    [From the U.S. Government Printing Office, www.gpo.gov]

                                               ST. MARKS AND WAKULLA RIVERS
                                                                        RESOURCE ASSESSMENT &
                                                              GREENWAY PROTECTION PLAN

                                                                                         THE FLORIDA GREENWAYS PROGRAM OF
                                                                                                               1 000 FRIENDS OF FLORIDA &
                                                                                                                         THE CONSERVATION FUND

                                                                  NORTHWEST FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT

                                                                                                                                        SEPTEMBER 1 994

                                          4

                                               PA

                                                                  7A@!K 3,Ao@7

                             This report was prepared for the Department of Community Affairs, Linda Loomis Shelley, Secretary, in cooperation
                             with US Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospherc Administration
                             Funding for this program was provided in part by Coo,eralivo Agreement No. NA370711417 awarded to the Department of Community Affairs ofthe State olFlorida
                             by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, US Department of Commerce. Matching funds provided by the Elizabeth Ordway Dunn Foundation.
                             Points of view, opinions and conclusions expressed in this report are those of the recipient and do not necessarily represent the official position or
                             policies of the State of Florida, Department of Community Affairs, the US Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or
                             any other agenncy of the state or federal government

                                                        PREFACE

                        In 1991, 1000 Friends of Florida and The Conservation Fund teamed together to
                 establish the Florida Greenways Program to aid in the conservation of greenways
                 throughout Florida. The Florida Greenways Program is involved with greenway planning
                 initiatives on the state and local levels. Since 1993, 1000 Friends of Florida has actively
                 worked with the 38 member governor appointed Florida Greenways Commission. The
                 mission of the Florida Greenways Commission is to establish a statewide system of linked
                 open space (greenways), parks and re   fuges and recognize 150 greenways in celebration
                 of Florida's sesquicentennial (150th) birthday in 1995.

                        On the local level, the Florida Greenways Program has initiated four regional
                 prototype greenway planning projects. These greenway planning projects include: the
                 Suncoast River Based Greenways Project in the Tampa area, the Loxahatchee Slough
                 Greenways Project in Martin and Palm Beach counties, Broward County Urban River
                 Greenways, the proposed South Walton Greenways effort in southern Walton County, and
                 the Apalachee Greenways Project in Florida's Big Bend area.

                        Each of these projects focuses on the particular planning needs for each local area.
                 The Suncoast greenways project       focuses on the remaining green spaces along the
                 Hillsborough, Alafia, Peace and Manatee Rivers. Hillsborough County has joined in the
                 effort in establishing these rivers as greenways. The Loxahatchee Greenways effort is the
                 first local project undertaken by the Florida Greenways Program and it focuses on the
                 remaining greenway connections in a network connecting the natural areas of Jonathan
                 Dickinson State Park, the Pal-Mar lands, the Dupuis Reserve, and the Corbett Wildlife
                 Management Area. The Broward County Urban River Greenway effort focuses on
                 designing and implementing a water-based greenways network in Broward County. This
                 network will utilize the New River, the Intercoastal Waterway and the South Florida Water
                 Management District's canal system to enhance community by providing open space and
                 recreation. The decommissioned Cross Florida Barge Canal is being converted into the
                 Cross Florida Greenway. 1000 Friends of Florida worked closely with the Canal Lands

                  Advisory Committee, the governors office and the legislature on the preparation of the
                  greenway management plan.

                         In January 1993, the Florida Greenways Program, The Red Hills Conservation
                  Association and the Apalachee Land Conservancy began working on a recreational,
                  natural, cultural, and historic resource assessment of the Apalachee Region. Since that
                  time, the Northwest Florida Water Management District and the region's local governments
                  have joined in the assessment effort. The Apalachee Greenways Project focuses on a six
                  county region of northern Florida (Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon and Wakulla counties) and
                  southern Georgia (Thomas and Grady counties) stretching from the Aucilla River on the
                  east to the Ochlockonee River on the west. The Apalachee Greenways Project highlights
                  the significance of the region's historical canopy roads and plantations and the rivers
                  providing their natural and cultural ties of the Red Hills to the river ports on the Gulf of
                  Mexico. The Apalachee Greenways Project is being conducted in a series of three phases
                  over a period of three years: Phase 1 - Regional Assessment and Visioning; Phase 2 -
                  Network Planning and Demonstration Project; and Phase 3 - Resource Protection
                  Implementation. The St. Marks and Wakulla Rivers Resource Assessment and Greenway
                  Protection Plan is Phase 2 of the Apalachee Greenways Project.

                         The assessement and plan focuses on the St. Marks River watershed which
                  includes the Wakulla River. The assessment addresses the watershed's cultural,
                  historical, recreational and natural features. Like the broader Apalachee Greenways
                  Project, the assessment and plan is centered on the rivers. The St. Marks and Wakulla
                  Rivers link the communities of Jefferson, Leon and Wakulla counties. They have been
                  used for thousands of years by various peoples settling in the Apalachee Region. They
                  provide Apalachee Bay with nutrient rich water sustaining a healthy population of finfish
                  and shellfish. The project emphasizes the need for greenway planning at the local,
                  regional and state levels to maintain the existing water quality of the rivers.

                                                EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

                        The Northwest Florida W   ater Management District, the Florida Greenways Program
                 of 1000 Friends of Florida and the Conservation Fund, and the Florida Coastal
                 Management Program have collaborated to develop a comprehensive resource
                 assessment and greenway protection plan for the St. Marks and Wakulla rivers. This report
                 assesses and maps the natural, recreational and historic resources in the St. Marks and
                 Wakulla rivers watershed and offers recommendations for greenway conservation along
                 the two rivers. This report is part of the Apalachee Greenways Project, a three-year effort
                 funded by the Elizabeth Ordway Dunn Foundation and Waste Management Inc., Florida
                 Group, to assess the region's greenway opportunities and identify potential conflicts with
                 future growth. The St. Marks and Wakulla River Greenway assessment and plan is the
                 second phase of the broader Apalachee project, and is funded in part by the Florida
                 Coastal Management Program.

                         Greenways are a land and water conservation tool that can enhance open space
                 and recreational opportunities, provide economic and community benefits, and
                 intergovernmental cooperation. A greenway is a corridor of protected open space that is
                 managed for conservation and/or recreation. They link natural reserves, parks, cultural
                 and historic sites with each other, and in some cases with urban areas. Greenways can
                 serve many ecological and recreational functions: as habitat for plants and animals; as
                 conduits allowing movement; as barriers to noise, light and unsightly views; as sources of
                 seed allowing natural succession in adjacent areas; as places to visit and explore; as
                 conduits for people along trails; as biological filters trapping nutrients and pollutants; and
                 as sinks capturing floodwaters.

                         This is the first study of the St. Marks and Wakulla rivers watershed to map and
                 quantify at a detailed level the type, location, and extent of land uses and land cover.
                 Satellite imagery data from 1993 was analyzed using the Northwest Florida Water
                 Management District's Geographic Information System. Low-density residential uses
                 comprise six percent of the total watershed with other urban types of land uses making up

                   IV

                   less than one percent. Non-urban land uses comprise 93 percent of the watershed with
                   silviculture uses (36 percent), natural upland forests (25 percent), and wetlands (18
                   percent) predominating.

                          Environmentally    sensitive and important habitat lands were assessed to aid
                   identification and mapping of greenway linkages (see Figure 1 - St. Marks and Wakulla
                   Rivers Greenway). The Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission (FGFWFC) and
                   the Florida Natural Areas Inventory provided data on land use and land cover, strategic
                   habitat conservation areas, and rare animal, plant and communities occurrences. The
                   FGFWFC data shows there are extensive areas of critical habitat throughout the
                   watershed with the largest and highest quality habitat areas associated with the rivers.

                          Nonpoint source pollution (NPS) must be minimized if the quality of the St. Marks
                   and Wakulla Rivers is to be protected. The assessment found that urban areas have the
                   highest per-acre pollution rates while natural woodlands and silvicultural areas have the
                   lowest per-acre pollution rates. On a watershed basis, forested and agricultural areas
                   contribute the greatest NIPS pollution load, but only because they have the greatest land
                   coverage. These results suggest that NPS pollution can be expected to increase if
                   silvicultural and forest lands are converted to more intensive land uses such as agriculture,
                   residential or commercial. Implementation of best management practices (BMPs) for
                   silviculture, agriculture and urban development are one important way to minimize NIPS
                   pollution.   Best management practices are guidelines established by the Florida
                   Department of Agriculture in conjunction with the forest/timber industry guiding forestry
                   operations on proper tree harvesting, removal and replanting. Silviculture operations use
                   the BMP's to determine where to harvest trees near rivers and streams and how much to

                   harvest adjacent to streams.

                          The watershed's extensive public conservation lands provide many outstanding
                   recreational opportunities. Annually, over one million visitors to the watershed fish, hunt,

                                                                  Proposed                                             St                Marks and Wakulla                                                                                        Rivers                                G reen way

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     0-4                                                                             City of
                                                Leon Po                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Tallahassee
                                                             Jefferson

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  -10
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Proposed
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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  WMD'Bounda@y
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Public Lands

                                                                                                                                                                                                                       7

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     CARL Lands
                                                                                         X,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     (Proposed)
                                       Figure 1                                                                                                                                                                                                      T-

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Trom    Roc
                                 This publication was made possible by a                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Watershed
                            subgr.nt from the Florida Department of Community
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Boundary
                              Affairs, In Cooperation with the US. Department
                               of Commerce, National Oceania and Atmospheric
                                 Adminlstr.tlon, under Cooperative Agreement
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Major Roads
                            provided by the Elizabeth Ordway Dunn Foundation
                                Award No. NA37OZO427.     Additional funding
                              and Northwest Florida Water Management District.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Transmission
                                                                                                                                                                                                                  RO
                                     September 1994                                                                                                                 2                                                                                                                                                                Lines
                                                                                                                                                                                                         stural Bridge

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     County &
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     WMD Boundary
                                                                                                                                                                                       IngS
                                  0                  5                 10
                                                    km                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Proposed Trails
                            0                                                8
                                                              ---------------- - -                                                                                       A                                       %
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    FNS
                                                   miles
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Q                                                                           Existing Trails

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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          A&         Historic Features
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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Natural             Features

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Recreational
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Features

                                                                                                             VII

                  hike, swim, horse-back ride, off-road bicycle, in-line skate, canoe, kayak, and watch
                  wildlife. They use trails such  as the Florida National Scenic Trail, the Tallahassee-St.
                  Marks Historic Railroad State Trail, the Big Bend Historic Saltwater Paddling Trail, and the
                  canoe trails of the Wakulla and St. Marks rivers. Visitors enjoy outdoor recreational
                  activities in the Apalachicola National Forest, St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, and at
                  Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park. They also learn about the areas rich historical
                  and cultural past at Fort San Marcos de Apalache State Historic Site and Natural Bridge
                  Battlefield State Historic Site. All of these combine to make watershed an outstanding
                  ecotourism destination and while contributing to the regional economic base.

                         Because of the relatively undeveloped nature of the St. Marks and Wakulla rivers,
                  the opportunity to conserve this natural greenway corridor still be exist. This greenway
                  can help protect the water quality and fisheries of the rivers and Apalachee Bay, and help
                  maintain their aesthetic and recreational appeal. These greenways are the watershed's
                  linchpins for the ecosystem and the foundation on which to expand the area's economy
                  through ecotourism.

                         The St. Marks and Wakulla Rivers Greenway is the unifying link between the
                  watershed's conservation lands. Nearly all of the outdoor recreational activities within the
                  basin are associated with the greenway in some manner. Wildlife thrives in the upper and
                  lower reaches of the greenway. People recreate, live and work within and adjacent to it.
                  and the greenway can help create a sense of place giving this unique area its own

                  distinctive character.

                         The  St. Marks and Wakulla Rivers Greenway will provide a rallying point or focus
                  for conserving the natural, recreational and cultural resources which make the river
                  corridors so attractive for people and wildlife. Living and owning property in the greenway
                  does not impose additional restrictions on how lands are used.                 The existing
                  comprehensive plan, development requirements and private and public stewardship will

                   Vill

                   continue to be the primary tools to conserve the qualities of the greenway. Residents and
                   property owners within the greenway are recommended to voluntarily continue and
                   strengthen their stewardship of their lands. The greenway will provide a focus for federal,
                   state, regional and local agencies to work together with landowners, businesses and
                   visitors to retain the watershed's qualities which are enjoyed by all. The resulting
                   partnerships will help focus financial, administrative and stewardship resources so they
                   are better coordinated and produce more effective results. The benefits of a coordinated
                   greenway stewardship effort are much greater than the sum of the separate conservation
                   and planning practices. Conserving the greenway is an excellent mechanism for ensuring
                   sustainable development in the watershed.

                          There are many different tools that can and should be used the conserve the
                   greenway. These range from private stewardship to community planning and public land
                   acquisition. Citizens and public officials have the tools and are using them to conserve
                   the important natural, recreational, and cultural resources of the greenway. Local
                   governments should consider using the local comprehensive planning process to
                   incorporate greenways into their communities. The provision of the plan revised to
                   incorporate greenways could emphasize the economic and recreational benefits a
                   community can realize if it works with other local governments as well as state and federal
                   conservation efforts. Using the local planning process could help establish visibility and
                   cohesiveness of the greenway concept while maintaining the necessary flexibility for each
                   local government.      The local governments should focus upon ways to improve
                   intergovernmental cooperation and build public and private partnerships to conserve the

                   greenway.

                          State and federal agencies also need to play a significant role in conserving the
                   remaining large tracts of undeveloped land along both rivers. The majority of these lands
                   are owned by a few owners and are managed principally for silviculture. Surface water
                   protection could be improved through the development of a surface water improvement

                                                                                                         'x

                 and management program (SWIM) by the Northwest Florida Water Management District
                 for the watershed. Lastly, the important role that citizens, users and landowners as
                 stewards of the greenway is critical to this effort. Without their support and participation,
                 this greenway conservation effort can not be successful.

                        In conclusion, the St. Marks and Wakulla rivers and their watershed offer an broad
                 range of land and water conservation possibilities while providing eco-tourism economic
                 development opportunities. The outstanding resources of the watershed and the
                 Apalachee Region provide landowners, citizens and government with many opportunities
                 to establish partnerships for land and water stewardship and enhance economic
                 prosperity. Conserving the St. Marks and Wakulla River Greenway will help the
                 watershed's communities take advantage of these opportunities.

                                            TABLE OF CONTENTS

                Preface   ..............................................................

                Executive Summary      ..................................................
                Table of Contents    .....................................................          X

                List of Tables and Figures   .............................................         X11

                Acknowledgements       .................................................           x1i,

                Chapter 11- Overview     .................................................          1
                       Greenways - Defined   .............................................          5
                       Ecological and Recreational Functions of Greenways    ...................    6
                       Benefits of Greenways   ...........................................         11

                Chapter 2 - Resource Assessment of the St. Marks and Wakulla
                           River Watershed   ............................................          15
                       Overview   .....................................................            15
                       Land Use Assessment     ...........................................         21
                       Nonpoint Source Pollution Assessment    ..............................      29
                       St. Marks and Wakulla Rivers Resource Inventory   .....................     43
                              Natural Resources of the Watershed   ..........................      43
                              Recreational Resources of the Watershed   ......................     50
                       The Economic Benefits of Ecotourism in the Watershed   .................    59

                Chapter 3 - St. Marks and Wakulla Rivers Greenway       ......................     63
                       St. Marks River Portion of the Greenway  .............................      71
                       Wakulla River Portion of the Greenway   ..............................      74

                                                                                                        X1

                  Chapter 4 -Local and State Conservation Programs         .......................      77
                        Local Resource Conservation Programs       .............................        77
                        Review of the Local Government Comprehensive Plans        .................     78
                               Town of St. Marks    .........................................           80
                               Wakulla County    ...........................................            80
                               Jefferson County    ..........................................           82
                               City of Tallahassee/Leon County     .............................        83
                        Review of State Resource Protection Programs       .......................      84

                  Chapter 5 - Recommendations For Conserving
                             *the St. Marks and Wakulla Rivers Greenway         ...................     91
                        Recommendations for the Local Governments        ........................       92
                        Recommendations for Regional, State and Federal Agencies        ...........    102
                        Recommendations for Individuals, Landowners, Private Interests and Users 106
                        Issues and Concerns Identified by the St. Marks and Wakulla
                        Rivers Greenway Steering Committee      ..............................         107

                  Literature Cited ....................................................                111

                  Appendix 1 - Land Use and Land Cover Assessment           ...................       A - I

                  Appendix 2 - Description of the Florida Land Use, Land Cover Classification
                        System (FLUCCS)       ...........................................             A -3

                  Appendix 3 - Nonpoint Source Pollution Assessment         ...................       A-7

                  Appendix 4 - Review of Stormwater Loading Rates from the Available
                        Literature   .................................................              A - 19

                  Appendix 5 -St. Marks and Wakull Rivers Greenway Steering Committee.. A-35

                                     UST OF FiGuRES AND T'ABLES

                List of Figures

                Figure 1- Proposed St. Marks and Wakulla Rivers Greenway     ...................    vi

                Figure 2 - St. Marks and Wakulla Rivers Watershed Study Area    ................    2

                Figure 3 - What is a Greenway   ...........................................         5

                Figure 4 - Ecological and Recreational Functions of Greenways  .................    6
                Figure 5 - Benefits of Greenways  .........................................         11
                Figure-6 - St. Marks and Wakulla Rivers Watershed Existing Land Use
                        and Land Cover   ................................................           27

                Figue 7 - What is Karst Topography    .....................................         43

                Figure 8 - St. Marks and Wakulla Rivers Watershed Recreational, Historical
                        and Cultural Resources  ..........................................          51

                Figure 9 - Comparative Use Trends    ......................................         60

                Figure 10 - St. Marks and Wakulla Rivers Watershed Natural Resource
                        Assessment   ...................................................            67

                List of Tables

                Table 1  ............................................................               24

                Table 2  .............................................................              26

                Table 3  ............................................................               34

                Table 4  ............................................................               59

                                                          X11

                                                             ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

                                We would like to thank the Elizabeth Ordway Dunn Foundation, the Florida Department of Community
                       Affairs Coastal Zone Management Program, the U.S. Department of Commerce National Oceanic and
                       Atmospheric Administration, and Waste Management Inc., Florida Group for their financial support of the
                       project. This report was prepared by Robert Williams, Kent Wimmer and David Gluckman of the Florida
                       Greenways Program of 1000 Friends of Florida and the Conservation Fund and by Tyler Macmillan, Luann
                       Rains, and Daryl Huffman of the Northwest Florida Water Management District. We would like to thank the
                       staff of 1000 Friends of Florida and of the Northwest Florida Water Management District for their contributions
                       to this project We would also like to thank those individuals who provided us with direction, information, and
                       research materials for the writing of this report, including:

                                Jim Cox, Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission
                                Steve Leitman
                                Clif Maxwell, Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Recreation and Parks
                                Jim Muller, The Florida Natural Areas Inventory
                                Robin Will, St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge

                                We would like to thank the following citizens who attended the St. Marks Greenway Steering
                       Committee whom volunteered their time and energies in helping shape the project. We would also like to thank
                       Ouids Vicks and the City of St. Marks for graciously hosting the steering committee meetings. Members of the
                       steering committee provided suggestions, comments and ideas for the report, but the reports findings,
                       conclusions and recommendations do not necessarily reflect those of the following steering committee
                       members.

                                Jeannette Brooks
                                Mickey Cantner, HuManatee
                                Scott Causey, Wakulla County Planning Commission
                                Craig Diamond, Tallahassee/Leon County Planning Department
                                Mike Donovan, Apalachee Regional Planning Council
                                Gretchen Evans, TNT Hideaway
                                Mike Gerrell.
                                Pete Gerrell
                                Russell Grace, Tallahassee/Leon County Planning Department
                                William Hees, Tallahassee/Leon County Planning Department
                                Ken Kirton
                                Barry Laffin
                                Jack Leffert
                                Nelson Martin
                                Joanna Mawer
                                Clif Maxwell, Florida Park Service
                                Ed Mills, Director, Wakulla County Planning Department
                                Blayne Newsome, St. Joe Land and Development Company
                                Anne Rakestraw
                                Cynthia Rusling
                                Robert Seidler
                                Ouida Vicks, City of St. Marks
                                Jackie Youngstrand

                                Finally, to all those people noted above and the many more that helped who are not specifically
                       identified, we thank you, but any errors or omissions in this assessment and plan are attributable to the authors.

                                                                                  X

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    I   OVERVIEW
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        CHAPTER I                  f- L@d: @

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                                              CHAFrTER I -OVERVIEW

                          In late 1993 the Northwest Florida Water Management District, 1000 Friends of
                  Florida, and the Florida Coastal Management Program teamed up to complete a
                  comprehensive resource assessment and greenway protection plan for the St. Marks and
                  Wakulla rivers. The watershed of these two rivers is the next project listed on Northwest
                  Florida Water Management District's Surface Water Improvement and Management Plan
                  (SWIM) priority list. The Florida Greenways Program of 1000 Friends of Florida and the
                  Conservation Fund is conducting a three year study of the Apalachee region and joined
                  the District in emphasizing the significance of the St. Marks watershed in terms of the
                  diverse productive natural resources, scenic recreational resources, and the historical and
                  cultural assets. The drainage basins of the St. Marks River and its largest tributary, the
                  Wakulla River, comprise the St. Marks Watershed (see Figure 2 - Project Boundary Map).

                         Because of the relatively undeveloped nature along these rivers, there is an
                  opportunity to take a proactive approach to develop effective long term conservation
                  strategies for these two rivers. Unlike many south and central Florida rivers which are
                  already largely developed or degraded by development, the St. Marks and Wakulla rivers
                  currently have relatively good water quality which supports healthy fresh and saltwater
                  ecosystems, including an important commercial and recreational fisheries (Hand and
                  Paulic 1992 b).

                         The opportunity exists for interested citizens and local, regional and state officials
                  to strengthen river stewardship efforts by conserving natural greenway

                                                                 dh

                  ST. MARKS AND WAKULLA RIVERS RESOURCE ASSESSMENT           GREENWAY PROTECTION PLAN

                                                                        St Marks                                    and Wakulla- Rivers Watershed                                                                                                           'Study                       Area
                                                                                                                                                                              7-W,             `7

                                                            Leon Co.

                                                                      Jefferson Co.

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                                                                                                                           Hwy  20                                                                                                                        WMD Boundary

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                                                    Figure 2                                                                                                      LM-
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                                           riubgrant from the Florida Department of Community 1.
                                                                                                                                                         unson@--@@

                                             Affairs, in oooperation with the U.S. DOP.Ftment
                                             of Commerce, National Ooeumlo end Atmo.pherlo

                                               Administration, under Cooperative Agreement
                                                                                                                             C o
                                                                                                              ,Leon                                                                                                                                                                                    Watershed

                                              Award No. NA370ZO427. Additional funding
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Study Area
                                           provided by the Elizabeth Ordway Dunn Foundation
                                            and  o thw..t Florida Water Management Dictriat.
                                                                                                                                                                                                   4
                                                  September 1994
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Watershed

                                                                                                                                           .4
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Boundary

                                                                                                  Wakulla CO.

                                                                               10
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Major Roads
                                                                                                                                                                                       N
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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       WMD Boundary

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                                                                                                             3

                  corridors along the St. Marks and Wakulla rivers. Because it is cheaper and easier to
                  prevent water quality degradation than it is to clean it up, efforts should be initiated now
                  to conserve the existing greenways along these rivers.

                         The St. Marks and Wakulla rivers have many other positive attributes besides good
                  water quality. The river and their associated swamp forest, sloughs, and marshes, support
                  an abundance of wildlife. The port Town of St. Marks is dependent upon the St. Marks
                  River channel to support shipping as well as commercial and recreational fishing activities.
                  The natural beauty and clean waters of this area draw many people to live, work and enjoy
                  the watershed's diverse recreational opportunities. Conserving the natural greenway
                  corridor along the rivers will help maintain their aesthetic and recreation appeal while
                  preserving. the ecological function of the riverine forest system.

                         This river system provides habitat for hundreds of different species of plants and
                  animals who share the river and its banks with people and their homes. The ecological
                  aspects of the rivers should be managed in perpetuity because a healthy functioning
                  ecosystem not only benefits the plants and animals, but it also benefits people.

                          There have been no comprehensive studies made on the St. Marks and Wakulla
                  rivers, but fortunately these rivers have characteristics similar to other more extensively
                  studied Florida river systems. This report assesses the natural, recreational and historic

                  resources within the St. Marks and Wakulla River Watershed and offers recommendations

                  for conserving the greenway along the two river-systems, including:

                                                                           k-r

                  ST. MARKS AND WAKULLA RIVERS RESOURCE ASSESSMENT & GREENWAY PROTECTION PLAN

                  4

                                a description of the greenway concept and the benefits greenways can
                                provide the region' communities;

                                documentation of existing watershed land uses and land cover through
                                analysis of satellite imagery using the District's Geographic Information
                                System (GIS);

                                an analysis of nonpoint source pollution;
                                an assessment of the natural, recreational and historical resources of the
                                watershed;

                                greenway opportunities in the watershed;

                                a review of local government comprehensive plans;

                                a review of state programs that could assist with greenway conservation;

                                recommendations for the development of the St. Marks and Wakulla River
                                Greenways and;

                                citizen concerns regarding greenway planning.

                                                              A

                 ST. MARKS AND WAKULL-A RivERs RF-soURCF- AssF-ssmE:NT   GREENWAY PROTECTION PLAN

                                                                                                                        5

                                                 GREENWAYS - DEFINED

                           Greenways are a land and water conservation tool that can enhance open space,
                   and     recreational     opportunities,      provide
                   economic and community benefits, and
                   improve      intergovernmental         coordination.               What is a Greenway?
                   Figure 3 provides the definition of a greenway                   A greenway is a corridor of
                   adopted      by     the     Florida      Greenways       protected open space that is managed
                                                                            for conservation and/or recreation. The
                   Commission. Greenways can be classified on               common characteristic of greenways is
                   a continuum from ecological to conservation to           that they all go somewhere. Greenways
                   recreational greenways. Ecological greenways             often follow natural land or water
                                                                            features, like ridges or rivers. They link
                   are designed and maintained primarily for                natural reserves, parks, cultural and
                   wildlife    habitat    protection.         Typically,    historic sites with each other, and in
                                                                            some cases with urban areas.
                   development is limited in the ecological                 Greenways not only protect
                   greenway because these greenways are often               environmentally sensitive lands and
                                                                            wildlife habitat, but they also provide
                   located in pristine natural areas where there is         people with outdoor recreation
                   little human encroachment or urbanization.               opportunities -.*-
                                                                          I Florida Greenways Program 1992a.
                                                                          Figure 3
                           Conservation greenways provide both
                   natural resource protection and recreation benefits. A conservation greenway is a linear
                   landscape feature that facilitates biologically effective transport of both animals and plants
                   between larger patches of habitat dedicated to conservation (Soule 1991). Soule points
                   out that corridors / greenways are transitional habitat and that they only need to provide
                   the necessary resources for plant or animal movement from one area to another (Soule
                   1991). However, if the greenway corridor is large enough it can also provide for wildlife

                   ST. MARKS AND WAKULLA RIVERS RESOURCE ASSESSMENT & GREENWAY PROTECTION PLAN

                    6

                    habitat. Trails and other passive recreation opportunities can be developed within a
                    conservation greenway (Florida Greenways Program 1992 a).

                          Recreational greenways are primarily managed for public access and enjoyment
                    through trails. Trails are marked routes that provide access to and appreciation of the
                    values of natural areas and greenspaces, present diverse resource based outdoor
                    recreational opportunities, and enhance the understanding of historical sites and cultural
                    diversity.

                       ECOLOGICAL AND RECREATIONAL FUNCTIONS OF GREENWAYS

                                                                                    The landscape in the

                                                                             watershed is a series                of

                                                                             interactions     between        plants,
                                                                             animals, the soil and water. A
                    HABITAT             CONDUIT                FILTER        healthy environment depends on
                                                                             maintaining     these     interactions
                                                                             (Labaree 1992). When planning
                                                                             for future growth the interactions

                                                                             and     natural    connections       of
                                                                             andscape need to be considered.
                                                               SINK          Greenways can provide landscape
              Figure 4, Labaree 1992.                                        linkages to recreational trails. There
                    are the six ways greenways can function as ecological and recreational units and these
                    concepts are based on landscape ecology principals.

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                    ST. MARKS AND WAKULLA RivERs RESOURCE AssEssmENT           GREENWAY PROTECTION PLAN

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                  HAE31TAT

                               Greenways can function as wildlife habitat, but this will depend on the size of
                               the greenway. The nature of the surrounding land also effects the function of
                               habitat suitability. Generally, the larger a greenway, the more species it will
                               support, because many interior species will not tolerate competition from edge
                  species. Edge species are those plants and animals that are found in open or developed
                  land. They can live almost anywhere and feed on a wide variety of foods. Interior forest
                  species often have very specific diets and habitat requirements. The Pinhook Swamp
                  connecting the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge in Georgia to the Osceola National
                  Forest in Florida is an excellent example of how greenways offer habitat protection and
                  preservation. The Pinhook Greenway functions as a protected large landscape linkage
                  between the larger core habitat areas of the swamp and national forest providing habitat
                  for large predators such as the Florida Panther and the Florida Black Bear.

                  CONDUITS

                          The typical conservation greenway is a linear feature providing for animal
                  and plant dispersion across the landscape. These greenways function as wildlife
                  conduits by providing safe protected passages between conservation areas. By
                  increasing the effective size of the habitat and providing wildlife access to varied
                  areas, conduit greenways provide a mechanism countering the effects of habitat
                  fragmentation caused by urbanization. By increasing the effective size of the habitat,

                  ST. MARKS AND WAKULLA RIVERS RESOURCE ASSESSMENT & GREENWAY PROTECTION PLAN

                   8

                   conduit greenways can help species meet their home range needs by linking parks and
                   conservation areas with a network of protected open space. The greenway itself may not
                   actually be large enough to serve as habitat. However, if the greenway links to other
                   larger parcels of land, then. the linkage itself increases the effective habitat by
                   reconnecting the land.

                          River corridors and ridgelines are typical examples of conduit greenways. The linear
                   dendritic pattern of riparian forests makes them ideal collectors and transporters of wildlife
                   across the regional landscape. Ideally, riparian greenways would be designed to be wide
                   enough to encompass a broad range of habitat types for aiding plant and animal
                   movement (Noss and Harris 1989).

