The Project proposes to impact 3.90 acres of SWFWMD jurisdictional wetlands and surface waters located within the Project site for development of residential areas known as The Villages of Fruitland Park. The majority of the wetlands and surface waters (2.57 acres) to be impacted are exempt from mitigation requirements under the SWFWMD Applicant Handbook sections 10.2.2.1 and 10.2.2.2. The wetlands and surface waters have been altered and degraded as the result of the agricultural activities, primarily cattle grazing, runoff from row crops, and agricultural ditching and berming within the wetlands.
The wetland functions and values were determined utilizing the Uniform Mitigation Analysis Method (UMAM) as outlined in Chapter 62-345, F.A.C. Data sheets that have been completed in support of this analysis are included as Appendix F for review and verification. The loss of the functions and values provided by the impacted wetland area that require mitigation was determined to be 0.71 units based on condition of the impact area, its location, and the community structure. Summary of the Functional Loss is as follows:
Functional Loss
Assessment Area/ID Delta Acreage Functional Loss
Wetlands B 0.53 1.33 0.71
Total Functional Loss 0.71
Mitigation to off-set the Functional Loss will be provided in the form of on-site wetland enhancement and preservation. In addition, upland buffers will be established adjacent to wetlands. The mitigation plan (in accordance with Handbook section 10.3.3.2) is detailed in Appendix G, and the Functional Gain is summarized as follows:
Functional Gain
Assessment Area / ID Delta Acreage Time
Lag Risk Functional Gain
Wetland Enhancement – F, G, H 0.10 75.10 1.10 1.25 5.46
Total Functional Gain 5.46
The total acreage of mitigation is 83.14 acres with a Functional Gain of 5.46 units that more than off-sets the Functional Loss (0.71 unit) associated with the Project. The Functional Gain reflects the both the planned enhancement of the Wetlands F, G, and H (5.46 units). The mitigation plan provides sufficient Functional Gain as well as sufficient wetland and upland buffer acreage to off-set the impacts resulting from the Project. The Villages of Lake Sumter, Inc. would like to retain the balance of excess Functional Gain (4.75 units) and to be able to apply it to other Villages projects which may have unavoidable wetland impacts. We request a specific permit condition be included in this ERP acknowledging the Villages ability to apply excess mitigation to future Villages projects. A similar condition was included in the Villages of Lake Deaton permit (ERP Nos. 43023491.214 and 43023491.231).
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APPENDIX A
AERIAL PHOTOGRAPH OF
THE VILLAGES OF FRUITLAND PARK PROJECT SITE
LAKE COUNTY, FLORIDA
Sources:Esri,De Lorm e , NAVT EQ, USGS,Inte rm ap,
Source: Bound ary provid e d by Farne r Barle y on 20140120. 2013 aerial provid e d by Farne r Barle y.
! °
0 1 inch = 1,200 f600 1,200e e tFe e tLegend
Parcel Bound ary (779.41 ac)
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APPENDIX B
U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE DETERMINATION FOR THE VILLAGES OF FRUITLAND PARK PROJECT SITE
LAKE COUNTY, FLORIDA
P:\Admin\Projects\2005219\Villages of Fruitland Park fka PineRidge\Permits\SWFWMD_ERP\ERP-app (Repaired).doc
APPENDIX C
GOPHER TORTOISE SURVEY FOR THE VILLAGES OF FRUITLAND PARK PROJECT SITE
LAKE COUNTY, FLORIDA
Sou rces:Esri,De Lorm e ,
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APPENDIX D
TABLE ONE: PROJECT WETLAND AND OTHER SURFACE WATER AND IMPACT SUMMARY
TABLE TWO: PROJECT ON-SITE MITIGATION SUMMARY
TABLE 1 - PROJECT WETLAND (WL) AND OTHER SURFACE WATER (SW) AND IMPACT SUMMARY
Codes (multiple entries per cell not allowed):
Wetland & Surface Water ID: Include ID on submitted wetland and surface water impact maps
Wetland Type: from an established wetland classification system
Impact Type: D=dredge; F=fill; H=change hydrology; S=shading; C=clearing; O=other
Form #62-330.060(1) - Joint Application for Environmental Resource Individual Permit/ Authorization to Use State-Owned Submerged Lands/ Federal Dredge and Fill Permit
Incorporated by reference in subsection 62-330.060(1), F.A.C. (Effective Date) Section C, Page 2 of 4
TABLE 2 - PROJECT ON-SITE MITIGATION SUMMARY
MITIGATION
CREATION RESTORATION ENHANCEMENT WETLAND
PRESERVE
Codes (multiple entries per cell not allowed):
Target Type or Type=target or existing habitat type from an established wetland classification system or land use classification for non-wetland mitigation
APPENDIX E
CULTURAL RESOURCE ASSESSMENT SURVEY FOR THE VILLAGES OF FRUITLAND PARK F.K.A. PINE RIDGE
LAKE COUNTY, FLORIDA
CULTURAL RESOURCE ASSESSMENT SURVEY PINE RIDGE
LAKE COUNTY, FLORIDA
Prepared for:
Grant and Dzuro 1045 Lake Sumter Landing The Villages, Florida 32162
Prepared by:
Florida’s First Choice in Cultural Resource Management
Archaeological Consultants, Inc.
