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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006 - Management Plan Management Plan for the Ansin Riverfront Tract Conservation Area Indian River County, Florida FCT Project Number 04-025-FF4 Prepared by: FloridaAffinity, Inc. For: Indian River County, Florida Board of County Commissioners February, 2006 TABLE OF CONTENTS I. Introduction...................................................................................................................................................1 A. Location/Ownership B. Background Information II. Purpose...........................................................................................................................................................2 A. Purposes for Acquisition B. Management Objectives C. Comprehensive Plan Conformance III. Natural Resources.........................................................................................................................................6 A. Natural Communities B. Invasive Exotic Plants C. Upland Restoration D. Water Quality Protection E. Prescribed Fire Management F. Feral Animal Program G. Listed Plant Species H. Listed Animal Species I. Natural Communities Inventory and Monitoring J. Ecological Greenways IV. Cultural Resources......................................................................................................................................13 A. Archaeological Resources Inventory and Protection V. Site Development and Improvement .........................................................................................................14 A. Existing Physical Improvements B. Proposed Physical Improvements C. Acknowledgement Sign D. Hazard Mitigation E. Permits F. Easements, Concessions and Leases VI. Interpretive Program..................................................................................................................................17 A. Interpretive Signs VII. Management Needs.....................................................................................................................................17 A. Management Coordination B. Maintenance C. Security D. Staffing VIII. Cost Estimates and Funding Sources ........................................................................................................19 IX. Priority Schedule.........................................................................................................................................21 X. Monitoring and Reporting..........................................................................................................................23 A. Annual Stewardship Report LIST OF TABLES Table 1: Estimated Management and Development Costs...............................................20 LIST OF FIGURES Figure A: Vicinity Map.........................................................................................................3 Figure B: Regional Greenways and Blueways Map.............................................................4 Figure C: Natural Communities Map...................................................................................7 Figure D: Master Site Plan..................................................................................................15 Figure E: Management Activities Timeline .......................................................................22 LIST OF APPENDICES Appendix A: FNAI Species Report Forms Appendix B: EPPC List of Exotic Plants Appendix C FCT Grant Award Agreement Appendix D Recorded Deed 1 SECTION I – INTRODUCTION Indian River County (the County) recognizes the importance of preservation of natural resource areas and cultural sites within its jurisdiction. Policy directions incorporated in the County Comprehensive Plan define the types of resources to be protected through a variety of means, one of which will be outright purchase by the County. To carry out these policies, the County has developed a land acquisition program, managed by the Department of Community Development and coordinated through an appointed Land Acquisition Advisory Committee of concerned citizens and County officials. With funding from the Indian River County Environmental Lands Bond program, funded by ad valorem taxes, the County is prepared to enter cost-sharing partnerships with the Florida Communities Trust (FCT) for land acquisitions under the State's Florida Forever land acquisition programs. Grant funding from the Florida Communities Trust is requested for reimbursement for the County’s acquisition costs for a portion of the Ansin Riverfront Tract Conservation Area project site. This plan was developed to meet the management plan requirements of the Florida Forever program and the Florida Communities Trust, to ensure that the property will be developed in accordance with the FCT Grant Award Agreement (Agreement #04-025-FF4) and in furtherance of the purposes of the grant application. A. Location and Ownership The Conservation Area is located north of the intersection of County Roads 512 and 510, between the towns of Sebastian and Fellsmere. The 28-acre parcel that is the subject of this management plan is part of a slightly larger tract of land purchased from Ronald Ansin by Indian River County in August, 2005. The remainder of the land purchase, approximately 4 acres, will provide right-of-way and stormwater management facilities for the County’s road widening project for CR 512. B. Background Information The Indian River County Future Land Use Map and Land Development Regulations designate the project site for commercial uses at the intersection of the county roads, and residential development at 3 units per acre. Adjacent lands are zoned for residential uses to the north, northeast and northwest, and commercial uses along CR 512 to the west of the property. The Conservation Area protects approximately 700 feet of shoreline on the South Prong of the St. Sebastian River, a part of the Indian River – Malabar to Vero Beach State Aquatic Preserve. A 2 acre County canoe/kayak launch facility and the southeastern corner of the St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park are contiguous to the Ansin tract at its northeast corner. The Conservation Area will connect these public lands to a larger potential land acquisition located south of CR 512 (the St. Sebastian River Greenway), if that purchase is successful in the future. (See Figure B.) 2 The abandoned rail corridor of the historic Trans-Florida Central Railroad bisects the Ansin Riverfront Tract Conservation Area from east to west. The corridor is owned by Indian River County and is being considered for development as a bicycle/pedestrian trail connecting communities and county lands to the east with the Conservation Area and the canoe launch park, the North County Regional Park and the State park entrance (about 1 mile to the west) and the Town of Fellsmere, further to the west. SECTION II – PURPOSE A. Purposes for Acquisition The Ansin Riverfront Tract Conservation Area was purchased for three inter- related purposes. The primary purpose of acquisition is to provide additional buffer for water quality protection in the watershed of the St. Sebastian River and the State aquatic preserve. The County acquisition is one small part of a multiple- phase land acquisition project that has been pursued by Indian River County, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the St. Johns River Water Management District for many years. The goal of these acquisition