                          Greenways can also function as recreational conduits by providing an*
                   interconnected network of trails or scenic highways for the purposes of linking people with
                   points of interest, scenic vistas, natural, cultural and historic resources or for providing
                   wilderness solitude and personal challenges. The Appalachian Trail is an excellent
                   example of a greenway functioning as a recreational conduit. The Tallahassee-St. Marks
                   Historic Railroad State Trail, the Blue Ridge Parkway, canopy roads, and urban river/bay
                   wa Iks are additional examples of how greenways function as recreational conduits.
                   Greenways also provide opportunities for alternative transportation through multi-purpose
                   trails. Trails are different from greenways in that they do not exist alone, but instead
                   traverse greenways, parks and other open space areas. Trails are defined as linear
                   corridors, on land or water, with protected status and public access for recreation or
                   transportation (National Park Service 1990). Trails link people with the natural and

                   cultural environment.

                   ST. MARKS AND WAKULLA RivE:Rs RESOURCE ASSESSMENT & GREENWAY PROTECTION PLAN

                  BARRIERS

                                  Greenway vegetation can function as barriers to unsightly views and noise
                    4-     if large enough in size. By protecting scenic vistas and landscapes, greenways
                           can provide a sense of place or character for a particular area such as the
                           canopy roads and historic plantations in north Florida and south Georgia's Red
                           Hills Region. Conservation easements along scenic roads and improved urban
                  river fronts such as San Antonio's River Walk, could function as barrier greenways.

                  FiLTERS

                         Greenways can function as natural filters.       Riverine greenways are
                  receivers of nutrients from uplands and feeder streams. Riverine greenways can
                  filter out nutrients, sediments, and other pollutants from stormwater runoff. This
                  is dependent on the greenway's size and the type and quality of vegetation of the
                  riparian greenway. Woody plants will remove more nitrogen and phosphorous
                  from nutrient rich run-off than non-woody species.

                  ST. MARKS AND WAKULLA RIVERS RESOURCE ASSESSMENT AND GREENWAY PROTECTION PLAN

                   10

                  SINKS

                                  Riparian greenways can act as nutrient sinks through the moderation of
                           water flow in the associated river and the absorption of water and associated
                           nutrients into the groundwater. These phenomena are especially evident during
                           natural periodic floods that the river/stream experiences. Recreation based
                           greenways can function as sinks by focusing use to an area designed to
                  accommodate that use and minimize impacts on the areas requiring special protection.

                  SOURCES

                         Finally, greenways can function as biological sources. They can be sources of
                  native seeds for wetland and upland species.          If the surrounding land use
                  patterns are urban or agricultural in nature, then the greenways function as linear
                  seed banks. This becomes especially evident if the adjacent land is left fallow
                  and undeveloped. Ecological succession would occur and the greenway could
                  be the seed source for succession. Greenways can also provide protected water
                  sources for wildlife and plants if they are located along rivers or streams.

                         Depending on the design and for whom or what the greenway             is intended, a
                  greenway could provide all six functions within the greenway or it may just serve one or
                  two functions. All ecological greenway functions can occur only if the greenway is large
                  or long enough and is connected to important habitat areas. Spatial scale is an important
                  factor in considering greenway function. Scale or size determines what plants and animals

                  ST. MARKS AND WAKULLA RivERs RESOURCE ASSESSMENT & GREENWAY PROTECTION PLAN

                  can utilize the greenway and how well the greenway functions as a filter. If the greenway
                  is too small it will not be of much use to large mammals or as a river or lakeside water

                  filter.

                                           BENEFITS OF GREENWAYS

                         No other conservation initiative effectively provides as many benefits or serves so
                  many different purposes as greenways. Greenways not only help protect environmentally

                                       BENEFITS PROVIDED By GREENWAYS

                    @0     Decrease habitat fragmentation by connecting core habitat areas,

                    0      Provide plant and animal habitat,

                           Aid in reducing the effects of flooding by maintaining the natural floodway where water
                           can naturally accumulate,

                    4.     Maintain and improve river water quality through the natural filtration of nutrients and
                           sediments,

                           Enhance recreation opportunities for land or water- based activities,

                           Provide for historic interpretation,

                    4@     Offers a great business marketing tool for communities searching for ecotourism -
                           related businesses,

                    +      Increase property values of homes and business located adjacent to the greenway,

                           Provide a measuring stick and marketing philosophy used by many communities to help
                           determine the quality of life of their community, and

                           Provide people a quiet place from which to draw inner strength

                   Figure 5 Sources: Greenways, Inc. and the Florida Greenways Program

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                  ST. MARKS AND WAKULLARIVERs RESOURCEAsSESSIVIENT& GREENWAY PROTECTION PLAN

              sensitive lands and wildlife habitat, but they also provide people with outdoor recreation
              opportunities. These benefits are highlighted in Figure 5.

              GREENWAYS AND WATER QUALITY PROTECTION

                    Greenways provide water quality protection by conserving floodplains which
              provide water storage and conveyance during high water periods as well as filtering
              functions for stormwater runoff. The ecological integrity of a stream or river is largely
              affected by its response to sediment, nutrients, and other materials originating from the
              surrounding uplands (Binford and Buchenau 1993).

                   Greenways also reduce the impacts of non-point pollution and reduce the impacts
              of flooding on property and human lives, while also providing for wildlife habitat.

                GREENwAy BENEFTM TO WATER           Greenways help regulate water
                          QuALrry              temperatures through  shading   by
              * Hydrologic Regulation of Stream Flow -overhanging trees along the waterbody
               Flood Management
              # Sediment and Nutrient Filtration / Control (Binford and Buchenau 1993)  This
              # Nutrient Removal
              +Water Temperature Regulation    becomes more important in headwater areas
                                               where the streams can be almost entirely
                                               covered by the natural canopy of the forest.
              Many species of freshwater fish can not tolerate high water temperatures, because warmer
              waters carry less oxygen.

              ST. MARK5 AND WAKULLA RIVERs RESOURCF- AS5E5SMENT & GREENWAY PROTEcTiON PLAN

                                                                                                           13

                  GREENWAYS AND QUALITY OF LIFE

                         Greenways can improve the quality of life of the communities which they connect
                  and pass through. One of the most important intangible benefits is conserving scenic
                  areas, thus helping a community retain its distinctive character. Greenways are a tool to
                  develop a sense of community by providing linkages to neighborhoods and parks.
                  Greenways provide a meeting place for cultural exchange where citizens can talk to one
                  another about events of the day.         Greenways are now being incorporated into
                  neotraditional neighborhood designs linking communities and parts of communities
                  through a series of open spaces and parks. Greenways have the potential to get people
                  out of their homes and cars and into the openness of their neighborhoods and
                  communities where they can meet their neighbors.

                         There are also several tangible benefits of greenways. Studies have shown that
                  real property values have increased 5 to 20 percent in residential areas located next to or
                  within the greenway. The National Home Builders Association reported a 10 to 20 percent
                  increase in value of residential property in the vicinity of park facilities (Greenways, Inc
                  1994). In Raleigh, North Carolina people selling their homes near greenways, often use
                  the amenity value of the greenway as a marketing and sales tool (Greenways, Inc 1994).

                         Greenways in these cases can also aid property owners through whose lands they
                  pass by making them eligible for reductions in real estate taxes, income and estate taxes.
                  Usually, the owner would retain the ownership of the land, but would agree to limit
                  development in the greenway through a conservation easement. Other options include
                  purchasing the land in fee simple or leasing the land for a number of years (Greenways,
                  Inc 1994).

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                ST. MARKS AND WAKULLA RIVERS RESOURCE AsSES5MENT   GREENWAY PROTECTION PLAN   14

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       CHAPTER 2

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                  CHAPTER 2 - RESOURCE ASSESSMENT OF THE ST. MARKS
                                     AND WAKULLA RIVERS WATERSHED

                                                         OVERVIEW

                        The St. Marks and Wakulla Rivers Greenway Project is located in the Apalachee
                  region of Florida's Big Bend and is a part of the larger Apalachee Greenways Project. The
                  name of the Apalachee Region is borrowed from the Apalachee Bay which forms the Gulf
                  of Mexico's coast of along Wakulla County and portions of Franklin and Taylor counties.
                  Due to the Apalachee Bay's shallow waters, its remoteness and the protected lands and
                  waters of the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, the Apalachee Region has one of
                  Florida's most undeveloped coastlines. The Apalachee Region is also famous for its
                  seafood, majestic live oaks, Florida's capital of Tallahassee with its universities, and its
                  abundant natural, cultural and recreational resources which span from Thomasville,
                  Georgia to the Gulf of Mexico.

                          The Apalachee region is home to a vast array of natural resource areas such as
                  the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, Florida's largest national forest - the Apalachicola
                  National Forest, extensive native stands of long leaf pine in the Red Hills Region of
                  southern Georgia and northern Florida, and several Florida state parks, forests, recreation
                  and historic sites. The Red Hills Region combined with the Apalachicola National Forest
                  comprises Florida's largest nesting area for the threatened Red-cockaded Woodpecker.
                  Over 600 colonies of Red-cockaded Woodpeckers occur within the National Forest having.
                  The Apalachee region also provides excellent habitat for one of Florida's largest
                  populations of Florida Black Bear.

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                  ST. MARKS AND WAKULLARIVERs RESOURCEAsSESSMENT& GREENWAY PROTECTION PLAN                  15

                   16

                         Outstanding recreational opportunities abound in and associated with the region's
                  many natural resource areas. The Apalachicola National Forest has over 100 miles of
                  hiking and equestrian trails and 15 developed recreation areas. Approximately 100 miles
                  of the Florida National Scenic Trail traverses the southern part of the region passing
                  through the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge and the Apalachicola National Forest. The
                  16 mile long Tallahassee - St. Marks Historic Railroad State Trail travels from Tallahassee
                  to the riverside Town of St. Marks near the Gulf of Mexico where it intersects the Florida
                  National Scenic Trail. The proposed GF&A Rail Trail will run 53 miles from Tallahassee
                  to Carrabelle passing through historical communities like Sopchoppy and Arran. The
                  Apalachee region is renowned for its hunting and boating opportunities. The coastal
                  marshes and beaches provide opportunities for sea kayaking, windsurfing and saltwater
                  fishing. The St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge is an excellent place for bird watching.

                         Many historical places of interest are scattered throughout the region. The Red
                  Hills area retains many historic plantations and buildings and a more traditional southern
                  lifestyle. The communities of Quincy, Monitcello, Capps, Tallahassee, Thomasville, and
                  Waukeenah have designated historic districts with many restored buildings on the National
                  Historic Register. The canopy roads follow historic trade routes of 1800's and are some
                  of the region's most distinctive features. The legacy of Spanish explorers and missionaries
                  is interpreted through the Fort San Marcos de Apalache in St. Marks and the San Luis

                  Mission in Tallahassee.

                         The threads that tie the Apalachee region together are the six rivers which drain the
                  region - the Ochlockonee, Sopchoppy, Wakulla, St. Marks, Wacissa, and Aucilla rivers.
                  These nutrient-rich rivers feed Apalachee Bays' productive fishery. These rivers have

                  ST. MARKS AND WAKULLA RIVERS RESOURCE ASSESSMENT & GREENWAY PROTEc-noN PLAN

                                                                                                              17

                   good water quality, little development along their banks, and offer excellent canoeing and
                   fishing opportunities for the outdoor enthusiast. Spring fed rivers such as the Wacissa and
                   Wakulla Rivers affords the opportunity to paddle along crystal clear waters, while the
                   Ochlockonee, Sopchoppy, St. Marks and Aucilla Rivers are outstanding examples of
                   tannin-stained blackwater rivers. The Woodville Karst Plain which is pocketed with sink
                   holes and springs is in the southern portion of the Apalachee region. Wakulla Springs at
                   Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park is one the world's largest first magnitude springs.
                   The Leon Sinks Recreation Area in the Apalachicola National Forest provides visitors the
                   opportunity to view many magnolia-lined sinks scattered through sand hills and pine forest.
                   The rivers and springs are fed by the Floridan Aquifer which is replenished by an annual
                   average rainfall of 60 inches.

                          The St. Marks Watershed, including the Wakulla River sub-basin, was chosen for
                   greenway study and analysis by the Florida Greenways Program and the Northwest
                   Florida Water Management District (NWFWMD) for several reasons. First, the District is
                   investigating the feasibility of initiating a Surface Water Improvement and Management
                   Program (SWIM) for the St. Marks watershed as its next SWIM project for the District.
                   Secondly, the St. Marks and Wakulla rivers retain many of their outstanding natural
                   characteristics which warrant conservation. These rivers have good water quality
                   supporting a wide variety of freshwater and estuarine plants and animals. The entire
                   riverine and estuarine system could be degraded without proper land use stewardship and
                   growth management. The St. Marks and Wakulla Rivers Greenway Project also
                   represents an area specific demonstration project for the larger Apalachee Greenways
                   effort. The goal of the project is to identify ways to conserve the river corridors and in the
                   ecological, hydrological and economic functions which benefit the entire Apalachee

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                   ST. MARKS AND WAKULLA RIVERS RESOURCE ASSESSMENT & GREENWAY PROTECTION PLAN

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                  Region.

                         This project is intended to provide the framework for future greenway planning for
                  the watershed. This project stresses a watershed approach to greenway and surface
                  water protection because wildlife and nonpoint source water pollution do not recognize
                  political boundaries. Many local, regional, state and private interests have been brought
                  together to approach the greenway planning and mapping task as a regional
                  effort.  The following sections describe the resource assessment and mapping
                  components of the  project.

                         The project boundaries were selected through the analysis of United States
                  Geological Survey (USGS) 1:24,000 quadrangle maps and other information from the
                  Northwest Florida Water Management District. The project's watershed boundaries do not
                  include the drainage basins of Lake Munson, Lake Lafayette or Lake Miccosukee. Since
                  this project is a Coastal Zone Management Project, its concern is on direct surface water
                  hydrologic boundaries and connections (see Figure 2 - Project Boundary). While these
                  lakes do not have a direct surface water connection to either the St. Marks or the Wakulla

                  rivers, these lakes do influence the water quality and quantity of the rivers through a
                  groundwater interconnection. Analysis of these connections are beyond the scope of this
                  study, both in terms of time and funding. Future analyses of the watershed should explore
                  the relationships and connections between these lakes, the groundwater of the Floridan
                  aquifer and the St. Marks and Wakulla rivers. The qualities of the St. Ma rks and Wakulla
                  rivers can not be maintained without addressing the protection of both the interconnected
                  surface and groundwater system.

                  ST. MARKS AND WAKULLA RIVERS RESOURCF- ASSESSMENT        GREENWAY PROTECT10N PLAN

                         A focus of this project is identifying and mapping land uses, significant natural,
                  cultural and recreational reso urces in the watershed, and a nonpoint source pollution
                  assessment. Computerized digital resource data identifying important habitat areas and
                  public lands were provided by the Florida Natural Areas Inventory and the Florida Game
                  and Fresh Water Fish Commission. Cultural and recreational data were collected by the
                  Florida Greenway Program from various sources including the Florida Trail Association,
                  the USDA Forest Service, the USDI Fish and Wildlife Service, the Florida Department of
                  Environmental Protection, the Florida Department of State, and local historians. Much of
                  this data was gathered at an Apalachee Greenways mapping charrette held on May
                  21,1993 in Tallahassee. Resource experts were invited to the charrette to map cultural,
                  historical, recreational and natural resources on 1:100,000 quadrangle USGS maps. The
                  non-computerized resource data collected for the project were mapped on 1:24,000
                  quadrangle USGS maps and then digitized into to the NWFWMD Geographic Information
                  System (GIS).

                         The criteria used in selecting the resources identified for the St. Marks Greenways
                  Project includes the following:

                         41@    Significant habitat for listed species,
                         44.    Existing and proposed Conservation and Recreation Lands (CARL) lands
                         Ar     Significant natural features,
                                Significant cultural and historic sites (sensitive cultural and historical
                                features on private lands were not mapped).

                  ST. MARKS AND WAKULLA RIVERS RESOURCE ASSESSMENT & GREENWAY PROTECTION PLAN

                 20

                       4-    State parks, recreation areas, and historic sites where the public is invited
                             to visit,

                       +     Public recreational trails including the Florida National Scenic Trail, the

                             Tallahassee - St. Marks Historic Rail Trail and the Wakulla River State
                             Canoe Trail,
                       401   Unique geologic features of the region, such as sink holes and springs,
                             National Forest lands and recreation areas, and
                             Historic canopy roads open to the public.

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                ST. MARKS AND WAKULLA RIVERS RESOURCE ASSESSMENT & GREENWAY PROTECTION PLAN

                                               LAND USE ASSESSMENT

                         The purpose of the land use assessment was the identification and mapping of
                  existing land use and land cover for the St. Marks and Wakulla Rivers watershed. The St.
                  Marks and Wakulla Rivers watershed (see Figure 2 -Project Boundary Map) includes
                  approximately 200,000 acres or about 310 square miles and includes portions of Wakulla,
                  Leon and Jefferson counties. This was the first time that the type, location, and amounts
                  of land use and land cover have been mapped and quantified at this level of detail for this
                  watershed. Land use data were also used as the basis for the nonpoint source
                  assessment. While this assessment has provided more detailed information than any
                  previous studies, it should be noted that this information is intended for use at the regional
                  level. Specific land cover for a particular site should be verified through site inspection.

                         Satellite image GIS analysis of 1993 data was used to map existing land use and
                  land cover throughout the watershed. These maps provided an overview of existing land
                  uses and vegetation within the watershed (Appendix 1). Existing land use and land cover
                  were categorized using a state-wide classification system developed by the Florida
                  Department of Transportation (FDOT) for consistency within Florida. (FDOT, 1985. See
                  also Appendix 11).

                         The FDOT land use categories were chosen rather than the local comprehensive
                  plan land use designations for two reasons. First, FDOT system includes land cover
                  categories, such as upland forest, which are not addressed by the local comprehensive
                  plans. Second, the statewide system provides a way to consistently categorize land use

                  ST. MARKS AND WAKULLA RIVERS RESOURCE ASSESSMENT & GREENWAY PROTEc'nON PLAN

                  22

                  within the watershed while the local land use categories differ between each city and
                  county. For example, low den   sity residential in one county may be one dwelling per five
                  acres and in another county, low density residential may include up to two dwellings per
                  acre. Therefore, the land use designations used in this assessment may differ from those
                  used in the local comprehensive plan existing and future land use maps.

                         Land use and land cover were identified based on what could be "seen" by the
                  satellite. Ownership information was not included in the land use assessment. For
                  example, a tract of land which is considered to be silviculture by the owner might include
                  areas mapped as silviculture, brush lands, upland forest, or wetlands based on the visible
                  land cover. It should also be noted that the areas identified as wetlands in this
                  assessment may not be jurisdictional wetlands. Although the FDOT categorizes land
                  cover as either uplands or wetlands, many of the "upland" forests classes were found in
                  low, wet areas and contained approximately equal portions of upland and wetland
                  vegetation. More than 40 categories of land use and land cover were mapped. For the
                  purposes of this report, the land use and land cover data has been aggregated into 15
                  categories. More detailed land use information is available on request from the N-WFWMD

                         Land use and land cover were checked through ground truthing on site or by air
                  photos. Sites were selected for ground truthing based on accessibility. Much of the land
                  within the watershed is either private property or not accessible by road.

                  ST. MARKS AND WAKULLA RIVERS RESOURCE ASSESSMENT         GREENWAY PROTECTION PLAN

                                                                                                            23

                  RESULTS

                         Land use and land cover within the watershed are shown in Figure 6 - St. Marks
                  and Wakulla Rivers Watershed Existing Land Use and Land Cover. For discussion
                  purposes all percentages have been rounded. The land use and land cover categories
                  are consistent with the FDOT system.

                         Urban. Urban land use comprises 13,439 acres (7 percent) of the St. Marks and
                  Wakulla Rivers watershed. This contrasts sharply with 185,274 (93 percent) acres of non-
                  urban land use within the entire watershed (see Table 1, Land Use Acreage and
                  Percentage). Low density residential represented the largest number of urban acres and
                  made up 6 percent of the total watershed (12,240 acres). However, the majority of the
                  residential lands could not truly be characterized as "urban". With the exception of the
                  towns of St. Marks, and Crawfordville and the Woodville community, the average
                  residential density within the watershed is approximately one dwelling unit per three acres.
                  There were no FDOT medium (2 to 5 units per acre) or high density (greater than 5 units
                  per acre) residential uses identified within the watershed.

                         Remaining urban categories indiVidually made up less than 1 percent of the acreage
                  in the watershed. These categories included commercial (499 acres), industrial (454
                  acres), and institutional (81 acres). Open urban land (111 acres) includes areas which
                  have been cleared and have infrastructure but have not yet been developed. Recreational
                  use (56 acres), includes the developed portions of Wakulla Springs. The undeveloped
                  portions of the state park were classified by land cover type.

                  ST. MARKS AND WAKULLA RIVERS RESOURCE ASSESSMENT & GREENWAY PROTECTION PLAN

                                              TABLE 1. LANDUSE ACREAGE AND PERCENTAGE

                     24

                                      LANDUSE
                                      CATEGORY                   ACRES            PERCENTAGE

                                      Urban Land Uses in the Watershed

                                      Residential                    12,239.60              6.16%
                                      Commercial                        498.90              0.25%
                                      Industrial                        453.70              0.23%
                                      Institutional                        81.00            0.04%
                                      Recreation                           55.60            0.03%
                                      Open Urban Land                   110.60              0.06%

                                      Nonurban Land Uses and Land Cover in the Watershed

                                      Agriculture                    20,075.40             10.10%

                                      Shrub and Brushland              7,340.40             3.69%

                                      Upland Forest                  49,083.30             24.70%

                                      Silviculture                   71,049.60             35.75%

                                      Lakes/Waterways                  1,380.30             0.69%

                                      Wetlands                       36,033.00             18.13%

                                      Beaches                              20.20            0.01%

                                      Spoil/Barren                      166.40              0.08%

                                      Transport./Utilities              125.00              0.06%

                                      Urban Subtotal                 13,439.30              6.76%
                                      Nonurban Subtotal             185,273.50             93.24%
                                      Total Acres                   198,712.90            100.00%

                     ST. MARKS AND WAKULLA RivERs RESOURCE ASSESSMENT                      GREENWAY PROTECT10N PLAN

                                                                                                          25

                        Non-urban. Non-urban land use accounted for 93 percent (185,274 acres) of the
                 acreage in the St. Marks and Wakulla Rivers watershed (Table 1 - Land Use Acreage and
                 Percentage). The greatest percentage of non-urban acreage in the watershed was
                 silviculture (36 percent or 71,050 acres). Natural upland forests included 49,083 acres (25
                 percent). Approximately one third of the natural upland forests are comprised of xeric
                 (scrub) oak. Much of the upland forest lands are either located in the Apalachicola
                 National Forest are owned by the forestry industry. Agriculture, which includes both
                 cropland and pastures, comprising 20,075 acres (10 percent) within the watershed.
                 Transportation and.utilities which comprising 125 acres (less than I percent) of the total
                 watershed acreage. Lakes and waterways comprise 1,380 acres (less than 1 percent) of
                 total watershed acreage, which are primarily the two rivers and their tributaries.

                        Wetlands comprise 36,003 acres (18 percent) of the watershed. Spoil/barren lands
                 (166 acres) and beaches (20 acres) comprised less than 1 percent of the total acreage in
                 the watershed and are located primarily within the coastal portion of the study area.

                 COUNTY COMPARISONS

                        The relative distribution of urban and non-urban land use and land cover for each
                 county is presented in Table 2 - Urban and Non-Urban Land Use and Land Cover Acreage
                 and Percentage by County. The majority of acreage within the St. Marks and Wakulla
                 Rivers watershed is located within Wakulla County (48 percent). Leon County comprises
                 41 percent and Jefferson County comprises 10 percent of the total watershed acreage.

                                                               Ah     Ilia I
                                                           L@d h

                 ST. MARKS AND WAKULLA RIVERS RESOURCE AssFzssmew & GREENWAY PROTECTION PLAN

                                                Table 2. Urban and Non-urban Land Use and Land Cover                                               26
                                           Acreage and Percentage by County for the St. Marks- Watershed

                                                            Jefferson County                   Acreage      Percent
                                                            Agriculture                        4,743.3        2.39%
                                                            Shrub and Brushland                     2.2       0.00%
                                                            Natural Upland Forests             3,835.1        1.93%
                                                            Silviculture                       5,822.9        2.93%
                                                            Waterways and Lakes                   72.0        0.04%
                                                            Wetlands                           6,242.2        3.14%
                                                            Transportation/Utilities                4.4       0.00%

                                                            Urban Subtotal                          0.0       0.00%
                                                            Nonurban Subtotal                  20,722.0     10.43%
                                                            County Subtotal                    20,722.0     10.43%

                                                            Leon County

                                                            Agriculture                        9,679.6        4.87%
                                                            Shrub and Brushland                3,695.3        1.86%
                                                            Natural Upland Forests             13,187.5       6.64%
                                                            Silviculture                       33,435.1     16.83%
                                                            Waterways and Lakes                  277.1        0.14%
                                                            Wetlands                           16,307.6       8.21%
                                                            Spoil and Barren Lands                109.0       0.05%
                                                            Transportation/Utilities              92.8        0.05%

                                                            Urban Subtotal                     5,573.8        2.80%
                                                            Nonurban Subtotal                  76,783.9     38.64%
                                                            County Subtotal                    82,357.7     41.45%

                                                            Wakulla County

                                                            Agriculture                        5,652.5        2.84%
                                                            Shrub and Brushland                3,642.9        1.83%
                                                            Natural Upland Forests             32,060.7     16.13%
                                                            Silviculture                       31,791.6     16.00%
                                                            Waterways and Lakes                1,031.2        0.52%
                                                            Wetlands                           13,483.1       6.79%
                                                            Beaches                               20.2        0.01%
                                                            Spoil and Barren Lands                57.5        0.03%
                                                            Transportation/Utilities              27.8        0.01%

                                                            Urban Subtotal                     7,865.5        3.96%
                                                            Nonurban Subtotal                  87,767.6     44.17%
                                                            County Subtoal                     95,633.1     48.13%

                                                            TOTAL                            198,712.8      100.00%

                        ST. MARKS AND WAKULLA RIVERS RESOURCE ASSESSMENT & GREENWAY PROTECTION PLAN

                                               St             Marks                          and                  Wakulla                                Rivers Watershed                                                                   Existing                                 Land Use                                       a,kd                 Land Cover
                                                                                                                                                                      V
                                                                                              -----------

                                                         L
                                                         ean. CO.
                                                                      Jelterson Co                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Residential

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Commercial
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         T.
                                                                                                            Lake                                                                                                                                                                                        jef f erson            CO.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Industrial
                                            WJikufIi*:C0..                                                                                                                                                                           e         efte
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  WIVID. Bouni ary.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Institutional

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Recreational
                                                Figure 6                                                               Leon          Co.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Urban Open Land
                                         This, publication was made possible by a
                                                                                                                                                                                  Lake
                                    gubarant ram the Rorlds Department of Community                                                                                               unSOn                                                                                                                                                                                     Agriculture
                                       Affairs. In cooperation with the UA Department

                                       *I Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
                                         Administration, under Coop.rativu Agreement                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Shrub/Brush
                                        Award No. NA37OZO427. Additional funding                                                                                                                  000-
                                                                                                                                                                                                00
                                    provided by the Elizabeth Ordway Dunn Foundation
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Pine Xeric Oak
                                       and Northwest Florida Water Management District
                                             September 1994                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Pine Mesic Oak

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         YT                                                                                                                 Upland Forest

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                A                                                                                                                           Pine Plantations
                                                                                                                                                                       Ago
                                        0                    5
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Hard-Conifer Mixed
                                  0                         km                          8

                                                           miles                                                                                                                                                                                   ---------                                                                                                                Water
                                                                                                                                                                                                                             a

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Wetlands
                                                                                                                Wakulla Co.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Marsh
                                           Florida
                                       Greenways
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Beaches

                                                         \4ater
                                                      6t,                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Transpo./Utilities

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Source: Landsat TM

                                                                                                                                                                                                     co
                                                                                                                                                                  t
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               1993 Satellite Imagery
                                                                                             J
                                       7
                                        :Flo-ri,d
                                             w ]a
                                       G          Ys
                                                                                                                                                                                                           Ile
                                                i- W4'W'7'.-X'0

                                                                                                          29

                        No urban land uses were identified within the Jefferson County portion of the
                  watershed. The predominate non-urban land cover type within Jefferson County was
                  wetlands, followed by silviculture, agriculture and natural upland forests. Leon County
                  included more than 5,500 and Wakulla County, more than 7,800 acres of urban land use.
                  The majority of these urban uses are very low density residential development. Leon
                  County non-urban acreage includes silviculture (33,435 acres), wetlands (16,308 acres),
                  natural upland forest (13,188 acres) and agriculture (9,680 acres).

                        Due to the presence of the Apalachicola National Forest and the St. Marks National
                  Wildlife Refuge, the majority of non-urban land cover within Wakulla County is natural
                  upland forests (32,061 acres). Silviculture (31,792 acres) includes almost as much area
                  as upland forests. Wetlands comprise 13,483 acres within the Wakulla County portion of
                  the watershed. These wetlands include coastal salt marsh as well as riverine wetlands

                  (see Figure 6 - Existing Land Use and Land Cover).

                             NONPOINT SOURCE POLLUTION AsSESSIVIENT

                        This section of the report presents an evaluation of existing nonpoint source (NPS)
                  pollution contributions from land use within the St. Marks and Wakulla Rivers watershed.
                  Increases in the nonpoint loading of this system could have serious -effects on water
                  quality. Nonpoint pollution sources include agriculture and silviculture activities present
                  throughout the watershed and, runoff from various dirt roads intersecting tributaries.
                  Additional nonpoint sources of pollution in the watershed include stormwater runoff, septic

                  ST. MARKS AND WAKULLA RIVERS RESOURCE AssE55MENT & GREENWAY PROTECTION PLAN

                   30

                   tank leachate and drainage fro m urban and residential development. Land use type and
                   intensity are strongly related to NPS concentrations.

                         NPS pollution is a major, largely uncontrolled, cause of surface water degradation
                   throughout Florida (Livingston et al. 1989). In north Florida, the progression of natural
                   ecosystems to silvicultural, agricultural, and urban uses has resulted in increased NPS
                   pollution impacts (Livingston et al. 1989). NPS pollutants in northwest Florida include
                   pesticides, animal wastes, nutrients, and sediments (Wolfe et al. 1988). Pesticides and
                   other contaminants can be dangerous to the aquatic ecosystem. Water quality changes
                   affect wildlife habitat. Increased NPS pollution could adversely impact water quality and
                   result in its recreational and habitat values being impaired or lost.

