CN-770000-11075-TA SE194.pdf

T ASK ASSIGNMENT NOTIFICATION FORM

FWC CONTRACT NO. 11075

Task Assignment Number: S£-194 Date: July 1, 20 13

Contractor Name: Miami-Dade County FWC Contract Manager: Ruark Cleary 850.61 7.9427 Contractor 'S Contract Manager: Joanne Menoher Case 305.755.7846 FWC Site Manager: Jackie Smith 772.678.5106

Project Title: Matheson Hammock Park and RHMP 2013114 PUD#: 97849391000

Task Descript ion 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 FWC and the Contractor have full y 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~

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 tile Contractor's ability to achieve the required level of con trol for the primary target species. It is the respon sibility of the Con tractor to determ i ne that all control operations do not exceed the established Task Assignment amount.

Task Assignment Start Date: Upon execution Final Treatment Completion Date: June 21, 2014

Tas k Assignment Type: Amount Not To Exceed:

Cost Reimbursement $150,000.00

Total Task Assignment Value $150,000.00

Fu nding Information:

Org. Code IE.O. IObject Code IFund ISpec. Cat. IProject # IYear IAmount

177358090200 1--'02_---1- 139'-'!. 40"----__--'IL--_ _ -"1-""02""'3'-='3...!..4_ _ --1- S-,=-'.1-:;..-'----'- 13 -"-- 1 $ 1 50,000.00 _ _ '-"' 1......"'-" 9--'-' --11 1~E- 94 1~"- 14-'-------l --1

I 1____ ~I________ ~I ____~I________~I_______I____---1I,$~________

Y MIAMI-DADE COUNTY FLORIDA FISH AND WILDUFE

CONSERV A TION COMMISSION

t ( }( (( 7 Date

Date~ut. ~ (~ ¥;l3

Date

Contracts Disbursements

[<WC Contract No. 11075, Task Assignment SE-194, Page 10f2 http:50,000.00 http:1--'02_---1-139'-'!.40 http:150,000.00 http:150,000.00

TASK ASSIGNMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE GROUND CREW:

I. Upon full execution of the Task Assignment, the Contractor will coordinate with the FWC 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 wOl"k 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 Contl'actor to avoid damage to native vegetation and wildlife;

4. Ground Crew Supervisors will be pesticide applicators possessing current certi fication 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 FWC 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 otherwi se noted in the Task Assignment;

6. The Ground Crew Supervisor shall be responsible for the collect ion, record ing, 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 tl'eated , number and size of plants killed, and type of treatment used. This data will be recorded on the FWC "Da i Iy Progress Report Form ";

7. The Contractor will strictly adhere to all herbicide label application, precautionary, and safety statements;

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COUNTY SITE MANAGER:

1. The County Site Manager is responsible for su bmitting a request for any additional work; additional work includes additional treatment areas or change in treatment methodology.

2. The site management agency authorizes FWC 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 agenc y.

3. The County Site Manager shall be responsible for obtaining all permits related to the control and disposal of targeted vegetation unless otherwise noted in the Task Ass ignment.

4. The Site Manager shall be responsible for instruction of ground crew and the areas and plants to be controlled, and provide necessary maps and other pertinent information to locate work sites.

S. The County Site Manager shall forward an original invoice along with all corresponding Daily Progress Repol1 Forms, completed and approved, to the FWC Invasive Plant Management, 3800 Commonwealth Boulevard, MS 705, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1600 within ten (10) working days of work completion.

