Bridgewater Relief Middle School

Ardurra delivered comprehensive ESA Section 10 consultation services for Orange County Public Schools' proposed middle school project, successfully navigating complex federal wildlife regulations to enable construction within critical sand skink habitat. The team coordinated dual-agency oversight between Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to facilitate safe gopher tortoise relocation within occupied sand skink habitat.

Following confirmation that the project site met USFWS criteria for suitable sand skink habitat, Ardurra conducted targeted coverboard surveys and comprehensive gopher tortoise assessments. The 100% gopher tortoise survey identified over 80 potentially occupied burrows requiring relocation. Ardurra developed innovative relocation methodology combining backhoe excavation, bucket trapping, and hand excavation techniques to safely relocate all tortoises within project limits while maintaining compliance with federal listed wildlife regulations.

With no federal permitting nexus available due to the project's upland location, Ardurra developed a comprehensive Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) and Incidental Take Permit (ITP) application to facilitate formal ESA Section 10 consultation. Through extensive coordination with USFWS and FWC staff, the team secured approval for tortoise relocation prior to HCP approval, preventing project delays.

The HCP achieved USFWS approval without comment from technical or legal reviewers, completing the consultation process in approximately six months—significantly faster than typical ESA Section 10 timeframes. This streamlined approach enabled the school district to proceed with construction while ensuring full protection of federally listed species.