IV.
NATURAL RESOURCES OF
REGIONAL SIGNIFICANCE
Acronyms
CARL-Conservation and Recreational Land
COBRA-Coastal Barrier Resource Act
CSS-Coastal Systems Station
DEP-Department of Environmental Protection (State of Florida)
DNR-Department of Natural Resources (State of Florida-now apart of DEP)
DOI-United States Department of Interior
EPA-United States Environmental Protection Agency
FCREPA-Florida Committee on Rare and Endangered Plants and Animals
FGFWFC-Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission
FNAI-Florida Natural Areas Inventory
GICWW-Gulf Intra Coastal Water Way
NAS-Naval Air Station
NOLF-Naval Outlying Field
NWFWMD-Northwest Florida Water Management District
OFW-Outstanding Florida Water
REW-Regional Ecological Workshops
SOR-Save Our Rivers Program
SSC-Species of Special Concern
SWIM-Surface Water Improvement and Management Program
TNC-The Nature Conservancy
USFWS-United States Fish and Wildlife Service
Contents ! Natural Resources of Regional Significance
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Surface Water, Save Our River, Ground Water, and Coastal and Marine Resources (Map 1)
Surface Water Resources (Map 1)
River Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Substate Designated Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Table 1:Save Our Rivers & Preservation 2000 Program (Map 1) . . . . . 19
Water Management District's Management Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Table 2: WMD's Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Planning and Management Areas (Map 2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
National Designated Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
State Designated Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 0
Table 3: State Recreation Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 1
Table 4: State Wildlife Management Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
State Forests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Table 5: State Forests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Outstanding Florida Waters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Table 6: Outstanding Florida Waters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Conservation and Recreational Lands (CARL) Program Acquisitions . . . . . . . . . . 58
Table 7: CARL in West Florida . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Privately Owned Conservation Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Table 8: Privately Owned Conservation Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 0
SWIM Waterbodies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 0
Table 9: SWIM Waterbodies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 1
Class I and Class II Waters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 1
Table 10: Class I and Class II Waters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 1
Open Waters Sources (Map 1 and 2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 3
Ground Water (Map 1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 4
Coastal and Marine Resources (Map 1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 6
Wetlands (Map 3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 1
Table 11: West Florida Estuaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 3
*Natural Systems (FNAI) (Map 5 and 6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
*Florida Game & Fresh Water Fish Commission Strategic Habitat
*Conservation Areas (Map 7) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 3
*Resources by Geographic Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Goals and Policies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 0 2
MAPS:
1
2
3
5
6
7
Surface Water, Save Our River, Ground Water, and Coastal and Marine Resources
Planning and Management Areas
Wetlands
*FNAI Natural Systems
*FNAI Natural Systems
*Strategic Habitat Conservation Areas
* Adopted Amendment 9/8/97
West Florida SRPP ! Natural Resources of Regional Significance ! Section IV
TRENDS & CONDITIONS STATEMENT ! GOALS & POLICIES
NATURAL RESOURCES OF REGIONAL SIGNIFICANCE
Introduction
The Natural Resources of Regional Significance element is a combination of State Goals
8 through 10 of the Comprehensive Regional Policy Plan (CRPP). The Strategic
Regional Policy Plan (SRPP) covers these State Goals in more depth.
"Natural Resources of Regional Significance" means a natural resource or system of
interrelated natural resources that due to its function, size, rarity, or endangerment retains
or provides benefit of regional significance to the natural or human environment,
regardless of ownership. Each council shall address natural resources of regional
significance through the development of goals and policies. Using the best and most
recent information available, these resources will be identified by specific geographic
location rather than solely by generic type.
There are three categories of resources:
!
!
!
Surface Water, Save Our River (SOR), Ground Water, and Coastal and
Marine Resources;
Planning and Management Areas; and
Wetlands.
Significant Regional Resources are identified on regional maps which will be revised as
new areas are identified or when new data becomes available.
The maps should be used for planning purposes only. Resolution of these graphic
products will only support regional planning purposes and should not be substituted for onsite surveys required for environmental assessments.
West Florida SRPP ! Natural Resources of Regional Significance ! Adopted 7/15/96
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Surface Water, Ground Water, Coastal and Marine Resources, and Save Our River (Map 1)
Surface Water
Surface water is plentiful throughout the West Florida Region, with major uses including
cooling and processing, recreation, and the support of natural systems. Only Bay County
(Panama City metropolitan area) uses surface water for public supply. The physical,
chemical, and biological characteristics of surface waters in the Region are variable and
complex (District Water Management Plan, 11). Generally, however, the streams can be
divided into two main types: streams that receive most of their flow from direct runoff
from rainfall or from the Sand-and-Gravel Aquifer, and streams that receive most of their
flow from the Floridan Aquifer (Ibid., 11). The streams that receive their flow from
rainfall, and the Sand-and-Gravel Aquifer, have waters that are acidic and low in
dissolved minerals (Ibid., 11). In contrast, the streams that receive heavy contributions
from the Floridan Aquifer have high mineral concentrations and an almost neutral pH
level. The Floridan Aquifer feeds on rivers located in the central and eastern portions of
the Region (Ibid., 11).
Rivers, lakes, and estuaries in the Region continue to have good water quality, and
several are near pristine water bodies. Major pollution sources in the Region include
runoff from urbanized areas, agriculture, silviculture, and construction activities. Several
low volume wastewater treatment plants located in rural areas are overloaded and/or
operating poorly (Ibid., 11). Rapid coastal development in the Region threatens several
bays and lagoon waters. Finally, high volume point source discharges from pulp and
paper mills greatly affect local water quality (District Water Management Plan, 11). The
river systems and their major tributaries in our Region are shown on Map 1 and described
below.
River Systems
Perdido River and Bay Watershed: Perdido Bay, the Perdido River and its environs
(925 square miles) form the western boundary of the State of Florida. Because of the
interstate characteristics of the political boundary, protective efforts for the Perdido Bay
System require coordination between many governmental agencies. As a result, state
and county agencies have been reluctant to invest in protecting the basin through property
acquisition or land use controls. This reluctance is also prevalent in neighboring Alabama.
Industrial discharge from a nearby paper mill and impacts to the bay from residential
septic systems and stormwater outfalls have contributed to declining quality in the bay.
Because of its size and miles of shoreline, the Perdido Bay System exhibits
characteristics of regional environmental significance. Tremendous interstate
coordination will be required to retain and rebuild quality in the system. Private
sector/public sector cooperation needs to be nurtured (Identification, 1-1).
West Florida SRPP ! Natural Resources of Regional Significance ! Adopted 7/15/96
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Originating at the confluence of Fletcher and Perdido creeks near Bay Minette, Alabama,
the Perdido River serves as the state line separating Florida from Alabama. The Perdido
River enters Perdido Bay about fifteen (15) miles west of Pensacola, Florida. Perdido is
a Spanish name that means "lost"; this name relates to the hidden nature of Perdido Bay.
The basin of the Perdido River encompasses 913 square miles. Ninety-six (96) out of a
total of 220 river miles (25%) of the River are located in Florida. Many small streams
run into the Perdido River, but the major tributary is the River Styx, originating in
Alabama (Florida Rivers Assessment, 217).
The Perdido River flows from Escambia County, Alabama to Perdido Bay. The state
classifies a twenty-four (24) mile length of the River as a state canoe trail (Map 2). It is
very popular with canoeists and swimmers, and is a popular fishing area. Unlike many
other rivers in West Florida, Perdido River is located close to a major urban center
(Pensacola). Impacts on its banks in both states threaten the future quality of the River
(Identification, 1-1).
Once, public discussion centered on having the Perdido River designated as a National
Scenic River. This effort was made because of the necessary interstate coordination for
total basin protection. Discussions of a National Scenic River designation have fallen
short of expectations. Other problems include Escambia County (Florida) government's
attempt to prevent a hazardous waste transfer station from locating in the Perdido River
Basin (Identification, 1-1).
Other than the Perdido River State Canoe Trail, Perdido Key State Recreation Area
(administered by DEP/DNR) provides a large publicly owned access to waters of the
bay. This park preserves a habitat for the Perdido Key Beach Mouse (an endangered
species) and coastal barrier dunes and vegetation.
There are no ports located on Perdido Bay or in the River. The Gulf Intracoastal
Waterway (GICWW) skirts the southern boundary of the bay. Private docks and
marinas are common, especially in the lower bay near the Gulf of Mexico and the
Perdido Pass (Identification, 1-1).
The water quality of the upper basin of the Perdido River is good. However, the lower
region, which is tidally affected, has fair to poor water quality. The Florida Department
of Environmental Protection (DEP) gave the River a Class III designation. The River's
intended use is for recreation, propagation and maintenance of a healthy, well-balanced
population of fish and wildlife (Florida Rivers Assessment, 271).
The upper portion of the Perdido River has both straight sections with modest banks,
three to five feet high, and long curves with large gravel and sandbars on most bends. In
the lower portion of the River, above the bay, the Perdido cuts through a series of
hardpans, sandy soils partly cemented with minerals. These cuts form low but steep
West Florida SRPP ! Natural Resources of Regional Significance ! Adopted 7/15/96
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bluffs and escarpments around the bay and lower parts of the River. As the Perdido
River becomes tidal, sloughs and bayous are formed (Ibid., 271).
Perdido Bay is threatened by point and non-point sources of pollution. Elevenmile and
Bayou Marcus creeks are the major water quality problem areas in the basin (District
Water Management Plan, 11). Dioxin contamination is a concern because Champion
Paper Company discharges into Elevenmile Creek. Fish taken from the creek have had
tissue levels of dioxin ranging from 8.1 to 25.7 parts-per-trillion (the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) recommended maximum level is seven (7) parts-per-trillion)
(Ibid., 12). Bayou Marcus Creek receives urban runoff and discharge from a
wastewater treatment facility. Perdido River has good water quality except for the area
at the mouth of the River that is affected by poorer quality bay water.
The upper Perdido River runs through forests with banks lined with Red Cedar, White
Cedar, cypress trees and other upland hardwoods. Being in a remote portion of Florida,
the Perdido has many biological values. For most of its length, except a certain segment,
the Perdido is classified as a blackwater stream by the Florida Natural Areas Inventory
(FNAI). Pristine examples of these streams are becoming increasingly hard to find. The
FNAI database also has a record for a seepage slope along one of the River's segments.
The Perdido River corridor is a concentration area for songbirds, warblers, shorebirds,
waterfowl, Peregrine Falcons, diving ducks, raptors, Stoddard's Yellow-throated
Warblers, and dabbling ducks. Striped Bass also migrate through all the segments of the
Perdido (Florida Rivers Assessment, 271).
The range of several botanical species includes the Perdido River drainage, although the
FNAI database has no listings for any plant species from within the corridor itself. The
expected endangered species include the Panhandle Lily, Orange Azalea, and White-top
Pitcherplant. Threatened botanical species could include the Water Sundew, Mountain
Laurel, and the Large-leaved Jointweed (Ibid., 271).
Three rare fish species may be found in Perdido River. The Saltmarsh Topminnow, a
species of special concern, is known only from a few collected specimens. The Florida
Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission has also collected the Crystal Darter and the
Goldstripe Darter from the Perdido River, both species listed as threatened by the Florida
Committee on Rare and Endangered Plants and Animals (FCREPA) (Florida Rivers
Assessment, 271).
Expected with the study corridor of the Perdido are species such as the endangered
Wood Stork, the threatened Florida Black Bear, the threatened Beach Mouse, Bald
Eagle, and Southeastern American Kestrel. Species of special concern likely to be found
in the Perdido River basin include the Gopher Tortoise and the Alligator Snapping Turtle.
Exotic species such as the Torpedograss, Elephant-ear and Alligator-weed have also
invaded the River corridor (Ibid., 271).
West Florida SRPP ! Natural Resources of Regional Significance ! Adopted 7/15/96
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Pensacola Bay System: The Pensacola Bay System (approximately 7,000 square
miles) is an estuarine water body of state submerged lands. Surrounding lands include a
mixed variety of privately and publicly owned properties. The Pensacola Bay System
includes Pensacola Bay, Escambia Bay, East Bay, Blackwater Bay, and Santa Rosa
Sound east to the City of Mary Esther in Okaloosa County. Significant rivers entering
these bays include the Escambia, Yellow and Blackwater Rivers. Smaller tributaries and
bayous associated with this bay system include Grand Lagoon, Bayou Grande, Bayou
Chico, Bayou Texar, Indian Bayou, Trout Bayou, Mullato Bayou, East Bay Bayou and
East Bay River. Open surface water areas cover 144 square miles. The entire drainage
basin, or watershed, covers some 7,000 square miles, including sizable portions of south
central Alabama (Identification, 2-1).
The Department of Environmental Protection designates the waters in the bay as Class II
Shellfishing Waters and Class III Waters. Recreational and commercial fishing is
commonplace in these waters. Swimming, snorkeling, and boating are extremely popular
(Identification, 2-1).
Two major ports, including the Port of Pensacola and Naval Air Station Pensacola are
dependent on the bay for shipping and safe harbor. The Gulf Intracoastal Waterway
passes through Pensacola Bay proper and through Santa Rosa Sound. Industries on the
Escambia River are dependent on barge shipments through the bays. The bay bottom
has many archaeological sites from shipwrecks dating from the 1500's. A great portion
of the quality of life of Santa Rosa, Escambia and Okaloosa Counties is directly
dependent on the quality and availability of natural resources in the Pensacola Bay
System (Ibid., 2-1).
The Escambia, Blackwater, and Yellow rivers all drain into the Pensacola Bay system, a
SWIM priority waterbody. These rivers generally have good water quality except for
localized downstream point source pollution. The Escambia River is affected by domestic
discharge in the northern reach and industrial discharge in the south (District Water
Management Plan, 12). Trammel Creek in the Yellow River Basin shows degraded
conditions due to domestic discharges and a wastewater treatment plant that has a history
of discharge violations. Although the water quality of the Escambia, Blackwater, Yellow,
and Perdido rivers is good, all four rivers have a mercury problem. Limited fish
consumption advisories have been issued due to the high concentrations of mercury found
in the tissue of largemouth bass in these rivers (District Water Management Plan, 12).
Water quality problems in the Pensacola Bay basin are associated with urbanization
around the City of Pensacola. The western bay receives the bulk of treated wastewater
and urban runoff while Escambia Bay receives mostly industrial discharges (Ibid., 12).
Some urban bayous in Pensacola have severe water quality problems that are a result of
current and historical industrial discharges and stormwater runoff (Ibid., 12).
West Florida SRPP ! Natural Resources of Regional Significance ! Adopted 7/15/96
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Escambia River: The Escambia River begins at the confluence of the Conecuh River
and Escambia Creek above the Florida-Alabama border. The River forms the boundary
for Santa Rosa and Escambia counties, Florida. The Escambia River flows
approximately 54 miles south from the stateline to Escambia Bay. Its drainage basin
encompasses a total of 4,200 square miles of which ten (10) percent are in Florida. In
the upper reaches of the Escambia River, the soil is sandy and well-drained. As the
River flows through the lower segments, it creates sloughs and backwaters as it travels
into the low swampy area below Molino, Florida, before entering Escambia Bay (Florida
Rivers Assessment, 139).
The Escambia River meanders through a broad river valley with cutoffs and oxbow
lakes. Islands are frequent. According to DEP the average flow is 6,500 cubic feet per
second, although the flow rate is highly variable. The Escambia River is mostly fed by
rain, but there are a few springs along the River (i.e., Chumuckla mineral springs)
(Florida Rivers Assessment, 139).
The River corridor contains a rich diversity of biological species and biological
communities. The Escambia River is a concentration area for songbirds, warblers,
shorebirds, waterfowl, diving ducks, Peregrine Falcons, and raptors. There have been
several imperiled biological communities listed on the Escambia River: seepage slope,
slope forest, and alluvial stream. Ravine and steephead communities occur along the
Escambia River as well (Ibid., 139).
According to FNAI, the endangered Pyramid Magnolia occurs in the Escambia River
corridor. Other endangered botanical species that probably occur within the larger
Escambia River basin are the Panhandle Lily, Orange Azalea, White-top Pitcherplant,
and Trailing Arbutus.
The Escambia River contains several species of rare fishes. On the State list are the
threatened Crystal Darter and four species of special concern, the Atlantic Sturgeon,
Harlequin Darter, Saltmarsh Topminnow, and Bluenose Shiner; other rare fishes include
the Goldstripe Darter, Cypress Darter, Speckled Chub, Cypress Minnow, River
Redhorse, and Saddleback Darter, all of which are classified as threatened by the Florida
Committee on Rare and Endangered Plants and Animals (FCREPA). The exotic Grass
Carp has also been caught from the Escambia River (Florida Rivers Assessment, 139).
The Alligator Snapping Turtle is the only State-designated wildlife species in the FNAI
database within the Escambia River corridor. Other designated wildlife species that are
undoubtedly in the Escambia River drainage area include the threatened Florida Black
Bear, Southeastern American Kestrel, and Bald Eagle and species of special concern
such as the Gopher Tortoise, Osprey, and the expected herons and egrets. The
Escambia River is also one of the few rivers in the State that has records of the Smokey
Shadowfly, a threatened species according to the Florida Committee on Rare and
West Florida SRPP ! Natural Resources of Regional Significance ! Adopted 7/15/96
IV-6
Endangered Plants and Animals (FCREPA). The American Redstart and the Louisiana
Waterthrush, both are classified as rare by the Florida Committee on Rare and
Endangered Plants and Animals (FCREPA), and are found in the northern portions of the
Escambia River as well. The Eastern Chipmunk, a species of special concern, can be
found on the western banks of the Escambia River. Several exotic botanical species
grow along the River, including Parrot Feather, Torpedograss, Eurasian Watermilfoil, and
Alligator-Weed (Florida Rivers Assessment, 140).
Yellow River: The Yellow River has its headwater in Covington County, Alabama, in
the Conecuh National Forest, at the confluence of Hog Foot and Limestone Creeks. The
River enters Florida near Laurel Hill and flows southwesterly through Okaloosa County.
The Yellow is joined by its major tributary, the Shoal River, five miles below Crestview.
The Yellow River empties into Blackwater Bay along the boundaries of Eglin Air Force
Base (Ibid., 433).
The Yellow River Basin drains approximately 1210 square miles near Holt, Florida. The
River has a length of about 92 miles in Florida. Milligan and Crestview, Florida, are the
largest towns in the basin. It is a narrow river with clear tan water and a sand bottom
resulting in a "yellow" appearance. In the upper areas, the Yellow River is swift and
shallow, but in the lower areas, it is deeper and sluggish as it flows through the low marsh
areas of the coastal region (Florida Rivers Assessment, 433).
The Yellow River exhibits some of the most pristine water quality in the State of Florida.
All areas have good water quality. The Yellow River is classified as Class III by the
Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The River's intended use is for
recreation, propagation and maintenance of a healthy population of fish and wildlife (Ibid.,
433).
Like its neighboring rivers to the west, the Blackwater and Big Coldwater rivers, the
Yellow River drains the western highlands. Unlike those rivers, it does not flow through
a wide valley, but cuts into the highlands in several places that produces several areas of
high bluffs. The Yellow River's drainage basin is the highest in Florida and subsequently
flows swifter than other rivers in Florida. The Shoal discharges an average of 1,100
cubic feet per second of water into the Yellow River. The rate of flow for the Yellow
River averages 2,200 cubic feet per second near Holt, Florida. The River carries more
sediment than other rivers resulting in cloudier water (Ibid., 433).
The Yellow River's extensive wetlands provide a habitat for several designated plant and
animal species. Because of its northern location and origins, the Yellow River also
supports several species of wildlife normally found in northern areas as well. There is
more aquatic vegetation in the Yellow River than in many rivers to the west (Florida
Rivers Assessment, 433). The FNAI database contains several occurrences of seepage
West Florida SRPP ! Natural Resources of Regional Significance ! Adopted 7/15/96
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slopes along the River. This naturally-rare biological community is the home for two
designated frog species in Florida.
The Yellow River corridor encompasses the range of several endangered botanical
species but the FNAI database has only one of these species documented, the Sweet
Pitcher-plant. Other state-designated endangered species that may occur along the
Yellow River include the Panhandle Lily, Orange Azalea, Ashe's Magnolia, and the
White-top Pitcher Plant (Ibid., 433).
The Yellow River is the home of four state-designated fish species. The endangered
Blackmouth Shiner has been documented from the Yellow River. The Saltmarsh
Topminnow, Atlantic Sturgeon, the Bluenose Shiner, are three documented species that
are species of special concern. The Blackmouth Shiner is known at a few localities in
Florida. Other species that occur in the Yellow River drainage include the Speckled
Chub and the Goldstripe Darter, both threatened species according to The Florida
Committee on Rare and Endangered Plants and Animals (FCREPA). The only exotic
fish species documented from the Yellow River is the Grass Carp (Ibid., 433).
Besides the fishes, there are several species of special concern recorded from the
Yellow River and are in the FNAI database. These species include the Pine Barrens
Tree Frog, Florida Bog Frog, Alligator Snapping Turtle, Gopher Tortoise, and the Eastern
Chipmunk.
The Yellow River is unusual biologically in having several species of invertebrates that
are virtually endemic to the Yellow River area. There are three species of mayflies
along the River listed by the Fish and Wildlife Services. Another dragonfly species is
known in Florida only from the Yellow River drainage and is listed as threatened by The
Florida Committee on Rare and Endangered Plants and Animals (FCREPA) (Florida
Rivers Assessment, 434).
Blackwater River. The Blackwater River originates north of Bradley, Alabama, and
flows down to Blackwater Bay in Northwestern Florida. The River flows through the
Conecuh National Forest in Alabama, then across the Alabama-Florida border. Before
reaching Blackwater Bay, it passes closely by Whiting U.S. Naval Field and then the
town of Milton, Florida. The River flows through portions of Santa Rosa and Okaloosa
counties draining about 860 square miles, according to the Department of Environmental
Protection (DEP). Most of the Blackwater River in Florida is contained in the
Blackwater River State Forest and State Park (Florida Rivers Assessment, 95).
The Blackwater River's major tributaries are Juniper Creek, Big Coldwater Creek, and
Pond Creek. The Blackwater River's current is swift and shallow. It should be noted
that blackwater rivers do not have black water. Instead, the water is red-colored due to
West Florida SRPP ! Natural Resources of Regional Significance ! Adopted 7/15/96
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the water's high concentrations of tannic and organic acids from nearby swamps and
forests according to Carter and Pearce (1985) (Florida Rivers Assessment, 95).
Overall water quality of the Blackwater River basin is good, and it's designated as an
Outstanding Florida Water. The River is classified as Class III by the Department of
Environmental Protection (DEP), meaning that its intended use is for recreation,
propagation and maintenance of a healthy, well-balanced population of fish and wildlife
(Florida Rivers Assessment, 95).
The Blackwater River has a fine sandy bottom and wide sandbars on the inside meander
bends. The outside of the bends have steep banks cut into yellow clay. The River ends,
via Blackwater Bay, in East Bay, which is an eastern extension of Escambia Bay.
Big Coldwater Creek and East Fork. This river originates in Santa Rosa County and
is the most western stream of the Blackwater River State Forest. The upper section of
the Big Coldwater and East Fork runs through the dense Calloway Swamp. The River is
characterized by a very narrow width, and swift, shallow water. The Big Coldwater is a
major tributary of the Blackwater River. The drainage area of this river is approximately
237 square miles near Milton, Florida (Florida Rivers Assessment, 83).
The water quality of the Big Coldwater and East Fork is good. It is classified by the
Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) as a Class III water body. The intended
use is for recreation, propagation and maintenance of a healthy, well-balanced population
of fish and wildlife. The Big Coldwater Creek and East Fork, like most streams in
northwest Florida, receive large and uniform discharges of ground water from the sand
and gravel aquifer that moderate the annual variation in stream flow (Florida Rivers
Assessment, 83).
The Big Coldwater and East Fork has been specially designated as the Coldwater Creek
Canoe Trail by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Florida's natural beauty
and unique environment beckon to residents and visitors alike. Recognizing the incredible
appeal of Florida to outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds, the Florida Recreational Trails Act of
1979 authorized the establishment of a network of recreation, scenic, and historic trails.
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has officially designated 36 canoe trails
under this Act (Florida Recreational Trail System). The canoe trails in our Region are
identified in Map 2 and are listed below:
CANOE TRAIL
COUNTY
Blackwater River
Okaloosa
Coldwater Creek
Santa Rosa
Econfina Creek
Bay and Washington
West Florida SRPP ! Natural Resources of Regional Significance ! Adopted 7/15/96
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CANOE TRAIL
COUNTY
Holmes Creek
Holmes
Perdido River
Escambia
Shoal River
Okaloosa and Walton
Sweetwater/Juniper Creeks
Okaloosa
Yellow River
Okaloosa and Santa Rosa
Source: "Florida Recreational Trail System," Department of Natural Resources
The Blackwater River State Forest is on part of the Big Coldwater Creek and East Fork
River. The Blackwater River State Forest is a recreation and conservation land that
allows multiple uses. The forest, managed by the Florida Department of Agriculture and
Consumer Services and the Division of Forestry, also serves as the Blackwater Wildlife
Management Area. Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission manages the
wildlife management area. The wildlife management area harbors deer, turkey, and small
game for hunting (Florida Rivers Assessment, 83).
Shoal River: The Shoal River is 27 miles in length and is located in central Okaloosa
and Walton Counties. This blackwater river is locally popular for canoeing and
swimming. The Shoal River flows into the Yellow River to the southwest of Crestview.
Lower portions of the canoe trail are next to Eglin Air Force Base (Identification, 2-8).
The Shoal River originates in Walton County, Florida, north of DeFuniak Springs. This
river is the only major tributary of the Yellow River. The Shoal River is fed by Gum,
Turkey, Long and Titi creeks as it drains some of the highest land in Florida. The Shoal
River basin encompasses 478 square miles. The River flows west for fifteen miles
across Walton County then turns southwesterly in Okaloosa County until its confluence
with the Yellow River five miles south of Crestview, Florida, near the boundary of Eglin
Air Force Base. The Shoal River is a classic, sand-bottom creek with clear, tan waters.
The River's narrow waterway is shallow, usually only a few feet deep (Florida Rivers
Assessment, 335).
The Shoal River has good overall water quality. The River has been declared an
Outstanding Florida Water (OFW). It is a Class III water body intended for recreation,
propagation and maintenance of a healthy, well-balanced population of fish and wildlife.
The Shoal River discharges an average of 1,100 cubic feet per second into the Yellow
River, according to DEP. The River drains western highlands, and flows very swiftly
during times of high water. Above the Shoal River's crossing by Interstate 10, the River
has cut a deep and narrow valley into the highlands. Below Interstate 10, the valley
West Florida SRPP ! Natural Resources of Regional Significance ! Adopted 7/15/96
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begins to widen before the Shoal River joins the Yellow River (Florida Rivers
Assessment, 335).
Several biological communities classified as rare (i.e., either S1 or S2) within the State of
Florida by FNAI occur along the Shoal River. These are seepage slopes and shrub bogs
communities, which are often habitats for rare amphibians, and the slope forest, which
has one of the highest species diversities in Florida. In addition, special wildlife areas
occur along the Shoal River. The Shoal River is a concentration area for warblers,
shorebirds, waterfowl and accipiters during appropriate seasons (Florida Rivers
Assessment, 335).
Two designated botanical species are found within the Shoal River corridor: the
endangered Panhandle Lily and threatened Yellow Fringeless Orchid. With its northern
Panhandle location, several other endangered plants may be expected as well, including
the White-top Pitcher Plant, Orange Azalea, Silky Camellia, Trailing Arbutus, and
Wiregrass Gentian (Ibid., 335).