                         The land use assessment provided the information necessary to estimate NPS
                   pollution loads for each land use and land cover type within the St. Marks and Wakulla
                   Rivers watershed. The land use acreage information was used with loading rates to
                   estimate loads for total nitrogen JN), total phosphorus (TP), five day biological oxygen
                   demand (BOD5) and total suspended solids (TSS). The loading rates and NPS
                   assessment methodology were derived from previous northwest Florida studies completed
                   by the District (see Appendix 111).

                   OBJECTIVES

                         The  objective of this assessment was to estimate potential NPS loadings to the St.
                   Marks and Wakulla Rivers. Urban and non-urban activities, including residential,

                   ST. MARKS AND WAKULLA RIVERS RESOURCE ASSESSMENT & GREENWAY PROTEc"nON PLAN

                                                                                                         31

                  commercial and industrial development, agriculture and silviculture contribute to altered
                  surface water quality and flows throughout the St. Marks and Wakulla Rivers watershed.
                  These alterations in surface water characteristics may, in turn, negatively impact water
                  quality and wildlife habitat within the St. Marks and Wakulla Rivers.

                         NPS loadings'from individual land uses must be characterized in terms of origin,
                  rates, and potential impacts if water'quality effects are to be accurately assessed based
                  on land use. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) enable planning and resource
                  management agencies to model current development trends and characterize associated
                  potential water quality impacts. The present study was designed to identify potential water
                  quality impacts to the St. Marks and Wakulla Rivers watershed resulting from nonpoint
                  source (NPS) pollution associated with land uses within the watershed in Wakulla, Leon

                  and Jefferson counties.

                        A review of nonpoint pollution sources within a watershed is essential to improving
                  and managing water resources. This information is necessary for developing strategies
                  to protect receiving waters. Watershed preservation and restoration plans must address
                  NPS loadings to watershed systems and emphasize alternatives that reduce loadings of
                  suspended sediment, nutrients, and contaminants. Many NPS pollutants can be controlled
                  by compliance with recommended Best Management Practices (BMPs) and associated
                  water quality standards.

                        Another issue of particular concern within the watershed is its topography and
                  karstic nature. The relationships between ground and surface water in the study area are

                  ST. MARKS AND WAKULLA RIVERS RESOURCE ASSESSMENT & GREENWAY PROTECTION PLAN

                   32

                   quite complex. These relationships have not been well documented through studies for
                   this region. The relatively flat topography and highly karstic nature of this watershed are
                   likely to significantly inhibit overland flow of stormwater runoff. Thus, the findings of this
                   analysis should be verified through a water quality monitoring program and further study.
                   A more thorough understanding of the hydrology and hydrogeology of this region would
                   be helpful for development of water quality protection strategies.

                          Thus far there appear to have been no comprehensive studies that characterize the
                   nonpoint source loading potentials within the St. Marks and Wakulla Rivers system and
                   the existing or potential water quality effects. Nonpoint pollution estimates for existing
                   sources have not yet been documented for this particular area and previous studies have
                   been conducted on such a large scale that the available information is difficult to apply to
                   this specific locale.

                          The information generated by this study will be accessible to the appropriate state,
                   regional and local government entities for guidance in formulating plans, rules, regulations,
                   resolutions and/or ordinances relating to future watershed activities. These could include
                   future land use controls and various other NPS pollution prevention strategies.

                   METHODS

                           Existing land use and land cover within the St. Marks and Wakulla Rivers watershed
                   were initially classified into more than 40 categories which included similar land use and
                   land cover types. Due to the impracticality of developing and applying 40+ individual

                   ST. MARKS AND WAKULLA RIVERS RESOURCE ASSESSMENT            GREENWAY PROTEr--nON PLAN

                                                                                                                33

                  loading rates, the original categories were aggregated into 15 categories, based on
                  similarities in loading characteristics. Previous NPS pollution st     udies were reviewed to
                  corroborate loading rate estimates for water quality parameters and land use categories
                  (Rains, et al. 1993).

                         All loading rate calculations were based on local rainfall data. Rainfall data for a
                  five-year   period from the closest available rainfall stations, (Tallahassee and
                  Wewahitchka) were used to identify a watershed average annual rainfall of 58 inches.

                          Loading rates for total nitrogen, total phosphorus biological oxygen demand and
                  total suspended solids were estimated for each land use category. Total loadings were
                  reported in pounds/year (lbs/yr). Determining whether or not NPS loading from specific
                  land uses or areas met water quality standards was not within the scope of this study.

                  RESULTS

                          Generally, loading rates can be characterized by potential water quality impact per-
                  acre as shown in Table 3. Urban uses, including commercial, industrial and high de           nsity
                  residential, contribute the highest loadings per acre due primarily to stormwater runoff from
                  parking areas and loading zones. Active agriculture, such as croplands also can
                  contribute relatively high NPS loadings on a per acres basis. Less intensive uses, such
                  as native forests, silviculture and low density residential have much lower per acre NPS
                  loading rates.

                  ST. MARKS AND WAKULLA RIVERS RESOURCE ASSESSMENT & GREENWAY PROTECTION PLAN

                  34

                        This assessment estimated the total NIPS load for each land use and land cover
                  category based on the loading rates for each category and the amount of acreage for each
                  category identified within the watershed. The total amount of NPS loadings for each land
                  use is based on whether the land use loads at a high, medium or low rate and how much
                  of that land use type is present in the watershed.

                        A comparison of estimated per-acre loading rates for each land use category with
                  the land use map indicated urban land uses had the highest loadings and smallest area.
                  Areas in non-urban land uses had the lowest per-acre estimated loading rates, but were
                  associated with the highest total loadings, as a result of the large acreage of non-urban
                  land.

                               Table 3. Relative pollutant loading rates and land uses in the St. Marks and Wakulla
                               Rivers watershed

                                                                                          Commercial
                  More                                                             Industrial
                  Intensive                                                  High density residential
                                                                      Institutional
                  Types of                                         Medium density residential
                                                               Cropland/ pasture
                  Land                                      Extractive
                  Uses &                                 Low density residential
                                                  Spoil/ barren
                  Land                     Lakes/ streams
                  Cover                  Wetlands
                                     Silviculture (planted)
                                   Upland Forest
                  Less        Recreation/open space
                  Intensive Low                               Medium                           High
                                                   Magnitude of Loading Rates

                            See Appendix III for specific loading rates

                                                             db
                                                         L@db

                  ST. MARKS AND WAKULLA RIVERS RESOURCE ASSESSMENT & GREENWAY PROTECTION PLAN

                                                                                                         35

                           Total existing urban land use acreage accounted for approximately 7 percent of
                 the area within the St. Marks and Wakulla Rivers watershed, but because urban uses load
                 at a high rate, urban uses contributed more than 10 percent of the NPS loads (Appendix
                 111, Table A-7).

                        Although estimated per-acre loading rates were lowest for silviculture areas, these
                 areas included 36 percent of the acreage within the St. Marks and Wakulla Rivers
                 watershed and thus accounted for the greatest total NPS pollutant load. Silviculture,
                 upland forests and agriculture produced the majority of NPS loads due to the large amount
                 of acreage for each present within the watershed. However, on a per-acre basis,
                 silviculture and upland forests have the lowest NPS loadings. Thus, if silviculture and
                 forest lands are converted to more intense land uses, such as agriculture or residential,
                 the NPS pollutant load from the converted area will increase (see Table 3).

                              Because NPS pollution is difficult to control, the Environmental Protection
                 Agency and the FDEP have agreed upon preventive management techniques which best
                 protect the water resource and contribute to good overall forest and agriculture
                 management (Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services 1991). Best
                 Management Practices (BMPs) represent a practice or combination of practices
                 determined to be the most effective means of preventing or reducing the amount of
                 pollution generated by these nonpoint sources to a level compatible with water quality
                 goals. Implementation of silviculture, agriculture and urban BMPs provide a means to
                 protect water resources quality in the St. Marks and Wakulla Rivers watershed.
                                                           @@_d @Ab

    0            ST. MARKS AND WAKULLA RIVERS RESOURCE ASSESSMENT & GREENWAY PROTEC71ON PLAN

                   36

                          The impacts of silviculture and agriculture activities can be substantially reduced
                   if recommended BIVIPs are comprehensively implemented and rigorously enforced. In an
                   effort to clarify the use and interpretation of BIVIPs and to make their application more
                   consistent, Florida forestry BIVII?s have recently undergone substantial revision to increase
                   water resource protection. The use of BMPs will reduce NIPS loadings from silviculture.
                   The Division of Forestry is currently reassessing compliance and effectiveness of BlVlPs
                   in an effort to more accurately reflect BIVIP compliance.

                          Three general options exist for abating NIPS pollution from urban activity. The
                   options involve prevention, treatment, and control measures, implemented as an integrated
                   abatement approach (Wanielista 1975). In brief, prevention involves practices that are
                   applied before problems arise; treatment involves complete or partial physical, chemical,
                   and/or biological processes for minimizing impacts of stormwater; and control measures
                   would involve reduction or control of pollution sources.

                          Ideally, limiting discharges from new developments to discharge that would have
                   occurred under natural, undeveloped conditions, in addition to maintaining water quality
                   standards, should result in no increases in NIPS pollution.

                   CONCLUSIONS

                          Over the past ten years, there has been a 40 percent decline in water quality
                   monitoring of stream reac hes in Florida (Hand and Paulic 1992). This downward trend in
                   monitoring threatens the ability to accurately assess the quality of Florida waters and

                   ST. MARKS AND WAKULLA RIVERS RESOURCE ASSESSMENT           GREENWAY PROTECTION PLAN

                                                                                                              37

                  emphasizes the need for more water quality data. The availability of site-specific loading
                  rates in the St. Marks and Wakulla Rivers watershed and northwest Florida in general
                  would provide the information necessary to more accurately estimate total NIPS loadings

                  to the watershed.

                         Results of this study emphasize the importance    of controlling NPS pollution in both
                  urban and non-urban settings. As expected, potential water quality impacts per-acre were
                  greatest for the transportation/utilities, commercial, industrial, and high density residential
                  urban land use categories. Although loading rates for non-urban categories were
                  comparatively low on a per-acre basis, silviculture and agriculture practices may adversely
                  impact quality in the St. Marks and Wakulla Rivers watershed.

                         The methodology described in this assessment integrated GIS, satellite imagery,
                  land use plans, and land use/cover maps to model existing land use development patterns.
                  GIS technology can also provide the means of using comprehensive plan future land use
                  maps interactively with existing land use/cover data so location, type, and quantity of NPS
                  loadings can be projected for future scenarios. The GIS can assist in estimating potential
                  NIPS loadings resulting from urban development designated by the comprehensive plan
                  future land use map. The information and maps resulting from this assessment the
                  regarding the relative intensity, size,' and location of NIPS pollution that can be made
                  available to reviewing agencies and local officials.

                         The methodology used in this study is intended for use by state, regional and local
                  agencies in developing and implementing strategies to reduce NIPS loadings in the
                  watershed. The project methodology provides a framework for the development and

                                                                         1-o

                  ST. MARKS AND WAKULLA RIVERS RESOURCE ASSESSMENT & GREENWAY PROTECTION PLAN

                   38

                   implementation of pollution load reduction goals, total maximum daily loads, best
                   management practices, land development regulations, land preservation and acquisition,
                   water quality protection and watershed management goals. Targeting stormwater
                   treatment and compliance with recommended forestry, agriculture and urban best
                   management practices would reduce NPS loadings into St. Marks and Wakulla Rivers and
                   ultimately Apalachee Bay. These efforts should include education for homeowners
                   regarding BMPs.

                          The St. Marks and Wakulla      Rivers land use and nonpoint source assessment
                   should be used by local governments in their planning and development review processes.
                   In areas proposed for development, the existing land use map can be used as the first step
                   in- performing a land suitability analysis. Local governments can identify specific existing
                   land use/ land cover categories to be used as "red flags" when these land cover types
                   occur in an area proposed for development. Any proposed land use change should
                   consider NIPS impacts which may occur from the new land use. Maintaining native forests
                   and well managed silviculture uses will result in lower NPS loads than if these lands are
                   converted to agriculture or urban uses.

                          Local governments can mini    mize nonpoint pollution through growth management.
                   Local government comprehensive plans address land use by designating future land uses,
                   while development regulations address ways the land may be developed within each
                   particular land use category. Land use designations in local government comprehensive
                   plans should reflect the future land uses that local governments believe will serve the
                   future needs of its jurisdiction. The reasons for designating a given parcel or area under
                   a particular future land use category can be quite varied, and typically include

                   ST. MARKS AND WAKULLA RIVERS RESOURCE ASSESSMENT & GREENWAY PROTECTION PLAN

                                                                                                         39

                 consideration of criteria such as the physical features of the land, including development
                 constraints; access to services such as schools, roads, sewers, and central water systems;
                 and location in relationship to urban areas. Local governments may want to preserve the
                 rural character of certain areas or may want to encourage urbanization of fringe areas
                 around existing urban centers.

                        Local government comprehensive plans should include density and land use
                 restrictions which allow only land uses which are compatible with protecting natural
                 resources and water quality within the greenway. One way this can be accomplished is
                 by designating the greenway as a special conservation area on the Future Land Use Map
                 and controlling land use to protect the greenway. Commercial, industrial, and high-density
                 residential uses may not be appropriate for these areas based on high NPS pollution
                 loading potential of these uses.

                        When designating future land uses for riverine areas within the watershed, the
                 effect of such designations upon the water resources and quality must be considered.
                 Future land use designations which restrict development for the purpose of protecting
                 water resources and wildlife habitat are clearly in the public interest. Requests to change
                 watershed land use designations to allow more intense uses must be carefully reviewed
                 for possible impacts to the resources.

                        Because of the impacts likely to result from land use conversions, it is
                 recommended that the intensity of land uses within the St. Marks and Wakulla Rivers
                 watershed not be increased in the local comprehensive plans. Retaining lands in

                 ST. MARKS AND WAKULLA RIVERS RESOURCE ASSESSMENT          GREENWAY PROTECTION PLAN

                   40

                   silviculture and very low-density rural residential uses (in the future) will have the least
                   impact on water quality. Because of the higher loading rates associated with agricultural
                   uses, conversions of use from silviculture to agriculture should also be strongly
                   discouraged. Local and state governments should provide economic incentives to private
                   landowners to retain low intensity land uses to help minimize nonpoint source water
                   pollution.

                          The information from this assessment should also be used as baseline data for

                   measuring land use conversions in the watershed. Similar land use assessments could
                   be performed at specific intervals (every five to ten years would be appropriate) to
                   accurately document changes in land use which could impact St. Marks and Wakulla
                   Rivers. These assessments can also provide information which should be used to verify
                   past projections of land development patterns and to help predict future patterns.
                   Nonpoint source pollution loading models    should be updated and verified following each

                   land use assessment.

                          Land development regulations (LDRs) are ordinances of local government which
                   prescribe various conditions which must be adhered to during the development process.
                   LDRs typically address issues such as lot coverage, setbacks, stormwater control, buffers,
                   septic system requirements, flood protection, wetlands preservation, and construction
                   management practices. LDRs also often include additional restrictions for activities in
                   specific geographic areas, such as greenways, which could impact resources that are
                   particularly sensitive, such as rivers, habitat areas and large wetland systems.

                   ST. MARKS AND WAKULLA RvERs RESOURCe AssEssmENT           GREENWAY PRoTEc-noN PLAN

                                                                                                          41

                        Development and implementation of local land development regulations are critical
                 to protecting greenways, since urban activity usually alters the magnitude and effects of
                 hydrology and pollutant loads by increasing impervious areas. Such flooding and
                 stormwater loading problems require that preventive land management measures be an
                 integral part of urban development plans.

                 FURTHER STUDIES

                        Ideally, regional loading rates should be researched and applied to establish site-
                 specific loadings in future studies. The surface water flow patterns and karstic geology
                 within watershed also should be studied to identify relationships between ground and
                 surface waters and any implications for NIPS pollution estimation and management.

                        Literature-based loading rates provide a means of estimating NPS loads. Water
                 quality sampling to establish local loading rates is, however, preferable. Although
                 estimates of NPS loadings based on general runoff water quality data is the least
                 expensive because it requires no field data collection, its accuracy is difficult to verify.
                 Runoff monitoring methods provide best estimates of existing loads, but cannot be used
                 to predict load changes of a changing urban system (Marsalek 1991). The success of
                 simulation models using either of these methods depend on successful calibration.

                        A comparison of estimated NIPS loading values and actual water quality data should
                 be conducted to assess the applicability of the literature-based NIPS loading methodology.
                 Future studies, modelling and mapping should also consider such factors as floodplains

                 ST. MARKS AND WAKULLA RIVERS RESOURCE ASSESSMENT           GREENWAY PROTECTION PLAN

                   42

                   in estimating NPS loadings and rate coefficients.

                          Further studies are necessary to implement Pollution Load Reduction Goals (PLRG)
                   and Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL). The term TMDL is the end result of a process
                   applied by FDEP and EPA to limit total pollutant loadings discharged into a waterbody to
                   protect critical biological, chemical and physical attributes and maintain the designated use
                   of the waterbody (US EPA 1991).

                   INTERGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION AND IMPLEMENTATION

                          Stat e and local governments should take a proactive role in securing funds to
                   undertake stormwater planning and implementation and implement long-term monitoring
                   of NPS pollution and BMP effectiveness.

                   ST. MARKS AND WAKULLA RIVERS RESOURCE ASSESSMENT & GREENWAY PROTECTION PLAN

                                                                                                            43

                        ST. MARKS AND WAKULLA RIVERS RESOURCE INVENTORY

                                     NATURAL RESOURCES OF THE WATERSHED

                  GEOGRAPHY & HYDROLOGY OF THE ST. MARKS RIVER

                        The St. Marks River drains 1, 180 square miles in the eastern portions Leon and
                  Wakulla counties including eastern Tallahassee, western Jefferson County and southern
                  Thomas County in Georgia (Hand and Paulic 1992 b). The Project' s study area focuses
                  on the    portion of the watershed in
                  southern Jefferson, eastern Leon, and
                  Wakulla counties. The St. Marks River           What is Karst topography?
                  flows for  35 miles in Florida before it               Carbonate rocks, such as
                  empties into Apalachee Bay at the Gulf of       limestone and dolomite are highly
                  Mexico. It originates in the north Florida /    vulnerable to chemical weathering and
                  south Georgia Red Hills Region where the        erosion. The distinctive landforms and
                                                                  unique drainage characteristics that
                  soils are principally clayey-sand. The river    result from this weathering are termed
                  is classified as blackwater river. Upstream     karst.
                  the river is suspected to be influenced                Karst topography including
                  more by overland flow from rainfall             sinkholes, springs, wet/dry depressions,
                  (surface water) than by groundwater. The        sinkhole lakes and swallow holes
                  region receives an average of 60 inches of      (disappearing streams) are common
                                                                  features of limestone and dolomite
                  precipitation annually. July is the wettest     terrains. Karst features can provide a
                  month with periods of high rain from            direct conduit for the introduction of
                                                                  contaminants into the Floridan Aquifer.
                  February to March (FNAI and FDNR                *..
                  1990).                                        Figure 7   ..............    ------        ......

                                                                Ah Alt

                  ST. MARKS AND WAKULLA RIVERS RESOURCE ASSESSMENT & GREENWAY PROTECTION PLAN

                   44

                          The St. Marks river has, however, many unique features not typical of a blackwater
                   river. As the St. Marks River flows over the Woodville Karst Plain, it is influenced by many
                   springs and the limestone rock it flows over (Hand and Paulic 1992; and FDNR 1989).
                   The central and southern reaches of the river flow over the Cody Scarp and the Woodville
                   Karst Plain where the underlying limestone lies close to the surface (Hand and Paulic
                   1992b ). Many springs and sink holes are scattered throughout this area, including many
                   small streams that often flow on the surface for short distances before they disappear into
                   sinks or swallowholes. The river is influenced by groundwater and surface water in these

                   two areas.

                          Horn Spring and Rhodes Spring are the first major springs along the St. Marks River
                   north of Natural Bridge. At Natural Bridge during normal flow, the St. Marks River flows
                   underground and rises up at St. Marks Spring about one mile south where the water loses
                   much of its dark appearance. The average flow of the St. Marks Spring is 700 cubic feet
                   of water per second (FDNR 1989). From this point on, the St. Marks River begins to
                   resemble a spring fed river flowing 11 miles south to the confluence with the Wakulla River
                   at the Fort San Marcos de Apalachee in the City of St.. Marks (for characteristics of spring
                   fed rivers refer to the following section on the Wakulla River). A few smaller springs, such
                   as Newport Spring, feed the river south of the rise. The improved clarity and increase in
                   pH provides better conditions for aquatic plant growth and a more productive fishery in this
                   portion of the river.

                   ST. MARKS AND WAKULLA RIVERS RESOURCE ASSESSMENT & GREENWAY PROTE07ION PLAN

                                                                                                           45

                 WATER QUALITY OF THE ST. MARKS RivE:g

                        Water quality is excellent in much of the watershed; however many reaches of the
                 St. Marks River have not been sampled recently (Hand and Paulic 1992b). The portion
                 of the St. Marks River adjacent to the port Town of St. Marks exhibits a number of water
                 quality problems. The section on the northeast end of town from Rattlesnake Branch to
                 the confluence with the Wakulla River on the southwest end of town is influenced by tank
                 farms and barges, a power plant, marinas, waste water effluent and urban stormwater
                 runoff. There have been several major and minor oil spills in the past, and the river bottom
                 sediments in the area are coated with oil (Hand and Paulic 1992b). The St. Marks River
                 is designated as Outstanding Florida Water (OFW) body except for this portion of the river.
                 The OFW designation allows for no further degradation in water quality'and is the State
                 of Florida's highest designation of quality for natural water bodies.

                 EcOLOGY OF THE: ST, MARKS E31VEFR

                        The St. Marks River originates in the hardwood and cypress river swamps in north
                 Florida and a small portion of south Georgia. Rivers, such as the St. Marks, which
                 originate from swamps and bottomland forests are known as blackwater rivers (Ewell
                 1990). Blackwater rivers originate in areas where there are sandy lowland areas with
                 extensive wetlands with organic soils. These wetlands function as reservoirs, collecting
                 water and overland flow and discharging it into the stream (FNAl and FDNR 1990). The
                 dark tea-colored water originates from the natural organic acids (tannins) resulting from
                 the decay of leaf litter and other organics found in river hardwood and cypress swamps.
                 The water tends to be naturally acidic with a pH of 4.5 to 5.5.. The pH increases as the

                 ST. MARKS AND WAKULLA RIVERS RESOURCE ASSESSMENT & GREENWAY PROTECTION PLAN

                    46

                    St. Marks flows through underground caverns downstream at Natural Bridge. The dark
                    water tends to limit aquatic plant growth on the river bottom, however, emergent aquatic
                    plant growth is prevalent along the banks.

                           The intact bottomland hardwood forest and river swamp corridors along the St.
                    Marks River moderates stream flow and the magnitude of flooding by providing overflow
                    areas for floodwaters to disperse. Streamside vegetation slows flood waters and upland
                    storm water run-off while dispersing the energy associated with the moving water which
                    reduces erosion. The leaf litter and other organic debris associated with the riparian
                    ecosystem combine to form soils that are very porous. These loamy soils act as a sponge
                    to soak up rain water, then slowly release the water back into the riverine system.
                    Vegetation impedes run-off causing it to slow down while increasing infiltration of water

                    into the soils.

                           The upper reaches of these rivers are influenced by natural stormwater runoff flow
                    and groundwater seepage. The groundwater may contribute to the river flow as much as
                    rainfall, especially in the areas where Karst topography exists (Ewell 1990). These high
                    water table forests experience occasional flooding during heavy rains. The St. Marks River
                    at peak floods often flows over Natural Bridge, flooding much of the surrounding

                    bottomland forest.

                           The St. Marks River is lined with hardwood and cypress swamps much of entire
                    length of the river, except in areas of silvicultural harvesting and residential development.
                    The associated bottomland forest directly adjacent to the river is characterized by tall
                    hardwood trees such as oaks, maples, elms, and American Beech. Other bottomland

                    ST. MARKS AND WAKULLA RIVERS RESOURCE ASSESSMENT & GREENWAY PROTECTION PLAN

                                                                                                            47

                  forest trees include Loblolly Bay, Southern Magnolia, Swamp Tupelo, Bald Cypress and
                  Sweet Gum. Typical animals found in bottomland forest include the Marbled Salamander,
                  Cotton Mouth Water Moccasin, Eastern Screech Owl, Gray Fox, and White Tailed Deer
                  (FNAI, 1990). Many animal species use the linear nature of these bottomlands for
                  migration and reproduction. Migrating ducks such as the Mallard and Black Ducks often
                  winter in river swamps where they feed on acorns and hickory nuts in the floodplain
                  (Wharton et al.     1977). Listed species that inhabit the river corridor include the
                  endangered Wood Stork, the threatened Bald Eagle, Florida Black Bear, Red - cockaded
                  Woodpecker and species of special concern such as the Limpkin, Osprey, and the
                  Suwannee Bass (FDNR 1989).

                  GEOGRAPHY - HYDROLOGY OF THE WAKULLA RIVER

                         The Wakulla River rises from Wakulla Springs and the Floridan Aquifer at Edward
                  Ball Wakulla Springs State Park about 12 miles south of Tallahassee. Wakulla Springs,
                  a first magnitude spring, is one of Florida's highest volume springs providing most of the
                  Wakulla River's average 400 cubic feet per second flow (Hand and Paulic 1992). The
                  Wakulla River flows south for ten miles, to the confluence of the St. Marks River at the port
                  Town of St. Marks. The mineral laden waters originating from deep springs are often
                  devoid of sediments and have a pH of 7.0 to 8.2 (FNAI and FDNR 1990). The clear, cool
                  waters are very conducive for plant growth and other aquatic life.

                         Wakulla Springs is in the south-central part of the St. Marks basin which is in a
                  highly karstic region of Wakulla County. There are numerous sinks and streams that
                  disappear into the ground to the north and west of the spring. It is widely speculated that
                  there is a strong relationship between the surface waters entering the sinks to the north
                                                              kAh      AX,

                  ST. MARKS AND WAKULLA RIVERS RESOURCE ASSESSMENT & GREENWAY PROTEc-nON PLAN

                   48

                   and the outflow of the springs (Hand and Paulic 1992). These relationships are being
                   researched by the Woodville Karst Plain Project.

                   WATER QUALITY OF THE WAKULLA RIVER

                         The Wakulla River is designated an Outstanding Florida Water body by the Florida
                   Department of Environmental Protection. The river has outstanding water quality in the
                   springs and upstream segments (Hand and Paulic 1992 b). However, the water quality
                   index is unknown as of the 1992 Florida Water Quality Assessment 305 (b) Report. Both
                   the Florida Rivers Assessment and the 305 (b) report state that the lower portion of the
                   Wakulla River is threatened by increased growth along the river and lack of adequate
                   buffers along the Wakulla's banks (Hand and Paulic 1992b; FDNR 1989). The lower
                   section of the Wakulla River near the port town of St. Marks has increased algae growth
                   probably resulting from industrial and domestic pollution and nutrient sources (FDNR
                   1989).

                   EcOLOGY OF THE WAKULLA RIVER

                         The Wakulla River is fairly unique to the Panhandle of Florida, because it is one of
                   a few spring fed rivers in northern Florida. Most of Florida's spring fed rivers occur in
                   central and south Florida. There are three different plant communities associated with the
                   Wakulla River. Most of the Wakulla River is lined with a river swamp/bottomland
                   hardwood forest similar to the St. Marks River, although Bald Cypress, Black Gum, and
                   Tupelo trees are more prevalent along the Wakulla River. Upstream the river is lined with
                   cypress and hardwood river swamps, mid stream the river swamps gradually give way to

                   ST. MARKS AND WAKULLA RIVERS RESOURCe ASSESSMENT & GREENWAY PROTEc-nON PLAN

                                                                                                         49

                 freshwater tidal swamps and near the river's confluence with the St. Marks River, salt
                 marshes begin to appear along the rivers edge. In areas where development has
                 occurred, the river swamp has been filled or modified.

                        Many species of water birds inhabitant the Wakulla River, including the largest and
                 most northern breeding colony of Limpkins. The Limpkin is a species of special concern
                 and is endemic to Florida's spring fed rivers where it feeds on various freshwater snails.
                 Other wading birds inhabiting the river include the Little Blue Heron, Great Blue Heron,
                 White Ibis, Snowy Egret, Tricolor Herons. Other birds found include migratory waterfowl,
                 warblers (Prothonotary, Hooded, Kentucky, and Northern Parula), and the Wakulla
                 Seaside Sparrow. Other animals inhabiting the Wakulla River include the American
                 Alligator and the threatened Bald Eagle and the endangered West Indian Manatee (FDNR
                 1989). Protected animal species include the Florida Black Bear and the Eastern Indigo
                 Snake. The unique Woodville Cave Crayfish can be found in the underwater caves along
                 the river. Wakulla Springs State Park has preserved habitat for numerous rare and
                 endangered plants. There are over a dozen rare and endangered ferns and orchids found
                 within the protected boundaries of Wakulla Springs State Park (FDNR 1989).

                        South of the US Highway 98 bridge, the Wakulla River is influenced by the daily
                 tides of Apalachee Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. The ecosystems associated with tidal
                 areas are known as freshwater tidal swamps. The freshwater tidal swamps along the
                 Wakulla River are comprised of Bald Cypress, Tupelo, Cabbage Palm, Sweet Bay
                 Magnolia and Black Gum (Wharton et al 1977).

                 ST. MARKS AND WAKULLA RvERs RESOURCF- ASSESSMENT         GREENWAY PROTEC-110N PLAN

                   50

                          The Wakulla River flows  into the St. Marks River at the Town of St. Marks. The St.
                   Marks River then flows for three miles through the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge
                   before emptying into Apalachee Bay. The surrounding lands are primarily salt marshes
                   dotted with pine flatwoods islands. The expansive salt marshes of the St Marks National
                   Wildlife Refuge are a part of the vast salt marshes which stretch approximately 200 miles
                   from Cedar Key to the Ochlockonee Bay (Clewell 1986; FDNR 1989). This nearly
                   beachless coastline is due to the shallow waters and seagrass flats of Gulf of Mexico
                   which absorbs much of the wave energy before it reaches the shoreline (Clewell 1986).
                   These smaller waves do not have the energy to move enough sediment for beach and
                   island formation, but they do allow the creation of the salt marshes.

