Agenda Item Name:
Title
Black Lake Preserve 10-year Management Plan
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Presenter:
Ryan Kennelly (352) 727-0432, Elisabeth Manley (352) 363-7412
Description:
Request for the Board to approve the Black Lake Preserve 10-year Management Plan
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approve the Black Lake Preserve 10-year Management Plan
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Prior Board Motions:
On February 26, 2022, the BoCC adopted the guiding principles for the Alachua County Forever Program, including guidance on management plan development for county nature preserves.
On December 10, 2019, the BoCC approved and exercised the options to purchase the Lake Santa Fe - Johnson Tract and authorized staff to execute additional documents as necessary to close the transaction.
Fiscal Consideration:
Fiscal Consideration
An estimated $144,000 in initial improvement costs related to public opening from Wild Spaces Public Places funding, Fund 021.41.4160.537.xx and an estimated $9,000 in annual maintenance costs from the General Fund, 001.41.4160.537.xx.
Breakdown of Initial Improvement Costs:
$25,000 Parking lot
$10,000 Fencing
$25,000 New driveway
$21,000 Kiosks and interpretive/wayfinding sings
$5,000 Dock
$5,000 Solid waste and damaged barn demolition/removal
$8,000 Trail and road stabilization projects
$45,000 Consultant work for parking lot engineering plans
Project 6214104 Land Management: Black Lake already exists for the maintenance of this preserve, funded from Wild Spaces Public Places funds. $165,025 has been allocated from prior year WSPP revenues and a balance of $94,175.95 remains in the project as of 1/4/23. Additional funding will need to be added to this project in the future to fully fund the 10-year plan. The Department has been setting aside over $1million per year for land management since FY21 and has the additional budget to cover this expense.
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Strategic Guide:
Strategic Guide
Environment
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Background:
The 286.74-acre Black Lake Preserve is located in eastern Alachua County, near Melrose. The Preserve was acquired using Wild Spaces Public Places surtax funds on June 5, 2020, from the Johnson Family. The Preserve includes 32 acres of the Santa Fe River System Outstanding Florida Waters designation, has nine intact natural communities on site, and three documented state threatened species including hooded pitcher plant, spoonleaf sundew, and gopher tortoise. Diverse habitats will provide excellent habitat for wildlife and quality recreational opportunities for members of the public. Management on the Preserve will be in alignment with the Alachua County Forever mission to acquire, improve, and manage environmentally significant lands that protect water resources, wildlife habitats, and natural areas suitable for resource-based recreation.
The Alachua County Forever Mission Statement is: To acquire, improve and manage environmentally significant lands to protect water resources, wildlife habitats and natural areas suitable for resource-based recreation. For the County’s nature preserves, to improve and manage means land stewardship; to restore and enhance the natural resources to preserve their ecological function for future generations. It also means to provide and maintain functional and safe infrastructure for public access, where suitable. The County manages preserves under the Commission-adopted principal of “No Net Loss of Conservation Value” established as Commission policy in 2002 as part of the guiding principles for the Alachua County Forever Program.
Land Conservation Program staff is responsible for the development of these management plans for ACF preserves. The management planning process was originally developed by the Land Conservation Stewardship Team (LCST) in 2003 and is based upon generally-used best practices. It was updated in 2014 to comply with the Resolution 22-066 to incorporate the Land Conservation Board (LCB) into the review process. All plans are also made available for public input and review as a part of the plan development process.