complete agenda - Florida Department of Environmental Protection

Unit Name: John C. and Mariana Jones/Hungryland Wildlife and Environmental Area
Acres: 12,735 Managing Agency: FWC Current Management Plan Approved: 4/25/2002
Narrative:
The management plan for this area was approved prior to July, 2008, and does not contain the
eight common management goals and associated quantitative measures that are now required to
be addressed by all management plans. Our progress, during the last two years toward achieving
the common goals and applicable core objectives are described in the narrative below and in
quantitative terms in the tables. Where applicable, this narrative lists outstanding
accomplishments, identifies any deficiencies and corrective actions, and provides other important
or clarifying information for each of the required management goals.
The hydrological assessment (Cypress Creek/Pal-Mar and the Groves Basin Study 2.1.2 Wetland
System Assessment) conducted from December 2001 to March 2002 identified the fallow citrus
grove within the WEA for restoration. In March 2009 the Board of Trustees approved the Lemon
Grove Mitigation Bank item in which the Department of Environmental Protection and FWC will
work in cooperation on developing a contract with Mitigation Services PBC, LLC. to authorize
proprietary implementation and administration of the project.
A deepwater canal system was dug on the WEA in the late 1960’s to drain the area as part of a real
estate sales scheme. The majority of the resulting spoil was claimed by the MacArthur Foundation
under the provisions of their agreement with the South Florida Water Management District making
the fill material unavailable for restoration of the canals. The cleared canal levees comprise the
WEA’s system for recreational and management access.
Prescribed fire is an important tool for management of Hungryland; however, it is challenging to
accomplish due to water levels and weather considerations which limit the available days for
successful burning. Prescribed fire remains a priority management tool and plans are underway to
increase the acreage burned each year.
The Division of Historical Resources does not formally identify any sites archeological or historical
sites within the WEA, but members of the Management Advisory Group have identified the Old
Jupiter-Indiantown Grade to have cultural significance. In January 1993 the Martin County Board of
County Commissioners designated a portion of the Old Jupiter-Indiantown Grade a Scenic-By-Way.
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