Natural Resource Survey

Lee Wenner Park Brevard County, Florida

September 2024

Natural Resource Survey Lee Wenner Park

Brevard County, Florida

Prepared for

Mead & Hunt by

Taylor Engineering, Inc.

10199 Southside Blvd, Suite 310

Jacksonville, FL 32256

(904) 731-7040

September 2024

Taylor Project Number: C2024-066 i

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0 INTRODUCTION

2.0 SITE LOCATION AND GENERAL DESCRIPTION

3.0 SURVEY METHODOLOGY

3.1 Community Classification and Listed Species Evaluation

3.2 Wetland Delineation

3.3 Submerged Resource Survey

3.3.1 Preliminary Visual Reconnaissance

4.0 SURVEY RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

4.1 Community Classification and Listed Species Evaluation

4.1.1 Soils

4.1.2 Land Use and Vegetation Community Classification

4.1.3 Listed Species Evaluation

4.2 Wetland Delineation

4.3 Submerged Resource Survey

4.3.1 Preliminary Visual Reconnaissance

5.0 REFERENCES

APPENDIX A Land Use and Vegetation Community Photographs

List of Figures

Figure 1.1 Location Map

Figure 2.1 Natural Resource Survey Boundary

Figure 4.1 USDA-NRCS Soils Map

Figure 4.2 FLUCCS Map

Figure 4.3 Wetland Delineation Map

Figure 4.4 Submerged Aquatic Resources

List of Tables

Table 4.1 Listed Species that May Occur within the Survey Area

1.0 INTRODUCTION

In 2022, Hurricane Nicole destroyed the day dock facility at Lee Wenner Park in the City of Cocoa (City), Brevard County, Florida. Lee Wenner Park is located near Cocoa Village on the west side of the Indian River at the foot of the Hubert Humphery Causeway (Figure 1.1). The City wishes to develop a preliminary (permit-level) engineering design and seek environmental permits to replace the docks and construct a riprap revetment along the existing bulkhead shoreline. The riprap revetment would serve to reduce reflected wave energy and minimize structural damage during future coastal storms. Under its continuing services contract with the City, Mead and Hunt (Client) subcontracted Taylor Engineering (Taylor) to provide engineering and environmental services in support of the proposed improvements. As an initial step and to support the permitting and design phases of the project, Taylor completed a natural resource survey of the Lee Wenner Park property and adjacent submerged lands. Natural resource survey activities included natural communities mapping and characterization, wetland delineation, listed species evaluation, and submerged resource survey. This report documents the results of the natural resource survey.

FIGURE 1.1

LOCATION MAP

NATURAL RESOURCE SURVEY

LEE WENNER PARK

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDACERTIFICATE OF AUTHORIZATION # 4815

0 3,000 6,0001,500

FEET

TAYLOR ENGINEERING INC.

10199 SOUTHSIDE BOULEVARD

SUITE 310

JACKSONVILLE, FL 32256

PROJECT

LOCATION

LEGEND

_̂ PROJECT LOCATION

(28° 21' 16.099" N, 80° 43' 22.565" W)

L:\2024\C2024-066 Mead & Hunt Lee Wenner Park\01 - Data Collection\GIS\MXD\Figure 1-1 Location Map_Lee W.mxd

UV520

INDIAN RIVER

BREVARD COUNTY

UV520

C2024-066PROJECT

DRAWN BY

SHEET

DATE

AC

SEP 2024

2.0 SITE LOCATION AND GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The survey area includes 0.66 acre of the shoreline along Lee Wenner Park and 5.56 acres of benthic habitat within the Indian River (Figure 2.1). Taylor surveyed the shoreline and benthic communities, delineated jurisdictional wetlands, mapped and characterized submerged resources (e.g., submerged aquatic vegetation [SAV]), and evaluated the survey area for potential use by threatened or endangered species.

FIGURE 2.1

SURVEY BOUNDARY

NATURAL RESOURCE SURVEY

LEE WENNER PARK

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDACERTIFICATE OF AUTHORIZATION # 4815

0 150 30075

FEET

TAYLOR ENGINEERING INC.

10199 SOUTHSIDE BOULEVARD

SUITE 310

JACKSONVILLE, FL 32256

LEGEND

SURVEY BOUNDARY

(271,006 SQ.FT.; 6.22 AC.)

