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Table of Contents
| Table of Contents | |
| Attachment Number | Attachment Title |
| J-1503050-04 (MCSF-BI) | Grounds Maintenance and Landscaping Site Maps and Service Areas |
| J-1503050-07 (MCSF-BI) | Blount Island Shoreline Cleanup Plan |
| J-1503050-08 (MCSF-BI) | Gopher Tortoise Habitat Management Plan |
J-1503050-04 Site Maps & Areas
| Attachment J-1503050-04 (MCSF-BI) |
| Grounds Maintenance and Landscaping Site Maps and Service Areas |
Grounds Maintenance and Landscaping Map and Artificial Turf locations provided as a separate attachment, provided as file name: J-1503050-04 (MCSF-BI) Grounds Maintenance Site Map.
| Prestige | Quantity | Unit of Measure |
| Grounds Care | 19 | Acres |
| Edging | 4,950 | Linear Feet |
| Shrub and Hedge Maintenance | 900 | Linear Feet |
| Plant and Bed Maintenance | 3,970 | Square Feet |
| Irrigation Systems Operation | 3 | Systems |
| Tree (Palm) Maintenance | 16 | Each |
| Standard Lawns | Quantity | Unit of Measure |
| Grounds Care | 205 | Acres |
| Vegetation Control – Fence Line | 40,000 | Linear Feet |
| Standard Fields | Quantity | Unit of Measure |
| Grounds Care* | 133 | Acres |
| Storm Drainage Systems | Quantity | Unit of Measure |
| Storm Drainage Systems Outlet fall/grating | 11 | Each |
| Semi-Improved Grounds - Storm Drainage Systems | 47 | Systems |
| Debris Removal | Quantity | Unit of Measure |
| Debris Removal | 59 | Acres |
| *Note: The Standard Fields section includes a breakdown of the major areas (Dayson Site, Lighterage Lot, etc…) | | |
| of Grounds Care as shown below: | | |
| Dayson Site | 30 | Acres |
| Lighterage Lot | 32 | Acres |
| Asphalt Millings Parking Lot | 25 | Acres |
| Granite Lots | 9 | Acres |
| Lime Rock Container Lots | 5 | Acres |
| Other areas | 32 | Acres |
J-1503050-07 Shoreline Clean Up
| Attachment J-1503050-07 (MCSF-BI) |
| Blount Island Shoreline Cleanup Plan |
| Blount Island Shoreline Cleanup Plan |
| Marine Corps Support Facility - Blount Island |
| Introduction |
| The Marine Corps Support Facility – Blount Island (MCSF – BI) is located on the St. Johns River approximately seven miles from the Atlantic Ocean and twelve miles northeast of downtown Jacksonville, Florida. MCSF – BI includes 902 acres on the eastern half of Blount Island and a 334-acre dredge disposal area on the east bank of the St. Johns River. In 2007, MCSF – BI prepared an Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (INRMP) that coordinates natural resources conservation and management efforts with the support of military requirements and responsibilities (MCSF – BI, 2007). The INRMP includes a cleanup of debris that has accumulated along the Blount Island shoreline of the St. Johns River. This Technical Memorandum (TM) provides recommendations for implementing the shoreline cleanup efforts at MCSF – BI during FY 2008 and all future years. |
| Background |
| The majority of the St. Johns River shoreline at USMC – BI is undeveloped, with the exception of several drainage ditches that convey stormwater to the river (J-1503050-07 (MCSF-BI) Shoreline Cleanup Map). The shoreline typically includes a zone of emergent tidal marsh vegetation adjacent to the river, which varies in width from a few feet to 50-100 feet in some areas. Landward from the marsh is a zone of dense upland forest or shrub vegetation that also varies considerably in width, from nearly absent at the southeast tip of the site up to several hundred feet. |
Tidal fluctuations in the St. Johns River cause floating debris to become stranded along this shoreline, typically near the high tide elevation, and the width of the debris distribution generally corresponds to the width of the marsh zone. The debris consists of a wide variety of natural and man-made materials. Natural debris includes dead vegetation such as, but not limited to, marsh grasses, tree limbs and tree trunks. Man-made debris includes intact lumber, pilings and pieces of wooden structures; bottles and cans; fishing and marine gear; hard hats; electronics equipment; Styrofoam coolers; plastic bags; shoes; plastic chairs; tires; and unidentifiable pieces of plastic, glass, wood, and other man-made materials.
