§ 13-16. Definitions

(A)

Conservation Easement: A right or interest in real property which is appropriate to retaining land or water areas predominately in their natural, scenic, open, or wooded condition; retaining such areas as suitable habitat for fish, plants, or wildlife; or maintaining existing land uses; and which prohibits or limits the activities described in Section 704.06, Florida Statutes, as the same now exists or may from time to time be amended.

(B)

Critical Habitat: Habitat which if lost would result in elimination of listed species individuals from the area in question. Critical habitat typically provides functions for the listed species during restricted portions of that species life cycle. Habitat includes the place or type of site where a species naturally or normally nests, feeds, resides, or migrates, including for example, characteristic topography, soils, and vegetative cover.

(C)

Degradation: Any adverse or negative modification (from the perspective of the subject species) of the hydrological, biological or climatic characteristics supporting the species, or of plants and animals co-occurring with and significantly affecting the ecology of the species.

(D)

FLUCCS: Florida Land Use, Cover, and Forms Classification System, published by the Florida Depart of Transportation.

(E)

Game Commission: Biologist with the Office of Environmental Services, Punta Gorda, Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission, or its successor.

(F)

Listed Species: Any animal species (vertebrate indicated as endangered, threatened, or species of special concern as found in the "Official Lists of Endangered and Potentially Endangered Fauna and Flora of Florida," Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission which is attached as Exhibit A, as amended from time to time by the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission.

(G)

Management: A series of techniques applied to maintain the viability of species in a location. These techniques include, but are not limited to controlled burning, planting or removal of vegetation, exotic species control, maintaining hydrologic regimes, and monitoring.

(H)

Management Plan: A plan prepared to address conversation and management of listed species and their habitat, which is approved by the Administrator, following recommendations from the Game Commission.

(I)

Mitigation Park: Area acquired with the expressed purpose of mitigating impacts of land development on listed species.

(J)

Occupied Habitat: Property, which provides critical habitat to a listed species.

(K)

Property: The land, which is subject of the specific development application.

(L)

Small Development: A project of less than ten (10) acres in land area and less than two (2) acres in impervious area.