HomeMy WebLinkAboutLetter; Site Inspection DocumentationEcological Consulting of Florida
850 NW Federal Highway
Suite 130
Stuart, FL 34994
December 4, 2016
Richard Ladyko
LADYKO DESIGN GROUP, LLC
4400 Belle Grove Drive
Ft. Pierce, Florida 3491
Office: 772-220-7817 RE: United Pentecostal Church — Gopher Tortoise Survey
St. Lucie County, Florida
Dear Mr. Ladyko,
--- RECEMt
MAY 0 12019
ST. Lucie County, Permitting
This letter is to provide documentation of the site inspection conducted on December 2,
2016 and in support of the site planning for the future development of the property.
Provided are my findings with regards to evidence of gopher tortoises on site.
The subject property was traversed by pedestrian transects. The transects included the
periphery, as well as central transects. Visual observation of tortoise burrows, trails or
scat was conducted as part of the pedestrian transects.
Habitat on site was suitable for tortoises and is classified as herbaceous open ground
cover with scattered slash pines, laurel oaks and cabbage palms. The site included
exotics such as Brazilian Pepper, Johnson's grass, and Cesar's weed. The property is
fronted by Midway Road, an adjacent Church, single family residential and a water control
district canal.
Seven tortoise burrows were observed on site (see attached Figure 1). All seven are
classified as potentially active. Review of the site plan indicates that the water control
district right of way is 80-feet, based on photo interpretation of the aerial burrows GT 7, 8,
9 and 11 are located off site and should not be impacted by the proposed site
development.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) regulates the tortoises
and a buffer of 25-feet from the mouth of any burrow. Any proposed clearing on site will
require permitting and relocation of the tortoises.
Based on seven burrows observed on site, the estimated population would be four
tortoises (using the FWC guidance of two burrows per tortoise). Permitting for this site
could be done with a less than ten burrows permit. ECF as an Authorized gopher tortoise
agent can permit and relocate the tortoises once a development plan is prepared.
No other evidence of tortoises was noted. This review should satisfy the FWC and St.
Lucie County requirements for a gopher tortoise survey of potentially occupied habitat. It
should be noted that per FWC this surrey is valid for no more than 90-days.
I trust this document provides the information necessary for the ecological issues. Please
contact me if you have any questions. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Ecological Consulting of Florida
D. Chris Sopotnick
President
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