                               RECREATIONAL RESOURCES OF THE WATERSHED

                          Most of the recreational and economic opportunities of the watershed are closely
                   linked to the natural features and beauty of the Wakulla and St. Marks rivers. The
                   watershed includes many natural features such as the Wakulla Springs and the Leon
                   Sinks Geological Area in the Apalachicola National Forest. The watershed's natural
                   resources draw visitors into the outdoors for fishing, hunting, hiking, swimming, horse-back
                   riding, off-road bicycling, in-line skating, canoeing, and manatee watching. There are
                   numerous trails, parks and quiet areas to spend the afternoon or a few nights in the
                   wilderness (see Figure 8 - St. Marks and Wakulla Rivers Recreational, Historic and
                   Cultural Features). The Florida Greenways Program maintains a database that contains
                   information on the resources found within the region which is available upon request. The
                   following describes the trails, parks and historic sites that are found within the watershed.

                   ST. MARKS AND WAKULLA RIVERS RESOURCE ASSESSMENT & GREENWAY PROTECT10N PLAN

                                 St         Marks                and            Wakulla Rivers Recreationalr                                                                     Historic                    and C61tural Features
                                                                                                                  V
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           City of
                                                                                                                                                                                                                               J,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Tallahassee

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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Watershed
                                  Figure             8                                                                                                                                                                                                     Boundary

                                                                                                                                                                                Trcm  Roo
                             This publication was made possible by a

                         0
                           bgrant from the Florida Department al Community
                          u                                                                                                                                                                                                                       --- Major Roads
                           Affair*, In Cooperation with the U.S. Department
                            of Commerce Nation I Ousumic and Atmospheric

                                                        funding
                             Administroti n, under COOPWINtiva Agreement
                            Award No. NA970ZO427. Additional                                                                                                                                                                                      G_@ Transmission
                          provided by the Elizabeth Ordway Dunn Foundation
                           and Northwest Florida Water Management Dletr[Gt.                                                  eon S  ks                                                                                                                     Lines

                                September 1994                                                                                                             Natural Bridge
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           County &
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           WMD Boundary

                                                                                                                                     akulla Springs

                                            5              10                4.
                                                                                                                     Vi                                                                                                                                    Proposed Trails
                                            km
                                                               8                                                                    A
                                           miles                                                                                                                                                                                                           Existing Trails

                                                                                                                                                       1P
                                                                                                                     Crawfordville
                                                                                                                                                                   t. me kz                                                                                Canoe Trails

                                Florida
                              Gveenways
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Historic Features
                                                                                 05
                                         %j4ater
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  A        Natural Features

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Recreational
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Features

                                                                                                               53

                   FLoRiDA NATiONAL SCENic TRAiL

                         The Florida National Scenic Trail (FNST) meanders for 100 miles through the
                   southern portion of the watershed as it travels through the St. Marks National Wildlife
                   Refuge and the Apalachicola National Forest. It crosses the St. Marks River at the port
                   Town of St. Marks which is located at the southern end of the Tallahassee-St. Marks
                   Historic Railroad State Trail. There is no bridge constructed to cross the river, but hikers
                   often find friendly boaters or they make arrangements with a local marina to ferry them
                   across the river. The FNST is co-located for 2.5 miles with the Tallahassee-St. Marks

                   Historic Railroad State Trail. The trail continues two miles west along US Highway 98
                   where it heads over the Wakulla River on the highway bridge before re-entering the
                   Refuge. The Florida Trail must be removed from the US Highway 98 right of way if it is to
                   be eligible for designation as part of the Florida National Scenic Trail. The FNST in the
                   Refuge is designated as a hiking trail, but it is a multi-use trail where it joins with the rail
                   trail. Use data for the FNST has not been collected, but it is actively maintained and used
                   by the volunteer members of the Florida Trail Association.

                   TALLAHASSEE- ST. MARKS HISTORic RAILROAD STATE TRAiL

                          The Tallahassee-St. Marks Historic Railroad State Trail is the State of Florida's
                   (DEP) first rail trail. The beginning point for most trail users is the Capital Circle Trailhead
                   located just south of Tallahassee on State Road 363. The trail follows Florida's oldest rail
                   line (operating from 1837 to 1984 as the Tallahassee-St. Marks Railroad) for sixteen miles
                   to the port Town of St. Marks (FDEP 1994). Since its opening the trail has been very

                   ST. MARKS ANO WAKULLA RIVERS RESOURCE AssESSMENT & GREENWAY PROTECTION PLAN

                    54

                    popular, receiving up to 170,000 bicyclists, walkers, skaters, and equestrians annually
                    (Moore et al 1992). The Munson Hills off-road bicycling trail is located off the rail-trail one
                    mile south of the Capital Circle trail-head. Southern Trail Riders maintains a horse trail
                    adjacent to the rail-trail. Popular activities on the paved portion of the trail include
                    bicycling, walking and in-line skating. Bicycles and in-line skates can be rented at the
                    Capital Circle trail head. Water fountains can be found along the trail and refreshments

                    and restrooms are found at each end of the trail.

                    GEORGIA, FLORIDA AND ALABAMA RAIL TRAIL

                          The proposed 53 mile long Georgia, Florida and Alabama (GF&A) Rail Trail is in
                    the early stages of planning. The US Forest Service is currently studying the proposed
                    route for its environmental and social impacts under the National Environmental Policy Act'
                    (NEPA). Once completed the GF&A Rail Trail will connect Tallahassee to Sopchoppy in
                    Wakulla County and Carrabelle on the Gulf of Mexico in Franklin County. The trail skirts
                    the northwestern boundary of the Wakulla River basin in the Apalachicola National Forest.

                    WAKULLA RIVER CANOE TRAIL

                          The Wakulla River is a state designated canoe trail used by thousands of people
                    for canoeing, manatee watching, and fishing. TNT Hideaway Canoe Rentals, located at
                    the U.S. 98 bridge, reports renting nearly 2,000 canoes annually for use on the Wakulla
                    River. There is public access at the Upper Bridge on SR 365, the Lower Bridge on US
                    Highway 98, hand-launching at the St. Marks Town Park just upstream of the Fort, and the

                    ST. MARKS AND WAKULLA RIVERS RESOURCE ASSESSMENT & GREENWAY PROTEc-noN PLAN

                                                                                                          55

                  public boat ramp adjacent to the Fort San Marcos de Apalache State Historic Site in port
                  Town of St. Marks. The Shell Island Fish Camp provides river access at its private
                  boatramp. Canoe rental, shuttle and guide services are available by reservation from the
                  Canoe Shop in Tallahassee and from Gulf Coast Excursions in Panacea. Restrooms and
                  drinking water are available at the fort, TNT Hideaway Canoe Rental and the St. Marks
                  Town Park. Olin Corporation manages a private park and picnic area for its employees
                  along the Wakulla River; 1/2 mile downstream form the U.S. 98 bridge.

                  ST. MARK5 RIVER

                        The St. Marks River although not designated as a state canoe trail, but it offers an
                  enjoyable paddle having limited motorboat traffic upstream of the US Highway 98 bridge.
                  The St. Marks River can be accessed at the US Highway 98 Bridge in Newport from the
                  boat ramp and park managed by the Florida Department of Agriculture's Florida Forest
                  Service. The park also offers overnight camping.

                  Bio BEND HISTORIC SALTWATER PADDLINg TRAIL

                         The state designated Big Bend Historic Saltwater Paddling Trail follows salt
                  marshes and shallow bays for nearly 150 miles along the Gulf Coast from the St. Marks
                  National Wildlife Refuge to the mouth of the Suwannee River. The trail is not currently
                  marked and there are few developed facilities along its route. Publication of a guidebook
                  describing the trail is planned for 1995.

                                                                a     Alt

                  ST. MARKS AND WAKULLA RIVERS RE50URCE ASSESSMENT & GREENWAY PROTECTION PLAN

                   56

                   THE APALACHicoLA NATiONAL FOREST

                         The Apalachicola National Forest is Florida's largest national forest with 563,986
                   acres of which 32,000 acres are designated as Wilderness (USDA Forest Service 1994).
                   The eastern portion of the Forest in the Wakulla Ranger District lies within the St. Marks
                   watershed. There are over 680 active Red-cockaded Woodpecker colonies within the
                   forest, making it one of the largest populations of Red-cockaded Woodpeckers in the
                   United States. The Apalachicola National Forest supports a wide variety of recreational
                   opportunities including hunting, fishing, hiking, horse-back riding, canoeing, camping and
                   off- road bicycling. There are 15 developed areas for recreation scattered throughout the
                   Apalachicola National Forest with most of them situated on a lake or a river. There are
                   over 120 miles of hiking and horse trails in the forest (US Forest Service 1994). There
                   were 538,000 visitors enjoying the Apalachicola National Forest in 1993.

                         The Leon Sinks Geological Area is located in the eastern portion of the
                   Apalachicola National Forest along S.R. 363 near the Leon-Wakulla County line. Leon
                   Sinks has many karst features including wet and dry sinkholes and stream disappearing
                   into a swallohole. There are two loop trails totalling 5.9 miles taking visitors past these
                   unique sink holes, turkey oak scrub habitat, river swamps and pine flatwoods. These trails
                   are open for hikers only. Water and restrooms are available on site.

                   ST. MARKS AND WAKULLA RIVERS RESOURCE ASSESSMENT & GREENWAY PROTEC-nON PLAN

                                                                                                           57

                  THE ST. MARKS NATiONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

                         The St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge comprises the entire coastal salt marsh
                  section of the St. Marks Basin. The Refuge is approximately 65,000 acres of saltmarsh,
                  pinelands, turkey oak  scrub, and hydric hammocks. The historic St. Marks lighthouse is
                  located at the point near the mouth of the St. Marks River in the Refuge. There is a public
                  boat ramp near the lighthouse. Mounds Pool and Stony Bayou Trail is located along the
                  dike system surrounding the fresh water pools and marshes at the Refuge. The trails are
                  open year round to bicycling, horseback riding and hiking. Bird watching is especially
                  popular from the trails. Many waterfowl can be observed feeding in the fresh water pools
                  and the salt marshes. Small boats and canoes with up to ten horsepower motors are
                  permitted in the pools from March 15 to October 15. The Refuge provides bird watchers,
                  bicyclists, equestrians and hikers many opportunities to see an abundance of wildlife. The
                  Refuge had over 250,000 visitors in 1993.

                  EDWARD BALL WAKULLA SPRINGS 5TATE PARK

                         The 1,500 acre Wakulla Springs State Park surrounds the headwaters of the
                  Wakulla River (FIDEP 1994). Picnicking, swimming and snorkeling are popular activities
                  in the park near the head spring. Boat tours are available for tours of the river within the
                  park. Hiking and nature trails also wind through the parWs uplands and lowlands. Wakulla
                  Springs State Park is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and there are
                  several historic structures including a 27-room inn and conference center. The historic
                  lodge was constructed in 1937 by Edward Ball and is now operated as a conference center
                  by Florida State University (FIDEP 1994). In 1993, nearly 150,000 people visited the park.

                  ST. MARKS AND WAKULLA RIVERS RESOURCE ASSESSMENT & GREENWAY PROTECTION PLAN

                   58

                   NATURAL BRIDGE E3ATTLEFIELD STATE HISTORIC SITE

                          Natural Bridge Battlefield State Historic Site is located at the natural land bridge
                   where the St. Marks River flows underground in southern Leon County. This historic site
                   commemorates a Civil War battle on March 6, 1865. Tallahassee never fell into the
                   Union's hands as a result of the battle. The Battle of Natural Bridge is re-enacted annually
                   at this site. Nearly 16,000 people visited.the historic site in 1993.

                   FoRT SAN MARCOS DE APALACHE STATE HISTORIC SITE

                          The Spanish Constructed the fort in 1679, at the confluence of the St. Marks and
                   Wakulla Rivers, to control the passage of ships up the rivers and establish a foothold in
                   the region A museum and guided tours are available on the site. There is a picnic area
                   and nature trail at the fort. The Town of St. Marks maintains a public boat ramp adjacent
                   to the fort on the St. Marks River. In 1993, nearly 12,000 people visited Fort San Marcos.

                   OTHER OPPORTUNITIES

                          The many rural highways in the watershed allow bicyclists the opportunity to tour
                   the watershed's's historical sites and recreational parks. Rural canopy roads in the
                   northern part of the watershed offer tree-shaded touring. East of Williams Road Old St.
                   Augustine is an unpaved canopy road suitable for an enjoyable afternoon of off-road
                   bicycling. Old St. Augustine skirts the watershed's northern boundaries .

                   ST. MARKS AND WAKULLA RIVERS RESOURCe ASSESSMENT          GREENWAY PROTECTiON PLAN

                                                                                                                                 59

                       THE EcONOMic BENEFITS OF EcOTOURISM IN THE WATERSHED

                             The economic impact of outdoor, resource-based recreation can be substantial.
                     Hundreds of thousand of people use the St. Marks and Wakulla rivers watershed for
                     outdoor recreation and spend millions of dollars on equipment, food and other supplies to
                     pursue their preferred outdoor activities. The national forest and national Wildlife Refuge
                     provide habitat for a wide array of plants and animals. These parks with their many trails
                     draw thousands of people to the region for their outdoor recreation opportunities. Data
                     have been compiled on recreational use of the larger park units. Limited data are
                     available for the canoe trails and the Florida National Scenic Trail. Table 4 provides the
                     use data for the listed parks and trails.

                         TABLE: 4 - RE:C:RE:ATIONAL USE: FOR SE:LECTEo AREAS IN THE WATERSHED IN
                                                                        1993
                                     AREA OR TRAIL NAME                                    NUMBER OF VISITORS

                      Apalachicola National Forest,                                                538,000
                      St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge 2                       256,658 total visits       25,250 hiking visits

                      Tallahassee - St. Marks Historic State Trail 3                                170,000

                      Natural Bridge Battlefield State Historic Site                                 15,813

                      Fort San Marcos de Apalachee State Historic Site 4                             11,935

                      Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park 4                                      142,262
                     ijawvh*@                                                                 ----
                     SOURCIES:
                     i National Forest in Florida Forest Facts 1993 - visitor days. One visitor day is one person visiting for a 12 hour stay.
                     2 St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, US Fish and Wildlife Service 1994.
                     3 Economic Impacts of Rail Trails, Moore et al, 1992.
                     4 Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Recreation and Parks 1994. Data are from I gn`19M fiscal year.
                                                                         L@d b

                     ST. MARKS AND WAKULLA RIVERS RESOURCE ASSESSMENT & GREENWAY PROTECTION PLAN

                    60

                           Demographic data collected from the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge indicates
                    that 41 percent of the visitors came from the local area. The local area is defined as the
                    area within a two hour driving radius from the Refuge Visitor Center which is located near
                    Newport. This means that 59 percent of the visitors are tourist. These data suggest that
                    a relatively high number of the watershed's's resource users are visitors from outside the
                    region.. Further research needs to be undertaken to quantify the number of tourist who
                    use the resources as well as the dollars spent in the Apalachee Region as a result of the
                    Refuge, the Forest and other parks.

                           Visitor use data                          ComPARA-nVE USE TRENDS
                    were gathered for the                              AMONG SELECTED PARKs-TkAn-s
                    watershed's parks (see                 350,000-
                    Figure .9 - Comparative                300,000
                    Use Trends) for a five year            250,000-
                                                        >  200,000
                    period and the trend                k.
                                                        0  150,000
                                                        x
                    indicates visitor use for the       W
                                                        M  100,000
                    parks    and     trails     is      z    50,000
                    increasing or the same                        0 -  1989      1990      1991      1902       1003
                    people are using these                                                 YEAR
                    areas more frequently.               MST. MARKS RF-ruae      SAN MARCOS          NATURAL BRIME
                    Either way, the resources            M RAIL TRAIL        MWAKULLA SPRINGS
                    are being used by an           Figure 9, Sources are from the respective park manager's offices
                    increasing number of people on a more frequent basis. This suggests more money may
                    also be spent on equipment rentals/ purchases, food, souvenirs, and lodging.

                           The Tallahassee - St. Marks Historic Railroad State Trail has been studied
                    documents its economic impacts on the community. The results of these studies indicate

                    ST. MARKS AND WAKULLA RIVERS RESOURCE ASSESSMENT             GREENWAY PROTECTION PLAN

                                                                                                             61

                   that the average visitor to the Trail spends $11.00 dollars per person per day. This results
                   in a total annual economic impact of over $1.2 million dollars with $400,000 dollars
                   generated from tourist (Moore et al 1992). The Economic Impacts of Rail Trails further
                   indicated expenditures on durable goods related to the trail ranged from $130 to $250
                   dollars. These figures are only for the Tallahassee - St. Marks Historic Railroad State
                   Trail. The total economic impact of all the natural outdoor recreation activities is assumed
                   to be even greater.

                          Fishing is also a significant use of the rivers and the Apalachee Bay. The finfish
                   and shellfish industry is probably the greatest beneficiary of efforts to conserving the
                   greenway in the St. Marks Watershed. The rivers, and ultimately, Apalachee Bay, are the
                   sinks for all the water flowing off the land in the watershed's. Alterations to water quality
                   and river hydrology can negatively impact these fisheries through loss of habitat and other
                   changes to the aquatic ecosystems.

                          Frederick Bell, a noted economist studying saltwater fishing in Florida, stated that
                   recreational fishing may be as economically important or more important than commercial
                   fishing in the St. Marks Watershed (Bell 1994). Bell's 1993 report on Current and
                   Proiected Tourist Demand for Saltwater Recreational Fisheries is the most complete
                   analysis. of recreational saltwater fishing for Florida. This report indicates that the average
                   visitor engaging in saltwater fishing spends $110 daily. The annual impact of the activity
                   on Florida's economy was in excess of $1 billion in 1991 with an additional $62 million in
                   taxes (Bell 1993). Data are not currently available on the economic impact of recreational
                   fishing in the St. Marks, however, Shields Marina reports that an average of 15 to 20 boats
                   use the ramp facilities at their marina on weekdays and 80 to 100 boats are launched on

                                                                @db
                                                               L

                   ST. MARKS AND WAKULLA RIVERS RESOURCEAsSESSMENT & GREENWAY PROTECTION PLAN

                  62

                  weekends. Shell Island Fish Camp reports an average of 8 to 10 boats launch on the
                  Wakulla River during the week and 15 to 20 on weekends. Most of these boats are
                  recreational fisherman fishing Apalachee Bay and the waters inside the Refuge. Further
                  study of the recreational fishery needs to be conducted to determine the fisheries
                  economic impacts on the community.

                         According to the u 1992 Annual Landings Summaryn of the Marine Fisheries Division
                  of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, 1,626,656 pounds of finfish were
                  brought in Wakulla County ports that year with a dockside value of $80 million. This
                  included 1,005,781 pounds of Black Mullet ( 62 percent of the catch being caught in over
                  2,000 trips). The commercial shellfish harvest totaled 1,580,958 pounds, not including
                  shrimp. The shrimp harvest amounted to 33,501 pounds with brown and white shrimp
                  comprising the bulk of the harvest (FDEP 1994).

                  ST. MARKS AND WAKULLA RIVERS RESOURCE ASSESSMENT & GREENWAY PROTECTION PLAN

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      1        ST. MARKS AND WAKULLA RVERS GREENWAY
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                                                                                 f-@d h -
              CHAPTER 3

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                     CHAPTER 3 - ST. MARKS AND WAKULLA RIVERS GREENWAY

                         Riparian Greenways provide the          What is a Floodway?
                  opportunity for linking the benefits of
                  preserving the floodway while maintaining            The floodway is defined as the
                                                                area where the river leaves its banks
                  or improving river water quality and          during a flood with the floodwaters
                  facilitating economic development through     having movement in the same
                                                                direction as the river.
                  ecotourism. The many acres of public
                  lands in St. Marks River watershed,
                  including the Wakulla River, provide outstanding recreational opportunities to complement
                  those associated with the greenway. By conserving the natural green corridors along the
                  rivers, recreation and scenic qualities will continue to flourish in the future.

                         The greenway vision for the St. Marks and Wakulla rivers watershed is based upon
                  the compilation of the land use land cover data, the Florida Game And Freshwater Fish
                  Commission critical habitat data, existing land ownership patterns, and the recreation and
                  cultural and historic data. The St. Marks and Wakulla Rivers Watershed Greenway map
                  (Figure 1) results from taking the Game and Fish's critical habitat data and overlaying it
                  with the existing land use and land cover using the GIS system. The map reflects the
                  natural greenway corridor along the rivers (see Figure I Watershed Greenways).

                         An assessment of natural resources within the watershed was completed In order
                  to identify the potential. greenways. The objective of this assessment was to identify
                  environmentally sensitive lands or lands with important habitat value. Each of the local
                  comprehensive plans has policies which protect wetlands and other environmentally

                                                               d1b

                  ST. MARKS AND WAKULLA RIVERS RESOURCE ASSESSMENT & GREENWAY PROTECTION PLAN 63

                  64

                  sensitive lands; however, efforts to protect such lands can be limited by the lack of
                  information regarding the location, presence or type of resources. The District's GIS was
                  used to compile the best available resource data from several sources including the
                  Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission (FGFWFC) and Florida Natural Areas
                  Inventory (FNAI). Compiled information included land use and land cover, strategic habitat
                  conservation areas; and rare animal, plant and communities occurrence data. The land
                  use and land cover information was obtain by classifying satellite imagery using the
                  methods described elsewhere in this report.

                         The rare species occurrence and wildlife habitat information were obtained from
                  several statewide geographic data sets developed by FGFWFC which incorporated FNAI
                  data. These data were created by the FGFWFC to identify areas in need of protection in
                  order to maintain biodiversity. This information represents the most comprehensive and
                  detailed effort yet undertaken for this purpose in Florida (Presley 1994). These data sets
                  also represent the best available estimate of Florida lands requiring some form of
                  conservation to ensure that biodiversity is maintained for future generations. The
                  FGFWFC GIS was used to assess the degree of security provided to rare species by the
                  current system of conservation lands and to identify important habitat areas not currently
                  protected (Cox et al., 1994). The lands recommended by FGFWFC for additional
                  protection are referred to as "strategic habitat conservation areas". These lands are
                  needed to meet minimum conservation goals for 30 species of wildlife inadequately
                  protected by the current  system of
                         �      conservation lands,
                         �      high quality sandhill sites,

                  ST. MARKS AND WAKULLA RIVERS RESOURCE ASSESSMENT & GREENWAY PROTEc-nON PLAN

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                         +      high quality scrub sites,
                         Ar     high quality pine rocklands site,
                         +      high quality examples of tropical hardwood hammocks,
                         41     bat maternity caves and winter roost caves,
                         41     wetland s important to the breeding success of eight species of wading
                                 birds, and
                         +      lands important to the long term survival of 105 globally rare species of
                                 plants.

                         Another geographic data set was developed by FGFWFC containing known
                  locations of many animals, plants, and natural communities. A set of maps referred to as
                   regional biodiversity hot spots" were created which included the following information:
                         A.-    areas where large numbers of 52 selected species co-occur,
                         +      areas supporting rare plant and wildlife communities,
                         +      over 25,000 known locations of rare plants, animals and natural
                                communities,
                         lee    county boundaries and conservation land boundaries, and
                         +      coastal areas that support key components of biological diversity.

                         The hot spots resulted from investigation of species richness which located habitat
                  for seven or more focal species (Class 3), five or six focal species (Class 2), and three or
                  four focal species (Class 1) (McGrail et al. 1994). Class 1 lands were generally of lower
                  natural resource quality than Class 2 or 3, including large tracts in silviculture and
                  agriculture that are used by wide-ranging habitat generalists such as turkey and bobcat.

                  ST. MARKS AND WAKULLA RIVERS RESOURCE ASSESSMENT & GREENWAY PROTECTION PLAN

                          The FGFWFC data served as a starting point for the resource assessment. In order
                   to ensure that the identification of potential greenways included the most environmentally
                   sensitive or significant lands, the District's GIS was used to modify the FGFWFC habitat
                   data. The FGFWFC habitat areas are shown in Figure 10 - Natural Resource Assessment
                   Map.

                          The FGFWFC       strategic habitat conservation areas and biodiversity hot spots
                   (Classes 2 and 3) were combined and overlain with the land use and land cover data. In
                   instances where habitat data coincided with non-natural land cover (such as silviculture,
                   agriculture or urban uses), it was omitted from the lands identified as potential greenways.
                   The remaining habitat areas which coincide with natural land cover types, are shown on
                   Figure 10 . This was noted in the map legend since the most obvious difference between
                   the entire and modified habitat data is the presence or absence of silviculture lands.
                   Wetland areas identified in the land use and land cover assessment but not identified by
                   FGFWFC as strategic habitat or Class 2 or 3 hot spots were also considered as
                   environmentally significant lands for potential greenways (see Figure 10).

                   ST. MARKS AND WAKULLA RivERs RESOURCE ASSESSMENT & GREENWAY PROTECTION PLAN

                                                St              Marks                          and                  Wakulla                                Rivers                          Watershed                                            Natural Resource                                                                Assessment

                                                 -LooftPo.*

                                                                  Jqffarm@n  co

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                t LO.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        J:efferson.           Co
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Public Lands
                                         Wakul a CO.                                                                                                                                                                 Lake
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  WM6       6.und@ry'
                                                                                                                                    @Wy                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Wetlands
                                                                                                                                                                                                                               S

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         FGFWFC
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Habitat Areas
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         (Includes
                                          Figure                    10
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           4
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Silviculture)
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             f6A
                                       This publianlon wa@ made poefilble by 0                                                                                                                                                                                 1
                                                                                                                                                                                   --0
                                  subgnimt I am the Florida Department of Cominunity                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     FGFWFC
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Habitat Areas
                                    Affalm, In **operation with the U.& Department                                                                                                                          or                                                                      JI'-
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         (Without
                                    of commerce, National O@nio and Atmospheric,

                                      Admini.tmtion, under Oooperative Agreement
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Silviculture)
                                     Award No. NA370ZO427. Additional funding
                                  provided by the Elizabeth Ordway Dunn Foundation                                                                                            UL
                                     d Northweat Florida Water Management DIVIrIaL                                                                                                                        4 -                                                                                                                                            City        of
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Tallahassee
                                          September 1994

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Watershed
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Boundary
                                                                                                                                                                                               p
                                                                                                                                                                                                   CS                              7@
                                                                                                                                                                                                ir

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Transmission
                                      0                   5                  10
                                                                                                                                                      Ir                                                                                                                                                                                                 Lines
                                                         km
                                0                                                   8

                                                        miles                                                                                                                                                                 r                                                                                                                          County &
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         WMD Boundary

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Major Roads

                                            rida

                                                     V4ater

                                                 A-
                                                                                                                                                        ads

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Source: Florida Game and Fresh

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Water Fish Commission, 1994

                                                                                                               69

                         T he FGFWFC data shows that there are extensive areas of critical habitat
                  throughout the watershed. The modified FGFWFC habitat which coincides which natural
                  land cover includes primarily riverine corridors and wetland areas. Additional areas of
                  modified habitat which coincide.with natural uplands forest were also identified. Although
                  these upland areas are environmentally significant, they occupy more isolated or scattered
                  areas limiting their function as greenway linkages. The wetlands identified by the District
                  may also contain focal species habitat (less than 5 focal species). These areas identify
                  additional potential greenway "spurs". The proposed greenway corridor is the unifying
                  linkages between the largest and highest quality habitat areas.

                          The process undertaken in this effort served to identify those areas within the St.

                  Marks and Wakulla riverine corridors and associated wetland and habitat corridors that

                  may be worthy of consideration as greenway linkages. The FGFWFC report could be
                  used in a companion fashion to enhance the protection of additional strategic habitat
                  conservation areas proximate to the proposed greenway.

                          The greenway corridor of hardwood swamps and bottomland forest along the St.
                  Marks and Wakulla rivers provide wildlife habitat while functioning as conduits for many
                  species of birds, the Florida Black Bear, and other animals. The water quality of the rivers
                  can be maintained through the natural filtering capabilities of the hardwood swamps and
                  bottomland forest, if a sufficiently wide greenway corridor is maintained and if Best
                  Management Practices are followed in silviculture operations. The greenway can also
                  function as a filter for residential stormwater runoff and septic tank nutrient rich leachates.
                  By protecting the bottomland hardwood swamps and limiting the intensity of development
                  in these wetlands, the impacts on the St, Marks river can be reduced. Also, by guiding

                  ST. MARKS AND WAKULLA RIVERS RESOURCE ASSESSMENT & GREENWAY PROTECTION PLAN

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                   development away from the river, the hazards related to flooding on property and lives is

                   also reduced.

                           The Town of St. Marks is the only incorporated municipality adjacent to the
                   greenway and is the primary hub for recreation and commerce along the two rivers. The
                   Town of St. Marks is a commercial port with the St. Marks River supporting an electric
                   power generation facility, barge transportation and commercial fishing operations. The
                   conservation of the St. Marks and Wakulla Rivers Greenway may provide the local
                   Chambers of Commerce with a marketing tool for ecotourist-related businesses. The
                   Governor-appointed Florida Greenways Commission is working to establish a statewide
                   network of greenways linking communities and natural areas. Wakulla County is perfectly
                   positioned for creating greenways linking the Apalachicola National Forest, the St. Marks
                   National Wildlife Refuge, Wakulla Springs State Park and the Tallahassee to St. Marks
                   State Historic Rail Trail. There is a tremendous potential for marketing this watershed and
                   the surrounding region as an ecotourism destination because of the variety of
                   opportunities available. The resource areas of the region and watershed combine to
                   provide the critical mass of opportunities necessary to entice visitors to the communities
                   in the watershed and in particular Wakulla County. The greenway can provide the
                   framework to tie the watershed's resource areas together and provide a unifying theme for
                   future partnerships.

                         The St. Marks and Wakulla rivers abound in history. Visitors along the Tallahassee
                   -St. Marks Historic State Rail Trail often know very little about the history of the lands
                   which they.are riding through. Through the development of historical trails on the rivers
                   and along the rail trail, the St. Marks and Wakulla Rivers Greenway could provide visitors
                   another recreation outlet based on the history of past cultures and events. A significant

                   ST. MARKS AND WAKULLA RIVERS RESOURCr- ASSESSMENT & GREENWAY PROTFECTION PLAN

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                 historical interpretation site currently exist at Fort San Marcos de Apalachee and the
                 Natural Bridge Battlefield site on the St. Marks River.