FWC Contract No. 11075, Task Assignment SE-194, Page tof t

Proposal to:

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Invasive Plant Management Section

Matheson Hammock Park

And

R. Hardy Matheson Preserve

Invasive Vine Maintenance

Submitted by:

Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department

Natural Areas Management Division

MIAM.-....'U.I~

April 2013

PROJECT TITLE:

Matheson Hammock Park and R. Hardy Matheson Preserve Invasive Vine Removal and Maintenance

WORKING GROlJP: Southeast

CONT ACT INFORMATION:

Joanne Menoher Case, Grants Administrator Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department 275 NW 2nd Street Miami, FL 33128 Phone: 305-755-7846 Fax: 305-755-5466 e-mail: jmcase({l>miamidadc.gov

Dallas Hazelton, Environmental Resource Project Supervisor Natural Areas Management Division Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department 22200 SW 137 Avenue Miami, FL 33170 Phone: 305-257-0933, ext. 237 Fax: 305-257-1086 e-mail: hazdd(u miamidadc.gov

METHOD OF CONTROL: In-house

PROJECT GOALS: The goal of this project is to remove heavy infestations of sewer vine (Paederia cruddasiana) and other invasive vines, and to restore native plant communities by continuing the control of invasive exotic pJant species in project areas within Miami-Dade County's Matheson Hammock Park and R. Hardy Matheson Preserve. This project will focus on infestations of sewer vine located at: 1) the "main hammock" within Matheson Hammock (figure 3, area A) ; 2) the two oak dominated tree islands known as the " Matheson Tree Islands (figure 3, area B) ; 3) the sewer vine growing in " restoration area" (including the stand of Brazilian Pepper and sewer vine that was treated with [PMS funding in 20 II) (figure 4, area C) and the east hammock (figure 4, area D) at R. Hardy Matheson Preserve; 4) the south hammock (figure 4, area E) within R. Hardy Matheson Preserve.

The natural areas at Matheson Hammock and R. Hardy Matheson are in maintenance condition.

This is largely due to ongoing restoration work started in 1991, and eight IPMS/BIPM grants awarded between 1998 and 20 II for restoration and maintenance in Matheson West and the Matheson Tree Islands. However, due to the long term infestations and aggressive growth characteristics of sewer vine and air potato, these sites require continued and su bstantial follow-up maintenance to prevent the target species from becoming re-established.

The main target species of this project is sewer vine (Paederia cruddasiana) and air potato (Dioscorea bulbifera), but other invasive species in the project areas to be treated include

Matheson Hammock R. Hardy Matheson Vine Maintenance 2013 Page 2 http:miamidadc.gov http:jmcase({l>miamidadc.gov

Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius), shoebutton ardisia (Ardisia elliptica) , Queensland umbrella tree (Sche[flera actinophylla), bishopwood (Bischofia javanica), woman's tongue (Albizia lebbeck), Surinam cherry (Eugenia uniflora), Brazilian jasmine (Jasminumfluminense), jambolin plum (Syzygium cumini), white-flowered wandering jew (Tradescantiafluminensis), and arrowhead vine (Syngonium podophyllum). These are all Category I invasive exotics , according to the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council (EPPC). Attachment IV is a complete list of exotic plant species present at this site, and their category ranking.

ADDITIONAL PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Conset"vation Land Qualification The natural areas within Matheson Hammock Park and R. Hardy Matheson are listed in FNAl's Florida Conservation Lands. Rockland hammock natural communities are given a global rank of G2 and a state rank of S2 (globally imperiled and imperiled in Florida, respectively, because of rarity or because of vulnerability to extinction due to a naturally or man-made factor).

Ability to Maintain Site After Initial Treatment This proposal is for clearing populations of sewer vine Matheson Hammock Park and R. Hardy Matheson. Subsequent to these treatments, the project areas will continue to be managed by NAM, and treatment of exotic vegetation will occur in perpetuity. Management funds not obtained through grants will come from the Miami-Dade County Environmentally Endangered Lands (EEL) Program.

Threatened or Endangered Species or Habitats NAM will continue to ensure the maintenance of threatened and endangered species in Matheson Hammock Park and R. Hardy Matheson Preserve. See Attachment III for listed plant and animal species found in Matheson Hammock Park and R. Hardy Matheson.

Public Education Program At Matheson Hammock Park, NA M provides education and interpretation through maintenance of Matheson Hammock's nature trail and interpretive signs, as well as through Volunteer Workdays where citizen volunteers aid in the preservation of the federally listed species, crenulate leadpJant.

