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Home My WebLink AboutEnvironmental Assessment ReportENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT REPORT 600 SCHUMANN DRIVE INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA March 20, 2022 Prepared by: f � -Aft ECOLOGICAL CONSULTING OF FLORIDA 850 NW FEDERAL HIGHWAY, SUITE 109 STUART, FL 34994 2220.00 1.0 INTRODUCTION This assessment is in support of the due diligence for the subject +1.92-acre site. 2.0 SITE LOCATION The project is located within Section 17, Township 31 South, Range 39 East within the City of Sebastian, Indian River County, Florida (Figure 1). Specifically, the project is located on the east side of Highway A1A approximately 1.55 miles south of the intersection of US 1 and Sebastian Boulevard. Specifically, the property is located at 600 Schumann Drive, in the northwest quadrant of US 1 and Schumann Drive. The parcel has and an existing commercial building and associated parking, with open space on site. Bordering land uses include US 1, commercial and residential properties and an open space park. 3.0 METHODOLOGY The assessment methodology consisted of the review of topographic information, soils maps, and recent aerial photographs. A field reconnaissance of the subject parcel was then conducted which included pedestrian transects through the parcel to map and identify specific habitat and land uses and vegetative cover types. A perimeter transect was conducted to confirm features that extend off site. Field notes were taken and an aerial photograph was marked with land use and cover types and any environmental findings. 4.0 TOPOGRAPHY/HYDROLOGY According to the U.S.G.S. topographic quadrangle (Sebastian, FL), the site has an average elevation of 10 feet NGVD (Figure 1). The site is vacant with no evidence of structures, depressions, ditching or wetlands. US 1 abuts the east side of the property, with Shumann Drive to the south and an open water to the west. Surrounding properties are undeveloped except for a structure on the property to the north. Field reconnaissance indicates that a commercial office and parking are located on site. A ditch is located on site and connects to a small ditch going west off site. There are no wetlands on site. • b ■ Run (E) ...' X�'I� • :. .�• �.'i' •.• _ A it t\ ♦. -- , mow �"n°n�ew.�i � oY��l(.wrMu�.ioitii �annwc"w� c� r� s�° °_ soj ''si [coulacucoHaxnNa ov nom N TOPOGRAPHIC MAP WE FIGURE 1 600 SCHUMANN DRIVE �C�S / GATE 3-20.22 SOURCE: SEBASTANQUADRANGLE NATURAL RESOURCE CORSULTING SEC IT TAN 31 S. RNG 39 E CRO CT Ne am.m INDIAN RIVER COUNTY FLORIDA 5.0 SOILS According to the Web Soil Survey of Indian River County, FL (MRCS — Web Soil Survey), the following soils are found on site (Figure 2). Immokalee fine sand (4) The soil is common in the County and generally found in flatwood communities. The soil is not considered hydric. On site reconnaissance indicates that soils are intact with only surface disturbance from past development. 6.0 SITE CONDITIONS An assessment of the extent, distribution, and composition of vegetative communities for the site was conducted by Chris Sopotnick of Ecological Consulting of Florida (ECF), on March 14, 2022. Pedestrian transects were conducted throughout the site with vegetative communities mapped on a recent aerial photograph. A description of each community type is provided in the Habitat/Land Use section of this report 7.0 HABITAT/LAND USE Onsite habitats and adjacent land uses have been characterized using the Florida Land Use Cover Classifications System (FWC, 2009) (FLCCS), and are described below and depicted on the Land Use and Cover Map (Figure 3). o 4220 — Ditch: The ditch is a broad area 20 feet wide by 2 feet deep along the west boundary of the site. This ditch is sparsely vegetated but includes Brazilian pepper (Shinus terebinthifolius), along the edge along with a few Carolina willow (Salix car-oliniana) and pockets of wedelia (Sphagnetiola trilobata). o 7300 — Brazilian Pepper. This area is dominated by Brazilian pepper and includes a few cabbage palms (Saba! palmetto). o 17211 — Open Land. This area has been previously cleared of native vegetation and grassed with bahia grass (Paspalum notatum). The area is regularly mowed. 