Item M01
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
Meeting Date: 8/20/08
Bulk Item: Yes ~ No
Division: Growth Management
Department: Administration
Staff Contact Person: Mark Rosch (x-5180)
AGENDA ITEM WORDING:
Approval of a grant task assignment with Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) to
receive a $176,000 grant for the removal of invasive exotic plant species from conservation lands that
are owned or managed by Monroe County.
ITEM BACKGROUND:
For the fourth consecutive year Monroe County has been awarded grant funds for invasive exotic plant
removal from FDEP through the Florida Keys Invasive Exotics Task Force. This agenda item covers
the upcoming State 2008-09 fiscal year and will build on the success of the three prior grants. The
grant funds will be used to hire Invasive Exotic Plant Technicians (temporary employees) and
contractors to perform exotic plant removal on conservation lands that are owned or managed by the
County. The local match requirement of $76,532 will be funded by mitigation fees paid by developers
into the Environmental Land Management and Restoration Fund (no ad valorem funds) to cover the
costs of the Land Steward's time, purchase / use of equipment, and disposal fees.
PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION:
February 18,2004 - Approval of 10 year FDEP contract PL-029 for funding to remove invasive exotic
plant species.
September 21,2005 - Approval of two task assignments under FDEP contract PL-029 which provided
the County with $87,600. The task assignments ended June 15, 2006.
July 19,2006 - Approval of two task assignments under FDEP contract PL-029 which provided the
County with $122,400. The task assignments ended June 15,2007.
August 15,2007 - Approval of two Task Assignments under FDEP contract PL-029 which provided
the Comity with $176,000. The task assignments ended June 15, 2008.
CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES: None
STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS: Approval
TOTAL COST:
$252.532 (grant + local match)
BUDGETED: Yes..L No
COST TO COUNTY: $76.532 (local match) SOURCE OF FUNDS: Fund 160- Env. Restoration Fund
REVENUE PRODUCING: Yes
No~ AMOUNTPERMONTH_ Year
APPROVED BY: County Atty. -L OMB/Purchasing -L Risk Management _X_
DOCUMENTATION:
Included
x
Not Required_
DISPOSITION:
AGENDA ITEM #
MONROE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
CONTRACT SUMMARY
Contract with: FDEP Contract # - PL029- FK-
Effective Date: Upon execution
Expiration Date: June 15,2009
Contract Purpose/Description:
Task Assignment # FK -082. Invasive Exotics Removal Grant - Removal of invasive
exotic plant species from publicly owned conservation lands in Monroe County.
Contract Manager: Beth Bergh 2511 Growth Management 1 11
(Name) (Ext. ) (Department/Stop #)
for BOCC meeting on 8/20108 Agenda Deadline: 8/5108
CONTRACT COSTS
Total Dollar Value of Contract: $ 176,000
Budgeted? Yes[?;J No D Account Codes:
Grant: $ 176,000
County Match: $ 76,532 (in kind)
Current Year Portion: $
- --
-----
- --
-----
- - - -
-----
ADDITIONAL COSTS
Estimated Ongoing Costs: $_/yr For:
(Not included in dollar value above) (eg. maintenance, utilities, janitorial, salaries, etc.)
CONTRACT REVIEW
Division Director
Changes
Date Il} Needed ~er
1>-i-o:5 YesDNofl /,r7_~.
----+----- - ~ ( )
2?~ YesDNo~ ~.
~ YesDNol'i -;~ B-.
7Afp~ YesD No0 $nt f}~
Date Out
t -{. -06
Risk Management
~.B./porchasing
County Attorney
~
Comments:
OMB Form Revised 2/27/01 Mep #2
TASK ASSIGNMENT NOTIFICATION FORM
DEP CONTRACT NO. PL-029
Task Assignment Number: FK-082
Date: July 17, 2008
Contractor Name: Monroe County
Contractor's Contract Manager: Elizabeth Bergh (305) 852-2511
DEP Contract Manager: Greg Jubinsky 850-245-2821
DEP Site Manager: Jackie Smith 561-772-2479
Project Title: Monroe County 08-09
MA ID#:
Task Description and Payment Schedule: Exhibit 1 describes the scope of work for this project. The Contractor is not authorized to
perform work on any additional sites until such time as the DEP and the Contractor have fully executed a Change Order for said
additional work. Any work performed by the Contractor contrary to this Task Assignment shall be at the Contractors expense. The
contractor is allowed to subcontract.
