... there were just the Australian Pines, a dense forest of young Carrotwoods sprouting beneath them, and a small remnant field of Sea oats the pines had not yet obliterated. To idealize the backdune and this dunefield it was necessary first of all to eradicate all exotic species, both large and small. Since the property lay entirely beyond the Coastal Construction Control Line (CCCL), the project was subject to the DEP's procedural guidelines.

1. To just remove exotic species without landscaping afterwards, you or your tree service crew must enter the area on foot, cut down the exotics, paint the stems/trunks with a Garlon based product (or similar) to prevent regrowth, and hand carry all the debris to the street without damaging any of the existing native dune vegetation.

2. If the size or quantity of the exotics requires the use of a truck or other machinery such as a stump grinder to remove them thoroughly, then all damage to any dune contours or to native dunefield vegetation must be fully restored by replanting with species native to the dunes and dunefields.

In either case, it is necessary to proceed as follows:

a. Prepare a simple drawing showing location and type of work you want to do, a short letter to the FDEP requesting permission, and a survey of the property (not necessarily new). Any plants to be installed must be species appropriate to the dune or dunefield being restored. Click the PLANTS link at the top of any page on this site for a complete list. On the dunes you should select from the "Beaches and Dunes" list. For a dunefield (upland of the dunes) or around your residence, you could additionally incorporate plants from the "Maritime Forest" list.

b. Send them to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's regional Field Engineer. In the Manasota area, that would be to FDEP att: Steve West, 1301 Cattleman Rd., Building O, Sarasota, FL34232. [For other areas, contact the FDEP in Tallahassee at 850-487-4475.]

c. The Field Engineer and/or FDEP will review the plan and the site and issue a letter of permission.

d. You must then complete the project within 60 days.

e. To be certified as successful, there must be 80% survival and coverage after 180 days. Any deficient areas at that time must be replanted until that standard is met.

... 12 large Australian pines, many hundreds of young Carrotwoods, and several sizeable Brazilian peppertrees were removed. Since construction of the residence had not yet started, an extension to the Spring of 2005 was allowed until a water hookup necessary for the irrigation and electricity to run the timer were installed. This was an unexpected benefit to the project, because it enabled an extended, systematic eradication of the exotics that resprouted during that period.