complete agenda - Florida Department of Environmental Protection

Unit Name: Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail (LOST)
Acres: 53.57 Managing
Agency:
Description:
Office of Greenways and Trails (OGT) and
US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)
326
Current
Management
Plan Approved:
9/3/1985 via
USACE Title 36
CFR Chapter III
Part 327
Located on the top level tier of Hubert Hoover Dike (HHD), the 110-mile LOST trail currently
consists of 65 miles of 11-foot wide, paved multiuse trail with a sodded three-foot hiking surface on
the lake side of the paved trail and a two-foot grassed shoulder on the land side of the pavement.
The edge-to-edge footprint of LOST is 16 to 17 feet. The paved trail segments include boardwalks
around and over creeks and canals. The remaining 45 miles of LOST consists of the original leveetop
limerock service road. LOST is leased by the Board of Trustees of the IITF to OGT as a “17 foot
footprint on the flat level tier of HHD”. OGT provides public outreach and oversees real estate and
other land administration functions for LOST, including funding and construction of additional trail
segments as funds are available. USACE management activities for LOST are an integral part of
managing HHD, as set forth in HHD and recreation management documents and associated legal
instruments. Co-management responsibilities for the two agencies are set forth in a 2004
memorandum of agreement between OGT and USACE.
Accomplishments:
Resource Management:
Resource management consists of USACE mowing the levee, including the grass on either
side of the 11-foot paved trail. To protect the integrity of the levee, other than mowed
grass, no vegetation is allowed on the levee, which significantly limits habitat for fauna.
Visitor Services:
Several events use LOST each year, the largest to date is the Florida Trail Association, Big
“O” Hike, a Thanksgiving week hike around the entire lake. OGT assists with events
through public outreach and literature on what LOST and the Lake Okeechobee area have to
offer. In February of 2010 OGT purchased nine trail visitor counters which were installed by
USACE, and we have begun keeping records of monthly uses levels.
Capital Improvements:
Current OGT projects include design and construction of 11.2 miles of paved trail in
Glades County that will connect Lakeport with the 36 mile paved segment between Moore
Haven and Pahokee, and designs and permits for a pedestrian bridge over Taylor Creek to
provide a safer connection across the creek without leaving the levee to cross Taylor Creek
on the US 441 bridge. The remaining 34 miles of paved trail will be constructed as funds
are available. Using OGT funds, USACE continues to construct shaded rest benches on top
of the levee for shelter from sun, rain and lightning.