Task Assignment Conditions and Deliverables~
1. Control is defined as treatment effective in preventing re-sprout of treated target vegetation.
2. If 95% kill rate is not achieved for any area of the project after two months following project completion, one additional
thorough treatment of the plant will be the responsibility of the contractor at no cost to the contracting entities.
3. The Contractor shall notify the designated site manager prior to entering the work-site.
4. The Contractor shall provide written notification to the Contract Manager upon completion of treatment event(s).
5. Upon Site Manager approval, the Contractor is authorized to control incidental occurrences of any current EPPC category one or
category two invasive exotic plant species encountered within the Project Site(s). Costs for these control operations shall not exceed
the established Task Assignment amount, and must not jeopardize the Contractor's ability to achieve the required level of control for
the primary target species. It is the responsibility of the Contractor to determine that all control operations do not exceed the
established Task Assignment amount.
Task Assignment Start Date: Upon execution
Final Treatment Completion Date~ June 1, 2008
Task Assignment Type:
Amount Not To Exceed:
Cost Reimbursement
$176,000.00
Total Task Assignment Value
$176,000.00
Fundin!!: Information:
Ort!. Code
177358090200
I
IE.O.
I 22
I
IObiect Code
I 139940
I
IFund
I
1
ISJltt""~t.
I /6C3"1t>
I
IProiect # IYear
I 029FK082 I 08-09
I 1
IAmount
1$176,000.00
1$
MONROE COUNTY
FL DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Contract Manager
Date
1klot
Date
Department Director
Date
i~
MONROE COUNTY ATTORNEY
APPROVED AS -ro FORM:
tJLr~
Section Leader
7plf/or
Date
~If
7-;1S-ca
Date
cc:
DEP Contract No. PL..o29, Task Assignment No. FK-082, Page 1 of 2
TASK ASSIGNMENT RESPONSIBILITIES
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CONTRACTOR:
I. Upon full execution of the Task Assignment, the Contractor will coordinate with the DEP Site Manager to establish a mutually
agreeable work schedule.
2. A Ground Crew Supervisor, employed by the Contractor, will be present at all times when work on the site is underway;
3. Ground Crew Supervisors will be responsible for all control activities and safety on project sites. The Ground Crew Supervisor will
assure contract crews are knowledgeable of, and remain within property and treatment boundaries. Every effort shall be made by the
Contractor to avoid damage to native vegetation and wildlife;
4. Ground Crew Supervisors will be pesticide applicators possessing current certification by the Florida Department of Agriculture and
Consumer Services (FDACS) in the Forestry or Right-of-Way categories. A copy of each supervisor's FDACS certification will be
provided to the DEP Site Manager prior to initiation of on-site supervisory duties;
5. The Ground Crew Supervisor may supervise a maximum of eight (8) field employees at any given time, unless otherwise noted in the
Task Assignment;
6. The Ground Crew Supervisor shall be responsible for the collection, recording, and timely submission of all data and reports required.
At weekly intervals and at the completion of initial treatments and site reassessment, a complete report will be submitted to the Site
Manager detailing sites treated, number and size of plants killed, and type of treatment used. This data will be recorded on the DEP
"Daily Progress Report Form".
7. The Contractor will strictly adhere to all herbicide label application, precautionary, and safety statements;
8. All control efforts (except cogon grass treatment) shall be at least 95% effective in preventing re-sprout of treated target vegetation. If
95% kill rate is not achieved for any area of the project after two months following project completion, one additional thorough treatment
of the plant species listed under "Project Goals" in the project area will be the responsibility of the Contractor at no cost to the DEP;
9. Cogon grass treatments shall be 100% effective in killing above ground portions (top kill) of target vegetation. If 100% top kill rate is
not achieved for any area of the project after 30 days following project completion, one additional thorough treatment of the plant species
listed under "Project Goals" in the project area will be the responsibility of the Contractor at no cost to the DEP;
10. The Contractor shall forward an original invoice along with all corresponding Daily Progress Report Forms, completed and approved,
to the Bureau of Invasive Plant Management, 3915 Commonwealth Boulevard, MS 710, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3000 within ten (10)
working days of work completion;
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE DEP SITE MANAGER:
1. The Site Manager reserves the right to inspect, at any time, the Contractor's procedure, spray system(s), spray solution(s), and other
ancillary equipment, and to approve operating personnel. Inspection, however, will not relieve the Contractor of any obligations or
responsibilities nor will it transfer any liability to the lands listed under "Project Location.";
2. No additional work can be added to this Task Assignment without a fully executed Change Order. Additional work includes
additional treatment areas or change in treatment methodology.