The endangered Blackmouth Shiner fish species occurs in the Shoal River. This species
is one of only three species in the State of Florida to receive this designation. Two other
species on the Official State List are the Bluenose Shiner and the Atlantic Sturgeon, both
species of special concern. Other fish species found in the Shoal River are the Goldstripe
Darter and the Speckled Chub. These species are listed as threatened by the Florida
Committee on Rare and Endangered Plants and Animals (FCREPA). An exotic fish
species, the Grass Carp, occurs in the Shoal River. However, it is fairly rare because
there is little natural, submergent aquatic vegetation in the Shoal River for this fish (Ibid.,
335).
The FNAI database documents the threatened Red-cockaded Woodpecker and the
Florida Pine Snake, Gopher Tortoise, and Pine Barrens Tree Frog, all three being species
of special concern, as occurring in the Shoal River corridor. The Florida Bog Frog, a
species of special concern, is known to occur in the Titi Creek drainage of the Shoal
River. Other species that probably occur in the basin at least on occasions include the
endangered Wood Stork, the threatened Florida Black Bear, Eastern Indigo Snake, Bald
Eagle, and Southern American Kestrel (Florida Rivers Assessment, 335).
Being part of the larger Yellow River drainage basin, the Shoal River, like the Yellow and
Blackwater River, has three species of mayflies that burrow into the sand, a rare
adaption for this type of insect. These three species of mayflies occur nowhere else in
the world other than these three river basins (Ibid., 335).
Choctawhatchee River: (4,748 square miles) The Choctawhatchee River originates in
Alabama and flows into the Choctawhatchee Bay. The River drains roughly 3,300
square miles of northwest Florida and is the second largest floodplain in Florida.
West Florida SRPP ! Natural Resources of Regional Significance ! Adopted 7/15/96
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According to Carter and Pearce (1985), the River is over 170 miles long from its
headwaters in Alabama to the Choctawhatchee Bay. In Florida, tributaries such as
Wright Creek and Holmes Creek and springs such as Blue Spring and Morrison Spring
feed the River (Florida Rivers Assessment, 113).
The River traverses Holmes, Washington and Walton Counties in the Florida panhandle.
An alluvial stream, the Choctawhatchee is broad, shallow, and usually yellow in color.
Within Florida, the River is calm and remote, with huge sandbars up to fifteen acres in
size. The Choctawhatchee River has a variety of terrain features including both
floodplain and upland forests, marshes, and swamps (Ibid., 113).
Eleven principal vegetation communities have been identified from within the floodplain of
the Choctawhatchee, with the two dominant ones being Tupelo-Cypress swamp and
bottomland hardwoods. A variety of wildlife is plentiful along the Choctawhatchee.
Much of the River corridor is undeveloped and provides a habitat for many native
species, including endangered plants and animals. The River is a breeding and migratory
area for both the Gar and the Atlantic Sturgeon. The Northwest Florida Water
Management District owns 51,228 acres along the River, which are dedicated to the
protection of water resources and ecosystems (Ibid., 114).
Florida Natural Areas Inventory (FNAI) lists the River as an alluvial stream. Alluvial
streams have turbid water with silt, clay, and sand particles. These streams have
sediment-derived floodplain with natural levees just inland from their banks. Alluvial
streams are restricted to the Panhandle of Florida and are naturally rare in the State
(Ibid., 114).
The FNAI database contains records for several designated botanical species along the
Choctawhatchee River corridor. Endangered plant species include Ashe's Magnolia and
the Orange Azalea. The threatened Heartleaf is also within the quarter mile corridor, as
is Cooley's Meadowrue, a species under consideration for listing by the Fish and Wildlife
Service. Other designated plant species, with range encompassing the Choctawhatchee
River, are the endangered Panhandle Lily and Wiregrass Gentian. The Panhandle Lily
grows in bogs and mucky soils along creeks, and has become endangered due to drainage
of its natural habitat and to over collection. The Wiregrass Gentian is also endangered
due to destruction of its habitat, the long-leaf pine forests. The Orange Azalea is
endangered due to over collection by home gardeners. No major exotic botanical species
has been documented from this river (Florida Rivers Assessment, 114).
Two designated fish species inhabit the Choctawhatchee River, the Bluenose Shiner and
the Atlantic Sturgeon, both species of special concern. The Atlantic Sturgeon lives in the
ocean, but spawns in freshwater, and takes a long time to achieve sexual maturity. Fish
species listed by The Florida Committee on Rare and Endangered Plants and Animals
(FCREPA) documented from the Choctawhatchee include the Dusky Shiner, Goldstripe
West Florida SRPP ! Natural Resources of Regional Significance ! Adopted 7/15/96
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Darter, Cypress Darter, and Speckled Chub. Two exotic fish species have been caught
on the River, the Grass Carp and Blackchin Tilapia. The Grass Carp can eliminate some
native vegetation if the carp population grows too large and the Blackchin Tilapia may
compete excessively with some species of native fishes (Ibid., 114).
The only designated wildlife species within the one-quarter mile corridor of the
Choctawhatchee River corridor in the FNAI database are the Florida Pine Snake and the
Pine Barrens Tree Frog, both species of special concern. Athearn's Villosa, a freshwater
clam, is also found there and is currently under review for designation by the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service. However, the Choctawhatchee River basin includes the ranges of
many more designated species that may be expected to be found near the River. These
include the threatened Eastern Indigo Snake and Florida Black Bear; and several species
of special concern such as the Gopher Tortoise, Florida Gopher Frog, and Osprey (Florida
Rivers Assessment, 114).
Besides Athearn's Villosa, the Choctawhatchee has three other species of mollusks
restricted to the Choctawhatchee River basin. These are the Clench's Elimia, a snail, and
two species of clams, Jones' Lampsilid Clam and Haddleton's Lampsilid Clam. Although
these three are not designated by either the State of Florida or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Services, all three are considered imperiled by the Florida Committee on Rare and
Endangered Plants and Animals (FCREPA) as species of special concern (Ibid., 114).
A large part of the Choctawhatchee River is protected by the Northwest Florida Water
Management District. The Water Management District owns 51,228 acres extending
from just west of the mouth of the river to near the Alabama state line (Map 2). The
area surrounding the mouth of the River is protected by the Nature Conservancy (TNC).
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) owns 2,760 acres next to the Choctawhatchee Bay.
The Choctawhatchee Bay System's watershed provides the backdrop for the Fort Walton
Beach metropolitan area. Thirty-four (34) percent of the watershed is located in Florida.
The other 66% of the watershed is located in Alabama. A major estuarine body, this bay
provides extensive recreation, fisheries, and nursery grounds for invertebrates and fish.
The Choctawhatchee Bay and its environs are the backbone for the Fort Walton
Beach/Destin tourist industry. Extensive wetlands area surrounds the bay (Map 3).
Submerged grassbeds are common in many areas. The greatest wetlands concentration
is in the eastern end of the bay at the mouths of the Choctawhatchee River. Destin
Harbor, Cinco Bayou (also known as Five Mile Bayou), Garnier Bayou, Boggy Bayou,
Rocky Bayou, and Jolly Bay are significant backwaters in the bay (Identification, 3-2).
Significant development surrounds the bay. However, extensive undeveloped areas
remain in many areas. Fort Walton Beach, Destin, Niceville and Freeport are the major
communities near the bay. Unincorporated areas include the vast majority of
Developments of Regional Impact (DRI) in the Regional Planning Council District. DRIs
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include Sandestin, Bluewater Bay, and Emerald Bay. Coastal development on Moreno
Point (which includes the City of Destin) is occurring rapidly. Fort Walton Beach
development, on the other hand, has already occurred and is built out. Eglin Air Force
Base, although predominantly in its natural state, also has extensive developments for
housing and defense purposes. Pollution from sources such as stormwater runoff and
non-point sources is probably the greatest threat to bay quality. Marinas have contributed
to higher than normal heavy metal counts in some areas. The most recent major
development was the construction of the Mid-Bay Bridge, extending from near Niceville
to Destin (Identification, 3-2).
Although the Choctawhatchee River has generally good water quality, it has been
moderately affected by agricultural runoff (turbidity, nutrients, pesticides, etc.) (District
Water Management Plan, 12). Several tributary systems within the basin have problems
caused by domestic and industrial discharge. Most of the small treatment plants in the
area have been recently upgraded or are in the process of being upgraded under consent
orders. Choctawhatchee Bay's water quality is threatened by the development of its
watershed. Of major concern are an effluent disposal spray field and urban runoff from
the developed areas of Ft. Walton Beach and Destin (District Water Management Plan,
12).
A wide array of recreational activities occurs in the bay system. Boating, swimming,
waterskiing and jet skiing are the most common recreation forms. Portions of the bay are
classified as Class II Shellfishing Waters. Commercial fishing, a common occupation, is
based out of wharves in the Niceville, Fort Walton Beach, and Freeport areas. East Pass
at Destin is the primary outlet for boats into the Gulf of Mexico. The Gulf Intracoastal
Waterway passes through the middle of the bay and it connects on the west with Santa
Rosa Sound at The Narrows. The Intracoastal Waterway enters a man-made canal at
the east end of the bay en route to Panama City. Port facilities are at Niceville and
Freeport (Identification, 3-2). Degradation to the environmental quality of
Choctawhatchee Bay would have regional implications.
Holmes Creek: The Holmes Creek serves as the boundary between Holmes and
Jackson counties. Just above Vernon in Washington County, Holmes Creek receives
waters from Becton and Cypress Springs with a drainage area of approximately 386
square miles. Below Vernon, Holmes Creek flows southwest approximately twentythree miles to its confluence with the Choctawhatchee River. Holmes Creek is the
largest tributary of the Choctawhatchee. The River mainly traverses low, swampy
terrain, but has areas of high banks. Holmes Creek is a beautiful river, with a variety of
oaks, magnolia, cypress, maples, and black gums reflecting in clear green (Florida Rivers
Assessment, 171). The Northwest Florida Water Management District owns a
considerable portion of the Holmes Creek floodplain below Vernon, Florida.
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Holmes Creek begins in the Crystal River formation of the Eocene series, crosses to
Marianna Limestone of the Oligocene series, moves to Duncan Church beds, then flows
across the Chattahoochee and Chipola formations of the Miocene series and finally joins
the Choctawhatchee River on lower marine and estuarine terrace deposits of recent and
Pleistocene series. There are several springs along Holmes Creek, including Blue Spring,
Cypress Springs and Becton Springs. Holmes Creek discharges an average of 1,050
cubic feet of water per second into the Choctawhatchee River (Ibid., 171).
Holmes Creek and associated corridor provide a habitat for a variety of fish and wildlife.
Holmes Creek is a popular stream with fishermen. The endangered Ashe's Magnolia has
been documented within the Holmes Creek corridor. Because of its northern Florida
panhandle location, several other state-designated endangered plant species may grow in
the Holmes Creek watershed including the Wild Columbine, Smooth Barked St. John's
Wort, Orange Azalea, Silky Camellia, and the White-top Pitcherplant. The threatened
Apalachicola Wild Indigo and Water Sundew are found in the Holmes Creek drainage
basin, as well. The Bureau of Aquatic Plant Management reports no exotic plant species
from Holmes Creek (Florida Rivers Assessment, 171).
The Bluenose Shiner, a species of special concern on the State list, has been collected
from Holmes Creek. The Dusky Shiner and the Goldstripe Darter, both listed by the
Florida Committee on Rare and Endangered Plants and Animals (FCREPA), are also
known from Holmes Creek. This waterway is also unusual in being a northern stream
with an exotic tilapia in it, the Blackchin Tilapia. This fish competes with native fishes
and may displace some species (Ibid., 171).
There are no element occurrences in the FNAI database in the Holmes Creek corridor
for state-designated species. FNAI does have records for two species of special
concern that are the Clench's Elimia and the Dougherty Plain Cave Crayfish (Ibid., 171).
Both invertebrates have an extremely restricted distribution. In the large Holmes Creek
drainage basin, state-designated wildlife that may be found includes the threatened
Eastern Indigo Snake, Southeastern American Kestrel, and the Bald Eagle. Species of
special concern as the Gopher Tortoise, Florida Gopher Frog, and the herons and egrets
such as the Tricolored Heron are found here, too.
St. Andrew Bay System: (1,351 square miles) This bay system is located in Bay
County. These submerged lands are within one county. The watershed for the bay
system, however, extends into other counties in the central west Florida panhandle. The
recreational, ecological, and commercial impacts of this system on West Florida make this
a regionally significant environmental resource (Identification, 4-1).
The Bay is made up of four distinct bays: North Bay, West Bay, East Bay and St.
Andrews Bay. Two passes enter from the Gulf of Mexico. The natural and historical
West Florida SRPP ! Natural Resources of Regional Significance ! Adopted 7/15/96
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pass lies at the eastern terminus of Shell Island, while the modern ship channel is at the
western end of that island (Identification, 4-1).
Several areas of the bay system are designated as Class II Shellfish Waters. Deer Point
Lake Dam, in the northern end of North Bay, is the source for potable water in Bay
County. Deer Point Lake is designated as Class I Potable Waters (Identification, 4-1).
Bay County's economy is greatly dependent on the bay system. The Intracoastal
Waterway passes through each bay, serving several major industries and the Port of
Panama City. Recreational boating and fishing are popular pastimes and a feature for
tourist brochures. Large areas of salt marshes and seagrass beds provide nursery
grounds for small fish and invertebrates (Identification, 4-1).
Urban and natural areas occur along the Bay system's shoreline. Tyndall Air Force Base
lines the shore in much of East Bay (much of this area is natural). The Cities of Panama
City, Springfield, Parker, and Lynn Haven are located on most of the shorelines of North
and St. Andrew Bays. Development in the unincorporated area is found in the Grand
Lagoon area near the west side of St. Andrew Bay. The Bay Point Development of
Regional Impact has substantial frontage and marina facilities in the Grand Lagoon area.
The shoreline of West Bay is largely undeveloped (Identification, 4-1).
Recreational overuse, shoreline development, stormwater, and industrial discharge and
accidents are probably the greatest threats to the bay's water quality. St. Andrew Bay
has good circulation to the Gulf. Other bays, however, have poorer circulation,
threatening oxygen levels and natural biological activity. Endangered birds, turtles, fish
and occasionally manatees use the bay. Loss of bay resources in an immediate sense or
over the long term threaten the quality of life in Bay County and the regional planning
district. Salt marshes and beaches of various types and quality surround the bay system.
Large areas of seagrass beds cover the bay bottoms. Shell Island and Bird Island serve
as nesting sites for marine bird species. The bay system serves as a nursery ground for
small fish and invertebrates that ultimately contribute to the fishing and recreational
industries (Identification, 4-1).
St. Andrews Bay has generally good water quality except the areas around paper mill
discharges. Watson and Beatty bayous, in the Panama City area, are degraded by urban
stormwater and wastewater treatment plant discharges (District Water Management
Plan, 12). High concentrations of lead, mercury, DDT, chlordane, PCBs, and other
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons have been found in the sediment of Watson Bayou
(Ibid., 12). Deer Point Lake, a SWIM priority waterbody within St. Andrews watershed,
is the primary drinking water source for Bay County. The water quality of the lake and
its tributaries is quite good; however, localized pollution problems exist, and development
in the watershed may cause water problems in the future (Ibid., 12). Both Deer Point
Lake and Econfina Creek, have largemouth bass limited consumption advisories.
West Florida SRPP ! Natural Resources of Regional Significance ! Adopted 7/15/96
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Econfina State Canoe Trail: (22 miles in length) This canoe trail begins in extreme
northern Bay County, enters the southwestern portion of Washington County, and
reenters Bay County north of County Road 388. The River is popular with canoeists. It
is the primary tributary of Deer Point Lake, a primary source of potable water in Bay
County. Several first magnitude springs feed the creek. High limestone bluffs line the
creek in its upper reaches. Water is clear and swift flowing. Unique plant communities
surround the banks, with some areas being of magnificent beauty. The stream cuts
through the sandhills region of Washington County, a primary aquifer recharge area.
Quality of water in Econfina Creek is vital to Deer Point Lake (Identification, 4-3).
Econfina Creek: Econfina Creek, which flows through Jackson, Washington, and Bay
counties, is a favorite run for experienced canoeists. The creek is a major tributary to
Deer Point Lake and has a drainage area of 129 square miles. Econfina Creek is best
known for its superb scenery and its various geological and hydrological features (Florida
Rivers Assessment, 121). Econfina Creek has, according to DEP, good water quality.
Deer Point Lake is the major potable water supply for Bay County. The Lake, along
with its tributaries, is classified as Class I waters intended as potable water supplies.
The Econfina originates in a region of the Northern Highlands called New Hope Ridge.
Its spectacular cascades of water, yellow sand bluffs and beautiful limestone walls make
up a superb scenery cherished by experienced canoeists. Upstream from Mitchell Mill
Creek there are high-walled flumes interspersed with more shallow water. Near Mitchell
Mill Creek an unnamed spring flows into the Econfina from the east bank. Another small
spring, Walsingham Spring, flows from the west bank about a quarter mile below Mitchell
Mill Creek (Ibid., 121). A few miles downstream, the Blue Springs runs into the Econfina
from the east.
Below Blue Springs there are high limestone banks. The limestone walls are graced with
fern and Oak-Leaf Hydrangea. Above State Route 20 there are several small springs
entering from the west bank, such as Wilford and Pitt Springs. Gainer Springs is one mile
south of State Route 20 and is one of Florida's twenty-seven first magnitude springs.
Emerald Springs discharge from under a twenty-foot limestone bank (Ibid., 121).
The many springs along the Econfina generate a constant discharge. According to the
Northwest Florida Water Management District, this constant discharge generates a large
base flow in the Econfina. The large base flow creates an unusual condition in that the
minimum flow (2.5 cubic feet per square mile) of the Econfina is larger than the average
flow of any of the large streams in north Florida. The average flow is about 500 cubic
feet per second 11 miles upstream of the creek's mouth (Ibid., 121). NWFWMD owns
7,271 acres along the Econfina Creek including all of the springs mentioned above except
for the western part of Gainer Springs.
West Florida SRPP ! Natural Resources of Regional Significance ! Adopted 7/15/96
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There are many tree and shrub species along the Econfina River's pristine corridor
including dogwoods, redbuds, Mountain laurel, wild azalea, Red Maple, and Carolina
Silver Bell, pine, and oak. Animals use the creek corridor as well. The area around
County Road 167 and U.S. 231 is a warbler concentration area. The Florida Natural
Areas Inventory has listed many spring-run streams along the Econfina, an imperiled
biological community in Florida because of human disturbances. Spring-run streams have
clear water, circumneutral pH and often, a limestone bottom. The FNAI also has
element occurrences for the imperiled slope forest community that occurs on the slopes in
a bluff or sheltered ravines. The slope forest community contains the highest species
diversity in the State. The Econfina Creek drainage basin also contains sandhill
communities (Florida Rivers Assessment, 121).
The FNAI database has three botanical species recorded along the Econfina Creek
corridor. These are the endangered Pyramid Magnolia, the threatened Florida Anise, and
the Toothed Savory, a species being considered for listing by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Services. The Pyramid Magnolia is endangered by the development of the slope forest
community. At least three other endangered species could be found in the larger
Econfina River basin. These are the Orange Azalea, Ash's Magnolia, and the White-top
Pitcherplant. The endangered Smooth-Barked St. John's Wort is known primarily from
Lake Merial, a few miles west of Econfina Creek and probably does not occur within the
Econfina Creek corridor. It should still be looked for in any botanical survey of the basin.
Except the Eurasian Watermilifoil that can impede water flow and boat traffic, exotic
botanical species do not present a problem along the River (Florida Rivers Assessment,
121).
There are no records of any state-designated fish species along Econfina Creek. The
Spotted Bullhead, has a limited Florida distribution and is listed as rare by the Florida
Committee on Rare and Endangered Plants and Animals (FCREPA), can be found in the
Creek. There are no exotic fish species in the Econfina at this time.
The endangered West Indian Manatee has been recorded from the Econfina Creek and
documented in the FNAI database. Other designated species recorded from the
Econfina include the threatened Eastern Indigo Snake and the Limpkin and Gopher
Tortoise, both species of special concern. Species that undoubtedly occur or use the
larger Econfina Creek basin include the endangered Wood Stork, the threatened
Southeastern American Kestrel, Florida Black Bear, Bald Eagle, and the Osprey, a
species of special concern (Florida Rivers Assessment).
Substate Designated Areas :
"Save Our Rivers" Program Acquisitions (existing and proposed):
In 1981, the Florida Legislature established a new program known as the "Save Our
Rivers" that provided funds to the state's five water management districts to acquire land
West Florida SRPP ! Natural Resources of Regional Significance ! Adopted 7/15/96
IV-18
for water management purposes. The legislation actually created Section 373.59, Florida
Statutes, that is known as the Water Management Lands Trust Fund. It allows the
District to acquire the fee or other "less than fee" interests for:
! Water Management,
! Water Supply or
! Conservation or Protection of Water Resources (Five Year Plan, 3).
Revenue for the Water Management Lands Trust Fund comes from a statewide
documentary stamp tax on real estate sales. Northwest Florida Water Management
District annually receives up to 10% of this fund from the State for acquisition and
management activities (Five Year Plan, 3). The "Save Our Rivers" projects in our
Region are found in Table 1.
Preservation 2000 Lands (existing and proposed): In 1990, the Florida Legislature
began the Preservation 2000 program. Intended specifically to preserve as many as
possible of the unspoiled lands needed to maintain the state's quality of life, the program is
projected to be funded for ten years through the sale of bonds that annually total $300
million. The five water management districts receive 30 percent of this fund, and the
Northwest Florida Water Management District receives 10 percent of that total, or
between $8 million and $9 million annually. This important source of funding has helped
to accelerate acquisitions under the Save Our Rivers (SOR) program.
Preservation 2000 acquisitions by the District must meet at least one of the following
criteria besides those established for the Save Our Rivers program:
!
Project is in imminent danger of development;
!
A significant portion of the land is in imminent danger of subdivision;
!
Land value is appreciating rapidly,
!
Project serves to protect or recharge ground water, valuable natural
resources or provides space for resource-based recreation;
!
Project can be purchased at 80 percent of appraised value or less; or
!
Project protects habitat for endangered/threatened species or natural
communities (Five Year Plan, 5).
As of November 30, 1995, the District has acquired some 54,208 acres of valuable
wetlands with Preservation 2000 funds.
West Florida SRPP ! Natural Resources of Regional Significance ! Adopted 7/15/96
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The 1992 Legislature made it possible for the District to make payments to compensate
qualifying counties for ad valorem tax losses that resulted from acquisition of land under
either the Save Our Rivers or Preservation 2000 programs (Ibid., 5).
In the first three years of this program, more than $68,000 of total payments were
reimbursed to Holmes, Jackson, Liberty, and Washington counties (Five Year Plan, 5).
Existing and proposed purchases of the Preservation 2000 programs are shown in Table
1.
Table 1
Water Management District Lands (Map 1) and
Preservation 2000 Lands (Map 2)
"Save Our Rivers" Acquisitions
Land/Date Acquired
Acres
County (Acres)
Previous Owner
Escambia (12/19/84)
17,998
Escambia-4,794
Santa Rosa-13,204
The Nature Conservancy,
the St. Regis Paper
Company
Garcon Point (12/6/91)
1,864
Santa Rosa
F.D.I.C.
Choctawhatchee River/Holmes
Creek (12/2/85)
35,253
Bay-999
Holmes-2,371
Walton-18,267
Washington-13,616
Econfina Creek
(4/2/93)
(6/1/93)
189(4/2/93)
5.5(6/1/93)
Bay
Garcon Point (9/1/93)
78*
Santa Rosa
Various
*District has acquired an undivided one-half interest in this 78-acre tract.
Table 1
Acres
County
(Acres)
Previous Owner
14,094
Escambia-7,201
Santa Rosa-6,893
Champion International
Preservation 2000
Land/Date Acquired
Additions (4/26/94)
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Table 1
Acres
County
(Acres)
Previous Owner
Additions: Escambia River
(8/19/94)
1,144
Santa Rosa
Boley
Additions: Escambia River
(4/28/95)
478
Escambia
Gillmore
Additions: Escambia River
(7/18/95)
106
Escambia
Premier Bank
Donations-Robinson Estate:
Escambia River (10/15/92)
138
Escambia/ Santa Rosa
Robinson Estate
Donations-Department of
Transportation: Escambia River
(9/6/94)
209
Escambia/ Santa Rosa
Florida Department of
Transportation
Addition: Yellow River (8/23/95)
132.5
Santa Rosa
Wernicke
Donation: Yellow River (12/22/92)
57
Acquisition-Yellow River (4/26/94)
7,972
Okaloosa-2,586
Santa Rosa-5,386
Champion International
Additions-Choctawhatchee River
(9/14/92)
41
Walton
Freeman
Additions-Choctawhatchee River
(3/31/93)
86
Washington
Harris
Additions-Choctawhatchee River*
127
Washington
Various
Econfina Creek (7/31/92)
1,482
Washington-224
Jackson-1,258
Mutual Insurance
Company of New York
Additions-Econfina Creek
(11/18/93)
19.6
Bay
Atkinson
Additions-Econfina Creek (5/24/94)
43
Bay
Hallmon
Additions-Econfina Creek (3/24/95)
339
Bay/Washington
Urquhart/Perry
Additions-Econfina Creek (4/2/93)
189
Bay
Harder Holding Company
Additions-Econfina Creek (5/24/94)
43
Bay
Hallmon
Preservation 2000
Land/Date Acquired
R and R (Tract Name)
West Florida SRPP ! Natural Resources of Regional Significance ! Adopted 7/15/96
IV-21
Table 1
Acres
County
(Acres)
Previous Owner
Additions-Econfina Creek (6/1/93)
5.5
Bay
Deer Park Springs Water
Additions-Econfina Creek
(11/30/94)
3,752
Washington/Bay
St. Joe Land and
Development
Additions-Econfina Creek
(11/18/93)
19.6
Bay
Atkinson Family
Additions-Econfina Creek
(11/30/94)
1,401
Washington/ Bay
Rosewood
Donation- Econfina Creek Kammer
(9/7/94)
40
Priority Project:
Garcon Point
Perdido-Escambia, BlackwaterYellow Rivers
2,270
Santa Rosa
F.D.I.C.-1,864 acres
Fifteen Owners-406 acres
Priority Project: First Magnitude
Spring Choctawhatchee- (Gainer
Springs)
1,258
Bay/Washington
Petronis (958 acres),
Harders (197 acres), Five
Owners (103 acres)
Priority Project: Econfina Creek
Floodplain
Choctawhatchee Basin
7,000
Calhoun
Bay
Washington
St. Joseph Land and
Development, ant others
Priority Project: Blackwater River
19,360
Santa Rosa
E.F. Hutton, Estes, Elliot,
Miller Mill Company,
numerous small holdings
Priority Project: Escribano Point
4,830
Santa Rosa
F.D.I.C.-(1,470 acres)
Various Owners-(3,360
acres)
Priority Project: Yellow/Shoal River
Basin
20,000
Santa Rosa
Okaloosa
Haisel Timber Company(6,750 acres), Container
Corporation-(4,050 acres),
Champion International(2,150 acres), Multiple
additional owners-(7,000
acres)
Preservation 2000
Land/Date Acquired
Kammer
West Florida SRPP ! Natural Resources of Regional Significance ! Adopted 7/15/96
IV-22
Table 1
Acres
County
(Acres)
Previous Owner
Combination "Save Our Rivers"
and Preservation 2000
Acquisitions
Acres
County (Acres)
Previous Owner
Additions-Choctawhatchee River
(6/31/92)
6,733
Holmes-1,047
Walton-3,586
Washington-2,103
Mutual Life Insurance
Company of New York
Additions-Choctawhatchee River
(5/24/94)
8,725
Holmes
Champion International
Additions-Choctawhatchee River
(5/24/94)
348
Washington
Gould
Preservation 2000
Land/Date Acquired
Source: Save Our Rivers/ Preservation 2000 Five Year Plan 1995; 1996 (Draft). Northwest Florida Water
Management District.
