1. South Florida Ecological Services Office - Vero Beach Conservation Opportunities and Partnerships in Collier County Endangered Species Protection through Habitat Conservation Plans Paul Souza U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service South Florida Ecological Services Office Vero Beach, Florida November 21, 2005

2. South Florida Ecological Services Office - Vero Beach Threatened and Endangered Species in Collier County Mammals Florida panther (E) West Indian manatee (E, CH) Reptiles American crocodile (T) American alligator (SA) Eastern indigo snake (T) Green sea turtle (E) Loggerhead sea turtle (T) E= endangered; T= threatened; CH= critical habitat; SA= similarity of appearance South Florida Ecological Services Office - Vero Beach Birds Audubon’s crested caracara (T) Bald eagle (T) Cape Sable seaside sparrow (E,CH) Everglades snail kite (E) Florida scrub-jay (T) Red-cockaded Woodpecker (E) Piping plover (T) Wood Stork (E)

3. South Florida Ecological Services Office - Vero Beach Threatened and Endangered Species in Collier County South Florida Ecological Services Office - Vero Beach FWC Photo SFWMD Photo USGS Photo

4. South Florida Ecological Services Office - Vero Beach

5. State and Local Species of Concern Florida black bear Big Cypress fox squirrel Gopher tortoise Other local species South Florida Ecological Services Office - Vero Beach FLDF Photo

6. South Florida Ecological Services Office - Vero Beach The Endangered Species Act Section 7 –Consultation with other Federal agencies to address potential take of federally listed species Section 10 –Provides a mechanism for permitting non-Federal projects that will result in “incidental take” of federally listed species South Florida Ecological Services Office - Vero Beach

7. Habitat Conservation Plan for the Red-cockaded Woodpecker Coverage for incidental take of the red-cockaded woodpecker Protects and restores pine flatwoods Problems with single species approach Address all species in area where impacts are expected (e.g., Florida panther) South Florida Ecological Services Office - Vero Beach FWC Photo

8. South Florida Ecological Services Office - Vero Beach Why Complete an HCP? Decrease cost and time burden placed on Collier County’s landowners Decrease regulatory workload, increase time efficiency Be proactive to eliminate regulatory surprises Clear expectations and certainty – Streamlining road and other infrastructure projects “Win-Win” for Development and Conservation South Florida Ecological Services Office - Vero Beach

9. Multi-Species HCP Addresses Federal threatened and endangered species and State species Protects several of Collier County’s rare and unique habitats Increases ability to secure HCP grants South Florida Ecological Services Office - Vero Beach USGS Photo

10. South Florida Ecological Services Office - Vero Beach HCP Challenges Up-front commitment of time and energy Carefully define scope – What would the HCP cover? County projects? County permits? Both? Identify creative approaches to offset impacts Build public support and build upon Collier County’s conservation leadership and successes South Florida Ecological Services Office - Vero Beach FWS Photos

11. South Florida Ecological Services Office - Vero Beach Take Home Messages The Fish and Wildlife Service is committed to providing Collier County with biological assistance HCPs must address all listed species in action area – No single-species management HCPs require up-front commitment of time and energy for long-term development and conservation benefits South Florida Ecological Services Office - Vero Beach SFWMD Photo

12. South Florida Ecological Services Office - Vero Beach Contact information Paul Souza U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service South Florida Ecological Services Office 1339 20 th Street, Vero Beach Florida 32960 (772) 562-3909 http://www.fws.gov/verobeach/ South Florida Ecological Services Office - Vero Beach SFWMD Photo

13. South Florida Ecological Services Office - Vero Beach USGS Photo FWS Photo