8110 Blaikie Court, Suite A Sarasota, Florida 34240
(941) 379-6206
Toll Free: 1-800-735-9906
December 2013
CULTURAL RESOURCE ASSESSMENT SURVEY PINE RIDGE
LAKE COUNTY, FLORIDA
Prepared for:
Grant and Dzuro 1045 Lake Sumter Landing The Villages, Florida 32162
Prepared by:
Archaeological Consultants, Inc.
8110 Blaikie Court, Suite A Sarasota, Florida 34240
Project Manager - Marion M. Almy
Project Archaeologists - Beth Horvath and Christine Newman Archaeologists - Justin Winkler and Katie Baar
December 2013
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Archaeological Consultants, Inc. (ACI) conducted a cultural resource assessment survey (CRAS) of the Pine Ridge development property in Lake County, Florida for Grant and Dzuro in June, July, and December 2013. The project area is 781 acres in size and is located east of the Sumter/Lake County line and south of CR 466A.
The purpose of this project was to locate and identify any archaeological sites or historic resources within the project area and to assess their significance in terms of eligibility for listing in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). This work was conducted in compliance with the provisions in the Chapter 380, Florida Statutes (FS). All work was carried out in conformity with the standards contained in the Florida Division of Historical Resources’ (FDHR) Cultural Resource Management Standards and Operational Manual (FDHR 2003). The report meets the specifications established by Chapter 1A-46, Florida Administrative Code (FAC).
Archaeological background research and a review of the Florida Master Site File (FMSF) indicated that no archaeological sites have been located within the project area, but seven archaeological sites have been recorded within one mile of the project area. Based upon the background research, several areas of moderate to high archaeological potential were identified.
As a result of the field investigations two archaeological occurrences (AO) and one archaeological site were discovered. An AO is defined as “one or two non-diagnostic artifacts, not known to be distant from the original context, which fit within a hypothetical cylinder of thirty meters diameter, regardless of depth below surface” (FMSF 1999:10). AO#1 consists of one isolated piece of lithic debitage and AO#2 consists of one sand tempered, simple stamped sherd. The Dragonfly Site - 8LA4408 represents a short term, limited artifact scatter. No diagnostic artifacts, pottery or lithics, were recovered from the shovel tests, and the stratigraphy did not reveal a distinctive cultural level, features, or soil stains reflective of specific activity areas. Pottery recovered from the surface place site occupation between 200 to 1500 C.E., although it is possible the site was occupied during earlier time periods as well. The site area has experienced significant soil disturbance due to intensive agricultural activity. 8LA4408 is located in an area of moderate probability as predicted by the model formulated for this and other similar surveys in the general area. It is the opinion of ACI archaeologists that the Dragonfly Site does not meet the criteria necessary for inclusion in the NRHP.
Historical background research, including a review of the FMSF and the NRHP, indicated that no previously recorded historic properties (50 years of age or older) are located within the project area. The background research revealed the property had been used as a dairy farm and peanut field, but no structures remain on the property.
Based on the results of this CRAS, the proposed development of the Pine Ridge property will not impact any resources listed, determined eligible, or potentially eligible for listing in the NRHP. Thus, no additional work is recommended.