3. The site management agency authorizes Bureau of Invasive Plant Management staff to approve invoice payments of all funds
encumbered under this Task Assignment. Payment will be approved only for that work approved by the Site Manager. A copy of the
approved invoice will be forwarded to the site management agency.
DEP Contract No. PL-029, Task Assignment No. FK-082, Page 2 of 2
Exhibit 1
Project Title:
Monroe County Invasive Exotic Plant Removal (2008-2009)
Working Group:
Florida Keys Invasive Exotics Task Force
Site Manager:
Beth Bergh
Monroe County Land Steward
2798 Overseas Highway
Marathon, Florida 33050-2227
Phone: (305) 289-2511
Cell: (305) 304-4442
Email: bergh-beth@monroecounty-fl.gov
Grant Type:
Cost reimbursement
Proiect Goals The project goal is the eradication of invasive exotic plants from publicly owned
conservation lands owned or managed by Monroe County.
Section 1:
Monroe County Invasive Exotic Plant Removal Crew
Funds requested: $96,000
Monroe County Mechanical/Contracted Invasive Exotic Plant Removal
Funds requested: $80,000
Section 2:
Total Grant Funds Requested:
$176,000
DEP Contract No. PL-029, Task Assignment No. FK-082, Exhibit 1, Page 1 of 14
Exhibit 1
Section 1
Monroe County Invasive Exotic Plant Removal Crew
Proiect Description Monroe County currently employs four invasive exotic plant technicians who
work on lands owned or managed by Monroe County. This grant will allow the County to continue
employing this crew and will build on the success of the past three years of invasive exotic species
control. The crew will continue to eradicate woody and herbaceous invasive exotic plants from
designated conservation lands under the direction of the Monroe County Land Steward. The Land
Steward will arrange for and/or conduct training, as well as supervise and schedule the work of the
crew on the various sites. Training will consist of instruction in plant identification, herbicide
handling, and application techniques. Additionally, the grant funds will be used to leverage
restoration funds available from the Monroe County Environmental Land Management and
Restoration Fund (MCELMR). The MCELMR funds will continue to be utilized for trash removal,
native plantings and other restoration efforts following exotic removal.
The most common invasive exotic plant species encountered on these lands and their FLEPPC
Category ranking are as follows: Brazilian pepper (I - Schinus terebinthifolius), lead tree (II -
Leucaena leucocephala), Australian pine (I - Casuarina spp.), beach naupaka (I - Scaevola sericea),
seaside mahoe (I - Thespesia populnea), latherleaf (I - Colubrina asiatica), oyster plant (I -
Tradescantia spathacea), woman's tongue (I - Albizia lebbek), mahoe (II - Hibiscus tiliaceous),
castor bean (II - Ricinus communis), bowstring hemp (II - Sanseviera hyacinthoides), wedelia (II -
Wedelia tri/obata), Guinea grass (11- Panicum maximum), and life plant (II - Kalanchoe pinnata).
In addition, any other FLEPPC listed species found on the conservation lands will be removed.
One other species, Night-blooming cactus (Hylocereus undatus), will also be removed although it is
not listed with FLEPPC. This plant has become a problem in some conservation lands where it was
likely introduced from discarded landscape debris or persists from an abandoned homestead.
Proiect Location Lands in this project area consist of public conservation lands located throughout
the Florida Keys either owned or managed by Monroe County (as the Board of County
Commissioners or the Land Authority). Monroe County owns over 3,000 parcels of scattered
conservation lands throughout the Florida Keys. Additionally, the State of Florida has recently
purchased several hundred parcels under the Florida Forever program that will be managed by
Monroe County. The focus for the 2008-2009 project will be the County managed parcels recently
purchased under the Florida Forever program and any remaining untreated parcels owned by Monroe
County. The crew will also focus on maintaining all previously treated sites free of invasive exotics.
