Purpose of Acquisition On March 25, 1997, the DRP assumed management of an 8,260.76-acre property The Board of Trustees of the Internal owned by the SWFWMD. Improvement Fund (Trustees) of the State of Florida acquired the initial area of Myakka According to the lease, the DRP manages River State Park for the establishment of a Myakka River State Park for the purposes of park area to provide public, resource-based developing, improving, operating, maintaining recreation. and otherwise managing said land for public outdoor recreational, park, historic Sequence of Acquisition conservation and related purposes. The DRP manages the SWFWMD property as part of In 1934, 1,920 acres was donated to the Myakka River State Park for the purpose of State of Florida by the Potter family. The water management, natural resource Florida Board of Forestry (FBF), predecessor management, and outdoor recreational and in interest to Florida Board of Parks and related public purposes. Historic Memorials (FBPHM), purchased approximately purchased 17,070 acres from Special Conditions on Use the estate of Adrian Honore. Since this initial donation and initial purchase, several parcels At Myakka River State Park, public outdoor have been acquired through dedication, recreation and conservation is the designated management agreement, and Florida Forever/ single-use of the property. Uses such as water Additions and Inholdings (FF/A & I) and added resource development projects, water supply to Myakka River State Park. Presently, the projects, storm-water management projects, park contains 37,197.68 acres. and linear facilities and sustainable agriculture and forestry are not consistent with the Title Interest purposes for which the DRP manages the park. The Trustees and the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) hold title to Outstanding Reservations different portions of Myakka River State Park. The following is a list of outstanding rights, Lease Agreement reservations and encumbrances that apply to Myakka River State Park. On January 23, 1968, the Trustees leased Myakka River State Park to the Florida Board Type of Instrument: Deed (No. 21926) of Parks and Historic Memorials, predecessor to the Division of Recreation and Parks (DRP), Grantor: TIITF under Lease number 2324. This 99-year lease will expire on January 22, 2067. According to Grantee: FBPHM the lease, the DRP manages the park for the purpose of public outdoor recreation, park, Beginning Date: September 30, 1958 conservation, historic and related purposes. A legal description of the park property can be Ending Date: When no longer used for its made available upon request to the intended purpose. Department of Environmental Protection. Outstanding Reservation: The deed states In 1998, the Trustees assigned a new lease that this property will be used solely for public number, Lease No. 3636, to the Myakka River park purposes. If the property is ceased to be State Park, without changing any of the terms used for the intended purposes, it shall revert and conditions of Lease No. 2324. to the grantor or grantor’s successor in interest. Elected Officials* Environmental and Cultural Resource Representatives* The Honorable Michael Moran, Chair Sarasota County Geraldine Swormstedt, Group Chair Board of County Commissioners Sierra Club – Manatee/Sarasota The Honorable Betsy Banac, Chair Jeanne Dubi, President Manatee County Sarasota Audubon Society Board of County Commissioners Jono Miller, Chair Business Representatives Myakka River Management Coordinating Council Vanessa Baugh, Chair Manatee County John McCarthy Tourism Development Council Historical Society of Sarasota County Historic Spanish Point Ken Harrison Local Businessman Citizen Support Group Representative Agency Representatives* Miles Millwee, President Jennifer Brunty, Chair Friends of Myakka River, Inc. Manatee River Soil and Water Conservation District User Group Representatives Todd Underhill, Chair Dick Praff, Kayaker Sarasota County Soil and Water Conservation District Kevin Webb, President Myakka River Riders Mike Kemmerer Regional Biologist Bill Martin, Section Leader Florida Fish and Wildlife Florida Trail Association Conservation Commission Suncoast Chapter Stephen Giguere, Park Manager Laurel Schiller, Cyclist Division of Recreation and Parks Myakka River State Park Adjacent Landowner* Carmen Sanders Becky Hullinger Southwest Florida Water Management District Duane Weis, District Manager *Members required by statute Florida Forest Service Mike Wisenbaker Archaeology Supervisor, Public Lands Bureau of Archaeological Research Division of Historical Resources The advisory group meeting to review the secondary use resources generating revenue proposed unit management plan (UMP) for from consumptive uses. She added that