Atch_2_EVER_Compliance_Requirements.pdf

Topic Mitigation Measures Timeframe

General Resource Management

1. Establishment of off-site staging areas on non-hardened surfaces requires consultation with the EPC Office and appropriate subject-matter experts.

Prior to and concurrent with project activities

2. Work under this programmatic CE cannot be performed in Wilderness, wetlands, marine waters, or have any in-water components.

Concurrent with project activities

Visitor Use and Experience

3. To avoid or minimize impacts to visitors, construction projects should be coordinated with park off-season for visitors (May-October) when possible.

Prior to project activities

4. To avoid or minimize impacts to visitors, complete closure of facilities to visitors should be minimized. To the extent possible, partial and/or limited closures of visitor access should be used.

Prior to project activities

Wetlands 5. Work in disturbed areas immediately adjacent to jurisdictional wetlands will employ the use of silt fences or other protective measure to prevent impacts to wetlands, as necessary.

Concurrent with project activities

Natural Resources

6. The park Biological Resources Branch representative will work with the Project Leader to determine what species surveys are required, and determine timing of project activities to avoid sensitive seasons and sites for listed species including (but not limited to): the American crocodile, the bonneted bat, indigo snake, sea turtles, etc. Inspections of stored materials or debris in the project area for evidence of indigo snakes will be conducted by qualified wildlife specialist staff prior to the commencement of the project if necessary. Surveys for evidence of sea turtle and American crocodile nesting activity will be required for ground-disturbing activities in the Flamingo District where work may occur between March 1 and September 15.

Impacts to areas where evidence of nesting is found must be postponed until after nesting is complete. The Project Leader is responsible for requesting the necessary surveys for sensitive species through the Biological Resources Branch representative approximately one month prior to initiation of the project to ensure that surveys can be completed prior to beginning work. This will allow the wildlife specialists time to prepare for and schedule the surveys into their work schedule as well as time to provide a written summary of the survey. Surveys for sensitive species will be conducted by wildlife specialists approximately two weeks prior to the initiation of the project. If initiation of the project is delayed, then additional surveys may be required (as determined by the Biological Resources Branch representative) to determine continued absence of the species form the project area. Only after required species surveys have been completed and no sensitive species are encountered can the project proceed.

Prior to project activities

7. Project sites that lie within boundaries of designated critical habitat shall be reviewed and inspected by the Biological Resources Branch representative to determine whether essential features or PCEs of the critical habitat may be affected. If one or more essential features or PCEs may be affected and the location is within the designated critical habitat, section 7 consultation will be conducted individually.

Prior to project activities

8. All work should only be conducted during daylight hours to minimize disturbance to wildlife. Prior to project activities

9. If individual wood storks, eastern indigo snakes, Florida panthers, American crocodiles or other listed species are present or observed at a proposed work location, work will be postponed until the individual(s) leaves the area. Park Biologists and the Biological Resources Branch representative will be notified immediately of the time and location of the sighting(s) to determine if further mitigations are necessary.

Concurrent with project activities

10. If bats are encountered or evidence of bat roosting is detected, the project shall not commence until bats are removed and any additional required consultation with the USFWS is completed.

Prior to project activities

11. The Project Leader will adhere to the Eastern Indigo Snake Protective Measures that are appropriate to each project. 20130812_EIS Standard Protection Measures_final.pdf (fws.gov)

Concurrent with project activities

12. Prior to start of work each day, any open trenches will be inspected for presence of eastern indigo snakes or other wildlife. The Biological Resources Branch representative will be immediately notified of any wildlife encountered in open trenches.

Concurrent with project activities

13. To avoid or minimize the introduction or spread of non-native, invasive plant and animal species, disturbed areas will be allowed to recover naturally. If necessary, and in coordination with the park Botanist, any fill, mulch, reseeding, and sod material brought into the park must be free of non-native, invasive plants and animals, and noxious weeds.

Prior to project activities

14. Repair or replacement of landscape features will be carried out with plants native to Everglades National Park and appropriate to the region of the park where they are being replaced OR are landscape features identified in an approved cultural landscape plan. Park Botanist will be consulted prior to carrying out this work. Park botanist will respond within 3 days detailing any additional project specific mitigations.

Prior to project activities

15. If removal of vegetation is required to enable maintenance or repair of facilities, the park botanist will be consulted prior to work. Park botanist will respond within 3 days detailing any additional project specific mitigations. This does not apply to routine maintenance of grounds.

Prior to and concurrent with project activities

Everglades National Park Compliance Division Requirements

140P5423R0025 Attachment 2 https://www.fws.gov/northflorida/IndigoSnakes/20130812_EIS%20Standard%20Protection%20Measures_final.pdf

Topic Mitigation Measures Timeframe

16. Repair, replacement, and upgrading of lighting fixtures must comply with NPS and the park’s night skies best practices to reduce impacts to the night sky and wildlife. This will include, but is not limited to, low-level lighting, minimized glare, downward focused light fixtures, and energy efficient light sources such as low-pressure sodium lamps. Should additional guidance be needed, please consult with Park Planner.

Prior to and concurrent with project activities

17. To reduce the potential for unintentionally introducing or spreading non-native species, equipment used on site will be cleaned and free of debris prior to being brought into Everglades National Park.

Prior to project activities

Cultural Resources

18. The Project Leader is responsible for coordination of activities with the park Chief of Cultural Resources to ensure the protection of cultural resources, including American Indian Traditional Cultural Properties, cultural landscapes, and historic or prehistoric archeological sites that are listed or eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.

Prior to and concurrent with project activities

19. Additional stipulations may be added depending on the proposed undertaking. Prior to project activities

20. Cultural resource inventories may be required depending on the proposed undertaking. Prior to project activities

21. According to the 2008 National park Service Programmatic Agreement Section VI, if cultural resources are discovered during project implementation all work in that area must stop and the Superintendent, park archaeologist or Chief of Cultural Resources must be notified immediately. If items protected by the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) are discovered during project implementation all activity must cease in the area of discovery and immediate notice made to the Superintendent, as well as the appropriate Federally recognized Indian Tribes/Organizations and State Historic Preservation Officer

(SHPO).

Concurrent with project activities

22. S. Florida locator services will be contacted a minimum of 48 hours prior to any planned digging to locate utilities. The park Archaeologist will also be notified to identify the potential to affect archeological sites and to develop appropriate treatment measures, if necessary (including in previously disturbed areas). Timing of this notification will be determined during the Section 106 review.

Prior to project activities

Everglades National Park Compliance Division Requirements