L:\2024\C2024-066 Mead & Hunt Lee Wenner Park\01 - Data Collection\GIS\MXD\Figure 2-1 Survey Boundary Map_Lee W.mxd

BREVARD COUNTY

INDIAN RIVER

UV520

C2024-066PROJECT

DRAWN BY

SHEET

DATE

AC

SEP 2024

3.0 SURVEY METHODOLOGY

3.1 Community Classification and Listed Species Evaluation

Prior to the field investigation, Taylor reviewed existing information, including the Brevard County Soil Survey, National Wetlands Inventory map, topographic maps, historical aerial photographs, Geographic Information System (GIS) environmental data from various sources, Florida Natural Areas Inventory (FNAI) databases, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) protected species lists and databases. Taylor used this information to complete a preliminary desktop analysis of natural resource conditions and to develop the field investigation plan.

Taylor mapped and characterized on-site habitats according to the Florida Land Use, Cover, and Forms Classification System (FLUCCS). This effort included the evaluation of habitat signatures identified in aerial photographs during the desktop analysis. For each habitat signature, Taylor ground-truthed and characterized the vegetative community in the field and evaluated the habitat for the potential occurrence of listed species.

Taylor assessed the likelihood of listed species occurrence onsite via a review of information obtained from FWC, USFWS, and FNAI and general field observations of habitat conditions. Taylor did not conduct a detailed listed species survey for this assessment.

3.2 Wetland Delineation

The wetland delineation portion of the survey entailed Taylor wetland scientists identifying, characterizing, and mapping jurisdictional wetlands in accordance with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Wetlands Delineation Manual (USACE, 1987), the Interim Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual: Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain Region (USACE, 2010), and the Florida Wetlands Delineation Manual (FDEP, 1995). Wetland delineation includes an assessment of vegetation, hydrology based on physical and biological indicators, and soils to determine the location of the wetland/upland interface. To demarcate the wetland line, field staff recorded the horizontal position of the wetland boundaries using a real-time kinematic global positioning system (RTK GPS), providing sub-foot accuracy.

3.3 Submerged Resource Survey

Prior to field mobilization, Taylor reviewed existing information, including regional SAV data, bathymetric data, and historical aerial photographs. This information provided a base for developing the submerged resource survey field plan.

Taylor staff employed a survey methodology that followed a two-stage approach:

1. A preliminary visual reconnaissance to generally locate submerged resources

2. Detailed sampling where the preliminary visual reconnaissance locates submerged resources

3.3.1 Preliminary Visual Reconnaissance

Extending along approximately 1,600-feet of shoreline, the submerged resource survey area began at the water’s edge and extended offshore to encompass the entire survey area. The total submerged resource survey area comprised approximately 5.56 acres. Taylor performed a preliminary in-water visual reconnaissance to determine the occurrence and distribution of seagrasses within the project area. The preliminary reconnaissance consisted of Taylor biologist wading and snorkeling along shore parallel transects spaced approximately 15 feet apart, covering the entire 5.56-acre survey area.

4.0 SURVEY RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Taylor environmental staff completed the natural resource survey fieldwork on August 14, 2024.

4.1 Community Classification and Listed Species Evaluation

4.1.1 Soils

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) web soil survey classifies two soil types within the survey area (Figure 4.1). The following briefly describes each soil/map unit identified on the soil survey. The remainder of the survey area consists of the unclassified submerged soils of the Indian River.

Canaveral-Urban Land Complex (map Unit 10)

Comprising 0.43-acre of the survey area, The Canaveral-Urban Lands Complex soil type generally associates with ridges on marine terraces and flats on marine terraces. Canaveral-Urban Land Complex is moderately well drained with a depth to water table ranging from 30 to 60 inches.

Urban Land, 0 to2 percent slope (Map Unit 26)

Comprising 0.50-acre of the survey area, The Urban Lands soil type is found in association with hills on marine terraces, ridges on marine terraces, knolls on marine terraces, rises on marine terraces, and flatwoods on marine terraces. Urban Land mean precipitation is 40 to 68 inches with a frost-free period of 345 days out of 365 days.

FIGURE 4.1

USDA-NRCS SOILS MAP

NATURAL RESOURCE SURVEY

LEE WENNER PARK

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDACERTIFICATE OF AUTHORIZATION # 4815

0 150 30075

FEET

TAYLOR ENGINEERING INC.

