FIGURE 7

EASTERN INDIGO SNAKE MANAGEMENT & AVOIDANCE PLAN BACKGROUND INFORMATION The Eastern Indigo Snake (Drymarchon corais couperi) is a Threatened species listed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). The “taking” of an Indigo Snake is prohibited without specific approval from the FWC and FWS. Under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, and by the Code of Federal Regulations (50 CFR 17.11), the term take is defined as harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture or collect. Criminal violations of the Endangered Species Act are punishable by substantial fines and imprisonment for convicted violators. WHAT IS AN INDIGO SNAKE? The Eastern Indigo Snake is a large (up to 8-feet long), non-venomous snake that is typically shiny black, often with a bluish iridescence, and with a whitish belly and orange to red around the lower jaw area and throat (see photograph). Indigo snakes often are associated with gopher tortoises as they utilize the gopher tortoise burrows for shelter, especially during the cooler months, and may even seek prey items (frogs, rodents and even other snakes) inside the burrows. The southern Black Racer (Coluber constrictor) is another, much more commonly observed snake species that occurs in Florida (see photograph). Black racers are typically much more slender than Indigo Snakes, do not grow as long and lack the orange/red lower jaw and throat. Indigo Snakes are also a much “heavier-bodied” snake than the black racer. G:\ENV_SCI\FORMS\ACOE Dredge and Fill Permitting\Indigo Snake\Indigo Snake Management and Avoidance Manual.doc

IF YOU SEE AN INDIGO SNAKE… If you observe an Indigo Snake during construction or clearing activities, you should: 1. Stop all construction activities in the area and allow the snake to leave the construction area before resuming clearing. 2. Report the observation to the construction manager or site foreman. 3. Contact the designated Environmental Scientist at King Engineering Assoc., Inc. at (813) 880-8881 about the sighting. The Environmental Scientist will contact the local FWC office an inform staff of the observation/incident. If a dead Indigo Snake is encountered the FWS should be contacted immediately at (904) 731-3336, and the snake should be soaked in water and frozen until a FWS official arrives. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO PICK UP, HARM OR OTHERWISE MOLEST AN INDIGO SNAKE! This plan is to be presented to the General Contractor, Construction Manager and the Site Foreman prior to construction activities, along with the accompanying identification photos. A qualified King Engineering Associates, Inc. Environmental Scientist will review this plan with the Contractor and describe measures to be taken in the event of an Indigo Snake encounter. The plan should be in possession of the Contractor throughout all clearing and construction activities. G:\ENV_SCI\FORMS\ACOE Dredge and Fill Permitting\Indigo Snake\Indigo Snake Management and Avoidance Manual.doc

Eastern Indigo Snake (Drymarchon corais couperi)

Eastern Indigo Snake (Drymarchon corais couperi)

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SIMILAR SPECIES: Black Racer (Coluber constrictor priapus)

Black Racer (Coluber constrictor priapus)

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Project

Please complete the following form, remove it from this manual and return it to the Site Foreman.

I hereby acknowledge that I: have received a copy of the Indigo Snake Management & Avoidance Plan have read the Indigo Snake Management & Avoidance Plan will comply with the avoidance & notification procedures described herein should I observe an Indigo Snake during construction and clearing activity.

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Company

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Date

This signed form will be kept on file with King Engineering Associates, Inc.’s Department of Ecological Services. Please keep the manual for reference while on the construction site. If you have questions about the information contained in this manual, please contact a King Environmental Scientist at 813-880-8881.

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CAUTION!!

DO NOT HARM OR TOUCH THIS SNAKE! Eastern Indigo Snake (Drymarchon corais couperi) The Eastern Indigo Snake is a large (up to 8-feet long), non-venomous snake that is typically shiny black, often with a bluish iridescence, and a whitish belly with a orange to red coloration frequently displayed around the lower jaw area and throat. Indigo snakes often are associated with gopher tortoises as they utilize the gopher tortoise burrows for shelter, especially during the cooler months. Similar Species: The southern Black Racer (Coluber constrictor) is another, much more commonly observed snake species that occurs in Florida. Black racers are typically much more slender than Indigo Snakes, do not grow as long and lack the orange/red lower jaw and throat. Indigo Snakes are also a much "heavier-bodied" snake than the black racer.

