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Section 7 Environmental Effects of the Selected Plan

EAA Storage Reservoirs Revised Draft PIR and EIS February 2006

7-13

7.9.7 Eastern Indigo Snake

Eastern indigo snakes were not documented in Compartment A, although

available habitat is present but marginal. They are a wide-ranging species

capable of utilizing a variety of habitats; therefore, they could occur within the

affected area. Construction of the 31,000-acre reservoir on primarily

agricultural land will result in the removal of potential habitat for the indigo

snake. However, as the exterior embankments will be covered with soil and

grass, they are expected to provide potential habitat for the snake. Also, the 50-

foot wide upland portion of the seepage/habitat buffer may provide some

improved habitat over that currently found within the buffer footprint. The use

of the maintenance roads may make wildlife using these areas more vulnerable

to road kill. There exists the possibility of mortality of individual indigo snakes

during construction and upon initial flooding of the reservoirs. The Standard

Protection Measures for the Eastern Indigo Snake (USFWS, 2002) will be

followed during construction. The initial flooding of the reservoir would be at a

rate of one half inch per day until a depth of six inches is attained in order to

minimize negative impacts to the Eastern indigo snake. The USACE determines

that the project “may affect, but is not likely to adversely affect” the indigo

snake.

7.9.8 American Alligator

The American alligator is a common species in the EAA occurring in open water

habitat and wetlands. The alligator was documented in wetlands and canals in

Compartment A. Although alligators will be affected by reservoir construction

and canal expansion, they are a mobile species capable of retreating to

unaffected areas. No alligator populations will be significantly or permanently

affected. Once construction is completed, open water habitat will be greatly

increased, expanding use by alligators. Embankments will likely create some

suitable nest substrate for alligators. There will be “no effect” on the alligator.

7.9.9 Sea Turtles

One of the objectives of this project is to reduce Lake Okeechobee regulatory

releases to the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee Estuaries, and thereby improve the

water quality and salinity regime of the estuaries. This project, in concert with

other CERP projects, is expected to improve estuarine habitat conditions,

including benefiting oyster bars and increasing the spatial extent of submerged

aquatic vegetation. Improving the overall health of the estuary will benefit sub-

adult sea turtles in the water that may forage in estuarine areas by increasing

their food sources. For the aquatic environment, the USACE determines this

project “may affect, but is not likely to adversely affect” the sea turtles. As this

project will not affect the beaches, the USACE makes a determination of “no

effect” on the nesting habitat of sea turtles.

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