Coral Creek Ecosystem Restoration Project: Phase 2

Enviro-Tech Systems, Inc. completed this environmental restoration project for the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) in conjunction with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) as part of their Surface Water Improvement and Management Program. The Coral Creek Ecosystem is a 2,600-acre site co-owned by the SWFWMD and FDEP and managed by the FDEP. This particular parcel of land is also part of the Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park.

A Site-Specific Health, Safety, & Environment Plan, Dewatering Plan, Hurricane Plan, and Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan were developed for the project. A Notice of Intent and Generic Permit for Stormwater Discharge from Large Development Activity was also obtained through the FDEP. Work activities performed by ETS included survey, turbidity and erosion control, clearing and grubbing, excavation, selective exotic vegetation removal, controlled burning, backfilling of canals, Hydroseeding, upland and wetland planting, and quarterly nuisance vegetation treatment. ETS also worked closely with an environmental engineering firm to locate, protect, and coordinate the relocation of 10 gopher tortoises.

The completed project developed by ETS provides a net benefit to regional aquatic resources and wildlife by restoring historic hydroperiods and overland sheetflow, improving water quality, enhancing shallow water habitat for the endangered Wood Stork, and providing an overall improvement to essential fish habitat in estuarine waters.

“Spoonbills were not generally detected in this area until development began and we anticipate continued use of the marsh by both of these wading bird species when the project has been completed.” said Stephanie Powers, SFWMD Project Manager for the Phase 2 Project.