RNG 25 E

FIGURE 1. PROJECT LOCATION MAP T.S.C.G.

8/18/168/18/16RAPTOR BAY TOWERS

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METHODOLOGY AND DISCUSSION Surveys for Lee County protected species are based on the presence of specific vegetation associations and habitat types as outlined in Appendix H of the LDC. The frequency of transects performed in these habitats were designed to meet the 80 percent minimum coverage requirement. Based on past experience and conversations with Lee County Division of Environmental Sciences staff, surveys were also conducted in specific habitats not technically required to be surveyed per the LDC. These areas were reviewed for certain protected species as a precautionary measure. Table 2 outlines those protected species that may inhabit or utilize a particular vegetation association. Table 2. Potential Lee County Protected Species by Habitat Type FLUCFCS

Code Description Potential Protected Species

182 Golf Course* Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus)

411 Pine Flatwoods

Eastern Indigo Snake (Drymarchon corais couperi) Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) Gopher Frog (Rana capito) Southeastern American Kestrel (Falco sparverius paulus) Red-Cockaded Woodpecker (Picoides borealis) Florida Panther (Puma concolor coryi) Big Cypress Fox Squirrel (Sciurus niger avicennia) Florida Black Bear (Ursus americanus floridanus) Fakahatchee Burmannia (Burmannia flava) Satinleaf (Crysophyllum olivaeforme) Beautiful Pawpaw (Deeringothamnus pulchellus) Florida Coontie (Zamia floridana)

427 Live Oak

Eastern Indigo Snake (Drymarchon corais couperi) Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) Florida Panther (Puma concolor coryi) Florida Black Bear (Ursus americanus floridanus) Simpson’s Stopper (Myrcianthes fragrans var. simpsonii) Hand Adder’s Tongue Fern (Ophioglossum palmatum)

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Table 2. (Continued) FLUCFCS

Code Description Potential Protected Species

514 Ditch

American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) Roseate Spoonbill (Ajaia ajaja) Limpkin (Aramus guarauna) Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea) Reddish Egret (Egretta rufescens) Snowy Egret (Egretta thula) Tri-Colored Heron (Egretta tricolor) Everglades Mink (Mustela vison evergladensis)

525 Shallow Pond

American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) Roseate Spoonbill (Ajaia ajaja) Limpkin (Aramus guarauna) Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea) Reddish Egret (Egretta rufescens) Snowy Egret (Egretta thula) Tri-Colored Heron (Egretta tricolor) Everglades Mink (Mustela vison evergladensis)

612 Mangrove Swamps

American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) Roseate Spoonbill (Ajaia ajaja) Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea) Reddish Egret (Egretta rufescens) Snowy Egret (Egretta thula) Tri-Colored Heron (Egretta tricolor) Wood Stork (Mycteria americana) Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) Big Cypress Fox Squirrel (Sciurus niger avicennia) Florida Black Bear (Ursus americanus floridanus) Prickly-Apple (Cereus gracillis) Twisted Air Plant (Tillandsia flexuosa)

617 Mixed Wetland Hardwoods

American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) Limpkin (Aramus guarauna) Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea) Reddish Egret (Egretta rufescens)

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Table 2. (Continued) FLUCFCS

Code Description Potential Protected Species

617 (Continued) Mixed Wetland Hardwoods

Snowy Egret (Egretta thula) Tricolored Heron (Egretta tricolor) Wood Stork (Mycteria americana) Florida Panther (Puma concolor coryi) Big Cypress Fox Squirrel (Sciurus niger avicennia) Florida Black Bear (Ursus americanus floridanus) Twisted Air Plant (Tillandsia flexuosa)

626 Pine, Hydric

Gopher Frog (Rana capito) Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea) Reddish Egret (Egretta rufescens) Snowy Egret (Egretta thula) Tri-Colored Heron (Egretta tricolor) Arctic Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus tundrius) Everglades Mink (Mustela vison evergladensis) Big Cypress Fox Squirrel (Sciurus niger avicennia)