TABLE OF CONTENTS 3.8 Civil War and Aftermath ... 3-11 3.9 Twentieth Century ... 3-12 4.0 RESEARCH CONSIDERATIONS AND METHODOLOGIES ... 4-1 4.1 Background Research and Literature Review ... 4-1 4.1.1 Archaeological Considerations ... 4-1 4.1.2 Historical Considerations ... 4-3 4.2 Field Methodology ... 4-3 4.3 Unexpected Discoveries ... 4-4 4.4 Laboratory Methods and Curation ... 4-4 5.0 RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS ... 5-1 Appendix B: Survey Log Sheet
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LIST OF FIGURES, TABLES, AND PHOTOGRAPHS
Page Figure
Figure 1.1. Location of the Pine Ridge property, Lake County. ... 1-2 Figure 2.1. Environmental Setting of the Pine Ridge property. ... 2-2 Figure 3.1. Florida Archaeological Regions. ... 3-2 Figure 4.1. Location of the previously recorded archaeological sites within one mile of the project
area. ... 4-2 Figure 5.1. Location of the shovel tests, AOs, and 8LA4408 within the Pine Ridge property. ... 5-2
Table
Table 2.1. Soil types within the Pine Ridge property (USDA 1975, 2012). ... 2-4 Table 4.1. Previously recorded archaeological sites within one mile of the project area. ... 4-1 Table 5.1. Artifacts recovered from shovel tests and surface at 8LA4408 - Dragonfly Site. ... 5-3 Photo
Photo 2.1. Looking to the north at the northeastern property conditions. ... 2-1 Photo 2.2. Looking to the south at the southwestern quarter of the property. ... 2-3 Photo 2.3. Looking to the south in the area of the former dairy farm.. ... 2-3 Photo 5.1. Looking to the northwest at 8LA4408 - Dragonfly site. ... 5-4
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1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Project Description
ACI conducted a CRAS of the 781-acre Pine Ridge property in Lake County, Florida for the Grant and Dzuro (Figure 1.1). This work, conducted in June and July 2013, complied with Chapter 380, FS. All work was carried out in conformity with the standards contained in the FDHR’s Cultural Resource Management Standards and Operational Manual (FDHR 2003). The report meets the specification established by Chapter 1A-46, FAC.
1.2 Purpose
The purpose of the CRAS was to locate and identify any archaeological sites or historic resources within the project area and to assess their significance in terms of eligibility for listing in the NRHP. Field survey was preceded by background research. Such work serves to provide an informed set of expectations concerning the types and locations of cultural resources within the project area, as well as a basis for evaluating any newly discovered sites.
¹
0 1 2
Kilometers
0 0.5 1
Miles 1-2
Figure 1.1. Location of the Pine Ridge property, Lake County (ESRI 2013b - Streets).
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2.0 ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING
Environmental factors such as geology, topography, relative elevation, soils, vegetation, and water are important in determining where archaeological sites were likely located. These variables influenced what resources were available in a given area, which in turn influenced decisions regarding settlement location and land-use patterns. Because of the influence of these environmental factors upon the inhabitants, a discussion of the effective environment is included.
2.1 Location
The 781-acre Pine Ridge project area is located in Sections 6, 7, 8, and 18 of Township 19 South, Range 24 East in western Lake County (United States Geological Survey [USGS]
1981) (Figure 2.1). The project area is located along the Sumter/Lake County line just south of CR 466A. The property was once a dairy farm, and more recently a peanut farm. The northern portion of the property is rolling uplands, while the southern end is wetlands and swamps (Photos 2.1-2.3).
Photo 2.1. Looking to the north at the northeastern property conditions.
¹
0 0.5 1
Kilometers
0 0.25 0.5
Miles 2-2
Figure 2.1. Environmental setting of the Pine Ridge property, Sections 6, 7, 8, and 18 of Township 19 South, Range 24 East, USGS Leesburg West (National Geographic Society 2013 - USA Topo Maps).
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Photo 2.2. Looking to the south at the southwestern quarter of the property.
Photo 2.3. Looking to the south in the area of the former dairy farm. No original structures are standing and more recent construction has occurred in the general area.