10199 SOUTHSIDE BOULEVARD

SUITE 310

JACKSONVILLE, FL 32256

LEGEND

SURVEY BOUNDARY

(271,006 SQ.FT.; 6.22 AC.)

SOILS

CANAVERAL-URBAN LAND

COMPLEX

(18,825 SQ. FT.; 0.43 AC.)

URBAN LAND, 0 TO 2 PERCENT

SLOPE

(21,931 SQ. FT.; 0.50 AC.)

WATERS OF THE ATLANTIC OCEAN

(230,250 SQ. FT.; 5.29 AC.)

L:\2024\C2024-066 Mead & Hunt Lee Wenner Park\01 - Data Collection\GIS\MXD\Figure 4-1 Soils Map_Lee W_AC.mxd

C2024-066PROJECT

DRAWN BY

SHEET

DATE

AC

SEP 2024

BREVARD COUNTY

INDIAN RIVER

UV520

4.1.2 Land Use and Vegetation Community Classification

Wetland, upland, submerged, and open water habitats identified by Taylor during the field investigation include parks and zoos (185), embayments opening directly into the Atlantic Ocean (541), mangrove swamp (612), exotic wetland hardwoods (619), and shoreline (652). This section briefly describes each land use and vegetation community type and depicts the locations (Figure 4.2).

Parks and Zoos (FLUCCS 185)

The 0.18-acre areas of upland parking, walkways, boat ramp, and docks of Lee Wenner Park classify as the Parks and Zoos land use type. The park provides recreational opportunities for citizens of Brevard County and visitors.

Embayments Opening Directly into the Atlantic Ocean (FLUCCS 541)

The 5.56 acres of open water within the survey area are part of the Indian River and classify as embayments opening directly into the Atlantic Ocean.

Mangrove Swamp (FLUCCS 612)

Along the northeastern shoreline of the survey area, Taylor identified 0.15-acre of red (Rhizophora mangle), black (Avicennia germinans), and white (Laguncularia racemosa) mangroves growing in the spaces between the rocks along the hardened shoreline.

Exotic Wetland Hardwoods (619)

Taylor identified 0.02-acre of Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolia) along the northeast shoreline of the survey area. Brazilian pepper is considered a Category I invasive plant species by the Florida Invasive Species Council.

Shoreline (FLUCCS 652)

Taylor identified 0.31-acre of hardened shoreline consisting of rock riprap along the northeastern shoreline of the survey area. The rock material was previously placed in an attempt to stabilize the shoreline in this location.

Appendices A contains photographs representing each mapped community type.

FIGURE 4.2

FLUCCS MAP

NATURAL RESOURCE SURVEY

LEE WENNER PARK

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA

C2024-066PROJECT

DRAWN BY

SHEET

DATE

CERTIFICATE OF AUTHORIZATION # 4815

TAYLOR ENGINEERING INC.

10199 SOUTHSIDE BOULEVARD

SUITE 310

JACKSONVILLE, FL 32256

L:\2024\C2024-066 Mead & Hunt Lee Wenner Park\01 - Data Collection\GIS\MXD\Figure 4-2 FLUCCS Map_Lee W.mxd

0 150 30075

FEET

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SEP 2024

LEGEND

SURVEY BOUNDARY

(271,006 SQ. FT.; 6.22 AC.)

FLUCCS

PARKS AND ZOOS

(7,691 SQ. FT.; 0.18 AC.)

EMBAYMENTS OPENING INTO THE

ATLANTIC OCEAN

(242,356 SQ. FT.; 5.56 AC.)

MANGROVE SWAMPS

(6,399 SQ. FT.; 0.15 AC.)

EXOTIC WETLAND HARDWOODS

(970 SQ. FT.; 0.02 AC.)

SHORELINE

(13,590 SQ. FT.; 0.31 AC.)652

BREVARD COUNTY

INDIAN RIVER

UV520

4.1.3 Listed Species Evaluation

A review of the FWC list of imperiled species, FNAI database, and USFWS Information for Planning and Consultation (IPaC) identified the listed species that may occur within the boundaries of the survey area (Table 4.1). During the natural resource survey, Taylor conducted preliminary site reviews for these species and their habitat but did not complete formal species surveys.