projects is to provide a substantial undeveloped buffer on the St. Sebastian River and the aquatic preserve to eliminate the potential for surface and groundwater quality degradation resulting from development. The second purpose of the acquisition is to provide a connection between CR 512 and the Trans-Florida Central Railroad grade to the existing County canoe launch park and the 23,000 acre St. Sebastian River Preserve State park (the State park). The Conservation Area will function as a part of an extensive ecological and recreational greenway, especially if future land acquisition efforts on the St. Sebastian River Greenway project prove successful. Finally, the acquisition of the Ansin Tract by the County ended stalemate in the effort to widen CR 512 while providing a greater measure of protection from stormwater runoff impacts to the South Prong of the St. Sebastian River. As discussed above, approximately 3 acres of the Ansin tract have been excluded from this project: 1 acre north of the county road to expand the road right of way, and a 2-acre triangle of land south of the road for location of a stormwater retention pond. A permanent recognition sign shall be maintained facing Watervliet Street at the northwestern corner of the project site. The sign shall acknowledge that the project site is open to the public and was purchased with funds from the Florida Communities Trust Florida Forever Program and Indian River County. The project site will be identified in all advertising and literature as acquired with funds for the Florida Communities Trust and the County will operate the site as a conservation or outdoor recreation area. 5 B. Management Objectives The following management objectives have been identified to guide the County's management of the Conservation area: 1. Compile thorough plant and animal species lists, identify locations of any listed plant and animal species and conduct a reconnaissance-level cultural resources survey of the property to guide decisions on future resource management and facilities development activities. 2. Work through existing water quality protection regulations to protect and improve the quality and regulate the quantity of surface water runoff entering the St. Sebastian River from adjacent developed and undeveloped land. 3. Develop and implement a prescribed fire management program to maintain the mesic flatwoods areas of the property in a variety of successional stages of growth. 4. Eradicate invasive exotic plant species and exotic or nuisance animals and maintain the site free of both exotic plants and animals in the future. 5. Collaborate with local citizens, State agencies and Non-Governmental Organizations to plan and develop recreational greenway and nature trail connections between the local communities, the Conservation Area, the County park and the State park. 6. Coordinate with federal, State and other County agencies who manage public land in the St. Sebastian River corridor to provide continuity in the management of natural and cultural resources and to connect recreational opportunities along the St. Sebastian River greenway corridor and along the future reconstructed county road. C. Comprehensive Plan Conformance The Indian River County Comprehensive Plan provides specific policy directives regarding preservation of environmentally sensitive lands and cultural resource sites within the County. The Ansin Riverfront Tract Conservation Area addresses the following specific policy goals and objectives of the County’s Comprehensive Plan: Recreation and Open Space Policy 1.1 - seeks to provide 4 acres of recreation area per 1,000 people in Indian River County. Recreation and Open Space Objective 8 and Policy 8.1 – directs the County to increase public open space for passive recreation and historic sites. Conservation Objective 6, Policies 6.1 and 6.14, mandating the preservation of upland native plant communities, directing the County to assist other agencies in establishment of regional preserves to function as ecological greenway corridors, and directing the protection of flatwoods and bottomlands that buffer the State aquatic preserve. Conservation Policy 8.6 - directing that priority be given to acquiring lands that create new or enhanced ecological greenways and recreational trail opportunities. 6 Conservation Objective 12 and Policy 12.5 - establishing a conservation land management program and funding the restoration and enhancement of impacted wetland and upland areas and the eradication of nuisance exotic vegetation on acquired lands. Coastal Management Objective 8 – directing an increase in the number of public access points to natural resources within the coastal zone, including the St. Sebastian River. Coastal Management Objective 9, Policies 9.1 and 9.2 – directing protection of historic structures and archaeological sites. Portions of the project area lie within the 100-year flood zone. The acquisition supports the County's hazard mitigation strategy by directing future residential development elsewhere, to prevent community growth in an inappropriate area and reducing potential future losses. Indian River County will amend the Future Land Use Classification for the Conservation Area on the next Comprehensive Plan amendment cycle after the approval of this management plan. The classifications will be changed to Conservation land use, and rezoning of the area to the appropriate zoning designation will follow the amendment of the Comprehensive Plan. Monitoring of the development review process and enforcement of the provisions of the County's land use, zoning and land development regulations on adjacent undeveloped land will serve to adequately buffer the project site from adverse impacts of future adjacent land uses. SECTION III – NATURAL RESOURCES A. Natural Communities The Conservation Area supports 3 natural communities: mesic flatwoods (85 percent), bottomland forest (19 percent) and blackwater stream grading into bottomland forest (16 percent). These vegetative communities are in good to excellent condition. Minor infestations of invasive exotic plants have been located on the Natural Communities Map. Following are brief inventories of the communities. Mesic Flatwoods (approx. 18.1 acres) Mesic flatwoods are characterized as an open canopy forest of widely spaced pine trees with little or no understory but a dense ground cover of herbs and shrubs. The variation of this community that occupies the Conservation Area is the slash pine - gallberry - saw palmetto association. Other typical plants include: St. Johns-wort, dwarf huckleberry, fetterbush, dwarf wax myrtle, stagger bush, blueberry, gopher apple, tar flower, bog buttons, blackroot, false foxglove, white- topped aster, yellow-eyed grass, and cutthroat grass. Typical animals of mesic flatwoods include: oak toad, little grass frog, narrowmouth toad, black racer, red rat snake, southeastern kestrel, brown-headed nuthatch, pine warbler, Bachman’s 8 sparrow, cotton rat, cotton mouse, black bear, raccoon, gray fox, bobcat, and white-tailed deer. Mesic Flatwoods occur on relatively flat, moderately to poorly drained terrain. The soils typically consist of 1-3 feet of acidic sands generally overlying an organic hardpan or clayey subsoil. The hardpan substantially reduces the percolation of water below and above its surface. During the rainy seasons, water frequently stands on the hardpan’s surface and briefly inundates much of the flatwoods; while during the drier seasons, ground water is unobtainable for