2.2 Environmental Setting
The project area is located in the Central or midpeninsular physiographic zone, and more specifically on the Sumter Upland (White 1970). The upland is dominated by relict beach ridges
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limestone in the southern portion (Scott 1978; White 1970). However, unlike the Lake Upland to the south, the Sumter Upland has relatively few lakes. The area’s surface lithology consists of clayey sand (Scott 1978). Geologically, the area is underlain by the Cypresshead Formation and undifferentiated Holocene sediments (Scott 2001; Scott et al. 2001).
2.3 Soils and Vegetation
The project area is contained within the Astatula-Apopka and Montverde-Ocoee-Brighton soil associations. The former is characterized by nearly level to strongly sloping, excessively drained and well-drained sandy soils on broad ridges interspersed with large lakes, ponds, and wet depressions. The latter association is characterized by nearly level, very poorly drained organic soils on broad low areas that are subject to flooding (USDA 1975). The specific soil types are listed in Table 2.1 (USDA 2012). The vegetation associated with the excessively drained soils includes slash pine, sand pine, longleaf pine, bluejack oak, Chapman oak, scrub live oak, and turkey oak with an understory of indiangrass, chalky bluestem, hairy panicum, pineland threeawn, and annual forbs. The moderately well drained soils support sand and slash pine;
Chapman, scrub live, and sand live oak; and an understory of scattered sawpalmetto, prickly pear cactus, goldleaf goldaster, deermoss, bluestem, and pineland threeawn. The somewhat poorly drained soils support a vegetative regime of live oak, water oak, and slash pine with an understory of chalky bluestem, lopsided indiangrass, panicum, pineland threeawn, and waxmyrtle. The native vegetation associated with the poorly drained soil consists of longleaf and slash pine with an understory of sawpalmetto, running oak, gallberry, waxmyrtle, huckleberry, pineland threeawn, and scattered fetterbush. The depressional and mucky soils support pickerelweed, maidencane, sawgrass, waterlily, sedges, and various other aquatic plants as well as scattered pond pine, bay, cypress, myrtle, and clumps of palmetto.
Table 2.1. Soil types within the Pine Ridge property (USDA 1975, 2012).
Soil Type Drainage Setting
Apopka sand, 0-5% slopes Well Upland ridges Apopka sand, 5-12% slopes Well Upland ridges Candler sand, 0 to 5 % slopes Excessive Uplands Candler sand, 5 to 12 % slopes Excessive Uplands
Everglades muck, depressional Very poor Low areas, marshes, and swamps
Immokalee sand Poor Broad area in the flatwoods and in low areas between sand ridges and lakes, ponds, and sloughs Kendrick sand, 0-5% slopes Moderately well Uplands
Lochloosa sand Somewhat poor High positions on flatwoods
Myakka sand Poor Broad areas on the flatwoods
Oklawaha muck Very poor Depressions and freshwater marshes Orsino sand Moderately well Moderately high ridges and knolls Placid sand, depressional Very poor Depressional areas and in poorly defined
drainageways
Pompano sand Poor Flatwoods and in depressions on the upland ridges Sparr sand, 0-5% slopes Somewhat poor Broad, low ridges and knolls
Tavares sand, 0 to 5 % slopes Moderately well Low ridges and knolls on the uplands
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2.4 Paleoenvironmental Considerations
The early environment of the region was different from that seen today. Sea levels were lower, the climate was arid, and fresh water was scarce. An understanding of human ecology during the earliest periods of human occupation in Florida cannot be based on observations of the modern environment because of changes in water availability, botanical communities, and faunal resources. Aboriginal inhabitants would have developed cultural adaptations in response to the environmental changes taking place, which were then reflected in settlement patterns, site types, artifact forms, and subsistence economies.
Due to the arid conditions between 16,500 and 12,500 years ago, the perched water aquifer and potable water supplies were absent. Palynological studies conducted in Florida and Georgia suggest that between 13,000 and 5000 years ago, this area was covered with an upland vegetation community of scrub oak and prairie (Watts 1969, 1971, 1975). However, the environment was not static. Evidence recovered from the inundated Page-Ladson Site in north Florida has clearly demonstrated that there were two periods of low water tables and dry climatic conditions and two episodes of elevated water tables and wet conditions (Dunbar 2006c). The rise of sea level reduced xeric habitats over the next several millennia.
