complete agenda - Florida Department of Environmental Protection

team also commended the Box-R WMA land management staff for cultural resource
stewardship efforts.
Land Management Review of St. Marks River State Park (Leon County)
DSL Staff Remarks: On April 13, 2010, the review team found that the St. Marks River State
Park was being managed for the purposes for which it was acquired, and that the actual
management practices were in compliance with the management plan. The team commended
the DRP on their invasive exotic plant and animal control efforts at the site. The team also
commended the DRP for their fire program and overall natural resource management, in spite of
limited funding. The team recommended that, prior to any permanent recreational development,
wildlife surveys of the property, especially regarding use of the site by Florida black bear, be
completed. The team recognizes the biological significance of conservation of the larger St.
Marks corridor, and recommended that DRP initiate outreach to adjacent landowners, both
public and private, to explore a regional conservation strategy for lands within the larger St.
Marks corridor.
Land Management Review of Colt Creek State Park (Polk County)
DSL Staff Remarks: On May 11, 2010, the review team found that the Colt Creek State Park
was being managed for the purposes for which it was acquired, and that the actual
management practices were in compliance with the management plan. The team commended
the manager, his very small staff, and volunteers for their truly remarkable efforts to manage
visitor services while addressing resource management work, especially prescribed fire,
invasive plant and animal control. The team also commended the DRP on opening the park,
improving public access, and offering a variety of opportunities very quickly after acquisition.
The team supports the use of cattle grazing as an interim management activity and
recommended continuation at the area while restoration in other areas of the park is underway.
The team finds that this park is understaffed (2 FTE, 1 OPS) given the extensive hours of
operation (7 days a week, 365 days a year), the recreational facilities, and resource
management needs of the park. Therefore, the team recommended that DRP address this
staffing deficiency.
Land Management Review o f Hilochee Wildlife Management Area (Lake and Polk
Counties)
DSL S taff R emarks: On May 12, 2010, the review team found that the Hilochee Wildlife
Management Area was being managed for the purposes for which it was acquired, and that the
actual management practices were in compliance with the management plan. The team
commended the FWC on the successful mesic flatwoods groundcover restoration efforts in the
80 acres of pastures. The team also commended the FWC on their established numeric
objectives for desired future vegetation condition for managed natural communities. The team
recommended that FWC explore cattle grazing in existing pastures at the Osprey Unit as an
interim management activity until groundcover restoration can be initiated.
Land Management Review of Babcock Ranch Preserve (Charlotte County)
DSL Staff Remarks: On June 7, 2010, the review team found that the Babcock Ranch
Preserve was being managed for the purposes for which it was acquired, and that the actual
management practices were in compliance with the management plan. The team commended
the Babcock Ranch Management staff for their ability to balance revenue and management