According to Section 259.101 (3), F.S., the Department of Environmental Protection receives ten
percent of the proceeds of any bond issued. This money is distributed by DEP for the purchase
by South Florida Water Management District of lands in Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties.
This distribution shall apply for any bond issue for the 1995-96 fiscal year. The remaining
proceeds are distributed by DEP in the following manner:
1)
50% to DEP for the purchase of public lands as described in Section 259.032. Of this 50%,
at least one-fifth shall be used for the acquisition of coastal lands.
2)
30% to DEP for the purchase of water management lands pursuant to Section 373.59, to be
distributed among the water management districts as provided in that section. Funds
received by each district may also be used for acquisition of lands necessary to
implement surface water improvement and management plans approved in accordance
with Section 373.456 or for acquisition of lands necessary to implement the Everglades
Construction Project authorized by Section 373.4592.
West Florida SRPP ! Natural Resources of Regional Significance ! Adopted 7/15/96
IV-23
3)
10% to the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to provide land acquisition grants
and loans to local governments through Florida Communities Trust pursuant to part III of
chapter 380.
4)
Two and nine-tenths percent to DEP for the purchase inholdings and additions to state
parks.
5)
Two and nine-tenths percent to the Division of Forestry of the Department of Agriculture
and Consumer Services to fund the acquisition of state forest inholdings and additions
pursuant to Section 589.07.
6)
Two and nine-tenths percent to the Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission to fund the
acquisition of inholdings and additions to lands managed by the commission which are
important to the conservation of fish and wildlife.
7)
One and three-tenths percent to DEP for the Florida Rails to Trails Program, to acquire
abandoned railroad rights-of-way and to assist in the acquisition of the Florida National
Scenic Trail for use as public recreational trails (259.101, F.S., pp. 385-386).
West Florida SRPP ! Natural Resources of Regional Significance ! Adopted 7/15/96
IV-24
Water Management District's Management Areas
The Water Management District has five Management Areas within our Region. These Areas are
shown in Table 2.
Table 2
WMD's Management Areas in the West Florida Region
Water Management Area
Acreage
County
Escambia River
33,573
Escambia, Santa Rosa
Garcon Point
1,942
Santa Rosa
Yellow River
7,972
Okaloosa, Santa Rosa
Choctawhatchee River
51,189
Bay, Holmes, Walton, Washington
Econfina River
6,762
Bay, Jackson, Washington
TOTAL
101,438
Source: NWF Water Management District
Escambia River Water Management Area: (34,231 acres)- This management area is
composed of an extensive river bottom area that includes a broad, mature flood plain.
This River provides the greatest amount of fresh water inflow into Escambia Bay (part of
the Pensacola Bay System). The River is important to recreational and commercial
fishing interests, hunting, boating, canoeing, and industrial transportation. Industry also
uses river water for evaporative cooling purposes. The Escambia River begins as the
Conecuh River in south central Alabama. Only 10% of total river volume originates in
Florida. Roughly 85% of the River floodplain in Florida is publicly owned at this time.
Endangered and threatened species inhabit the watershed and river. Lower portion salt
marshes are highly productive nurseries for invertebrates and fishes. The River corridor
is important for migrating birds. The River swamps abound with wildlife and plant
species. The River provides a broad area for flooding with virtually no impact to
development (Identification, 2-5).
Garcon Point Water Management Area: (1,942 acres)- Situated between Pensacola
and East Bays, the Garcon Point property was purchased in 1991 by the Northwest
Florida Water Management District. The area is an important source of organic nutrients
for the Pensacola Bay System. It serves as a nursery ground for fish and invertebrate
species found in Pensacola Bay. Stormwater filtration and wave energy absorption
features of this area protect the bay and uplands, respectively. The natural biological
West Florida SRPP ! Natural Resources of Regional Significance ! Adopted 7/15/96
IV-25
communities on the site, including estuarine tidal marsh, wet prairie, scrubby flatwoods
and wet flatwoods, are excellent remnant examples of once wide-spread types that have
largely been lost through conversion to other land uses. At least 13 endangered or
threatened species occur on the property (Identification, 2-7).
Yellow River Water Management Area: (8,162 Acres)- The Yellow River drains the
highest elevations in the State of Florida. Upper portions of the River pass numerous
bluffs, while lower portions enter deep hardwood swamps. Water from the River enters
Blackwater Bay and the pristine Yellow River State Aquatic Preserve. Yellow River is
classified as an "Outstanding Florida Water." The Northwest Florida Water Management
District has purchased substantial portions of the floodplain under the "Save Our Rivers"
program. The Yellow River originates in Alabama. Several endangered and threatened
species of flora and fauna exist along the canoe trail. The Yellow River is a popular
fishing and boating resource for area residents. The NWFWMD and Eglin AFB
properties currently place the majority of lands along the remainder of the Yellow River
as targeted for future acquisitions by the NWFWMD. The Yellow River Marsh is
classified as an "Outstanding Florida Water (Identification, 2-11)."
This state aquatic preserve is a vital component in the Pensacola Bay System. It has
been affected little by development and pollution. The unspoiled forested wetlands, the
over 2,000 acre marsh, and the submerged grassbeds provide excellent habitat for fish
and wildlife. As a result, recreational and commercial fishing are major activities in the
aquatic preserve. Endangered and threatened species inhabit the waterways. Salt
marshes and grassbeds are highly productive nurseries for invertebrates and fishes
(Identification, 2-11).
Choctawhatchee River Water Management Area: (51,228 acres)- This extensive
area (approximately 85%) of the Choctawhatchee River floodplain is owned by the
Northwest Florida Water Management District. Because of the extent of acreage,
diversity of habitat, springs, contribution to the local economies, flood control importance,
and water quality provided to Choctawhatchee Bay, this area is one of the most important
regional environmental systems. Little development is located along the banks of the
River, causing an increase in water quality as the River enters from Alabama. Most of
the NWFWMD lands lie between the mouths of the Choctawhatchee River in Walton
County north to the state line. NWFWMD holdings extend north to near the
unincorporated communities of Pittman and New Hope in Holmes County. The general
continuity of these properties would create one of the largest greenbelts in Florida. Home
to numerous endangered species and increasingly rare habitats, almost the entire acreage
is in wetlands or the river floodplain (Identification, 3-2).
Econfina Creek Water Management Area: (7,272 acres)- This River begins in
southern Jackson County, enters the southwestern portion of Washington County, and
reenters Bay County north of County Road 388. The River is popular with canoeists. It
West Florida SRPP ! Natural Resources of Regional Significance ! Adopted 7/15/96
IV-26
is the primary tributary of Deer Point Lake, the primary source of potable water in Bay
County. Several first magnitude springs feed the creek. High limestone bluffs line the
creek in its upper reaches. Water is clear and swift flowing. Unique plant communities
surround the banks, with some areas being of magnificent beauty. The stream cuts
through a sandhills region of Washington County, a primary aquifer recharge area.
Quality of water in Econfina Creek is vital to Deer Point Lake (Identification, 4-3).
Planning and Management Areas (Map 2)
These are areas designated by public or private agency/organizations as environmentally
significant and whose natural values and functions should be protected or preserved.
National Designated Areas :
National Seashores: Gulf Island is the only National Seashore located in our Region. It
covers 150 miles of barrier island beaches stretching from Destin, Florida, to Ship Island
off Gulfport, Mississippi. The entire seashore encompasses an area of 135,000 acres.
The Florida portion of the seashore includes part of the Perdido Key and all of Santa
Rosa Island. The National Seashore is maintained by the U.S. Park Service. The
National Seashore was created by Congress to preserve the unique natural coastal
barrier island strip located in Escambia, Santa Rosa, and Okaloosa Counties of the Florida
Panhandle. The clean, white quartz sand beaches and coastal dunes form a unique
natural barrier island strip in this Region (Northwestern Florida Ecological
Characterization: An Ecological Atlas, 86).
Military Lands : Four (4) large military bases are located in our Region: Tyndall Air
Force Base, Eglin Air Force Base, Pensacola Naval Air Station (including Whiting Field,
Corry Station, Bronson Field, and Saufley Field) and Coastal Systems Station. Tyndall
Air Force Base is located on 28,000 acres of land in Bay County. Eglin Air Force Base
is located on 463,360 acres of land in Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and Walton Counties.
Pensacola Naval Air Station and surrounding fields are located on ±17,391 acres of land
in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. Coastal Systems Station is located on ±665 acres
of land in Bay County.
Tyndall Air Force Base: (28,667 acres) Located in southeastern Bay County, this
active military base contains large tracts of virtually undisturbed land. This land stretches
parallel to the coast. Beaches, woodlands, wetlands, salt marsh, and swamps abound in
the area. Extensive natural areas provide cover and breeding areas for wildlife and
protect inland waters connected to St. Andrew Bay and the Intracoastal Waterway.
West Florida SRPP ! Natural Resources of Regional Significance ! Adopted 7/15/96
IV-27
Tyndall also provides habitat for many endangered species. Beaches fronting the Gulf of
Mexico are, to a great degree, undeveloped. The Base is also important to the watershed
and water quality for St. Andrew State Park Aquatic Preserve and St. Joseph Peninsula
Aquatic Preserve (Identification, 4-5).
Eglin Air Force Base: (approximately 250,000 acres) Eglin Air Force Base (EAFB) is
the largest Department of Defense installation in the eastern U.S. Although there is
substantial military development and bombing ranges on the base, many areas are
managed by the Eglin Natural Resources Division as natural lands. Surprisingly large
portions of the base lands are open to the public for hunting, fishing, camping, firewood
cutting, bicycling, and nature study. Substantial areas of wetlands, longleaf pine forest,
turkey oak scrub, and other environments unique to West Florida can be found.
Approximately one half of the floodplain of the Shoal and Yellow Rivers and more than
half of the East Bay River floodplain lie within base boundaries. Eglin AFB is so large
that much of its area is located within the Choctawhatchee Bay watershed. EAFB
cooperates closely with the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission to provide
numerous hunting opportunities during season. Groundwater resources under EAFB
property may be critical toward meeting the future water needs of the coastal areas.
Eglin is rich in biological resources, numerous endangered and threatened fauna, flora,
and unique ecological communities. Some virgin timber remains. Red Cockaded
Woodpecker colonies are numerous. The area's groundwater resources are near pristine
(Identification, 3-4).
Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola Complex: NAS Pensacola is located in both
Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. NAS Pensacola includes the main station in
Pensacola, NTTC Corry Station, NETPMSA Saufley Field, NAS Whiting Field and
numerous outlying fields (OLF). NAS Pensacola is located on the shores of Pensacola
Bay, Bayou Grande, and Perdido Bay. It is also located along the Gulf Intracoastal
Waterway (GICWW). It is on the sand-and-gravel aquifer. NAS Pensacola has 15
miles of continuous shoreline. It encompasses 7,038 acres of land. This acreage includes
±5,280 acres of unimproved natural resource acreage and 928 acres of wetlands. These
figures also include Bronson Field. The state and federally listed protected (endangered,
threatened, and rare) species that are found on NAS Pensacola are white-top pitcher
plants, water sundew plants, large-leaved jointweed, Chapman's butterwort, sea oats,
American alligator, gopher tortoise, southeast snowy plover, little blue heron, redish egret,
snowy egret, tri-colored heron, southeastern kestrel, osprey, brown pelican, and least tern.
The types of trees that can be found on NAS Pensacola and Bronson Field are loblolly
pine, sand pine, slash pine, ball cypress water tupelo, magnolia, and live oak. NAS
Pensacola and Bronson Field are federally owned. Bronson Field has a recreation area
for public use. There are four (4) nature trails on NAS Pensacola for public use. There
is no hunting allowed on the federal property. There are three Historic forts in the NAS
Pensacola area. Fort Barrancas is located on NAS Pensacola, Ft. Pickens is located on
Santa Rosa Island, and Ft. McCray is located on Perdido Key.
West Florida SRPP ! Natural Resources of Regional Significance ! Adopted 7/15/96
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NAS Corry Station: NAS Corry Station is located within the NAS Pensacola Complex
in Escambia County. NAS Corry Station has ±475 acres of land. There are ±125 acres
of undeveloped land on the Station. There are no reported wetlands. There are no
protected (endangered, threatened, or rare) species on the Station. Corry Station is
located in the Bayou Chico drainage basin and is home to Naval Technical Training
Center-Corry Station (NTTC), the Navy Exchange and Commissary, and the Naval
Hospital.
Saufley Field: Saufley Field is located in the NAS Pensacola Complex in Escambia
County. The Field is comprised of ±878 acres of land. It has ±300 acres of unimproved
natural lands and ±82 acres of wetlands. The wetlands are palustrine and estuarine.
Saufley Field is home to the Naval Education and Training Program Management Support
Activity (NETPMSA), the Defense Finance and Accounting Services-Field Service
Activity (DEFAS-FSA), Federal Prison Facility-Saufley Field, Defense Activity for NonTraditional Education Support (DANTES), and Navy Outlying Field (NOLF-Saufley).
Saufley Field is also inhabitated by a variety of federal and state protected species
(endangered, threatened, and rare). The protected species on Saufley are the white-top
pitcher plant, water sundew plants, panhandle lilly, parrot-bill pitcher plant, yellow
fringeless orchid, American alligator, gopher tortoise, snowy egret, southeastern kestrel,
osprey, and brown pelican. Saufley Field has slash pine, loblolly pine, longleaf pine, ball
cypress, and water tupelo trees in its natural and wetland areas. The Field is in the flood
plain of Eleven (11) Mile and Eight (8) Mile creeks. Saufley Field has one nature trail for
public use.
NAS Whiting Field: Whiting Field is located in Santa Rosa County. It resides on
±9000 acres of land. The Field has ±3500 acres of natural resource acreage and ±450
acres of wetlands. There are about 2,000 acres of land that are still unimproved on the
installation. NAS Whiting Field is located near the Cold and Clearwater Creeks. Both
creeks receive storm water runoff from the installation. Boat Dock Recreation Area is
located on the Blackwater River. The wetlands acreage for NAS Whiting Field and the
outlying fields (OLFs) is: NAS Whiting Field (65), NOLF Santa Rosa (1), NOLF Holley
(40), NOLF Site 8 (45), NOLF Spencer (5), and the Boat Dock Recreation Area (8).
The wetlands are palustrine and estuarine. The acreage for Whiting Field also includes
fourteen (14) different or outlying fields (OLF). Seven (7) of these OLFs are in the State
of Florida, the rest reside in Alabama. These OLFs and their acreage () are: NOLF
Santa Rosa (690), NOLF Spencer (640), NOLF Pace (206), NOLF Harold (573), NOLF
Site 8 (640), NOLF Holley (662). The soils found on these facilities is sandy loam. NAS
Whiting is a superfund site. Aquifer and ground water quality is being investigated as
part of the Installation Restoration Program (IRP). There are State threatened and
endangered species such as: White-top Pitcher plant, Florida Anise tree, Curtiss' Sand
grass, Hairy wild indigo, and Water sundew. There is a 1.5 mile nature trail that is open
to the community.
West Florida SRPP ! Natural Resources of Regional Significance ! Adopted 7/15/96
IV-29
Coastal Systems Station (CSS)-Dahlgren Division: The Coastal Systems StationDahlgren Division, or the Station, resides on 664.76 acres in the southern portion of Bay
County, Florida. The Least Tern is the only recorded endangered, threatened, or rare
species on the Station. The Least Tern is classified as "threatened" by the State. It is the
only confirmed breeder on the Station.
The Station has zero (0) acres of natural habitat on the facility. The Station has many
types of trees on the facility. These tree types are: Dogwood, Bald Cypress, Live Oak,
Sabal Palmetto, Sand and Long Leaf Pine, Way Myrtle Yaupon, Bay, Maple, Ti-Ti, Black
Gum, and Slash Pine. There are no officially designated wetlands on the Station. But,
there are fifteen (15) acres with potential of being identified as wetlands.
There is one active well and two inactive wells on the Station. The Station is on St.
Andrews Bay, Alligator Bayou, and it has two unnamed creeks on it. There has been no
recorded affect to any of these waterbodies. According to the Resource Conservation
and Recovery Act (RCRA), the Station does not have an affect on the ground water in
this area.
According to the Public Affairs Office, there are no natural resources of regional
significance on the facility. There are 143 acres of unimproved lands (mostly restricted
land). The soil of the Station is sand. There are no public nature trails. There are no
public activities (i.e., hunting or fishing) allowed on the Station due to its mission.
State Designated Areas :
State Parks and Preserves: Florida's State park system was created by the Florida
Legislature to preserve and maintain a natural environment with a full program of
compatible recreational activities. Blackwater River State Park (360 acres) in Santa
Rosa County is the only state park located in our Region.
Areas of Critical State Concern: There are no areas of critical state concern in our
Region.
State Recreation Areas : Six State recreation areas are located in our Region. State
recreation areas provide more active recreation facilities than State parks do. They need
not be of any special size or location and must be located convenient to population
centers. The State Recreation Areas in our Region are listed in Table 3.
West Florida SRPP ! Natural Resources of Regional Significance ! Adopted 7/15/96
IV-30
Table 3
State Recreation Areas in the West Florida Region
Name
County
Acreage
Big Lagoon
Escambia
699
Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou
Okaloosa
357
Walton
350
Okaloosa
208
Bay
1,063
Grayton Beach
Henderson Beach
Saint Andrews
Source: Northwestern Florida Ecological Characterization: An Ecological Atlas, U.S. Department of Interior. 1984,
page 88
Big Lagoon State Recreation Area: (698 acres) Big Lagoon preserves salt marshes,
sand pine scrub, and the rare coastal strand plant communities. The park serves as a
significant slice of public open space in a rapidly growing area of Escambia County. The
park is located adjacent to Perdido Key's beaches and therefore provides recreational
opportunities for tourists. Beaches along Big Lagoon are tranquil. The park is
handicapped accessible. Pristine vegetative communities and proximity to the Gulf of
Mexico provide songbird resting areas during migration. The Big Lagoon State
Recreation Area protects salt marshes, coastal strand, and sand pine forests
(Identification, 2-3).
Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Recreation Area: (357 acres) This Recreation
Area is located just east of Niceville on the north side of Choctawhatchee Bay, this park
is an essential element in protecting the watershed of Rocky Bayou Aquatic Preserve.
The park is a popular location for picnickers, campers and boaters and provides critical
publicly available open space in a compact and rapidly developing community. Upland
flora provide extended habitat for animals found on the adjacent Eglin Wildlife
Management Area and Eglin Air Force Base. Endangered fish and plants can be found
in the park. The Park provides a natural environment for surface water flow into Rocky
Bayou Aquatic Preserve (Identification, 3-6).
Grayton Beach State Recreation Area: (276 acres) This Area has been chosen by
national publication as one of the prettiest and best beaches in the United States and the
world. Beautiful white sand beaches, high dunes, and an inland lake provide a beautiful
setting along the Gulf of Mexico. At this time, the community of Grayton Beach is far
away from the more intensely developed areas to the east and west. This park's value to
the public will increase as more development occurs in adjacent areas. The park has a
West Florida SRPP ! Natural Resources of Regional Significance ! Adopted 7/15/96
IV-31
pristine beach and dune system with an unusual freshwater inland lake is located in the
park behind the primary dune line. Several endangered plants and animals inhabit or
utilize the park for breeding, including beach mice and sea turtles (Identification, 3-7).
Henderson Beach State Recreation Area: (208 acres) Henderson Beach Recreation
Area is located in the City of Destin, this state park provides protection for endangered
ecological plant associations in a rapidly developing area. The park is a major destination
for beach goers and is important to the tourist industry. Sugar white sand forms high
dunes, a natural barrier against coastal storm surges. The park fronts only on the Gulf of
Mexico, not Choctawhatchee Bay proper. It protects a sizeable area of the disappearing
West Florida Coastal Strand habitat and the sand pine scrub and dune systems. It
provides habitat to endangered species of birds, reptiles and mammals.
St. Andrews State Recreation Area: (1,265 acres) This Area is situated at the St.
Andrew Bay pass into the Gulf of Mexico, this SRA provides significant coastal barrier
resources that protect urbanized areas of Panama City and vicinity. The park is highly
popular with beach goers. Shell Island (a part of the park) is accessible only by boat.
The island is known for sunbathing, camping and wildlife observation areas. It is also a
nesting ground for sea birds and sea turtles. The Recreation Area also provides habitat
for fifteen (15) endangered animal species. Significant dune size protects the mainland
from storm surges. Areas of sea grass beds cover nearby St. Andrew Bay as a part of
St. Andrews State Park Aquatic Preserve. Marine mammals, especially porpoises,
frequent waters around the park in the aquatic preserve (Identification, 4-4).
State Wilderness Areas : The Florida State Wilderness System Act (Section 258.17,
Florida Statutes) established one State Wilderness Area in our Region. Audubon Island is
a small wilderness area located west of Panama City in St. Andrew Bay and was
approved on June 17, 1975 (Northwestern Florida Ecological Characterization: An
Ecological Atlas, 87).
State Wildlife Management Areas : The Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish
Commission manages four (4) state wildlife management areas in our Region. An active
habitat improvement program, including controlled burning, water fowl impoundments, and
hardwood tree planting, is maintained by the Commission (Ibid., 89). These management
areas are shown in Table 4.
West Florida SRPP ! Natural Resources of Regional Significance ! Adopted 7/15/96
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Table 4
State Wildlife Management Areas in the West Florida Region
Wildlife Management
Areas
County
Acreage
Champion International
Escambia
21,000
Least tern Snowy
Plover
Santa Rosa
Okaloosa
183,000
No data
Santa Rosa
Okaloosa Walton
463,360
Walton
Bay
165,000
Blackwater
Eglin
Point Washington
Total Acreage
Endangered or
Threatened Wildlife
Okaloosa darter
Nesting Bird
Colonies
No data
No data
832,360
Source: Northwestern Florida Ecological Characterization: An Ecological Atlas, page 89
State Aquatic Preserves: Thirty-one aquatic preserves were established by the Florida
Aquatic Preserve Act of 1975 (Section 258.35, Florida Statutes) in the coastal waters of
Florida (Florida Department of Natural Resources 1981). Four others were established
under separate acts (Sections 258.16, 258.165, 258.391, and 258.392, Florida Statutes).
Four aquatic preserves are located within the west Florida study region.
Florida's aquatic preserve system is regulated by the Florida Department of
Environmental Protection. Private submerged lands located within aquatic preserve
areas are managed as part of the preserve. The private landowner must contract with
the State of Florida for the donation or lease of his property to the State. Aquatic
preserves have been established to preserve State-owned submerged lands in areas
having exceptional biological, aesthetic, and scientific value (U.S. DOI, 91). Some
examples of aquatic preserves are:
Fort Pickens Aquatic Preserve: (34,000 submerged acres) Fort Pickens Preserve is
located on either side of the Pensacola Pass, envelopes Perdido Key and Santa Rosa
Island. Both portions of those islands are a part of Gulf Islands National Seashore. The
submerged lands are shallow and have numerous seagrass beds and salt marshes.
Wildlife, fish and invertebrates are dependent on the preserve. The preserve serves as a
nursery ground for the above, and is important to commercial and recreational fishermen.
Many area residents and tourists visit the Preserve regularly. Endangered and threatened
species inhabit the waters. Salt marshes and grassbeds are highly productive nurseries
for invertebrates and fishes. Habitat is typical of that surrounding coastal barrier islands
West Florida SRPP ! Natural Resources of Regional Significance ! Adopted 7/15/96
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in northern Gulf waters. Waters of the preserve enhance the environmental quality of
adjacent Gulf Islands National Seashore and the Pensacola Bay System (Identification, 26).
The Fort Pickens Aquatic Preserve lies in the physiographic region known as the Gulf
Coastal Lowlands. The Gulf coastal lowlands extending across the southern half of the
panhandle consists generally of flat plains sloping to the coast. In the western end of the
panhandle the coastal lowlands rise to form a high, sandy plateau which is characterized
by coastal terraces, separated by scarps which are carved between them (Ft. Pickens
Aquatic Preserve Management Plan,16).
Silver Bluff Terrace, rising 0 to 10 feet above sea level, characterizes the geomorphology
of the preserve. It is believed to have been formed near the end of the Pleistocene
around 10,000 years ago. The recent sedimentology of the area is a result of watershed
erosion since the Pleistocene epoch. During this period, Citronelle deposits were
reworked and intermixed with marine terrace sediments (Ibid., 16).
The preserve area is also characterized by Mississippi-Alabama Shelf depositional system
and the Western Florida barrier spit depositional system. The Mississippi-Alabama Shelf
extends offshore from DeSoto Canyon on the east to the Mississippi River Delta on the
west and from the barrier islands to the 200 meter contour line. The shelf surface is
relatively smooth in the western portion; however, south of Pensacola it becomes highly
irregular. As the sand sheet thins to the east, the limestone karst topography of the West
Florida shelf predominates (Ibid., 16).
The Florida barrier spit and island systems were formed during the submergence of dune
beach ridges in the Holocene period. This system is composed of long narrow islands
with sandy beaches and it forms the northern boundary of the Mississippi-Alabama Shelf
of Florida (Ibid., 16).
Approximately 8 miles of Santa Rosa Island are surrounded by the preserve. Santa Rosa
Island is a narrow barrier island, ranging 600 to 3,500 feet in width and averaging 2,000.
This island is characterized by a well-defined secondary dune system. A narrow tidal
marsh borders the northern shoreline. At its western end, the landward side of the island
fronts on Pensacola Bay. The remainder of the island is separated from the mainland
peninsula by Santa Rosa Sound (Fort Pickens Aquatic Preserve Management Plan, 16).
The beaches on the gulf side of Santa Rosa Island average 100-125 feet in width, and are
backed by dunes averaging 16 feet in height. Some dunes attain heights of up to 40 feet
and are usually associated with old gun emplacements and are not natural features (Ibid.,
16).
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Dunes on Perdido Key only average about 20 feet in elevation with elevation decreasing
toward the ends of the island. Approximately 7 miles of the eastern end of Perdido Key
are surrounded by the aquatic preserve. Prior to the Perdido Key Beach Renourishment
Project in August 1990, Perdido Key was a narrow barrier island ranging in width from
500 to 3,500 feet. As a result of renourishment the width of 5 miles of the eastern end of
Perdido Key beach was increased approximately 400 feet at an elevation sloping +5 feet
nautical ground vertical distance on the landward side to +4 feet at the seaward edge
(Ibid., 16).
The narrow width of the two islands make them subject to local storm tide washover
during major storms. . .A number of washover fans are evident from aerial photographs
on both islands prior to beach renourishment. The foreshore slope of Santa Rosa Island
still remains relatively steep, especially towards the east, and hence, the area has
recorded some of the highest waves in the northeast Gulf of Mexico (Ibid., 17).
The fundamental unit of surface hydrology is the drainage basin. A drainage basin
consists of that area which drains surface runoff to a given point. The Escambia Bay
and coastal area drainage basin is the major hydrologic system affecting the aquatic
preserve area. This basin drains approximately 1,410 km². The system receives flow
from a watershed including Yellow, Blackwater, and Escambia Rivers and totaling some
18,130 km², of which 6,525 km² is located in Florida and 11,605 km² in Alabama (Ibid.,
17).
The water cycle of the aquatic preserve area is also influenced by tidal fluctuations of the
Gulf of Mexico. The Pensacola area exhibits predominantly diurnal tides with a single
high and low stage occurring each tidal cycle. The average tidal range is 1.3 feet. The
diurnal nature of the tides along with the low tidal amplitude limits the flushing capabilities
of the bay system. The interaction of freshwater discharges from the drainage basin with
the gulf tides influences the circulation patterns, sedimentation, nutrient loading, and
pollution levels of the system. In order to maintain the integrity of the aquatic preserve
environment these factors need to be considered during the planning of dredge and fill
operations, sewer systems, stormwater runoff drains, pumping stations, etc. (Fort Pickens
Aquatic Preserve Management Plan, 17).
