MANASOTA & PEACE RIVER BBDs Meeting Notebook 10-21-09.docx

S001
Jack Creek
Project Type SOR
AOR(s)
Water Quality, Natural Systems
Basin(s) Peace River
Cooperator(s)
Project Manager LOVE, KEVIN
Task Manager(s) NELSON, BRIAN, SOWDERS, GINA, HAGBERG, JEFFREY, MILLER, WILL, GREEN,
STEPHANIE
Status Ongoing
Description
In 1989, the Governing Board authorized the acquisition of 3,200 acres of land in Highlands County, referred to as the
Jack Creek project. The Jack Creek project includes a significant part of Jack Creek, its 100-year floodplain, and
outlying forested areas associated with the creek system and local lake outflow wetlands. The project area also
includes portions of sand pine scrub and mixed scrub, among Florida's most unique threatened upland habitats. Jack
Creek and its associated swamps serve as the natural drainage basin for the immediate area, as well as the water
conveyance system for lakes in the area. The well-drained scrub areas surrounding the Jack Creek system appear to
offer good recharge potential throughout the year. To date, some 1,284 acres have been acquired in fee simple within
the project. As a part of the approval of the 2001 Land Acquisition Five-Year Plan, the Governing Board decided to no
longer pursue acquisition of the remaining lands within the project.
Benefits
Pursuant to Section 373.1391(1)(a), Florida Statutes, lands within the project are managed and maintained in such a
way as to ensure a balance between public access, general public recreational purposes, and restoration and
protection of their natural state and condition.
Costs
FY2009 and FY2010 - The Land Resources Department budget consists of salaries and central garage for prescribed
burning, resource monitoring, land maintenance, fence repair and recreational monitoring. The budget also includes
contractual services for mowing and security. The Aquatic Plant Management Section has budgeted funds for salaries,
central garage charges and herbicides to treat infestations of invasive plant species. Field Operations has
budgeted for salaries, rental equipment, contracted services, central garage charges, parts, supplies, and land
maintenance materials to support Land Management's requirements. Costs for these activities are 100 percent
reimbursed through the state's Water Management Lands Trust Fund.
FY 2009 FY2010
Funding Funding
District Budgeted - Outside Revenue
(SOR)
020 Peace River Basin 89,824 58,603
Status As Of: August 27, 2009
Access was granted to Wade Ulrey, Research Scientist with Archbold Biological Station for the Study of Black Bears on
Jack Creek.
020 - Peace River Basin 13