3 r wa 000xsnr. Tocer�a vrtm r>E cwc®rs wo ormra memnm xeweR ra rH esmu�r or aa�umnoP�[omi+maroa ew�xr°mxlmirwvr��rre�xn�w�acnrnonr�uo�t�n.one a e wwalw wnsu.nxo m aoaioa e�Pu ee wrrrou r untrry 10 acaowuu ooHwtttwa a naPw SOILS MAP 600 SCHUMANN DRIVE INDIAN RIVER COUNTY FLORIDA i t Incn = 100 fl. WE I FIGURE 21 S DATE: 3-20-22 SOURCE:W BSOILSSURVEY SEC 17T 31 S. Ft GME PR6IECTW amoo MSOOWIEXE.TIOETERNfMTECONCFAtFNiUpEbN116iREXMFDIlAFW NN WSIRUMEM Of BET•ILF.ISNIEHLFLgRV FpR1NEBCEQFlC%IIIFOXNIOGIEMFORMNCMNYX9fAEVMFD. REVBF EE.VIp IMMOGER REIWCEON RM WtlWEMMT 10Vf N1bi1EMMR1pR1}/,TON/.N)/,WI,vATpiBv � S. � �� EwtomcucwXTNosaaawewu X�llnwrwertnrro EcuouuEcoxanlmo ornwwn i_ 1 Intli � 100 R LAND USE AND COVER MAP TEW `f' E FIGURE 3 R ��\\""600 SCHUMANN DRIVE DATE: azan S RCE GOOC EART NATURAL RESOURCE CONSULTING SEC1TTM191S,RMNE maECT R,. mo.m INDL4N RIVER COUNTY FLORIDA o 17223 — Commercial and Services. This land cover is built out with a commercial office building and associated parking. Laurel oaks (Quer+cus laurifolia), and other ornamentals are found in the cover type. TABLE 1— LAND USE AND COVER SUMMARY FLCCS CODE COMMUNITY NAME I ACRES PERCENT 4220 Ditch 0.11 5.7 7300 Brazilian Pepper 0.55 28.7 17211 Open Land 0.88 45.8 17223 Commercial and Services 0.38 19.8 Total Area 1.92 100.0 8.0 CRITICAL HABITAT/ LISTED SPECIES OBSERVATION A cursory habitat assessment made during this event determined if the habitat was suitable for listed species that generally utilize the area. The site is fairly open with a cluster of Brazilian pepper present. The site falls within the US Fish and Wildlife Consultation are for the Florida Scrub Jay. This bird is found in this area of Sebastian nesting in scrub habitat and utilizing open areas for foraging. A scrub jay survey was conducted from March 14 — March 18, 2022. No scrub jays were observed during the monitoring (See Appendix 1). Non -listed wildlife or signs of species observed include cottontail rabbit and raccoon (tracks/scat). All species of wildlife observed are typical representatives of the habitats on site. None are unusual for the Indian River County area. A database search of Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) records for documented bald eagle nests was conducted and none were noted for the property or within 0.5 mile of the site. The Florida Natural Areas Inventory (FNAI) provides a matrix by County of rare and endangered species in Florida. Based on the known distribution and preferred habitats of certain species, the following listed wildlife has the potential to occur on site: TABLE 2 — FNAI LISTED SPECIES COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME EVIDENCE/SIGHTING STATUS FWC USFWS Eastern Indigo snake Drymarchon corias couperi lNot observed T T Gopher tortoise Gopherus Polyphemus Not observed T Gopher frog Rana capito Not observed SSC Florida pine snake Pituophis melanoleucus mugitus INot observed SSC Florida Panther Puma concolor corvi Not observed E E Burrowing owl SpeotWo cunicularia Not observed SSC Woodstork j Mvcteria Americana jNot observed E E American Alligator Alligator mississippiensis JNot observed T T Crested caracara Caracas cheriwav INot observed T T Florida scrub-iav Aphelocoma coeruluscens Not observed T T Piping Plover Charadrius melodus Not observed T + T Red -cockaded woodpecker Picoides