By 5000 years ago, a climatic event marking a brief return to Pleistocene climatic conditions induced a change toward more open vegetation. Southern pine forests replaced the oak savannahs. Extensive marshes and swamps developed along the coasts and subtropical hardwood forests became established along the southern tip of Florida (Delcourt and Delcourt 1981).
Northern Florida saw an increase in oak species, grasses, and sedges (Carbone 1983). At Lake Annie, in south central Florida, pollen cores were dominated by wax myrtle and pine. The assemblage suggests that by this time, a forest dominated by longleaf pine along with cypress swamps and bayheads existed in the area (Watts 1971, 1975). About 5000 years ago, surface water was plentiful in karst terrains and the level of the Floridan aquifer rose to 1.5 meters (m) (5 feet [ft]) above present levels. With the establishment of warmer winters and cooler summers than in the preceding early Holocene, the fire-adapted pine communities prevailed. These depend on the high summer precipitation caused by the thunderstorms and the accompanying lightning strikes to spark the fires (Watts et al. 1996; Watts and Hansen 1994). The increased precipitation also resulted in the formation of the large swamp systems such as the Okefenokee and Everglades (Gleason and Stone 1994). After this time, modern floral, climatic, and environmental conditions began to be established.
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3.0 CULTURE HISTORY
A discussion of the culture history of the region provides a framework within which to examine the local archaeological and historic record. Archaeological sites and historic resources are not individual entities, but are the remnants of once dynamic cultural systems. Thus, they cannot adequately be interpreted without reference to other sites and resources in the area.
In general, archaeologists summarize the culture history of an area (i.e. an archaeological region) by outlining the sequence of archaeological cultures through time. These cultures are defined largely in geographical terms, but are also reflective of shared environmental and cultural traits. The project area is within the East and Central archeological region as defined by Milanich (1994) (Figure 3.1). The East and Central region is composed of the lower and central portions of the St. Johns River, its tributaries, adjacent portions of the coastal barrier island-salt marsh-lagoon system, and the central Florida lakes district (Milanich 1994:243). Within Florida, the Paleo-Indian, Archaic, Formative, and Mississippian stages have been defined based on unique sets of material culture traits such as characteristic stone tool forms and ceramic types, as well as subsistence, settlement, and burial practices.
The local history of the region is divided into four broad periods based initially upon the major governmental powers. The first period, Colonialism, occurred during the exploration and control of Florida by the Spanish and British from around 1513 until 1821. At that time, Florida became a territory of the United States and 21 years later became a State (Territorial and Statehood). The Civil War and Aftermath (1861-1899) period deals with the Civil War, the period of Reconstruction following the war, and the late 1800s, when the transportation systems were dramatically increased and development throughout the state expanded. The Twentieth Century has subperiods based on important historic events such as the World Wars, the Boom of the 1920s, and the Depression. Each of these periods evidenced differential development and utilization of the region, thus effecting historic site distribution.
3.1 Paleo-Indian
The Paleo-Indian stage is the earliest known cultural manifestation in Florida, dating from roughly 12,000 to 7500 BCE (Before Common Era) (Milanich 1994). Archaeological evidence for Paleo-Indians consists primarily of scattered finds of diagnostic lanceolate-shaped projectile points. The Florida peninsula at this time was quite different than today. In general, the climate was cooler and drier with vegetation typified by xerophytic species with scrub oak, pine, open grassy prairies, and savannas being the most common (Milanich 1994:40). When human populations were arriving in Florida, the sea levels were still as much as 40 to 60 m (130-200 ft) below present levels and coastal regions of Florida extended miles beyond present-day shorelines (Faught 2004). Thus, many of these sites have been inundated (cf., Faught and Donoghue 1997).
The Paleo-Indian period has been sub-divided into horizons based upon characteristic tool forms (Austin 2001). Traditionally, it is believed that the Clovis Horizon (10,500-9000 BCE) represents the initial occupation of Florida. It is defined based upon the presence of the fluted
The Paleo-Indian period has been sub-divided into horizons based upon characteristic tool forms (Austin 2001). Traditionally, it is believed that the Clovis Horizon (10,500-9000 BCE) represents the initial occupation of Florida. It is defined based upon the presence of the fluted