In addition, NAM provides educational opportunities through volunteer workdays at various sites, neighborhood meetings, and special events where information is displayed and staff interacts with the public.

R. Hardy Matheson Preserve is currently open to the public, but not fully developed. The Department's master plan for the site calls for a bicycle/pedestrian trail, which will run parallel Snapper Creek Canal on the north bank and will convey the public adjacent to the restoration area.

Matheson Hammock R. Hardy Matheson Vine Maintenance 2013 Page 3

SCOPE OF WORK

PROJECT LOCATION

Matheson Hammock Park is a 630-acre County park located at the edge of Biscayne Bay, containing almost 400 acres of natura I areas (figure 1 and 2). It is located at 9610 Old Cutler Road, in Sections 5, 6, and 8 of Township 55, Range 41, in Miami-Dade County. R. Hardy Matheson Preserve is located at 11775 SW Old Cutler Road in Sections 7, 8, 18, and 19 of Township 55 Range 41 in Miami-Dade County (figure I and 2). R. Hardy Matheson Park and its additions contain approximately 830 acres of natural areas.

The Natural Areas Management (NAM) Division of the Miami-Dade County Park & Recreation Department is responsible for restoration and management of native plant communities within Matheson Hanunock Park and R. Hardy Matheson Preserve. NAM also provides educational opportunities and interpretation through interpretive signs, various volunteer workdays, neighbors' meetings, and other special events.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

M.atheson Hammock Park - Habitat Description Matheson Hammock Park contains 65-acres of tropical hardwood hammock and transitional oak hammock, as well as 329-acres of marsh, mangrove, and shallow water marine communities.

Matheson Hammock supports 35 animal species listed by the Florida Natural Areas Inventory (FNAI) and 31 plant species listed by FNAI and/or Florida Division of Plant Industry (DPI) as endangered, threatened, or commercially exploited (see Attachment III). All of the park's natural areas are listed in FNAJ Florida Conservation Lands.

The tropical hardwood hammock in Matheson Hammock Park lies mostly to the west of Old Cutler Road (figure 3). Matheson Hammock historically covered a larger area, and rockJand hammock remnants still exist to the north in residential areas and to the south in the Girl Scouts' Camp Mahachee.

The native canopy of the main hammock at Matheson Hammock Park consists primarily of tropical tree species such as gumbo limbo (Bursera simaruba), red bay (Persea borbonia), strangler fig (Ficus aurea), West Indian cherry (Prunus myrti{olia), mastic (Mastichodendron foetidissimum), and black ironwood (Krugiodendron ferreum). Large specimens of live oak (Quercus virginiana) also occur in Matheson Hammock. Eight species of native bromeJiad (Tillandsia spp.), and at least one orchid (Encyclia tampensis), grow epiphytically within the upper canopy. Four of these bromeliad species are listed by the State of Florida as either threatened or endangered, and the orchid is listed as commercially exploited.

The native understory of the main hammock includes spicewood (Calyptranthes pallen.~), marl berry (Ardisia escallonioides), Simpson's stopper (Mvrcianthes fragrans var. simpsonii), white stopper (Eugenia axillaris), Spanish stopper (Eugenia foetida), and redberry stopper (Eugenia confusa). The substrate consists of limestone pinnacle rock, with extensive caverns throughout, fonned by flowing freshwater. The steep edges of this eroded rock support several ferns or fern-relatives that are rare in North America. Fern species in Matheson's Main Hammock

Matheson Hammock

Vine Maintenance 2013 Page 4 that are listed as endangered by the State of Florida include slender spleenwort (Asplenium dentatum), bird's-nest fern (Asplenium sen-alUm), Florida tree fern (Ctenitis sloanei), holly fern (Lomariopsis kunzeana), and fi lmy fern (Trichomanes punctatum subsp. floridanum). Two terrestrial orchids are also found in the rockland hammock: speckled lady's tresses (Spirantlies cranichoides) and Gentian noddingcaps (Triphora gentianoides).

