Specifications

Section 2 Existing Conditions/Affected Environment
EAA Storage Reservoirs Revised Draft PIR and EIS February 2006
2-26
2.11.4 Water Conservation Areas
Federally protected species occurring both in the EAA and WCAs include many
of the protected species in the South Florida region including the American
alligator, bald eagle, wood stork, Audubon’s crested caracara, Everglades snail
kite, Florida panther, and possibly the Eastern indigo snake. The WCAs also
have designated critical habitat for the Everglades snail kite in WCA-2 and
WCA-3A.
2.11.5 Species Descriptions
2.11.5.1 Florida Panther
The endangered Florida panther [Felis (Puma) concolor coryi] is one of the most
endangered large mammals in the world, being the only extant breeding puma
population east of the Mississippi River and presently only found in Florida.
The panther prefers native upland forests to the wetlands and disturbed
habitats types found in Compartment A (USFWS 1999). Although the core
population is currently located southwest of the EAA project footprint, panthers
range throughout central and southern Florida. Existing data was searched to
document panther use of the habitat or movement through the region. The
Florida panther was monitored from February 1981 to June 2001 using radio
telemetry from aircraft by the FWC, ENP, and Big Cypress National Preserve.
The data, maintained by the FWC, was searched and documented for panther
occurrences within the EAA. In addition, panther road kill data was searched;
however, no road kills occurred within the EAA, with the closest road kill located
two miles west of the EAA boundary.
The EAA is included in the panther’s habitat range and three Florida panthers
(numbers 26, 43 and 90) have been documented in the EAA. Secondary zone for
the panther is located adjacent to the EAA area. No occurrences within
Compartment A have been documented.
2.11.5.2 West Indian Manatee
The endangered West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus) is a large, aquatic
mammal that migrates along the Florida coast through fresh, brackish, and
marine waters, and exhibits a seasonal distribution based on water
temperatures. Waters colder than 20 degrees Celsius increase the manatee’s
susceptibility to cold-stress and cold-induced mortality. Distribution is also
controlled by aquatic vegetation availability, proximity to water channels of at
least 2 meters in depth, and location of fresh water sources (USFWS, 1999).
Manatees are currently able to access canals within the EAA including those
associated with Compartment A and the three canals slated for expansion.