many plants whose roots fail to penetrate the hardpan. Thus, many plants are under the stress of water saturation during the wet seasons and under the stress of dehydration during the dry seasons. Mesic flatwoods are the most widespread biological community in Florida, occupying an estimated 30 to 50% of the state’s uplands. However, very few undisturbed areas of Mesic flatwoods exist because of habitat mismanagement and silvicultural, agricultural, or residential development. Mesic Flatwoods are often fairly resilient, and with proper management they can generally be restored. Probably the most important physical factor in Mesic flatwoods is its dependence on fire, which probably occurred every 1 to 8 years during pre-Columbian times. Nearly all plants and animals inhabiting this community are adapted to periodic fires; several species depend on fire for their continued existence. Without relatively frequent fires, Mesic flatwoods succeed into hardwood-dominated forests whose closed canopy can essentially eliminate the ground cover herbs and shrubs. Additionally, the dense layer of litter that accumulates on unburned sites can eliminate the reproduction of pines which require a mineral soil substrate for proper germination. Thus, the integrity of the Mesic Flatwoods community is dependent on periodic fires. As discussed below, the introduction of prescribed fire and the eradication of invasive exotic plants will be the primary resource management activity required to improve the condition of this community. The long tem goal is to establish stands of pines at natural densities for this community type, and maintain the mesic flatwoods communities on the site in two or three successional stages, to enhance the diversity of plants and animals on the Conservation Area. In the short term, a survey for active Southern pine beetle infestations is needed. Selective harvest and removal of infested trees or pesticide application to infested trees should be used to address this ongoing threat. Photo points will be established within the flatwoods community for long-term monitoring of the progress of prescribed fire management and community improvement. Bottomland Forest (approx. 5.3 acres) Bottomland forest is characterized as a low-lying, closed-canopy forest of tall, straight trees with either a dense shrubby understory and little ground cover, or an open understory and ground cover of ferns, herbs, and grasses. Typical plants include water oak, live oak, red maple, sweetgum, loblolly pine, white cedar, cabbage palm, diamond-leaf oak, southern magnolia, loblolly bay, swamp tupelo, 9 spruce pine, American beech, dahoon holly, wax myrtle, swamp dogwood, Florida elm, stiffcornel dogwood, and American hornbeam. Typical animals include marbled salamander, mole salamander, three-lined salamander, slimy salamander, five-lined skink, ringneck snake, gray rat snake, eastern king snake, cottonmouth, wood duck, red-tailed hawk, turkey, yellow-billed cuckoo, screech- owl, great-horned owl, ruby-throated hummingbird, acadian flycatcher, pileated woodpecker, hermit thrush, cedar waxwing, yellow-throated warbler, opossum, gray squirrel, flying squirrel, raccoon, mink, gray fox, bobcat, and white-tailed deer. Bottomland forest occurs on low-lying flatlands that usually border streams with distinct banks, such that water rarely overflows the stream channel to inundate the forest. They also occur in scattered low spots in basins and depressions that are rarely inundated, which allows typical upland species to survive. Soils are generally a mixture of clay and organic materials. The water table is high, but Bottomland Forests are inundated only during extreme floods or exceptionally heavy rains (i.e., not annually). Tree density and species diversity is relatively high. The forest canopy is dense and closed, except during winter in areas where deciduous trees predominate. Thus, air movement and light penetration are generally low, making the humidity high and relatively constant. Because of these characteristics, Bottomland Forests rarely burn. Bottomland Forest is a very stable community that requires a hundred years or more to mature. Nearly all Bottomland Forests have suffered from timbering operations, which frequently leave long-lasting scars from soil disturbance. At the Conservation Area, little disturbance to this community and the Blackwater Stream community that it is closely associated with. Management measures to protect and enhance surface water quality entering the property will be the primary management need for protection of the Bottomland Forest areas of the site. Blackwater Stream/Bottomland forest (approx. 4.6 acres) Blackwater streams are characterized as perennial or intermittent seasonal watercourses originating deep in sandy lowlands where extensive wetlands with organic soils function as reservoirs, collecting rainfall and discharging it slowly to the stream. The tea-colored waters of Blackwater Streams are laden with tannins, particulates, and dissolved organic matter and iron derived from drainage through swamps and marshes. They generally are acidic (pH = 4.0 - 6.0), but may become circumneutral or slightly alkaline during low-flow stages when influenced by alkaline groundwater. Water temperatures may fluctuate substantially and are generally correlated with seasonal fluctuations in air temperature. The dark- colored water reduces light penetration and, thus, inhibits photosynthesis and the growth of submerged aquatic plants. Emergent and floating aquatic vegetation may occur along shallower and slower moving sections, but their presence is often reduced because of typically steep banks and considerable seasonal fluctuations in water level. Typical plants include golden club, smartweed, sedges, 10 and grasses. Typical animals include river longnose gar, gizzard shad, threadfin shad, redfin pickerel, chain pickerel, ironcolor shiner, Ohooppee shiner, weed shiner, blacktail shiner, chubsucker, channel catfish, banded topminnow, pygmy killifish mosquitofish, mud sunfish, flier, everglades pygmy sunfish, banded sunfish, redbreast sunfish, dollar sunfish, stumpknocker, spotted bass, black crappie, darters, Alabama waterdog, river frog, alligator, snapping turtle, alligator snapping turtle, river cooter, Florida cooter, peninsula cooter, stinkpot, spiny softshell, red-belly watersnake, brown watersnake, beaver, and river otter. At the Ansin Riverfront Tract Conservation Area, the South Prong of the St. Sebastian River and a branch flowing through the property from the west are blackwater stream communities. The river and the branch are in good condition, at this time. The branch is fairly overgrown with trees and shrubs of the bottomland forest community along its narrow floodplain, and is somewhat inaccessible. B. Invasive Exotic Plants Approximately 1 acre of Australian pine trees, scattered infestations of Brazilian peppers and air potato vines have been noted at the Conservation Area (see Natural Communities Map). The affected areas are those disturbed by road or railroad construction, and appear to be located along the road right of ways at the south, west and north edges of the property. In total, approximately 3 acres of the Conservation Area are affected by infestation. During the first year of active management on the property, County staff will survey the entire property, map locations of exotic plants, and proceed with a program to eliminate them over the next several years. The Florida Pest Plant Council's List of Invasive