Item J2 BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
Meeting Date: October 16, 2013 Division: Growth Management
Bulk Item: Yes _ No X Department: Planning&Environmental Resources
Staff Contact Person/Phone#: Mike Roberts/289-2502
AGENDA ITEM WORDING:
Presentation by the Florida Key Deer National Wildlife Refuge staff updating the Board of County
Commissioners on recent trends in Key Deer mortality and other refuge management issues.
ITEM BACKGROUND:
As staff presented at the July 18, 2013 BOCC workshop, Key deer mortality on Big Pine Key and No
Name Key has exceeded the 1.53 ratio since 2009, and has in fact increased each year since then. As
of 2012, the Key deer mortality ratio was 2.73, well above the allowed take in the Habitat
Conservation Plan and Incidental Take Permit (HCP/ITP). The causes for increased mortality are not
readily identifiable, as traffic counts and development both were relatively flat between 2006 and
2011. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) is aware of the increased mortality and is working
with Planning & Environmental Resources staff to determine the causes for the increasing mortality
and to identify potential measures to reduce human related mortality. The National Key Deer Wildlife
Refuge (NKDWR) staff is also working closely with Planning & Environmental Resources to find a
solution to the increased mortality. At the request of the Growth Management Division,NKDWR staff
is providing this presentation to update the BOCC on its efforts to effectively manage the Refuge and
its wildlife.
PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION:
n/a
CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES:
n/a
STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
n/a
TOTAL COST: n/a INDIRECT COST: BUDGETED: Yes No
DIFFERENTIAL OF LOCAL PREFERENCE:
COST TO COUNTY: SOURCE OF FUNDS:
REVENUE PRODUCING: Yes_ No AMOUNT PER MONTH Year
APPROVED BY: County Atty X"')*'` I OMB/Purchasing Risk Management
DOCUMENTATION: Included X Not Required_
DISPOSITION: AGENDA ITEM#