Tab B Wetland and Floodplain Mgmt.pdf

45 SW INRMP

Tab B, Wetland and Floodplain Management

Wetlands and Floodplains Wetlands are located on three 45 SW properties (CCAFS, PAFB and MTA), and both CCAFS and PAFB have a significant amount of land within the floodplain.

Disturbance in both wetland and floodplain areas should be avoided whenever possible. Executive Order 11990, Protection of Wetlands, and EO 11988, Floodplain Management, require Federal agencies to preserve the natural value of wetlands and floodplains and reduce the risk of flood loss. Alternatives to disturbing and/or constructing in wetlands or floodplains will be analyzed during early coordination with the Environmental office during the Environmental Impact Analysis Process (EIAP). If activities in wetlands/floodplains can not be avoided, the 45 SW Environmental office will help the proponent find alternatives that will minimize impacts, outline permit requirements and determine the level of environmental analysis required , i.e., Environmental Assessment (EA), Finding of No Practicable Alternative (FONPA), etc. If a FONPA is required, it must document that there are no practicable alternatives to construction in a wetland or floodplain, and that the action includes all measures to minimize harm to either resource. EIAP documents must cite Clean Water Act and River and Harbors Act compliance, permit actions, and any mitigation requirements conditioned within permitting. A Federal Coastal Zone Act Consistency Determination will also be completed, if applicable. Generally, however, a Federal Consistency Determination is included in the permitting process and a permit will not be issued if the action is not deemed consistent with the State Coastal Zone Management program. In addition to any required mitigation, wetland enhancement projects will be pursued if funding is available.

Wetlands:

Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Mapping and Inventories Wetlands and deepwater habitats at CCAFS were inventoried by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 1988 as part of the National Wetland Inventory (NWI) mapping program. Under the NWI program, wetlands and other waters are identified by remote means, e.g. interpretation and analysis of aerial photography and geologic maps, with limited ground-truthing of the interpreted results. An installation-wide, jurisdictional wetland delineation, which defines the extent of waters regulated under the Clean Water Act (CWA), has not been performed at CCAFS. The latter type of inventory is performed on-the-ground, applying field indicators to determine the presence of wetlands. Hydrologic and vegetative parameters for defining wetlands under the NWI mapping program and the CWA differ slightly but overlap, so one cannot rely entirely on NWI maps to delineate wetlands that are federally regulated. Jurisdictional delineations must be certified by the US Army Corps of Engineers (COE), the agency that administers the CWA Section 404 permitting program, and are only valid for a period of five (5) years.

For planning purposes, NWI maps may be consulted to determine if there is a likelihood of wetlands occurring within a project area. The area should then be surveyed to assess site conditions that either validate the NWI map information or provide a different indication of the extent of wetlands. If resource managers believe that, in consideration of NWI maps and onsite conditions, a proposal at CCAFS could have an effect on wetlands, a site-specific jurisdictional delineation would have to be performed.

According to NWI maps, a wide variety of wetland and deepwater habitats exists at CCAFS. The most predominate are palustrine and estuarine; however, marine, riverine, and lacustrine systems have also been identified there.

Palustrine wetlands lack flowing water and are inland systems like marshes and swamps as well as bogs, fens, tundra and floodplains. Estuarine systems are found where salt and fresh waters mix with river systems having open, restricted, or sporadic connection to the open ocean with tidal influences near the connection points. Estuarine wetlands at CCAFS include mangrove swamps, salt marshes, salt pans, Borrichia/glasswort marshes and various impounded wetland areas. The NWI identifies Estuarine Subtidal Unconsolidated Bottom at CCAFS, which includes impounded open water habitats. Since this classification represents open water habitats and not wetland systems, these areas are not considered in calculating the total wetland acreage at the installation. (Note: For the same reason, Marine Intertidal Unconsolidated Shoreline has also been omitted from wetland acreages identified by the CCAFS NWI.)

Types of Wetlands and Open Water Systems Within the categories of palustrine and estuarine systems, the most common types of wetlands and open water areas at CCAFS are mangrove wetlands, salt marshes, freshwater wetlands, brackish water impoundments, borrow pits, and drainage canal systems.

