complete agenda - Florida Department of Environmental Protection

Unit Name: St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge (Porter Tract)
Acres: 296.74
Description:
Managing
Agency:
USFWS
(St. Marks NWR)
344
Current Management Plan
Approved:
8/24/2006
The Porter Tract is managed as part of the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge. The property was
acquired for recreation and conservation purposes. The primary objective of the property is to
provide a permanent location for the Florida National Scenic Trail and to reduce potential conflicts
between hunters and hikers by providing access and a camping location for through-hikers during
public hunting seasons.
The Management Plan was approved in 2006 and does not contain specific measures and
timeframes for the goals, objectives, actions and measures it recommends.
Accomplishments:
Resource Management:
• Historic aerial photos (c 1950) were interpreted to provide baseline habitat
information, which was also digitized into a GIS.
• Listed species use the Refuge seasonally and year-round; lists of species and
management protocols exist but are not site-specific;
• Monitoring of ground disturbing activities;
• 2008, partial (upland) boundaries of the parcel were gyro tracked as follow-up to the
2005 gyro tracking
• 2008, numerous on-site surveys were conducted to determine the existing habitat
conditions;
• 2008, digitized GIS information obtained during on-site surveys;
• January, 2010 site assessment was conducted; no rare or endangered plants or
animals were observed.
Other:
• Paperwork is underway to transfer the lease directly to the National Wildlife Refuge;
• Visitation is based on employee estimate from registered overnight campers.