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Section 2 Existing Conditions/Affected Environment

EAA Storage Reservoirs Revised Draft PIR and EIS February 2006

2-18

included frogs such as the southern leopard frog, the green tree frog, and the

squirrel tree frog.

Several reports from local residents have confirmed sightings of non-native

species of lizards, such as the green iguana, the spiny-tailed iguana, and the

brown basilisk. Established populations of such species could be extremely

harmful to native reptile and amphibian populations.

Lake Okeechobee also provides major resources for mammals. The Okeechobee

Waterway, a designated channel that runs around the perimeter of the lake, as

well as across the lake, provides habitat for the endangered West Indian

manatee. Additionally, river otters, bobcats, and the Florida water rat, a species

of special concern as listed by the Florida Committee for Rare and Endangered

Plants and Animals, have been observed within the lake.

2.10.2 Northern Estuaries

The Northern Estuaries refer to the St. Lucie Estuary on the east coast of

Florida, which flows into another estuary, the southern end of the Indian River

Lagoon, and the Caloosahatchee Estuary on the west coast of Florida. The

Indian River Lagoon system is a biogeographic transition zone, rich in habitats

and species, with the highest species diversity of any estuary in North America

(Gilmore, 1977). Approximately 4,315 different plant and animal species have

been identified in the lagoon system. Included are 2,965 species of animals,

1,350 species of plants, 700 species of fish and 310 species of birds (IRL CCMP,

1996). Species diversity is generally high near inlets and toward the south, and

low near cities, where nutrient input, freshwater input, sedimentation, and

turbidity are high and where large areas of mangroves and seagrasses have been

lost. For biological communities and fisheries, seagrass and mangrove habitats

are extremely important (Virnstein and Campbell, 1987). Much of the habitat

loss has occurred as a result of the direct effects of shoreline development,

navigational improvements, and marsh management practices.

Most of the predominant freshwater fishes recorded from the lagoon system,

such as minnows, bullhead catfishes, and sunfishes are found mainly or

exclusively in the tributary streams including the streams feeding the St. Lucie.

Examples of other species in this habitat include all of the ubiquitous forms

mentioned above as well as Florida gar; gizzard shad; flagfish; bluefin killifish;

mosquitofish; least killifish; sailfin molly; inland silverside; gulf pipefish;

leatherjack gray snapper; Irish pompano; silver jenny; fat sleeper; bigmouth

sleeper; and, lined sole. Fish species that specialize in creek-mouth habitats

include: yellowfin menhaden, gafftopsail catfish, timucu, needlefish, gulf

killifish, striped killifish, mosquitofish, sailfin molly, lined seahorse, chain

pipefish, gulf pipefish, tarpon snook, Atlantic bumper, gray snapper, Irish

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Wenger 72944 Spezifikationen Seite 82