Mangrove Wetlands CCAFS estuarine wetlands dominated by woody cover are typically mangrove communities located on the fringes of the Banana River and adjacent impoundments. Several hard freezes experienced in Brevard County during the 1980’s drastically reduced the extent of mangrove communities on CCAFS.

Emergent grasses typical of saltmarshes often succeed former mangrove-lined shorelines. Favorable weather conditions through the 1990s enabled the re-establishment of mangroves along the Banana River shoreline, although exotic species such as Brazilian peppers are now directly competing with the mangroves. Mangrove communities are very fragile and can easily be altered by dredging, flooding, impounding, and clearing. Mangrove leaf detritus is an important energy source within the complex marine food chain. Consequently, mangroves are protected by Florida Statute 861.02, and two species are listed as Species of Special Concern by the State.

http://agen521.www.ecn.purdue.edu/AGEN521/epadir/wetlands/emergent.html http://agen521.www.ecn.purdue.edu/AGEN521/epadir/wetlands/forested.html http://agen521.www.ecn.purdue.edu/AGEN521/epadir/wetlands/bogs.html http://agen521.www.ecn.purdue.edu/AGEN521/epadir/wetlands/fens.html http://agen521.www.ecn.purdue.edu/AGEN521/epadir/wetlands/tundra.html http://agen521.www.ecn.purdue.edu/AGEN521/epadir/wetlands/floodplains.html

Mangroves found on CCAFS are listed below with other plant species associated with this community:

Shrubs/Trees

Black Mangrove Avicennia germinans Buttonwood Conocarpus erecta Red Mangrove Rhizophora mangle Salt Bush Baccharis halimifolia Sea Oxeye Borrichia frutescens White Mangrove Languncularia racemosa

Herbs

Black Needle Rush Juncus roemerianus Cordgrass Spartina bakeri Salt Grass Distichlis spicata

Featured wildlife species in a mangrove community are too numerous to identify within the scope of this plan. Due to its riparian locations, species diversity within a mangrove habitat is widely varied. Use of mangrove communities on CCAFS by wading birds and migratory waterfowl is extensive but the ichthyofauna receives the majority of the energy flowing from this association.

Associated avian species include the following:

Avian Species

American Coot Fulica americana Anhinga Anhinga anhinga Belted Kingfisher Megaceryle alcyon Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias Great Egret Casmerodius albus Little Blue Heron Florida caerulea Osprey Pandion haliaetus Roseate Spoonbill Ajaia ajaja Snowy Egret Leucophoux thula Tricolored Heron Egretta tricolor Wood Stork Mycteria americana

Amphibians and Reptiles

Atlantic Salt Marsh Snake Nerodia fasciata taeniata

Florida East Coast Terrapin Malaclemys terrapin tequesta

Salt Marshes Salt marsh wetlands are dominated by nonwoody vegetation. These areas exist amidst the intertidal shorelines and tidal wetlands of the Indian River lagoon system throughout CCAFS. The majority of the Banana River-front along CCAFS has been disturbed by the construction of mosquito control ditches and dikes or construction of facilities by the Air Force to support the missile-testing program. Consequently, it is difficult to assess the original extent of salt marshes on the Canaveral peninsula. Some remnants of a salt marsh exist west of LC-40.

These areas have been isolated from the waters of the Banana River and are presently experiencing a succession change to a freshwater marsh community.

Emergent grasses such as black needle rush and cordgrass typically dominate salt marsh wetlands. These and other nonwoody dominant wetland plant types identified on CCAFS are listed below.

Shrubs/Trees

Sea Oxeye Borrichia frutescens Swamp Willow Salix caroliniana

Herbs

Black Needle Rush Juncus roemerianus Cordgrass Spartina bakeri Glass Worts Salicornia spp.

Salt Grass Distichlis spicata Sea Blites Suaeda spp.

Avian species using this habitat include the wading birds described earlier in Mangrove Wetlands, Section 4.5.1; various migratory waterfowl (usually wintering ducks), and the white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos).

