complete agenda - Florida Department of Environmental Protection

The review teams observed many examples of management meriting special mention,
including:
• At Lake Talquin State Forest in Gadsden, Leon and Wakulla Counties, the review team
commended DOF on the prescribed fire program, which has met or exceeded fire
frequency targets over the past five years, and has resulted in good native vegetation
response and restoration.
• At the Box-R Wildlife Management Area in Franklin County, the review team
commended the FWC on the overall management of this site. The progress that has
been made on this property in the amount of time is commendable and well above
average.
• At Manatee Springs State Park in Levy County, DRP was commended by the review
team for their efforts to reduce nutrient impacts to the spring system by moving the drain
fields and upgrading to an aerobic septic treatment system. The DRP was also
commended for their proactive prescribed fire program and the outreach and education
to their neighbors about prescribed fire.
• At the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway State Recreation and Conservation
Area (CFG) in Marion County, the Office of Greenways and Trails (OGT) and CFG staff
was commended by the review team for the design and variety of the recreational
opportunities at the area. The OGT was also commended for their excellent cooperative
relationships with the user groups of the area
Overall, the review teams found that the managers of these areas are dedicated professionals
who are doing an excellent job with the resources available.
Many of the management problems noted in the findings may be directly related to the following:
• On 14 sites (45 percent) the teams found that staffing levels were inadequate on nine
sites (2 percent) the staffing levels were adequate, and on eight sites (26 percent) the
staffing levels were excellent;
• On 11 sites (35 percent) the teams found funding levels were adequate to properly
manage resources, on 15 sites (38 percent) inadequate, and on two sites (8 percent)
excellent; and,
• On eight sites (4 percent) the team found the equipment inadequate to properly manage
the property, eight of the sites (42 percent) were adequately equipped, and 15 sites (54
percent) were excellently equipped.
Pursuant to section 259.036, F.S., if the land management review team determines that
reviewed lands are not being managed for the purposes for which they were acquired or in
compliance with the adopted land management plan, DEP shall provide the review findings to
the Board of Trustees, and the managing agency must report to the Board of Trustees its
reasons for managing the lands as it has. All 31 properties reviewed were found to be managed
for the purpose for which they were acquired. Actual management practices, including public
access, were found to be in compliance with the management plans or management prospectus
at all the properties.