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

S040
Lower Peace River (Deep Creek)
Project Type SOR
AOR(s)
Flood Protection, 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, ELLIOTT, PAUL
Status Ongoing
Description
In 1994 the Governing Board authorized the acquisition of approximately 40,000 acres within Hardee and DeSoto
Counties known as the Lower Peace River Corridor project. Lands acquired and proposed for acquisition within the
project include an extensive network of tributaries, floodplain swamps and connected headwaters. The project covers
a corridor over 35 miles along the Peace River between Zolfo Springs at the upstream reaches, downstream to the
Charlotte/DeSoto County line. Acquisition of lands within this project will provide protection for the receiving waters of
Charlotte Harbor. To date, 12,105 acres have been acquired in fee simple in this project and an additional 39,354
acres have been approved for future acquisition. Recreational activities available include on-foot access and primitive
camping, which is available with a special use permit. Approximately 12 miles of multi-use trails are under
development.
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 - 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, security and demolition. The Aquatic Plant Management Section has budgeted funds for salaries,
central garage charges and herbicides to treat infestations of invasive plant species. Additionally, contractual funds
have been budgeted to outsource locating and treating infestations of the invasive species Old World climbing fern
within the Coker Prairie swamp. Old World climbing fern is spreading within as well as outside District-owned portions
of the swamp. Due to the difficulty of assessing known areas of infestation and moving from site to site within the
swamp, existing staff can not complete this job and stay up with required work on other properties. 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. 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.
Recreational improvements include an entrace sign and pole barn.
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 162,745 91,091
Status As Of: August 27, 2009
No significant activities have occurred since last update.
020 - Peace River Basin 19