Stolle Ranch Proposal for Inclusion in the Charlotte Harbor Flatwoods Florida Forever Boundary June 14, 2019 Presentation for Acquisition and Restoration Council (ARC)

Charlotte Harbor Flatwoods

Florida Forever Board of

Trustees Project

Stolle Ranch: Acquisition Opportunity to Improve Water Quality, Hydrology and Habitat

3

Stolle Ranch Location

• Northern boundary: 65,000+ acre Babcock-Webb WMA owned by State and managed by FWC

• Portion of Western boundary: 669-acre Bond Farm acquired by State in 2016 for CHFI regional hydrological project. Managed by FWC

• Southern boundary: shares nearly 2 miles with I-75

• South of property: 2,684-acre Prairie Pines Preserve, owned and managed by Lee County

4

Stolle Ranch• 2,751 acres: 2,060 acres in Charlotte

County and 691 acres in Lee County

• Lee County a potential funding partner for the Lee County portion

• RJS Florida, LLC current owner and manager

5

Stolle Ranch

6

Goal A: Enhance the Coordination and Completion of Land Acquisition Projects

Goal B: Increase the Protection of Florida’s

Biodiversity at the Species, Natural Community, and

Landscape Levels

• Include in FFBOT Charlotte Harbor Flatwoods Project

• Diverse community types: 56% improved pasture, 16% marshes, 7% hydric flatwoods, 7% prairie, 6% mesic flatwoods

• Approximately 34% wetlands based on NWI.

7

Regional wet season storage potential for reduced peak season discharges and enhanced dry season flows to improve water quality and

hydrology of the Caloosahatchee Estuary

Goal C: Protect, Restore, and Maintain the Quality and Natural Functions of Land,

Water and Wetland Systems of the State

Goal D: Ensure that Sufficient Quantities of

Water are Available to Meet the Current and Future

Needs of Natural Systems and the Citizens of the State

8

Goal E: Increase Natural Resource-Based Public Recreation or Educational Opportunities

• Increased dry season freshwater flows to Charlotte Harbor and Caloosahatchee River would aid in seagrass health and enhance water quality/habitat and activities such as fishing

• Potential 20/20 recreational preserve

• Pastures separated by elevated roads could be enhanced to create a waterfowl area which is lacking in the area

Questions