complete agenda - Florida Department of Environmental Protection

Consensus Commendations to the Managing Agency
The following commendations resulted from discussion and vote of the review team members.
1. The team commends 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. (VOTE: 6+, 0-)
2. The team commends the manager and staff for making it a priority to keep the flatwoods in the northern
portion of the park in high quality condition through maintaining the historic frequent fire regime. (VOTE:
6+, 0-)
3. The team commends the manager and staff on their effective invasive exotic plant (especially
cogongrass) and feral hog control efforts which have rapidly achieved or created maintenance conditions
for these species in the park. (VOTE: 6+, 0-)
4. The team commends the DRP on opening the park, improving public access, and offering a variety of
opportunities very quickly after acquisition. (VOTE: 6+, 0-)
5. The team commends the DRP, SWFWMD and partners for quickly initiating a hydrology assessment
and restoration on the property. (VOTE: 6+, 0-)
6. The team commends the park manager for his effective recruitment and use of volunteers in all facets of
park management. (VOTE: 6+, 0-)
Consensus Recommendations to the Managing Agency
The following recommendations resulted from a discussion and vote of review team members. The
management plan must include responses to the recommendations identified below.
1. The team supports the use of cattle grazing as an interim management activity and recommends
continuation at the area while restoration in other areas of the park is underway. (VOTE: 6+, 0-)
Managing Agency Response: Agreed.
2. The team recommends that DRP prepare and reestablish a fire regime in the flatwoods on the southern
half of the property. (VOTE: 6+, 0-)
Managing Agency Response: Agreed. When DRP acquired the property, we focused our prescribed fire
program on habitat that was in good condition or areas where there were adequate fire lines. DRP
intends to move to the south side of the property as soon as the proper fire lines and fencing have been
established.
3. 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. The
team recommends that DRP address this staffing deficiency. (VOTE: 6+, 0-)
Managing Agency Response: Agree. If it is determined that additional staff are needed at the time of the
next unit management plan revision, it will be included in the plan. However, no new staff can be assigned
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