SR 25 (US 27) Widening Listed Species/Surveys and Permitting

As part of the FDOT District Five Districtwide Contract, DRMP conducted plans update review for the SR 25 (US 27) Widening project in Lake County, Florida and identified that the environmental permits obtained during the original design would require further investigation for protected species impacts as U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) guidance had changed while the project awaited funding for construction.  To ensure the project complied with state and federal environmental regulations prior to construction, District Five needed an environmental firm to conduct wildlife surveys and agency coordination.

DRMP conducted species-specific surveys for the sand skink, sandhill crane and gopher tortoise on the SR 25/US 27 widening project from Boggy Marsh Road to north of Lake Louisa Road.  DRMP obtained a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Conservation Permit to relocate the 65 gopher tortoises prior to construction.  DRMP also conducted a sandhill crane survey during nesting season to ensure the project stayed in compliance with original commitments to avoid impacts to the species during construction.  The sand skink survey required 383 coverboards to survey approximately 9.5- acres of potential habitat; however, no evidence of sand skinks was observed within the project footprint.  DRMP assisted District Five in re-initiating consultation with the USFWS to obtain an updated “Not likely to adversely affect” determination for the sand skink and eastern indigo snake.

DRMP’s early identification of potential project-stoppers allowed time for District Five to properly assess and update all wildlife effect determinations to ensure the project complied with all state and federal regulations.  This effort allowed District Five to continue this project without any loss of funding or delays in construction.