The majority of the subject sites fall within the following list of subdivisions. Note that most of the
sites are adjacent to larger natural areas.
HABIT A T TYPE
Hammock
Hammock
Hammock
Hammock
Hammock
ADJACENT NATURAL AREA
Pennekam State Park
Pennekam State Park
Pennekam State Park
DEP Contract No. PL-029, Task Assignment No. FK-082, Exhibit 1, Page 2 of 14
Exhibit I
Key Largo Silver Lake Park Hammock Pennekamp State Park
Key Largo Sunset Gardens Hammock
Key Largo Thompsons FW Wetland
i Key Largo Adobe Casa Court Hammock FWC - WEA
Key Largo Bay Haven Hammock / Wetlands FWC - WEA ,
Tavernier Palma Sola Hammock FWC - WEA
Tavernier Harris Ocean Park Hammock / Wetlands FWC - WEA
Tavernier Old Settlers Park Disturbed / hammock
Duck Center Island FW Wetland
Big Pine Long Beach Coastal berm / beach USFWS Refuge
Big Pine Sands Subdivision Pinelands / Disturbed USFWS Refuge
Big Pine Eden Pines Pinelands / Disturbed USFWS Refuge
Big Pine Kinercha Pinelands / Disturbed USFWS Refuge
Big Pine Doctor's Arm Disturbed! buttonwood USFWS Refuge
Torches Windswept Beach Wetlands FWC- WEA
Torches Torch Key Estates Hammock / Wetlands FWC - WEA
Torches Gato Farms Hammock / wetlands FWC - WEA
Torches Ladies Acre Wetlands / Hammock FWC - WEA
Ramrod Ramrod Shores Hammock / Wetlands FWC - WEA
Summerland Summerland Estates Hammock / Wetlands
Summerland Niles Channel Wetlands USFWS Refuge
Cudjoe Cutthroat Harbor Hammock / Wetlands USFWS Refuge
Cudioe Cudjoe Acres Pinelands / Disturbed USFWS Refuge
Cudjoe Sacarma Hammock / wetlands FWC - WEA
Sugarloaf Sugarloaf Townsite Wetlands / hammock
Sugarloaf Indian Mound Estates Hammock / wetlands Near FWC & USFWS
Sugarloaf Sugarloaf Shores Wetlands FWC - WEA
All Follow-up work on Variety of habitats FWC, USFWS, DEP Parks
Overseas Heritage
Trail
All Acreages and other Variety of habitats FWC, USFWS, DEP Parks
parcels
Most individual parcels are only 0.1 acre in size, but many are contiguous and combine to form much
larger management units. All properties are public lands that Monroe County intends to manage in
perpetuity for conservation and natural resource protection.
The areas proposed for invasive plant eradication encompass the range of habitat types within the
Florida Keys. As illustrated in the table above, a variety of habitats are represented on these
conservation lands including coastal beaches, buttonwood wetlands, rockland and maritime
hammocks, and pine rocklands, all of which range in condition from disturbed to pristine. These
DEP Contract No. PL-029, Task Assignment No. FK-082, Exhibit 1, Page 3 of 14
Exhibit 1
areas provide habitat and resources for a myriad of wildlife, resident and migratory birds, and
endemic plant species. The non-native plants that invade these areas decrease habitat value and
lower biodiversity. Just a few of the state and federally listed endangered and threatened species of
animals and plants that utilize these habitats include: green turtle (Chelonia mydas), eastern indigo
snake (Drymarchon corais couperi), key mud turtle (Kinosternon baurii), piping plover (Charadrius
melodus), white-crowned pigeon (Columba leucocephala), Key Largo cotton mouse (Peromyscus
gossypinus allapaticola), Lower Keys marsh rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris hefneri), Key deer
(Odocoileus virginianus clavium), Blodgett's wild mercury (Argythamnia blodgettii), Cupania
(Cupania glabra); skyblue clustervine (Jacquemontia pentanthos), brittle thatch palm (Thrinax
morrisii), and Garber's spurge (Chamaesyce garberi).