villosus ,Not observed E E Southeastern American kestrel Falco sparverius Paulus Not observed T Florida sandhill crane Grus Canadensis pratensis INot observed SSC Osprev Pandion haliaetus INot observed SSC Snail kite Rostrhamus sociabilis plumbeous INot observed E I E Least tem Sterna aniillarum Not observed T j Sherman's fox squirrell Sciurus niger shermani Not observed SSC Manatee Trichechus manatus INot observed E E Abbreviations: SSC = Species of Special Concern, T = Threatened USFWS = United States Fish and Wildlife Service, FWC = Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 7 10 WETLANDS AND SURFACE WATERS The soils map, topographic map and National Wetland Inventory (NWI) were reviewed to identify potential wetland areas. Subsequent field reconnaissance was performed to confirm limits of wetlands within the project site. The soils map identified non-hydric soils on the site. The topographic map was reviewed and identified an elevation of 10 NGVD. No wetlands, ditches or depressions were noted on the topographic map. The NWI map did not identify any wetlands or surface waters on the site (Appendix 2). On site reconnaissance identified was performed and no wetlands were identified. A surface water, the ditch is present. The ditch will fall under the permitting jurisdiction of the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD), and potentially the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP). This feature is classified as an other surface water by SJRWMD and does not require mitigation, only to be addressed in the permit. At the federal level, the FDEP may consider this ditch jurisdictional and therefore require permitting if impacted. Based on review of the site it is likely that this site may be able to qualify for a No Permit required determination from FDEP and therefore be exempt from jurisdiction. During the planning and permitting, both SJRWMD and FDEP will need to be contacted to confirm permitting responsibilities. 10.0 CONCLUSSION The subject property includes a commercial building, exotic vegetation and a ditch on site. The parcel abuts a local park to the west. At the state and federal level, it is anticipated that the ditch will be classified as a surface water and likely only be considered jurisdictional by SJRWMD, and should qualify for a No Permit Required by the FDEP. A scrub jay survey was conducted in accordance with USFWS methodology within the survey month of March. No scrub jays were observed during any event. 8 APPENDIX 1 - SCRUB JAY SURVEY Scrub Jay Survey 600 Schumann Drive March 14 —18, 2022 Survey Performed by Chris Sopotnick Date/Times Station# Results Weather Conditions 3/14/22 08:00/08:20 1 no birds 5-8 MPH NE /clear sky 70 ° 2 no birds 3/15/22 09:20/09:40 1 mocking bird 10-15 MPH NE/ overcast 700 2 no birds 3/16/22 09:30/09:50 1 no birds 5-8 MPH SW/ overcast 740 2 no birds 3/17/22 09:00/09:20 1 bluejay 0- 5 NW MPH W/ clear 720 2 no birds 3/18/22 08:00/08:20 1 no birds 0-5 NE MPH E/ clear 700 2 no birds APPENDIX 2 — National Wetland Inventory Map 10 dJ • .. nal. • r Fy •• ' r ell 1:3.762 0 0.03 0.06 0.12 mi I t I . , ,-r ---- L, 0 0.05 0.1 0.2 km 600 Shumann Drive e. y P i1F Y � ' N t ll - e � A ;�: s ;Ito►- `' w� .. �: March 20, 2022 Wetlands Freshwater Emergent Wetland ® Lake iM Estuarine and Marine Deepwater Freshwater Forested/Shrub Wetland ❑ Other Estuarine and Marine Wetland Freshwater Pond ® Riverine u This map Is for general reference only. The US Fish and Wildlife Service is not responsible for the accuracy or currentness of the base data shown on this map. All wetlands related data should be used in accordance with the layer metadata found on the Wetlands Mapper web site. National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) This papa was omd.ced by the NW I me.,