Exotic Plants (Appendix B) will be used to guide this effort. Mechanical removal and/or herbicide treatment of plants will be followed with careful monitoring on an annual cycle (at minimum) and follow-up treatment, as needed. C. Upland Restoration Given the good overall condition of the natural communities on this site, only areas where exotic plants have been removed will require restoration measures. Tree and shrub species of the mesic flatwoods community may be introduced to the area now supporting Australian pines after their removal. Planted species should include slash pines, gallberries, wax myrtles and saw palmettos. Other shrub and groundcover species will move into the areas through natural seed dispersal. In the other areas now affected by exotic plants, natural succession of native plant species will be sufficient for restoration of the natural community. D. Water Quality Protection The greatest threat to the natural communities of the Conservation Area is degradation of the quality of water entering the system from adjacent uplands. Rapid development in this area of Indian River County poses considerable threat in this way, although modern land development regulations that require adequate treatment of stormwater will serve to mitigate these impacts. The fact that the St. Sebastian River is part of the larger State aquatic preserve serves to elevate the level of water quality protection required for new development. County staff will 11 work closely with all adjacent land developers on new projects and with owners of existing developments to assure that stormwater management regulations are followed. Staff will request that the State aquatic preserve or the St. John's River Water Management District extend the collection of water quality data to the St. Sebastian River adjacent to the Conservation Area, to assist in monitoring changes in the water entering the site over time. County staff will also assure that the culverts, road shoulders and stormwater management systems along CR 512, at the County canoe launch park and on Watervliet Street are maintained to the standards required by permits and current regulations. Water quality impacts from the public access facilities proposed in this plan are not anticipated, due to the small scale of development and the absence of on-site parking facilities. E. Prescribed Fire Management Management of the mesic flatwoods natural community will be the most important activity at the Conservation Area over time. County staff will work with the Florida Division of Forestry (DOF) to develop a prescribed fire management plan and install necessary firebreaks along the southern, western and northern perimeters of the property during the first year of active management. Mecanical reduction of fuel loads may be necessary to begin the fire management program. Burn intervals will be established to develop several successional stages of mesic flatwoods to allow a wider diversity of plant and animal species to occupy the site. Interpretive materials at the Conservation Area and at the canoe launch park will explain the need for regular fires in the flatwoods community. County staff will work to educate adjacent owners regarding this aspect of resource management at the Conservation Area. Given the rapid rate of development on surrounding land, smoke management will be one of the larger challenges faced by the County as they implement the prescribed fire management plan. F. Feral Animal Program There is little evidence of feral animal problems on the property at this time. Feral hogs may move into the Conservation Area along the river floodplain from the large area to the north. When noted, these destructive invaders will be removed by County animal control staff. Feral cats and dogs found on the site will be removed. Feral animal control efforts on the property will begin within six months after County staff begins active management of the property. G. Listed Plant Species Listed plants potentially found on the Conservation Area may include a variety of species common to mesic flatwoods and bottomland forests and documented in the adjacent state park. Potential flatwoods species include spoon-leaved sundew, blue butterwort, and yellow butterwort, celestial lily, Catesby’s lily, also known as pine lily, garberia, Florida beargrass, butterfly orchid , terrestrial orchid species including grass pink and several species of ladies-tresses, and nodding clubmoss. Listed plants potentially occupying the bottomland forest on the site include hand fern, Royal fern and cinnamon fern. 12 A plant and animal survey will be conducted or contracted by the County during the first year of management will serve to identify and locate any listed plants on the property. Any listed species found on the property will be reported to the Florida Natural Areas Inventory (FNAI) using the prescribed form (see Appendix A). County staff will monitor any listed plant populations and take appropriate actions to enhance the habitats the plants depend on. The management activities discussed in this plan for re-introducing natural fire regimes in the flatwoods and protecting water quality in the wetlands may be the extent of actions necessary to assure the health listed plant species at the conservation area. H. Listed Animal Species Gopher tortoises are the only listed animal species known to inhabit the property at this time. These animals will be protected from visitor disturbances, and will benefit greatly from the prescribed fire and feral animal management programs to be implemented by the County. The plant and animal survey will include an effort to locate and map all active tortoise burrows to provide baseline data and allow staff to monitor the population of the species, over time. Any other listed animals found on the site will be reported to the FNAI using the prescribed form (see Appendix A). A comprehensive survey to inventory and monitor the distribution and abundance of fishes and selected invertebrates of the St. Sebastian River was conducted in 1999-2000 (Paperno and Brodie 2000). Three notable species (slashcheek goby (Gobionellus pseudofasciatus), opossum pipefish (Oostethus brachyurus lineatus), and bigmouth sleeper (Gobiomorus dormitor)) were found in the St. Sebastian River. They are among the few examples of euryhaline tropical freshwater species found in North America. The St. Sebastian River is thought to provide the only suitable habitat north of the Caribbean and Central America for these species because water temperatures are higher than in other freshwater tributaries of peninsular Florida. However, none of the above are protected species. The species of fish are likely found in the river and the blackwater branch that traverses the property, especially during flood periods. No special management actions are needed at this time. I. Natural Communities Inventory and Monitoring During the first year after approval of the management plan, a comprehensive plant and animal survey of the property will be conducted. Two monitoring periods will be scheduled to coincide with spring and fall flowering seasons for plant identification. Information gathered by the survey will inform further resource management planning and the process for determining trail locations. Once the initial inventory has been completed, a monitoring program will be put in place to provide follow-up documentation of the conditions of the natural communities and the growth or decline of any listed plant or animal populations. Monitoring, again, will