The area west of the main hammock contains two areas known as Matheson West and the Matheson Tree Islands, and was historically called "Matheson Nursery" (located between School House Road and Banyan Drive) . This portion of the park was once part of a transverse glade containing islands of tropical hardwood hammock, trans itional oak hammock, and pineland (see Figure 3). The Master Plan for the park calls for the eventual restoration of 25-30 acres of wetland in the "Nursery." The areas have been severely impacted by disturbances, including development for human uses, hurricane damage, and hydrologic alteration. Subsequent invas ion by aggressive exotic plants, particularly sewer vine, Bra zilian pepper, shoebutton ardisia, and Queensland umbrella tree, had left these important components of the ecosystem in serious jeopardy, and created a formida ble management challenge. Beginning in 1998, with funding from BIPM, NAM initiated the restoration of the hammock areas in the "Nursery."

The Matheson Tree Islands are characterized by outcroppings of limestone with typical hammock soils (Matacumbe muck), surrounded by lowland areas characterized by freshwater wetland or prairie soils (Perrine marl), and mixed Udorthents with limestone or marl substratum. Native spec ies in the tree islands include live oak (Quercus virginiana), sabal palm (Sabal palmetto), strangler fig (Ficus aurea), pigeonplum (Coccoloba diversifolia), myrsine (Rapanea punctata), gumbo limbo (Bursera simaruba), paradise tree (Simarouba g lauca), slash pine, (Pinus elliottii var. densa), and Southern shield fern (Thelypteris kunthii). The beautifully fragile and deeply eroded limestone within these islands is evidence of the wa ter that once flowed through the glade.

Lying between the two islands is a small ecotone area, approximately 1.7 acres in size. Several species of wetland plants still persist in this area. These tree islands and the ecotone are a refuge to many plant and animal species of note, including least halberd fern (Tectaria fimbriata), the Southern hairy woodpecker, the sharp-shinned hawk, and the worm-eating warbler.

Matheson Hammock Park - Site History Matheson Hammock Park was Miami-Dade County's first park. The first 83-acres of Matheson Hammock Park were donated to the County in \930. The additional acreage was purchased by Miami-Dade County between 1936 and 1939. The park is bordered on the east by the Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserve, on the north by residential development, on the south by residential development, Camp Mahachee Girl Scout Camp, and Fairchild Tropical Gardens, and on the west by residential development and the Snapper Creek canal.

When Hurricane Andrew hit in August 1992, the advantageous characteristics of exotic invasive species (mostly vines) that were already present at Matheson Hammock, such as sewer vine and air potato, exploded with growth due to the increased light conditions resulting from a loss of canopy. Although hurricanes are a natural occurrence in South Florida's ecosystem, the problematic presence of exotic species, and the ability of hurricanes to spread these species and give them opportunity to exponentially expand, made the storm even more detrimental to the County's natural areas. Fortunately, following Hurricane Andrew in 1992, NAM received a $500,000 grant from the Knight Foundation. This funding made it possible to hire personnel to

Math eson Hammock

Vine Maintenance 2013 Page 5 begin restoring Matheson Hammock, as well as other County-owned/managed hammock areas.

The State of Florida provided a substantial post-hurricane grant of $5.4 million in 1993 which supported the continuation of res toration efforts in these hammocks, as well as an expansion into pine rockland forests.

Since 1991, Miami-Dade County has expended approximately $3,181,000 on restoration and maintenance of the natural areas at Matheson Hammock Park. Of these restoration expenditures, IPMS/BIPM has funded $625,783 on Matheson West, Main Hammock and the Matheson Tree Islands. What once seemed like a daunting and overwhelming task, the restoration of the natural areas at Matheson Hammock Park has thus far achieved great success. Approximately 55 acres of Matheson 's main hammock have been restored, and are considered to be in maintenance condition.

