HomeMy WebLinkAboutGOPHER TORTOISE REPORT100% GOPHER TORTOISE SURVEY
COMPLETION REPORT
8203 WINTER GARDEN PKWY
FORT PIERCE, FL 34951
PARCEL ID: 1301-605-0342-000-3
Prepared for:
Bela Vista Contractors, Inc.
750 E Sample Rd. 3-2
Pompano Beach, Florida 33064
Prepared by:
Patrick Zuloaga
Permit No.: GTA-13-00002C
2943 NE Ivy Lane
Jensen Beach, Florida 34957
September 2021
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 1
Site Location and Description ...................................................................................................... 1
Methods ...................................................................................................................................... 1
Results/Discussion ...................................................................................................................... 2
References ................................................................................................................................. 2
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1. Project Location ........................................................................................................... 3
Figure 2. Gopher Tortoise Survey Map ....................................................................................... 5
8203 Winter Garden Pkwy, Fort Pierce, 100% Gopher Tortoise Survey
Completion Report
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INTRODUCTION
A 100 percent gopher tortoise survey was conducted on behalf of Bela Vista Contractors, Inc. on
the approximately 0.241-acre residential property located on 8203 Winter Garden Pkwy. in Fort
Pierce, Florida (see Figure 1) The survey included review of 100% of the subject property.
The objectives of the survey were to document the number of gopher tortoise burrows within the
property in order to confirm presence/absence and approximate both the number of tortoises to be
relocated and the number of burrows to be excavated. The results of the survey determined the
subsequent actions required to develop the residential lot.
This Survey Report provides a summary of the survey activities conducted, including methods used
and areas surveyed. Survey activities were executed according to the burrow survey methodology
from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Gopher Tortoise Permitting
Guidelines, April 2008, Revised July 2020, Appendix 4 Methods for Burrow Surveys on
Development (Donor) and Recipient Sites, 100% Burrow Survey Protocol. Survey activities were
conducted on the afternoon of September 6, 2021. The information contained herein is based on
the findings from the field survey.
SITE LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION
The property is a 0.241- acre un-improved residential property within the Lakewood Park
development area. The Saint Lucie County Property Appraiser lists the Property Parcel as 1301-605-
0342-000-3. The subject property is currently vacant undeveloped residential property.
This site is best classified as disturbed lands (FLUCCS 740) with 0.241 acres of potentially suitable
gopher tortoise habitat. The site has experienced anthropogenic impacts and recruitment of exotic
and nuisance vegetation. The property is adjacent to developed residential properties to the north,
south and west, and vacant residential property to the east.
The property consists of disturbed mixed canopy of slash pine and hardwoods with an understory of
variable saw palmetto, woody shrub, vines, and limited graminoid and forb cover. Groundcover
included dense overgrown shrub/saw palmetto, dense vine cover, and bare to limited
graminoid/forb areas.
METHODS
The survey activities were completed by Patrick Zuloaga, an authorized gopher tortoise agent, and
performed in accordance with those specified in Appendix 4 of the FWC Guidelines (FWC, 2020).
The pedestrian survey was conducted by walking pre-determined transects in an approximate north-
south orientation at 20-foot spacing across 100 percent of the Project Area. Apparent activity status
(active, inactive, or abandoned), size (juvenile <5 in.; subadult 5-8 in.; adult >8 in.), GPS
coordinates, and photographs were recorded for each burrow encountered along each transect.
Burrows that were not clearly made by a tortoise or old burrows that were collapsed or blocked by
debris were not recorded. Figure 2 presents the survey design for the property.
All gopher tortoise burrows encountered were catalogued using a field datalogger utilizing Solo Field
mapping software. Status, location, and any other pertinent information where recorded using the
handheld datalogger.
8203 Winter Garden Pkwy, Fort Pierce, 100% Gopher Tortoise Survey
Completion Report
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RESULTS/DISCUSSION
The 100 % pedestrian survey of the project area resulted in no live gopher tortoises, signs of
utilization (i.e., tracks, scat), or potentially occupied burrows during the survey. The disturbed nature
and dense vegetation provides suboptimal gopher tortoise habitat. Conditions on the site allowed
for suitable access and visibility of 100 percent of the property while conducting the survey.
REFERENCES
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Gopher Tortoise Permitting Guidelines. Revised
July 2020. 133 pp.
8203 Winter Garden Pkwy, Fort Pierce, 100% Gopher Tortoise Survey
Completion Report
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Figure 1. Project Location
8203 Winter Garden Pkwy, Fort Pierce, 100% Gopher Tortoise Survey
Completion Report
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Back of figure.
8203 Winter Garden Pkwy, Fort Pierce, 100% Gopher Tortoise Survey
Completion Report
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Figure 2. Gopher Tortoise Survey Map
Stations T1
and T2