2012 FDOT Mitigation Plan - Southwest Florida Water Management ...

groundwater evaluation for the Cockroach Bay area was required to determine the extent of freshwater and
various saltwater wetland creation and restoration components.
Pre- and post-construction habitat conditions are depicted on the attached aerial figures and photographs. Dominant
vegetation in the emergent marsh zones of both sites include black needle rush (Juncus roemericanus) and soft-stem
bulrush (Scirpus validus). Subdominant species include arrowhead (Sagittaria lancifolia), pickerelweed (Pontederia
cordata), water hyssops (Bacopa monnieri), water pennywort (Hydrocotyle umbellate), saltmash aster (Aster
subsulatus), and ludwigia (Ludwigia leptocarpa). Dominant vegetation in the high marsh/wet prairie includes sand
cordgrass (Spartina bakeri), marsh-hay cordgrass (Spartina patens), salt grass (Distichlis spicata), hairawn muhly
(Muhlenbergia capillaries). Subdominant species include seaside oxeye (Borriachia frutescens). The emergent zones
and wet prairies are evident on the post construction aerials (Figures D & E). Cabbage palm (Sabal palmetto), saw
palmetto (Serenoa repens) and various sedge species provide the dominant species in the coastal hammock areas that
buffer the constructed marshes. Cattails (Typha spp.) comprise less than 1% total coverage. Appropriate wetland
hydrology and hydroperiods are present within the created marsh habitat, providing ephemeral marsh habitats of
variable hydroperiods and concentrated emergent zones during the dry seasons (Figure E – existing habitats aerial,
photographs).
The concentration and variation of surface waters in the marshes provides substantial foraging opportunities for wildlife
use. As depicted on the figure aerials, the created marshes are buffered by upland restoration areas, including a 20-acre
upland parcel located between the two designated mitigation areas. This combination and mosaic of upland and wetland
habitats at Cockroach Bay provide more opportunities for wildlife access, foraging and denning. Observed and
documented wildlife use of the project sites is extensive, evident by the substantial foraging opportunities available to the
extensive bird populations that visit the created marsh habitats. Commonly observed species include red-winged
blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus), anhinga (Anhinga anhinga), great blue heron (Ardea herodiaa), cattle egret (Bubulcus
ibis), red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis), red-shouldered hawk (Buteo lineatus), great egret (Casmerodius albus),
turkey vulture (Cathartes aura), belted kingfisher (Ceryle alcyon), killdeer (Charadrius vociferous), black vulture
(Coragyps atratus), little blue heron (Egretta caerulea), snowy egret (Egretta thula), tricolored heron (Egretta tricolor),
white ibis (Eudocimus albus), common moorhen (Gallinula chloropus), Florida sandhill crane (Grus canadensis),
wookstork (Mycteria americana), white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos), double-crested cormorant (Phalacorcorax
auritus), rosette spoonbill (Platalea ajaja), glossy ibis (Plegadis falcinellus), common grackle (Quiscalus quiscula), royal
tern (Stema maxima), American robin (Turdus migratorius), mourning dove (Zenaida macroura), mosquito fish
(Gambusia holbrooki), and raccoon (Procyon lotor).
Attachment B – Maintenance & Monitoring, Success Criteria
The maintenance activities are conducted by a licensed herbicide contractor working for the SWFWMD through 2010,
and predominantly associated with herbicide eradication and control of invasive exotic vegetation that primarily included
minimal coverage of cattails generated in the emergent zones and Brazilian pepper in the coastal hammock.
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