Table 4.1 Listed Species that May Occur within the Survey Area

Class Common Name Scientific Name Federal Status 1 State Status 2

Birds Bald eagle

Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Not Listed3 Not Listed4

Wood stork Mycteria americana Threatened Threatened

Reptiles Eastern indigo snake Drymarchon couperi Threatened Threatened

Gopher tortoise Gopherus polyphemus Candidate Threatened

Mammals West Indian manatee

Trichechus manatus Threatened Not Listed

1 Federally-listed and Candidate Species IPaC Resource List, FL; USFWS website (accessed September 2024) 2 List of Imperiled Species, FWC (accessed September 2024) / FNAI Report for Matrix Units 59951,59952,60240,60241

NL – Not Listed 3 Protected by the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and Migratory Bird Treaty Act 4 Protected by Florida Administrative Code 68A-16.002

Birds

Taylor reviewed the Audubon Florida EagleWatch Public Nest Web Application (About The EagleWatch Program | Audubon Center for Birds of Prey) for known bald eagle nesting locations in the site vicinity. The nearest nest (BE045) location provided by the Audubon’s database lies approximately

3.54 miles southeast of the survey area. The Audubon Eagle Watch Program monitored the nest, which was occupied during the 2024 season.

Although the FWC and USFWS have delisted the bald eagle due to recovery, Florida Administrative Code, the Bald and Golden Eagle Act, and U.S. Migratory Bird Treaty Act continue to provide legal protections for the species.

The shoreline (FLUCCS 652) and mangroves (612) contain a habitat suitable for supporting wood storks, a state- and federally-listed threatened species. According to the species account obtained from the USFWS website (Wood Stork (Mycteria americana) Species Account/Biologue | North Florida ESO Jacksonville (fws.gov)) , this species typically associates with freshwater and estuarine wetlands. The wood stork feeds on small fish from 1 to 6 inches long in water 6 to 10 inches deep and primarily nests in cypress or mangrove swamps. The survey area is approximately 4 miles east of the Brevard County Maintenance Shop nesting colony. It lies within a core foraging area, defined by a 15-mile radius surrounding known nesting colonies in central Florida.

Reptiles

Taylor did not observe gopher tortoise burrows during the site visit, but potentially suitable habitat occurs just outside the survey area. The gopher tortoise is federally-listed as a candidate species https://cbop.audubon.org/conservation/about-eaglewatch-program https://cbop.audubon.org/conservation/about-eaglewatch-program https://www.fws.gov/species/wood-stork-mycteria-americana https://www.fws.gov/species/wood-stork-mycteria-americana and state-listed as a threatened species. FWC Gopher Tortoise Permitting Guidelines (FWC, 2023) require gopher tortoise survey, permitting, and, as necessary, excavation of any active or inactive gopher tortoise burrow within a 25-foot radius of a proposed disturbance. Captured tortoises must be relocated. Prior to any disturbance or construction activities around the perimeter of the survey area, the impacted areas will require a survey of all suitable gopher tortoise habitats by an FWC-authorized Gopher Tortoise Agent.

The results of gopher tortoise surveys are valid for 90 days from the date of the field survey. Any proposed impact (as described above) to potentially occupied gopher tortoise burrows will require a permit from the FWC to excavate the burrows and, as necessary, relocate any captured tortoises.

Gopher tortoise burrows may also provide habitat for the state- and federally-listed threatened eastern indigo snake, a known gopher tortoise burrow commensal. Eastern indigo snakes use gopher tortoise burrows for refuge from extreme temperatures and to prevent desiccation (FWC, 2018). To avoid impacts to the eastern indigo snake, the project should adhere to the guidance provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service “Standard Protection Measures for The Eastern Indigo Snake, August 12, 2013.”

Mammals

The West Indian manatee is a state- and federally-listed threatened species. The West Indian manatee lives in marine, brackish, and freshwater systems in coastal and riverine areas throughout their range. Preferred habitats include nearshore areas featuring submerged vegetation like seagrass and eelgrass (USFWS, 2019). This species has the potential to access the embayments opening directly into the Atlantic Ocean (FLUCCS 541) community type located in the survey area.

4.2 Wetland Delineation

Taylor notes that the project site is mostly surrounded by seawalls and riprap; however, mangroves have established within the riprap. The mangroves occupied an area of the shoreline slightly above the mean high water line. Red, black, and white mangroves are present and occupy 0.15-acre of the shoreline. Within the mangroves, Brazilian pepper occurs, occupying 0.02-acre of the shoreline.