this Myakka River State Park was held at the analysis is required by statute and that the Myakka River State Park Training Room in Florida Park Service (FPS) will not remove Sarasota on Friday, March 3, 2017, at 9:00 timber or anything else unless it is directly AM. related to restoration objectives. The FPS’s primary goal is restoration and not generating Jon Robinson represented Commissioner revenue. Based on the confusion related to Michael Moran for Sarasota County. Michael this, the language in the UMP will be revised Elswick represented Commissioner Betsy to provide better clarification of its intent. Banac for Manatee County. Bill Lewis represented Geraldine Swormstedt for the Key Goals of this UMP update include: Manatee-Sarasota Sierra Club. Steve Shattler represented Mike Kemmerer for the Florida • Monitoring and assessing the hydrologic Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission situation of the park (FWC). Harold Joslin represented Miles Millwee • Prescribed fire for the Friends of Myakka River. John O’Conor • Natural community restoration represented Jennifer Brunty (Manatee County • Monitoring and protection of imperiled Soil and Water District) Mike Wisenbaker species (Florida Department of State – Division of • Protection of cultural resources Historic Resources (DHR) was not in • Management of nuisance and invasive attendance, but submitted email comments on species the proposed UMP. Vanessa Baugh (Manatee • Peak visitation management County Tourist Development Council), Todd • Widen park road for pedestrian and cyclist Underhill (Sarasota County Soil and Water safety Conservation District), Carmen Sanders • Encourage parking at a satellite location (Southwest Florida Water Management • Provide tram service to encourage a safe District), and Jeanne Dubi (Sarasota Audubon visitor experience and reduce traffic Society) did not attend or submit comments, congestion although a member from the Sarasota • Ecolodge for meetings and tour groups Audubon Society did speak during the public comment period. All other appointed advisory • Ranger led tours group members were present at the meeting. • Focus on park improvements • Relocate Visitor Center to Upper Myakka Division of Recreation and Parks (DRP) staff Day Use Lake Area since many visitors members who attended the meeting included bypass the existing Visitor Center and Sine Murray, Jason Mahon, Stephen Giguere, proceed to Upper Myakka Lake (too much Valinda Subic, David Copps, Chris Becker, congestion). Chris Oliver, and Parks Small. Greg Vaughn (Atkins) and Gene Stillman (F4 Tech) were She continued by commenting on the format also in attendance to facilitate the meeting on of the previous night’s public meeting, stating behalf of DRP. that an open house is a common planning forum. Staff were located at each station and Mr. Vaughn began the meeting by explaining there are “pros” and “cons” to the meeting the purpose of the advisory group and format. Public comments are accepted for two reviewing the meeting agenda. He then weeks after the meeting. The open house afforded advisory group members an format of the public meeting was meant to opportunity to introduce themselves. provide additional opportunity for comment by Following introductions, he provided a brief having staff available to establish a dialogue. overview of the DRP’s planning process and This format has led to FPS receiving more asked Ms. Murray to provide opening remarks public input and hearing from a broader and an overview of the proposed UMP. audience than a traditional public hearing format. Ms. Murray commented on the public meeting held the previous night and how well attended During the two-week public comment period it was with 260 people. She commented how following the advisory group meeting, the DRP she appreciated the passion and support of received numerous comments from members those in attendance. Many of the comments of the public about the Myakka River State were directed at the language associated with Park unit management plan. The major themes of these comments are as the UMP concerning invasive plant and wildlife follows: is inadequate and needs to be strengthened to show more aggressive monitoring of species. • Members of the public opposed language in Mr. Lewis stated that plowing of the firelines the plan referring to potential revenue creates opportunities for alien and invasive generation and secondary management species. When considering infrastructure purposes such as timber harvesting, stump needs, the FPS should consider/monitor visitor harvesting, and palmetto frond harvesting viewshed, citing Bee Island now has cell due to potential impacts to the park’s phone towers. He also commented that the wildlife and natural communities. use of contractors