This habitat appears to be changing due to alterations imposed by man. The area is used by wildlife but was certainly more productive prior to construction of SLC- 40 and SLC-41 and their corresponding transporter roadways. This marsh is currently being restored through reconnection of the impoundment to the Banana River, just west of SLC-40. Associated animal species include the following:

Animals

Alligator Alligator mississippiensis Armadillo Dasypus novemcinctus Feral Hogs Sus scrofa

Florida East Coast Terrapin Malaclemys terrapin tequesta Florida White-tailed Deer Odocoileus virginianus Marsh Rabbit Sylvilagus palustris Opossum Didelphis marsupialis Raccoon Procyon lotor Rice Rat Oryzomys palustris Salt Marsh Snake Nerodia spp.

Freshwater Wetlands Freshwater wetlands located on CCAFS are actually ponds, borrow pits, interdunal swales, drainage canals, or watersheds that have undergone succession and are presently in the marsh stage. Marsh-like conditions exist in some sections of the CCAFS drainage canal system and other low-lying areas associated with topographic undulations between relic dune ridges transecting CCAFS. A number of these marshy areas are temporary conditions resulting from seasonal variation in precipitation. The areas are periodically utilized by resident and migratory wildlife species but will not be cited specifically due to their seasonal variability. One marsh area near the tip of CCAFS is actually the remnants of the only natural permanent freshwater pond that existed on CCAFS prior to Government acquisition. Freshwater wetland plants observed on CCAFS are listed below:

Plants

Beardgrass Andropogon spp.

Bladderwort Utricularia spp Common Arrowhead Saggitarian lancifolia Common Cattail Typha latifolia Common Duckweed Lemna minor Curtis’ Reedgrass Calamovilfa curtissi Elodea Egeria densa Hydrilla Hydrilla verticillata Maidencane Panicum hemitomon Sawgrass Cladium jamaicense Spatterdock (yellow cow lily) Nuphar luteum Torpedograss Panicum repens Water Pennywort Hydrocotyle umbellata

The few freshwater wetlands on CCAFS are used extensively by raccoons and red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus). Raccoons appear to be primarily attracted by the large populations of leopard frogs (Rana sphenocephala) inhabiting these environments. The red-winged blackbird nests in the marsh vegetation and feeds on hatching insects emerging from marsh waters.

Additional species observed utilizing freshwater wetlands on CCAFS are listed below:

Mammals

Florida White-tailed Deer Odocoileus virginianus Marsh Rabbit Sylvilagus palustris Rice Rat Oryzomys palustris River Otter Lutra canadensis

Avian Species

American Coot Fulica americana Belted Kingfisher Megaceryle alcyon Common Moorhen Gallinule chloropus Double-crested Cormorant Phalacrocorax auritus Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias Great Egret Casmerodius albus Little Blue Heron Egretta caerulea Marsh Hawk Circus cyaneus Snowy Egret Egretta thula Tricolored Heron Egretta tricolor Waterfowl Various species Wood Stork Mycteria americana

Reptiles and Amphibians

Alligator Alligator mississippiensis Florida Cooter Pseudemys floridana Florida Water Snake Nerodia fasciata pictiventris Red-eared Slider Trachemys scripta elegans Soft Shelled Turtle Trionyx ferox Southern Leopard Frog Rana spenocephala Water Moccasin Agkistrodon piscivorus

Significant drainage of surface waters and lowering of the groundwater table has resulted from the extensive canal network constructed on CCAFS. Drainage has encouraged encroachment of woody vegetation into existing wetlands and subsequent degradation of these habitats. Application of controlled burning to marsh habitats would reduce coverage by woody species and improve these ecosystems.

Brackish Water Impoundments There are four major brackish water impoundments located on CCAFS. The impoundments were created by construction of a power line access roadway across the tips of convoluted portions of the North Banana River shoreline. This construction was in support of the Air Force’s Titan III missile testing project. An additional impounded area exists between SLC-40 and the SLC-41 transporter roadways. This area appears to have originally existed as a salt marsh dominated by nonwoody vegetation. Observations show cattails and some woody species are invading this habitat since it is no longer influenced by the Banana River. Wading birds have been observed in this area, but the extent of utilization has not been determined.

