August 27, 2002 TRUSTEES OF THE INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT TRUST FUND

August 27, 2002

TRUSTEES OF THE INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT TRUST FUND
Agenda - August 27, 2002
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McIlvane Marsh Acquisition Project

Collier County is currently facing an unprecedented urban growth rate, with Naples leading the nation in metropolitan growth. Changes in land use within the primary watersheds that drain into the Rookery Bay estuary and adjacent water have been identified as the highest priority resource issue that threatens the long-term preservation of the RBNERR. The coastal habitats in Collier County have been impacted by alterations in hydrology and habitat, and development and channelization of natural systems. Historically, freshwater traveled across the surface of the land, percolating through wetland flow ways, before entering McIlvane Marsh. An old road, known locally as the Belle Meade grade, now runs through this area with some smaller roadbeds feeding off from it. The roads have disrupted the natural hydrology and caused a shift in plant communities: mangroves encroach on the saltmarsh on the saline side and wax myrtles and other shrubs invade the saltmarsh on the freshwater side. This shift in plant communities has been further exacerbated by fire suppression.

While channelization and development have disrupted this system to some extent, acquisition of undeveloped lands remaining in and around McIlvane Marsh will limit further hydrologic and habitat disturbance. Land acquisition will assure long-term protection of the upland and wetland communities associated with these parcels. The objective of the McIlvane Marsh acquisition project is to acquire almost 1,000 acres of environmentally sensitive lands within the RBNERR. The lands are in 5 to 160-acre tracts under 19 different ownerships. Once acquired, RBNERR proposes to push the network of roadbeds into an adjacent borrow ditch to restore surface water sheet flow and native plant communities, and invasive plants on site will be controlled. Title to the lands to be acquired will vest in the Board of Trustees but, since federal funds are being used, the newly acquired parcels will be restricted to the conservation objectives of the project and no change in use or future development can take place without the consent of the USFWS. This is a partnership project with $450,000 from DEP and $1,367,385 from the USFWS.
Copyright © 2002 Florida Department of State All rights reserved.