(Figure 4.2 and Figure 4.3). Prior to any disturbance activities, state and federal regulatory staff will need to review the delineated wetland boundaries and ascertain jurisdiction. Impacts to jurisdictional wetlands will require mitigation to offset impacts and comply with state and federal wetland laws.

4.3 Submerged Resource Survey

Weather during the submerged resource survey ranged from sunny to partly sunny skies with 90 to 95-degree temperatures and light to moderate (5-10 mph) east wind. The water clarity was poor, with underwater visibility generally less than a foot. Water depths within the survey area ranged from about 1 to 10 feet.

4.3.1 Preliminary Visual Reconnaissance

Taylor identified no SAV in the project area (Figure 4.4).

Silty to fine sediments comprised the majority of the substrate in submerged resource survey area.

FIGURE 4.3

WETLAND DELINEATION MAP

NATURAL RESOURCE SURVEY

LEE WENNER PARK

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDACERTIFICATE OF AUTHORIZATION # 4815

0 150 30075

FEET

TAYLOR ENGINEERING INC.

10199 SOUTHSIDE BOULEVARD

SUITE 310

JACKSONVILLE, FL 32256

LEGEND

SURVEY BOUNDARY

(271,006 SQ.FT.; 6.22 AC.)

SPECIES

MANGROVES

(6,402 SQ.FT.; 0.15 AC.)

BRAZILIAN PEPPER

(972 SQ.FT.; 0.02 AC.)

L:\2024\C2024-066 Mead & Hunt Lee Wenner Park\01 - Data Collection\GIS\MXD\Figure 4-3 Wetland Delineation Map_Lee W.mxd

C2024-066PROJECT

DRAWN BY

SHEET

DATE

AC

SEP 2024

BREVARD COUNTY

INDIAN RIVER

CERTIFICATE OF AUTHORIZATION # 4815

0 150 30075

FEET

TAYLOR ENGINEERING INC.

10199 SOUTHSIDE BOULEVARD

SUITE 310

JACKSONVILLE, FL 32256

LEGEND

SURVEY BOUNDARY

(271,006 SQ.FT.; 6.22 AC.)

NO SUBMERGED AQUATIC VEGETATION (SAV)

WAS OBSERVED

L:\2024\C2024-066 Mead & Hunt Lee Wenner Park\01 - Data Collection\GIS\MXD\Figure 4-4 SAV Delineation Map_Lee W.mxd

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SEP 2024

BREVARD COUNTY

FIGURE 4.4

SUBMERGED AQUATIC VEGETATION

NATURAL RESOURCE SURVEY

LEE WENNER PARK

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA

INDIAN RIVER

5.0 REFERENCES

Federally-listed and Candidate Species IPaC Resource List, FL; USFWS website (accessed September 2024)

Florida Department of Environmental Protection. 1995. Florida Wetlands Delineation Manual.

Tallahassee, FL.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). 2018. Vertebrate Commensals. Accessed at:

http://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/managed/gopher-tortoise/commensals/vertebrates/#4

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). 2023. Gopher Tortoise Permitting Guidelines.

Tallahassee, Florida.

Florida Natural Areas Inventory (FNAI). Accessed September 2024 at http://www.fnai.org/.

List of Imperiled Species, FWC (accessed September 2024) / FNAI Report for Matrix Units 59951,59952, 60240, 60241.

United States Army Corps of Engineers. 1987. Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual. Wetlands

Research Program Technical Report Y-87-1. U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg, MS.

United States Army Corps of Engineers. 2010. Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers Wetland

Delineation Manual: Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain Region. ERDC/EL TR 10-20. U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Vicksburg, MS.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2019. West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus). Accessed

September 2024 at: West Indian manatee | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (fws.gov) http://www.fnai.org/biointro.cfm https://www.fws.gov/southeast/wildlife/mammals/manatee/

APPENDIX A

Land Use and Vegetation Community Photographs

LEE WENNER PARK

NATURAL RESOURCE SURVEY

A-1

Parks and Zoos (FLUCCS 185)

A-2

Embayments Opening Directly Into the Atlantic Ocean (FLUCCS 541)

A-3

Embayments Opening Directly Into the Atlantic Ocean (FLUCCS 541)

Mangrove Swamp (FLUCCS 612)

A-4

Mangrove Swamp (FLUCCS 612)

Exotic Wetland Hardwoods (FLUCCS 619)

A-5

Exotic Wetland Hardwoods (FLUCCS 619)

Shoreline (FLUCCS 652)

A-6