                        Analysis of the land ownership data collect from the property appraisers offices of
                 Jefferson, Leon and Wakulla counties indicates that much of the land within one mile of
                 the rivers are in large, single ownerships . This information is important for determining
                 which greenway development strategies may be appropriate for particular river segments.
                 The following discussion on the proposed St. Marks and Wakulla Rivers Greenway
                 provides a description of each river by river segments.

                               ST. MARKs RIVER PORTION OF THE GREENWAY

                 THE RIVER SWAMP SECTION

                        Much of the upper portion of the St. Marks River north of Natural Bridge is owned
                 and managed for silviculture by the St. Joseph Land and Development Corporation. A few
                 areas in the extreme northern reaches of the watershed near Interstate 10 and around
                 Natural Bridge have multiple owners and are used for agriculture, silviculture and
                 residences. Much of the surrounding land is classified as hydric swamps or wetlands,
                 and is considered important habitat by the Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission
                 (see Figure 10 - Resource Assessment). This section of the greenway also filters
                 stormwater run-off, serves as a buffer area for natural flooding, provides a sediment sink
                 from erosion of adjacent agricultural lands, and the wetlands here provide nutrients to the

                 ST. MARKS AND WAKULLA RIVERS RESOURCE ASSESSMENT & GREENWAY PROTECTION PLAN

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                   river ecosystem. The upper reach does not provide good opportunities for canoeing
                   because much of the river is not navigable due to dense wetland vegetation and the fact
                   that are few public access points along the upper reach.

                          Although all the previous mentioned attributes of the St. Marks and Wakulla rivers
                   will benefit from greenways, the greatest benefit of creating a greenway along this portion
                   of the river may be protection of the water quality of the entire watershed. Land
                   development of all kinds has a disproportionate influence on downstream areas. In this
                   area the river has less flow and is narrower, the upland disturbances tend to occur closer
                   to the St. Marks River's smaller tributaries. Consequently, nutrient and sediment loads
                   tend to be higher per acre along these smaller streams than downstream where the river
                   becomes larger (Binford and Buchenau 1993). Proper stormwater management is
                   therefore critical for this section. The ditches and swales that drain into the river function
                   as conduits for sediments and nutrients. An effective stormwater management system can
                   make the difference in river water quality.

                   THE NATuRAL BRIDGE SECTION

                          Between Natural Bridge to the Town of St. Marks, the river's ownership patterns
                   become, more fragmented. The riverfront is lined with homes along the west bank for
                   about 2.5 miles below Natural Bridge. There are few scattered homes on the west side of
                   the river south of Newport. Much of the land inbetween on the west bank appears to be
                   in two ownerships and is managed for silviculture. The entire east bank of the river from
                   Natural Bridge to St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge has only a few ownerships and is also
                   managed for silviculture.

                                                                           N

                   ST. MARKS AND WAKULLA RIVERS RESOURCE ASSESSMENT & GREENWAY PROTECTION PLAN

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                        The Natural Bridge Section of the greenway functions as a filter and a conduit.
                  Based on the land use and land cover and critical areas maps, the middle section of the
                  greenway along the St. Marks River has the greatest potential for filtering or buffering the
                  adjacent silviculture operations as well as the residential development located between
                  Natural Bridge and Newport. There are few areas in this section with excellent habitat.
                  The river swamps are relatively narrow and much of the adjacent uplands are pine
                  plantations. This portion of the greenway provides opportunities for canoeing and boating.
                  It also provides a natural corridor for animals to move between the Refuge and the
                  swamps and uplands of the upper portion of the watershed.

                  NEWPORT TO ST. MARKS SECTION

                         South from Newport, the greenway is influenced by increasing urban development
                  along the west bank in juxtaposition with the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge on the
                  east bank (see Figure 6). This section of the St. Marks River is deeper and wider due to
                  channel dredging by the US Army Corps of Engineers for oil carrying barges. The barges
                  serve the oil tank farms and the City of Tallahassee Power plant located along the rivers
                  western bank in the town of St. Marks.

                         Much of the ecological benefits afforded by the greenway will accrue on the east
                  side of the river which is bordered by the Aucilla Wildlife Management Area and the St.
                  Marks National Wildlife Refuge. Much of the greenway corridor is intact along the west
                  bank between Newport and the industrial complex at St. Marks, future residential

                  ST. MARKS AND WAKULLA RIVERS RESOURCE ASSESSMENT & GREENWAY PROTECTION PLAN

                    74

                    development in the area could however, degrade the greenway's ability to function as a
                    natural filter, if stormwater runoff, noise, extensive land clearing, and visual intrusions are
                    not managed properly (see Figures 6,and 10)

                                   WAKULLA RIVER PORTION OF THE GREENWAY

                           The land along the Wakulla River is more fragmented by roads and residential
                    development than it is along the St. Marks River (refer to Figure 5). The following
                    discussion describes the three Wakulla River sections of the greenway - Wakulla Springs,
                    Between the Bridges, and Lower Bridge to Apalachee Bay. Silviculture is the predominate
                    use of the western bank. South of the US 98 Bridge the land is managed for silviculture
                    and as a safety zone for Olin Corporation. The river flows through the St. Marks National.
                    Wildlife Refuge to the west and south of the port Town of St. Marks where it joins with the

                    St. Marks River.

                    WAKULLA SPRINGS SECTION

                          The Wakulla Springs section of the greenway is delineated by the Wakulla Springs
                    State Park above State Road 365 (see Figure 5 and Figure 7). The Wakulla Springs
                    section provides habitat for animals, sources of native seeds for the river system, filters
                    upland stormwater runoff and the surrounding swamps and functions as a sediment and
                    nutrient sinks. The Wakulla Springs section provides visitors a place to swim, hike, tour
                    on the spring fed river and view wildlife.

                    ST. MARKS AND WAKULLA RivERs RESOURCE AS5ESSMENT            GREENWAY PROTEc-nON PLAN

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                 BETWEEN THE BRIDGES SECTION - STATE ROAD 365 To U.S. 98

                         There are many homes on both banks of this section of the river. Homeowners
                 have generally done a good job protecting vegetation on their properties and along the
                 banks, but habitat along this portion has never the less been degraded by development.
                 Canoeing, kayaking, and fishing are frequent activities in this section of the greenway, with
                 many users accessing the river at the State Road 365 and U.S. Highway 98 bridges. The
                 "Between the Bridges"section of the greenway functions primarily as a filter, but the
                 corridor also likely provides a conduit for animals moving between the Wildlife Refuge,
                 Wakulla Springs State Park, and the Apalachicola National Forest. Occasionally, visitors
                 can see manatees feeding in the river's shallows.

                 LOWER BRIDGE TO i!@PALAQHEE BAY. SECTION

                        This section of the greenway starts below the US Highway 98 bridge and extends
                 to Apalachee Bay. The west bank of the Wakulla River below the US 98 bridge is within
                 the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge. Much of the greenway on the west bank functions
                 as habitat and a conduit where animals can move from the surrounding uplands to the.river
                 and to the Gulf of Mexico. Olin Manufacturing has maintained a forested buffer for their
                 industrial plant operations along the east bank of the Wakulla River. This buffer follows
                 the east bank from just south of the US 98 Bridge to the Shell Island Fish Camp in St.
                 Marks. - Olin's property along the river functions as habitat, a filter for stormwater and
                 noise, and a' conduit for animal movement. Olin has developed a small park on the water
                 for the use of its employees.

                                                                  7=
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                ST. MARK5 AND WAKULLA RIVERS RESOURCE ASSESSMENT   GREENWAY PROTEC-nON PLAN

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       CHAPTER 4                       i @- L@ db@

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                 CHAPTER 4 - LOCAL AND STATE CONSERVATION PROGRAMS

                               LOCAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION PROGRAMS

                        The Local Government Comprehensive Planning Act of 1985 required that all local
                 governments in the state adopt a local comprehensive plan to chart the growth of the
                 community for at least the next five years. The plans are to contain various mandatory and
                 discretionary elements, each with goals, measurable objectives and policies that will guide
                 all decisions on growth and development within the community. Within a year of adopting
                 the plan, each government are to adopt or update land development regulations to
                 implement and be consistent with the comprehensive plan. After the adoption of the plan
                 and land development regulations, all local governments' development are required by law
                 to be consistent with the adopted plan.

                        Each plan is required to contain a capital improvements element, intergovernmental
                 coordination element, future land use element, traffic circulation element, sanitary sewage,
                 solid waste, drainage, potable water and natural groundwater aquifer recharge element,
                 conservation element, recreation and open space element, housing element, and for
                 coastal counties including Wakulla and Jefferson counties, a coastal management

                 element.

                        Each plan, adopted pursuant to the 1985 act, was submitted to the state Department
                 of Community Affairs for review of its compliance with the State Comprehensive Plan, the
                 appropriate Comprehensive Regional Policy Plan (now called the Strategic Regional
                 Policy plan) and the rules of the department. All three counties within the St. Marks Basin
                 have adopted their comprehensive plans and submitted them to the state. The City

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                 ST. MARKS ANQ WAKULLARIVERs RESOURCEAsSESSMENT& GREENWAY PROTECTIONPLAN 77

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                  Tallahassee-Leon County and Jefferson County's plans have been found in compliance.
                  Wakulla County's plan has been found not in compliance and is continuing to undergo
                  revision to meet the state requirements. The only incorporated municipality within the
                  study area is the Town of St. Marks which has completed its plan and has been found to
                  be in compliance.

                    REVIEW OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMPREHENSIVE PLANS

                         Each of the applicable local comprehensive plans is based on a general model
                  provided by the Department of Community Affairs as part of its technical assistance
                  program to local governments. For this reason, the basic format of each plan is similar,
                  although they have been modified to deal with specific local conditions. The Wakulla and
                  Jefferson County plans are fairly similar in scope and overall impact. The counties have
                  about the same populations, but have very different geographical features. Jefferson
                  County has adopted a series of land development regulations implementing its plan, while
                  Wakulla has adopted only one applicable regulation, and none that are required by its
                  comprehensive plan. This regulation is the groundwater protection ordinance for Wakulla
                  Springs and the sinkholes to the north. Wakulla County has decided to wait until it
                  completes its plan in a manner which would be approved by the state before it adopts its
                  required land development regulations. The local comprehensive plan for the town of St.
                  Marks reflects the community's desire for only a small amount of growth to its small
                  population (approximately 350 people) or area (approximately 1000 acres).

                         The -City of Tallahassee/Leon County plan is the only joint local government
                  comprehensive plan in the state. Given its urban nature, this plan is much more detailed

                  5T. MARKS AND WAKULLA RIVERS RESOURCE ASSESSMENT & GREENWAY PROTECTION PLAN

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                 in order to meet the demands of a large and growing population. As might be expected,
                 Tallahassee-Leon County's land development regulations are (more elaborate and)
                 complex than that of the adjoining local governments. The comprehensive plan is a mutual
                 product of the City of Tallahassee and Leon County. This plan is administered by the
                 Tallahassee -Leon County Planning Department.

                        All of the areas comprehensive plans contain general language about protecting
                 wildlife and other natural resources, providing open space and recreational opportunities
                 such as bike trails. The plans also contain other provisions that could serve as a base for
                 the protection of the greenway once it is established. However, none of the plans have
                 any specific greenways included in them. This omission is not surprising considering that
                 the concept of greenways has gained acceptance as a conservation tool since most of the
                 local comprehensive plans were initially adopted. The major difference between the plans
                 as they relate to the potential for the designation and protection of greenways is that the
                 Tallahassee/Leon County plan calls for local development and management of recreation
                 areas for its citizens while the other local governments generally leave that to federal or
                 state governments. Tallahassee and Leon County has greater fiscal resources to develop
                 and manage recreational facilities than the rural governments which provide only limited
                 local recreational facilities. In the past these rural governments have relied upon state or
                 federal programs to provide such recreational facilities. Few local funds have been
                 dedicated to maintain or developing new facilities. To overcome this hurdle, partnerships
                 between governments and the private sector should be established or.strengthened to
                 further the development and management of facilities and infrastructure to complement the

                 greenway.

                                                                 7=7

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                   Tom oF ST. MARKS

                          The town of St. Marks is at the southern apex of the St. Marks watershed. Its local
                   comprehensive plan generally reflects the need to protect the St. Marks and Wakulla rivers
                   through its adoption of minimum vegetative buffers (25 feet). The Town of St. Marks has
                   included no specific protection schemes. It recognizes the existence of the "Rail to Trails
                   path" which runs the length of the town and has its southern terminus there. However, the
                   Trail receives no special protection in its Land Use Element or Conservation Element, nor
                   does the plan appear to recognize its economic and recreational value for the community
                   and surrounding area. The Intergovernmental Coordination Element does not provide a
                   process for solving disputes or working with adjacent governments in a comprehensive or

                   continual basis.

                   WAKULLA COUNTY

                         Since most of the St. Marks watershed falls within Wakulla County, the Wakulla
                   County Comprehensive Plan will have the greatest impact on any greenway established
                   within the basin. T he provisions of the county's plan recognize the public lands, rivers and
                   other resources within the county, including Wakulla Springs State Park and the
                   Tallahassee-St. Marks Historic Railroad State Trail, but fails to provide any special plan,
                   program or requirement for their protection. This is left entirely to the land development
                   regulations which have not yet been adopted, and to the plans of state and federal
                   agencies.

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                         The Capital Improvements Element of the Wakulla County comprehensive plan sets
                  the level of service for hiking traits at one mile per 20,000 people and for bike paths at 1
                  mile for every 5,000 people. Both levels of service are currently being met by the Florida
                  National Scenic Trail and St. Marks Rail Trail which pass through the county. The
                  Conservation Eleme    nt states that the county will cooperate with the state in finding
                  appropriate lands to acquire for the rails-to-trails programs.

                         The protection of wetlands in Wakulla County is addressed in the Land Use and
                  Conservation Elements as well as in most of the other elements. Thirty five foot
                  development setbacks and 40 foot special interest zone has been established for wetlands
                  and sinkholes. Seventy five foot non-disturbance zones of native vegetation are required
                  along the rivers, except for certain water dependent uses for which small areas of
                  disturbance are allowed. The 100-year floodplains and certain floodways also receive
                  some protection from the impacts of building. Private lands in the floodways along the
                  county's rivers are designated as Conservation on the Future Land Use Map. These areas
                  are defined as those lands within the 25-year flood plain where waters flow in the general
                  direction of the river channel.

                         The comprehensive plan requires that wildlife and their habitats are to be protected,
                  but the method for doing so is left entirely to land development regulations yet to be
                  adopted. Many of the elements of the plan, do however recognize the importance of
                  wildlife protection. The Coastal Element recognizes of the importance of protecting
                  Apalachee Bay for commercial and recreational fishing, but includes few specific protection
                  mechanisms for coastal habitats. Furthermore, no mention is made of coastal recreational
                  opportunities such as the legislatively designated Big Bend Historic Salt Water Paddling
                  Trail along the coast.

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                          Though the county has identified canoe trails on three of its rivers in its data and
                   analysis, none are specifically mentioned in the plan. River protection of within the county
                   has received some attention, however, protection and enhancement of water dependent
                   uses are not mentioned in the comprehensive plan. The plan does not mention the Florida
                   National Scenic Trail as a special part of the St. Marks Wildlife Refuge and Apalachicola
                   National Forest nor the federal wilderness areas in the refuge or in the national forest.
                   Wakulla County has begun investigating methods for designating and protecting canopy
                   roads. Provisions for bicycling are included in the Traffic Circulation Element.

                          Wakulla County has adopted one land development regulation that restricts certain
                   chemicals from being stored in the sinkhole zone from Wakulla Springs to the north in a
                   narrow, one-mile wide area. Though Wakulla County has an Intergovernmental
                   Coordination Element, it does not establish any processes for coordination or dispute
                   resolution with its neighboring local governments.

                   JEFFERSON COUNTY

                          Jefferson County's local comprehensive plan is similar to that of Wakulla County.
                   Though Jefferson County's plan recognizes the St. Marks River watershed, no special
                   protection mechanisms exist for the St. Marks River as is provided for the Aucilla River.
                   The Conservation land use category does not include any private lands, and is specifically
                   limited to publicly owned lands. Most of the Jefferson County's lands within the watershed
                   are managed for silviculture. These silvicultural uses are controlled through the state's
                   Best Management Practices.

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                        Jefferson County's comprehensive plan recognizes the importance of linear trails
                  by considering the feasibility of establishing a county-wide plan for bikeways and horse
                  riding paths. It also describes a canopy roads bicycle trail, the Wacissa River canoe trail
                  and the Spanish and Bellamy historic trails. The plan directs the land development
                  regulations to establish protection for various canopy roads within the county; however,
                  these have not yet been adopted.

                  QTY c)F TAL.LAHASSF-E:/LEON COUNTY

                         The Tallahassee/Leon County Comprehensive Plan is much more comprehensive
                  and sophisticated than the other three plans covering the watershed. This plan contains
                  similar basic provisions as those already discussed, but it recognizes the importance the
                  parks and park planning, open space and recreation. Unfortunately, it too fails to
                  recognize the concept of greenways or the use of linear connectors for recreation, non-
                  motorized transportation and wildlife habitat protection. The Environmental Planning
                  section of the Tallahassee-Leon County Planning Department is currently initiating a
                  countywide greenway conservation plan.

                         Special provisions are included in the Transportation Element for the establishment
                  of a Tallahassee - Leon Bicycle Plan and for the interconnection of travelways within the
                  county for bicycle traffic. These are included to help alleviate auto congestion as opposed
                  to the establishment of specific greenways or trails, but these provisions are a very
                  important basis for future greenways development. The plan's Recreation Element does
                  not adequately protect the Tallahassee-St. Marks Historic Railroad State Trail, but it does
                  reference it in its Data and Analysis. The Transportation Element references the plan to
                  extend the rail-trail north from the Capital Circle trailhead to Florida State University.

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                           The extensive listing of parks and other public recreational facilities in the plan, as
                    well as the expressed need for continued expansion of recreational opportunities, give a
                    firm foundation for greenways development. These provisions place emphasis on local
                    government action. This is very different from the other three plans, in which the more
                    rural local governments are more than willing to allow state or federal management
                    policies to dictate the location and type of recreational facilities.

                           The Tallahassee/Leon County Comprehensive plan also contains numerous
                    provisions for wetlands, sinkhole and wildlife protection as well as the designation of open
                    space'.   Various land development regulations contained in the Environmental
                    Management Act implement these provisions.

                           REVIEW OF STATE RESOURCE PROTECTION PROGRAMS

                           The State of Florida has many programs which can assist with greenway
                    conservation efforts. Many of the existing programs are geared to land acquisition and/or
                    recreation facility development.      Preservation 2000 is the most progressive land
                    acquisition program in the country. Preservation 2000 has been the funding source for
                    many of Florida's land acquisition programs since 1991. It provides nearly $300 million
                    of annually bonded funds for many different conservation programs. The law directs
                    approximately $30 million toward parks, trails, game and forest management, $30 million
                    toward implementing growth management locally, $90 million toward protecting water
                    resources, and $150 million toward conservation of wildlife habitat, forests and coasts.
                    Preservation 2000 dollars assist in the funding of the following programs.

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                        +      Conservation and Recreation Lands Program (CARL)
                        +      Florida Communities Trust Program

                        +      Save Our Rivers

                        +      Rails to Trails / Florida National Scenic Trail Acquisition Program
                        +      Land Acquisition Trust Fund -Additions and Inholdings
                        +      Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission Wildlife Habitat Trust Fund

                        Other state programs that may be useful for greenway conservation are the Surface
                 Water Improvement Management (SWIM) Program, Historic Preservation Trust Fund, the
                 Florida Recreational Development Assistance Program, special legislation and
                 designations.

                 CARL PR     OGRAM

                        The CARL land acquisition program is administered by the Florida Department of
                 Environmental Protection Like all other state land acquisition programs, CARL is a willing
                 seller program, meaning the state only pursues acquisition of a piece of property if the
                 property owner is willing to sell the property to the state. The CARL program purchases
                 environmentally endangered lands for state parks, forests, wildlife management areas,
                 beaches, and recreation areas. CARL projects typically are environmentally sensitive
                 lands that have unique or rare habitats, endangered or threatened species, or unique
                 geological features (Gluckman 1991). CARL is also used to:

                        Ar     Conserve floodplain lands, marshes, and estuaries in order to protect and

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                                  enhance water quality and quantity, and wildlife not otherwise protected by
                                  local or state regulations; and
                                  Preservation of significant archaeological or historical sites (Gluckman
                                  1991).

                    CARL projects tend to conserve the large natural systems and connecting components of
                    the strategic greenway network.

                    FLORIDA COMMUNITIES TRuST PROGRAM

                          The Department of Community Affairs administers the Florida Communities Trust
                    which provides local governments assistance in implementing their local comprehensive
                    plans. The trust administers a grant program which awards local governments funds for
                    local land acquisition projects. Projects are selected if they further the objectives of g rowth
                    management, natural resource conservation and outdoor recreation and demonstrate
                    uniqueness. This program gives points for local greenway conservation projects.

                    SAVE OUR RIVERS

                          The Save Our Rivers program is administered by each of the State's five water
                    management districts. Each water management district is required to develop a five year
                    plan laying out proposed land acquisitions for the district. Save Our River projects are
                    selected based on water quality protection, natural communities protection, nonstructura
                    flood control and protecting groundwater recharge areas. Save Our River projects often

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              provide public use benefits by providing additional park lands for local communities. Save
              Our Rivers is funded through the Water Management Lands Trust Fund, which is
              administered by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. This program has
              conserved many river and wetland greenways throughout the state.

              LAND AcoulSITIoN TRUST FUND (LATF)

                  The Land Acquisition Trust Fund was established in 1963 as a mechanism to fund
              acquisition of lands for parks and recreation areas. The portion of LATF under P 2000
              targets private inholdings within parks and forests. All LATF acquisitions are concerned
              primarily with the recreation value of the land and their accessibility by the public
              (Gluckman 1991).

              GAME AND FRESHWATER FiSH COMMISSION WILDLIFE HABiTAT TRUST FUND

                  The Fish and Wildlife Habitat Trust Fund is a P 2000 funded program which seeks
              to purchase lands that are important to the conservation of fish and wildlife.

              RAILS To TRAILs/FLORIDA NATiONAL SCENic TRAIL Acou[SITION PROC'RAM

                   This program was established to purchase abandoned railroad right-of-ways and
              protect sections of the Florida National Scenic Trail. The Rails to Trails Program is a

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                   Preservation 2000 funded program that has focused on acquiring abandoned railroad
                   rights of way which considers the current and future recreational need, costs sharing
                   potential with other agencies, and the timing of the availability of the right of way
                   (Gluckman 1991).

                   THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION TRUST FUND (HPTF)

                         The HPTF is a grant in aid program for individuals or governments that wish to
                   identify and restore historic structures or sites. The program does not acquire property,
                   but instead gives grants to fund planning and development or historic property acquisition
                   by non-profit organizations and local governments. Projects are selected on criteria such
                   as purpose, economic and other public benefit, and cost.

                   SURFACE WATER IMPROVEMENT AND MANAGEMENT PROGRAM (SWIM)

                         The Surface Water Improvement and Management (SWIM) Program was created
                   by the legislature in 1987 to protect and, where necessary, restore surface water bodies
                   of state or regional importance. Each water management district is. responsible for
                   developing a SWIM programs involving three major phases: (1) development of a SWIM
                   priority list of waterbodies of regional or statewide significance, (2) development of
                   management plans for the waterbodies in priority order, and (3) implementation of the
                   management plans (Snowden and Cairns 1993). The SWIM program has the ability to
                   provide funding for extensive restoration of degraded waters. When combined with the
                   districts Save Our River Program, the SWIM program provides an excellent tool for river
                   conservation.

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                  OTHER PROGRAMS

                         Several Florida rivers have been provided special legislation for their preservation
                  including the Wekiva River in central Florida. In 1988, Governor Bob Martinez created
                  the Wekiva River Task Force to evaluate existing regulatory, planning, and land
                  acquisition programs of state, regional and local governments affecting the Wekiva River
                  sub-basin. Two years later the Task Force submitted its report to the Governor
                  recommending new legislation and changes in the current planning, management, and
                  regulatory processes. The St. Johns River Water Management District and the East
                  Central Florida Regional Planning Council strongly supported the legislative initiative. The
                  special legislation originated from the lack of local government initiative to protect and to
                  conserve the Wekiva River corridor from residential development expanding northward
                  from the Orlando metropolitan area. The act which was passed by the legislature in 1989
                  established habitat protection zones, increased buffer widths and new requirements for
                  development of regional impact's that fall within the Wekiva River Protection Zone.

                         Fortunately, since the St. Marks and Wakulla rivers are not subject to as intense
                  development threats as the Wekiva River, they probably do not warrant such special
                  legislative protection. Another option is designation as a state or national wild and scenic
                  river. Under the federal designation program, the Wakulla and St. Marks rivers would
                  likely only qualify as a recreational river because of the adjacent development and the
                  many bridges over the rivers. The Sopchoppy River is under consideration for federal wild
                  and scenic designation, and the Myakka River in southern Florida has been designated
                  a state wild and scenic river by the Legislature. The Florida Aquatic Preserve designation

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                  program may also benefit conservation of the greenway by protecting water quality. The
                  Florida State Rural Development Council within the Florida Department of Commerce is
                  also available to assist local governments and citizens in developing economic
                  opportunities related to conservation of the greenway.

                         The silvicultural operations which occur over a large portion of the watershed are
                  controlled by the state Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs through its 1993
                  Best Management Practices. It provides for various protection mechanisms for logging
                  along rivers, streams, lakes and sink holes. The functions of wetlands also receive some
                  protection by the BMPs.

                  SUMMARY OF STATE PROGRAMS

                                These land acquisition programs, policies and laws enacted by the state and
                  federal governments may assist in conserving St. Marks and Wakulla Rivers Greenway.
                  In the greenway sections where there are large single land ownerships, fee- simple land
                  acquisition and less-than-fee simple conservation provide excellent opportunities for
                  greenway conservation if the owners are willing to participate. In the subdivided areas and
                  areas where development has already occurred, the best alternatives for greenway
                  conservation are proper land use planning and regulation, education about greenway
                  stewardship, and innovative site designs and management.

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       CHAPTER 5

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                       CHAPTER 5 - RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CONSERVING
                        THE ST. MARKS AND WAKULLA RIVERS GREENWAY

                        In recognizing the corridors of St. Marks and Wakulla rivers as a greenway, the
                 communities place a special value in maintaining the natural functions and aesthetic
                 qualities of these unique areas. The citizens of Jefferson, Leon and Wakulla should act
                 now if the greenway is to be conserved. Governments and citizens should work to form
                 partnerships to conserve the greenway to take advantage of its conservation, recreation

                 and economic benefits.

                        Development will continue to occur in the watershed affecting its water resources.
                 Potential impacts include creating more impervious surfaces due to paving and building,
                 dredge and fill activities, wetland draining, floodplain alterations, residential, industrial, and
                 agriculture and silviculture activities. If development occurs without growth management
                 and land use planning, these activities could result in increased habitat fragmentation,
                 stormwater run-off, localized flooding and an overall decrease in surface water quality.
                 Development and alteration of river floodplains can reduce the area for flood waters to
                 dissipate. Development can reduce the floodplain area and increases stormwater run-off
                 and as a result, flooding tends to become more frequent and severe. The increased flood
                 height and magnitudes resulting from improper floodplain development may lead to
                 increases in erosion and sediment deposition into the rivers (Wolfe et al. 1988). A
                 greenway conservation effort focused on the St. Marks and Wakulla river can potentially
                 minimize these negative impacts from development while furthering many conservation,
                 recreation and community quality of life goals. Greenway planning is not intended to
                 prevent future development, but rather to ensure that it occurs in a manner which
                 minimizes impact to the resources.

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                         The following recommendations provide suggestions for how to conserve and
                  promote greenways in the St. Marks and Wakulla rivers watershed.                     These
                  recommendations have been organized by the agency, group or individuals who may elect
                  to take the lead in their implementation. These recommendations can be implemented
                  thorough growth management, land conservation and management practices,
                  partnerships, and through the actions of individuals and groups. The St. Marks and
                  Wakulla Rivers Greenway Steering Committee is available to help decision makers by
                  providing recommendations and public input concerning these recommendations and to
                  refine how these recommendations can be implemented.

                            RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

                         Local governments within the St. Marks and Wakulla rivers watershed, with the
                  exception of the City of Tallahassee and Leon County, have few if any financial resources
                  to actively manage the greenway. These rural counties and the town of St. Marks will
                  need financial assistance through grants and other sources to carry out remedial changes
                  to their comprehensive plans and to implement greenway programs.

                         Lands owned by the state and federal governments should be integrated into
                  community greenway conservation plans. These lands substantially benefit the local
                  communities and could enhance both economic development a                 nd recreational
                  opportunities if properly integrated into joint cooperative programs. The local governments
                  should explore the recreational opportunities provided on these public lands and develop
                  partnerships with their managers to attract tourists and their dollars to the watershed.

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                        Now that the local governments have adopted comprehensive plans, it is important
                 for each community to review opportunities for linking the state and federal lands within
                 its boundaries. The recommendations suggested below can be very helpful in assisting
                 the local governments with that endeavor. These public lands should be viewed as assets
                 that can enhance the community efforts in economic and recreational opportunities. These
                 lands should be considered a positive part of the process and integrated into the
                 community's greenway conservation effort. One option pursuing an effective greenway
                 conservation program in the St. Marks and Wakulla rivers watershed would be to the local
                 comprehensive planning process.

                        Because greenways encompass many disciplines and objectives, the most effective
                 way of establishing and protecting them is to create a planning process or entity that will
                 include many facets. Greenways could be included in practically all elements of the
                 comprehensive plan. The most efficient and effective method for the local governments
                 to incorporate greenways is-to amend their local comprehensive plans in a manner that
                 builds upon the existing plans and refers to those the goals, objectives and policies that
                 best address these issues but that would necessitate a wholesale revision of the existing
                 plan.

                        A local plan amendment is recommended because it can focus on the multiplicity
                 of benefits of a greenway and can emphasize the importance of the greenway to the
                 community as a whole. This plan amendment could also help emphasize the economic
                 development and recreational benefits the community that can be realized if the community
                 works with the other local governments, as well as state and federal conservation efforts.
                 A plan amendment to the comprehensive plan could also give visibility and cohesiveness

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                   to the greenway while maintaining the necessary flexibility for each local government.