As for Matheson West and Matheson Tree Islands, the BIPM grants have made poss ible an amazing transfonnation of these once exotics-infested areas. Continuing restoration and maintenance of the project areas in this proposal will greatly contribute toward the overall management of Matheson Hammock Park's natural areas by eliminating exotic seed sources, protecting rare plants, and furthering the Park's efforts to preserve and protect its natural and historic resources.

R. Hardy Matheson Preserve - Habitat Description R. Hardy Matheson Preserve contains 806-acres of coastal wetlands and submerged lands. The 23-acres of upland contain tropical hardwood hammock and globally-imperiled pine rockla nd forest. The hammock on the southern side of the canal is approximately nine acres in size. R.

Hardy Matheson contains habitat for 38 animal species listed by the Florida Natural Areas Inventory (FNAI) and 34 plant species listed by FNAI and/or Florida Division of Plant Industry (DPI) as endangered, threatened, or commercially exploited (see Attachment Ill). All of the park's natural areas are listed in FNAI Florida Conservation Lands.

The native canopy of the hammock at R. Hardy Matheson consists primarily of tropical tree species such as gumbo limbo (Bursera simaruba), red bay (Persea borbonia), strangler fig (Ficus aurea), West Indian cherry (Pntnus myrti{olia), mastic (Mastichodendron foetidissimum), and black ironwood (Krugiodendronferreum). Large specimens of live oak (Quercus virginiana) also occur in the R. Hardy Matheson hammocks. Eight species of native bromeliad (Tillandsia spp.), and at least one orchid (Encyclia tampensis), grow epiphytically within the upper canopy. Four of these bromeliad species are listed by the State of Florida as either threatened or endangered, and the orchid is listed as commercially exploited.

The native understory of the main hammock includes spicewood (Calyptranthes pallens), marlberry (Ardisia escallonioides), Simpson's stopper (Mvrcianthes fragrans var. simpsonii), white stopper (Eugenia axillaris), Spanish stopper (Eugenia foetida), and redberry stopper (Eugenia confusa) . The substrate consists of limestone pinnacle rock, with extensive caverns throughout, fonned by flowing freshwater. The steep edges of this eroded rock support several ferns or fern-relatives that are rare in North America. Species in the R. Hardy Matheson hammocks that are listed as endangered by the State of Florida include slender spleenwort (Asplenium denlatLlm), bird's-nest fern (Asplenium serratum), Florida tree fern (Ctenitis s/oanei), holly fern (Lomariopsis kunzeana), and filmy fern (Trichomanes punctatllm subsp. jloridanum).

Matheson Hammock

Vine Maintenance 2013 Page 6

Two terrestrial orchids are also found in the rockland hammock: speckled lady 's tresses (Spiranthes cranichoides) and Gentian noddingcaps (Triphora gentianoides).

R. Hardy Matheson Preserve - Site History In 1982, the State acquired the 632-acre Snapper Creek Preserve (later renamed R. Hardy Matheson Preserve), which was the first CARL acquisition in Miami-Dade County. In 1986, the State Acquired an additional 176-acre tract separa ted from the original purchase, but adjoining Chapman Field Park, a 650-acre undeveloped coastal site just to the south. In 2001, the Miami Dade County Department of Environmenta I Recourses Management Environmentally Endangered Lands (EEL) program acquired the 2 I-acres on the north side of R. Hardy Matheson. The site is bordered by the Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserve to the east, Matheson Hammock to the northeast, the Montgomery Botanical Center to the sou th, and residential development to the west and northwest. The property is divided by Snapper Creek Canal, once a natural drainage feature, that was dredged in 1917.

