FCSP 04.20.2018 ARC Approved UMP 0.Pdf
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Florida Caverns State Park APPROVED Unit Management Plan STATE OF FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION Division of Recreation and Parks January 2018 TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................1 PURPOSE AND SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PARK ....................................... 1 Park Significance ................................................................................1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF THE PLAN..................................................... 2 MANAGEMENT PROGRAM OVERVIEW ................................................... 8 Management Authority and Responsibility .............................................. 8 Park Management Goals ...................................................................... 9 Management Coordination ................................................................... 9 Public Participation ..............................................................................9 Other Designations ........................................................................... 10 RESOURCE MANAGEMENT COMPONENT INTRODUCTION ................................................................................. 11 RESOURCE DESCRIPTION AND ASSESSMENT..................................... 12 Natural Resources ............................................................................. 12 Topography .................................................................................. 12 Geology ....................................................................................... 17 Soils ............................................................................................ 19 Minerals ....................................................................................... 19 Hydrology .................................................................................... 20 Natural Communities (FNAI) ........................................................... 24 Imperiled Species ......................................................................... 35 Exotic and Nuisance Species ........................................................... 44 Special Natural Features ................................................................ 46 Cultural Resources ............................................................................ 46 Condition Assessment .................................................................... 47 Level of Significance ...................................................................... 47 Prehistoric and Historic Archaeological Sites ..................................... 48 Historic Structures ........................................................................ 49 Collections ................................................................................... 51 RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM ................................................. 55 Management Goals, Objectives, and Actions ......................................... 55 Natural Resource Management ........................................................... 55 Hydrological Management .............................................................. 55 Natural Communities Management .................................................. 57 Imperiled Species Management ...................................................... 60 Exotic Species Management ........................................................... 62 Cultural Resource Management .......................................................... 63 Special Management Considerations .................................................... 66 Timber Management Analysis ......................................................... 66 Arthropod Control Plan ................................................................... 66 i Resource Management Schedule ......................................................... 67 Land Management Review ................................................................. 67 LAND USE COMPONENT INTRODUCTION ................................................................................. 69 EXTERNAL CONDITIONS .................................................................... 69 Existing Use of Adjacent Lands ........................................................... 71 Planned Use of Adjacent Lands ........................................................... 72 Florida Greenways and Trails System .................................................. 72 PROPERTY ANALYSIS ........................................................................ 73 Recreation Resource Elements ............................................................ 73 Land Area .................................................................................... 73 Water Area ................................................................................... 73 Shoreline ..................................................................................... 74 Natural Scenery ............................................................................ 74 Significant Habitat ......................................................................... 74 Natural Features ........................................................................... 74 Archaeological and Historic Features ................................................ 75 Assessment of Use ............................................................................ 75 Past Uses ..................................................................................... 75 Future Land Use and Zoning ........................................................... 75 Current Recreation Use and Visitor Programs .................................... 76 Protected Zones ............................................................................ 79 Existing Facilities .............................................................................. 79 Recreation Facilities ....................................................................... 79 Support Facilities .......................................................................... 80 CONCEPTUAL LAND USE PLAN ........................................................... 81 Potential Uses .................................................................................. 81 Public Access and Recreational Opportunities .................................... 81 Proposed Facilities ............................................................................ 85 Capital Facilities and Infrastructure ................................................. 85 Facilities Development ....................................................................... 87 Recreational Carrying Capacity ........................................................... 88 Optimum Boundary ........................................................................... 89 IMPLEMENTATION COMPONENT MANAGEMENT PROGRESS .................................................................. 93 Acquisition ....................................................................................... 93 Park Administration and Operations .................................................... 93 Resource Management ...................................................................... 94 Natural Resources ......................................................................... 94 Cultural Resources ........................................................................ 94 Recreation and Visitor Services ........................................................... 95 Park Facilities ................................................................................... 95 ii MANAGEMENT PLAN IMPLEMENTATION ............................................ 96 TABLES TABLE 1 – Florida Caverns State Park Management Zones ........................ 12 TABLE 2 – Imperiled Species Inventory .................................................. 37 TABLE 3 – Inventory of FLEPPC Category I and II Exotic Plant Species ....... 45 TABLE 4 – Cultural Sites Listed in the Florida Master Site File ................... 52 TABLE 5 – Prescribed Fire Management .................................................. 58 TABLE 6 – Existing Use and Recreational Carrying Capacity ...................... 89 TABLE 7 – Implementation Schedule and Cost Estimates.......................... 97 MAPS Vicinity Map ...........................................................................................3 Reference Map .......................................................................................5 Management Zones Map........................................................................ 13 Topographic Map .................................................................................. 15 Soils Map ............................................................................................ 21 Natural Communities Map ...................................................................... 27 Base Map ............................................................................................ 77 Conceptual Land Use Plan ..................................................................... 83 Optimum Boundary Map ........................................................................ 91 LIST OF ADDENDA ADDENDUM 1 Acquisition History ....................................................................... A 1 - 1 ADDENDUM 2 Advisory Group Members and Report ............................................. A 2 - 1 ADDENDUM 3 References Cited ......................................................................... A 3 - 1 ADDENDUM 4 Soil