Proposed Budeet The proposed budget for this section of the project is as follows:
Grant Funds Requested: $96,000
Salaries for 120 Monroe Co technician hrs/week for 32 weeks @ $25.00/ hour
In-Kind Match:
Total In-Kind Match:
(52% of Grant Funds Requested)
$50,088
Work Specifications Work performance will consist of furnishing all labor, herbicides, diluents,
small equipment, transportation, spray equipment, and performing all operations necessary to control
the exotic plants listed under "Project Goals" using proven techniques on the individual species. If
heavy equipment (bucket truck, dump truck, etc.) or a chipper is required for some tasks, the
equipment will be provided as an in-kind match by Monroe County Division of Public Works, or in
partnership with other land managers.
The exotic plant control technicians shall be responsible for maintaining a daily work log that will
record date, name of site, and hours of work along with other data that will be submitted to the Land
Steward at the end of each week. Monroe County will submit periodic invoices to the Florida
Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), Bureau of Invasive Plants, for reimbursement for
exotic plant control activities based on the work logs.
The exotic plant species listed under "Project Description" will be treated according to developed
effective control techniques. Depending upon the species treated and the type of habitat, plants may
be hand-pulled, treated in place, removed from site, or chipped on site. Decisions regarding specific
plant treatment methods on each site will be made by the Land Steward. Treating vegetation in place
and allowing it to decompose in situ is cost effective and biologically sound. Removing vegetation
from the site will be the preferred treatment method in habitats where fuel loading may be a concern,
where excessive mulching would preclude native seedling recruitment or negatively affect wildlife,
where falling trees could pose a hazard to roads or structures, or where aesthetics are a concern. It is
anticipated that most work areas will revegetate naturally without artificial seeding or revegetation.
However, for severely degraded sites with distant native seed sources, planting of natives will be
considered with funds from Monroe County's Environmental Land Management and Restoration
Fund.
DEP Contract No. PL-029, Task AssignAtent No. FK-082, Exhibit 1, Page 4 of 14
Exhibit 1
Every effort shall be made by the exotic plant control technicians to avoid damaging native
vegetation or disturbing wildlife. The crew will abide by all herbicide label application,
precautionary, safety, cleaning, and disposal information. Specimen labels and MSDS information
for all chemicals used will be kept with the chemicals, and the crew shall be provided with first aid
kits and emergency contact numbers while working in the field.
Data Collection The exotic plant control technicians will be responsible for conducting field work
and keeping daily work logs. Work logs will record date, weather conditions, name of site, specific
location on site, hours of work, species treated, estimates of species abundance in each work
location, treatment method, herbicide, concentration, and amount applied. Logs will be submitted
weekly to the Monroe County Land Steward for entry as spatial information with attributes into a
GIS database to track management activities on all County conservation lands.
Public Education/Outreach The Monroe County Land Steward and the Invasive Exotic
Technicians will work to educate neighbors of natural areas by providing "Monroe County
Conservation Lands" brochures and by discussing invasive exotics with them. Due to the scattered
nature of the County's parcels there is ample opportunity to interact with neighbors and the crew is
very visible to the public. Additionally, the crew will be easily recognized by signage posted on the
work site and the presence of a County labeled vehicle. The crew and the Land Steward will
continue to coordinate with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and neighbors of conservation lands to
work towards the removal of exotics from these private lands.
Proiect Time Frame The project will begin as soon as funding is available and conclude by June
15, 2009, with the Monroe County Land Steward providing a comprehensive final report to
accompany the final invoice for cost reimbursement to the FDEP Bureau of Invasive.Plants no later
than June 30,2009. Due to weather constraints, it is envisioned that most of the work will occur
during the eight-month period from October to June.
DEP Contract No. PL-029, Task Assignfuent No. FK-082, Exhibit 1, Page 5 of 14
Exhibit I
Section 1 Location Maps: Maps do not show all Monroe County owned or managed parcels.
Map 1. Key Largo Focus Areas including Largo City,
Anglers Park, and Pamela Villa Subdivisions.
.:~.
: .".
Map 2. Key Largo Focus Areas including Silver Lake Park,
Thompsons, and Sunset Gardens Subdivisions.
DEP Contract No. PL-029, Task Assignfuent No. FK-082, Exhibit t, Page 6 of 14
Exhibit 1
Red Indicates
Focus Areas
Map 3. Tavernier Focus Areas including Bay Haven, Adobe
Casa Court, Harris Ocean Park, and Palma Sola Subdivisions.
Map 4. Duck Key Focus Area including Center Island Subdivision.