IF YOU SEE AN INDIGO SNAKE: 1.) Stop all activities in the area and allow the eastern indigo snake sufficient time to leave the site on its own before resuming construction. 2.) Report the observation to the construction manager or site foreman. 3.) Contact the designated Qualified Environmental Scientist (QES) at King Engineering Assoc., Inc. at (813) 880-8881 about the siting. 4.) If a dead eastern indigo snake is encountered the FWS should be contacted immediately at (904) 731-3336, and the snake should be thoroughly soaked in water and frozen until an FWS official arrives.

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO PICK UP, HARM OR OTHERWISE MOLEST THIS SPECIES! Protection Status: The Eastern Indigo Snake (Drymarchon corais couperi) is a Threatened (T) species listed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service (FWS). The "taking" of an Indigo Snake is prohibited without specific approval from the FWC and FWS. Under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, and by the code of Federal Regulations (50 CFR 17.11), the term take is defined as harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture or collect. Criminal violations of the Endangered Species Act are punishable by substantial fines and imprisonment for convicted violators

¡ CUIDADO: NO DAÑE NI TOQUE ESTA CULEBRA!

CUIDADO!!

¡ NO LASTIMEN O TOQUEN ESTA SERPIENTE! Serpiente Índigo Del Este (Drymarchon corais couperi) La Serpiente Índigo es grande (hasta 8 pies de largo), no es venenosa y típicamente de coloración negra brillante, regularmente con tonalidades azul tornasol en los lados. La barbilla y garganta pueden ser rojas o naranja y el vientre blanco pálido. Frecuentemente son asociadas con las tortugas excavadoras ya que ellas utilizan las madrigueras de las tortugas para refugiarse, especialmente durante los meses de clima frío. Especies Similares: La culebra negra del sur (Coluber Constrictor) es otro tipo de serpiente comúnmente encontrada en Florida. Las Serpientes Negras son mucho más delgadas que la serpiente Índigo, no crecen tan largas y les hacen falta el color naranja/rojo en la barbilla y garganta. Las Serpientes Índigo también son más "corpulentas" que la serpiente negra.

SI VES UNA SERPIENTE INDIGO: 1. Parar todas las actividades en el área y proveer a la Serpiente Índigo suficiente tiempo para abandonar el perímetro por sí misma antes de continuar con las actividades de construcción. 2. Reportar lo observado al superintendente o gerente de construcción. 3. Contactar al Técnico Ambiental Calificado en King Engineering, Inc al (813) 880-8881. 4. Si encuentra una serpiente Índigo muerta la FWS debe ser contactada inmediatamente al (904)731-3336, y la serpiente debe ser sumergida en agua y congelada hasta que un oficial del FWS llegue.

¡ NO INTENTE RECOGERLA, LASTIMAR O DE ALGUNA MANERA MOLESTAR ESTA ESPECIE! Status de Protección: La Serpiente Índigo del Este (Drymarchon corais couperi) es una especie amenazada listada por la Comisión de Conservación de Pesca y Vida Silvestre (FWC) y el Servicio de Pesca y Vida Silvestre de los Estados Unidos (FWS). El "tomar" una Serpiente Índigo sin la debida aprobación de FWC y FWS es prohibido. Establecido en el Acta de Especies en Peligro de 1973, y por el Código de Regulaciones Federales (50 CFR 17.11), el termino 'tomar" es definido como molestar, dañar, perseguir, disparar, herir, matar, atrapar o colectar. Violaciones criminales al Acta de Especies En Peligro son condenadas con multas substanciales y con encarcelamiento para Convictos que hayan violado la ley previamente.

CAUTION: DO NOT HARM OR TOUCH THIS SNAKE