occur during spring and fall months. These inventory and 13 monitoring efforts under the County's management will insure maximum protection of native biota on the project site. J. Greenway and Blueway Management The Ansin Riverfront Tract Conservation Area is a small component of a much larger ecological greenway. Land managed by the St. Johns River Water Management District, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and Brevard County contribute a much larger percentage of the area under protection in this area of Florida. County staff will provide all assistance possible to the other management agencies in coordinating large scale planning, resource management, inventorying and monitoring efforts. County staff will consult with experts from the other managing agencies in determining the best management practices that can be applied to the resources protected by the Conservation Area. In addition to functioning as a link in a regional ecological greenway, the Conservation Area will provide a connection for a local shared-use recreational trail and will link that trail with approximately 60 miles of shared-use trails in the St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park. County staff and local citizens are working with the County's engineering department to plan the recreational greenway along CR 512 and parts of the Trans-Florida Central Railroad rail bed, connecting the towns of Sebastian and Fellsmere. Portions of the route of the historic railroad have been used for construction of CR 512, and some segments are in private ownership, but remaining portions in County ownership are suitable for the proposed use. As discussed above, the St. Sebastian River is included in the Indian River Malabar to Vero Beach Aquatic Preserve. Recreational access to the waterways is provided by many public and private boating facilities, including public boat ramps on the east shoreline of the river's South Prong, and the County's canoe launch park located immediately north of the Conservation Area, on the west shoreline. The plans for the Conservation Area support the goals of the aquatic preserve by buffering the river from future development and by providing a site for interpretation of the aquatic preserve, it's relationship to upland ecology and the impacts of development. (See Figure B.) A proposed wildlife overlook deck is proposed on the Conservation Area to provide a passive recreational and interpretive access point to the river and its wetland floodplain. SECTION IV – Cultural Resources A. Archaeological and Historic Resources Inventory and Protection There are no known prehistoric or historic cultural sites on the property included in the Ansin Riverfront Tract Conservation Area. The slightly-elevated rail bed of the abandoned Trans-Florida Central Railroad bisects the project site, but is owned by Indian River County through a previous land acquisition process separate from Ansin Tract purchase. The railroad operated between the towns of Sebastian and Fellsmere during the early 20th. Century, supporting the cattle, naval stores and farming industries of the region. The Florida Department of State, Division of Historical Resources (DHR) considers the remaining portions 14 of the railroad corridor to be potentially eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. As noted above, the County and local citizens are working toward the use of the remaining portions of the railroad corridor to develop a shared-use bicycle and pedestrian recreational trail connecting the local communities to recreation and conservation lands. A reconnaissance-level cultural resource survey will be conducted in the first year of active management of the Ansin property by the County. If recommended by the survey report, site-specific surveys by qualified archaeologists will be conducted for the proposed development sites during the design of the public access facilities discussed below. Reports containing the results of these surveys will be provided to the Department of State, Division of Historical Resources on completion of the studies. The collection of artifacts or the disturbance of archaeological and historical sites at the site will be prohibited without authorization from the Department of State, Division of Historical Resources. Appropriate protective measures will be taken in the event cultural sites are discovered on the property in the future. Management of cultural resources will be coordinated with the Division of Historical Resources, and will comply with the provisions of Chapter 267 Florida Statues, specifically sections 267.061 (2)(a) and (b). SECTION V – Site Development and Improvement A. Existing Physical Improvements With the exception of an unimproved jeep trail located between CR 512 and the abandoned railroad right of way, there are no physical improvements on the Conservation Area property at this time B. Proposed Physical Improvements Improvements are proposed for the Conservation Area to provide a very low- impact, passive level of recreational and interpretive access to the property. A natural-surface, universally accessible loop trail is proposed to connect the County's canoe launch park with the railroad corridor. Two bridges across the blackwater stream will be needed to make this connection, as shown on the Master Site Plan (Figure D). Once the rail-trail conversion project is completed, this connection will allow visitors to arrive by bicycle or by walking from local communities along the Trans-Florida Central Railroad recreational greenway. A wildlife observation and fishing platform, approximately 100 square feet in size, is proposed to be built on the St. Sebastian River just south of the canoe launch park. Interpretive signs will be located at the observation platform, on the 16 railroad corridor, and at several other points along the trail to interpret the natural and cultural resources of the site, and to explain to visitors the County's resource management programs. No parking facilities are needed to support public access, since twelve to 15 parking spaces and a picnic shelter are provided by the canoe launch park at the northern boundary of the Conservation Area. Bicycle racks will be provided adjacent to that parking area to encourage alternative means of access to the park and conservation area. Since clearing and stabilization or paving for on-site parking is not needed for this project, no stormwater management facilities and no planted landscape improvements will be required. All developed facilities of the Conservation Area will be located, designed and managed to protect and enhance water quality in the St. Sebastian River and minimize impacts on the site’s natural resources. C. Acknowledgement Sign A sign identifying the Conservation Area as a publicly-owned conservation area, open to the public, will be located near the intersection of Watervliet Street (the extension of CR 510) and the access road to the canoe launch park. This location is recommended to ensure the visibility of the sign. As noted above, the sign will note the acquisition of the property was made possible through funding by Indian River County and the Florida Communities Trust, Florida Forever Program. D. Hazard Mitigation Facilities at the Conservation Area will be located and constructed to minimize or eliminate the long term risk of storm damage or flooding. The minimal level of development proposed for this project will ensure few impacts to will result from storm or flood conditions. E. Permits