DEP Contract No. PL-029, Task Assignment No. FK-082, Exhibit 1, Page 7 of 14
Exhibit I
Map 6. Sumrnerland and Cudjoe Focus Areas including Niles Channel,
Summerland Estates, Cutthroat Harbor and Cudjoe Acres Subdivisions.
DEP Contract No. PL-029, Task Assignibent No. FK-082, Exhibit 1, Page 8 of 14
Exhibit 1
DEP Contract No. PL-029, Task Assignibent No. FK-082, Exhibit J, Page 9 of 14
Exhibit 1
Section 2
Monroe County Mechanical 1 Contracted Invasive Exotic Plant Removal
Proiect Description The proposed project will build on the success of the last three years of
invasive exotic removal work on Monroe County conservation lands by enabling the County to hire
contractors to remove Category I and II invasive plant species. The project will remove stands of
invasive exotic vegetation that are either too large or located too close to improvements (such as
power lines, roads and houses) to be safely removed by the County's Land Steward and the Invasive
Exotic Plant Removal Crew.
Additionally, the grant funds will be used to leverage restoration funds available from the Monroe
County Environmental Land Management and Restoration Fund (MCELMR). The MCELMR funds
will continue to be utilized for trash removal, native plantings and other restoration efforts following
exotic removal.
The most common invasive exotic plant species found within the project area includes the following:
Brazilian pepper (I - Schinus terebinthifolius), Australian pine (I - Casuarina spp.), seaside mahoe (I
- Thespesia populnea), and latherleaf (I - Colubrina asiatica). In addition, any other FLEPPC listed
species found on the conservation lands will be removed.
Proiect Location Lands in this project area consist of public conservation lands located throughout
the Florida Keys either owned or managed by Monroe County (as the Board of County
Commissioners or the Land Authority). Monroe County owns over 3,000 parcels of scattered
conservation lands throughout the Florida Keys. Additionally, the State of Florida has recently
purchased several hundred parcels under the Florida Forever program that will be managed by
Monroe County. The focus for the 2008-2009 project will be the County managed parcels recently
purchased under the Florida Forever program and any remaining untreated parcels owned by Monroe
County. The majority of the subject sites fall within the following list of subdivisions. Note that most
of the sites are adjacent to larger natural areas.
KEY SUBDIVISION HABIT A T TYPE ADJACENT NATURAL AREA
Key Largo Silver Lake Park Hammock Pennekamp State Park
Key Largo Thompsons FW Wetland
Big Pine Sands Subdivision Pinelands / Disturbed USFWS Refuge
Torches Windswept Beach Wetlands FWC- WEA
Torches Ladies Acre Wetlands / Hammock FWC - WEA
Ramrod Ramrod Shores Hammock / Wetlands FWC - WEA
Summerland Summerland Estates Hammock 1 Wetlands
Su~arloaf Su~arloaf Townsite Wetlands / hammock
Su~arloaf Indian Mound Estates Hammock / wetlands Near FWC & USFWS
All Acreages and other Variety of habitats FWC, USFWS, DEP Parks
parcels
Most individual parcels are only 0.1 acre in size, but many are contiguous and combine to form much
larger management units. All properties are public lands that Monroe County intends to manage in
DEP Contract No. PL-029, Task Assign~nt No. FK-082, Exhibit 1, Page 10 of 14
Exhibit 1
perpetuity for conservation and natural resource protection.
The areas proposed for invasive plant eradication encompass the range of habitat types within the
Florida Keys. As illustrated in the table above, a variety of habitats are represented on these
conservation lands including coastal beaches, buttonwood wetlands, rockland and maritime .
hammocks, and pine rocklands, all of which range in condition from disturbed to pristine. These
areas provide habitat and resources for a myriad of wildlife, resident and migratory birds, and
endemic plant species. The non-native plants that invade these areas decrease habitat value and
lower biodiversity. Just a few of the state and federally listed endangered and threatened species of
animals and plants that utilize these habitats include: green turtle (Chelonia mydas), eastern indigo
snake (Drymarchon corais couperi), key mud turtle (Kinostemon baurii), piping plover (Charadrius
melodus), white-crowned pigeon (Columba leucocephala), Key Largo cotton mouse (Peromyscus
gossypinus allapaticola), Lower Keys marsh rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris hefneri), Key deer
(Odocoileus virginianus clavium), Blodgett's wild mercury (Argythamnia blodgettii), Cupania
(Cupania glabra); skyblue clustervine (Jacquemontia pentanthos), brittle thatch palm (Thrinax
morrisii), and Garber's spurge (Chamaesyce garberi).