                          Because there are a number of locations within the plans that are applicable to the
                   greenway, a plan amendment could be located in any number of elements. However, one
                   option would be to use the Intergovernmental Coordination Element (ICE) for the reasons
                   suggested below.

                          First, the Environmental Lands Management Study Committee III (ELMS 111)
                   legislation in 1993 required that the ICE be substantially revised for all local governments.
                   This means that the four governments in the basin will have to go through a thorough
                   amendment review and adoption process prior to August 1, 1997. Including. the greenway
                   concept in the ICE at the time of its revision would have the least disruptive impact on the
                   local planning process. In addition, the Evaluation and Appraisal Report (EAR) for each
                   local government is due approximately the same time. To develop this report, local
                   governments must review their plan for compliance, effectiveness and updating. This
                   review process allows each local government to seek out the provisions that should be
                   referred to or developed for incorporating greenways into the community.

                          Second, the watershed encompasses three counties and one municipality. Most,
                   if not all, of the proposed greenway identified in this report either crosses governmental
                   boundaries or would be substantially affected by the actions of other governments. No
                   effective greenways management and protection plan can be established if the
                   governments involved do not coordinate. Placing the plan amendment within the ICE
                   would give the greatest support for intergovernmental cooperation. Placing the greenway

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                  plan amendment in a substantive element may unnecessarily color the process for
                  particular greenways and potentially restrict their broad application and use in the future.

                         Finally, the Govemor-appointed Florida Greenways Commission is proposing that
                  greenways be incorporated into local government planning processes through
                  amendments to the local comprehensive plans. The greenway plan amendment proposed
                  is consistent with the Commission's recommendation to weave the plan's goals, objectives,
                  and policies so a greenway conservation thread is created throughout the plan.

                         The plan amendment would need to include the appropriate goals, objectives and
                  policies that are best suited for the establishment, protection and management of
                  greenways within and between each local government. It is not the intent of this report to
                  set out specific goals, objectives and policies for local governments to adopt. However,
                  the authors are willing to assist local governments' individual needs in developing goals,
                  objectives, and policies at the appropriate time. The following are some general ideas:

                  GOALS

                         Each government should adopt broad goals that express the multi-faceted benefits
                  of the greenway to the community. These can either be separate goals or a single overall
                  goal. The goal should be broad enough to cover a variety of future needs and functions
                  of the greenway, but narrow enough to have some meaning. One example could be:

                  ST. MARKS AND WAKULL.A RivERs RESOURCE ASSESSMENT         GREENWAY PRoTec-nON PLAN

                   4-     Develop a plan to conserve the St. Marks and Wakulla Rivers Greenway in
                          to provide recreational opportunities, conserve natural resources and
                          improves the quality of life within the community.

                   OBJECTIVES

                          The objectives should include the intended dates to implement the greenways plan
                   or plan elements and the various types and general locations of various greenways. There
                   should be an objective for each proposed greenway, for example:

                          By 1998, the community will establish and conserve the St. Marks and
                          Wakulla Rivers Greenway to provide recreational opportunities and protect
                          the rivers water quality as Outstanding Florida Waters.

                   POLICIES

                          Policies should include the methods that will be used to accomplish th  e objectives
                   as well as how the plan will be financed. They should also include the processes for
                   interaction with other governments and references other applicable comprehensivei plan
                   goals, objectives and polices. Policies under each objective could be similar but should
                   reflect the timing, financing and purpose of each individual greenway project. For example:

                   +      By 1997 the community will seek funds and conduct a study of the economic,
                          recreation and environmental benefits of the St. Marks and Wakulla Rivers

                          Greenway.

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                 +      By 1997 the community will appoint a St. Marks and Wakulla Rivers
                        Greenway Advisory Committee composed of forestry interests, riverside
                        property owners and residents, boaters, anglers, scientists and others who
                        have expressed an interest in greenway development. This group will meet
                        and make recommendations to the local governments for the adoption of
                        appropriate greenway management and protection measures.

                        By 1997 the community and the committee will establish procedures for developing
                        their recommendations and management plans in coordination with adjacent local
                        governments and the Northwest Florida Water Management District.

                        By 1998 the community will conserve greenways by incorporating
                        appropriate management and protective measures into its local planning
                        processes, and the community will coordinate with adjacent local
                        governments to incorporate complementary measures into their planning

                        processes.

                         OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

                        The following recommendations include suggestions for further developing and
                 prorrioting greenway protection and management programs that individual local

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                   governments may have already begun implementing. These recommendations are
                   offered to all local governments in order to create complementary greenway conservation
                   strategies along all greenway segments.

                   +      Consider working with state agencies to develop incentives to promote retention of
                          silvicultural land uses and adherence to Best Management Practices in the
                          greenways corridor.

                          Consider establishing watershed-wide planning partnerships to develop a general
                          consensus on land use goals and to improve intergovernmental coordination
                          between the counties and the incorporated areas to conserve the greenway.

                   4-     Con sider developing plan for the greenways to be adopted by each local
                          government. Use the St. Marks and Wakulla Rivers Greenway Steering Committee
                          to assist with planning efforts, education and public input for the planning process.

                   +      Consider linking the greenway to parks, forests, other local greenways, trails and

                          habitat areas to other similar areas outside of the watershed.

                   -10    Consider coordinating with the Florida Greenways Commission in order to tie into
                          its efforts to create a statewide network of greenways. Celebrate Florida's 1.50     th
                          birthday to designating the St. Marks and Wakulla Rivers Greenway as one of
                          Florida's 150 greenways

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                  +       Consider keeping the greenway as intact as possible to facilitate wildlife movement
                          and maintain viable populations of designated species.

                  -*e     Consider limitations on clearing native vegetation in the greenway.

                  41      Consider using  this studys database and map series to initiate and maintain a local
                          greenway database.

                  +       Consider sponsoring workshops with local builders and developers to promote
                          appropriate site planning, design and landscaping for residential, commercial and
                          industrial development in the greenway.

                  +       Consider protecting greenways by fee-simple and less-than-fee-simple land
                          acquisition methods. This may include participating in multi-government land
                          acquisition project, creating incentives to develop and protect the greenway through
                          tax incentives and conservation easements.

                  +       Consider using mitigation in regulatory programs for use in conserving the

                          greenway.

                  +       Consider working with the local school board and others to incorporate into local
                          education programs the importance and relationships of conserving the greenway.

                  +       Consider working with public land managers, historians and users in developing
                          signs to aid interpretation of the greenway's historic and natural sites and to provide

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                          continuity along the greenway. Consider adopting an architectural theme for public
                          use facilities in the greenways.

                   4*     Consider incentives to encourage development of businesses especially in Wakulla
                          County, to serve greenway users including those providing overnight
                          accommodations, food, recreational equipment, guide services and other hospitality
                          businesses,

                   +      Consider promoting the special natural and recreational features and historical
                          areas of the watershed to attract ecotourists and benefit economic development.

                   -0.    Consider participating in a proposed Apalachee Regional Ecotourism Development
                          Council that markets the Apalachee Region as a destination for outdoor
                          enthusiasts. Council members could include local chamber of commerce members,
                          hospitality managers, camping/outfitting retailers, guide services and liveries,
                          hunting and fishing organizations, and recreational user groups.

                   +      Consider endorsing and co-sponsoring recreational and tourism publications such
                          as maps and guidebooks.

                   +      Consider investigating the need to establish a local government land acquisition
                          program for conservation and recreation lands.

                   +      Consider seeking state, federal and private funding to improve recreational facilities
                          and acquire recreation and conservation lands within the greenway. Potential

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                        sources could include the Florida Recreational Development Assistance Program

                        and the Land and Water Conservation Fund which are administered by the Florida
                        Department of Environmental Protection, and the Florida Communities Trust which
                        is administered by the Florida Department of Community Affairs.

                 +      Consider studying the need for developing a local stormwater management plan for
                        the urban areas such as the Town of St. Marks to help protect greenway water
                        quality.

                        Consider forming alliances and partnerships such as the Apalachee Land
                        Conservancy, the Trust for Public Land, The Nature Conservancy, 1000 Friends of
                        Florida, Florida Audubon, HuManatee, St. Marks Trail Association, the Florida Trail
                        Association, to promote and manage ecotourism use with private interests
                        neighborhood and home-owner associations, local businesses and landowners,

                        and the Chambers of Commerce.

                        Consider seeking planning assistance from organizations such 1000 Friends of
                        Florida, the Trust for Public Land, and the Rivers, Trails and Conservation
                        Assistance Program of the National Park Service for conserving these greenways.

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                    REcomMENDATIONS FOR REGIONAL, STATE AND FEDERAL AGENCIES

                          There are many opportunities for Federal, state and regional agencies to assist local
                   governments and citizens conserve the St. Marks and Wakulla Rivers Greenway. These
                   agencies could assist with land acquisition and facility development, land management,
                   planning and other technical assistance.          Land acquisition and recreational facility
                   development by these agencies could complement existing public and private resources to
                   strengthen the foundation for the greenway. These agencies ongoing management programs
                   could continue to provide many of the services and facilities necessary to support public
                   recreational use. Planning and technical assistance from the Department of Community
                   Affairs, the Department of Environmental Protection and the National Park Service could
                   complement a local government's efforts in greenway conservation planning. Although, this
                   report does not assess the conservation or recreational value of particular parcels of land that
                   could be acquired or otherwise conserved, specific portions of the watershed can be targeted

                   for conservation.

                                 It is recommended that the Department of Environmental Protection and the
                                 Northwest Florida Water Management District evaluate the upper portion of the-
                                 St. Marks River north of Natural Bridge for protection through acquisition under
                                 the Conservation and Recreation Lands (CARL) and the Save Our Rivers (SOR)
                                 programs. It is further recommended that the Department of Environmental
                                 Protection proceed with the proposed CARL projects in the Natural Bridge Area.
                                 The programs which operate under the philosophy of acquiring lands from
                                 willing sellers, and can acquire fee or less-than-fee interests in lands. If the

                   ST. MARKS AND WAKULLA RIVERS RESOURCE ASSESSMENT & GREENWAY PROTECTION PLAN

                                                                                                              103

                                owner is not interested in any form of land acquisition, the agencies can instead
                                enter into management agreements to conserve the lands environmental and

                                recreational values.

                  +             It is recommended that the east bank of the river from Natural Bridge to St.
                                Marks National Wildlife Refuge be evaluated for conservation through the SOR
                                or CARL programs or by the US Fish and Wildlife Service as an addition to the
                                St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge. The eastern river bank is especially
                                important as much of it is classified as critical habitat for fish and game by the

                                Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission. The eastern bank could form
                                a natural green riparian link between the habitat of the upper watershed and that
                                of the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge surrounding the river's mouth.

                                It is recommended that the silvicultural and other large undeveloped parcels that
                                remain along the Wakulla River be evaluated for conservation through the
                                CARL or SOR programs or as additions to the St. Marks National Wildlife
                                Refuge. The lands provide important areas for habitats and could help protect
                                the greenway linkage along the Wakulla River connecting the St. Marks
                                National Wildlife Refuge with the Wakulla Springs State Park and the
                                Apalachicola National Forest.

                  ST. MARKS AND WAKULLA RvERs RESOURCE: AssE5SMENT & GREENWAY PROTECTION PLAN

                   104

                                               OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS

                   +      The Northwest Florida Water Management District (NWFWMD) should initiate a
                          Surface Water Improvement and Management Plan for the St. Marks and Wakulla

                          rivers watershed.

                   +      The Apalachee Regional Planning Council (ARPC) and NWFWMD should evaluate the
                          need for establishing special river conservation strategies through special legislation
                          or federal designation including a natural resource of regional significance.

                   �      The NWFWMD should -evaluate lands within the greenway for acquisition through the
                          SOR program.

                   �      The Department of Environmental Protection, Game and Freshwater Fish Commission,
                          the Division of Forestry, the Department of State, and the Department of Community
                          Affairs should evaluate lands within the greenway for conservation through all
                          applicable land acquisition and recreational facility development programs.

                   46     The Department of Commerce, Department of Environmental Protection, Department
                          of Community Affairs and the Apalachee Regional Planning Council should provide
                          technical assistance to local governments for greenway planning, management,
                          promotion, and economic development.

                   ST. MARKS AND WAKULLA RIVERS RESOURCE ASSESSMENT & GREENWAY PROTECTION PLAN

                                                                                                           105

                        The Apalachee Regional Planning Council should establish and provide technical
                        assistance to a proposed St. Marks and Wakulla Rivers Greenway Advisory Committee
                        whose role would be to voluntarily coordinate activities Members should include local,
                        regional, state and Federal governments, landowners, user groups, and other
                        interested parties.

                        The Department of Environmental Protection should develop informational materials
                        for river frontage owners concerning landowner rights, public access limitations, and
                        liability.

                  +     State and Federal land managers should provide and maintain recreation user
                        information and signs at their recreation access sites.

                  +     The Florida Department of Environmental Protection should develop a public, hand-
                        launch boat access near the St. Marks rise if lands appropriate for such access are
                        acquired.

                        The USDA Forest Service should consider working with the Florida Trail Association
                        and the Department of Environmental Protection to acquire land so the Florida Trail
                        can be moved from the US Highway 98 right-of-way making it eligible for designation
                        as part of the Florida National Scenic Trail.

                 ST. MARKS ANO WAKULLA RivERs RESOURCE ASSESSMENT         GREENWAY PROTECTION PLAN

                    106

                         RECOMMENDATIONS FOR INDIVIDUALS, LANDOWNERS, PRIVATE
                                                    INTERESTS AND USERS

                           The following recommendations include suggestions that individuals, landowners ,
                   private interest and users of the greenways may wish to voluntarily follow to conserve the St       .    I
                   Marks and Wakulla Rivers Greenway. Many individuals and landowners already show their
                   stewardship for the greenways by voluntarily practicing many of these suggestions.

                   +       Consider establishing a privately-owned and operated canoe livery which would
                           provide access to the St. Marks River in the vicinity of the river rise. The livery could
                           also provide canoe pick-up and shuttle service to and from the Town of St. Marks or
                           the US 98 bridge.

                   Ar      Since there is no regularly scheduled pick-up or shuttle available, consider initiating
                           a regularly scheduled canoe pick-up and shuttle service for the Wakulla River
                           operating from Wakulla Springs State Park and the Town of St. Marks.

                   4-      Homeowners along the greenway should consider the following: maintaining and using
                           native vegetation; limiting the amount of vegetation removed near the river; accessing
                           the river using boardwalks instead of paths; limiting the use of fertilizers and pesticides;
                           and removing or not constructing bulkheads, seawalls and riprap for bank stabilization.

                   ST. MARKS AND WAKULLA RIVERS RESOURCE ASSESSMENT & GREENWAY PROTECTION PLAN

                                                                                                            107

                  +      Consider adopting sections of the rivers for cleanups or establishing river clean up
                         days with the local school children, university students, neighborhood groups and
                         social and service organizations.

                  +      Consider starting a voluntary river watch program that would monitor water quality and
                         provide laboratory testing facilities.

                  +      Consider forming a voluntary river interpreter group to educate river users concerning
                         Tiver stewardship.

                  +      Consider acting as a river steward through properly disposing of litter and waste,
                         acting courteous to fellow river users, observing no-wake zones, and educating
                         neighbors and users how to be stewards of the rivers.

                         ISSUES AND CONCERNS IDENTIFIED BY THE ST. MARKS AND
                             WAKULLA RIVERS GREENWAY STEERING COMMITTEE

                         The Florida Greenways Program of 1000 Friends of Florida and the Northwest Florida
                  Water Management District organized the St. Marks Greenway Steering Committee for the
                  purposes of sharing information, receiving input on the project and gaining an understanding
                  of the concerns of the citizens, local officials and landowners in the watershed. The following
                  comments and concerns were provided by the members of the Steering Committee. It is
                  recommended that these concerns and issues be considered as plans are developed for

                  ST. MARKS AND WAKULLA RIVERS RESOURCE ASSESSMENT & GREENWAY PROTECTION PLAN

                 108

                 conserving the St. Marks and Wakulla Rivers Greenways. These are not listed in any
                 particular order of importance.

                 �     Threats to the natural and cultural resources from existing and potential increases in
                       recreational use. Prevent the greenway from being loved to death;
                 �     Threats to manatees by collisions with boats;
                 41    Establish signs and enforce no-wake zones;
                 4-    Problems with litter from recreational uses, boaters and fishermen
                       Sanitary and recreation access facilities should be maintained and improved to support
                       increase tourism;
                 4-    Insufficient emergency management personnel and infrastructure to accommodate
                       additional tourists;
                 4-    On site waste water treatment systems impacts on water quality;
                 4-    Potential restrictions on use of private property within the greenway;
                 +     Oil and gas contamination of the river and its sediments;
                 4-    Management of the increased number of tourists;
                 +     Lack of education about the proper use of the outdoors and boating etiquette;
                 41    Lack of funds to upgrade and manage local park facilities;
                 +     Potential impacts of boating on the rivers;
                 +     Lack of good user or tourist information such as maps and guide books;
                 4-    Exotic vegetation both aquatic and terrestrial and impacts on the greenway;
                 �     Protecting cultural and historic resources from vandalism;
                 �     Improperly operating septic tanks along the rivers;

                 ST. MARKS AND WAKULLA RIVERS RESOURCE ASSESSMENT & GREENWAY PROTEc-nON PLAN

                                                                                                109

                      Hunting deer and other game from boats along the greenway near homes, appropriate
                      (compatible) uses of the rivers in general. Examine use of personal water craft, hunting
                      and excessive boat speeds;
                      Need regulatory signage and enforcement of laws. User education concerning
                      regulations, re sponsibilities and use of the rivers, and
                +     Promote compatible uses, promote guide books and guide service.

                ST. MARKS AND WAKULLA RIVERS RESOURCE ASSESSMENT & GREENWAY PROTEC11ON PLAN

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                Burton, T.M., R.R. Turner, and R.C. Harris. 1977b. "Nutrient export from three North
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                   1 12

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                                                                                                        1 15

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                              Tonsmeire. 1991. Apalachicola River and Bay drainage basin: preliminary
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                               University of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis, MN.

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                               decisions: the TMDL process. Office of Water Regulations and Standards.
                               Washington D.C. EPA 440/4-91 -001. Washington, D.C.

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                               Marks National Wildlife Refuge. St. Marks, FL.

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                             United States Department of Agriculture, US Forest Service, Tallahassee, FL.

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                             Technological University Publication. Orlando, FL.

                 Wharton, C.H., T. Odum, K.Ewel, M. Duever, A. Lugo, R. Boyt, J. Bartholomew, E.
                             DeBellevue, S. Brown, M. Brown and L. Duever. 1977. Forested Wetlands of
                             Florida - Their Management and Use. Center for Wetlands, University of Florida,
                             Gainesville, FL.

                 Whipple, W., J. DiLouie, and T. Pytlar. 1981. "Erosion potential of streams in
                             urbanizing areas." Water Resources Bulletin 17(l):36-45.

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                             Characterization of the Florida Panhandle. U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish
                             and Service, Washington, D.C.

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        I           TECHNICAL APPENDIX
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                                                                                                          A-1

                         APPENDIX I - LAND U5E AND LAND COVER A55E55MENT

                         These maps provided an overview of land use within the watershed. Subbasins
                  were  delineated on 7.5 minute quadrangle topographic maps by the U.S. Geological
                  Survey staff and digitized using ARVINFO GIS software. Methods follow those described
                  by Rains and Latham (1993). Satellite imagery was selected as the source for determining
                  existing land use and land cover data. Existing land use and land cover were mapped
                  using 1993 LANDSAT Thematic Mapper 30 meter resolution multispectral satellite
                  imagery. Satellite image analysis was further refined using secondary data, including low
                  altitude air photos and ground truthing. The classified satellite image raster files were
                  converted to ARVINFO vector files. Existing land use and land cover maps were geo-
                  referenced to 7.5 minute quadrangles and merged to produce seamless basin-wide
                  coverage.

                         Existing land use and land cover were classified using the Florida Land Use, Cover,
                  and Forms Classification System (FLUCCS) developed by the Florida Department of
                  Transportation (1985). Land use and vegetation cover were classified hierarchically, with
                  each successive level including land information of increasing specificity. Level 11 (and
                  level III where possible) of the FLUCCS hierarchy was used. Although FLUCCS
                  categorizes land cover as either uplands or wetlands, many of the "upland" forests classes
                  were found in low, wet areas and contained approximately equal portions of upland and
                  wetland vegetation. For the purposes of this report the land use and land cover data has
                  been aggregated. More detailed information is available on request.

                         Sites were selected for class verification base on accessibility. Much of the land
                  within the basin either private property or not accessible by road. Accuracy of the existing
                  land use and land cover classification was assessed by comparing predicted land use
                  classes  'to observed classes, determined by air photo interpretation and/or field
                  verification.

                         A minimum map accuracy of 85 percent, with a 90 percent to 95 percent confidence
                  interval, is standard for most natural resource land use studies. It was beyond of the
                  scope of the project to perform an accuracy assessment which could verify this standard.
                  However, based on results the observed during the field verification performed and several
                  similar studies completed by the District, it is anticipated these standards would be verified
                  by further assessment.

                         Use of satellite imagery or aerial photography and maps for planning or regulatory
                  purposes varies for regional, local, and site'-specific endeavors. In this study, land use and
                  land cover mapping was accomplished using 30 square meter satellite imagery with plus
                  or minus one pixel resolution (30 square meters). While satellite imagery is an

                  APPENDIX I

                   A-2

                   exceptionally good source of regional land cover and land use data, it may be less
                   satisfactory for urban areas and linear features due to resolution limitations. The
                   resolution limits the ability to differentiate among some urban features using the imagery.

                          Existing land use maps identified many but not all streams in the St. Marks and
                   Wakulla Rivers watershed. Linear features such as roads, streams, and stream-
                   associated wetlands. are particularly difficult to distinguish using satellite imagery
                   classification. To register in satellite imagery, a linear feature must dominate the 30
                   square meter pixel. If a 15 meter wide stream and associated wetland vegetation bounded
                   by 20 square meters of forest occurs at the pixel edge, only the forest may occur in the
                   imagery due to its areal extent. Satellite imagery detects linear features in areas with high
                   spectral contrast (such as a dirt road bounded by forest or bridge bounded by water), but
                   tends to miss linear features with low spectral contrast (such as a stream bounded by a
                   marsh). As a result, linear features often appear discontinuous when mapped using
                   satellite imagery.

                          Recently, the water management districts (WMDs), FDEP and other regional and
                   state agencies together purchased statewide Landsat satellite imagery. St. Johns, South
                   Florida, Southwest Florida and Suwannee WMDs and local governments have also shared
                   the cost of Photogrammetric mapping. The resulting purchases were made at a lower cost
                   than previously budgeted by these agencies for only a portion of the state. Cost-sharing
                   among state, regional and local agencies for land use and land cover mapping could result
                   in better data and maps at a lower cost.

                          As part of the ongoing District Water Management Plan efforts, WMDs and FDEP
                   agreed to use the 1985 FLUCCS as the primary classification system in order to ensure
                   compatible land use and land cover data on a statewide basis. The districts and FDEP
                   also agreed to recommend that DCA develop standards for the comprehensive plan future
                   land use map to ensure greater consistency of base maps, scales, and cartographic
                   standards. As land use and land cover data via satellite imagery become increasingly
                   available, cost-sharing by state, regional and local agencies of land use change detection
                   mapping and analysis would provide a good basis for monitoring comprehensive plan
                   future land use implementation and estimating NPS loadings.

                   APPENDIX I

                                                                                                             A -3

                    APPENDIX 11 - DESCRIPTION OF THE FLORIDA LAND USE, LAND
                                   COVER CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (FLUCCS)

                         The Florida Land Use, Land Cover Classification System (FLUCCS) is a
                  hierarchical ly-based configuration with four (4) different levels of categorization, each level
                  containing information of increasing specificity. The following information has been
                  acquired from the Florida Department of Transportation Land Use, Land Cover and Forms
                  Classification System Manual - Procedure number 550-010-001-A (Department of
                  Transportation, State Topographic Bureau, Thematic Mapping Section, 1985). This
                  appendix describes the classification scheme used in conjunction with LANDSAT satellite
                  imagery for the St. Marks and Wakulla Rivers watershed.

                                                             LEVEL I
                         A LEVEL 1 classification contains broad classes of information which can be
                  extracted from satellite imagery with minimal assistance from supplemental information.
                  LEVEL 1 contains nine (9) categories of land use, vegetative cover and landform
                  information, eight (8) of which were used for this project. This data is normally used for
                  very large areas, typically at a scale of 1:1,000,000 or 1:500,000 (one-inch equals'
                  approximately 16 miles and eight miles, respectively). A LEVEL I classification may also
                  be used for general planning purposes when more detailed data is not necessary.

                                                             LEVEL 2
                         The nature of the data in this class is more specific than the LEVEL 1 information.
                  LEVEL 2 contains forty-two (42) sub-categories of land use, vegetation cover, and
                  landform information of which twenty-eight (28) sub-categories of LEVEL 1 were used for
                  St. Marks and Wakulla Rivers. This data is normally obtained from high altitude imagery
                  (40,000 to 60,000 feet) and requires additional supplementary materials, such as other
                  satellite imagery and topographic sheets. Mapping this level at a scale of 1: 100,000 (one-
                  inch equals 8,333 feet) is common practice. The St. Marks and Wakulla Rivers Project
                  utilized 20 meter SPOT multispectral and ten meter SPOT panchromatic imagery, the
                  combination of which enhanced the image to allow for a more accurate classification. As
                  a supplemental data source, National High Altitude Photography (NHAP) was used to
                  assist in the verification of the LEVEL 2 data.

                                                             LEVEL3
                         This class of data is usually obtained at an altitude between 10,000 and 40,000
                  feet. LEVEL 3 data contains one-hundred and forty-seven (147) sub-categories of LEVEL
                  2, 11 of which were used for this project. It is typically mapped at a scale of 1:24,000 (one-
                  inch equals 2,000 feet). The SPOT imagery was used to classify polygons to this level,
                  and aerial photographs and topographic sheets were used to assist in the classification
                  and verification process.

                  APPENDIX 11

                  A -4

                         The following is an explanation of the major classes and sub-classes of the Florida
                  Land Use, Land Cover and Forms (FLUCCS) Classification System. The St. Marks and
                  Wakulla Rivers Project used a combination of LEVEL 2 and LEVEL 3 data to identify
                  silviculture and wetlands sub-categories which allows for an accurate NPS assessment of
                  the drainage basin.

                  100 - Urban and Built-Up

                         This class consists of areas of intensive use with much of the land occupied by
                  man-made structures. This definition is for topographic and descriptive purposes, the very
                  nature of which can give misleading information about why a polygon is classified the way
                  it is classified. This category takes precedence over other categories when the criteria for
                  more than one land use/land cover are met. For example, a polygon classed as a low
                  density residential area (110) may also meet the same criteria for an Upland Hardwood
                  forest.(420). Contained in this category are the following land uses: Residential,
                  Commercial, Industrial, Extractive, Institutional, Recreation/Open land.

                  200 - A6riculture

                         Agricultural lands are those which are cultivated to produce food crops and
                  livestock. Cropland/pastureland, Tree Crops (other than plantation monoculture), Feed
                  Lots, Nurseries, Specialty Farms, and Rural Open Lands are sub-categories defined under
                  Agriculture.

                  300 - Rangeland

                         The definition of Rangeland used in the FLUCCS is the same as that used by the
                  departments of Agriculture and Interior. It describes the climax natural vegetation which
                  includes Grassland, Shrub and Brushland, and Mixed Rangeland sub-categories. These
                  areas become evident when larger-scale imagery is used and becomes significant to the
                  project if used as wildlife forage areas.

                  400 - Uplan d Forests

                         This class is defined as an upland area with a tree canopy closure of greater than
                  or equal to ten percent. Included in this category are pine, hardwood, and mixed forest
                  and those areas where timber harvesting and subsequent regeneration are taking place.
                  For a given forest stand to be classed as one particular species group, the polygon which
                  contains the species must have a tree canopy comprised of 66 percent or more of the total
                  canopy. Otherwise, the forest polygon will be classed as a mixed species. Classification
                  of Upland Forests is most often supplemented through the use of aerial imagery.

                  APPENDIX 11

                                                                                                        A -5

                 500 - Water

                        The classification of a waterbody is dependent upon scale and resolution
                 characteristics of the remote sensing imagery used for interpretation. In the case of the
                 St. Marks and Wakulla Rivers Project, the 20 meter SPOT imagery was able to identify a
                 water polygon of 2.5 acres or more or a linear water feature of at least 20 meters
                 (approximately 66 feet). In some instances, a waterbody may be large enough to be
                 identified as such or the waterbody may contain submerged or emergent vegetation. In
                 this case, that waterbody will be identified under the Wetlands category. Streams and
                 Waterways, Lakes, Reservoirs, Bays and Estuaries, Major Springs, and Slough Waters
                 are included in this classification.

                 600 - Wetlands

                        Wetlands are those areas in which the surface of the land is at or near the water-
                 table for most days of the year, These areas are able to support various species of
                 aquatic and hydrophytic vegetation. Wetlands drained for any purpose belong to other
                 land use categories, such as Silviculture or Residential land uses. If these areas are
                 reestablished with wetlands vegetative cover, they are again classed as Wetlands. For
                 more accurate classification supplements to imagery, the National Wetlands Inventory and
                 low altitude aerial photography were used. Included in the Wetlands sub-class are
                 Coniferous, Deciduous, and Mixed Forests, along with non-forested (emergent vegetation)
                 and non-vegetated wetlands (tidal flats and shorelines).

                 700 - Barren Land

                        Barren Land has little or no vegetation and limited potential to support vegetative
                 communities. Due to human activity, areas such as Agricultural, Extractive and Industrial
                 land uses may be classed as Barren Land, therefore, these areas must be explored very
                 closely through the use of supplementals such as aerial photographs and topographic
                 sheets. Included in this category are the sub-categories of Beaches, Exposed Rock, and
                 Disturbed Land.

                 800 - Transportation, Communication, and Utilities

                         Contained in this category are linear and point features such as highways,
                 communication towers, and transmission lines. Satellite imagery can identify these
                 features if minimal size of resolution (ten meters) is met. Therefore, certain secondary and

                 APPENDIX It

                 A -6

                 tertiary roads, small transmission lines, and point features, such as communication towers,
                 will not be identified by the SPOT imagery. Supplementals such as topographic sheets
                 must be used to identify these features.