Indian River County building permits will be required for all structures. St. Johns River Stormwater Management District environmental resource permits will be required for the observation platform and bridges. Except for emergency response activities to secure the property or protect its natural resources following storm, flood or other disturbance, written approval from the Florida Communities Trust will be requested before undertaking any site alterations or physical improvements that are not addressed in the approved management plan. F. Easements, Concessions and Leases Indian River County has no intention at this time to develop concessions, leases or other revenue-generating uses or agreements on the Ansin Riverfront Tract Conservation Area. If such arrangements are considered in the future, County staff will provide notice and information at least 60 days in advance and acquire FCT approval prior to the execution of any lease of any interest, the operation of any concession, the granting of any easement, any sale or option, or any management contracts for the site, or any use of the property by any person other than in such person’s capacity as a member of the general public. Any revenue 17 generated at the project site will be placed in a separate account and go to the upkeep and maintenance of the project site in order to be within allowable limits set by the Internal Revenue Service. Likewise, any revenues collected through the education programs at the conservation area will only be used for the upkeep and maintenance of the project site. County staff will update FCT in its annual report on the various educational activities, any revenues collected for such activities and will provide detailed accounts of how such revenues were expended. SECTION VI – Interpretive Program A. Interpretive Signs As mentioned above, 4 to 6 interpretive signs will be provided to interpret the natural communities, the ecological greenways concepts, and the importance of prescribed fire management and water quality protection on the Conservation Area. A sign located on the railroad corridor will interpret the history of the railroad, agriculture and the historical patterns of settlement that were supported by the Trans-Florida Central Railroad and other rail lines along Florida’s east coast. SECTION VII- Management Needs A. Management Coordination County staff will coordinate with adjacent landowners and will ensure buffering requirements and other protective measures contained in existing land use regulations are enforced as adjacent lands are developed. Special efforts will be made to encourage owners to eliminate invasive exotic plants from their lands adjacent to the Conservation Area and replace them with a buffer of native plant species. Development of this plan has been coordinated with the FWC Office of Environmental Services to ensure the preservation of native wildlife species on the Conservation Area. Management for listed plant and animal species using the site will continue be coordinated with the FWC. The Florida Department of State, Division of Historical Resources, Bureau of Historic Preservation (DHR) will be an important source of information and guidance in the management of the cultural resources of the conservation area. The closest management association on this project will be with the managers and staff of the St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park and the Indian River Malabar to Vero Beach State Aquatic Preserve, both administered by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The County’s partnership with the DEP will provide valuable technical expertise and assistance in the management and enhancement of the natural resources of the property. 18 B. Maintenance Regular facilities maintenance, patrol, and trash collection at the site will be the responsibility of the Indian River County Parks Division and the Conservation Lands Manager. C. Security The Indian River County Sheriff's Department will provide surveillance and law enforcement authority at the property as needed. The Conservation Area hours of operation will be from 8:00 AM to sunset. D. Staffing The County Parks Division is staffed by 35 field employees to manage all units in the park system. In January, 2000, the County hired a full-time Conservation Lands Manager, employed in the Parks Division. The Manager works closely with both the County Planning Division's Environmental Planning Section and the Parks Division to accomplish the goals and objectives for all County conservation lands. Indian River County will coordinate staff support for management and interpretation of the Conservation Area with the managers of the St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park and the Indian River Malabar to Vero Beach State Aquatic preserve. Volunteer support to help provide public access, interpretive and educational activities, and resource management assistance will be encouraged and coordinated by the Conservation Lands Manager. Contract labor may be employed by the Parks Division, as needed. Resource management activities will be the responsibility of the Conservation Lands Manager. County staff, contract labor and volunteer labor will be assigned to tasks such as exotic plant removal and restoration of native vegetation. 19 SECTION VIII – Cost Estimates and Funding Sources The authors have attempted to provide the best estimate possible based on the information at hand, and the level of planning completed. Some adjustments in these estimates may be necessary as more detailed plans are developed. Over time, market conditions and prevailing rates of inflation in the general economy may act to increase or decrease actual costs for contract services and construction. Five sources of funding have been identified for management and development of this project. Funding from the Indian River County Environmental Lands Acquisition bond program may be used to provide for property security and priority resource management improvements and activities. County mitigation accounts for upland and wetland enhancement projects may also be applied. The County Land Clearing and Tree Removal Violations account is a third source of funds for resource management activities. Operations, staffing and development funds will come from the County Parks Division budget. Additional funds may be acquired from grants and donations of cash, materials or labor by local businesses and citizens, and the Florida Recreational Development Assistance Program, administered by the DEP. 20 TABLE 1 ANSIN RIVERFRONT TRACT CONSERVATION AREA ESTIMATED MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT COSTS 1. Resource Management* Plant/Animal Surveys and Mapping 7,000.00 Archaeological Survey 5,000.00 Prescribed fire preparation 5,000.00 Exotic Plant Removal and Revegetation 8,000.00 Exotic Plant Re-Treatment 1,000.00 Subtotal $26,000.00 2. Public Access Improvements** Nature Trail (1320 ft.) $4,000.00 Bridges 20,000.00 Observation/fishing platform (100 s.f.) 10.000.00 Interpretive signs (5) 1,250.00 Bicycle rack 500.00 Acknowledgement sign 250.00 Subtotal $36,000.00 Total Resource Management/Development Costs $62,000.00 3. Annual Maintenance/Operations Costs** Resource Management (Prescribed fire, exotic plant eradication, monitoring) . $4,000.00 Routine facilities maintenance 500.00 Total Annual Operational Costs $4,500.00 * Funding Sources: Environmental Lands Acquisition Bond Program, County Mitigation Accounts, County Tree Removal Violations Accounts, County Parks Division Operations Budget, , Volunteers and Donations. ** Funding Sources: County and Parks Division Capital Improvements Budget, County Mitigation Accounts, County Tree Removal Violations Accounts, FRDAP and Grants and Donations of materials or labor from individuals or businesses in the local area 21 .SECTION IX – Priority Schedule The following list summarizes the management activities set forth in this management plan, in priority order. Figure E represents the management activities in a graphic timeline format, starting with the projected beginning date for implementation of the management plan by Indian River County. The County's schedule of activities is subject to adjustment, as the schedule depends on the availability of funding, staffing and inter-governmental assistance for the management of the project site. 1. Inventory plant and animal species. 