Proposed Budeet The proposed budget for this section of the project is as follows:
Grant Funds Requested:
$80,000
In-Kind Match:
Total In-Kind Match:
(33% of Grant Funds Requested)
$26,444
Work Specifications The contractor will remove the exotic vegetation from designated
conservation lands under the direction of the Monroe County Land Steward. Work performance will
consist of the contractor furnishing all labor, herbicides, diluents, small equipment, transportation,
spray equipment, etc. and all operations necessary to eradicate the exotic vegetation as described in
the Project Goals section. Monroe County Public Works or a County contractor will provide heavy
equipment (clam truck, dump truck, etc) as required to remove and dispose of vegetative debris and
to cleanup sites as needed.
Daily work logs recording date, name of site, and hours of work along with other data will be
maintained by the Land Steward. Monroe County will submit periodic invoices to the Florida
Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), Bureau of Invasive Plants, for reimbursement for
exotic plant control activities based on the work logs.
The exotic plant species listed under "Project Description" will be treated according to developed
effective control techniques. Depending upon the species treated and the type of habitat, plants may
be hand-pulled, treated in place, removed from site, or chipped on site. Decisions regarding specific
plant treatment methods on each site will be made by the Land Steward. Treating vegetation in place
and allowing it to decompose in situ is cost effective and biologically sound. Removing vegetation
from the site will be the preferred treatment method in habitats where fuel loading may be a concern,
where excessive mulching would preclude native seedling recruitment or negatively affect wildlife,
DEP Contract No. PL-029, Task Assigntient No. FK-082, Exhibit 1, Page 11 of 14
Exhibit I
where falling trees could pose a hazard to roads or structures, or where aesthetics are a concern. It is
anticipated that most work areas will revegetate naturally without artificial seeding or revegetation.
However, for severely degraded sites with distant native seed sources, planting of natives will be
considered with funds from Monroe County's Environmental Land Management and Restoration
Fund.
Every effort shall be made by the contractor to avoid damaging native vegetation or disturbing
wildlife. The contractor will abide by all herbicide label application, precautionary, safety, cleaning,
and disposal information.
Data Collection The Land Steward will be responsible for overseeing contractors conducting field
work and keeping daily work logs. Work logs will record date, weather conditions, name of site,
specific location of site, hours of work, species treated, estimates of species abundance in each work
location, treatment method, herbicide, concentration, and amount applied. Logs will be used for
final report preparation and will be monitored by entering spatial information with attributes into a
GIS database to track management activities on all County conservation lands.
Public Education/Outreach The Land Steward will coordinate discussions with neighbors and
neighborhood associations prior to contractor work to explain the purpose and importance of the
work. The Land Steward will work in partnership with The Nature Conservancy's invasive exotic
program to recruit adjacent private landowners to allow volunteer exotic plant eradication efforts on
their property.
Proiect Time Frame The project will begin as soon as funding is available and conclude by June
15, 2009, with the Monroe County Land Steward providing a comprehensive final report to
accompany the final invoice for cost reimbursement to the FDEP Bureau ofInvasive Plants no later
than June 30, 2009. Due to weather constraints, it is envisioned that most of the work will occur
during the eight-month period from October to June.
DEP Contract No. PL-029, Task Assignment No. FK-082, Exhibit 1, Page 12 of 14
Exhibit 1
Section 2 Location Maps: Maps do not show all Monroe County owned or managed parcels.
Map 1. Key Largo Focus Areas including Silver Lake Park
and Thompsons Subdivisions
Map 2. Big Pine, Torches and Ramrod Focus Areas including
Sands, Windswept Beach, and Ramrod Shores Subdivisions.
DEP Contract No. PL-029, Task Assigntient No. FK-082, Exhibit 1, Page 13 of 14
. .
Exhibit]
Map 3. Summerland Areas including
Summerland Estates Subdivision.
Map 4. Upper Sugarloaf Focus Areas including
Indian Mound Estates and SugarloafTownsite Subdivisions.
DEP Contract No. PL-029, Task Assignment No. FK-082, Exhibit t, Page 14 of 14