Terra Ceia Preserve State Park

APPROVED Unit Management Plan

STATE OF FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL

PROTECTION

Division of Recreation and Parks June 15, 2012

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TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................1 PURPOSE AND SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PARK .....................................................1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF THE PLAN .....................................................................2 MANAGEMENT PROGRAM OVERVIEW ................................................................7 Management Authority and Responsibility...................................................................7 Park Management Goals ..............................................................................................8 Management Coordination...........................................................................................8 Public Participation......................................................................................................9 Other Designations .................................................................................................... 10

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT COMPONENT INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................ 11 RESOURCE DESCRIPTION AND ASSESSMENT .................................................. 13 Natural Resources ...................................................................................................... 13 Topography........................................................................................................... 13 Geology ................................................................................................................ 13 Soils ...................................................................................................................... 13 Minerals ................................................................................................................ 14 Hydrology............................................................................................................. 14 Natural Communities (FNAI) ................................................................................ 21

Imperiled Species .................................................................................................. 37 Exotic Species....................................................................................................... 41 Special Natural Features........................................................................................ 46 Cultural Resources..................................................................................................... 46 Condition Assessment ........................................................................................... 47 Level of Significance............................................................................................. 47 Prehistoric and Historic Archaeological Sites ........................................................ 48 Historic Structures................................................................................................. 50 Collections ............................................................................................................ 51 RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM .............................................................. 60 Management Goals, Objectives and Actions .............................................................. 60 Natural Resource Management .................................................................................. 61 Hydrological Management .................................................................................... 61 Natural Communities Management ....................................................................... 62 Imperiled Species Management ............................................................................. 67 Exotic Species Management .................................................................................. 69 Special Management Considerations.......................................................................... 70 Timber Management Analysis............................................................................... 70 Arthropod Control ..................................................................................................... 70 Additional Consideration ........................................................................................... 70 Cultural Resource Management ................................................................................. 73

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Resource Management Schedule................................................................................ 74 Land Management Review......................................................................................... 74

LAND USE COMPONENT INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................ 77 EXTERNAL CONDITIONS........................................................................................ 77 Existing Use of Adjacent Lands ................................................................................. 78 Planned Use of Adjacent Lands.................................................................................. 79 PROPERTY ANALYSIS ............................................................................................. 79 Recreation Resource Elements ................................................................................... 79 Land Area and Shoreline ....................................................................................... 80 Water Area............................................................................................................ 80 Natural Scenery..................................................................................................... 81 Natural Features .................................................................................................... 81 Archaeological and Historical Features ................................................................. 81 Assessment of Use ..................................................................................................... 82 Past Uses............................................................................................................... 82 Future Land Use and Zoning ................................................................................. 82 Current Recreation Use and Visitor Programs ....................................................... 85 Protected Zones..................................................................................................... 85 Existing Facilities ...................................................................................................... 86 Recreation Facilities .............................................................................................. 86 Support Facilities .................................................................................................. 86 CONCEPTUAL LAND USE PLAN ............................................................................ 86 Potential Uses ............................................................................................................ 89 Public Access and Recreational Opportunities ....................................................... 89 Proposed Facilities..................................................................................................... 90 Capital Facilities and Infrastructure ....................................................................... 90 Facilities Development .............................................................................................. 93 Existing Use and Optimum Carrying Capacity ........................................................... 95 Optimum Boundary ................................................................................................... 96

IMPLEMENTATION COMPONENT MANAGEMENT PROGRESS .................................................................................. 101 Park Administration and Operations......................................................................... 101 Resource Management ............................................................................................. 101 Natural Resources ............................................................................................... 101 Cultural Resources .............................................................................................. 102 Recreation and Visitor Services ............................................................................... 102 Park Facilities .......................................................................................................... 102 MANAGEMENT PLAN IMPLEMENTATION....................................................... 102

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TABLES TABLE 1 State Park Management Zones .................................................................... 12 TABLE 2 Imperiled Species Inventory........................................................................ 39 TABLE 3 Inventory of FLEPPC Category I and II Exotic Plant Species ..................... 42 TABLE 4 Cultural Sites Listed in the Florida Master Site File .................................... 52 TABLE 5 Prescribed Fire Management....................................................................... 63 TABLE 6 Surface Water Improvement and Management ........................................... 72 TABLE 7 Existing Use and Optimum Carrying Capacity............................................ 96 TABLE 8 Implementatio