2. Contract reconnaissance level cultural resources survey. 3. Amend Comprehensive Plan and zoning designations. 4. Begin feral animal control efforts. 5. Develop prescribed fire management plan. 6. Implement prescribed fire management. 7. Develop exotic plant removal and revegetation plan. 8. Begin exotic plant removal. 9. Implement follow-up treatment program for exotic plants. 10. Design and permit trails, bridges and overlook. 11. Construct and begin maintenance of public facilities. 12. Monitor and analyze resource management programs. FIGURE E ANSIN RIVERFRONT TRACT CONSERVATION AREA PROJECTED MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES TIMELINE 2006 2007 2008 2009 MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIY 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 4 5 1. INVENTORY PLANTS & ANIMALS 2. CULTURAL RESOURCES SURVEY 3. AMEND COMP. PLAN AND ZONING 4. BEGIN FERAL ANIMAL CONTROL 5. DEVELOP FIRE MANAGEMENT PLAN 6. IMPLEMENT FIRE MANAGEMENT 7. DEVELOP EXOTIC PLANT PLAN 8. BEGIN EXOTIC PLANT REMOVAL 9. EXOTIC PLANT FOLLOW-UP 10. DESIGN AND PERMIT FACILITIES 11. CONSTRUCT/MAINTAIN FACILITIES* 12. MONITORING/MGMNT. ANALYSIS 2010 2011 2012 MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIY 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 4 5 4. FERAL ANIMAL CONTROL 6. PRESCRIBED FIRE MANAGEMENT 9. EXOTIC PLANT FOLLOW-UP 11. FACILITIES MAINTENANCE * THE FACILITIES CONSTRUCTION PROJECT WILL INCLUDE THE NATURE TRAIL, BRIDGES, WILDLIFE OBSERVATION/FISHING OVERLOOK, INTERPRETIVE SIGNS, BIKE RACK (AT CANOE LAUNCH PARK) AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT SIGN. 22 23 SECTION X – MONITORING AND REPORTING A. Annual Stewardship Report An Annual Stewardship Report, due on January 30th of every year, will be compiled by County staff and submitted to the FCT. The Annual Report will include a review of the provisions of this management plan and will serve to update the resource inventories for the property on file with the FCT. To provide an annual progress assessment, the Annual Report will provide numerical descriptions, where possible, of progress made in meeting the management objectives of this plan, such as acreage and percentage figures for exotic plant removal, native plant restoration, etc. County staff will forward listed species information to the Florida Natural Areas Inventory on appropriate forms, concurrently with filing the Annual Report. (See Appendix A.) The annual report will comply with the requirements of 9K-7.013 F.A.C. Through the annual reports or by separate correspondence, the County will request written approval for revision of the management plan from the FCT. No site alterations or physical improvements that are not addressed in the approved management plan will be initiated without prior approval or plan revision. Figure E is the current projected timeline for the activities recommended by this management plan. The priority goals set forth in the plan are the resource enhancement elements. After the initial inventories of plant and animal species utilizing the site have been completed, annual monitoring surveys of plant and animal species will be instituted to help evaluate progress toward the County's resource management goals. Development of public facilities, although important, is dependent on the availability of funding through the County Parks budget, or through private donation. The progress of appropriations through the County budgetary process and fund-raising activities and results will be included in the Annual Report. Once development funding has been acquired, progress through the design, permitting and construction processes will be reported on a percent-complete basis. After facilities are developed, the Conservation Lands Manager will estimate annual visitation and include a narrative summary of use of the project site by organized groups in the Annual Report. APPENDIX A FNAI SPECIES REPORT FORMS APPENDIX B FL EXOTIC PEST PLANT COUNCIL LIST OF EXOTIC PLANTS Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council's 2001 List of Invasive Species Purpose of the List: To focus attention on -- • the adverse effects of exotic pest plants on Florida's biodiversity and ecosystems, • the habitat losses from exotic pest plant infestations, • the impacts on endangered species via habitat loss and alteration, • the need to prevent habitat losses through pest-plant management, • the socioeconomic impacts of these plants (e.g., increased wildfires in Melaleuca areas), • changes in the seriousness of different pest plants over time, • the need to provide information that helps managers set priorities for control programs. • DEFINITIONS: Exotic—a species introduced to Florida, purposefully or accidentally, from a natural range outside of Florida. Native—a species whose natural range included Florida at the time of European contact (1500 AD). Naturalized exotic—an exotic that sustains itself outside cultivation (it is still exotic; it has not "become" native). Invasive exotic—an exotic that not only has naturalized but is expanding on its own in Florida plant communities. Abbreviations used: for "Gov. list": P = Prohibited by Fla. Dept. of Environmental Protection, N = Noxious weed listed by Fla. Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services, U = Noxious weed listed by U.S. Department of Agriculture. for "Reg. Dis.": N = north, C = central, S = south, referring to each species' current distribution in general regions of Florida (not its potential range in the state). See following map. For additional information on distributions of particular species by county, visit the Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants web site, www.plantatlas.usf.edu For other additional information on plants included in this list, see related links and pages at this web site on the home page menu. Category I - Invasive exotics that are altering native plant communities by displacing native species, changing community structures or ecological functions, or hybridizing with natives. This definition does not rely on the economic severity or geographic range of the problem, but on the documented ecological damage caused. Scientific Name Common Name EPPC Cat. Gov. list Reg. Dist. Abrus precatorius rosary pea I C, S Acacia auriculiformis earleaf acacia I S Albizia julibrissin mimosa, silk tree I N, C Albizia lebbeck woman's tongue I C, S Ardisia crenata (= A. crenulata ) coral ardisia I N, C Ardisia elliptica (=A. humilis) shoebutton ardisia I S Asparagus densiflorus asparagus-fern I C, S Bauhinia variegata orchid tree I C, S Bischofia javanica bischofia I C, S Calophyllum antillanum (=C. calaba; C. inophyllum misapplied) santa maria (names "mast wood," "Alexandrian laurel" used in cultivation) I S Casuarina equisetifolia Australian pine I P N,C,S Casuarina glauca suckering Australian pine I P C, S Cestrum diurnum day jessamine I C, S Cinnamomum camphora camphor-tree I N,C,S Colocasia esculenta wild taro I N,C,S Colubrina asiatica lather leaf I S Cupaniopsis anacardioides carrotwood I N C, S Dioscorea alata winged yam I N N,C,S Dioscorea bulbifera air-potato I N N,C,S Eichhornia crassipes water-hyacinth I P N,C,S Eugenia uniflora Surinam cherry I C, S Ficus microcarpa (F. nitida and F. retusa var. nitida misapplied) laurel fig I C, S Hydrilla verticillata hydrilla I P, U N,C,S Hygrophila polysperma green hygro I P, U N,C,S Hymenachne amplexicaulis West Indian marsh grass I C, S Imperata cylindrica (I. brasiliensis misapplied) cogon grass I N, U N, C, S Ipomoea aquatica waterspinach I P, U C Jasminum dichotomum Gold Coast jasmine I C, S Jasminum fluminense Brazilian jasmine I C, S Lantana camara lantana, shrub verbena I N,C,S Ligustrum lucidum glossy privet I N, C Ligustrum sinense Chinese privet, hedge privet I N,C,S Lonicera japonica Japanese honeysuckle I N,C,S Lygodium japonicum Japanese climbing fern I N N,C, S Lygodium microphyllum Old World climbing fern I N C, S Macfadyena unguis-cati cat's claw vine I N,C, S Manilkara zapota sapodilla I S Melaleuca quinquenervia melaleuca, paper bark I P, N, U C, S Melia azedarach Chinaberry I N,C,S Mimosa pigra catclaw mimosa I P, N, U C, S Nandina domestica nandina, heavenly bamboo I N Nephrolepis cordifolia sword fern I N,C,S Nephrolepis multiflora Asian sword fern I C, S Neyraudia reynaudiana Burma reed; cane grass I N S Paederia cruddasiana sewer vine, onion vine I N S Paederia foetida skunk vine I N N,C,S Panicum repens torpedo grass I N,C,S Pennisetum purpureum Napier grass I C, S Pistia stratiotes water lettuce I P N,C,S Psidium cattleianum (=P. littorale) strawberry guava I C, S Psidium guajava guava I C, S Pueraria montana (=P. lobata) kudzu I N, U N,C, S Rhodomyrtus tomentosa downy rose-myrtle I N C, S Rhoeo spathacea (see Tradescantia spathacea) Ruellia brittoniana Mexican petunia I N, C, S Sapium sebiferum popcorn tree, Chinese tallow tree I N N, C, S Scaevola sericea (=Scaevola taccada var. sericea, S. frutescens) scaevola, half-flower, beach naupaka I C, S Schefflera actinophylla (=Brassaia actinophylla) schefflera, Queensland umbrella tree I C, S Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper I P, N N, C, S Senna pendula (=Cassia coluteoides) climbing cassia, Christmas cassia, Christmas senna I C, S Solanum tampicense (=S. houstonii) wetland night shade, aquatic soda apple I N, U C, S Solanum viarum tropical soda apple I N, U N, C, S Syngonium podophyllum arrowhead vine I C, S Syzygium cumini jambolan, Java plum I C, S Tectaria incisa incised halberd fern I S Thespesia populnea seaside mahoe I C, S Tradescantia fluminensis white-flowered wandering jew I N, C Tradescantia spathacea (= Rhoeo spathacea, Rhoeo discolor) oyster plant I S Urochloa mutica ( = Brachiaria mutica) Pará grass I C, S Category II - Invasive exotics that have increased in abundance or frequency but have not yet altered Florida plant communities to the extent shown by Category I species. These species may become ranked Category I, if ecological damage is demonstrated. Scientific Name Common Name EPPC Cat. Gov. list Reg. Dist. Adenanthera pavonina red sandalwood II S Agave sisalana sisal hemp II C, S Aleurites fordii (= Vernicia fordii) tung oil tree II N, C Alstonia macrophylla devil-tree II S Alternanthera philoxeroides alligator weed II P N, C, S Antigonon leptopus coral vine II N, C, S Aristolochia littoralis calico flower II N, C Asystasia gangetica Ganges primrose II C, S Begonia cucullata begonia II N, C Broussonetia papyrifera paper mulberry II N, C Callisia fragrans inch plant, spironema II C, S Casuarina cunninghamiana Australian pine II P C, S Cordia dichotoma sebsten plum II S Cryptostegia madagascariensis rubber vine II C, S Cyperus involucratus (C. alternifolius misapplied) umbrella plant II C, S Cyperus prolifer dwarf papyrus II C Dalbergia sissoo Indian rosewood, sissoo II C, S Elaeagnus pungens thorny eleagnus II N, C Epipremnum pinnatum cv. Aureum pothos II C, S Ficus altissima false banyan II S Flacourtia indica governor's plum II S Flueggea virosa Chinese waterberry II S Hibiscus tiliaceus mahoe, sea hibiscus II C, S Hiptage benghalensis hiptage II S Jasminum sambac Arabian jasmine II S Koelreuteria elegans flamegold tree II C, S Leucaena leucocephala lead tree II N, C, S Limnophila sessiliflora Asian marshweed II N, C, S Melinis minutiflora molasses grass II S Merremia tuberosa wood-rose II S Murraya paniculata orange-jessamine II S Myriophyllum spicatum Eurasian water-milfoil II P N, C, S Ochrosia elliptica (=O. parviflora) kopsia II C, S Oeceoclades maculata ground orchid II C, S Passiflora biflora twin-flowered passion vine II S Passiflora foetida stinking passion-flower II C, S Pennisetum setaceum green fountain grass II S Phoenix reclinata Senegal date palm II C, S Phyllostachys aurea golden bamboo II N, C Pteris vittata Chinese brake fern II N, C, S Ptychosperma elegans solitary palm II S Rhynchelytrum repens Natal grass II N, C, S Ricinus communis castor bean II N, C, S Sansevieria hyacinthoides bowstring hemp II C, S Sesbania punicea purple sesban, rattlebox II N, C, S Solanum diphyllum twinleaf nightshade II N, C, S Solanum jamaicense Jamiaca nightshade II C Solanum torvum susumber, turkey berry II N, U N, C, S Syzygium jambos rose-apple II C, S Terminalia catappa tropical almond II C, S Terminalia muelleri Australian almond II C, S Tribulus cistoides puncture vine, bur-nut II N, C, S Urena lobata Caesar's weed II N, C, S Wedelia trilobata wedelia II N, C, S Wisteria sinensis Chinese wisteria II N, C Xanthosoma sagittifolium malanga, elephant ear II N, C, S Citation example: FLEPPC. 2001. List of Florida's Invasive Species. Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council. Internet: http://www.fleppc.org/01list.htm The 2001 list was prepared by the FLEPPC Plant List Committee: Daniel F. Austin (CO-CHAIR) Department of Biological Sciences Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton, FL 33431 Keith Bradley Institute for Regional Conservation 22601 S.W. 152nd Ave. Miami, FL 33170 Kathy Craddock Burks (CO-CHAIR) Bureau of Invasive Plant Management Florida Department of Environmental Protection 3915 Commonwealth Blvd., MS 710 Tallahassee, FL 32399 Nancy Craft Coile Division of Plant Industry Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services P.O. Box 147100 Gainesville, FL 32614 James G. Duquesnel Florida Park Service Florida Department of Environmental Protection P.O. Box 487 Key Largo, FL 33037 David W. Hall Consulting botanist 6241 N.W. 23rd St. Gainesville, FL 32653 Roger Hammer Department of Parks and Recreation Miami-Dade County 22200 S.W. 137th Ave. Miami, FL 33170 Kenneth A. Langeland Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants, IFAS University of Florida 7922 N.W. 71st St. Gainesville, FL 32606 Robert W. Pemberton Agricultural Research Station U.S. Department of Agriculture 2305 College Ave. Ft.Lauderdale, FL 33314 Daniel B. Ward Department of Botany University of Florida 220 Bartram Hall Gainesville, FL 326ll Richard P. Wunderlin Institute for Systematic Botany Department of Biological Sciences University of South Florida Tampa, FL 33620 APPENDIX C FCT GRANT AWARD AGREEMENT APPENDIX D RECORDED DEED