The Brevard County Mosquito Control District fit one of the four major impoundments with two culverts (24-inch diameter and 48-inch diameter). The culverts have been opened to allow the exchange of water between the impoundments and adjacent lagoon waters. As a mosquito control project, water levels were fluctuated within this impoundment to prevent egg laying by some salt marsh mosquitoes. Unfortunately, this practice also results in deleterious effects to woody wetland plants (e.g., mangroves) and changes the chemical parameters of the impounded water. The impoundment was opened as a pilot project to determine potential benefits that could be provided by opening the remaining impoundments. Surveys of the study site have shown numerous fish species, listed as inhabiting area lagoons, had moved through the large culvert into the previously impounded waters.

In 1990, a new 36-inch culvert was installed in the southernmost impoundment under the powerline maintenance roadbed. This action was taken as partial mitigation for impacts to an isolated wetland adjacent to the Vertical Integration Building (VIB) extension project. The culvert was installed by the Brevard County Mosquito Control District and was fitted with a riser on the lagoon side to facilitate seasonal mosquito control activity. For the remainder of the year, the culvert is opened to facilitate the nutrient and faunal transfer from this previously isolated system. In 2000, Lockheed Martin removed dikes surrounding the 55-acre impoundment southeast of SLC-40 allowing for natural exchange with the Banana River. This mitigation project is being monitored for success. Plans are underway to open impoundment T-22, just north of the previously described project, with the similar goal of marsh and river interchange.

Borrow Pits Presently, there are six borrow pits on CCAFS that were excavated in the past to support construction of new facilities. Over the years, ecological succession has transformed these pits into productive fresh water ponds. Two of the ponds are connected to the CCAFS drainage canal system and feature the same wildlife species as described in the major canals. Additionally, wading birds and migratory waterfowl wintering on CCAFS use the ponds for feeding and resting.

Drainage Canal System There are approximately 52 miles of drainage canals comprising 63 acres of surface waters on CCAFS. These canals were constructed by the Air Force to provide drainage of low-lying areas throughout CCAFS to facilitate missile complex construction. The major canals of this system have certainly altered the hydrology on CCAFS but now offer habitat for numerous species of fish and wildlife.

Drainage canal habitats are constantly changing due to the influence of canal maintenance. A base operations contractor is obligated to ensure that the canals are maintained. Consequently, the canals are periodically cleaned with a drag-line to remove excessive emergent vegetation from the canals. This practice destroys some environmental attributes temporarily, but observations show habitat stabilization and utilization by wildlife occurs within a few weeks after cleaning.

Patrick Air Force Base Mapping and Inventories According to NWI maps (1988), there are no natural, undisturbed wetland habitats that occur within the boundaries of PAFB. A comprehensive wetland inventory conducted on PAFB in the 1990s supports the determination that wetlands are very limited at PAFB. The shoreline of the Banana River meets wetland criteria based on observed mean high water elevations and vegetation community structure. In terms of deepwater habitats, expansive marine and estuarine areas parallel the installation along east and west boundaries.

In the past, several canals were constructed at PAFB to facilitate drainage around the airfield and roadways. A subset of these canals is now incorporated into the golf course as aesthetic and stormwater retention features. Some canals at PAFB do not directly connect to other surface waters; these canals resemble shallow, straight ponds artificially cut through upland areas. Alternately, other canals at PAFB discharge to the Banana River, either by direct connection or ultimately through an interconnected series of canals. At two such canals, waterflows are controlled by weirs located at the canals’ interface with the Banana River.

In 2006, a delineation was performed for the golf course and other nearby canals to determine the scope and extent of Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 404 jurisdiction in these waters. Within the analysis area, the Army Corps of Engineers (COE) certified that the canals with direct, unobstructed connections to the Banana River are considered “navigable waters” subject to CWA jurisdiction. All other canals within the analysis area meet the definition of “upland-cut ditches;” alterations of these waters would not be subject to CWA Section 404 permitting requirements. This determination is valid for a period of five (5) years. The COE also has jurisdiction over the Banana River at the Mean High Water (MHW) mark along PAFB’s western boundary and at the MHW (highest high tide line) for beaches along the Atlantic Ocean that are PAFB’s eastern boundary. Refer to Figure14, PAFB Jurisdictional Waters, Chapter 3.4, Hydrology, Page 39.

