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

REGIONAL MITIGATION PLAN
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Mitigation Project: Halpata Tastanaki Preserve Project Number: SW 92
County: Marion County
Location: Sec. 13, 24, T17S, R19E
IMPACT INFORMATION
(1) FM 2571882 – SR 200 - US 41 to Marion County Line (2018) ERP #: ___________ COE #:_____________
(2) FM 2571651 – US 41 (SR 45) – SR 44 to SR 200 (2018) ERP #: ___________ COE #:_____________
(3) FM 4230961 - SR 33 at CR 474 ERP #: ___________ COE #:_____________
(4) FM 4295821 - I-75/ SW 95th St. Interchange ERP #: ___________ COE #:_____________
Drainage Basin: Withlacoochee River Water Body(s): Withlacoochee River SWIM water body? No
MITIGATION ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION
Mitigation Type: Enhancement
Mitigation Area: 103 acres
SWIM project? N Aquatic Plant Control project? N Exotic Plant Control Project? N Mitigation Bank? N
Drainage Basin: Withlacoochee River Water Body(s): Withlacoochee River SWIM water body? N
Project Description
A. Overall project goal: The Halpata Tastanaki Preserve (Halpata) is an 8,090 acre tract located adjacent to the
Withlacoochee River, along the boundary between Marion and Citrus Counties (Figures A & B). The tract is owned and
managed by the SWFWMD (District), and adjacent to and within the vicinity of thousand of acres of other public lands
comprised of native habitat. Halpata has a variety of upland and wetland ecosystems, including mixed forested
wetland floodplain habitat extending from the banks of the Withlacoochee River (Figure B). To provide vehicular
access, an elevated berm was historically constructed through the floodplain wetland. The berm dimensions and
culverts have altered the historic surface water drainage patterns and contributing flow to the adjacent wetland habitat
upstream and downstream of the berm. An access road is still necessary for the public and District land management
staff, and the berm is primarily used by wildlife as a corridor connection. However, portions of the berm and the
majority of the culverts could be removed and replaced with wet road crossing facilities. Removal of some fill material
will retain necessary and important access through the wetland, however still result in the desired goal of restoring
surface water hydrology to enhance the ecological value and benefits of the adjacent wetland habitat.
B. Brief description of current condition: The delineated project area within Halpata is dominated by mixed
forested wetland habitat (Figures B & C). Portions of the Withlacoochee River have substantial surface water
fluctuation ranging several feet between base flow and flood elevations, and this directly correlates to the adjacent
upland and wetland habitat characteristics and functions. There are variable grade elevations, resulting in a variety of
hydroperiod and associated vegetative species in the wetland habitat (refer to site photos). The lower elevations have
more obligate species; an overstory dominated by bald cypress with scattered tupelo, red maple and pop ash. The
subcanopy includes the same tree species along with scattered buttonbush, however the dense canopy shade and
high flood elevations (ranging 4-6 ft. above grade) associated with this portion of the wetland have substantially limited
the coverage of understory and ground vegetation. The infrared aerial photograph (Figure C) depicts the locations
where the cypress (gray tone) is more prevalent. The wetland grade elevations are predominantly higher and more
variable adjacent and east of the access road; resulting in more facultative hardwoods and less cypress. Red maple,
sweet gum, water hickory, water oak, laurel oak and cabbage palm are common. With shorter frequency, depth and
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