PARKS AND RECREATION DIVISION RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF THE ABOVE MOTIONS.
This item supports the Commission’s value of encouraging investments in renewable energy, sustainable practices and environmental protection, and the related goal to seek funding for, implement policies and pursue projects promoting the use of alternative energies and sustainable practices.
The recommended action to accept funding from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (“FWC”) will restore 20 acres of gopher tortoise habitat within Deerfield Island Park (“Park”). This 53.3 acre passive recreational island park is home to a variety of unique plants and animals, is a critical wildlife area, and is one of the last remaining gopher tortoise (Gopherus Polyphemus) refuges in South Florida. Although the gopher tortoise has been regulated in Florida since 1972 and was listed as a “threatened species” in November 2007, its population throughout the state has continued to decline. FWC manages only 10% of the publicly-owned gopher tortoise habitat statewide and has therefore identified the need to partner with other public agencies to manage protected lands to support gopher tortoise populations at levels that will ensure the long-term security of the species. To help facilitate habitat management, FWC requested projects from counties and municipalities that would optimize gopher tortoise carrying capacity on protected lands through appropriate habitat management.
Areas of the Park are inundated with exotic plants, creating a thick canopy cover that restricts burrowing and protection of the gopher tortoises. Exotic removal across the gopher tortoise habitat will decrease canopy cover, allowing for an increase in habitat with direct sun as prescribed by the Park’s Resource Management Plan, which was reviewed and approved by the Urban Wilderness Advisory Board in 2013. Direct sun will improve gopher tortoise habitat by offering: optimal burrowing, thermo-regulation, egg incubation, and food abundance.
Section 13.91(l) of the Broward County Administrative Code provides for the coordination of Parks and Recreation activities with federal and state agencies and actively seek federal and state funding for park and recreation purposes. Parks and Recreation staff is recommending the acceptance of $15,000 in funding from the FWC for the use and benefit of the Parks and Recreation Division to remove exotic invasive plants within 20 acres of the gopher tortoise habitat in the Park. The funds for the FWC’s Gopher Tortoise Habitat Management project are derived from mitigation contributions for gopher tortoise conservation and are not subject to the Florida Single Audit. Funding is being facilitated through a FWC purchase order, providing for cost reimbursement of up to $15,000. The project must be completed by May 18, 2018.
Approval of Motion A authorizes Broward County to accept $15,000 in funding from the FWC’s Gopher Tortoise Habitat Management Assistance Funding program for the 2017-2018 Fiscal Year (Exhibit 1 - Award Letter). Adoption of the budget Resolution (Exhibit 2) authorizes allocation of the funding.
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