Another factor which must be taken into consideration is that the aquatic preserve is
located in a coastal region which is subject to salt-water encroachment if large wells are
closely spaced and heavily pumped. The intrusion of saline ground water into the potable
aquifer may become a future problem. The increasing consumption of ground-water
supplies by a growing population will cause salt-water intrusion to be increasingly
common (Ibid., 17).
The coastal waters in the preserve area are also affected by several forces that have
little impact on the freshwaters of upland areas. In shallow inshore areas such as those
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along the Panhandle coast and in estuaries, wind is the major factor driving water
circulation. The result of this circulation is the net long-term movement of water and
sand west along the coast during late spring, early summer, and early fall, and east along
the coast during the winter months (Ibid., 18).
Fort Pickens Aquatic Preserve was designated as an "Outstanding Florida Water"
(OFW) on March 1, 1979. Because of their natural attributes, these water bodies are
assigned additional protection through the Department of Environmental Protection.
Chapter 17-3, F.A.C., addresses the water quality standards by which OFWs are
managed. An OFW designation places more stringent standards on the issuance of DEP
permits. Permit applications for activities that lower ambient water quality within a
designated OFW are normally denied (Ibid., 19).
Pensacola Bay, Big Lagoon, Santa Rosa Sound and the Gulf of Mexico are the four
water bodies which have a direct impact on the water quality of Fort Pickens Aquatic
Preserve. Pensacola Bay receives runoff and discharges from the City of Pensacola,
Pensacola Naval Air Station, Bayou Grande, Bayou Chico, and Bayou Texar (Ibid., 19).
The waters of the bay system are classified by use in accordance with the rules of the
Department of Environmental Protection. Class I waters have the most stringent water
quality criteria and Class V the least. However, Classes I, II, and III surface waters
share water quality criteria established to protect recreation and the propagation and
maintenance of a healthy, well-balanced population of fish and wildlife. Most of the
tributaries, and a portion of the bays within the Pensacola Bay System are classified by
the state as Class III waters, and are used for recreational purposes (i.e., swimming,
skiing, etc.) and for the maintenance of well-balanced fish and wildlife populations.
These Class III waters are directly associated with the Fort Pickens Aquatic Preserve
areas and they are prohibited from shellfish propagation and harvesting (Fort Pickens
Aquatic Preserve Management Plan, 19).
Santa Rosa Sound has good water quality, but it is threatened by development of Santa
Rosa Island, ditching and stormwater runoff. There are also a few waste water
treatment plants that have some seasonal problems during summer tourist months. The
waters of the sound which have a direct effect on the aquatic preserve area are Class III
waters (Ibid., 20).
Water quality in Big Lagoon is regularly tested by the Escambia County Health
Department. Big Lagoon, in the area affecting the aquatic preserve, has a designation of
Class III waters also.
The predominant habitat types of the Fort Pickens Aquatic Preserve are subtidal and
intertidal vegetation communities, the subtidal communities consist primarily of seagrass
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and aquatic algae. The intertidal communities are salt marshes, one of the most valuable
natural resources of the northwest gulf coast (Ibid., 20).
The subtidal vegetation in the Fort Pickens Aquatic Preserve is composed mostly of
turtle-grass (Thalassia testudium), shoal-grass (Halodule wrightii), and manatee-grass
(Syringonium filiforme). These are flowering plants that produce oxygen, stabilize
sediments, produce organic carbon, provide nursery habitat, and provide foraging and
resting habitat for marine animals and sea birds. In the shallowest areas (often in the
intertidal zone) the dominant species is shoal-grass. Below the low-tide mark, down to
the maximum depths of approximately ten feet, beds of turtle-grass dominate. Mixed in
with the turtle-grass (or sometimes growing alone in pure strands) is the manatee-grass.
Although not as abundant as the turtle-grass, manatee-grass is very important to the
preserve system (Ibid., 20).
Since seagrasses rely on clear water for photosynthesis, they are very susceptible to
disturbances and impacts by man. Human induced increases in turbidity associated with
dredging and erosion of adjacent uplands can decrease the photic zone of these plants or
physically smother them with silts. Increased nutrient levels can cause a proliferation of
epiphytic algaes to grow on seagrass leaves, causing reduction in photosynthetic
capabilities and unnatural rates of defoliation. Industrial pollution and discharges which
cause changes in seagrass productivity and distribution can seriously impair
macroinvertebrate and fish populations in the affected areas. Detailed studies of
submerged aquatic vegetation indicate that selective removal of dominant vegetation
types by changes in water quality and light transmission characteristics is associated with
alteration of the entire trophic organization of a particular system. Implications are that,
although generalized food web relationships are generally stable in a given seagrass bed
from year to year, relatively minor changes in water quality can lead to sharp reductions
in productivity and broad habitat alteration (Fort Pickens Aquatic Preserve Management
Plan, 20).
Tidal marshes are a major component of Fort Pickens Aquatic Preserve. At least six
functions of salt marshes in estuarine ecosystems have been proposed:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Detrital export
Nutrient export
Sediment trapping
Pollution removal
Critical habitat for juvenile fish and shellfish
Wildlife habitat
Marshes usually have distinct vegetation zonation. Smooth cordgrass (Sparina
alterniflora) forms a border along the open water within the intertidal zone. This fringe
may extend above mean high water (MHW). Landward of the cordgrass is the black
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needle rush (Juncus roemerianus), usually compromising the largest vegetated zone and
the bulk of the standing plants.
Tidal fluctuation is the most important physical factor in salt marsh communities. The
frequency and physical action of tides attributes to the fragmentation of vegetation and
the rate of decomposition. The additional nutrients, sediments and detritus from the
adjacent uplands filter into the marsh contributing to this highly productive environment.
Tidal exchanges allow for cycling of these nutrients and give marine and estuarine fauna
access to the marsh. This exchange or flushing action helps to make salt marshes one of
the most biologically productive natural communities in the world, even to the degree of
surpassing the most intensive agricultural practices.
More than 100 families of finfish and a wide variety of shellfish have been reported from
the marshes, estuaries and coastal waters of Fort Pickens Aquatic Preserve. More than
200 species have been reported in the waters of the Pensacola Bay system alone. The
open water habitats contain numerous species of commercial and recreational importance
and the estuarine and marsh areas serve as "nursery grounds" for many of the juvenile
and larval forms of marine organisms. These include brown and pink shrimp, ladyfish,
spotted seatrout, red drum, silver perch, Atlantic croaker, spot, southern kingfish, gulf
menhaden, striped mullet, and sheepshead (Fort Pickens Aquatic Preserve Management
Plan, 28).
Though many marsh species have little commercial importance, their diverse feeding
habits and intense utilization of marsh resources makes them especially important in
transferring energy from the marsh to the estuary and coastal waters and thus to
commercially valuable species. Nursery species and marsh foraging species consume
detritus, larval organisms, and plankton at the base of the food web in the marsh and then
introduce this energy to the estuarine and nearshore food webs when they leave the
marsh. Foraging carnivores also provide a trophic link between the marsh and adjacent
ecosystems.
Fish species found in the Fort Pickens Aquatic Preserve include a variety of habitats.
Pompano, blue runner, whiting and other forage and juvenile species can be found in the
sandy surf-zone. Unvegetated, sand bottom habitats are inhabited by burrowing types
such as flounder, stingrays, jawfishes, and inshore lizard fishes. Non-burrowing types
consist of the sand perch, pigfish, and spot. Mud bottom habitats are preferred by mullet,
croaker, silver perch and catfish. Anchovies and silverides are important forage species
and can be seen in the shallow bay waters at the surface where they feed. The seagrass
beds have a diverse assemblage of fish populations including mullet, pinfish, needlefish,
mojarra, seahorses, pipefish, blennies and gobies. "Hard" habitats such as piers, docks,
artificial reefs and jetties contain many of the "pretty" tropical species such as cocoa
damsels, angelfishes, parrotfishes, spadefishes, and butterfly fishes. These tropical
species are seasonal, arriving by currents in the warmer months, and dying off in the
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colder months. Wrasses, groupers and snappers are also found along these hard
substrates (Ibid., 29).
In Florida, the number of species actually harvested either entirely or principally in the
estuaries is surprisingly limited. But estuaries play a significant role in the production of
many shellfishes and finfishes that ultimately are harvested mainly at sea. About 50
commercial and 65 recreational species caught in the Gulf of Mexico spend at least some
portion of their lives in estuarine systems such as those found in the Fort Pickens Aquatic
Preserve. Seabasses, jacks, snappers, sheepshead, spot, mackerel, and flounders are a
few examples of estuarine dependent species which may be taken either offshore in the
gulf or in the estuary (Ibid., 29).
The coastal strand, saltmarsh, estuarine, and marine environments within the aquatic
preserve exhibit severely stressful conditions. Arid conditions and extremes in
temperature and salinity limit the types of organisms which can inhabit this area. In order
to inhabit these areas the preserve organisms must have a tolerance for these conditions.
The upland dune community adjacent to the aquatic preserve is hot and dry; few
amphibians can tolerate the extreme conditions. The southern toad occasionally takes
refuge in burrows and forages at night at the base of the dunes. Toads can be abundant
in coastal strand environments as can the southern leopard frog because both breed in
temporary ponds of the interdune flats (Fort Pickens Aquatic Management Plan, 30).
The various habitats found adjacent to the aquatic preserve may be well-endowed with
reptile species because these species are best adapted for dry terrestrial environments.
Several types of snakes and land turtles are abundant in the coastal strands. Reptiles
such as sea turtles are better adapted to the salinity ranges of the gulf and estuarine
waters (Ibid., 30).
The Atlantic loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) may be found in and around Fort
Pickens Aquatic Preserve. The frequency of reported sightings of loggerheads in this
area has increased over the past five years. Whether this increase is due to the presence
of more loggerheads or more "loggerhead watchers" has yet to be determined. The
loggerhead is listed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a threatened species (Ibid.,
30).
Other sea turtles such as the green sea turtle (Chelonia midas), and the leatherback sea
turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) have been reported in the area but these are rare
sightings. The leatherback turtle is listed as threatened and the green turtle is listed as
endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Ibid., 31).
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Another species of sea turtle, the Kemp Ridley (Lepidochelys kempii), is an occasional
visitor to this area. Several strandings of Kemps Ridley sea turtles have been
documented within the Florida district of Gulf Islands National Seashore (Ibid., 31).
Over 280 species of birds have been identified in the aquatic preserve and its adjacent
upland areas. Fort Pickens Aquatic Preserve and the adjacent area comprise several
diverse ecological communities which attract a variety of bird life. Gulf beaches, dunes,
fresh and saltwater marshes, and nearby wooded areas provide a wide range of wildlife
habitats.
Many of these species are area transients, using this area as a resting place on their way
to summer or wintering grounds. Others are accidental visitors, far from their natural
home ranges. The majority of the species found within the preserve are summer, winter,
and/or annual residents. Many of the species are dependent on the marine/estuarine
environment. Species such as the double crested cormorant, red breasted merganser,
brown pelican and black skimmer depend on the gulf for food, and its environs for shelter.
(Fort Pickens Aquatic Preserve Management Plan, 32.)
Within the marsh community, birds comprise one of the large herbivore groups and they
also play a significant role in both the immediate marsh and estuarine food webs. Marsh
areas within the aquatic preserve support year round residents (clapper rail and great blue
heron), summer nesting species (least bittern), migrants (American widgeon), casual
feeders (great egrets), and summer visitors (white ibis). Many coastal birds use the
marsh habitats as secondary breeding and dispersal areas. The marsh provides an ideal
environment for breeding birds. The dense vegetation and the isolated nature of many
marsh tracts restrict access by predators, especially the raccoon. Small fish, as well as
an abundant invertebrate population, provide food for both adults and young fledglings
(Ibid., 32).
The mammals which are found within or adjacent to Fort Pickens Aquatic Preserve must
also be able to survive the extreme conditions of the varying habitats. Coastal scrub
communities of Santa Rosa Island and Perdido Key have populations of light colored
beach rodents (cotton rats and rice rats) that burrow in the sand of the dune habitats as
well as marsh areas. The marsh rice rat is the most abundant of all coastal marsh
mammals. This rat is a good swimmer and may be observed feeding in the lower marsh.
The hispid cotton rat is more terrestrial and prefers the higher, less frequently flooded
marsh/upland interface (Ibid., 36).
Santa Rosa Island and Perdido Key are also home to the Santa Rosa beach mouse and
the Perdido Key beach mouse, respectively. The light colored mice are restricted to the
primary dune habitats and do not generally frequent nor construct burrows in marsh
areas. The Perdido Key beach mouse, a federally listed endangered species, suffered a
major population decline following Hurricane Fredrick in 1979. The species appears to
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have undergone a dramatic increase and is making a successful comeback due to the
joint efforts of the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission, the National Park
Service, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Ibid., 36).
A few mammalian species may be found in the tidal marsh habitats but resident mammals
are few; nutria, round tailed muskrat and marsh rabbits make up this group.
Predator species include the raccoon, mink and the long-tailed weasel who generally
feeds on grubs and insects at the marsh/upland interface. All other predators have mixed
diets of small mammals, birds, benthic invertebrates, and fish.
Marine mammals such as the bottle-nosed dolphins travel the waters of Fort Pickens
Aquatic Preserve. Bottle-nosed dolphins are regular visitors to the preserve, often
feeding on the smaller fish inhabiting the preserve waters (Ibid., 36).
The following animals are assumed to be found at or in the vicinity of Fort Pickens
Aquatic Preserve. These species have been given legal protection pursuant to the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Endangered Species Act of 1973, and/or the Florida
Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission (FGFWFC) regulations. They are listed as
endangered (E), threatened (T), of special concern (SSC) or under review (UR) for such
listing (UR2: Under review for federal listing, but substantial evidence of biological
vulnerability and/or threat is lacking).
(FGFWFC ranking, USFWS ranking)
Southern Snowy Plover (T, UR2); Piping Plover (T, T); Little Blue Heron (SSC); Snowy
Egret (SSC); Tricolored Heron (SSC); Peregrine Falcon (E, T); Southeastern American
Kestrel (T, UR2); American Oystercatcher (SSC); Wood Stork (E, E); Osprey (SSC);
Brown Pelican (SSC); Least Tern (T); Santa Rosa Beach Mouse (UR2, UR2); Perdido
Beach Mouse (E, E); American Alligator (SSC, T); Loggerhead Turtle (T, T); Green
Turtle (E, E); Leatherback Turtle (E, E); Kemps Ridley (E, E); Alligator Snapping Turtle
(SSC, UR2); Saltmarsh Topminnow (SSC) (Ibid., 38)
Yellow River Marsh Aquatic Preserve: (16,435 acres) This Preserve is a vital
component in the Pensacola Bay System. Development and pollution have had little
affect on the Preserve. The unspoiled forested wetlands, the over 2,000 acre marsh, and
the submerged grassbeds provide excellent habitat for fish and wildlife. As a result,
recreational and commercial fishing are major activities in the aquatic preserve
(Identification, 2-10).
The Yellow River Marsh Aquatic Preserve is located in southern Santa Rosa County.
The preserve includes the Yellow River from Highway 87, southwesterly to Blackwater
Bay, and Blackwater and East Bays south to White Point at East Bay.
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There are two major population centers near the preserve: the incorporated municipality
of Milton, with a 1990 population of 7,216; and an unincorporated area called Bagdad.
Milton is also the county seat of Santa Rosa County.
The two largest land holdings adjacent to the preserve are those of Eglin Air Force Base
and Champion International Corporation. Eglin AFB manages much of its lands,
especially the low-lying wetlands, as the Eglin Wildlife Management Area. Champion
International Corporation, a paper company, owns extensive timberlands adjacent to the
preserve. Due to equipment limitations, the company has not at this time expressed an
interest in logging the boggy lands that support bottomland hardwoods. The remaining
uplands are generally rural and residential, comprised mainly of farmland, rangeland,
forested land, and single-family homes. Golden Bay Properties, Inc. owns much of the
wetlands adjacent to White Point, the southern tip of the preserve (Yellow River Marsh
Aquatic Preserve Management Plan, 13).
Blackwater and East Bay are part of the Pensacola Bay System. Pensacola Bay has
been designated as a top S.W.I.M. priority, mainly due to declines in water and sediment
quality, and loss of habitat. The Yellow River exhibits some of the most pristine water
quality in the State of Florida. All segments of the river have good overall water quality.
The Yellow River is classified as a Class III by the Department of Environmental
Protection. Class III waters intended use is for recreation, propagation and maintenance
of a healthy population of fish and wildlife (Ibid., 17).
The Yellow River was designated on March 1, 1979, by the Department of
Environmental Protection as an Outstanding Florida Water (OFW) body. The statutory
requirement for an OFW is that the water body must have "natural attributes worthy of
special protection" (Section 403.061(28), F.S.). In OFW bodies, the primary water quality
standard used in regulation is the actual ambient water quality of each individual OFW,
rather than the general numerical limits of the water quality classification system. The
importance of this system is that all OFWs receive special protection against water
pollution (Ibid, 17).
The Yellow River Marsh Aquatic Preserve includes not only submerged grassbed
communities, but also other types of wetland communities such as marshes, swamps and
forested wetlands. These wetlands are a valuable resource to the residents of Santa
Rosa County for many reasons (Yellow River Marsh Aquatic Preserve Management
Plan, 22).
Wetlands of the preserve receive floodwaters after heavy rains and function as natural
flood control. Pollutants, excess nutrients, and sediments enter the wetlands and are
filtered out of stormwater, thereby improving water quality. The preserve wetlands
recycle nutrients which are essential for wildlife. These wetlands provide safe, sheltered
habitats for juvenile members of numerous species of marine and estuarine organisms.
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Many of these species are important to commercial and recreational fishermen of Santa
Rosa County. The wetlands also provide habitat for many other types of wildlife, such as
migratory birds, waterfowl, and mammals. As a result, the wetlands are productive
hunting areas, especially for deer and ducks. Wetlands recharge groundwater supplies
and supply drinking water. Timber and other natural resources are harvested from
wetlands. And finally, wetlands are important for educational and aesthetic reasons
(Ibid., 22).
There are several different types of forested wetlands which occur within the Yellow
River Marsh Aquatic Preserve. Forested wetlands are commonly known by a variety of
names such as river swamp, shrub bog, bayhead, cypress swamp, titi bog, floodplain
forest, swamp forest, and bottomland hardwood forest.
These forested wetlands are characterized by a wide variety of plant life including trees,
shrubs, vines, grasses, and herbaceous plants. The moisture regime is the most
significant factor in maintaining these communities; only flood tolerant species of plants
and animals can survive. Forested wetlands are present along the Yellow River and its
tributaries until reaching the marshes at Blackwater Bay (Ibid., 23).
Trees found in the forested wetlands include: water hickory, sweetgum, blackgum,
tupelo, red maple, sweetbay, redbay, loblolly bay, ash, elm, American hornbeam, river
birch, cypress, red and white cedar, black willow, titi, pond pine, slash pine, sycamore and
several species of oaks.
Woody understory species include buttonbush, yaupon holly, dahoon holly, titi, St. John'swort, dog hobble, fetterbush, large gallberry, myrtle-leaved holly, swamp azalea, Florida
anise, Virginia willow and sweet pepperbush (Ibid., 23).
Plant life in the forested interior floodplain is often characterized by herbaceous vines
such as greenbriar, wild grape, peppervine, poison ivy, trumpet creeper, and crossvine.
Other herbaceous species include cinnamon fern, royal fern, chain fern, lizard's tail,
orchids and other flowering plants, and mosses and liverworts (Yellow River Marsh
Aquatic Preserve Management Plan, 23).
Forested wetlands host a variety of wildlife such as deer, bobcats, bear, wild hog, beaver,
fox, otters, raccoons, swamp rabbits, squirrel (flying, red, gray), opposum, and mink. Wild
turkey, waterfowl, wading birds, migratory birds, song birds, and birds of prey, especially
ospreys, hawks, and owls are found in the preserve. Turtles, snakes, frogs, salamanders,
and even alligators may be found in the preserve. All of these species utilize the forested
wetlands for food, shelter, and breeding/nesting habitat, and are dependent on the
wetlands for their continued survival (Ibid., 23).
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In addition to providing food and habitat for animals, forested wetlands receive
floodwaters, recycle nutrients, filter stormwater runoff and serve as a sink for sediments
and other types of pollutants.
Marshes of the preserve fall into two categories: tidal marsh and floodplain marsh.
Tidal marshes are expansive intertidal or supertidal areas occupied primarily by rooted,
emergent vascular macrophytes such as cordgrass, needlerush, sawgrass, saltwort,
saltgrass, and glasswort. Additionally, species such as sea ox-eye daisy and sedges also
occur. These species are tolerant of the higher salinities and harsher wind and wave
conditions characteristic of tidal marshes. The largest expanse of tidal marsh in the
preserve is found along the west shore of East Bay near White Point (Ibid., 24).
Floodplain marsh occurs in the river floodplain. These marshes are seasonally inundated
and are dominated by maidencane, pickerelweed, sagittaria, buttonbush, wax myrtle, and
mixed emergents. Other species which occur in the floodplain marsh include giant
cutgrass, cattail, spadderdock, beak rush, bulrush, sedges, spike rush, and sawgrass (Ibid.,
24).
The floodplain marsh covers approximately 2400 acres at the mouth of the Yellow River.
In addition to the marsh species, patchy stands of hardwoods and water tolerant pine
trees have become established on small "islands" of higher elevation in the marsh.
Marsh communities are among the most productive ecosystems in the world; three times
more productive than cultivated farmland. In addition to being highly productive, marsh
communities also recycle nutrients and function as natural filtration systems for runoff.
Marshes provide food, shelter, and habitat for deer, otters, marsh rabbits, raccoons, coots,
egrets, gulls, terns, herons, bitterns, rails, gallinules, red-winged blackbirds, ospreys,
hawks, ducks, alligators, snakes, turtles, and salamanders. Marshes are utilized as nesting
habitat by a number of species and serve as protected nursery areas for juvenile fish and
invertebrates (Yellow River Marsh Aquatic Preserve Management Plan, 24).
Grassbeds are expansive subtidal or intertidal areas, occupied primarily by rooted
submerged vascular macrophytes. Grassbeds of the Yellow River Marsh Aquatic
Preserve extend well into Blackwater Bay from the mouth of the Yellow River and its
distributaries. Grassbeds are also present in patches along the western shoreline. The
grassbeds are dominated by tapegrasses (Vallisneria americana), which grow in the bay
at depths of one to three feet. Associated with tapegrass are aquatic species such as
lemon bacopa, southern naiad, widgeon grass, and bladderwort (Ibid., 29).
Submerged grasses such as tapegrass perform many valuable functions within the
estuarine system. They stabilize sediments, recycle nutrients, provide shelter and habitat
for aquatic fauna, and serve as spawning and nursery areas for many species of fish and
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shellfish. Many commercially important fish spend at least part of their lives in these
beds.
The Yellow River Marsh is part of the Pensacola Bay System. This system is the most
impacted by human activity of all the watersheds of the panhandle. East Bay, just outside
the preserve boundaries, once contained expansive stretches of grassbeds, especially
between Escribano Point and Miller Point. These beds disappeared by 1977. Grassbed
disappearance has been noted in the Pensacola Bay System since 1951. Disappearance
of grassbeds in the preserve has been less extensive than in other areas of the Pensacola
Bay System (Ibid., 29).
At least 101 species of fish occur in the Florida portion of the river system, including
Blackwater Bay. Of the species recorded, 33 are marine or brackish water forms. An
additional five are diadromous (Alabama shad, skipjack, herring, hogchocker, Atlantic
sturgeon, American eel). Freshwater species entering the bay are derived from the
Blackwater and Yellow Rivers. Marine species originate from the Gulf of Mexico or are
permanent residents of the estuary (Ibid., 29).
The minnow family, Cyprinidae, contributes the largest number of species to the system,
with a total of 17. The sunfish (Centrarchidae) are the second best represented with 14
species. Other families contributing five or more species are Ictaluridae (freshwater
catfish), Cyprinodontidae (killifish), Sciaenidae (drums), and Percidae (perches).
Bass, et al., (1979) surveyed the Yellow River system and set up sampling stations
throughout the area, including two stations in the river portion of the preserve. Station 1,
in the tidal delta at the mouth of the Yellow River, yielded 23 species, all of which are
freshwater forms. The most abundant was bluegill, which contributed 31.3% of the catch
by number. Next in abundance was the longnose gar, comprising 19.4% of the number.
Third most abundant was the redear sunfish (12.4%). Commercial or sport fish made up
58.2% by number (Yellow River Marsh Aquatic Preserve Management Plan, 30).
Station 2, up the river away from the delta, yielded 24 species, all but one of which were
freshwater. The southern flounder, a common invader of Florida streams, was the only
marine representative. Bluegill was again the most abundant, comprising 22.4% by
number. The longear sunfish was second (12.0%) and was followed by spotted sucker
(7.7%). Commercial or sport fish comprised 66.1% of the collection (Ibid., 30).
The river swamp/backwaters amid the bottomland hardwoods and associated vegetation
are an important habitat for fish production. Fish of the main river channel depend
greatly upon these "quiet water" areas for spawning and growth.
Marine species which are abundant in the lower bay include Gulf menhaden, tidewater
silverside, sliver perch,, sand seatrout, spot croaker, and striped mullet. Other common
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species are speckled worm eel, sea catfish, needlefish, spotted seatrout, and hogchocker
(Yellow River Marsh Aquatic Preserve Management Plan, 30).
Both marine and freshwater fish inhabit the upper bay adjacent the outlets of the two
rivers. The river/bay interface is highly valuable as a producer of fish, providing primary
nursery grounds. Abundant fish of the upper bay are speckled worm eel, bay anchovy,
Gulf pipefish, bluegill, redear sunfish, and naked goby. Other common species are
longnose gar, coastal shiner, spot, striped mullet, and clown goby. Freshwater species
found occasionally include spotted gar, bowfin, chain pickerel, spotter sucker, tadpole
madtom, brook silverside, warmouth, longear sunfish, spotted sunfish, and bluespotted
sunfish (Ibid., 30).
Marine species caught by anglers at the mouth of the Yellow River include spotted
seatrout, red drum, flounder, croaker, spot, sting ray, bull shark, gafftopsail catfish, and
sea catfish.
Overall, the Yellow River System is high in numbers of fish species, but production of
sport fish is relatively low in comparison to other Florida streams (Ibid., 30).
The marsh and bottomland hardwood communities provide habitat for numerous
mammalian species. White-tailed deer, a popular game animal, frequents both areas,
mainly because of the common hardwood forest and wetland inhabitants occur here,
including squirrel, armadillo, raccoon, bobcat, coyote, wild hog, beaver, fox, swamp rabbit,
opposum, mink, and river otter. The Florida black bear, a threatened species, also
inhabits the area (Yellow River Marsh Aquatic Preserve Management Plan, 31).
The continuum of uplands to forested wetlands to marsh habitat offers these and smaller
mammals excellent home range, foraging opportunities, and escape cover from excessive
human activity and predators. The two primary factors contributing to this are the rural
nature of northern adjacent uplands and the forested lands of Eglin Air Force Base
abutting the south and eastern preserve boundaries of the aquatic preserve (Ibid., 31).
A variety and abundance of reptiles and amphibians occur in the preserve. The
American alligator, which is listed as a species of special concern by the Florida Game
and Fresh Water Fish Commission, is a common inhabitant of the marsh and bottomlands.
Numerous salamanders, frogs, and turtles occur throughout the floodplain. Water snakes,
including the poisonous cottonmouth, are also common to both bottomland and marsh
communities (Ibid., 31).