| Shoreline Cleanup Recommendations |
| The recommended objectives for this cleanup include: |
| Developing a plan, and a schedule for completing the cleanup and for ongoing cleanup of new debris in future years. |
| Removing as much debris as is reasonably possible. |
| The scope of the shoreline cleanup will include removal of debris, separation of recycling and not recycling materials, and proper disposal of the removed materials. The details for the cleanup activities follow. |
| Cleanup Area |
| J-1503050-07 (MCSF-BI) Shoreline Cleanup Map shows the target area for the cleanup. It follows the shoreline of the St. Johns River but does not extend into creeks or the slipway. The interior portions of the two large tidal marsh areas adjacent to the shipping channel, at the south side of Blount Island, may be difficult to access even with a boat. Therefore, the cleanup effort there should focus on removing what is visible from the open water. For the rest of the shoreline, the area to be cleaned up will be between the low and high tide elevations. The area can generally be defined as what is visible from the open water in a boat or standing at the water’s edge at low tide. |
| Cleanup Methodology |
| Cleanup of each segment will include periods of low tide. Cleanup may also proceed during other tidal conditions provided safe access is available. |
BIC staff will preview each area with the contractor to confirm what is expected to be cleaned. These BIC-contractor previews will be recurring events for this year and cleanups in future years.
The general daily procedure will be for each crew to begin at a specified location, and to remove debris from as much of the shoreline as feasible during that day. The cleaned segment will be inspected by staff from BIC to confirm that the results are acceptable, and it will be marked on the ground with flagging or another appropriate method.
Please coordinate with the Environmental Staff at MCSF-BI to ensure proper recycling and disposal of the debris that is collected.
J-1503050-08 Gopher Tortoise
| Attachment J-1503050-08 (MCSF-BI) |
| Gopher Tortoise Habitat Management Plan |
Marine Corps Support Facility - Blount Island
| Introduction |
| The Marine Corps Support Facility – Blount Island (MCSF – BI) is located on the St. Johns River approximately seven miles from the Atlantic Ocean and twelve miles northeast of downtown Jacksonville, Florida. MCSF – BI includes 902 acres on the eastern half of Blount Island and a 334-acre dredge disposal area on the east bank of the St. Johns River. A survey of protected wildlife species at MCSF – BI in 2005 documented active gopher tortoise burrows (Gopherus polyphemus) in a sandy, undeveloped area between a stormwater pond and the shoreline at the eastern side of Blount Island (CH2M HILL, 2005). In 2007, MCSF – BI prepared an Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (INRMP) that coordinates natural resources conservation and management efforts with the support of military requirements and responsibilities (MCSF – BI, 2007). The INRMP includes several activities related to the protection and conservation of the gopher tortoise population at MCSF – BI, including annual evaluations of the quality and quantity of plant species eaten by gopher tortoises in the vicinity of the burrows. This Technical Memorandum (TM) provides recommendations for managing the gopher tortoise habitat at MCSF – BI. |
| Gopher Tortoise Background |
| The gopher tortoise is a terrestrial turtle that reaches approximately 9 - 11 inches in length, and is found in portions of all counties in Florida. Gopher tortoises typically inhabit dry uplands with well-drained sandy soils, including disturbed habitats such as, but not limited to, pastures and road shoulders. Tortoises excavate deep burrows that provide refuge from predators, temperature extremes, and fire; they may remain in their burrows for several months during cold weather in north Florida. Many commensal species may also occupy gopher tortoise burrows, including several that are listed as endangered, threatened or species of special concern, such as the Florida mouse, eastern indigo snake, Florida pine snake, and gopher frog. Gopher tortoises are herbivorous, with a preference for broadleaf grasses, and leaves and wild fruits of herbaceous plants, although they are known to eat more than 300 plant species. Feeding activity is generally limited to about 150 – 175 feet from the burrow, although tortoises have been observed to travel more than 300 feet from their burrows for feeding. The home range varies considerably, from as little as 0.2 acre to about 5.0 acres, depending on habitat type and quality as well as other factors. The gopher tortoise is listed as threatened by the State of Florida and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) regulates activities potentially affecting gopher tortoises and their burrows. Federal rules do not currently classify the gopher tortoise as endangered or threatened. It is illegal to kill, harm, harass, possess, transport, or sell gopher tortoises or their eggs, or to destroy their burrows without a permit from FWC. Based on the recent field surveys, Gopher Tortoises are still present on Blount Island. The Natural Resources Manager collaborates with contractors to survey for Gopher Tortoises and obtain permits for their relocation from the installation under our Gopher Tortoise Relocation Program. This promotes sustainable use of undeveloped areas for construction activities and ensures the tortoises are moved to more suitable habitats for their well-being. |
