Our Services

This material will consist of a vegetation/wetland map, secondary impact analysis, conceptual wetland mitigation and monitoring plan (narrative and sketches), and an estimation of normal pool water elevations for preserved wetlands. The environmental information will be presented in the format required by the state and federal government and provided to the project’s civil engineer for submittal to the agencies.

DexBender will inspect the subject property for the presence or absence of jurisdictional wetlands. If wetlands appear to be present, they will be flagged. This task consists of staking or flagging the jurisdictional limit of wetlands within the project boundary, coordination with surveyors to provide a sketch depicting the field located jurisdictional limits, and meeting with regulatory personnel from the state and federal agencies to field verify the wetland delineations. This task also includes preparation of aerial photographs and information package suitable for review and approval of the wetland jurisdiction.

A protected species survey consists of documenting any species listed as threatened, endangered, or species of special concern by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) observed on-site. The methodology and findings, including a vegetation map with survey transect locations and locations of observed protected species (if any), will be summarized in a Protected Species Assessment Report in a format suitable to meet the requirements of the local government, FWC and FWS, and the state and federal permitting agencies. This task does not include required specific protected species surveys if any such species are discovered during this general survey.

We will assist project planner and engineer with the environmental portions of the county PUD modification process. This consists of preparation and submittal of an Environmental Data Report pursuant to land development codes. This report will contain a wetland map, vegetation map, protected species assessment, and existing native vegetation calculations. We will also attend one hearing with the Planning Commission and with the Board of County Commissioners.

Assist the project engineer and planner with the preparation of the environmental portions of the Development Order submittal. This consists of preparation of a vegetation map (FLUCCS), Soils Map, and a Protected Species Assessment. Also includes preparation of Indigenous Vegetation Management Plan.

DexBender will conduct the monitoring of the on-site wetland mitigation area as required by South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD). This will consist of qualitative vegetative sampling, photo stations, wildlife observations, and summary reports. Rainfall and piezometer data will also be incorporated into the reports. Annual monitoring reports will be included. Includes meetings with agency personnel, exotic control/supplemental planting subcontractors, client, and project engineer on-site as needed to address permit compliance issues, if necessary.

Major upland and wetland plant communities present will be mapped on recent aerial photography. A map will be prepared depicting the estimated location, configuration, and acreage of areas potentially subject to state and/or federal wetland regulatory jurisdiction. Concurrently with the vegetation mapping, a preliminary survey for threatened or endangered wildlife species will be conducted.

The findings of this evaluation will be documented in a brief letter report. This report will contain a vegetation/wetland map (including the locations of threatened or endangered species, if found) and a discussion of general environmental permitting issues associated with potential development of the site. This task does not include wetland flagging or agency verification of the limits of wetland jurisdiction.

The major upland and wetland plant communities present on the parcel will be mapped on recent aerial photography. A map will be prepared depicting the estimated location, configuration, and acreage of areas potentially subject to the wetland regulatory jurisdiction of the Water Management District, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, and/or the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

This scope of services includes pursuing a Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Permit to trim mangroves, and the supervision of mangrove trimming per the DEP requirements. This service does not include actual mangrove trimming or permit application fees.

The regulatory agencies will require information documenting the potential presence and distribution of benthic resources (seagrass, oyster bars, etc.) within any proposed open water areas (including canals) which are proposed to be dredged or filled as part of the project. We will provide a field analysis of the aquatic flora and fauna within those portions of the project area. This one time survey will be conducted during April – October or as required by the agencies. A report, in a format suitable to meet the requirements of regulatory agencies, documenting the survey methodology and findings will be prepared and submitted to the agencies.

DexBender will prepare the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE) Dredge and Fill permit applications for one dredging and dock plan. The environmental information will be presented in the format required by each agency.

If required by an agency and prior to the initiation of construction activities DexBender will survey the project area for the presence of listed species that could potentially occur on the subject parcel. The approximate locations of any observed listed species will be denoted on the project’s aerial vegetation map. Identified nest trees, cavities, burrows etc. will also be marked in the field with flagging. A report will be prepared summarizing our findings for each species.

An inspection of the site for the potential presence of heritage trees as defined by the County tree ordinance. Any trees that meet the criteria set forth will be identified, GPS located, and the approximate location shown on an aerial photograph. A brief letter report with a statement of findings relative to potential heritage trees will be provided.

DexBender will conduct a survey for the presence of potentially occupied gopher tortoise burrows. The locations of the burrows will be recorded in the field using a hand-held GPS (estimated accuracy 10± feet). We will also evaluate the potential for undeveloped upland areas within these parcels to be used as on-site gopher tortoise relocation areas pursuant to current Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) guidelines. A report will be prepared documenting the results of our survey which will include a map depicting the approximate locations of the potentially occupied gopher tortoise burrows and potential on-site relocation area(s). This information will be used to obtain the appropriate FWC Relocation permit. The gopher tortoise will be relocated to the approved FWC Gopher Tortoise recipient site.

This task consists of the field and office work required to prepare and submit a burrowing owl nest depredation permit application to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). This includes one (1) attempt to collapse the burrow(s). If the burrow is “active” and cannot be collapsed, further attempts will cost an additional fee.

The eagles will be monitored three days per week for four hours each day beginning at one half hour before sunrise (approximately 10 weeks) OR as required by the project’s Bald Eagle Management Plan and/or FWS Eagle Incidental Take Permit.

DexBender will conduct a Florida bonneted bat acoustic survey over the appropriate number of stations. The data will be analyzed and a summary report will be prepared suitable for submittal to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS).

If the subject property occurs within the crested caracara “Consultation Area” as currently defined by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). A crested caracara nesting survey will be required to determine if there are any active caracara nests on the subject property.

DexBender will conduct crested caracara surveys from January to April 30 per USFWS Crested Caracara Draft Survey Protocol dated December 2016. Surveys will be conducted for three hours per day per station (2 stations) every two weeks.

A biologist will conduct a survey of the property to determine if nesting activity by Florida scrub jay is occurring on-site. The approximate location of active Florida scrub jay nests (if present) will be recorded on a recent aerial of the property. The number of Florida scrub jays observed (if any) will also be recorded. A summary of the survey will be prepared and provided to the client for submittal to the appropriate agencies.

In order to determine the presence or absence of red-cockaded woodpecker (RCW) foraging on-site, a survey per the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) approved methodology dated will be conducted. This survey methodology requires playing RCW vocalization tapes at intervals along transects meandering throughout the potential RCW habitat on-site. The survey is conducted for approximately five hours per day for 14 days. A report will be prepared summarizing the survey methodology and findings. A map depicting the approximate locations of the survey transects and observed RCWs (if any) will be included in the report.