Lower Peninsula Data Collection Slides

Hillsborough County Florida Conservation and Environmental Lands Management Department

We manage more than 61,000 acres of environmentally sensitive wildlife habitat and corridors acquired through the Jan K. Platt Environmental Lands Acquisition and Protection Program (ELAPP).

Management responsibilities include:
Prescribed burning
Invasive species control
Wildlife inventory
Trail maintenance
Feral animal control
Habitat improvements for endangered and threatened species of plants and animals

ELAPP is a voluntary program established for the purpose of providing the process and funding for identifying, acquiring, preserving and protecting endangered, environmentally-sensitive and significant lands in Hillsborough County. It is a citizen-based program with volunteer committees involved in every key aspect of the program. ELAPP is not a regulatory program, but lands are identified for the program because of their environmental significance.

About HCConservation

Hillsborough County FL Conservation and Lands Management

We protect Hillsborough County's natural lands and wildlife through a system of conservation parks and nature preserves, including more than 63,000 acres of environmentally sensitive lands through ELAPP. We also provide unique outdoor recreational activities ranging from picnicking and camping to hiking and kayaking.

Field Data Collection Nature Resource Protection Resource Protection Work CELM Dept FL City Park Department Conceptual Design DRAFT County CELM Dept Department Hills County Dept FL Community Design DRAFT Nature DRAFT Nature Resource FL Community Trust Grain collaborated Directly Hills County CELM Park Department Hills Lower Peninsula Watershed

Lower Peninsula Stormwater 
Improvements Project
Southeast Region Design-Build
October 5, 2020
MacDill 48 Parcel Improvements -
Information Session
Presenting:  Thomas Ries (ESA)
Lower Peninsula Watershed Plan
2018 City of Tampa & SWFWMD 
collaborated:
• Modeling
•
Flooding Concerns
• Water Quality Improvement 
Options
• Cost Assessments
• Recommendations
Lower Peninsula Watershed Plan
• Project Areas Evaluated as 
part of the Watershed 
Management Plan
Lower Peninsula 
Stormwater 
Improvements 
Project
Southeast Region 
Design-Build
Lower Peninsula Watershed Plan
South MacDill 48 
• Former ELAPP Property
• Purchased by ELAPP in 1992 for preservation/recreational purposes
• One of the first ELAPP purchased within the City of Tampa’s limits
• 48-acre site currently has oak hammocks, pine flatwoods, wetland
South MacDill 48
2000 - Park Management Plan
• Habitat Classifications
• Pine Flatwoods
• Hardwood Hammocks
• Drained Wetland (1920’s drainage sys.)
• Site Conditions
• No federally listed species 
• 21 species of exotic vegetation
• 10-15 ac. highly disturbed habitat
• 2-3 ac. mono-specific Brazilian 
pepper
• Recommendations
• Bio reduction
• Prescribed Burns
• Treatment of exotics
South MacDill 48
• 2003/2004
City of Tampa & Florida Communities Trust 
Agreement 
• Restrictions
• Conservation of Open Spaces & Native Habitat Types
• Passive Nature-based Recreation 
• Obligations
• Implement Water Management Plan w/SWFWMD
1. Re-engineer existing culvert system
2. Rehydrate onsite wetlands
3. Improve water quality entering Hillsborough Bay
• Enhance Habitat for Wildlife (gopher tortoise)
• Provide Pedestrian / Bike Trail
• FCT Approval for Removal of Native Trees
Lower Peninsula Stormwater 
Improvement Project
• September 2019 City Stormwater Department
• Numerous Design/Build Teams submitted
• 4 Shortlisted firms
• Kimmins/Atkins Selected
• Due to Design Approach
• Relevant Experience
ESA was added for a Habitat Restoration 
Design Approach
Field Data Collection
Gopher Tortoise Burrow
Saw Palmetto Prairie
Large Oaks
Field Data Collection
Field Data Collection
Trash Dumped Onsite
Discarded Tires
Field Data Collection
Isolated Wetland
Invasive Non-Native Fern
Field Data Collection
Major Drainage Ditch
Secondary Drainage
Field Data Collection
Scattered Debris
Air Potato Covering Debris
Field Data Collection
Brazilian Pepper Along Fence
Brazilian Pepper Mono-Culture
Field Data Collection
Pine Covered w/Vines
Palmetto Covered 
w/Vines
Brazilian Pepper
Data Collection
Desktop Analysis
• Historic Imagery
•
1938 - 2020
• NWI, NRCS, FNAI Reports
• MacDill 48 Park Management Plan 2000 
Field Assessments
• Map General Habitats
• Assess Overall Site Conditions
• Locate Nuisance/Exotic Vegetation
•
Identify Gopher Tortoise Burrows
• GPS 
•
Large Trees Drip Lines & Tree Clusters
•
Saw Palmetto Habitats
• Map Wetland Limits
•
Set SHW & NP Elevations
Building Site Resource - Maps
Building Site Resource - Maps
Remote Sensing Data Collection
Point Cloud Data – Atkins
• Tree Heights
• 3-D Modeling
Topography
• ID Highest Tree Elevations
Conceptual Design Drafting
• Natural Resource Protection
• “Working with the Grain”
• Collaborating Directly with:
•
City Parks Department
• Hills. County CELM Dept.
•
FL Community Trust
Conceptual Design Drafting
• Natural Resource Protection
• “Working with the Grain”
• Collaborating Directly with:
•
City Parks Department
• Hills. County CELM Dept.
•
FL Community Trust
• Pedestrian Trail System
• Work with the Public
Conceptual Design Drafting
• Natural Resource Protection
• Working with the Grain
• Natural Resource Protection
• “Working with the Grain”
• Collaborating Directly with:
•
City Parks Department
• Hills. County CELM Dept.
•
FL Community Trust
• Pedestrian Trail System
• Work with the Public
• Working in Partnership
•
Civil Engineers
•
Public Involvement Team
Conceptual Design Drafting
• Natural Resource Protection
• “Working with the Grain”
• Collaborating Directly with:
•
City Parks Department
• Hills. County CELM Dept.
•
FL Community Trust
• Pedestrian Trail System
• Work with the Public
• Working in Partnership
•
Civil Engineers
•
Public Involvement Team
• Modifying FCT Agreement
• Demonstrate Water Quality
• Rehydrating Wetlands
•
Improving GT Habitat
DRAFT Conceptual Design
Post Site Improvement – Maintenance Plan
City will:
1. Address the pond implementation via Kimmins’ contract
2. Fund the noted ecological site improvements
3. Oversee the post project maintenance requirements  
Questions / Suggestions?
Lost River Preserve