642 Saltwater Marsh

American Crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) Roseate Spoonbill (Ajaia ajaja) Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea) Reddish Egret (Egretta rufescens) Snowy Egret (Egretta thula) Tri-Colored Heron (Egretta tricolor) Wood Stork (Mycteria americana)

814 Road N/A *Habitat surveyed for species noted, but not required to be surveyed per the LDC. The PSS for the Project was conducted on August 9, 2016. Surveys were conducted during the daylight hours. Weather conditions during the survey period included temperatures in the middle to upper 80s with mostly cloudy skies and winds variable at 5-10 mph. The type of survey utilized for the PSS included meandering pedestrian transects, per WilsonMiller, Inc. methodology, previously approved by Lee County. Visibility along each transect in the surveyed habitats varied due to the density of vegetation. A summary of the limits of visibility, number, length of transects walked, and percent of coverage by habitat type is provided in Table 3. Habitats were surveyed at or greater than 80 percent coverage.

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Table 3. Summary of Habitat Coverage

FLUCFCS Code Description

Total Area

(Acres)

Transect Length (Feet)

Average Visibility

(Feet)1

Percent Coverage

182 Golf Course 34 7899 75 80 411 Pine Flatwoods 2.74 955 50 80 4279 E2 Live Oak 0.51 178 50 80 514 Ditch 0.06 21 50 80 525 Shallow Pond 11.19 1,950 100 80 6129 E2 Mangrove Swamps 0.2 70 50 80 617 E2 Mixed Wetland Hardwoods 0.33 115 50 80 6269 E2 Pine, Hydric 1.87 652 50 80 6429 E2 Saltwater Marshes 1.44 502 50 80

1Average visibility to one side of transect. SURVEY RESULTS During the survey, one American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) and two gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) burrows were documented on the Project site. A copy of a February 2016 aerial photograph with the survey transects and protected species locations is provided as Appendix B. ABUNDANCE OF PROTECTED SPECIES OBSERVED Density calculations are provided for each Lee County protected species documented within each habitat type. Separate calculations will be provided if more than one of the same protected species is observed within different habitat types. The Lee County protected species abundance calculations are provided in Table 4, while Table 5 summarizes the protected species survey findings. Table 4. Lee County Protected Species Abundance Calculations Protected Species Density: = {n(C)/[L (w1+w2)]} (43,560 ft.2/ac)

Where n= number of individuals observed or active plus inactive gopher tortoise burrows

L= length of transect w1= distance of visibility to the right of transect

w2= distance of visibility to the left of transect C= gopher tortoise conversion factor (0.5)*

*Used for gopher tortoise calculation only

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American Alligator FLUCFCS Code 525 (1) = {1 / [(1,950 ft.) (100 ft. + 100 ft.)]}(43,560) = {1 /390,000}(43,560) = {2.56 x 10-6}(43,560) = 0.11 American Alligator/acre Gopher Tortoise Burrow FLUCFCS Code 182 (2) = {2(0.5) / [(7,899 ft.) (75 ft. + 75 ft.)]}(43,560) = {2(0.5) /1,184,850}(43,560) = {8.44 x 10-7}(43,560) = 0.04 Gopher Tortoise/acre Table 5. Lee County Protected Species Survey Summary

Protected Species FLUCFCS Code/Area

Percent Area

Surveyed Present Absent Density

(Per Acre)

Reptiles

American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis)

514 80 X 525 80 X 0.11 6129 E2 80 X 6179 E2 80 X

American Crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) 6429 E2 80 X

Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) 182 80 X 0.04

Gopher Frog (Rana capito) 6269 E2 80 X Birds

Roseate Spoonbill (Ajaia ajaja)

