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Section 5 Formulation of Alternative Plans

EAA Storage Reservoirs Revised Draft PIR and EIS February 2006

5-25

access during routine maintenance, and the remaining 150 feet will be

minimally contoured to create a mosaic of wetland and upland habitat types

such as emergent marsh and tree islands. Although wider vegetated wildlife

buffers and corridors are usually more desirable and offer increased

opportunities for escape cover and nesting sites than narrower buffers, there is

no exact width above which wildlife thrives and below which they are

nonexistent (Henry, et., al., 1999, Wenger 1999).

The four different depths and configurations considered for the 360,000 acre-foot

reservoirs result in varying seepage buffer acreage. Based on a buffer width of

200 feet, Alternatives 2 through 6 would allow buffers ranging from about 450 to

760 acres. These buffers would serve as natural transition zones, provide

habitat for wildlife, and provide essential life support for amphibian and reptile

species (USFWS and FWC 2004). The wetland portion of the buffer will be

hydrated by water seeping from the reservoirs and will provide habitat for a

variety of aquatic species and wading birds. The tree island portion of the buffer

will also provide habitat for wildlife including nesting and roosting habitat for

species using the adjacent reservoir and buffer area wetlands. Buffers also serve

as important wildlife travel corridors and safety barriers between constructed

features and developed or agricultural areas.

The importance of wetlands in South Florida has been documented and it is

known that undesirable changes and substantial losses have occurred over the

last century. Wetland gains are linked to: 1) increased wildlife diversity and

abundance; 2) improved water quality; 3) increased water storage capacity; 4)

enhanced downstream functions of the natural environment; and, 5) improved

human interests. Helping to reverse the historic trend of wetland losses by

gains in wetland acreage and quality would be a significant achievement.

5.3.11.2 Deep Water Refugia

Even though the storage reservoirs will be designed to hold and retain at least

some amount of water at all times, there may be times of extreme drought in

which it will more than likely dry out. Deep water refugia are areas within a

reservoir that are deep enough to maintain some standing water, at least 3 or 4

feet in depth, when the rest of the reservoir dries out.

Deep water refugia would significantly reduce mortality of and provide

important habitat for aquatic wildlife during periods of dry-out. They would act

as an important “seed source” of aquatic organisms for when the reservoirs

become rehydrated. They would also provide temporary feeding grounds for

wading birds while the rest of the reservoir is dry.

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