| Habitat Management Plan |
| Naturally-occurring fires were historically the primary factor responsible for maintaining the types of habitat preferred by gopher tortoises, and controlled burns are frequently used on lands that are actively managed to promote gopher tortoise habitat. However, fire is not a feasible management option at MCSF – BI because of the military mission and the potential for impacts to adjacent facilities. Therefore, habitat management in the vicinity of Pond B will rely on manual and mechanical methods to maintain and improve the suitability of plant species for gopher tortoise feeding. The single burrow near the entrance to MCSF – BI is in an area that is currently mowed, and is not included in this plan. |
| Year 1 |
| 1. Re-establish the mowing (bush-hog) activities twice per year within the area delineated on Exhibit 2. |
| a. Conduct the first mowing event during winter when daytime air temperatures are less than 60°F and tortoises are most likely to be in their burrows. |
| b. Target the second mowing event for August or September, at the end of the bird breeding season. |
| c. Use a 2-person mowing crew, with one person walking ahead of the mower to look for tortoises. |
| d. Avoid driving the mowing equipment wheels directly over the entrances to tortoise burrows to avoid potentially collapsing them. |
| e. Mow as close as possible to the tree islands within the open area and to the edge of the tree canopy at the edges of the open area. |
| f. Avoid mowing large prickly pear cactus plants where that is feasible. |
| g. Avoid mowing during periods of flowering and seed drop for desirable vegetation. |
| h. Use a manual trimmer equipped with a blade to cut vegetation within the delineated area that could not be mowed with the bush hog. |
| i. Mow as close as safely possible to the top edge of the slope at Pond B. |
| 2. Remove exotic tree saplings within the open gopher tortoise habitat area if any remain after the first mowing event. |
| 3. Plan for the ultimate removal of all exotic/nuisance vegetation from the parcel. |
| Subsequent Years |
| 1. Conduct an annual survey of habitat conditions to evaluate available forage sources, exotic/nuisance cover, and opportunities to expand suitable habitat through management activities such as removal of exotic plants, thinning of tree canopy, planting of forage species, etc. Evaluate the need to modify the frequency and/or timing of mowing events. Goal is to have the entire 30 acres open to allow maximum use. |
2. Continue mowing as described above for Year 1 unless the annual habitat survey indicates a need to change the schedule or specifications.
| Related Activities |
| The following tasks are not directly related to managing gopher tortoise habitat but are necessary for assessing the success of and potential need to modify the habitat management plan, and the overall maintenance of the gopher tortoise population at MCSF – BI. |
| 1. Map gopher tortoise burrow locations using GPS, record the dimensions of burrow entrances (width and height), and classify them as active, inactive, or abandoned using FWC criteria. Complete this task initially in spring when temperatures are warm enough for tortoises to forage regularly, and annually afterward. |
| 2. Create a data layer in the GIS for gopher tortoise burrows and update it annually. |
| 3. Estimate the gopher tortoise population size and evaluate changes in numbers, size distribution, and density of tortoises. Evaluate the need to expand the extent of vegetation management into the surrounding forested area if needed to accommodate the gopher tortoise population. |
| 4. Evaluate the need to install gopher tortoise fencing on the NW and SE boundaries of the area to minimize the potential for tortoises to wander onto facility roads. |
| Literature |
| CH2M HILL. Protected Species Investigation. Prepared for US Marine Corps, Blount Island Command, Jacksonville, Florida. September 2005 |
| Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Gopher Tortoise Management Plan, Gopherus polyphemus. September 2007. |
| Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Available Options to Address the |
| Presence of Gopher Tortoises on Lands Slated for Development. October 2007. |
| Marine Corps Support Facility – Blount Island. Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan. |