                 APPENDIX 11

                                                                                                             A -7

                     APPENDIX III - NONPOINT SOURCE POLLUTION AsSESSMENT

                         Historically, most water quality problems in Florida were associated with point
                  sources, including both domestic and industrial sources. Nonpoint sources have now been
                  determined to account for the majority of the state's water quality problems. This change
                  is due primarily to poin't source treatment improvements and increases in agriculture and
                  urban developed land (Hand and Paulic 1992). NPS pollution has also been identified as
                  the major factor affecting downstream water quality in about 80 percent of the urban areas
                  targeted in a national survey conducted by the Council on Environmental Quality (1972).

                         NPS pollution is a major, largely uncontrolled, cause of surface water degradation
                  throughout Florida (Livingston et al. 1989). NPS pollutants in northwest Florida include
                  pesticides, animal wastes, nutrients, and sediments (Wolfe et al. 1988). In north Florida,
                  the progression of natural ecosystems to silvicultural, agricultural, and urban uses has
                  resulted in NPS pollution impacts including increased peak and total discharge, increased
                  concentrations of dissolved solids, nitrates, and ammonia, and increased export rates of
                  pollutants during storms (Livingston et al. 1989).Major contributors of these pollutants
                  include agriculture, stormwater runoff, silviculture, landfills, and septic tanks (US EPA
                  1989). Land use type and intensity are strongly related to NPS concentrations.

                         Contaminants associated with NPS can be detrimental to water quality. Nutrients
                  can have direct toxic effects or may stimulate algal growth. Pesticides and other
                  contaminants can be dangerous to the aquatic ecosystem.

                         Sediments affect water ways by not only reducing their storage capacity but also
                  by increasing the temperature of the water and providing increased opportunities for the
                  growth of water consuming plants (Clark et al. 1985). Additional sediment impacts include
                  damage to the biological health and integrity of the aquatic ecosystem along with a
                  decrease in recreational and aesthetic values.

                         Stormwater runoff is a significant source of NPS pollution, having solids
                  concentrations equal to or greater than untreated sanitary wastewater, and biological
                  oxygen demand (BOD) values approximately equal to those of secondary effluent.
                  Suspended sediment loads from streams draining urban areas are often an order of
                  magnitude greater than those from nearby forested watersheds (Burton et al. 1977b). In
                  addition, bacterial contamination of stormwater may be two to four orders of magnitude
                  greater than concentrations considered safe for water contact (Field and Turkeltaub 1981).

                         Urbanization has been shown to fundamentally alter the hydrology of watersheds

                  APPENDIX III

                   A -8

                   (Anderson 1970). Increases in impervious surface areas result in substantially increased
                   runoff (Simmons and Reynolds 1982, McElroy 1978). In addition, urbanization, with the
                   associated land clearing and paving of pervious areas, has accelerated the problem of
                   water quality deterioration throughout Florida. Stormwater and associated NPS pollution
                   are responsible for:

                          I .    80-90 percent of the heavy metals deposited in Florida surface waters;
                          2.     the majority of the sediment deposited in state waters; and 3.450 times the
                                 Total Suspended Solids flowing to receiving waters and nine times the BOD
                                 load when compared to loads from secondarily-treated wastewater effluent
                                 (Livingston et al. 1989).

                          Water quality changes due to urbanization also affect wildlife habitat. Jones and
                   Clark (1987) indicated biological data were a better discriminator of urbanization stress on
                   an ecological system than chemical parameters used in the same study.

                                                           METHODS

                          Basin boundaries, land use and land cover data, and selected loading rates were
                   input and processed using the District ARC/INFO GIS. Land use and land cover acreage
                   within the watershed were used in combination with selected loading rates to estimate total
                   loadings by land use.

                          Satellite imagery and aerial photography were used to quantify existing land use
                   and land cover in the St. Marks and Wakulla Rivers watershed. Potential NPS pollutant
                   loading rates were estimated for existing land use and land cover classes. Due to staffing
                   constraints, Local Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Maps (FLUM) and future
                   development scenarios were not included. Loading rate relationships were determined for
                   four water quality parameters. Selected loadings were applied to each land use and land
                   cover class and total loads were estimated. Specific areas with exceptionally high
                   loadings were identified.

                   Land Use Cateciories and NPS Loadina -Rates

                          Existing land use and land cover within the St. Marks and Wakulla Rivers watershed
                   were initially classified into more than 40 categories which included similar land use and
                   land cover types. Due to the impracticality of developing and applying 39 individual
                   loading rates, original categories were aggregated into 15 categories, based on similarities
                   in loading characteristics  see Table A-3).

                   APPENDIX III

                                                                                                         A -9

                         Previous NPS pollution studies were reviewed to corroborate loading rate estimates
                  for water quality parameters and land use categories (Rains, et al. 1993). Loading rates
                  for land use/cover categories were based on three studies, the Tampa Bay Watershed
                  Study (Dames and Moore 1990), Florida Department of Environmental Regulation's
                  Watershed Model Users Manual (Camp, Dresser and McKee 1991), and Reikerk (1983).

                         Loading rates for TN, TP, TSS, and BOD calculations were based on average
                  annual rainfall (inches/acrelyear), pollutant runoff coefficient (includes soil type,
                  perviousness, etc.), pollutant runoff concentrations (milligrams/liter), by land use, and St.
                  Marks and Wakulla Rivers mean annual rainfall (58 inches/year). Loading rates were
                  reported in pounds per acre per year (lbs/acre/yr), and total loadings were reported in
                  pounds/year (lbs/yr). Loading rates for TN, TP, BOD, and TSS were estimated for each
                  land use category in developing composite loading rate relationships. Determining
                  whether or not land uses met water quality standards was not within the scope of this
                  study.

                          Loading rates from three studies (see Table A-4) were selected for use in the NPS
                  assessment. All loading rate calculations were based on local rainfall data. Rainfall data
                  for a five year period from the closest available rainfall stations, (Tallahassee and
                  Wewahitchka) were used to identify an watershed average annual rainfall as 58 inches.
                  (A summary of the 11 studies considered for their potential applicability to northwest
                  Florida is provided in Appendix 11).

                         TN and TP loading rates for four of the land use categories (institutional,
                  transportation/utilities, tree plantations, and natural uplands), were derived from FDEP's
                  Watershed Model Users Manual (Camp Dresser and McKee 1991). The manual provided
                  event-mean concentrations based on percent impervious surface associated withiand
                  uses. TN and TP loading rates used to calculate loadings were determined by multiplying
                  a weighted runoff coefficient by average annual rainfall (USGS gauging station) and event-
                  mean concentrations from the Dames and Moore report (1990), FDEP documents, or
                  estimated based on similar land use (see Table A-5).

     M            APPENDIX III
     M
     Vill

                       A-10

                       Table A-3. FLUCCS codes for each existing land use and cover category in the St Marks
                       and Wakulla Rivers watershed. Aggregated categories were based on existing
                       land use categories and compatibility with future land use categories.

                         Existing FLUCCS Categories                            Existing Aggregated Categories

                         Residential                                           Residential
                         Low density residential                               Low density residential
                         Medium density residential                            Medium density residential
                         High density residential                              High density residential
                         Commercial/services                                   Commercial
                         Industrial                                            Industrial
                         Extractive                                            Extractive
                         Institutional                                         Institutional
                         Transportation                                        Transportation/utilities
                         Utilities

                         Recreation                                            Recreation/open lands
                         Open lands (urban)

                         Sand other than beaches                               Spoil
                         Disturbed land/spoil areas

                         Cropland/pasture                                      Cropland/pasture
                         Open lands (agriculture)
                         Shrub/brushland

                         Upland coniferous forest                              Upland forests
                         Upland hardwood forest
                         Upland mixed coniferous/hardwood forest

                         Tree plantation                                       Silviculture
                         Forest regeneration

                         Strearnstwaterways                                    Streams and lakes
                         Lakes

                         Wetland hardwood forest                               Wetlands
                         Gum swamps
                         Tit swamps
                         Inland ponds/sloughs
                         Wetland mixed hardwood forest
                         Cypress
                         Wetland mixed coniferous forest
                         Wetland mixed coniferous/hardwood forest
                         Freshwater marshes
                         Saltwater marshes
                         Non-vegetated wetland

                         Not amalicable                                    --CM i UafiQI3

                       APPENDIX III

                                                                                                                                                        A-I I

                        Table A - 4. Loading rates (lbs/acre/yr) for land use categories in the St Marks and
                        Wakulla Rivers Watershed.

                                      Land use                            TN                    TP                    BOD                 TSS

                        Urban
                        Low density residential                      5.76                  0.74                 16.12                 55.90
                        Med density residential                      10.10                 1.63                 37.22                 100.03
                        High density residential                     19.49                 4,36                 98.31                 677.05
                        Commercial                                   21-10                 3.14                 130.90                894.67
                        Industrial                                   17.90                 3.10                 95.99                 935.87
                        Institutional                                5.55                  0.71                 73.51                 475.29
                        Recreation/open                              2.76                  0.12                 3.20                  24.49

                        Non-urban
                        Cropland/pasture                             8.89                  1.32                 14.57                 211.97
                        Upland forest                                2.67                  0.42                 8.89                  118.23
                        Silviculture                                 2.67                  0.42                 8.89                  118.23
                        Lakes and streams                            7.88                  0.69                 10.69                 19.54
                        Wetlands                                     4.54                  0.54                 13.33                 28.94
                        Spoilfbarren                                 4.06                  0.40                 23.45                 225.95
                        Extractive                                   5.37                  0.68                 43.70                 427.41
                        Transportation/utilifies                     &00                   1.01                 67.10                 459.60

                        Table A-5. References on which loading rate estimates were based
                        for the St Marks and Wakulla Rivers watershed.

                        Land cover category                          TN                    TP                   BOD                   TSS

                        Urban
                        Low density residential                      1                     1                    1                     1

                        Commercial                                   1                     1                    1                     1
                        Industrial                                   1                     1                    1                     1
                        Institutional                                1                     1                    1                     1
                        Recreation/open                              1                     1                    1                     1

                        Non-urban
                        Cropland/pasture                             1                     1                    1                     1
                        Upland forest                                3                     3                    4                     4
                        Silviculture                                 3                     3                    4                     4
                        Lakes and streams                            1                     1                    1                     1
                        Wetlands                                     1                     1                    1                     1
                        Spoil/barren                                 4                     4                    4                     4
                        Extractive                                   1                     1                    1                     1
                        Transportation/utilities                     3                     3                    4                     4

                        1. Dames and Moore
                        2. Riekerk
                        3. Watershed Management Model
                        4. NWFWMD: derived from 1-3

                        APPENDIX III

                    A - 1 2

                            Silviculture TN and TP loading rates were based on those reported by Riekerk
                    (1988). In a study of impacts of tree regeneration on water quality, Riekerk (1988)
                    reported total Neldahl nitrogen (TKN) as the predominant nitrogen form in tree
                    regeneration runoff. Because of the small nitrate differences in tree regeneration runoff
                    due to variations in silvicultural techniques, TKN was used as an estimate of TN for this
                    report.

                            The BOD and TSS loading rate estimates for the institutional category were
                    calculated as the average of low density residential and commercial category rates. In
                    order to be consistent with FLUCCS land use system, the transportation/utilities category
                    was included in the NIPS loadings tables. This category included only major road systems
                    since loading rates for a given land use include roads and other infrastructure associated
                    with the land use. Transportation/utilities category loading rates for BOD and TSS were
                    calculated as the average of recreational/open and commercial category rates.

                            In the ECFRPC Areawide 208 Study, all waterbodies are assumed to have a runoff
                    coefficient of 1.0 (Dames and Moore 1990). Many waterbodies, however, discharge only
                    under extreme rain events, and some are landlocked with no discharge. Mean runoff value
                    of 0.50 was selected, although varying characteristics made estimation of a representative
                    runoff value for waterbodies difficult.

                    NPS Total Loadings

                            Urban. Total acreage for urban land use categories accounted for only 7 percent
                    (13,439 acres) of the area in the St. Marks and Wakulla Rivers watershed (Table A-7,
                    Figure 6 in the main body), while estimated TN, TP, and BOD loadings (Table A-7) for
                    urban categories accounted for 11 percent and 14 percent of the total loadings in the
                    watershed. Of the TN, TP, and BOD loadings associated with urban land uses, 8 percent
                    was associated with low density residential and approximately 1-3 percent were due to
                    commercial and industrial. Urban TSS loadings accounted for only 7 percent of the total
                    TSS loadings in the watershed, and three percent were due to low density residential.

                            Lowest estimated TN loadings were less than one percent and ranged from 153
                    pounds per year for institutional (See Table A-7). TP loadings were less than 100 lbs/yr
                    for the institutional, recreation and open urban land categories. Estimated BOD and TSS
                    were also lowest, and similar, for recreation and open urban lands.

                            Non-urban. Non-urban categories accounted for 85 percent to 93 percent of total
                    estimated loadings for each of the four NPS pollutants (see Table A-7). Non-urban
                    categories accounted for 93 percent of the total acreage in the St. Marks and Wakulla
                    Rivers watershed. Silviculture areas in the St. Marks and Wakulla Rivers watershed

                    APPENDIX III

                               M
                               z
                               a                                                                              Table A-7        Estimated Total Loadings In Pounds
                               X
                                                          LANDUSE                                                   NITRO                       PHOS                           BOD5                              Ss
                                                         CATEGORY                       ACRES        %             LOADS         %             LOADS        %                 LOADS        %                 LOADS         %
                                                    Residential                    12.239.60         6.16%     70,508.00         8.97%      9,059.10        8.19%       197,344.30         8.94%        684,381.50         3.19%
                                                    Commercial                           498.9       0.25%     10,526.20         1.34%      1.566.50        1.42%        65,302.50         2.96%        446,327.10         2.08%
                                                    Industrial                           453.7       0.23%       8,120.80        1.03%      1.406.40        1.27%        43,548.30         1.9796       424,581.40         1.98%
                                                    Institutional                             81     0.04%           449.3       0.06%             57.5     0.05%          5,950.60        0.270A        38.474.70         0.18%
                                                    Recreation                              55.6     0.03%           153.4       0.02%              6.7     0.01%               177.9      0.01%           1,361.60        0.01%
                                                    Open Urban Land                      110.6       0.06%           305.3       0.04%             13.3     0.01%                 354      0.02%           2,709.10        0.01%

                                                    Urban Subtotal                 13,439.30         6.76%     90,063.10       11.46%      12,109.40      10.95%        312,677.70       14.16%      1,597,835.30          7.45%

                                                    Agriculture                    20.075.40       10.10%     178,470.10       22.71%      26,499.50      23.96%        292,498.20       13.25%      4,255.377.20       19.85%

                                                    Shrub and Brushland              7.340.40        3,69%     20,259.60         2.58%           880.9      0.80%        23,489.40         1.06%        179,767.20         0.84%

                                                    Xeric Oak                      14,632.10         7,36%     39,067.80         4.97%      6,145.50        5.56%       130,079.80         5.89%     1,729.958.80          8.07%
                                                    Mesic Oak                        7.703.50        3.88%     20.568.40         2.62%      3.235.50        2.93%        68,484.50         3.1096       910,789.30         4.25%
                                                    Hard/Conifer Mixed             26.747.60       13.46%      71,416.10         9.09%     11.233.90      10.16%        237,785.90       10.77%      3,162,365.90       114,75%
                                                    Upland Forest Subtota          49.083.30       24,70%     131,052.30       16.67%      20,615.00      18.64%        436,350.20       19.76%      5,803,114.10       27.07%

                                                    Silviculture                   71,049.60       35.75%     189.702.40       24.14%      29,840.80      26.98%        631,631.00       28.61%      8,400,194.50       39.18%

                                                    Lakes                               362.50       0.18%       2,856.10        0.36%         250.10       0.23%          3,874.70        0.18%           7,082.40        0,03%
                                                    Waterways                        1,016.30        0.51%       8,007.90        11.02%        701.20       0.63%        110,863.60        0.49%         119.857.30        0.09%
                                                    LakeslWaterways
                                                    Subtotal                         1,380.30        0.69%     10,857.40         11.38%          950.7      0.86%        14.729.10         0.67%         26,923.10         0.13%

                                                    Wetlands                       36.033.00       18.13%     163,589.60       20.81%      19,457.80      17.59%        480.319.30       21.76%      1,042,793.70          4.86%

                                                    Beaches                                 20.2     0.011%            81.8      0.01%              8.1     0.01%               472.6      0.02%           4.553.50        0.02%

                                                    Spoil/Baffen                         166.4       0.08%           893.8       0.11%           113.2      0.10%          7,273.80        0.33%         71,141.50         0.33%
                                                    Transport./Utilities                     125     0.06%           999.9       0.13%           126.2      0.11%          8,386.60        0.38%         57,443.90         0.27%

                                                    Nonurban Subtotal              186,273.50      93.24%     696,907.00 88.54%            98,492.10      89.06%      1,895,150.20       86.84%      19,841,308.70      92.65%

                                                    TOTAL                          198,712.90        100%     786,970.10         100%     110,601.50        100%      2,207,827.80         100%      21,439,144.00         100%

                    A-14

                    accounted for 35 percent of the watershed and accounted for 39 percent (Table A-7) of the
                    estimated total suspended solids associated with NPS pollutants in the St. Marks and
                    Wakulla Rivers watershed. Estimated TN, TP, and BOD associated with silviculture
                    accounted for 24 percent to 29 percent of the total estimated NPS loadings for these
                    parameters. Natural upland forests made up 25 percent of the watershed acreage.
                    Upland forest estimated TSS loadings were second to those of silviculture.

                           The agriculture category made up 10 percent of the total acreage in St. Marks and
                    Wakulla Rivers watershed and contributed 13 percent to 24 percent of the total estimated
                    TN, TP, and BOD loadings (Table A-7). Agriculture loadings estimated for TN (178,470
                    lbs/yr), TP (26,499 lbs/yr), and BOD (292,498 lbs/yr) were second to those for silviculture
                    (Table A 7).

                           Estimated NPS loadings for wetlands were similar JN = 163,590 lbs/yr; TP
                    19,458 lbs/yr, BOD = 480,319 lbstyr, TSS = 1,042,794 lbs/yr) when compared with values
                    for silviculture and wetlands. Remaining land use categories contributed less than five
                    percent of the total loadings for any of the four individual parameters (Table A-7) and were
                    consistent with low acreage.

                           The transportation/utilities category included less than 1 percent of the acreage in
                    the St. Marks and Wakulla Rivers watershed (Table A-7) and corresponded primarily to
                    acreage of major roadways. Estimated loadings due to major roadways made up less than
                    one percent of the total estimated loadings (see Table A-7).

                           Total existing urban land use acreage accounted for 7 percent of the area within the
                    St. Marks and WakullaRivers watershed and estimated NPS urban loadings ranged from
                    nine percent to 11 percent of total TN, TP, and BOD loadings, and 4 percent of the total
                    TSS loadings. Potential per-acre water quality impacts appeared * reatest fo'
                                                                                               9           r the
                    commercial and industrial urban land use categories. Overall relationships among
                    categories were consistent with other studies (Wanielista 1975, Hand and Paulic 1992)
                    in which urban land use categories had higher TN, TP, TSS, and BOD values in surface
                    water runoff when compared with values for non-urban runoff.

                           Although loading rates for non-urban categories were comparatively low on a per-
                    acre basis, silviculture practices have tremendous potential water quality impacts in the
                    St. Marks and Wakulla Rivers watershed due to the amount of acreage and existing land
                    practices.

                           In contrast with urban land uses, silviculture included 36 percent of the watershed
                    acreage and 39 percent of the total TSS loadings. These findings are consistent with
                    reports in the literature regarding suspended solids runoff from silviculture areas.

                    APPENDIX III

                                                                                                      A - 1 5

                 Variation in nutrient and sediment loadings amounting to several orders of magnitude are
                 common for forestry activities (Novotny et al. 1981), and TSS loadings from logging roads
                 ,are significantly greater in the absence of appropriate BMPs (Lynch and Corbett 1990).
                 Most sediment reaching waterways from these lands originate from construction of logging
                 roads and from clearcuts which infringe upon natural drainage channels (Novotny 1981).

                         Water quality maintenance and control are normally achieved by implementing
                 BMPs to reduce extreme pollution problems and promote rapid recovery. The BMPs are
                 intended to control activities in stormflow source areas and promote acceptable road
                 construction and soil conservation practices.

                         Results of this assessment reflect several areas of concern regarding NIPS pollution
                 in the  St. Marks and Wakulla Rivers watershed.. First, forestry and agriculture are
                 responsible for the largest proportions of NIPS pollution in the watershed. Secondly, while
                 the literature indicates water quality impacts associated with these activities can be
                 minimized through recommended BMPs, compliance with these practices is not easily
                 enforced.

                         The impacts of silviculture and agriculture activities can be substantially reduced
                 if recommended BMPs are comprehensively implemented and rigorously enforced. After
                 evaluating the results of forest BMP surveys the Florida Department of Agriculture
                 reported: "Of the 150 survey sites for 1991, 141 were found to be in compliance with
                 silviculture BMPs which equates to 94 percent compliance", (Florida Department of
                 Agriculture 1991) While many appropriate BMPs were implemented, most surveyed sites
                 had several instances of non-compliance.

                         In an effort to clarify the use and interpretation of BMPs and make their application
                 more consistent, Florida forestry BMPs have recently undergone substantial revision to
                 increase water resource protection. If these changes are successful and compliance with
                 revised BMPs is achieved, a reduction in NIPS loadings from silviculture can be expected.
                 The Division of Forestry is currently reassessing compliance and effectiveness of BMPs
                 in an effort to more accurately reflect BMP compliance.

                              Three general options exist for abating NPS pollution from urban activity. The
                 options involve prevention, treatment, and control measures, implemented as an integrated
                 abatement approach (Wanielista 1975). In brief, prevention involves practices that are
                 applied before problems arise; treatment involves complete or partial physical, chemical,
                 and/or biological processes for minimizing impacts of stormwater; and control measures
                 would involve reduction or control of pollution sources.

                              Ideally, limiting discharges from new developments to discharge that would

                 APPENDIX III

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                  have occurred under natural, undeveloped conditions, in addition to maintaining water
                  quality standards, should result in no increases in NPS pollution.

                 APPENDIX III

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                   APPENDix 4 - VIEW OF STORMWATER LOADING RATE                                 S FROM THE
                                                  AVAILABLE LITERATURE

                   (1)    Stormwater Loading Rates. December 1989. FDER Nonpoint Source Section staff.

                             Table A-8 was given to Northwest Wflorida Water Management District staff for
                   comparison purposes. The numbers were not, however, documented. Values were
                   included in the table matrix, but not considered for use in this study, since lack of
                   documentation made it impossible to review data collection duration and watershed
                   characteristics (homogeneity, etc.).

                   (2)    Estimation of Loading Rate Parameters for the Tampa Bay Watershed 1989.
                          Southwest Florida Water Management District [SWFWMD].

                             The literature search associated with this report was extensive, involving the
                   review of approximately 100 reports and publications. Studies that were selected
                   presented at least one year of data collection and measured only homogenous watershed
                   areas. The report presents the results of a literature search and study of pollutant loading
                   rates appropriate for selected parameters and land use types within the Tampa Bay
                   watershed. The pollutant parameters selected for potential inclusion into a loading rate
                   model were total nitrogen, total phosphorus, BOD, suspended solids, lead, zinc, total
                   coliform, pesticides, and oil and grease. The selected land use types included low density
                   residential (rural), single-family residential, multi-family residential, low density commercial,
                   high density commercial, industrial, mining, agriculture, recreation/open space and
                   water/wetlands.

                          Each selected study was evaluated for adequacy of the database with special
                   attention given to factors such as length of study, number of runoff events monitored and
                   monitoring methodology. The applicability of hydrologic and land use conditions were
                   evaluated and data judged appropriate for the Tampa Bay area was used for the final
                   estimation of pollutant loading rates.

                           The report included a summary table of mean annual loading rates for
                   total nitrogen, total phosphorus, BOD, and suspended solids. Values were available for
                   each of these parameters for each of the land use categories. Because of the vast amount,
                   of information researched for this report and the attention paid to data collection (sampling
                   duration and watershed homogeneity), many of the final loading rate estimates for the St.
                   Marks and Wakulla Rivers nonpoint assessment were obtained from this report.

                   (3)    Nonpoint Source Waste Load Study for Indian River, Titusville, Florida. September

                   APPENDIX IV

                   A -20

                          1985. Dyer, Riddle, Mills and Precourt, Inc.

                          The purpose of this study was to estimate the quantity of NPS pollutants in lbs/year
                   entering the Indian River in Brevard County from 28 drainage basins. The following
                   sources were used to determine the loading rates for total nitrogen, total phosphorus, BOD
                   and suspended solids for each respective land use:

                               a)    USGS studied a residential area in Broward County and multiplied the
                                     loads (lb/acre/in) by 56-inches of annual rainfall in Titusville;

                               b)     East Central Florida Regional Planning Council (ECFRPC) provided
                                     loads (then multiplied loads using the rainfall ratio 56/50.5);

                               c)    USGS studied commercial area in Broward County and multiplied loads
                                     (lb/acre/in) in by 56-inches of annual rainfall in Titusville;

                               d)    ECFRPC "Middle St. Johns River Basin Study and Lake Tohopekaliga
                                     Agricultural Runoff Plan with correction to 56-inches of annual rainfall;

                               e)    ECFRPC - Nonpoint Source Evaluation, Chapter 10, Table 10-2 with
                                     correction to 56-inches of annual rainfall.

                          The results of the calculations do not take into account the impact of the city's
                   stormwater management and conservation ordinance. NPS data from developments
                   constructed before and after the ordinance would be required to determine what impact
                   the ordinance has on loading rates. Also included were the estimated loads to the Indian
                   River for the proposed land use for the City of Titusville as a prediction of what can be
                   expected if the future land use is carried to completion. This report was the source for the
                   St. Marks and Wakulla Rivers watershed loading rate estimates for the land use categories
                   crop I and/pasture, forest natural upland, and transportation/utilities.

                   (4)    Agriculture Nonpoint Source Element - State Water Quality Plan. June 1979.
                          Florida Department of Environmental Regulation.

                          This report contained site-specific analyses of the five watersheds chosen from the
                   top 20 ranked within the state based on their potential for water quality problems due to
                   agricultural activities. In this publication total annual loadings for the five specific
                   watershed areas were calculated from land use and areal loading rates. Also contained
                   in the report were site-specific analyses for each watershed, methods used for determining           VF
                   the extent of water quality problems caused by agricultural activities and management
                   practices for pollution control. The five watersheds included in the study were Escambia

                   APPENDIX IV
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                                                                                                          A -21

                  River Basin (Canoe Creek), North St. Lucie Basin (Ten/Eleven Mile Creek),                Upper
                  Oklawaha River Basin (Yale-Griffin Canal), Middle Suwannee River Basin (Little River),
                  and the Chipola River Basin (Spring Branch). For the Canoe Creek study, a cautionary
                  note that stated the pollutant yields per-acre may not be accurate enough as they are
                  based on literature values. It was also stated that a wide variability exists between the
                  estimates and the actual loadings observed in the field. It was recommended that a
                  receiving water analysis be performed in order to demonstrate that the loads were, in fact,
                  producing sizable water quality problems.

                  (5)    Nonpoint Source Effects. January 1976. M.P. Wanielista.

                         The results of a literature review on loading rates for BOD, suspended solids,
                  nitrogen, and phosphorus for several land uses are included in this document. The
                  average value is used to assess the potential quality problems resulting from NPS. It
                  should be emphasized that studies from Florida only were used in determining the loading
                  rates. As much data as possible, relative to local or regional conditions, should be used.
                  Also, the loading rates are average values and are adjusted for an average rainfall quantity
                  of 52 inches, which is the approximate average for the State of Florida. The range of the
                  loading rates for suspended solids was wide, but expected because of variable erosion
                  conditions. Additional research should be done on quantification of loading rates per unit
                  area and time.

                         This report states that land use and precipitation are the two most important
                  variables affecting NPS pollution. Assuming precipitation is of sufficient intensity, duration,
                  and quantity, runoff and infiltration quantity and quality are dependent on ground cover,
                  frequently expressed in terms of land use such as, urban, agricultural, pasture, forested
                  (woodland) wetlands, etc. Each land use has certain permeable and impermeable
                  characteristics that determine, to a great extent, the quantity of runoff, evapotranspiration,
                  and groundwater infiltration. The type of land use is frequently equated to a runoff
                  coefficient and used in predicting runoff. Rainfall and the type of land use are relatively
                  easy variables to quantify in Florida. If large areas, such as major basin segments, are to
                  be used, then the use of average conditions for rainfall and land use would produce data
                  that are reasonable. After justifying the need for more accurate nonpoint data, a program
                  to collect additional information is necessary. This information would include data in the
                  general areas of topography, land management, water quality impacts, and meteorology.

                          General goals for the management of nonpoint source effects due to the land and
                  water use modifications are presented below. These goals are the basis for the work
                  presented in the report. The goals providing this basis include the following:

                         a)      to minimize the deleterious effects of runoff and infiltration from land and

                  APPENDIX IV

                  A -22

                                water alteration activities on receiving waters by:

                                -minimizing the alteration of natural drainage patterns and conditions;

                                -minimizing soil loss due to erosion;

                                -maximizing the use of the soil's infiltration and percolation capacity to
                                          reduce the unnatural loss of surface waters within the individual
                                          watersheds under development;

                                -maximizing the use of management practices to reduce the levels of
                                          contaminants in the waters to be discharged;

                                encouraging the gradual release of runoff and infiltration into the receiving
                                          bodies of water.

                         b)       to encourage the development and implementation of all plans to be
                                consistent with comprehensive regional water quality/quantity management
                                plans;

                         c)     to encourage information flow and to foster an understanding of the impact
                                of NPS on water quality and to develop implemental solutions to these
                                problems;

                         d)       to keep abreast of developments in the state-of-the-art techniques of
                                managing pollution from NIPS.

                         (6) Water Quality Characteristics of Urban Runoff and Estimates of Annual Loads
                               in the Tampa Bay, FL. 1984. M.A. Lopez and R.F. Giovannelli.

                            The purpose of this report was to describe the water quality characteristics of
                  urban runoff in the Tampa Bay area and to provide a method for estimating loads of
                  substances contained in runoff from urbanized watersheds under existing and future
                  conditions. From 1975 to 1980, an urban runoff data collection program, including
                  streamflow, climatic, physiographic, and water quality data, was established at nine
                  watersheds ranging from beginning to advanced stages of urban development. Gaging
                  stations were installed to monitor rainfall and runoff for each watershed. Physiographic
                  features that consist of size, shape, and slope of the watershed, type of land use, degree
                  of land use, area of impervious surfaces, type of storm drainage, soil types, and surface
                  area of lakes or detention ponds were compiled from aerial photographs, US. Geological
                  Survey topographic maps, planning agency data, and field observations.

