Big Shoals Public Lands Management Plan Approved
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BIG SHOALS PUBLIC LANDS MANAGEMENT PLAN APPROVED STATE OF FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION Division of Recreation and Parks DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES Division of Forestry FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION SUWANEE RIVER WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT FEBRUARY 11, 2005 Department of Environmental Protection Marjory Stoneman Douglas Building Jeb Bush 3900 Commonwealth Boulevard, MS 140 Colleen Castille Governor Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3000 Secretary Phone: (850) 245-2784 Fax: (850) 245-2786 February 11, 2005 Ms. BryAnne White Office of Park Planning Division of Recreation and Parks 3900 Commonwealth Blvd.; M.S. 525 Tallahassee, Florida 32399 Re: Big Shoals Public Lands Lease #3541 and #3592 Dear Ms. White: On February 11, 2005, the Acquisition and Restoration Council recommended approval of the Big Shoals Public Lands management plan. Therefore, the Office of Environmental Services, acting as agent for the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund, approved the management plan for the Big Shoals Public Lands. Pursuant to Sections 253.034 and 259.032, Florida Statutes, and Chapter 18-2, Florida Administrative Code this plan’s ten-year update will be due on February 11, 2015. Approval of this land management plan does not waive the authority or jurisdiction of any governmental entity that may have an interest in this project. Implementation of any upland activities proposed by this management plan may require a permit or other authorization from federal and state agencies having regulatory jurisdiction over those particular activities. Pursuant to the conditions of your lease, please forward copies of all permits to this office upon issuance. Sincerely, Paula L. Allen Office of Environmental Services Division of State Lands Department of Environmental Protection "More Protection, Less Process” Printed on recycled paper.. TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................................. 1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF PLAN .................................................................................... 4 MANAGEMENT PROGRAM OVERVIEW...................................................................... 5 Management Authority And Responsibility.......................................................................... 5 Goals And Objectives............................................................................................................ 6 Management Coordination.................................................................................................. 11 Public Participation............................................................................................................. 11 Other Designations.............................................................................................................. 12 RESOURCE MANAGEMENT COMPONENT INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................ 13 RESOURCE DESCRIPTION AND ASSESSMENT ....................................................... 13 Natural Resources................................................................................................................ 13 Cultural Resources............................................................................................................... 28 RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM.................................................................... 31 Special Management Considerations.................................................................................. 31 Management Needs And Problems ..................................................................................... 35 Management Objectives...................................................................................................... 37 Management Measures For Natural Resources................................................................... 39 Management Measures For Cultural Resources.................................................................. 42 Research Needs................................................................................................................... 43 Resource Management Schedule......................................................................................... 44 Land Management Review.................................................................................................. 44 i LAND USE COMPONENT INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................ 45 EXTERNAL CONDITIONS............................................................................................... 45 Existing Use Of Adjacent Lands ......................................................................................... 46 Planned Use Of Adjacent Lands.......................................................................................... 46 PROPERTY ANALYSIS .................................................................................................... 46 Recreation Resource Elements ............................................................................................ 46 Assessment Of Use.............................................................................................................. 48 CONCEPTUAL LAND USE PLAN................................................................................... 52 Potential Uses And Proposed Facilities............................................................................... 52 Facilities Development........................................................................................................ 59 Existing Use And Optimum Carrying Capacity.................................................................. 60 Optimum Boundary............................................................................................................. 60 TABLE TABLE 1 - Existing Use And Optimum Carrying Capacity ................................................ 61 LIST OF ADDENDA ADDENDUM 1 Acquisition History and Advisory Group Information ............................................. A 1 - 1 ADDENDUM 2 References Cited........................................................................................................ A 2 - 1 ADDENDUM 3 Soil Descriptions ....................................................................................................... A 3 - 1 ADDENDUM 4 Plant And Animal List............................................................................................... A 4 - 1 ii ADDENDUM 5 Designated Species List............................................................................................. A 5 - 1 ADDENDUM 6 FMSF List of Cultural Sites ...................................................................................... A 6 - 1 ADDENDUM 7 Priority Schedule and Cost Estimates........................................................................ A 7 - 1 ADDENDUM 8 Additional Information FNAI Descriptions DHR Cultural Management Statement Land Management Review Report......................................................................... A 8 - 1 MAPS Agencies Boundaries Map ....................................................................................................... 2 Vicinity Map ............................................................................................................................ 3 Topographic Map................................................................................................................... 14 Soils Map ............................................................................................................................... 17 Natural Communities Map..................................................................................................... 20 Base Map ............................................................................................................................... 49 Conceptual Land Use Plan..................................................................................................... 53 Optimum Boundary Map ....................................................................................................... 63 iii INTRODUCTION Between 1986 and 1989, the State of Florida and the Suwannee River Water Management District (SRWMD) acquired almost 4,000 acres to protect in perpetuity “the Big Shoals,” the largest whitewater area in Florida. This acquisition was also intended to protect unique vistas and upland areas, historic sites along the Suwannee River, the river floodplain and the potential to experience this special landscape. Views of the Suwannee River from atop a steep bluff provide a natural vista seldom encountered elsewhere in Florida. Waters seeping from the uplands along this bluff support an almost primeval natural community, the baygall, which contain mosses and ferns that thrive amongst the gnarled roots of the hardwoods that tower overhead. Hardwood forests with open understories, reminiscent of forests further north, are drained by intermittent streams that tumble through ravines cut into the slopes of the river bluffs. Downslope, in or near the river floodplain, yet other examples of high quality natural communities exist, including flatwoods dominated by longleaf pine. These areas provide visitors with a rare opportunity to view natural Florida in a relatively undisturbed state. The resource-based recreational opportunities associated with the Suwannee River,