Wading birds, raptors, songbirds and waterfowl frequent all habitat types within the
preserve.
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Some of the more conspicuous wading birds found loafing or foraging in the marsh or
emergent vegetation include: great blue heron, least bittern, and snowy egret. Raptos
such as the osprey, hawks, and the endangered bald eagle utilize all communities, nesting
in larger trees in the inner marsh and swamp forest and feeding in the estuary and
floodplain. While ospreys are very common in the preserve, bald eagles are quite rare.
Songbirds are ubiquitous among the arboreal habitats of the bottomlands. Various species
of ducks are found throughout the preserve. Wood ducks normally inhabit the swamp
forest, nesting in tree cavities and consuming acorns as a primary food. They are usually
year-round residents in this area. Migratory ducks such as scaup, and pintail may
temporarily stop at the river or bay during winter (Ibid., 31).
The benthic macroinvertebrates found in the bay and the shoreline include both
oligochaete and polychaete worms, clams, snails, midge larvae, mysid shrimp, and
amphipods and isopods (small flattened crustaceans such as beach fleas). The
amphipods and isopods are abundant in the grassbeds and sandy areas of the preserve.
Benthos found in the river include polychaete and oligochaete worms, leeches, copepods,
mysid shrimp, amphipods, isopods, midge larvae, mayfly nymphs, crayfish, caddisfly
larvae, dragonfly and damselfly larvae, dobsonfly, aquatic beetles, culicidae, snails,
mussels, and clams (Yellow River Marsh Aquatic Preserve Management Plan, 32).
Some designated animal and plant species which have legal protection pursuant to the
Endangered Species Act of 1973, are assumed to be found within the vicinity of the
preserve. These species are: Southeastern kestrel, little blue heron, snowy egret,
tricolored heron, bald eagle, least tern, brown pelican, osprey, peregrine falcon, Florida
mink, round-tailed muskrat, eastern chipmunk, eastern chipmunk, Florida black bear,
American alligator, Alabama map turtle, Florida bog frog, gulf saltmarsh snake, pine
barrens tree frog, alligator snapping turtle, Atlantic sturgeon, blackmouth shiner, bluenose
shiner, American sand-burrowing mayfly, blackwater sandfiltering mayfly, gulf clubtail,
meridion mayfly, panhandle lily, orange azalea, Ashe's magnolia, white-top pitcher plant
Ibid., 47).
Rocky Bayou Aquatic Preserve: Rocky Bayou Preserve is located in Okaloosa
County. It was designated as an aquatic preserve on November 2, 1970. It covers 480
acres and is the smallest of the 42 Florida aquatic preserves. The preserve encompasses
all of the sovereignty submerged lands bordered on the north, east, and south by "mean
high water" line of Rocky Bayou, and bordered on the west by the easterly right-of-way
line of State Road 20.
Located along the northern edge of Choctawhatchee Bay, Rocky Bayou is a fresh to
brackish water system, which receives freshwater input from two creeks, Rocky Creek
and Turkey Creek, and several smaller steephead streams. Rocky Creek, which flows
directly into the bayou, represents on of the only known habitats for the Okaloosa darter
(Etheostoma okaloosae) (Rocky Bayou Aquatic Preserve Management Plan, 1).
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Another designated species, the osprey (Pandion haliaetus), occurs in and around the
preserve. Two ospreys, possibly a mated pair, have been observed in the area by the
aquatic preserve area (in 1991). In addition, several osprey nests were located by
rangers from Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Recreation Area just south of the
preserve.
Other noteworthy features of the area are the three "steephead" ravines within the
recreation area. One steephead has been impounded to create Puddin Head Lake. The
second steephead has undergone little or no disturbance other than a paved road that
crosses it via a culvert near the ravine's mouth. A residential subdivision (Parkwood
Estates) and an elementary school have been constructed on the eastern boundary of the
third steephead. Disruption of the stream's ecology has occurred because of clearing and
untreated stormwater runoff from the subdivision and the school's stormwater retention
pond that is located upgradient of the spring source of the steephead stream. Other
steephead ravines around the bayou have been impacted by human activity (Ibid., 1).
Rocky Bayou supports many aquatic activities such as water skiing, boating, jet skiing,
fishing and swimming.
The upland area to the northeast of the preserve is mostly undeveloped military property
on Eglin Air Force Base. The area northwest of the preserve is experiencing an increase
in residential development as the City of Niceville expands (Ibid., 1).
Habitat loss, increased impacts from recreational use, increased development, and water
quality degradation have become major threats to this beautiful estuarine environment.
The construction of the Choctawhatchee Bay bridge brings concerns of increased
development pressure. An integrated management program by state, regional, and local
governments, will be necessary to accomplish the goal of long term resource protection
for the preserve and for the adjacent lands that have a direct impact on it (Ibid., 2).
The Rocky Bayou Aquatic Preserve has numerous endangered (E), threatened (T), and
species of special concern (SSC) that are likely to occur. These species are: Osprey
(Pandion haliaetus) (SSC), Clapper Rail (Rallus longirostris scottii) (under review),
Least Tern (Sterna antillarum) (T), Florida Black Bear (Ursus americanus floridanus)
(T), American Alligator (Alligator Mississippiensis) (SSC), Bog Frog (Rana
okaloosae) (SSC), Atlantic Sturgeon (Acipenser Oxyrhynchus) (SSC), Okaloosa
Darter (Etheostoma okaloosae) (E), Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia)(under review),
Needle Palm (Rhaphidophyllum hystrix) (under review), Orange Azalea
(Rhododendron austrinum) (under review), Whitetop Pitcher Plant (Sarracenia
leucophylla) (under review) (Rocky Bayou Aquatic Preserve Management Plan, 33).
Under review means that they are under review for federal listing, but substantial
evidence of biological vulnerability and/or threat is lacking.
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St. Andrews State Park Aquatic Preserve: (25,000 acres) The St. Andrews State
Park Aquatic Preserve is located in northwest Florida, south of Panama City and east of
Panama City Beach. The preserve covers the entire inlet to St. Andrews Bay. The
northern boundary is an east-west oriented line that runs from Courtney Point to just
south of Redfish Point. The southern boundary runs west from the southwest point of the
St. Andrews Recreation Area for approximately two miles and extends approximately
three miles out into the Gulf of Mexico. The eastern boundary is located approximately
one-half mile east of Shell Island and extends from Tyndall Air Force Base to three miles
offshore (St. Andrews State Park Aquatic Preserve Management Plan, 15).
Boundaries of the St. Andrews State Park Aquatic Preserve include only state-owned
(sovereignty) submerged lands that occur below the mean high water line (MHWL).
Uplands and artificial canals are excluded from the preserve.
The St. Andrews State Park Aquatic Preserve is located in the coastal plain province.
The coastal region occupies a physiographic division known as the Coastal Lowlands,
which are low in elevation and poorly drained (Ibid., 15).
The general topography of this area was formed during the Pleistocene epoch and is
composed of ancient marine terraces that run parallel to the Gulf of Mexico shoreline.
There are eight marine terraces in Florida, formed by waves, current, and varying sea
levels. When the sea level remained stationary for long periods, the waves and currents
would erode the sea floor to form a fairly level surface. When the sea level dropped, the
sea floor became a level plain or terrace. The Silver Bluff terrace is present within the
preserve boundaries at an altitude between sea level and ten feet above sea level, the
Pamlico terrace rises from five to twenty-five feet above sea level (Ibid., 15).
The St. Andrews State Park Aquatic Preserve lies wholly within the geographical division
known as the West Florida Coast Strip, which extends from the mouth of the
Ocklockonee River west to the Mississippi River. This strip consists primarily of coastal
islands and narrow peninsulas along the coast. The preserve is typical of the West Coast
Strip. Much of the area is occupied by beach sands and active dunes, with definite
indications that scrub areas are being or have been invaded by these migrating dunes
(Ibid., 16).
The general soil type within the aquatic preserve is made up of the Kureb-ResotaMandarin series. These soils are nearly level to gently sloping, with areas that are
excessively, moderately, and somewhat poorly drained. They are sandy, with a depth of
80 inches or more. Some have organic stained layers. The soil is not suitable for
cultivated field crops, improved pasture, or trees, Permiability is rapid with the water
table below 80 inches throughout the year. Equipment limitations and crop mortality are
the main agricultural concerns (Ibid., 16).
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In the upland communities surrounding the St. Andrews State Park Aquatic Preserve,
there are eleven distinct natural communities that are present: beach dune, maritime
hammock, mesic flatwoods, scrub, scrubby flatwoods, basin marsh and marsh lake, wet
flatwoods, coastal dune lake, estuarine tidal marsh, and marine unconsolidated substrate
(St. Andrews State Park Aquatic Preserve Management Plan, 16).
St. Andrews Bay is the receiving waterbody for the largest drainage basin in Bay
County. The area drained is from the Apalachicola River west to the Choctawhatchee
River. There are nine major streams that flow into St. Andrews Bay. The streams
draining the largest area are the Econfina and Bear Creek. The flow into St. Andrews
Bay is approximately 620 cubic feet per second (cfs) (Ibid., 16).
St. Andrews Bay is central in the St. Andrews Bay System. The bay opens directly to
the Gulf of Mexico through East and West Passes. Connecting embayments include
North, West, and East Bays, as well as Grand Lagoon and St. Andrews Sound. Though
the bay system may be classified as a positive estuary, the preserve waters, owing to
their proximity to the sea, rarely drop below 30 parts per thousand (ppt) in salinity (Ibid.,
16).
St. Andrews State Park Aquatic Preserve was designated as an "Outstanding Florida
Water" (OFW) body, on March 1, 1979. Because of the natural attributes, this
waterbody is assigned additional protection through the Department of Environmental
Protection. Chapter 17-3, F.A.C., addresses the water quality standards by which OFW
are managed. Permit applications for activities that lower ambient water quality
standards within designated OFW are normally denied (Ibid., 17).
Although limited data exists on the quality of water in the aquatic preserve, the
Department of Environmental Protection, 1986 Florida Water Quality Assessment
classifies the water quality in St. Andrews Bay as "good." Water quality in the adjoining
bay waters is classified as "good" except for Watson Bayou which is classified as "fair"
(Ibid., 17).
Relatively clear water is one of the characteristic features of St. Andrews State Aquatic
Preserve. Several factors contribute to the bay's clarity. First, incoming tidal water is
clear and major tributaries are spring fed. Second, the surrounding upland is mostly
forested, and local soils consist of porous sand that contain little of the silt-clay that is
often responsible for turbidity in coastal waters. Third, tidal marshes and seagrasses act
as natural filters within the bay that collect and stabilize suspended sediments and
particulate detritus (Ibid., 17).
The dominant biological communities of St. Andrews State Park Aquatic Preserve are
seagrasses and saltmarsh, although in some small areas and at certain seasons algae is of
importance. The subtidal zone consists primarily of seagrasses. The intertidal zone
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consists of saltmarshes, one of the most valuable natural resources of the Gulf Coast
(Ibid., 17).
The subtidal vegetation is St. Andrews State Park Aquatic Preserve is composed mostly
of turtle grass (Thalassia testudinum), shoal grass (Halodule wrightii), and Manatee
grass (Syringodium filiforme). These are flowering plants that produce oxygen, stabilize
sediments, produce organic carbon, provide nursery habitat, and provide foraging and
resting habitat for marine animals and sea birds. In the shallowest areas (often in the
intertidal zone) the dominant species is shoal grass. Below the low-tide mark, down to
maximum depths of approximately ten feet, beds of turtle grass dominate. Interspersed
with the turtle grass (or sometimes growing along in pure strands) is the manatee grass.
Although not as abundant as the turtle grass, manatee grass is very important to the bay
system (St. Andrews State Park Aquatic Preserve Management Plan, 18).
Although algae make up only a small portion of the subtidal vegetation, they are often
important where they occur. Most algal growth will be found attached to hard-bottoms,
either natural or man-made, and also attached to other plants, such as seagrasses. Manmade sites such as the dockage in St. Andrew Sound and the piers on Shell Island
provide hard materials upon which algae can attach. While alive, the algae beds provide
oxygen to the water column. As the algae beds die back each summer, they make a
contribution to the organic carbon load that gets recycled through the bay system in the
form of detritus. In addition to the attached algal species, there are several freeswimming species that drift over the shallows, particularly in the early spring. This is the
time of year when the rooted seagrasses have reduced above seafloor growth and the
algal provides cover for the juvenile fishes utilizing the bay shallows (Ibid., 21).
Salt marshes are a major component of St. Andrews State Park Aquatic Preserve. At
least five functions of salt marshes in estuarine ecosystems have been identified:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Detrital export
Nutrient export
Sediment trapping
Pollutant removal
Critical habitat for juvenile fish and shellfish
Marshes usually have distinct vegetation zonations. Smooth cordgrass (Spartina
alterniflora) forms a border along the open water within the intertidal zone. This fringe
may extend above mean high water (MHW). Landward of the cordgrass is the black
needle rush (Juncus roemerianus), usually comprising the largest vegetated zone and the
bulk of the standing plant (St. Andrews State Park Aquatic Preserve Management Plan,
22).
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The wildlife value associated with highly productive salt marsh communities is extremely
important. The linking of estuarine with freshwater environments forms a necessary
habitat for the feeding and breeding of many species. Ranging from protozoa to
mammals, the animal populations are of considerable variety. Some species are
restricted to this semiaquatic semiterrestrial habitat, while others can be found in the
upland communities surrounding the preserve.
The fish found in the coastal waters of St. Andrews State Park Aquatic Preserve include
but are not limited to: Spanish mackerel, king mackerel, redfish, mullet, ling, sheepshead,
speckled trout, bluefish, catfish, bluerunner, whiting, grouper, pompano, flounder, and
pinfish. These waters are characterized by high salinity and low turbidity similar to the
open waters of the Gulf of Mexico (Ibid., 24).
The ichthyofauna in St. Andrews State Park Aquatic Preserve, as in most estuaries, can
be considered as transient or resident species. Transient species are ocean-spawned
species that utilize estuaries temporarily as a nursery ground before migrating back to the
sea as adults; species that move regularly from one habitat to another within an estuary;
and stenohaline species that forage and/or spawn occasionally in the lower reaches of
estuaries. Residents include those species that spend their entire life cycle within the
confines of the estuary (St. Andrews State Park Aquatic Preserve Management Plan,
24).
True resident species are usually restricted to one type of habitat. The number of
resident species is not as great as the number of transient forms.
Fish species found in St. Andrews State Park Aquatic Preserve inhabit a variety of
habitats. Pompano, bluerunner, and whiting and other forage and juvenile species can be
found in the sandy surf-zone. Unvegetated, sand bottom habitats are inhabited by
burrowing types such as flounder, stingrays, jawfishes, and inshore lizard-fishes. Nonburrowing types consist of the sand perch, pigfish, and spot. Mud bottom habitats are
preferred by mullet, croaker, silver perch, and catfish. Anchovies and silversides are
important forage species and can be seen in the bay's shallowest waters or at the surface
where they feed. The seagrass beds have a diverse assemblage of fish populations
including mullet, pinfish, blennies and gobies. "Hard" habitats such as piers, docks,
seawalls, and rock jetties contain many of the "pretty" tropical species such as cocoa
damsels, angelfish, parrotfish, spadefish, and butterfly fish. Wrasses, groupers, and
snappers are also found along these hard substrates (Ibid., 24).
In Florida, the number of species actually harvested in the estuary is surprisingly low, but
the estuary plays a significant role in production of many shellfish and finfish that
ultimately are harvested at sea. In fact, about 50 commercial and 30-65 recreational
species caught in the Gulf of Mexico spend at least some portion of their life cycle in
estuarine waters such as St. Andrews State Park Aquatic Preserve. Many popular
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estuarine-dependent species may be taken either offshore or in both the estuary and the
Gulf (seabasses, jacks, snappers, sheepshead, spot, mackerel, and flounders are
examples). Gulf menhaden, penaeid shrimp, blue crabs, and mullet comprise about 86
percent of the estuarine dependent commercial landings, while spotted seatrout, red drum,
sand seatrout, tarpon, and black drum make up approximately 80 percent of the
recreational landings (Ibid., 25).
Only a few reptile species are adapted to the conditions of the tidal juncus marsh.
Marsh reptile species have very limited geographic distributions, except for the American
alligator. The American alligator inhabits river systems, bayous and coastal marshes.
The alligator's tolerance for salinity varies with age; tolerance is high for adults but
salinities much greater than five parts per thousand may be harmful for the newly
hatched young. The alligator would be rare or occasional visitor to the tidal marshes of
St. Andrews State Park Aquatic Preserve, preferring to stay in the freshwater habitats
(Ibid., 25).
Another reptile that may be a rare sight in the salt marsh is the diamond-back terrapin.
This turtle inhabits the marshes and adjacent estuaries, nesting along sandy edges of the
marsh. A host of various snake and frog species occur in the inland wetlands bordering
the preserve.
Sea turtles (Atlantic loggerhead, green, leatherback, hawksbill, ridley) may be found in
and around St. Andrews State Park Aquatic Preserve. Loggerhead turtles are listed by
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as threatened, all other sea turtles are listed as
endangered (Ibid., 25).
In and around St. Andrews State Park Aquatic Preserve, a large number of bird species
occur throughout a wide variety of habitats. Many of these species are area transients,
using this area as a resting place on their way to summer or winter grounds. Others are
accidental visitors, far from their natural home ranges. The majority of the species found
within the aquatic preserve are summer, winter, and/or annual residents. Approximately
one-fifth of these species are dependent on the marine/estuarine environment. These
include the least tern, snowy plover, American oystercatcher, and several species of
herons, egrets, gulls and terns. Species such as the American white pelican, brown
pelican, and black skimmer depend on the Gulf for food, and its environs for shelter.
Numerous other species depend on marine and estuarine wetlands to fulfill life history
requirements. Predators such as the peregrine falcon, the bald eagle and the osprey
depend on large tracts of upland and wetland areas for food and shelter (Ibid., 25).
Birds play a significant role in the marsh and estuarine food web. The juncus marsh
supports year-round residents (e.g., clapper rail and great blue heron), summer-nesting
species (e.g., least bittern), migrants (e.g., short-billed marsh wren, sedge wren, and
American widgeon), casual feeders (e.g., great egrets) and summer visitors (e.g., white
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ibis). No species of bird is endemic to the marshes of the northeastern Gulf area.
However, five subspecies of marsh birds are restricted to marshes of the Gulf of Mexico:
the seaside sparrow, Ammodranus martimun juncicola, is found from Taylor County to
St. Andrews Bay, Florida and one marsh wren, Cistothorus palustris mariane, from
Charlotte Harbor, Florida to Mobile, Alabama (Ibid., 26).
Many coastal birds nest in freshwater deltas and use the Juncus marsh habitats as
secondary breeding and dispersal areas. The marsh provides an ideal environment for
breeding birds. The dense vegetation and the isolated nature of many marsh tracts
restrict access by predators, especially the raccoon. Small fish, as well as an abundant
invertebrate population, provide food for both adults and young fledglings (St. Andrews
State Park Aquatic Preserve Management Plan, 26).
Mammals of the Juncus tidal marsh may be categorized into three groups: (1) marsh
residents, (2) inhabitants of the marsh/upland interface, and (3) upland mammals entering
the marsh to feed.
Resident mammals are few; nutria, round-tailed muskrat and marsh rabbits make up this
group. The marsh rabbit is the largest mammal to be commonly found and though quite
nocturnal, tidal variations may require them to move to some extent during the day (Ibid.,
26).
The marsh rice rat is the most abundant of all coastal marsh mammals. This rat is a good
swimmer and may be observed feeding in the lower marsh. The Hispid cotton rat is
more terrestrial and prefers the higher, less frequently flooded marsh/upland interface.
Predator species include the raccoon, mink, long-tailed weasel, and river otter who only
visit the marsh for feeding. All of the predators have mixed diets of small mammals, such
as the rats, birds, benthic invertebrates, and fish found in the tidal creeks (Ibid., 26).
Marine mammals such as the bottle-nosed dolphin and West Indian manatee travel the
waters of St. Andrews State Park Aquatic Preserve. Bottle-nosed dolphins are regular
visitors to the preserve, often feeding on smaller fish inhabiting the preserve waters.
Manatees have been seen within the aquatic preserve by personnel from the St. Andrews
State Recreation Area (Ibid., 26).
The endangered, threatened, and species of special concern found in the aquatic preserve
are:
American oystercatcher, Arctic peregrine falcon, Bald eagle, Brown Pelican, Least tern,
Piping Plover, Southeastern snowy plover, Choctawhatchee beach mouse, West Indian
manatee, American alligator, Atlantic green turtle, Atlantic loggerhead turtle, Atlantic
ridley turtle, Gulf of Mexico sturgeon, and Saltmarsh topminnow (Ibid., 28).
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State Forests: There are nine state forests in our Region. The two larger state forests
are highlighted below and mapped. The seven smaller state forests are listed in Table 5,
but are not mapped due to their size.
Table 5
State Forests
Forest
County
Acreage
Blackwater
Santa Rosa/Okaloosa
183,670
Bruner Bay*
Washington
40
Choctawhatchee River*
Washington
235
Gillis Road*
Santa Rosa
20
Holmes Creek*
Washington
40
Loblolly*
Washington
40
Pine Log
Bay/Washington
6,911
Point Washington*
Walton
15,181
Porter Pond*
Washington
80
Tupelo*
Washington
40
*Not mapped due to size
Blackwater River State Forest: (183,670 acres) This State Forest is located in
northern Santa Rosa and Okaloosa Counties and provides a variety of multiple uses.
Timber production is a primary goal of the forest. As a part of growing timber, land
management programs have allowed for extensive recreational opportunities. Hunting,
fishing, lake boating, canoeing, hiking and camping are popular activities. The value of
this area to the Pensacola Bay Basin is in the quality of land management that protects
the total watershed. Habitats include upland mixed forest, turkey oak scrub, forested
wetlands, three state canoe trails, and near pristine rivers. There are numerous
endangered and threatened species that inhabit the forest. Part of the Florida Trail
(locally called the Jackson Trail) traverses the forest. Blackwater River State Park is
totally surrounded by state forest lands in the south portion of the forest. The park
contributes to the forest being an area of regional environmental significance. There are
numerous endangered and threatened flora and fauna found in the forest. It has
numerous high bluffs (up to 30 feet) on rivers. Watershed is important to shell fisheries,
recreation, and local tourist industry (Identification, 2-4).
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Pine Log State Forest: (6,911 acres) Located along the lower reaches of the
Choctawhatchee River, this State Forest provides multiple use activities including timber
production, camping, hiking, fishing, boating, and swimming. Pine Log Creek is a small
tributary to the Choctawhatchee River and its lower marshes in Walton County.
Endangered bird, mammal and plant species can be found in the forest. Numerous
wetlands connect to the Choctawhatchee River and Bay. Wet pine flatwoods and
hardwood swamps are found along streams and the Pine Log Creek (Identification, 3-8).
Resource Management Areas : There are no Resource Management Areas (RMA) in
our Region. There are, however, two Resource Management Plans in our Region.
These plans set guidelines for the protection and control of resources. The two plans are
for Escambia/Santa Rosa (12/11/85) and Okaloosa/Walton (3/27/85) Counties.
"Outstanding Florida Waters": Outstanding Florida Waters (OFW) are waters
designated by the Environmental Regulation Commission as worthy of special protection
because of their natural attributes. Outstanding Florida Waters generally include surface
waters in National Parks, Preserves, Wildlife Refuges, Seashores, Marine Sanctuaries,
Estuarine Research Reserves, certain National Monuments, and certain waters in
National Forests. Waters in the State Park system, Wilderness areas, and waters in
areas acquired through donation, trade, or purchase under the Environmental Endangered
Lands Bond Program (EEL), Conservation and Recreation Land Program (CARL), Land
Acquisition Trust Fund Programs (LATF), and Save our Coast program (SOC), wild and
scenic rivers, and State Aquatic Preserves are also generally included.
Waters that are found to have exceptional recreational or ecological significance that are
not protected as above may also be designated as OFWs. Such "special waters" OFWs
include 30 of Florida's 1700 rivers, plus several lakes and lake chains, several estuarine
areas, and the Florida Keys. (It should be noted that some OFWs overlap geographically)
(Listing of Outstanding Florida Waters by County, FLDER). The Outstanding Florida
Waters in our Region are shown in Table 6.
Table 6
Outstanding Florida Waters in the West Florida Region
"Outstanding Florida Water"
Location
Category
St. Andrews State Recreation Area
Bay
State Parks, Wildlife Parks, &
Recreation Areas
St. Andrews State Park
Bay
State Aquatic Preserves
Choctawhatchee River
Holmes/Washington
Bay/Walton
Special Waters
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Table 6
Outstanding Florida Waters in the West Florida Region
"Outstanding Florida Water"
Location
Category
Bay/Walton
Special Waters
Big Lagoon State Recreation Area
Escambia
State Park, Wildlife Parks, &
Recreation Areas
Perdido Key State Recreation Area
Escambia
State Parks, Wildlife Parks, &
Recreation Areas
Santa Rosa/Escambia
State Aquatic Preserves
Perdido River
Escambia
Special Waters
Escambia Bay Bluffs
Escambia
EEL; CARL; LATF; SOC
Escambia/Santa Rosa/Okaloosa
National Seashore
Holmes/Washington
State Parks, Wildlife Parks, &
Recreation Areas
Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State
Recreation Area
Okaloosa
State Parks, Wildlife Parks, &
Recreation Areas
Henderson Beach State Recreation Area
Okaloosa
State Parks, Wildlife Parks, &
Recreation Areas
Rocky Bayou State Park
Okaloosa
State Aquatic Preserves
Okaloosa/ Santa Rosa
Special Waters
Okaloosa/Walton
Special Waters
Blackwater River State Park
Santa Rosa
State Parks, Wildlife Parks, &
Recreation Areas
Yellow River Marsh
Santa Rosa
State Aquatic Preserves
Walton
State Parks, Wildlife Parks, &
Recreation Areas
Walton/Holmes
State Parks, Wildlife Parks, &
Recreation Areas
Walton
State Ornamental Gardens,
Botanical Sites, Historic Sites,
Geologic Sites
Lake Powell
Ft. Pickens State Park
Gulf Island National Seashore
Ponce De Leon State Recreation Area
Blackwater River
Shoal River
Grayton Beach State Recreation Area
Ponce De Leon Springs State Recreation
Area
Eden State Gardens
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Table 6
Outstanding Florida Waters in the West Florida Region
"Outstanding Florida Water"
Falling Waters State Recreation Area
Location
Category
Washington
State Parks, Wildlife
Source: Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
Mitigation Banks: There are no mitigation banks in our Region. There are proposals
for the future development of mitigation banks. Currently, this is primarily a practice of
south Florida.
CARL Program Acquisitions (existing and proposed): In 1979, the Florida
Legislature established the Conservation and Recreation Lands (CARL) Trust Fund
(Section 253.023, Florida Statutes) to provide a means of acquiring and managing
environmentally endangered lands and other lands for recreation, water management, and
preservation of significant archaeological and historical sites. The fund combines $27
million remaining from the $240 million authorized by the Land Conservation Act of 1972
with part of the annual revenues obtained from severance taxes on solid minerals and
liquid fuels. From 1982 to 1984, $20 million of the revenues was allocated each year for
land acquisition. The areas to be purchased are selected by a committee. The Governor
and Cabinet, acting as the Board of Trustees of the Internal Trust Fund, then select
specific parcels for actual purchase from the list. The program is administered by the
Florida Department of Natural Resources.
The CARL projects must meet at least one of the following public purposes established
by the Legislature [§253.023(3), F.S.]:
1)
To conserve and protect environmentally unique and irreplaceable lands
that contain native, relatively unaltered flora and fauna representing a
natural area unique to, or scarce within, a region of Florida or a larger
geographic area.