514 80 X 525 80 X 6129 E2 80 X 6429 E2 80 X

Limpkin (Aramus guarauna) 514 80 X 525 80 X 6179 E2 80 X

Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia floridana) 182 80 X

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Table 5. (Continued)

Protected Species FLUCFCS Code/Area

Percent Area

Surveyed Present Absent Density

(Per Acre)

Birds (Continued)

Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea)

514 80 X 525 80 X 6129 E2 80 X 6179 E 80 X 6269 E2 80 X 6429 E2 80 X

Reddish Egret (Egretta rufescens)

514 80 X 525 80 X 6129 E2 80 X 6179 E2 80 X 6269 E2 80 X 6429 E2 80 X

Snowy Egret (Egretta thula)

514 80 X 525 80 X 6129 E2 80 X 6179 E2 80 X 6269 E2 80 X 6429 E2 80 X

Tri-Colored Heron (Egretta tricolor)

514 80 X 525 80 X 6129 E2 80 X 6179E2 80 X 6269 E2 80 X 6429 E2 80 X

Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) 6129 E2 80 X

Wood Stork (Mycteria americana)

6129 E2 80 X 6179 E2 80 X 6429 E2 80 X

Arctic Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus tundrius) 6269 E2 80 X

Snail Kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis) 514 80 X

Mammals Florida Panther (Puma concolor coryi) 4279 E2 80 X

Everglades Mink (Mustela vison evergladensis)

514 80 X 525 80 X 6269 E2 80 X

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Table 5. (Continued)

Protected Species FLUCFCS Code/Area

Percent Area

Surveyed Present Absent Density

(Per Acre)

Mammals (Continued)

Big Cypress Fox Squirrel (Sciurus niger avicennia)

6129 E2 80 X 6179 E2 80 X 6269 E2 80 X

Florida Black Bear (Ursus americanus floridanus)

4279 E2 80 X 6129 E2 80 X 6179 E2 80 X

Plants Prickly-apple (Cereus gracillis) 6129 E2 80 X

Simpson’s Stopper (Myrcianthes fragrans var. simpsonii)

4279 E2 80 X

Twisted Air Plant (Tillandsia flexuosa)

4279 E2 80 X 6129 E2 80 X 6179 E2 80 X

MANAGEMENT PLAN A protected species management plan per LDC 10-474 will be prepared and submitted to the City of Bonita Springs as part of the review process for the Project. The protected species management plan will outline protection measures for the protected species documented on the Project site.

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REFERENCES

Florida Department of Transportation. 1999. Florida Land Use, Cover and Forms Classification System. Procedure No. 550-010-001-a. Third Edition.

APPENDIX A

AERIAL WITH FLUCFCS AND WETLANDS MAP

SCALE: 1" = 200'

13620 Metropolis AvenueSuite 200

Fort Myers, Florida 33912Phone (239) 274-0067

Fax (239) 274-0069

DRAWING No.

SHEET No.

16RBT2441T.S.

C.G.

8/18/16DATE

DATE

8/18/16

DATEDRAWN BY

REVIEWED BY

REVISED

RAPTOR BAY TOWERSAERIAL WITH FLUCFCS AND WETLANDS MAP

APPENDIX A

APPENDIX B

AERIAL WITH FLUCFCS AND WETLANDS, SURVEY TRANSECTS, AND SPECIES LOCATIONS MAP

AA

GT-2

GT-1

SCALE: 1" = 200'

13620 Metropolis AvenueSuite 200

Fort Myers, Florida 33912Phone (239) 274-0067

Fax (239) 274-0069

DRAWING No.

SHEET No.

16RBT2441T.S.

C.G.

8/18/16DATE

DATE

8/18/16

DATEDRAWN BY

REVIEWED BY

REVISED

RAPTOR BAY TOWERSAERIAL WITH FLUCFCS AND WETLANDS,

SURVEY TRANSECTS, AND SPECIESLOCATIONS MAP APPENDIX B

AA

GT-1