Grayton Beach State Park APPROVED Unit Management Plan STATE OF FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION Division of Recreation and Parks June 2013 TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION PURPOSE AND SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PARK........................................................1 Park Significance..............................................................................................................1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF THE PLAN ........................................................................2 MANAGEMENT PROGRAM OVERVIEW...................................................................7 Management Authority and Responsibility......................................................................7 Park Management Goals ..................................................................................................8 Management Coordination...............................................................................................8 Public Participation..........................................................................................................9 Other Designations...........................................................................................................9 RESOURCE MANAGEMENT COMPONENT INTRODUCTION.............................................................................................................11 RESOURCE DESCRIPTION AND ASSESSMENT.....................................................15 Natural Resources..........................................................................................................15 Topography................................................................................................................15 Geology......................................................................................................................15 Soils ...........................................................................................................................15 Minerals.....................................................................................................................16 Hydrology..................................................................................................................16 Natural Communities (FNAI)....................................................................................19 Imperiled Species ......................................................................................................44 Exotic Species...........................................................................................................50 Special Natural Features............................................................................................54 Cultural Resources.........................................................................................................54 Condition Assessment ...............................................................................................54 Level of Significance.................................................................................................55 Prehistoric and Historic Archaeological Sites...........................................................55 Historic Structures.....................................................................................................57 Collections.................................................................................................................58 RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM .................................................................60 Management Goals, Objectives and Actions .................................................................60 Natural Resource Management ......................................................................................61 Hydrological Management ........................................................................................61 Natural Communities Management...........................................................................63 Imperiled Species Management .....................................................................................71 Exotic Species Management ..........................................................................................74 Special Management Considerations ..................................................................................75 Timber Management Analysis .......................................................................................75 Coastal/Beach Management...........................................................................................76 i Arthropod Control Plan..................................................................................................77 Sea Level Rise................................................................................................................78 Cultural Resource Management..........................................................................................78 Resource Management Schedule ........................................................................................80 Land Management Review .................................................................................................80 LAND USE COMPONENT INTRODUCTION.............................................................................................................81 EXTERNAL CONDITIONS............................................................................................81 Existing Use of Adjacent Lands.....................................................................................83 Planned Use of Adjacent Lands .....................................................................................84 PROPERTY ANALYSIS .................................................................................................85 Recreation Resource Elements.......................................................................................85 Land Area..................................................................................................................85 Water Area.................................................................................................................85 Shoreline....................................................................................................................86 Natural Scenery.........................................................................................................86 Significant Habitat.....................................................................................................86 Natural Features.........................................................................................................87 Archaeological and Historic Features ............................................................................87 Assessment of Use .........................................................................................................87 Past Uses....................................................................................................................88 Future Land Use and Zoning.....................................................................................88 Current Recreation Use and Visitor Programs ..........................................................88 Other Uses.................................................................................................................91 Protected Zones .........................................................................................................91 Existing Facilities...........................................................................................................91 Recreation Facilities..................................................................................................91 Support Facilities.......................................................................................................92 CONCEPTUAL LAND USE PLAN................................................................................93 Potential Uses.................................................................................................................93 Public Access and Recreational Opportunities..........................................................93 Proposed Facilities.......................................................................................................101 Capital Facilities and Infrastructure........................................................................101 Facilities Development.................................................................................................105 Recreational Carrying Capacity ...................................................................................106 Optimum Boundary......................................................................................................107 ii IMPLEMENTATION COMPONENT MANAGEMENT PROGRESS......................................................................................111 Management Progress..................................................................................................111 Park Administration and Operations .......................................................................111 Resource Management ............................................................................................111 Natural Resources...............................................................................................111 Cultural Resources..............................................................................................112 Recreation and Visitor Services ..............................................................................112