2)
To conserve and protect lands within designated areas of critical state
concern, if the proposed acquisition relates to the natural resource
protection purposes of the designation.
3)
To conserve and protect native species habitat or endangered or
threatened species.
4)
To conserve, protect, manage, or restore important ecosystems,
landscapes, and forests, if the protection and conservation of such lands
are necessary to enhance or protect significant surface water, ground
water, coastal, recreational, timber, or fish or wildlife resources that
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cannot otherwise be accomplished through local and state regulatory
programs.
5)
To provide areas, including recreational trails, for natural resource-based
recreation.
6)
To preserve significant archaeological or historic sites.
Source: Florida Natural Areas Inventory facsimile from Lance Peterson.
The CARL projects for our Region are shown in Table 7.
Table 7
Conservation and Recreation Lands (CARL) in the West Florida Region
Rank
Project Name
County
1
Topsail Hill
Walton
13
Blackwater River
Santa Rosa
25
Lake Powell
Walton/Bay
27
Garcon Ecosystem*
Santa Rosa
28
Perdido Pitcher Plant
Escambia
37
Escribano Point
Santa Rosa
39
St. Michael's Landing
Bay
Source: Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Division of State Lands
*Combined Projects Garcon Point & Prairies of Garcon to create Garcon Ecosystem
Privately Owned Conservation Areas : In our Region there are two private
organizations that own conservation areas. These organizations are The Nature
Conservancy and The Florida Audubon Society. The property, designated as preserves
or conservation areas, owned by these organizations is found in Table 8.
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Table 8
Privately Owned Conservation Areas in the West Florida Region
Property
Organization
Acres
County
Rockhill Preserve
The Nature Conservancy
373
Washington
Choctawhatchee River
Preserve
The Nature Conservancy
2760
Walton
Sophia Smith Lands
Florida Audubon Society
0.14
Walton
Laidlaw Land
Florida Audubon Society
±280
Washington
Source: The Nature Conservancy and The Florida Audubon Society
"SWIM" Waterbodies: The Surface Water Improvement and Management Act
(SWIM) established a process and criteria for the Water Management Districts (WMD)
to develop and implement plans, including appropriate programs or projects, for restoring
and protecting priority water bodies of regional or statewide significance. Each WMD is
to develop a plan for each specific priority water body in the order in which they appear
on the WMD's priority list. Each Plan is to contain written strategies (programs and
projects), including activities and expenditures, for restoring or preserving that water body
based upon the requirement of Chapter 62-43, Florida Administrative Code. The
approved Plans must be updated every three years (Environmental Permitting & Growth
Management Handbook, 92).
The Department of Environmental Protection has the central oversight authority for
reviewing and approving the waterbody priority lists, reviewing and commenting on
restoration and protection plans and administering the release of funds from the SWIM
Trust Fund to the Water Management Districts. The Game and Fresh Water Fish
Commission, Department of Community Affairs, Department of Agriculture and
Consumer Services and local governments are mandatory review agencies for the SWIM
Plans. Each of the five Water Management Districts are responsible for the
implementation of the SWIM Plans in their District (Environmental Permitting & Growth
Management Handbook, 92). The SWIM waterbodies in the West Florida Region are
shown in Table 9.
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Table 9
"SWIM" Waterbodies in the West Florida Region
Swim Waterbody
County
Deerpoint Lake
Bay
Pensacola Bay Area
Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa
Santa Rosa Sound
Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa
Choctawhatchee Bay
Sand Hill Lakes
Okaloosa, Walton
Holmes, Washington
Choctawhatchee River
Bay, Holmes, Walton, Washington
St. Andrews Bay
Bay
Escambia River
Escambia, Santa Rosa
Blackwater River
Santa Rosa, Okaloosa
Shoal River
Okaloosa, Walton
Yellow River
Santa Rosa
Pensacola Bay
Escambia
Source: Environmental Permitting & Growth Management Handbook, 1993
Class I and II Waters : The designation of Class I and Class II refers to the use of the
water. These classifications are made by the Florida Department of Environmental
Protection. Class I waters are potable waters. Class II waters are for shell fishing.
Class II waters are broken down into Approved, Conditionally Approved and Prohibited.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection tests the waters to find out the level
of waste material (fecal coliform) and sewage treatment that is present in the water.
The Class I and Class II waters in our Region are listed in Table 10.
Table 10
Class I and Class II Waterbodies in the West Florida Region
Water Body
Deer Point Lake
Escambia Bay
County
Class
Bay
I
Escambia
II
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Table 10
Class I and Class II Waterbodies in the West Florida Region
Water Body
County
Class
East Bay
Santa Rosa
II
Blackwater Bay
Santa Rosa
II
Escambia/Santa Rosa/Okaloosa
II
Okaloosa/Walton
II
West Bay
Bay
II
North Bay
Bay
II
East Bay
Bay
II
Okaloosa
II
Santa Rosa Sound
Choctawhatchee Bay
Rocky Bayou
Source: Florida Department of Environmental Protection
The only Class I waterbody in our Region is described below.
Deer Point Lake Watershed: (278,718 acres in watershed) Unique in the Region,
Deer Point Lake is the only surface water body in West Florida to be used as a public
potable water source. Through the Surface Water Improvement and Management
Program (S.W.I.M.), the Northwest Florida Water Management District has developed a
series of reports containing conclusions and recommendations calling for ways to protect
the watershed of Deer Point Lake. Degradation of water quality could be caused by
inappropriate land uses and/or development in aquifer recharge areas in the watershed's
northwest quadrant, wetlands loss, increased stormwater runoff, accidental pollutant spills
and the use of on-site sewage disposal systems. In an effort to protect Bay County's
potable water source, the NWFWMD has purchased over 7,000 acres of wetlands,
floodplain, springs and frontage along Econfina Creek, the largest tributary to the Deer
Point Lake reservoir.
Because of the combination of public and private lands in the watershed, comprehensive
methods of watershed protection need to be adopted. The watershed includes portions of
two regional planning districts and four counties. Primary significance is the ability of the
area to produce high quality potable water. Most of the area is privately owned, but is
very important to the economy of Bay County and the Region. A variety of habitats are
found throughout the watershed, including endangered and threatened ecosystems and
their associated species.
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Open Water Sources (Map 1 and 2)
Open water is a community comprising the open water areas of inland freshwater lakes,
ponds, rivers and creeks, and the brackish and saline waters of estuaries, bays, tidal
creeks, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Atlantic Ocean.
Lakes: A lake is a considerable body of inland standing water.
Floodplain/Floodway: A floodplain is level land submerged by floodwater such as the
banks of rivers, lakes, bays, and gulfs. Flooding occurs primarily after unusually heavy
rainfall. A floodplain is also an area built up by stream deposits. A floodway is a channel
used for diverting floodwater.
Springs: Florida is underlain by a thick sequence of limestone and dolomite. These
sedimentary rocks were deposited in shallow seas that, at various times in the geologic
past, inundated the State. In many places these rocks contain many large interconnected
cavities or caverns that have resulted from solution and removal of limestone by
circulating fresh ground water. The fresh water derived from rainfall infiltrated the rocks
after the sea level declined and left the surface of Florida above sea level. Most of
Florida's springs emerge from cavities where the rocks open at the land surface. Some
springs seep from permeable sands or shell beds deposited over the limestone. These
springs are generally small compared to springs that flow from limestone, and they also
are more likely to go dry during long periods of little or no rainfall (Florida Atlas, Map
Series #63).
A spring is overflow or leakage from an underground reservoir (aquifer). The source of
Florida ground water is rainfall that seeps into the ground and recharges the aquifers in
northern and central Florida and southern Alabama and Georgia, where rocks of the
aquifers are at or near land surface. Most springs in Florida are permanent, that is they
flow year round (Ibid., Map Series #63).
The water of most Florida springs is of excellent quality. It is low in salinity and of
moderate hardness depending, at least in part, on how long the water has been in storage
in the aquifer. Dissolved solids are generally less than 250 milligrams per liter (mg/L).
Spring temperatures range between 68E and 77E Fahrenheit (20E to 25E Celsius).
Springs located in the southern part of the State are warmest (Ibid., Map Series #63).
Florida springs represent natural overflow from the State's vast ground water storage and
circulation system . . . Springs vary in flow daily, seasonally, and from year to year. The
flow is related to variations in rainfall, although man's use of ground water affects the
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flow of some springs. During periods of little rainfall, spring flow, streamflow, and ground
water levels all decline, just as they increase during wet periods. The springs of Florida
are used to a limited degree as a source of water supply by agriculture and industry;
however, their primary use is recreational. For this they are well suited because of the
natural beauty of their surroundings, their normal clarity and consistently moderate
temperature, and the seemingly subtle mystery of water upwelling from the earth (Florida
Atlas, Map series #63).
Springs are classified into categories according to the volume of water they produce in a
given amount of time. Their flow rates are averages of several measurements described
in terms of cubic feet per second (ft³/sec) or million gallons per day (mgd) (The Springs
of Florida, 17). First magnitude springs are the largest springs. These springs have a
flow rate that meet or exceeds 100 ft³/sec or 64.6 mgd. Seventy-five first magnitude
springs are known to exist in the United States. Florida has more than one-third of these
with 27 first magnitude springs having a combined flow rate of over six (6) billion gallons
per day. The smaller second magnitude springs have an average flow rate between 10
and 100 ft³/sec and account for about 70 of Florida's springs (Ibid., 17).
Listed below by location are the First and Second Magnitude springs in our Region.
First Magnitude:
Gainer Springs (Bay)
Second Magnitude:
Ponce De Leon Springs State Park (Holmes)
Morrison Springs (Walton)
Beckton Springs (Washington)
Blue Spring (Washington)
Cypress Springs (Washington)
Blue Springs (Washington)
Williford Springs (Washington)
Ground Water (Map 1)
The hydrology of the West Florida Region consists of four major aquifers: the Surficial
Aquifer System, which includes the Sand-and-Gravel Aquifer, and the Floridan Aquifer,
Sub-Floridan System, and the Intermediate System. The composition of the Floridan
System and Surficial Aquifer System allows for the storing and transmitting of ground
water to, from, and throughout the respective aquifer. Each of these Systems is different,
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however, in that each has different water yielding properties due to variations in
composition and thickness.
The thickness of the Surficial Aquifer System is variable. Its thickness ranges from a
few feet to as much as 300 feet in the western part of the Region. In most of Santa
Rosa County and in all of Escambia County, the Surficial Aquifer System is the primary
source of potable water and is commonly called the Sand-and-Gravel Aquifer. The
primary components of this aquifer are sand, clays, and gravel, with sands being the
primary component. East of the Choctawhatchee River the aquifer is thin and is a minor
water-bearing layer.
The Floridan Aquifer System is the most productive water-bearing unit in northwest
Florida (District Water Management Plan, 17). The aquifer supplies 90 percent of the
water needs in the area and it is utilized in all counties except Escambia and Santa Rosa
(Ibid., 17). Limestone is the primary component of the aquifer. The layers range in
thickness of 100 to 1,000 feet within northwest Florida (Ibid., 17).
The Intermediate and Sub-Floridan Aquifer Systems function as groups of sediment that
hamper the vertical movement of ground water. The Intermediate System limits the
exchange of water between the Surficial Aquifer System and the Floridan Aquifer
System. The Sub-Floridan System forms the base of the Floridan Aquifer ground water
flows (District Water Management Plan, 19).
There are four principal hydrogeologic systems in northwest Florida. The principal
sources of water are the Floridan Aquifer and the Sand-and-Gravel System. The
subsurface characteristics of each system vary both geographically and in depth. The
nature of this variability will determine the ground water availability or the degree of
confinement for the respective system at any given location within the Region.
Ground water in the Region is influenced largely by local recharge with minimal out of
state contributions. The Surficial Aquifer has the most localized characteristics. For
example, rain falling on a hill top recharges the Surficial Aquifer and the ground water
flows down-gradient to discharge at the foot of the hill into a stream that dissects the
aquifer. The entire area overlying the Sand-and-Gravel Aquifer is a recharge area and
discharge areas are usually close to areas being recharged (District Water Management
Plan, 19).
The recharge of aquifers happens either directly or indirectly. The direct process occurs
where the sediments comprising the aquifer lie at or near the land surface or where
overlying sediments are breached by karstic features that allow rainfall to move directly
to the aquifer. The indirect process occurs when rainfall infiltrates the aquifer from
overlying sediments as leakage. Both processes are important because they replenish the
ground water resources, though at very different rates.
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Defined sections with lower recharge rates to the Floridan Aquifer are important areas
from the perspective of water supply and demand. Typically, aquifer recharge in these
delineated areas occurs indirectly, via leakage from "source" beds (i.e., Surficial Aquifer
System) which overlie the aquifer. Due to the confinement of the Floridan Aquifer, the
leakage is quite low, which translates into limited replenishment of the ground water
resources in these areas (District Water Management Plan, 24).
In Okaloosa and Walton Counties, the source bed that replenishes the Floridan Aquifer is
the Surficial Aquifer System. Extremely low recharge rates are caused by the tight
confinement of the Floridan Aquifer (Ibid., 24). The water availability from the aquifer is
quite limited in this area. Because of the potentiometric surface the water levels in the
Floridan Aquifer historically have been declining in the coastal areas (Ibid., 24). The
potentiometric surface of the coastal counties and a regional hydraulic depression is
evident from significant pumping in the vicinity. This result is attributed to the low, but
important, recharge characteristics of the local hydrogeology. Consequently, the
hydraulic impact to the salt water boundary and subsequent saline water encroachment in
this area is a major concern. In this perspective, areas delineated with low recharge
characteristics are important in managing a ground water aquifer with limited quantity
relative to demand (District Water Management Plan, 24).
The areas of higher recharge of the Floridan Aquifer are in Washington County, the
northern part of Bay County, ¾ of Holmes County, and the northeast quarter of Walton
County. These areas coincide where the aquifer is at or near land surface and where
karst processes have breached the overlying confining unit. The high recharge
characteristics allow for an abundant ground water resource. However, these
characteristics also potentially limit the use of this resource, due to the relative ease of
ground water contamination. Therefore, the delineated areas are important in terms of
managing the integrity of the ground water quality (District Water Management Plan, 24).
Coastal and Marine Resources (Map 1)
Beaches and Dunes: The beach and dune coastal strand vegetative associations are
restricted to high energy shorelines along the seaward boundary of the spits and barrier
islands of Panhandle Florida. The only barrier islands in our Region are the Santa Rosa
and Shell Islands. A large spit in our Region is Crooked Island. Coastal marshes and salt
flats found along low-energy coastlines are not considered components of the strand
community, nor are the upland communities, such as pine flatwoods found inland of the
dune system and along shorelines being eroded by the sea.
Soils of the coastal strand, as the beach and dune systems are often called, are sandy,
grading from unsorted, mixed grain sizes and shells thrown up as berms by storms to
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finely graded and sorted grain sizes on aeolian dunes. These latter dunes occur perched
on the interdune flats or are developed on top of the berms thrown up by storms.
Though variable from site to site, dune and beach vegetation can have three
distinguishable zones: (1) the shifting beach sands; (2) the produne vegetation; and (3)
the scrub zone (An Ecological Characterization of the Florida Panhandle, 138).
The shifting beach sand zone is, by definition, devoid of living, rooted vegetation. The
primary energy sources for the often numerous consumers that frequent this zone are
imported by wind and wave action or brought down from more inland areas (An
Ecological Characterization of the Florida Panhandle, 138). Seagrass washed onto the
shoreline by storm tides and waves, drifting plant debris, shells, and carcasses of fish and
other marine life, collectively called seawrack, serve as food for the primary consumers
that include many insects and their larvae, amphipods, ghost crabs, and other burrowing
invertebrate species (Ibid., 138). These, in turn, provide food for gulls, terns, and probing
shorebirds.
Inland from the shifting beach sand zone, the produne is the first large dune. Produne
vegetation is characterized by pioneer plants that can establish themselves in the shifting,
arid sands and tolerate salt spray and intense heat. Examples include sea oats (Uniola
paniculata), railroad vine (Ipomoea pes-caprae), beach morning glory (I. stolonifera),
evening primrose (Oenothera humifusa), sand spur (Cenchrus tribuloides), grasses
(Paspalum vaginatum, Schizachyrium martitimum, Panicum amarum), sand cocograss
(Cyperus lecontei), and sea purslane (Sesuvium portulacastrum) (Ibid., 138).
The produne provides limited protection to the interior dune system from wind and salt
spray and is crucial for the establishment of subsequent plant communities. On the
backsides of these dunes Spanish bayonet (Yucca aloiflia), myrtle oak (Quercus
myrifolia), green brier (Smilax auriculata), saw palmetto (Serenoa repens), and other
plants characteristic of the interior dunes may grow (Ibid., 138).
Farther inland from the foredunes is the "scrub" zone, characterized by stunted, wind and
salt spray pruned scrubby oaks and other evergreen, small leaved shrubs. This area is
referred to as the "scrub" zone by Kurz (1942), because of its similarity to scrub oak
growing on relict sand dunes of interior Florida (Ibid., 138). The scrubby, gnarled, thickleaved evergreen oaks that are characteristic of the scrub community include sand-live
oak (Q. chapmanii), fetterbush (Lyonia lucida), and very rarely in the Panhandle,
myrtle oak (Quercus myrtifolia). Other common shrubs include different types of
rosemary (Ceratiola ericoides, Conradina canescens) and gopher apple (Licania
michauxii). Ground cover is usually sparse, leaving large patches of bare white sand
with reindeer moss (Cladonia rangifera) and other lichens. The scrub community is
typically two layered, with slash or sand pine in the canopy and the scrub oaks and shrubs
in the understory (Ibid., 138).
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Scrub communities are quite variable. The coastal scrub forest is dominated by a mixture
of sand and slash pine in most locations. Sand pines are less tolerant of salt spray than
slash pine. Thus, it is common to find sand pine on the interior dunes or bayside beach
ridges and dunes on the Panhandle's barrier islands. Across the lagoon, where sand pine
is better sheltered from heavy winds and salt spray, it occurs in dense stands on relict
dunes and beach ridges along the continental margin. Eglin Air Force Base is noted for a
variety of sand pine having open, rather than serotinous cones, such as the sand pine has
in central Florida.
Open areas of the scrub zone are sometimes occupied by lichens, St. John wort
(Hypericum reductum), nettles (Cnidoscolus stimulosus), stunted sea oats, and
Jointweed (Polygonella polygama) (An Ecological Characterization of the Florida
Panhandle, 139). Swales between dunes may occasionally retain water after heavy
rains. These shallow interdunal depressions may be distinguished from sloughs in that
they drain runoff vertically into the soil, whereas sloughs hold surface runoff or carry it
into the bay (Ibid., 139).
The vegetation of the coastal community is subjected to harsh conditions. High winds,
shifting sands, intense heat, and salt spray are chronic stress factors that define not only
species composition, but growth forms as well. Many plants found in the coastal region
appear to be gnarled and stunted, perhaps as adaption to or consequences of
environmental stress (Ibid., 139).
The dunes are so arid and hot that few amphibians can tolerate the severely stressful
conditions. Southern toads (Bufo terrestris) occasionally take refuge in burrows and
forage at night at the base of dunes, especially in the interdune flats. Toads can be
abundant in coastal strand environments as can the southern leopard frog (Rana
sphenocephala) because both breed in temporary ponds of the interdune flats (Ibid.,
140).
Coastal strand environments have a bounty of reptiles. Reptiles are the vertebrates best
adapted for this environment. Their food source (insects, small vertebrates) are very
abundant in the highly productive coastal habitats. The garter snake (Thamnophis
sirtalis), black racer (Clouber constrictor), coachwip (Masticophis flagellum),
cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus), and pygmy rattlesnake (Sistrurus miliarus) are
also exceedingly abundant along strands. Mammals of the coastal strand include the
eastern mole (Scalopus aquaticus), shrews, beach mice (Peromyscus polionotus
sbspp.), rice rat (Oryzomys palustris), cotton rat (Sigmodon hispidus), cottontail
(Sylvilagus floridanus), and marsh rabbit (S. palustris) (Ibid., 140).
Coastal scrub communities from Santa Rosa Island to St. Joe Spit have populations of
light colored beach mice that burrow in the sand. These, cotton rats, and rice rats
probably are eaten by the coachwip and black racer, common snakes in the scrub that
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actively hunt their prey. They also eat the six-lined racerunner (Cnemidophorus
sexlineatus), a common scrub vertebrate. Southern toads are the most common frog, but
the southern leopard toad is also abundant. Many animals encountered in scrubs are
visitors from adjacent wetlands, forests, or grassland vegetation. Two federally listed
endangered subspecies, the Choctawhatchee beach mouse (Peromyscus polionotus
allophnys) and Perdido Key beach mouse (P. polionotus trissyllepsis) are found on
some of these barrier islands (Ibid., 140).
Unbridged Coastal Islands : The only unbridged coastal island in the Region is Shell
Island in Bay County.
Estuaries: Estuaries are deepwater tidal habitats and adjacent tidal wetlands that are
usually semi-enclosed by land but have open, partially obstructed, or sporadic access to
the ocean and in which ocean water is at least occasionally diluted by freshwater runoff
from the land (Wetlands, 630).
Marine and Estuarine Beaches: The marine sandy beaches in the Panhandle are
located on the gulfward-facing shores of the barrier islands (Shell and Santa Rosa
Islands) and on the mainland shores from Cape San Blas to Pensacola. These intertidal
habitats experience the highest wave energy of any habit type in the Panhandle saltwater
environment. This beach habitat includes the swash zone (the sloping surface of the
beach face created by the runnup of water) down to the mean low water mark (MLW)
(An Ecological Characterization of the Florida Panhandle, 228).
Panhandle beach sediments are composed almost exclusively of fine quartz grains with a
median diameter of 0.1 to 0.2 mm (Ibid., 228). Their extreme white color makes them
attractive to residents and tourists. The aerobic zone (i.e., depth of oxygenated sediment)
in beach sediments is very deep because of tidal flushing and the relatively large
interstitial pore spaces (Ibid., 228). This allows organisms to live far down within the
sediment and escape the pounding waves. Most beach organisms are suspension
feeders, using the rushing water to constantly carry food in and waste material away
(Ibid., 228).
Estuarine beaches are the areas that border sounds, bays, lagoons, and bayous.
Basically, they are the areas that are inland from open water such as the Gulf of Mexico.
As the above definition for estuary states, they have a mixture of salt and fresh water
and very little actual "beach." Very little sand will be seen on these beaches. Grasses
and other aquatic plant life covers the "beach" area. Estuarine beaches are the next area
in from a marine beach. They are between aquatic and inland areas.
Estuarine Bays : Pensacola Bay, Escambia Bay, East Bay (Santa Rosa),
Choctawhatchee Bay, West Bay, Saint Andrew Bay, East Bay (Bay), Santa Rosa Sound
are all estuarine bays within the West Florida Region.
West Florida SRPP ! Natural Resources of Regional Significance ! Adopted 7/15/96
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Primary Dune Line : Dunes form by wind blowing sand in shore from the beach. The
Primary Dune Line is the first row of dunes. These dunes are the most important and
should be protected at all costs. These dunes block or reduce the impact of storm waves.
They increase the elevation of homesites. In a big storm they furnish a reservoir of sand
without which the beach can flatten. Unfortunately, many if not most primary dunes
have disappeared on West Florida's developed islands (Living, 48). On a map, it is nearly
impossible to locate a "primary dune line."
COBRA Islands : The U.S. shoreline bordering the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico
contains one of the longest and best defined chains of coastal barriers in the world. The
chain contains over 400 barriers and total about 2,700 miles of shoreline. These coastal
barriers contain and protect resources of extraordinary scenic, scientific, recreational,
natural, historic, and economic value that can be damaged by development on them or
adjacent to them (Report to Congress, 1). In recognition of this fact, the Coastal Barrier
Resource Act (COBRA) (16 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) was enacted in October 1982. This
Act established the Coastal Barrier Resource System (CBRS) consisting of 186 coastal
barrier units along 670 miles if shoreline on the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts (Ibid.,
1). These units represent areas that were undeveloped and unprotected in 1982. Most
Federal revenues that promote economic growth or developments are no longer available
for use in the CBRS (Report to Congress, 1).
The philosophy behind COBRA is that risk associated with new development in these
areas should be borne by those who choose to live and work along the coast, and not by
all American taxpayers. By restricting Federal expenditures and financial assistance on
specific undeveloped coastal barriers, the Federal Government can minimize the loss of
human life, reduce the unnecessary expenditure of Federal revenues, and reduce the
damage to fish and wildlife and other natural resources that can accompany development
of these fragile areas. These are the stated purposes of the Coastal Barrier Resource
Act (Section 2(b)). Section 10 of COBRA directs the Department of the Interior to
study the CBRS and prepare for Congress a report that includes recommendations for
changes in the CBRS based on an evaluation of management alternatives that would
foster conservation of the natural resources of the CBRS (Ibid., 1).
Section 9 of the Coastal Barrier Resource Act (CBRA) amended section 1321 of the
National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (Insurance Act), 42 U.S.C. 4028, to prohibit the
sale of new flood insurance coverage by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
on or after October 1, 1983, for any new construction or substantial improvements of
structures located within the Coastal Barrier System established by section 4 of the
CBRA. Additionally, Section 9 of the 1990 amended section of 1321 of the Insurance
Act by redesignating the existing provisions as subsection (a). The result of this
amendment was to continue the ban on new flood insurance in areas already within the
System and to make the ban effective upon enactment of the 1990 Act in areas added to
the System by the 1990 Act. As of November 16, 1991, one year after enactment of the
West Florida SRPP ! Natural Resources of Regional Significance ! Adopted 7/15/96
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1990 Act, Federal Flood insurance will no longer be available for new structures or
substantial improvements of existing structures in any areas identified on the map as an
"otherwise protected area" (Florida Coastal Management Program Facsimile, 1).
According to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the following areas
in the Region are protected by the COBRA Act: St. Andrews Complex (Bay), Deer
Lake Complex (Walton), Draper Lake (Walton), Four-Mile Village (Walton), Moreno
Point (Walton, Okaloosa), Santa Rosa Island (Escambia, Santa Rosa), Gulf Islands
(Escambia), Tom King (Santa Rosa), Town Point (Santa Rosa), Garcon Point (Santa
Rosa), and Basin Bayou (Santa Rosa). The otherwise protected areas as defined by
Section 9 are St. Andrews Complex (Bay), Grayton Beach (Walton), Perdido Key
(Escambia), and Phillips Inlet (Bay). These are areas that are determined to be state
owned.
Estuarine Lagoon, Bays, Marshes: A lagoon is a relatively shallow estuary with very
restricted exchange with the sea and no significant fresh water inflow. A bay is a large
estuary with a relatively high degree of flushing. Flushing is the rate at which the water
of an estuary is replaced (usually expressed as the time for one complete replacement)
(Coastal Ecosystems, 171). Tidal salt marshes are found along the Gulf coast of Florida.
Beeftink (1977a) defined a salt marsh as a "natural or semi-natural halophytic grassland
and dwarf brushwood on the alluvial sediments bordering saline water bodies whose
water level fluctuates either tidally or non-tidally (Wetlands, 220)."
Grassbeds : Seagrasses represent one of the most important habitats in the nearshore
coastal zones of Florida. Of the approximately 12,000 km² of seagrass present in the
Gulf of Mexico, over 9,100 km² lie in Florida gulf coast waters (An Ecological
Characterization of the Florida Panhandle, 211). Seagrasses are marine angiosperms that
possess all the structures of their terrestrial counterparts (i.e., a root system, a vascular
system, and vegetative and sexual reproduction). Seagrasses are obligate hydrophytes,
living fully submerged and carrying out their entire life cycle in seawater (Ibid., 211).