R. Hardy Matheson Preserve contains 806-acres of coastal wetlands and submerged lands. The 23-acres of upland contain tropical hardwood hammock and globally-imperiled pine rockland forest. The hammock on the southern side of the canal is approximately eight acres in size. After hurricane Andrew in 1992, this area was heavily infested with sewer vine. With funding from the State, and the EEL program, NAM has controlled the sewer vine and other invasive exotics and has kept it in "maintenance condition" for the last 16 years. Since 1991, Miami-Dade County has expended approximately $1,084,000 on restoration and maintenance of the natura I areas at Matheson Hammock Park. Of these restoration expenditures, IPMS/BTPM has funded $96,000 at R. Hardy Matheson. The 15-acres of upland on the north side of Snapper Creek Canal have been subject to more di sturbances. NAM has restored and maintained the four acre pine rockland in the northwest corner of the site. Approximately 7-acres of hammock north of the canal was cleared in the J950 's and subsequently filled in with dense s tands of exotic species, dominated by Brazilian Pepper. After hurricane Andrew in 1992, this area was heavily infested with sewer vine. Starting in 2007 , NAM cleared 5.5-acres of exotics in this area and has stalied reforesting the area with native hammock species. The remaining 1.5-acres of Brazilian pepper and sewer vine was removed with IPMS funding in 2011.

The Project Sites This proposal encompasses fou r primary project areas: 1) Matheson Main Hammock (48 acres)(figure 3, area A); 2) the Matheson Tree Islands (8.8-acres) (figure 3, area B); 3) R. Hardy Matheson restoration area (9.3-acres) (figure 4 , area C); and 4) R. Hardy Matheson sewer vine maintenance treatment in the south hammock (9.2-acres) (figure 4 area D) .

1. Matheson Main Hammock Natural Areas Management has worked to remove non-native plants in this area since 1991 .

Currently, sewer vine and small pockets of air potato are the most problematic species. The main hammock (figure 3, area A) requires two treatments per year: one a complete sweep of the hammock, and the other a treatment of "hot spot" infestations only. Hot spots include the edges of the hammock, adjacent to the Girl Scout Camp and the northern residential neighbors .

Matheson Hammock R. Hardy Ma theson Vine Maintenance 2013 Page 7

The main hammock includes the area previously known as "the Paederia pit" (see Figure 3). This was once the most severely infested area on the property. Prior to any restoration efforts, the sewer vine infestation was so severe that it had eliminated both the hammock understory and canopy. Once NAM had restored the remainder of the main hammock, efforts to restore the Pit began. In 1994, NAM began using repeated broadcast treatments of Round Up, followed by meticulous spot treatments of Garlon 4, to reduce the sewer vine coverage to less than 1 %. By the year 2000, after broadcast seeding of pioneer hammock trees and shrubs, and continued sewer vine follow ups, the "pit" was a recovering hammock and the rest of the hammock was in maintenance condition. Efforts to keep the hammock free of sewer vine continued, but hurricanes Wilma and Katrina in 2005 resulted in significant damage to the hammock canopy. The increased sunlight allowed sewer vine, air potato, and other vines to regain a strong foothold. The 2011 IPMS funding was aimed at gaining control of this re-infestation of vines in the hammock. This funding application will continue progress toward this goal.

2. Matheson Tree Islands

The 8.8-acre Matheson Tree Islands (figure 3, area B) were severely invaded by exotic species, in particular, sewer vine, Queensland umbrella tree, and shoebutton ardisia. Prior to treatment, the vegetation consisted of a mix of native tropical, temperate, and transitional/pineland plant species, with areas of moderate to heavy exotic plant infestation. Several species of wetland plants still persist in an ecotone that roughly divides the area in half.

In 2003, Miami-Dade County Parks received a grant for $115,000 from BIPM for restoration of the tree island. During 2003-2004, NAM crews concentrated on the removal of those exotic species posing the greatest threat to the natural area, namely, sewer vine, umbrella tree, and shoebutton ardisia. BIPM grants were received in 2004, 2005, and 2006, and split between the Tree Islands and Matheson West, as previously noted. NAM crews have conducted multiple follow-up treatments in the tree islands, and have gradually been cutting and treating large exotics in the canopy. These canopy species primarily consisted of umbrella tree, shoebutton ardisia, bishopwood, Brazilian pepper, and jambolin plum. Removal of these species has occurred in a deliberately gradual manner so as not to introduce too much light into the understory, and inadvertently encourage the growth of the very species being combated, or bring detriment to native ferns. Crews also continued initial and follow-up treatment in the ecotone area on shoebutton ardisia and sewer vine.