Malabar Transmitter Annex Mapping and Inventories

NWI maps do not indicate the presence of wetlands on MTA. However, Schultz and Knight (1997) identified general wet area boundaries (including canals, ditches, and swales with wetland plant species) at MTA in August 1996. Since that survey did not include soil analysis, it is not a formal, jurisdictional wetland delineation.

The natural communities on MTA are small remnants fragmented by human disturbances. The natural wet areas consist of depression marsh and wet flatwoods with scattered slash pine (Pinus elliottii) in the canopy. Without a jurisdictional delineation certified by the COE, the federal regulatory requirements applicable to activities in these areas would be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Although relatively wet compared to their surroundings, these areas, from a CWA perspective, may not meet the specific hydrologic, vegetative, and/or hydric soils criteria that define federally jurisdictional wetlands. Furthermore, due to habitat fragmentation, adjacent land development, and hydrologic disconnection from other water bodies, these areas would likely be considered “isolated.” Regulatory issues aside, these natural wet areas typically provide some functional value in terms of wildlife habitat, especially in a developed setting such as MTA. Using the principle of “no net loss of wetlands”, any area that was defined by Schulz and Knight as a potential wetland that may be impacted by an action will be analyzed on a case-by-case basis during the EIAP process. Permitting actions will be reviewed by the regulators and a wetland delineation will occur. Permit requirements will be incorporated and wetland impacts will be assessed and addressed appropriately.

Jonathan Dickinson Missile Tracking Annex Mapping and Inventories

The state park adjacent to JDMTA does contain wetlands, but none are found within the fence of JDMTA.

Wetland Mitigation Banks A wetlands mitigation bank program for the 45 SW is being discussed with the COE and the local St. John’s River Water Management District. Preliminarily, both agencies do not appear to have interest in working on a formal agreement to establish this type of program. The 45 CES/CEV will continue discussions because wetland enhancement projects integrated into the Conservation budget may produce enhanced wetland acreage that can serve as credits that can only benefit the 45 SW. Prior culvert projects at CCAFS have opened up mosquito impoundment areas that have now begun to re-establish as mangrove fringed estuarine habitat; similar future projects would be prime for a banking program.

Floodplains Floodplains are lowland, relatively flat areas, adjoining inland and coastal waters that are subject to flooding. Floodplains provide for the natural control and conveyance of floodwaters. Alterations and reduction of floodplains can lead to higher flow velocities and increased erosion, as well as property damage and loss of life within the modified floodplain area and areas downstream.

Floodplains also provide a number of water quality maintenance, cultural resource, and living resource values.

Executive Order 11988 requires all Federal agencies to provide leadership and take action to reduce the risk of flood loss; to minimize the impacts of floods on human safety, health, and welfare; and to restore and preserve the natural and beneficial values served by floodplains in acquiring, managing and disposing of Federal lands; providing Federally undertaken, financed, or assisted construction and improvements; and conducting Federal activities and programs affecting land use. Air Force installations have the responsibility to determine if proposed actions will affect a floodplain, evaluate and document the potential effects; and consider alternatives to avoid these effects and incompatible development in the floodplain.

On the 45 SW, all proposed activities in flood zones are evaluated through the EIAP process. Avoidance is the preferred alternative to all activities in a flood zone. Areas within the 100-year floodplain are not considered suitable for construction. However, development is sometimes permitted in these areas if no other suitable sites are located on the installation. When construction occurs in the floodplain, the building’s finished floor elevation is constructed above the base floor elevation for that location in accordance with flood-proofing requirements. Refer to Figures 12 and 13, CCAFS Hydrological Resources and PAFB Floodplains, Chapter 3.4, Hydrology, Page 34 and 38. Malabar Transmitter Annex and JDMTA are not in the 100-year floodplain.