Seagrass meadows are highly productive and rich in organisms. Total productivity of
dense beds (which may consist of more than 4,000 individual plant shoots per square
meter) including the plants themselves and the attached flora, can reach 20 g C/m² per
day, making them more productive on a per unit basis than either tropical coral reef
systems (10 g C/m² per day) or the upwelling regions off Peru (11 g C/m² per day) (An
Ecological Characterization of the Florida Panhandle, 211).
Wetlands (Map 3)
Wetlands are lands transitional between terrestrial and aquatic systems where the water
table is usually at or near the surface or the land is covered by shallow water. For
purposes of classification wetlands must have one or more of the following three
attributes: (1) at least periodically, the land supports predominantly hydrophytes; (2) the
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substrate is predominantly undrained hydric soil; and (3) the substrate is nonsoil and is
saturated with water or covered by shallow water at some time during the growing
season of each year (Classification of Wetlands . . . , 3).
The term wetlands include a variety of areas that fall into one of five categories: (1)
areas with hydrophytes and hydric soils, such as those commonly known as marshes,
swamps, and bogs; (2) areas without hydrophytes but with hydric soils-for example, flats
where drastic fluctuation in water level, wave action, turbidity, or high concentration of
salts may prevent the growth of hydrophytes; (3) areas with hydrophytes but nonhydric
soils, such as margins of impoundments or excavations where hydrophytes have become
established but hydric soils have not yet developed; (4) areas without soils but with
hydrophytes, such as the seaweed-covered portion of rocky shores; and (5) wetlands
without soils and without hydrophytes, such as gravel beaches or rocky shores without
vegetation (Classification of Wetlands . . ., 3).
Drained hydric soils that are now incapable of supporting hydrophytes because of a
change in water regime are not considered wetlands by the definition of the U.S.
Department of Interior. These drained hydric soils furnish a valuable record of historic
wetlands, and an indication of areas that may be suitable for restoration (Classification of
Wetlands. . ., 3). In our Region the types of wetlands that can be found are: coastal
strand, coastal saltmarsh, freshwater marsh, cypress swamp, hardwood swamp, bay
swamp, shrub swamp, and open water.
Coastal strand is actually an upland but it is worth mentioning because it is an occurrence
within our Region. Coastal strand occurs on well drained sandy soils and includes the
typical zoned vegetation of the upper beach, nearby dunes and coastal rock formations
(Closing the Gaps in Florida's Wildlife Habitat Conservation System, 218). A Coastal
strand generally occurs in a narrow band parallel to open waters of the Atlantic Ocean
and the Gulf of Mexico, and along south shores of some saline bays or sounds in both
north and south Florida. This community occupies areas formed along high energy
shorelines, and is influenced by wind, waves, and salt spray. Vegetation within this
community consists of low growing vines, grasses, and herbaceous plants with very few
small trees or large shrubs. Pioneer or early successional herbaceous vegetation
characterizes the foredune and upper beach, while a gradual change to woody plant
species occurs in more protected areas landward (Ibid., 218). Typical plant species
includes beach morning glory, railroad vine, sea oats, saw palmetto, Spanish bayonet,
yaupon holly, and wax myrtle. The coastal strand community only includes the zone of
early successional vegetation that lies between upper beach, and more highly developed
communities landward (Ibid., 218).
Wetlands in our Region, such as coastal saltmarsh or tidal marshes are found throughout
the world along protected coastlines in the middle and high latitudes. These herbaceous
and shrubby wetlands communities occur statewide in brackish waters along protected
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low energy estuarine shorelines of the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts (Closing the Gaps In
Florida's Wildlife Habitat Conservation System, 218). Saltmarshes are often dominated
by the grass Spartina in the low intertidal zone and the rush Juncus in the upper
intertidal zone. Plants and animals in these systems have adapted to the stresses of
salinity, periodic inundation, and extremes in temperature (Ibid., 218). Below, Table 11
lists the total amount of tidal marshes in our Region.
Table 11
West Florida Estuaries
Estuary
County
Tidal Marshes (Acres)
St. Andrews Sound
Bay
576
East Bay (St. Andrew)
Bay
4,597
St. Andrew Bay
Bay
875
West Bay
Bay
3,349
North Bay
Bay
1,664
Okaloosa, Walton
2,816
Santa Rosa, Escambia
309
Santa Rosa
3,307
Escambia Bay
Santa Rosa, Escambia
5,152
Pensacola Bay
Escambia
213
Perdido Bay
Escambia
1,408
Choctawhatchee Bay
Santa Rosa Sound
East Bay (Pensacola)
Source: Northwestern Florida Ecological Characterization: An Ecological Atlas, United States
Department of Interior, 4.
TOTAL 24,266
Inland from the Saltmarshes but still close enough to the coast to experience tidal effects,
are freshwater marshes. These wetlands are dominated by a variety of grasses, and
annual and perennial broad-leaved aquatic plants. These wetlands communities are
dominated by a variety of herbaceous plant species growing on sand, clay, marl, and
organic soils in areas of variable water depths and inundation regimes (Closing the Gaps
In Florida's Wildlife Habitat Conservation System, 219). These types of marshes occur in
deeper, more strongly inundated situations and are characterized by tall emergent and
floating-leaved species. Freshwater marshes occur within depressions, along broad,
shallow lake and river shorelines, and are scattered in open areas within hardwood and
cypress swamps (Closing the Gaps In Florida's Wildlife Habitat Conservation System,
219).
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Cypress swamps are regularly inundated wetlands that form a forested border along
rivers, creeks, lakes, or occur in depressions as circular domes or linear strands (Ibid.,
219). These communities are strongly dominated by either bald cypress or pond cypress,
with very low numbers of scattered black gum, red maple, and Sweetbay. The
understory and ground cover are usually sparse because of frequent flooding but
sometimes includes such species as buttonbush, lizard's tail and various ferns (Ibid., 219).
Hardwood swamps are composed of either pure stands of hardwoods, or occur as
mixtures of hardwood and cypress. This association of wetlands adapted trees occurs
throughout the state on organic soils and forms the forested floodplain of non-alluvial
rivers, creeks, and broad lake basins (Closing the Gaps In Florida's Wildlife Habitat
Conservation System, 219). Tree species that are found include a mixed overstory of
black gum, water tupelo, bald cypress, dahoon holly, red maple, swamp ash, cabbage
palm, and sweetbay (Ibid., 219).
Bay swamp is a type of hardwood swamp that contains broadleaf evergreen trees.
These trees occur in shallow, stagnant drainage or depressions often found within pine
flatwoods, or at the base of sandy ridges where seepage maintains constantly wet soils
(Ibid., 219). The soils, which are usually covered by an abundant layer of leaf litter, are
mostly acidic peat or muck that remains saturated for long periods but over which little
water level fluctuation occurs (Closing the Gaps In Florida's Wildlife Habitat
Conservation System, 220). Overstory trees within bayheads are dominated by
sweetbay, swamp bay, and loblolly bay. Depending on the location within the state, other
species including pond pine, slash pine, blackgum, cypress, and Atlantic white cedar can
occur as scattered individuals, but bay trees dominate the canopy and characterize the
community. Understory and ground cover species may include dahoon holly, wax myrtle,
fetterbush, greenbriar, royal fern, cinnamon fern, and sphagnum moss (Closing the Gaps
In Florida's Wildlife Habitat Conservation System, 220).
Shrub swamps are wetlands communities dominated by dense, low-growing, woody
shrubs or small trees. Shrub swamps are usually characteristic of wetlands areas that
are experiencing environmental change, and are early to mid-successional in species
complement and structure. These changes are a result of natural or man-made agitations
due to increased or decreased hydroperiod, fire, clear cutting or land clearing, and
siltation. One species may dominate Shrub swamps, such as willow, or any variety of
opportunistic plants may create a dense, low canopy. Common species include willow,
wax myrtle, primrose willow, buttonbush, and saplings of red maple, sweetbay, black gum,
and other hydric tree species indicative of wooded wetlands (Closing the Gaps in Florida's
Wildlife Habitat Conservation System, 220).
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AMENDMENT TO THE SRPP - SEPTEMBER 8, 1997
The following sections are adopted amendments to Part IV:
!
Natural Systems including the Florida Natural Areas Inventory (FNAI) and MAP 5
!
Specific locations of endangered, threatened, special concern, and rare species of plant and
animals and MAP 6.
!
Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission Strategic Habitat Conservation Areas
and Map 7.
!
Important resources listed by specific geographic areas.
IV-71
West Florida SRPP ! Natural Resources of Regional Significance ! Adopted 7/15/96
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Natural Systems
Florida Natural Areas Inventory (FNAI) (Map 5):
The Florida Natural Areas Inventory (FNAI) identifies natural communities and assigns
them a State Element Rank of S1, S2, or S3 and ranks their occurrences as High Quality,
Highest Quality, or Rarest communities.
FNAI has provided data layers on significant natural resources for use by the Regional
Planning Council (RPC) in preparing the West Florida Strategic Regional Policy Plan.
These natural resources are considered by FNAI to be important components of Florida's
natural diversity that should be protected to maintain the richness and integrity of Florida's
natural heritage. The seven data layers are listed and explained below.
1.
Highest quality FNAI natural communities occurrences (those ranked 'A' or 'B')
regardless of natural community state rank (Map 5);
2.
Rarest FNAI natural communities (i.e., assigned a state rank of S1, critically
imperilled; S2, imperilled; or S3, very rare) (Map 5);
3.
Natural areas of potential acquisition interest based on FNAI statewide aerial
photographic interpretation and regional workshops within each RPC;
4.
Natural areas of conservation interest based in FNAI statewide aerial
photographic interpretation and regional workshops within each RPC;
5.
Specific locations of endangered, threatened, special concern and rare species of
plants and animals (Map 6);
6.
Priority acquisition sites defined by FNAI species and natural community
occurrence data;
7.
Significant wildlife aggregation areas (Map 6).
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The data set used to compile the information for these maps was last updated by the
Florida Natural Areas Inventory (FNAI) on March 22, 1995. FNAI continually revises
data set, so for critical decisions relying upon these data it is recommended to directly
contact FNAI for up-to-date information (FNAI, 1).
The quantity and quality of data collected by the Florida Natural Areas Inventory (FNAI)
are dependent on the research and observations of many individuals and organizations. In
most cases, species and natural community occurrences are not the result of
comprehensive or site-specific field surveys; many natural areas in Florida have never
been thoroughly surveyed. The FNAI data base represents a compilation of information
extracted from published and unpublished literature, museums and herbaria, field surveys,
personal communications, and other sources. Records for new occurrences of plants and
animals are continuously being added to the database, and older occurrence records may
change as new information is gathered (FNAI, 1). For these reasons, FNAI cannot
provide a definitive statement on the presence, absence, or condition of biological
elements or areas being considered, nor should they be substituted for on-site surveys
required for environmental assessments (FNAI, 1).
Highest quality FNAI natural communities occurrences (those ranked 'A' or 'B')
regardless of natural community state rank (Map 5): Natural community
occurrences ranked 'A' or 'B' represent the highest quality occurrences of the
communities tracked by FNAI. A high-quality example of a natural community is
generally one that is not significantly impacted by recent human activities, including
notable disturbance to the herbaceous groundcover components, and that possesses a
species composition characteristic of that natural community type (i.e., contains the more
common species and perhaps some rarer species), while not having substantial numbers
of exotic species. Conservation of these areas is necessary for the preservation of the
biodiversity represented by each community type (FNAI, 2).
Rarest FNAI natural communities (i.e., assigned state rank of S1, S2, or S3)
(Map 5): Natural Communities with these ranks represent the rarest communities in the
state based on the following criteria:
S1=
Critically imperiled statewide because of extreme rarity- 5 or fewer occurrences
or very few remaining acres- or because of some factor making it especially
vulnerable to extirpation or extinction.
S2=
Imperiled statewide because of rarity- 6 to 20 occurrences or few remaining
acres- or because of other factors making it vulnerable to extirpation or
extinction.
West Florida SRPP ! Natural Resources of Regional Significance ! Amendment Adopted 9/8/97
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S3=
Either very rare or local throughout the state- 21 to 100 occurrences- or found
locally in a restricted range.
Occurrences of these communities should be preserved based on their relative rarity
statewide and for their contributions to Florida's biodiversity.
Natural Areas of Potential Acquisition or Conservation Interest based on FNAI
statewide aerial photographic interpretation and regional workshops within each
RPC.
Natural Areas of Acquisition Interest and Natural Areas of Conservation Interest were
delineated based on information received during the Regional Ecological Workshops held
in each Regional Planning Council and initial FNAI review of Florida Department of
Transportation black and white aerial photographs (1:2083). This project was sponsored
by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection through the Conservation and
Recreation Lands (CARL) Trust Fund (FNAI, 3). The purpose of the initial screening of
the aerial photography was to identify high-quality Potential Natural Areas (PNAs) and to
transcribe coarse boundaries for the identified PNAs onto county highway maps (1" = 2
miles) for digitization. The local workshop for the West Florida Region was held
November 17, 1993, in Shalimar, Florida.
The Regional Ecological Workshops (REW) were held to solicit information on PNAs
from individuals knowledgeable about natural resources within each Planning Council.
Potential participants for each REW were compiled by developing mailing lists that
included but were not limited to the following: county planning and parks offices,
Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) regional offices, DEP district biologists,
county Soil Conservation Service employees, Game and Fish Commission regional
biologists, local chapters of the Sierra Club, federal agencies involved in natural resources
issues, Nature 2000 symposium participants, P2000 map charette attendees, CARL
liaison staff members, academic researchers, and other local environmental groups. Staff
from the Regional Planning Councils were asked to provide additional information about
locally knowledgeable persons (FNAI, 3). Participants were asked to identify rare and
threatened natural communities, endangered species habitats, endangered plant
communities, outstanding natural areas, and other outstanding natural features within the
RPC area and to mark sites that they wished to nominate for consideration as potential
natural areas.
Preliminary Ranking of Sites
The Natural Areas of Acquisition Interest and Natural Areas of Conservation Interest
are preliminary; rankings resulting from additional criteria and fully incorporating
West Florida SRPP ! Natural Resources of Regional Significance ! Amendment Adopted 9/8/97
IV-79
information from the FNAI data base and further review by FNAI scientific staff will be
done as the regional ecological analyses continue. Although reliable information was
obtained from aerial photographic interpretation and regional workshops, most of these
sites have not been field-surveyed, and information from the FNAI data base and Florida
Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission priority wildlife habitat analysis have not been
fully incorporated. Potential Natural Areas were classified as Natural Areas of
Acquisition Interest and Natural Areas of Conservation Interest based on the following
criteria:
Natural Areas of Acquisition Interest: sites that contain high-quality examples of
natural communities or assemblages of rare, threatened or endangered plants and
animals. For a site to be considered a Natural Area of Acquisition Interest for the
preliminary ranking (which focused on natural communities), it must be at least 500 acres
(except as noted below), and based upon recent aerial photographic interpretation, must
contain at least one of the following (FNAI FAX, 3):
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1) One or more high-quality examples of the following natural communities:
Basin Beach
Beach Dune
Bog
Bluff
Coastal Interdunal Swale
Coastal Berm
Depression Marsh
Coastal Grassland
Dome Swamp
Coastal Strand
Floodplain Forest
Maritime Hammock
Floodplain Marsh
Scrubby Flatwoods
Freshwater Tidal Swamp
Shell Mound
Seepage Slope
Sinkhole
Swale
Slope Forest
Upland Hardwood Forest
Upland Pine Forest
Alluvial Stream
Xeric Hammock
Estuarine Tidal Marsh
Estuarine Tidal Swamp
Clastic Upland Lake
Flatwoods/prairie Lake
River Flood Lake
Sandhill Upland Lake
Sinkhole Lake
Swamp Lake
Aquatic Cave
Marine Grass Bed
Marine Tidal Marsh
Marine Tidal Swamp
Estuarine Grass Bed
Blackwater Stream
Seepage Stream
2) An outstanding example of any FNAI natural community.
Exceptions to the 500-acre minimum size criterion may include:
1) any site containing at least:
20 acres of Pine Rockland,
20 acres of Rockland Hammock,
80 acres of Scrub,
320 acres of Sandhill, or
320 acres of Dry Prairie.
2) any example of:
Coastal Dune Lake,
Coastal Rock Barren,
Coastal Rockland Lake,
Upland Glade,
Terrestrial Cave, or
Spring-Run Stream if part of a larger system or contiguous with a spring head
(FNAI FAX, 4).
West Florida SRPP ! Natural Resources of Regional Significance ! Amendment Adopted 9/8/97
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A high-quality example of a natural community is generally one that is not significantly
influenced by recent human activities, including notable disturbance to the herbaceous
groundcover, components, and that possesses a species composition characteristic of that
natural community (i.e., contains the more common species and perhaps some rarer
species), while not having a substantial number of exotic species. Not all these
characteristics can be determined by aerial photograph interpretation (Ibid., 4).
These sites represent core areas that encompass some of the remaining highest-quality
natural areas in Florida. Preserve/project design has not been done for these areas; often
additional surrounding areas of lower quality may need to be added for long-term
protection of the resources. Core areas are in need of protection and management aimed
at perpetuation of the key natural features found on site. Preliminary Natural Areas of
Acquisition Interest are subject to boundary modifications and will require additional aerial
photographic interpretation, data base analyses, and field verification before they can be
considered final (FNAI FAX, 4).
Natural Areas of Conservation Interest: Sites that may not contain high-quality
examples of natural communities or rare species but are ecologically viable and
defensible tracts of land representative of a natural ecosystem. These areas do not
include urban, agricultural, or silvicultural land use unless there is strongly compelling
evidence that such existing land use does not sufficiently influence the ecosystem values
of the site. Occasionally, Natural Areas of Conservation Interest might include landscape
that allow ecosystems to sustain an adequate level of functional stability and provide
landscape linkages for the maintenance of biological diversity (FNAI FAX, 4).
Additional ranking criteria or modifications to these criteria may result from further FNAI
scientific staff review as the regional ecological analyses continue. Ongoing
augmentation of the FNAI data base, including element ranking activities, may also
change the ranks of individual sites (Ibid., 4).
Rare, Threatened, and Endangered Species Occurrences :
Throughout our Region there are many occurrences of rare, endangered and threatened
species. Due to the effects of nature, man, and genetics, species that once flourished are
now endangered, rare, or threatened. This has become a serious concern of the Florida
Committee on Rare and Endangered Plants and Animals (FCREPA). This group of
scientists, conservationists, and concerned citizens meet to discuss and evaluate the status
of Florida's wildlife and to determine which species should be considered for special
classification and concern.
The classifications are endangered, threatened and rare. Endangered means a species
that is in danger of extinction or extirpation of the deleterious factors affecting their
West Florida SRPP ! Natural Resources of Regional Significance ! Amendment Adopted 9/8/97
IV-82
populations continue to operate. These are forms whose numbers have already declined
to such a critically low level or whose habitats have been so seriously reduced or
degraded that without active assistance their survival in Florida is questionable (Rare and
Endangered Biota of Florida, Vol. 1, xv).
Threatened species are those that are likely to become endangered in the state within the
foreseeable future if current trends continue. This category includes (1) species in which
most or all populations are decreasing because of overexploitation, habitat loss, or other
factors; (2) species whose populations have already been heavily depleted by deleterious
conditions and, while not actually endangered, are nevertheless in a critical state; and (3)
species that may still be abundant but are being subjected to serious adverse pressures
throughout their range (Ibid., xv).
Rare species are those that, although not presently endangered or threatened as defined
above, are potentially at risk because they are found only within a restricted geographic
area or habitat in the state or are sparsely distributed over a more extensive range (Ibid.,
xv).
Specific locations of endangered, threatened, special concern, and rare species
of plant and animals. (Map 6)
This data layer identified the occurrences of endangered, threatened, special concern, and
rare species with FNAI assigned state ranks of S1, S2, or S3. The occurrences
represented the locational records of endangered, threatened, or rare species and ideally
represented tracts of land or water needed to sustain or otherwise contribute to the
survival of populations of species (FNAI FAX, 5).
Significant wildlife aggregation areas. (Map 6)
The Florida Natural Areas Inventory (FNAI) tracks wading bird rookeries, manatee
aggregation areas, and migratory bird concentration areas. This data layer represents the
location of these areas based on information provided to FNAI, principally by the Florida
Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission and Department of Environmental Protection.
These areas merit protection because they provide habitat for concentrations of protected
species or provide important foraging or nesting habitat for species (FNAI FAX, 5).
Information contained on Maps 5, 6 and 7 is insufficient for permitting purposes and is
intended for use as a general planning guideline.
Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission Strategic Habitat Conservation
Areas (Map .7):
The total percentage of conservation lands in the West Florida Region is slightly greater
than the statewide average. However, Bay, Washington, Holmes, and Escambia counties
West Florida SRPP ! Natural Resources of Regional Significance ! Amendment Adopted 9/8/97
IV-83
are well below the statewide average for individual counties (15.6%) (Closing the Gaps,
185). Residential and urban development of fragile coastal areas threatens many
important biological resources remaining in this Region. Many important coastal areas of
the West Florida Region are found in the conservation areas. There are ten (10)
Conservation Areas in our Region.
Area 1: Eglin Air Force Base (formerly Choctawhatchee National Forest). Although
this area is the largest publicly owned tract of sandhill land cover in Florida, it is not in the
geographic range of several vertebrate species dependent on sandhill communities.
Important vertebrate species recorded here includes Florida black bear, fox squirrel, redcockaded woodpecker, southeastern American kestrel, eastern indigo snake, Florida pine
snake, gopher tortoise, American alligator, Florida bog frog, gopher frog, pine barrens
treefrog, one-toed amphiuma, four-toed salamander, Atlantic sturgeon, river goby, and
Okaloosa darter (Closing the Gaps, 185). Rare plants include white-top pitcher-plant,
sweet pitcher-plant, West's flax, Chapman's butterwort, Curtiss' sandgrass, panhandle lily,
spoon-leaved sundew, Drummond's yellow-eyed grass, west Florida cowlily, pineland
hoary-pea, hairy wild indigo, gulf coast lupine, orange azalea, Baltzell's sedge, silky
camellia, Ashe's magnolia, panhandle meadowbeauty, karst pond xyris, southern threeawned grass, Colville's rush, spoon-flower, Arkansas oak, pondspice, pyramid magnolia,
mountain laurel, hairy-preduncled beak-rush, toothed savory, large-leaved jointweed, bogbutton, naked-stemmed panic grass, heartleaf, Harper's yellow-eyed grass, violetflowered butterwort, smooth-barked St. John's-wort, and Florida anise (Ibid., 185). This
conservation area has the capacity to sustain viable populations of most of these species,
but management activities need to be improved. Hardwood encroachment has occurred
in many areas and affected populations of rare species (Closing the Gaps, 185).
Area 2: Patches of sandhill in Washington, Jackson (not in our Region) and Bay
counties. Portions of this area include a Strategic Habitat Conservation Area for sandhill
communities in Florida. Rare species are listed by more precise geographic areas.
Sweetwater, Buckhorn, and Econfina Creek: gopher tortoise, limpkin, southeastern
American kestrel, American swallow-tailed kite, hairy woodpecker, pyramid magnolia,
mountain laurel, smooth-barked St. John's-wort, toothed savory (Closing the Gaps, 186).
Porter, Gap, and Deadening Lakes (east of State Road 77, north of State Road 20):
gopher tortoise, eastern indigo snake, Florida pine snake, gopher frog, toothed savory,
white-topped pitcher plant, Harper's yellow-eyed grass, panhandle meadowbeauty,
smooth barked St. John's-wort, and Gulf Coast lupine (Ibid., 186). Hicks, Lucas, and
Big Blue Lakes (west of State Road 77, east of State Road 79, north of State Road 20):
eastern indigo snake (several records), gopher tortoise (several records), smooth-barked
St. John's-wort, panhandle meadowbeauty, silky camellia, karst pond xyris, Piedmont
water-milfoil, pyramid magnolia, heartleaf, and mountain laurel (Ibid., 186). Court
Martial and White Western Lakes (east of State Road 79 and south of State Road
20): Cooper's Hawk, hairy woodpecker, gopher tortoise, eastern indigo snake, whitetopped pitcher plant, smooth-barked St. John's-wort, Cruise's golden aster, gulf coast
lupine, panhandle meadowbeauty, and karst pond xyris (Closing the Gaps, 186).
West Florida SRPP ! Natural Resources of Regional Significance ! Amendment Adopted 9/8/97
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Area 3: Patches of sandhill and xeric pinelands west and southwest of Blackwater
River State Forest (east and west of U.S. 191). Rare species are listed by precise
geographic regions. South of Springhill (surrounding East Fork and Big Coldwater
Creeks): fox squirrel, southeastern American kestrel, hairy woodpecker, Cooper's hawk,
gopher tortoise, hairy-peduncled beak-rush, and panhandle lily. South of Berrydale
(surrounding East Fork and Manning Creeks): southeastern American Kestrel, gopher
tortoise, flatwoods salamander, hairy-peduncled beak-rush, and serviceberry holly (Ibid.,
186).
Area 4: Blackwater River State Forest. Important conservation area that supports
several rare species. Species recorded for the area include eastern chipmunk, redcockaded woodpecker, gopher tortoise, Florida pine snake, eastern indigo snake, tiger
salamander, pine barrens treefrog, black-tip shiner, panhandle lily, white-topped pitcherplant, Say's spike-tail dragonfly, Harper's yellow-eyed grass, bog button, Chapman's
butterwort, yellow-eyed grass, and meadowbeauty (Ibid., 186).
Area 5: Upper Choctawhatchee River and Holmes Creek. Wetlands areas associated
with these rivers, and the isolated wetlands that lie between these rivers, are important
foraging areas for nearby wading bird rookeries consisting of great egret, snowy egret,
little blue heron, and white ibis (Closing the Gaps, 186). Other species are reported by
major drainages.
Choctawhatchee River (north of Caryville): eastern chipmunk, short-tailed hawk,
Cooper's hawk, black-tip shiner, cypress dart, Florida logperch, Florida chub, Clench's
elimia, and wild indigo. Holmes Creek North (Interstate 10 south to Vernon):
bluenose shiner, dusky shiner, Clench's elimia, Washington thorn, and variable-leaved
Indian-plantain (Ibid., 186). Holmes Creek and Choctawhatchee River South
(confluence south of Vernon and Baker Store): American swallow-tailed kite, limpkin,
goldstripe darter, Florida logperch, orange azalea, yellow cowlily, variable-leaved Indianplantain, and Ashe's magnolia (Ibid., 186). Lands Between Choctawhatchee River
and Holmes Creek (Washington County): white ibis (rookery), great egret (rookery),
anhinga (rookery), flatwoods salamander, and serviceberry holly. Wright's and
Tenmile Creek: black-tip shiner, fuzzy pigtoe, variable-leaved Indian-plantain, and
southern sandshell (Ibid., 186).
Area 6: Lower Choctawhatchee River. Portions of the area are included in a Strategic
Habitat Conservation Area for Florida black bear. Other species are listed by precise
geographic areas. South of State Road 20 (including Black Creek and nearby Pine Log
State Forest): round-tailed muskrat, little blue heron (rookery), white ibis (rookery),
American swallow-tailed kite, hairy woodpecker, gopher tortoise, coal skink, flatwoods
salamander, one-toed amphiuma, Florida logperch, orange azalea, white-topped pitcherplant, Apalachicola dragon-head, Curtiss' sandgrass, and Chapman's crownbeard (Ibid.,
186). North of State Road 20: Cooper's hawk, hairy woodpecker, Florida logperch,
orange azalea, variable-leaved Indian-plantain, fluted elephant-ear, smooth-barked St.
John's-wort, and southern sandshell (Ibid., 186).