The tree islands still have a significant popUlation of sewer vine that requires frequent follow-up to maintain it at a manageable level. With the IPMS grant awarded in 2011, NAM was able to clear a significant amount of sewer vine and other non-native vegetation for the Tree Islands. The goal in this section of this project is maintenance control of the sewer vine in the tree islands.

3. R. Hardy Matheson North Hammock and Restoration Area Vine Maintenance

Starting in 2007, NAM cleared 5.5 acres of previously (1950's) cleared area that was heavily infested with exotics, maintained the sewer vine at minimal population, and started reforesting the

Matheson Hammock

Vine Maintenance 2013 Page 8 area with native hammock species (figure 4, "Restoration Area," area C). In 2010-11, IPMS funded the removal of the remaining 1.5 acres of Brazilian pepper to the north that was heavily infested with sewer vine (figure 4, north end of restoration, area C). This area also includes the 1 acre halmnock mostly consisting of specimen size trees that was treated with the 20010-11 IPMS funding. Maintenance control of sewer vine and other invasive vines in these areas is the goal of this project. .

4. R. Hardy Matheson South Hammock Sewer Vine Maintenance

Removal of exotics began in 1991 in the hammock south of the canal (figure 4, area D). It is in maintenance condition, however, lhere are still significant recurring pockets of sewer vine along the south and east edges. The south hammock requires 2 to 3 follow-up treatments to maintain the sewer vine at acceptable levels. Continuing the maintenance efforts on sewer vine and other exotics is the goal of the project in the south hammock.

WORK SPECIFICATIONS

Control techniques and methods of disposal All follow-up treatments will be completed in-house by NAM crews. Multiple follow-up treatments of sewer vine are especially necessary for several years to control this species and prevent re-infestation. Under this maintenance proposa I, a minimum of one complete follow-up treatment is planned for each project area. If time and money allow, multiple follow-up treatments of "hot spots" will be conducted.

Vines will be treated with 10% Garlon 4 or uprooted and removed from the site. Other plant species will be treated as appropriate. Some exotic hardwoods may be left alive for a period of time to provide shade for native seed germ ina tion.

NAM will continue to conduct direct seeding ancllor planting with native plants. NAM will likely continue to do so until native recruitment and coverage is deemed successful.

Other requirements and provisions NAM crews are experienced in species identification and herbicide application. NAM ' s main crew supervisors are certified pesticide applicators and hold current certification by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. As a number of State-listed plant species are found at Matheson Hammock Pa rk, every effort will be made to protect these populations. NAM staff will identify loca tions of these species, and will take precautionary measures prior to the crews initiating work at the project site.

Matheson Hammock

Vine Maintenance 2013 Page 9

Miami-Dade County Matheson Hammock Park and R. Hardy Matheson Prese

2 0 2 4 Miles

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FIGURE 1

Matheson Hammock

Vine Maintenance 2013 Page 10

Matheson Hammock Managed Natural Areas (1061 acres) R. Hardy Matheson Addrtion

C Math eson Hammock Park C R. Hardy Matheson Preserve

1000 0 1000 2000 Feet

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Matheson Hammock

Vine Maintenance 2013 Page 11 o 200 400 Feel

Natural Areas Managem enl Park & Recreation Departm ent Miami-Dade County DT1 10410' 2

D Project Site (1 8.5 acres )

D R. Hardy Mathes o!1 Park Boundries

100 0 100 200 Feet

-•. --Natural Areas Management . Par1< & Re creation Departmeni Miami-Dade County UIH OJ2612

Math eson Ham mock R. Ha rdy Ma th eson Vin e Mai ntena nce 2012

Matheson Hammock

Vine Maintenance 2012