West Florida SRPP ! Natural Resources of Regional Significance ! Amendment Adopted 9/8/97
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Area 7: Weaver, Garnier, Julian Mill, and Burnt Grocery creeks. Strategic Habitat
Conservation Area for the Florida bog frog and Florida black bear. Other rare species
recorded along the creeks include American swallow-tailed kite, Florida pine snake,
flatwoods salamander, black-mouth shiner, panhandle lily, hairy wild indigo, and sweet
pitcher-plant (Ibid., 186).
Area 8: Large area of sandhill land cover northeast of Eglin Air Force Base (north of I10, east of Dorcas). Rare species recorded for this area include southeastern American
kestrel, gopher tortoise, pine barrens treefrog, eastern indigo snake, Florida pine snake,
Florida panhandle lily, and yellow fringeless orchid (Closing the Gaps, 186).
Area 9: Yellow River, east of Blackwater River State Forest (north and south of State
Road 2). Rare species recorded for this area include eastern chipmunk, gopher tortoise,
pine barrens treefrog, eastern indigo snake, Florida pine snake, Florida panhandle lily, and
Coville's rush (Ibid., 186).
Area 10: The floodplain forests of the Escambia River and its tributaries. Rare species
are listed by specific geographic areas. North Escambia River and Escambia Creek
(north of Chumuckla Springs): eastern chipmunk, American swallow-tailed kite, Alabama
map turtle, Gulf coast smooth softshell, alligator gar, cypress darter, Florida chub, black
tip shiner, cypress minnow, crystal darter, saddle-back darter, orange azalea, heartleaf,
southern pocketbook, flat floater, and narrow pigtoe (Ibid., 186). Canoe Creek:
American swallow-tailed kite, copperhead, seal salamander, rough shiner, bluenose
shiner, striped shiner, harlequin darter, and saddle-back darter (Closing the Gaps, 186).
South Escambia River (south of Chumuckla Springs): American swallow-tailed kite,
Cooper's hawk, indigo snake, river redhorse, starhead topminnow, cypress darter, cypress
minnow, Florida chub, Florida logperch, panhandle lily, mountain laurel, Florida anise, and
narrow pigtoe (Ibid., 186)
Coastal Areas of Escambia County.
Important resources are listed by specific geographic areas.
Perdido Key State Preserve and Private Lands to West: least tern
(nesting), Godfrey's golden aster; patches of scrub and coastal strand on private
lands west of Perdido Key State Recreation Area support Godfrey's golden aster
and are important to migratory birds (Closing the Gaps, 186).
Big Lagoon State Recreation Area: Cruise's golden aster, black skimmer
(nesting), Godfrey's golden aster, and saltmarsh topminnow (Ibid., 186).
Pensacola Naval Air Station: Wilson's plover, spoon-flower sundew, whitetopped pitcher plant, Godfrey's golden aster, large-leaved jointweed, Gulf
rockrose, and Carolina lilaeopsis (Ibid., 187).
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Gulf Island National Seashore (Perdido Key portion): least tern (nesting),
Wilson's plover, Cuban snowy plover, Godfrey's golden aster, and Gulf rockrose;
coastal scrub and grasslands important to migratory birds (Ibid., 187).
Ft. Pickens State Park (Santa Rosa Island): Santa Rosa Island beach mouse,
Cuban snowy plover, piping plover, gopher tortoise; coastal grasslands, scrub, and
mesic and scrubby flatwoods of value to coastal migrants; least tern (nesting) at
Pensacola Beach (Ibid., 187).
Gulf Island National Seashore (Pensacola Beach to Navarre Beach): Santa
Rosa Island beach mouse, American oystercatcher (rare in western panhandle),
Cuban snowy plover, piping plover, least tern (nesting), black skimmer (nesting;
east of Langdon Beach), shorebird aggregation areas, Cruise's golden aster, and
Godfrey's golden aster; coastal grasslands and maritime hammocks important to
migratory birds (Ibid., 187).
Coastal Areas of Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton Counties.
Important resources are listed by more specific geographic areas.
Santa Rosa Island National Seashore and Eglin Air Force Base (Navarre
Beach to Destin): Santa Rosa beach mouse, Cuban snowy plover, piping plover,
least tern (nesting colonies), black skimmer (Ocean City), shorebird aggregation
areas, green turtle, Cruise's golden aster, Godfrey's golden aster, perforate
reindeer lichen, Gulf rockrose; coastal grasslands, scrub, and mesic flatwoods
that are important to migratory birds (Closing the Gaps, 187).
Moreno Point: indigo snake, Curtiss's sandgrass, large-leaved jointweed, and
Gulf coast lupine.
Henderson Beach State Recreation Area: gopher tortoise, large-leaved
jointweed, Gulf coast lupine; coastal grasslands important to migratory birds.
Four Prong Lake (and private lands to east): panhandle meadowbeauty and
Curtiss's sandgrass.
Topsail Hill (mix of private and recently acquired public lands):
Choctawhatchee beach mouse, Cuban snowy plover, piping plover, red-cockaded
woodpecker, gopher tortoise, Curtiss's sandgrass, spoon-leaved sundew, Gulf
coast lupine; coastal strand, grasslands, and mesic flatwoods important to
migratory birds (Ibid., 187).
Four Mile Point (private lands): gopher tortoise, red-cockaded woodpecker,
southern red lily.
West Florida SRPP ! Natural Resources of Regional Significance ! Amendment Adopted 9/8/97
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Point Washington (mix of private and public lands, includes Blue Mountain
Beach): round-tailed muskrat, red-cockaded woodpecker, Strategic Habitat
Conservation Area for western seaside sparrows (also at Fluffy Landing across
Choctawhatchee Bay), gopher tortoise, southern red lily, Gulf coast lupine,
coastal scrub and scrubby pinelands important to migratory birds (Ibid., 187).
Grayton Beach State Recreation Area: Strategic Habitat Conservation Area
for Chocawhatchee beach mouse (includes private lands), least tern, gopher
tortoise, large-leaved jointweed, Godfrey's golden aster, Cruise's golden aster,
Gulf coast lupine; coastal scrub, maritime hammock, and beach dune habitats
important to migratory birds (Closing the Gaps, 187).
Seagrove Beach: private tract of coastal strand and scrub to the east
constitutes critical habitat for the Choctawhatchee beach mouse.
Deer Lake (private lands): least tern (nesting), Cuban snowy plover, piping
plover, shorebird aggregation area, large-leaved jointweed, Godfrey's golden
aster, Gulf coat lupine, southern red lily; coastal grassland, scrub, and maritime
hammock important to migratory birds (Ibid., 187).
Coastal Areas of Bay County.
Important resources are listed by more precise geographic areas.
Powell Lake: Strategic Habitat Conservation Area for Cuban snowy plover;
other species include Godfrey's golden aster, Gulf coast lupine, and large-leaved
jointweed (Closing the Gaps, 187).
Panama City Beach (private lands north of U.S. Highway 98): historic record
of red-cockaded woodpecker, Chapman's crownbeard, and southern red lily.
St. Andrews Bay: black skimmer, Strategic Habitat Conservation Areas for
western seaside sparrows (coastal marshes along East Bay); other species
include Wilson's plover (West Bay Point, North Bay Point, and Goose Point),
southern bald eagle, and shorebird aggregation areas (Ibid., 187).
Tyndall Air Force Base/ St. Andrews State Recreation Area: Strategic
Habitat Conservation Area for St. Andrews beach mouse; piping plover, Cuban
snowy plover, Wilson's plover, loggerhead turtle, southern red lily, Harper's
yellow-eyed grass, Drummond's yellow-eyed grass, Gulf coast lupine, Godfrey's
golden aster, Gulf rockrose, Chapman's butterwort, Chapman's crownbeard, giant
water-dropwort, and southern milkweed; coastal habitats also important to
migratory birds (Closing the Gaps, 187).
West Florida SRPP ! Natural Resources of Regional Significance ! Amendment Adopted 9/8/97
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GOALS AND POLICIES
PRIORITY 1:
Protection of the Region's Surface Water Resources.
GOAL 1: Protect the surface water resources within the Region.
Indicators:
!
Increase in the number of water management plans adopted and
implemented.
!
Improved quality of the Region's surface waters.
Policy 1.1: Prevent the introduction of hazardous toxins and chemicals into the Region's
surface water system by business, industrial, and private interests.
Policy 1.2: Prohibit development activities that structurally impair or reduce the flow of
the Region's rivers, creeks, branches, streams and standing water such as ponds and
lakes.
Policy 1.3: Coordinate local and regional planning Surface Water Improvement and
Management (SWIM) program plans and studies and "Water Management Plans" to
maintain surface water quality and drinking water quality and quantity.
Policy 1.4: Protect all surface waters from pollution and degradation, with particular
emphasis on SWIM priority waterbodies, Class I and II waters, Outstanding Florida
Waters, and State Aquatic Preserves.
Policy 1.5: Protect wetlands from pollution and unnatural degradation due to
development.
Policy 1.6: Restrict the channelization, diversion, and damming of natural riverine
systems to prevent loss of habitat and changes in water velocity and volume that would
adversely impact downstream habitats.
Policy 1.7: Require buffer zones around water bodies, landscaping techniques that
minimize erosion, and proper maintenance of onsite domestic waste treatment facilities so
as to protect water quality.
Policy 1.8: Develop area-wide stormwater management plans to protect the surface
water resources.
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Policy 1.9 Implement intergovernmental coordination and interlocal agreements for costsharing in the planning and construction of new area-wide wastewater treatment and
solid waste facilities, where feasible.
Policy 1.10: Utilize agricultural and silviculture Best Management Practices (BMP) to
minimize runoff and protect surface systems.
Policy 1.11: Implement stormwater utilities, special districts and other alternative
programs to finance infrastructure needed to manage stormwater in accordance with
state and federal regulations.
Policy 1.12: Around Deer Point Lake and areas that discharge into DPL, restrict use of
individual household septic tank systems or other alternative individual household domestic
waste treatment systems in areas where potable water supplies have demonstrated
contamination or can be expected to be contaminated by this waste disposal method.
Policy 1.13: Adopt and implement standards for agricultural activities and other
development in areas around Deer Point Lake to protect water quality of the lake.
Policy 1.14: Prohibit all construction, except for piers, docks, and landscaping, within
100 feet of the mean high water mark of Econfina Creek.
PRIORITY 2:
Protection of the Region's Ground Water Resources.
GOAL 1: Manage the Regional water supply to provide for all recognized needs on a sustainable basis
and protect water recharge areas and existing and future well sites.
Indicators:
!
Change in number of regional water authorities.
!
Change in the use of reclaimed water.
!
Change in groundwater supply identified by the Northwest Florida Water Management
District.
!
Change in the number of stormwater management systems.
Policy 1.1: Continue the consumptive use permitting program.
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Policy 1.2: Establish regional authorities pursuant to Chapter 373.1962 F.S., and have
interlocal agreements to develop and coordinate water supply.
Policy 1.3: Allow the use of reclaimed wastewater for irrigation.
Policy 1.4: Identify and protect water recharge areas and existing and future well sites
through comprehensive land use planning and land development regulations.
Policy 1.5: Investigate the development and use of alternative sources of water in
areas where currently used sources are steadily declining and develop and implement
strategies for use of alternative water supplies.
Policy 1.6: Protect groundwater supply identified in groundwater basin resource
inventories prepared by the Northwest Florida Water Management District.
Policy 1.7: Prohibit or require mitigation for all developments that have the potential to
cause or increase salt water intrusion, interfere with legal water users or damage
important ecosystems.
Policy 1.8: Develop and annually update a twenty-five year growth and capital
improvement plan for all public ater supply systems.
Policy 1.9: Prevent all development activities that would structurally impair the function
of high volume recharge areas, or reduce the availability and flow of good quality water
to those recharge areas.
Policy 1.10: Adopt and enforce conservation ordinances that call for the installation of
water conservation devices in new structures and retrofitting in renovated structures.
Policy 1.11: In water resource caution areas, public water systems should provide
incentives such as reduced connection fees and service charges for customers who use
effective water and/or wastewater saving devices, and disincentives such as escalating
water rates for those who do not.
Policy 1.12: Coordinate with the Northwest Florida Water Management District to
adopt and implement a regional water shortage plan.
Policy 1.13: Expand the present regional water quantity monitoring network to better
develop detailed estimates for water supply and demands.
Policy 1.14: Expand public awareness regarding the need for management of regional
water resources.
Policy 1.15: Prohibit the mining of water, where use exceeds historical recharge.
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Policy 1.16: Prohibit any activities that would introduce wastes or other by-products into
the groundwater system via recharge areas.
Policy 1.17: Continue to disseminate information on proper storage, use and disposal
practices, for users of hazardous substances.
Policy 1.18: Coordinate with HRS public county health units to ensure required
upgrading of defective septic tank systems or tie-in to central sewer to meet state
regulations.
Policy 1.19: Amend septic tank zoning and permitting procedures to prohibit the
construction of septic tanks in 100-year floodplains.
Policy 1.20: Develop criteria for the provision of future landfill sites in the
comprehensive planning process.
Policy 1.21: Where conditions are inadequate to support alternative wastewater
disposal systems require that an adequate sewer system is in place or will be in place by
the time a subdivision is ready for occupancy before subdivision permitting occurs.
Policy 1.22: Identify areas served by septic tanks and develop plans to provide sewer
service within a twenty year period.
Policy 1.23: Expand public awareness regarding the need for the protection of regional
water resources from contamination.
Policy 1.24: Coordinate land use and infrastructure development with watershed
management plans.
PRIORITY 3:
Protection of Coastal and Marine Resources.
GOAL 1: Protect beach and dune systems from the undesirable affects of development.
Indicators:
!
Change in the number of nonwater-dependent uses in the coastal area.
!
Change in the number of dune walkovers on the coast.
Policy 1.1: Require site design standards that preserve the integrity and stability of
beach and dune systems.
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Policy 1.2: Land use plans for shoreline areas shall give priority to water-dependent
uses over other uses.
Policy 1.3: Regulate development in unique areas of the coast and areas adjacent to
environmentally sensitive estuarine systems so that the effects of development can be
adequately buffered and mitigated.
Policy 1.4: Provide incentives for the construction of dune walkovers to provide beach
access.
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GOAL 2: By the year 2000, 50% of eroded beaches and dunes shall be restored and stabilized
to reestablish a functioning dune system.
Indicators:
!
Increase in amount of dune restoration activity.
Policy 2.1: Prohibit development that accelerates or has the potential to accelerate
erosion of shoreline.
Policy 2.2: Target most severely eroded beach and dune areas first and assist
landowners to take measures to restore and stabilize beach and dune systems.
Policy 2.3: Local governments should prevent any development of structures that are
(1) seaward of the Coastal Construction Control Line (CCCL); or (2) within the Coastal
High Hazard Areathat are not able to meet the most current code for being able to
withstand hurricane wind and storm surge damage.
Policy 2.4: Require building owners to plant native beach plants and use wind breaks to
help establish the plants in areas where erosion of the beaches and/or dunes is occurring
on the property.
Policy 2.5: Restore the primary dune system where it is damaged, and discourage
activities that would destabilize the system.
Policy 2.6: Publicly owned land should be maintained for the establishment and/or
maintenance of intact dune systems.
Policy 2.7: Replace damaged or deteriorating seawalls with a sloped, vegetated
revetment system.
Policy 2.8: Local governments shall only permit the construction of shore hardening
structures as a last resort for residential and non-urban waterfronts.. All permitted
structures shall be consistent with the Department of Environmental Protection Coastal
Armoring Policy.
GOAL 3: Protect coastal land and water systems from inappropriate development and human
activities determined to be intrusive or damaging to natural resources and/or water quality.
Indicators:
!
Change in development patterns in coastal areas.
!
Change in regulations adopted to protect coastal land and water systems.
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Policy 3.1: Pursuant to Chapter 376.071, Florida Statutes, marine operators of regulated
vessels should develop and adopt oil spill contingency plans and have an onboard spill
officer responsible for training and spill response.
Policy 3.2: All ports, waterfront industries, oil companies, and county civil defense
departments should participate in the Florida Spillage Control Association, Inc.
Policy 3.3: All coastal communities should establish siting procedures for marina and
other water dependent land uses that prohibit development in sensitive estuarine areas,
require mitigation of unavoidable habitat losses at a ratio of 4:1 and limit discharge of
waste materials.
Policy 3.4: Coastal communities should adopt and implement regulations that limit
stormwater and wastewater discharges into estuaries.
Policy 3.5: Coastal communities shall avoid public expenditures in coastal high hazard
areas that would accommodate higher density and shall relocate public facilities to
locations outside the coastal high hazard area whenever possible.
Policy 3.6: Activities that would degrade or eliminate any type of approved shellfish
harvesting area classification shall be prohibited.
GOAL 4: Protect and manage marine fisheries habitat.
Indicators:
!
Change in the amount of seagrass beds in the Region.
Policy 4.1: Identify sensitive estuarine environments and develop and implement
management techniques that will preserve the functioning of these systems.
Policy 4.2: Require all developments adjacent to marine, aquatic, and estuarine areas to
include structural and/or nonstructural facilities for treatment of stormwater and domestic
waste that are sufficient to eliminate any chance of degradation of these areas.
GOAL 5: Include specific measures to protect marine resources when issuing offshore drilling
permits
Indicators:
!
Change in permitting requirements for offshore drilling.
Policy 5.1: Review of off-shore exploration permits shall continue to include review of
impacts upon marine resources.
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Policy 5.2: Exploration and development of mineral resources shall be prohibited in
unique marine, aquatic, and estuarine areas including waters adjacent to or designated as
Outstanding Florida Waters and Aquatic Preserves.
GOAL 6: By the year 2000, restrict all development in all coastal high hazard areas in order to
provide adequate evacuation of coastal residents in the event of major storms or hurricanes.
Indicators
!
Change in evacuation clearance time in the coastal high hazard area.
Policy 6.1: Limit development in coastal areas to support the population that can be
safely evacuated in times of emergency.
Policy 6.2: Coastal local governments should limit future development in coastal high
hazard areas.
Policy 6.3: The coastal high hazard area shall be defined by 9J5-.003. When areas
have no Coastal Construction Control Line (CCCL), this shall be substituted with the
Coastal Construction Setback Line.
Policy 6.4: Redevelopment of coastal high hazard areas (seaward of the Coastal
Construction Control Line) shall be consistent with the Beach and Shore Preservation
Act (ss. 161.011-161.212).
Policy 6.5: Local governments shall limit public expenditures for future development or
redevelopment in coastal high hazard areas.
Policy 6.6: Local governments should prohibit development permits to developments
that do not have flood insurance or are in an area that is not protected by the National
Flood Insurance Program.
Policy 6.7: Emergency management evacuation procedures should include assistance
for all handicapped or elderly residents of coastal areas who notify the authorities that
they require assistance.
PRIORITY 4:
Protection of Natural Systems.
GOAL 1: Continue to protect the Region's functioning natural systems.
Indicators:
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!
Change in amount of wetlands in the Region.
!
Change in amount of land acquired or designated for conservation.
Policy 1.1: Protect surface water quality and hydrologic and ecologic functions of
regional estuarine systems by restricting development in these areas to compatible land
uses.
Policy 1.2: Require land development applications to establish buffer zones around
estuarine systems, wetlands, and unique uplands that protect these areas from
degradation by adjacent land uses, where feasible.
Policy 1.3: Local governments should strengthen existing land development regulations
to protect and conserve the natural functions of wetlands, unique uplands, flood plains,
bayous and other important wildlife habitats during development and provide incentives
for the restoration of areas where degradation has occurred.
Policy 1.4: Require land development applications to include detailed inventories of the
natural systems present, assessments of impacts of the proposed development, and
method to be used to protect the natural functions of the systems.
Policy 1.5: Direct land acquisition efforts toward the protection of important habitats,
wildlife, and natural systems.
Policy 1.6: Local governments shall protect the biota, hydrology, aesthetics, and other
natural features of state park lands and lands acquired through development impact
mitigation by requiring use of buffers, leash laws, deed restrictions, covenants, easements,
transfer of development rights, and/or regulation of adjacent development.
Policy 1.7: Use mitigation bank funds for resource restoration or management projects
on public lands acquired for resource protection purposes.
Policy 1.8: Local governments should utilize the Department of Environmental
Protection greenline maps to review development plans and permit applications that may
affect state park lands.
PRIORITY 5:
Protection of Endangered, Threatened, and Rare Species.
GOAL 1: Protect native species in the Region that are on the Florida Game and Fresh Water
Fish Commission list of endangered, threatened, and rare species of Florida.
West Florida SRPP ! Natural Resources of Regional Significance ! Adopted 7/15/96
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Indicators:
!
Change in the number of endangered, threatened and rare species.
Policy 1.1: Identify habitats of threatened or endangered plant and animal species
throughout the Region.
Policy 1.2: Local land development regulations should mitigate development activities
that adversely affect threatened or endangered species.
Policy 1.3: Adopt landscaping ordinances that use native plants, including threatened or
endangered species and use landscaping to provide habitat for wildlife native to the area.
Policy 1.4: Prohibit the use and introduction into the environment of non-native species
of plants and animals on publicly owned lands.
Policy 1.5: Provide education concerning Florida wildlife and ecology in elementary,
middle and high school curricula.
Policy 1.6: All local government comprehensive plans, land use and development plans,
and land development review processes must address the protection and enhancement of
rare and fragile plant and animal communities native to the Region, particularly those
species that are endangered, threatened, or of special concern.
Policy 1.7: Local governments should coordinate the protection and enhancement of
rare and endangered species and species of special concern critical habitats through the
adoption of interlocal agreements.
Policy 1.8: Use agricultural and existing silvicultural best management practices that
provide habitat for native species of flora and fauna.
Policy 1.9 Provide incentives for the protection of sensitive natural areas within
developments.
Policy 1.10: Provide incentives for landowners to keep unique land in its natural
condition.
Policy 1.11: Require disturbed lands, particularly sites no longer used for sand, gravel,
or clay mines, to be reclaimed and revegetated with native vegetation.
Policy 1.12: Local land development regulations should prohibit destruction of
threatened and endangered species and species of special concern and critical habitat for
these species.
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Policy 1.13: All levels of government should establish programs for the acquisition
through purchase and the maintenance of land containing habitats of threatened and
endangered species and species of special concern.
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PRIORITY 6:
Land Management and Use.
GOAL 1: By the year 2000, public and private lands will be managed and land resources used
according to comprehensive, economic and environmental principles, especially critical areas
including, but not limited to coastal lands, wetlands, flood plains, margins of estuarine nursery
areas, and locally important agricultural lands.
Indicators:
!
Number of wildlife corridors established.
!
Change in land development regulations to manage the use of environmentally sensitive
land.
Policy 1.1: Purchase for public ownership scenic vistas, natural corridors,
environmentally sensitive lands, land adjacent to rivers, functioning wetlands, inholdings
within or adjacent to state forests and natural wildlife corridors.
Policy 1.2: Conserve and protect the natural functions of soils, wildlife habitat, floral
habitat and wetlands.
Policy 1.3: Provide for the protection of wildlife natural systems in the development
approval process.
Policy 1.4: Protect state or federally owned ecologically sensitive lands from land uses
that would impair or destroy the important habitats and plant and animal species occurring
on those lands.
Policy 1.5: Give priority to water dependent industries and other land uses over nonwater dependent developments proposed for the coasts.
Policy 1.6: Implement "best management practices" techniques on lands used for
agricultural and silvicultural production that integrate good wildlife management practices
with economical agricultural and timber management practices.
Policy 1.7: Prepare and implement multiple-use management plans for publicly owned
lands.
Policy 1.8: Land uses on developed lands adjacent to publicly held conservation areas
should be compatible with wildlife management practices.
Policy 1.9: Local government comprehensive plans should include policies for the
conservation and preservation of natural functions of soils, wildlife habitat and wetlands.
West Florida SRPP ! Natural Resources of Regional Significance ! Adopted 7/15/96
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PRIORITY 7:
Parks and Recreation.
GOAL 1: Protect environmentally, historically, and culturally significant land.
Indicators:
!
Change in amount of land designated for passive recreation, conservation or historical
preservation.
Policy 1.1: The development review process should evaluate the impact of the proposed
development on environmentally, historically, or culturally significant land.
Policy 1.2: State and local governments should landscape parks under their jurisdiction
using native plants and employing every energy conservation method practicable for the
particular site.
Policy 1.3: State and regional agencies and local governments should identify unique
historical, cultural, geological, and ecological and environmentally sensitive sites for
protection and use as recreational facilities.
Policy 1.4: Support and participate in the conversion of abandoned railways to
recreation facilities throughout the "Rails to Trails" program.
Policy 1.5: State agencies shall increase the outdoor opportunities, the number of
recreational users visits and compatible, non-consumptive public uses in state forests.
Policy 1.6: All levels of government should minimize the direct land purchase cost by
developing parks as multi-purpose governmental expenditures.
Policy 1.7: Acquisition of outdoor recreation lands, particularly shoreline areas and
seashores, should be given priority over development of new facilities.
Policy 1.8: Expand efforts to provide recreational opportunities to urban areas, including
the development of activity-based parks by local governments.
Policy 1.9: User access should be identified when proposing and developing park sites
by all levels of government.
Policy 1.10: Coordinate public and private resources to meet recreation demands
through joint ventures, tax incentives, and other cooperative relationships.
West Florida SRPP ! Natural Resources of Regional Significance ! Adopted 7/15/96
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SOURCES
An Ecological Characterization of the Florida Panhandle . Washington D.C. U.S.
Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service; New Orleans. Mineral
Management Service. 1988.
Boaden, Patrick J.S. and Seed, Raymond. An Introduction to Coastal Ecology.
York: Chapman & Hall. 1985
New
Clark, John. Coastal Ecosystems: Ecological Considerations for Management of the
Coastal Zone. Washington, D.C.: The Conservation Foundation. 1974
Classification of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the United States. Washington,
D.C. U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service. 1979.
Closing the Gaps in Florida's Wildlife Habitat Conservation System. Tallahassee. Florida
Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission. 1994.
Deyrup, Mark and Franz, Richard. Rare and Endangered Biota of Florida. Tallahassee.
University Press of Florida. Volume IV. 1994.
District Water Management Plan: October 1994. NWFWMD: Havanna.
Doyle, Larry J. et al. Living with the West Florida shore. Durham. Duke University
Press. 1984.
Florida Atlas. Map Series #63. Florida Department of Natural Resources, Bureau of
Geology. Tallahassee. 1975.
Florida Rivers Assessment. Tallahassee. Florida Department of Natural Resources.
1989
Florida Statutes Volume 2. Chapters 237-402. 1995: Tallahassee.
Fort Pickens Aquatic Preserve Management Plan. DNR: Tallahassee. 1992.
Gilbert, Carter R. Rare and Endangered Biota of Florida. Tallahassee. University Press
of Florida. Volume II. 1994.
Humphrey, Stephen R. Rare and Endangered Biota of Florida. Tallahassee. University
Press of Florida. Volume I. 1994.
Mitsch, William J. and Gosselink, James G. Wetlands. New York. Van Nostrand
Reinhold. Second Edition. 1993.
Moler, Paul E. Rare and Endangered Biota of Florida. Tallahassee. University Press of
Florida. Volume III. 1994.
West Florida SRPP ! Natural Resources of Regional Significance ! Adopted 7/15/96
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Rocky Bayou Aquatic Preserve Management Plan. Tallahassee. Florida Department of
Natural Resources. 1991.
Save Our Rivers Florida Preservation 2000 Five Year Plan 1995. Havana. Northwest
Florida Water Management District. 1994.
St. Andrews State Park Aquatic Preserve Management Plan. DNR: Tallahassee. 1991.
Yellow River Marsh Aquatic Preserve Management Plan. DNR: Tallahassee. 1991.
West Florida SRPP ! Natural Resources of Regional Significance ! Adopted 7/15/96
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Map 1
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Map 2
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Map 3
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Map 5
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Map 6
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Map 7
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