                  APPENDIX IV

                                                                                                     A -23

                           Regression equations were developed for estimating loads of substances
                 contained in runoff from ungaged urban watersheds in the Tampa Bay area. Equations
                 were developed for BOD, COD, total nitrogen, total organic nitrogen, total phosphorus, and
                 total lead. Use of the regression equations requires watershed-based rainfall. The
                 stormwater loads were computed as the product of instantaneous values of discharge
                 rates and concentrations of water quality constituents sampled. A time factor was
                 included, converting the discharge to incremental volumes, and summed to get the total
                 stormwater runoff volume. Some precautionary measures are required for valid use of the
                 regression equations for computing runoff volumes and water quality constituent loads.
                 They are recommended to be applied only to Tampa Bay urban watersheds. Since the
                 equations are empirically derived, they are only applicable in instances where values of
                 the independent variables fall within range of values used in their formulation.

                           The same daily rainfall data was used in computations of runoff and annual loads
                 for all watersheds. The differences in the computed runoff from the various watersheds
                 were due to variations in land use and watershed characteristics. The differences in runoff
                 are reflected in the magnitude of the computed basin loads of the various parameters
                 involved (runoff volume enters directly into load calculations).

                            Selected water quality constituents computed by the Tampa Bay area regression
                 equations were compared with those computed by other methods for other parts of the
                 country. The annual loads computed, using the Tampa Bay area regression equations and
                 the Broward County land use load factors, are of the same order of magnitude. Another
                 comparison was made in the application of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                 (USEPA) screening procedure (Heaney and others 1976) to land use data at the St. Louis
                 Street drainage ditch site. As determined by use of the Tampa Bay regression equations,
                 the annual load of nitrogen was about the same, BOD was about one-half the magnitude,
                 and total phosphorus was about one order of magnitude greater than loads estimated by
                 the screening process. The Tampa Bay regression equations, because of their empirical
                 nature, presumably reflect the high natural phosphorus content of bay area streamflow and
                 fallout from local phosphate processing plants.

                 (7)          Boggy Creek Water Quality Management Study, Final Report. 1988.South
                              Florida Water Management District and East Central Florida Regional
                              Planning Council

                            This study used a land use/nonpoint source model to develop control strategies
                 on a regional scale. Developed by Camp, Dresser and McKee (CDM) (11988), this model
                 simulated total nitrogen and total phosphorus loadings from the existing relatively rural
                 watershed and then predicted loadings in future scenarios where the watershed was
                 presumed to be highly developed, where residential, commercial and industrial uses

                 APPENDIX IV.

                   A -24

                   predominate. The model was also run for low density future conditions. A range of BMP
                   nutrient removal efficiencies and calibration coefficients that represent the extremes of the
                   probable ranges for these coefficients was applied in the model. As part of the study, the
                   South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) developed a maximum assimilative
                   capacity (MAC) model to be used to compare the maximum assimilative nutrient capacity
                   of the receiving waters with the nutrient loadings modeled by CDM.

                           Three land use/growth scenarios were developed by the East Central Florida
                   Regional Planning Council utilizing current data and future projections as supplied by local
                   governments within the basin. These scenarios include the following:

                           1      Existing land uses in the basin were modeled (1984) which included certain
                                  phases of Developments of Regional Impact (DRIs) which were present, and
                                  any other pre-existing development;

                           2)     Low Intensity" scenario - Assumes a slower growth rate and includes all
                                  future development proposed within a DRI by the year 2000. This scenario
                                  also includes all future development associated with the DRIs proposed, but
                                  not necessarily within the DRI;

                           3)     "High Intensity" scenario - Assumes an intensified development rate over
                                  that of the low intensity scenario concentrating primarily in the rural southern
                                  and eastern fringes of the basin with the inclusion of the proposed southern
                                  connector beftway around the City of Orlando, and the ensuing growth
                                  associated with it.

                           In both future g rowth scenarios (high and low), wet detention was utilized in the
                   model as the minimally-acceptable method of stormwater management, since it meets
                   existing SFWMD and DEP permitting criteria and is currently the most commonly employed
                   stormwater management practice.

                           Data collection consisted of gathering the information necessary to run both water
                   quality,impact models (East Lake Toho MAC model and Land Use/Nonpoint Source
                   model). Nutrient loadings were determined using data from a USGS-maintained daily
                   stage/flow recorder located in the southern portion of the basin below the Boggy Creek
                   swamp combined with data received from the SFWMD monthly water quality station
                   located downstream from the recorder. Nitrogen and phosphorus values were utilized in
                   the model calibration of current land use runoff loadings for the entire Boggy Creek basin.
                   Rainfall values (daily) were measured from the NOAA rain-gage at the Orlando
                   International Airport (the monthly cumulative values for the period 1981-1985 were used
                   in the study). For runoff calculations, the USGS stages were converted to flow rates using

                   APPENDIX IV

                                                                                                          A -25

                  the rating curve.

                  Description of Bo-qqv Creek Model

                               Maximum Assimilative Capacity (MAC) Model - SFWMD used this modified
                  Vollenweider (1976) model (Fe     'derico et. al 1981) which was applied to East Lake Toho
                  to derive a preliminary approximation of the maximum assimilative capacity for phosphorus
                  (the limiting nutrient) within the lake. This was based on per-basin surface area loading
                  appropriation. The basic concept of the MAC model was to determine whether East Lake
                  Toho would maintain its current mesotrophic status or become degraded upon
                  urbanization. The MAC model has been used with success by SFWMD for Lake
                  Okeechobee. This model was calibrated utilizing data collected during a three-year
                  period. For output, the model determines the current and critical loading rates from the
                  East Lake Toho basins. The current loading rate refers to the existing phosphorus
                  contributions and the critical loading rates which are derived from the model for each basin
                  and compared with the actual measured loads generated to determine whether a particular
                  basin is exceeding its critical phosphorus loading rate. If the critical phosphorus loading
                  rate is being exceeded, it is then possible to calculate the load reduction which would be
                  required to stay within the means of the maximum assimilative capacity of the system.

                  The Description of the Land Use/Nonpoint Source Model (CDM)

                         The intent of this study was to develop a model capable of determining NIPS control
                  strategies on a regional scale. A relatively simple spreadsheet model, previously
                  developed by CDM, was employed using the LOTUS Symphony program (version 1. 1) for
                  an IBM compatible computer. Data used in the preparation of this model was provided by
                  SFWMD and ECFRPC. This land use/nonpoint source model simulated total nitrogen JN)
                  and total phosphorus JP) loadings resulting from the existing rural watershed and then
                  predicted loadings in future scenarios where the watershed was presumed to be highly
                  developed, where residential, commercial and industrial land uses predominated. TN and
                  TP were the only parameters used in the model. The major inputs needed to calculate
                  nutrient loads included nutrient load calibration coefficients (Fn and Fp), rainfall conditions,
                  areal extent of land, and BMP nutrient removal efficiency factors (REFs). The REFs
                  assume that properly managed stormwater systems using BMPs will reduce nitrogen
                  loadings by 30 percent and phosphorus loadings by 50 percent (from a particular land use
                  type). Event mean concentrations (EMCs), which are standardized concentrations of
                  nitrogen and phosphorus expected from a particular land use type, are combined with total
                  runoff and nutrient load calibration coefficients to generate nutrient loadings from the
                  current and future scenarios. The EMCs used were previously employed in other central
                  Florida area studies. The purpose of the calibration is to more accurately predict nutrient
                  loadings for the three development scenarios by comparing measured loadings to

                  APPENDIX IV

                   A -26

                   modelled loadings. The ratio of these is the nutrient loading calibration coefficient. Prior
                   to model calibration, nutrient loadings were determined using the existing land use, and
                   then re-running the model to predict future low and high intensity development scenarios.
                   Output consisted of annual loadings for each land use type (pounds/acre/year) which
                   impacts Boggy Creek and East Lake Toho. The model was run for the current, low density
                   future, and high density future conditions with a range of BMP nutrient removal efficiencies
                   and calibration coefficients that represent the extremes of the probable ranges for these
                   coefficients.   The predicted current and future nutrient loading rates in the land
                   use/nonpoint source model were analyzed for sensitivity to changes in the BMP nutrient
                   removal efficiencies and the nutrient loading calibration coefficients.

                           Several management alternatives were suggested for local governments to consider
                   in an effort to reduce nutrient loadings to Boggy Creek and East Lake Toho:

                           I     The development and implementation of master stormwater management
                                 plans;
                           2)    The establishment of regional stormwater systems;
                           3)     The amendment of local government stormwater regulations to include
                                 stricter controls in certain land use types, the promotion of local land use
                                 controls such as land acquisition and the protection of the extensive Boggy
                                 Creek swamp.

                   (8)     An Assessment of Urban Land Use/Stormwater Runoff Quality Relationships and
                           Treatment Efficiencies of Selected Stormwater Management Systems. 1988.- South
                           Florida Water Management District

                           This assessment was initiated to address two objectives relative to stormwater
                   runoff  and its treatment. The first objective was to assess reported stormwater runoff
                   quality for differing land uses throughout the U.S., with a focus on data collected within the
                   State of Florida. The second objective of this publication was to evaluate the data
                   reported in the literature concerning the treatment efficiencies associated with the various
                   stormwater management systems.

                           One conclusion of this report was that for selected constituents, runoff water quality
                   varies with land use. The land use types that were evaluated and compared in this
                   assessment included residential, commercial, light industrial, roadway, and mixed urban.
                   Statistical differences between runoff water quality parameters and land use classification
                   were evaluated by using the Duncan's multiple-range test. This study concluded that
                   higher nutrient loads were generated by residential land uses than commercial, mixed
                   urban, light industrial, or roadways. Metal contamination was more widespread from
                   commercial and roadway projects than from residential, light industrial, or mixed urban

                   APPENDIX IV

                                                                                                      A -27

                  land uses. Residential and roadway areas demonstrated higher export potential for
                  chemical oxygen demand. There were no discernible trends for suspended solids export
                  as a function of land use. Urban highway projects generally had higher overall pollutant
                  loadings than rural roadway projects. Limited data indicated that organic contamination
                  in the form of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were comparable for residential,
                  commercial, and highway sites, although significantly higher levels were found at a heavy
                  industrial site. For any monitoring program designed for a specific land use, this report
                  recommended utilizing the above information when designing a sampling strategy.

                  (9)    Generalized Watershed Loading Functions for Stream Flow Nutrients. June 1987.
                         D. A. Haith and L. L. Shoemaker.

                         The Generalized Watershed Loading Functions Model (GWLF) is based on simple
                  runoff, sediment, and ground water relationships combined with empirical chemical
                  parameters. According to the authors, this model is unique in its ability to estimate
                  monthly nutrient fluxes in streamflow without calibration. Validation studies in a large New
                  York watershed indicated that the model possesses a high degree of predictive accuracy.
                  Although better results could perhaps be obtained by utilizing more detailed chemical
                  simulation models, such models have substantially greater data and computational
                  requirements and must be calibrated from water quality sampling data.

                         The concluding remarks indicate that the GWLF model has several limitations.
                  Peak monthly nutrient fluxes were potentially underestimated by as much as 22 percent.
                  Since nutrient chemistry is not modelled explicitly, the model cannot be used to estimate
                  the effectiveness of fertilizer management or urban stormwater storage and treatment.
                  The model has only been validated for a largely rural watershed in which agricultural runoff
                  and ground water discharge provided most of the nutrient load. Although the urban runoff
                  component is based on a widely used model (STORM), model performance in more urban
                  watersheds is uncertain.

                  10)    Assessing Regional Nonpoint Source Problems with the Aid of a Watershed- Based
                         Simulation Model. 1989. B.M. Evans, N.F. Parks, G.M. Baumer, G.W. Petersen.

                          In 1979, the Pennsylvania Bureau of Soil and Water Conservation (PABSWC)
                  designated a number of large watersheds throughout the state as "high priority"
                  watersheds for agricultural NPS pollution assessment. In recent years, many county
                  conservation districts have conducted watershed assessments for the high priority areas.
                  One of the primary goals of these assessments is to satisfy the requirements of the "first
                  level screening" process outlined by PABSWC for securing additional funding through the
                  Chesapeake Bay Program to implement Best Management Practices. To date, most of
                  these assessments have been accomplished using an "indexing-type" methodology for

                  APPENDIX IV

                    A -28

                    identifying critical areas within a watershed. With this approach, variables such as
                    percentage of agricultural land in row crops, percentage of agricultural land in cover crops,
                    animal density, average slope, mean soil erodibility, and drainage density are weighted
                    and evaluated on the basis of their relative impact on NPS contribution within each
                    watershed. While this cost-effective approach has considerable merit, some criticism has
                    been directed toward it because it does not directly produce estimates of nitrogen,
                    phosphorus, and sediment loadings within a certain area.

                          The intent of this demonstration project was to illustrate how a computerized
                    simulation model could be used to enhance the -results of watershed assessments
                    performed in Pennsylvania. Particular emphasis was placed on how a GIS could be used
                    to derive parameters required by the simulation model and display the resulting output.
                    A recently developed model called Agricultural Nonpoint Source (AGNPS) (Young et al.
                    1985) was used to simulate erosion, sedimentation, and surface runoff processes within
                    a watershed in central Pennsylvania.

                    The original scope of work planned for a detailed analysis of the simulation modelling
                    results be performed. Specifically, the original plans called for the following:

                          1       A comparison of model results with results obtained from a previous
                                  watershed assessment;
                          2)      An evaluation of predicted nutrient and sediment loadings against water
                                  quality sampling data;
                          3)      A sensitivity analysis to determine the relative change in model output with
                                  respect to changes in model input.

                          NPS models may be categorized in numerous ways, but of interest in this study
                    were programmable, mathematical models commonly referred to as numerical models.
                    Numerical models can be further classified as being either empirical or physical process
                    models. Empirical models are generally cause-and-effect models in which a mathematical
                    expression transforms a set of input variables into a description of the output without trying
                    to describe the process taking place. Regression models (Universal Soil Loss Equation
                    related), and statistical time-series models, and several "indexing-type" models are good
                    examples of empirical models. Empirical models are generally simpler and require less
                    data than physical process models, so they are cost-effective to use. Unfortunately, they
                    are difficult to improve, cannot normally be extended beyond the range of data used in
                    their development, are easily misapplied, and can be misleading about cause and effect.
                    Physical process models are more sophisticated than empirical models in the sense that
                    they attempt to simulate the physical, chemical and/or biological processes that take place
                    in a given natural system. Such models, however, require volumes of data and extensive
                    research to test. NPS models such as Chemicals, Runoff, and Erosion from Agricultural

                    APPENDIX IV

                                                                                                      A -29

                 Management Systems Model (CREAMS) (Knisel 1980), Areal, Nonpoint                      Source
                 Watershed Environmental Response Simulation Model (ANSWERS) (Beasley et al. 1980),
                 and more recently, AGNPS (Young et al. 1985) are typical physical process models.

                        The AGNPS model was developed by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, the
                 Minnesota Soil and Conservation Board, the U.S. Soil Conservation Service, and the U.S.
                 Agricultural Research Service (Young et al. 1985). The AGNPS computer program
                 actually contains two sub-models which are used to analyze both sediment and nutrient
                 transport within a watershed. The two sub-models used are single-event based models
                 intended to simulate sediment and nutrient transport from primarily agricultural
                 watersheds. However, land uselcover conditions, in addition to cultivated land, are
                 considered as well. Proceeding from the headwaters of the watershed to the outlet, the
                 pollutants are routed in a step-wise fashion so the flow at any point may be examined. In
                 using this program, a watershed is first sub-divided into square cells. The basic
                 components of the model provide for the analysis of hydrology, erosion, and sediment
                 transport, and nitrogen, phosphorus and chemical oxygen transport.

                        Data required for model execution is normally obtained through field data collection,
                 maps, (topographic and soils), and various technical publications, tables, and graphs.
                 Input data can be classified into two categories: watershed data and cell data. Watershed
                 data includes information pertaining to the entire watershed and to the storm event to be
                 simulated. Cell data includes physical information describing each of the cells, as well as
                 parameters based on the land practices within the cell.

                        Once the watershed segmentation step was completed, the data input file was
                 established. Compilation of the various types of data and deriving the necessary input
                 parameters to drive the model can be very time consuming, so instead of using this manual
                 approach many of these computations were done with the aid of a GIS. This approach
                 was believed to be less expensive and more accurate than manual data compilation
                 methods.

                         As a result of the final AGNPS model runs, a detailed watershed summary was
                 generated for the Bald Eagle watershed. The results include analyses for hydrology, with
                 estimates for nitrogen, phosphorus, and chemical oxygen demand in concentration and
                 mass units. Preliminary output includes watershed and cell areas, storm precipitation and
                 erosivity, and estimated values at the watershed outlet for runoff volume, peak flow rate,
                 and a detailed analysis of the sediment and nutrient yields. The detailed sediment
                 analysis include area-weighted erosion rates for both uplands and channels, sediment
                 delivery ratios, mean sediment concentrations, area-weighted yields, and net sediment
                 yields. These values are given for each of the five particle classes, as well as the total.
                 The detailed nutrient analyses include the nitrogen and phosphorus mass per unit area for

                 APPENDIX IV

                  A -30

                  sediment-absorbed nutrients, the soluble N, P, and COD mass per unit area in runoff, and
                  the N, P, and COD concentration in the runoff. Additional runoff, sediment, and nutrient
                  analyses are given for each cell. Runoff analyses for each cell provide estimates of
                  drainage area, runoff volume, percent of runoff volume entering the cell from above and
                  peak runoff rate. Sediment analyses for each cell provide estimates of upland erosion
                  rate, amount of sediment generated within the cell, the amount entering the cell from
                  above, the sediment yield leaving the cell, and the percent deposition in the cell. The
                  detailed nutrient analysis for each cell provides estimates of absorbed and soluble
                  nutrients in mass per unit area and the concentration of these nutrients in the runoff.

                         To aid in the evaluation of AGNPS model output, a program called AGNPSOUT was
                  developed. Output maps which can be generated with AGNPSOUT now include the
                  following:
                         .1)     Runoff, including drainage area, volume, generation both above and within
                                 the cell and peak rate;

                         2)      Sediment delivery, including cell erosion, generated above, generated
                                 within, yield, and deposition;

                         3)      Nitrogen production, including sediment delivered (both within cell and at
                                 cell outlet), water soluble (both within cell and at cell outlet), total production
                                 (sediment plus water), and concentration;

                         4)      Phosphorus production, including sediment delivered (both within cell and
                                 at cell outlet), water soluble (both within cell and at cell outlet), total
                                 production (sediment plus water), and concentration;

                         5)      Chemical oxygen demand within cell, cell outlet, and concentration.

                         In summary, it was the intent of this demonstration project to illustrate how AGNPS
                  could be used for watershed assessments performed in Pennsylvania. In this study, the
                  relatively new watershed model (AGNPS) was used to simulate erosion, sedimentation
                  surface runoff and nutrient transport processes within the Bald Creek watershed.
                  Particular emphasis was placed on showing how a GIS could be used to derive model
                  input parameters and display the resulting output. Additional work to complete the project
                  is to be done at a later date as the model needs to be tested and calibrated for use in
                  Pennsylvania.

                  (11) Silviculture, Hydrology and Water Quality in the Lower Coastal Plain of the U.S.A.
                  1988. H. Riekerk.

                  APPENDIX IV

                                                                                                       A -31

                        The loading rates for the land use categories Tree Plantations and              Forest
                 Regeneration areas for the St. Marks and Wakulla Rivers nonpoint assessment were
                 derived from the results associated with this study. The study was conducted from 1976-
                 1985 for three artificial watersheds to study the effects of intensive pine flatbeds forest
                 management practices. The study site was 40 km northeast of Gainesville, Florida, in the
                 Bradford Forest which belonged to a timber company. Slash pine flatwood plots were
                 harvested and regenerated with high and low levels of disturbance, and a 40-year-old
                 forest was left undisturbed as a control. The low-disturbance watershed was cut manually,
                 bucked, and removed leaving considerable slash. To minimize disturbance, the site was
                 quickly regenerated by slash chopping, bedding, and machine planting. The high
                 disturbance was machine harvested, followed by slash burning, windrowing, harrowing,
                 bedding, and planting. Each site was monitored for hydrologic variability as well as water
                 quality impacts due to the silvicultural practices for an eight-year time period. In order to
                 complete the loading rate matrix, it was decided to use this data for the category Tree
                 Plantations as well as Forest Regeneration Areas. The first three years of data from the
                 high-disturbed experimental watershed was averaged for the Forested Regeneration
                 Areas' loadings for nitrogen, phosphorus and suspended sediment. It was decided that
                 during the first three years after a watershed had been disturbed to this degree, the area
                 would closely approximate what has been defined by the "Florida Land Use, Cover and
                 Forms Classification System" (FLUCCS) as a forest regeneration area (evidence of
                 windrows and site preparation). The Tree Plantation loadings for nitrogen, phosphorus,
                 and suspended sediment were taken from the entire eight-year period for the combination
                 of high and low disturbed areas. This decision was based on the idea that tree plantation
                 runoff loadings can correspond to the high/low disturbed areas when cut and prepped, but
                 can also approximate Natural Upland Forests during the non-disturbed growth stages.
                 BOD loadings were not found in any of the silviculture studies researched, so the loadings
                 for Natural Upland Forests and Agriculture were utilized in order to complete the loading
                 rate table.

                 APPENDIX IV

                     A -32

                     The following is a summary of loading rates assembled. The loading estimates were
                     obtained from the aforementioned studies.

                                          Table 1. - Summary of Land Use Loading Studies

                                                          Low Density Residential
                                       TN                 TP     (lb/ac/yr) BOD                 SS REF#

                                       2.25               0.34              6.86                27.50(2)
                                       1.50               0.26              4.70                28.00(3)
                                       14.27              7.60              48.89               902.26(l)
                                       4.43               0.47              10.80                   (6)
                                       5.09               0.79                   (7)

                                                          Multi-Family Residential

                                       7.54               1.93              42.10               206.00(2)
                                       6.60               2.00              32.10               344.10(3)
                                       17.26              9.01              62.94               1081.40(l)
                                       5.88               0.87                   (7)

                                                                 Commercial

                                       12.03              2.10              69.65               474.50(2)
                                       11.30              1.10              63.00               647.00(3)
                                       10.95              5.13              47.89               725.18(l)
                                       5.34               3.12              44.52               300.93(5)
                                       5.45               0.51                   (7)
                                       8.00               2.00              53.90               586.50(4)

                                                                  Highwa

                                       13.60              3.06              87.40               980.90(3)
                                       10.29              6.06              91.53               1508.95(l)
                                       4.50               0.36                   (7)
                                       8.00               2.00              53.9                586.50(4)
                                       8.56               3.70    Industdal 46.80               696.00(2)
                                       11.30              1.10              63.00               647.00(3)
                                       12.02              8.43              47.21               1385.25(l)
                                       4.86               0.46                   (7)

                     APPENDIX IV

                                                                                                                             A -33

                                      Table 1. - Continued Summary of Land Use Loading Studies

                                                              Low Density Residential

                                         TN                    TP                   BOD                     SS REF#

                                                                       (lb/aclyr)

                                                                      Open Lands

                                         1.31                  0.16                 2.48                    23.70(2)
                                         2.32                  0.21                 3.70                    29.12(l)
                                         2.55                  0.32                       (7)
                                         1.50                  0.10                 1.60                    12.00(4)
                                         2.60                  0.11                 7.40                    15.10(4)

                                                                         Wetlands

                                         3.30                  0.15                 6.70                    16.30(4)
                                         4.52                  0.67                 7.05                    8.60(2)
                                         5.40                  0.22                 15.40                   32.30(3)
                                         4.98                  0.88                 16.13                   33.77(l)
                                         4.90                  0.20                 13.90                   24.30(4)

                                                                         Pasture

                                         7.20                  1.30                 16.20                   434.40(3)
                                         4.70                  0.27                 10.00                   750.00(4)
                                         7.54                  4.60                 46.02                   1223.28(l)
                                         4.72                  0.26                 9.79                    747.89(5)
                                         2.26                  0.26                       (7)
                                         11.00                 0.50                 14.60                   393.00(4)
                                         5.60                  1.00                 15.10                   391.70(4)

                                                                        Agriculture

                                         4.49                  0.88                 4.10                    18.20(2)
                                         4.40                  0.22                 16.20                   27.80(3)
                                         23.00                 0.94                 16.00                   3747.00(4)
                                         23.15                 0.93                 16.03                   1997.03(5)
                                         8.30                  1.86                       (6)
                                         34.60                 2.11                 16.06                   2721.00(4)

                                                                         Woodland

                                         2.30                  0.10                 2.60                    27.80(3)
                                         2.76                  0.90                 4.45                    87.25(5)
                                         3.30                  0.15                 6.70                    16.30(4)
                                         2.80                  0.09                 4.50                    87.00(4)

                    APPENDIX IV.
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                                                                                                     A -35

                      APPENDIX V - ST MARKS AND WAKULLA RIVERS GREENWAY
                                               STEERING COMMITTEE

                        The Florida Greenways Program of 1000 Friends of Florida and the Conservation
                 Fund and the Northwest Florida Water Management District established the St. Marks
                 Greenway and Wakulla Rivers Greenway Steering Committee. Citizens and planning
                 professionals were invited to participate. The steering committees were held in public at
                 the Town of St. Marks Town Hall. Members of the steering committee were asked to
                 provide feedback and comments on the report. The following information includes, the
                 steering committee's charge, agendas from each meeting and a summery of each meeting
                 held, refer to the acknowledgements for the participating members.

                 ORGANIZATION

                        The St. Marks Greenway Steering Committee is a coalition of private, public,
                 regulatory, environmental, historical and recreational interests that have come together to
                 develop a consensus regarding the creation and preservation of the natural, recreational
                 and cultural resources, and ecosystem connections along the St. Marks and Wakulla
                 rivers. The Florida Greenway Program of 1000 Friends of Florida and the Northwest
                 Florida Water Management District will initially organize the committee in June of 1994 to
                 receive input on a greenways resource assessment for these two rivers. Staff from Leon
                 and Wakulla county's planning departments have expressed interest in maintaining the
                 committee to work with issues and concerns in developing greenway conservation policies
                 identified in the greenway assessment. While the Florida Greenways Program's role and
                 the District's role may be diminished once the greenway resource assessment is complete,
                 they are interested in seeing the plan implemented and may be able to assist with the
                 committees efforts from time to time.

                        Membership on the Steering Committee is open to all and it does not constitute a
                 public body with official standing, but it will conduct its business in a manner consistent
                 with the public interest and advanced notice of all meetings will be provided. Support
                 personnel will develop an agenda for each meeting and provide a copy to all committee
                 members. The Steering Committee will conduct its business in an open, cooperative and
                 consensus building manner. It will be the Steering Committees' policy to make decisions
                 through a consensus whenever possible rather than through majority voting. Active
                 participation by all steering committee members is urged. In the event any member may
                 not be able to attend a meeting, please send a designee. The Steering Committee will
                 continue to meet at the Town of St. Marks until further notice or if the committee decides
                 to meet at another location in the watershed.

                 APPENDIX V

                   A -36

                   WORK PRODUCTS

                          The Steering Committee will be provided a draft greenway assessment on August
                   26, 1994 and will be asked to review a the draft greenway resource assessment and
                   provide comments and feedback regarding the draft no later than Friday, September 9,
                   1994. Florida Greenways will address the issues brought up by the committee members
                   in the final draft of the greenways resource assessment by September 15, 1994. The
                   Committee may be asked to meet in the future on behalf of the counties or Northwest
                   Florida Water Management for comments and public input on their respective St. Marks
                   and Wakulla river greenway planning projects.

                   THE VISION

                          The vision for the St. Marks and Wakulla Greenway is to conserve the green river
                   corridors of the St. Marks and Wakulla rivers. The "greenway" is intended to become the
                   focal point for wildlife and humanity in the watershed and thus the need to do more in
                   terms of education and conservation. The greenway will provide for wildlife protection and
                   movement, water quality protection, and provide a combination of land and water related
                   recreation opportunities for citizens and visitors of Jefferson, Leon and Wakulla counties.

                   THE MISSION

                          The mission of the St. Marks and Wakulla Rivers Greenway Steering Committee
                   is to assist in formulating recommendations for conserving the greenway along the St.
                   Marks and Wakulla rivers, assist in developing community awareness of the greenway
                   within the community, and facilitate in assisting the counties' greenway action plans.

                   GoALs -

                          44-     Conserve linear corridors of green open space linking the communities of
                                  Leon and Wakulla counties. Identify issues, interest, and opportunities
                                  concerning the establishment of the greenway system within the watershed,
                                  and assist in finding workable solutions towards greenway development.

                                  Assist local planning agencies with fostering intergovernmental dialogue
                                  by assisting the implementing agencies in providing comments and
                                  questions as the plan is implemented. Also, provide support for the
                                  greenway by helping public officials become aware of the importance of
                                  the St. Marks Greenway.

                   APPENDIX V

                                                                                                A -37

                               Encourage sustainable land uses within the basin by conserving open
                               space, habitats, compatible land uses within the watershed by exploring
                               alternatives for planning, designing, permitting, construction, monitoring
                               and management of the proposed greenway.

                              To explore economic development opportunities from the establishment of
                              the greenway through ecotourism development.

                 APPENDIX V

               A -38

                            St. Marks River Greenway Steering Committee
                   An open Discussion on opportunities to develop greenways on the St. Marks and Wakulla Rivers

                                            June 15, 1994
                                              Agenda
               10:30 a.m Introduction -.
                    Introductions, Kent Wimmer, 1000 Friends of Florida
                    Project Overview, Tyler Macmillan, Northwest Florida Water Management
                    District

               Your Vision for the greenway in the St. Marks and Wakulla Rivers Watershed - 11:00
               a.m.

               An open discussion of opportunities and issues by steering committee members surrounding the greenway
                                               concept

               Questions for Discussion:

                    What should the boundary be for the greenway?
                    What should we name the greenway?
                    What opportunities exist for a natural and restored greenway?
                    What should be the role of government in planning and managing the
                    greenway?
                    What should the role be of private industry, landowners and citizen
                    organizations in planning and managing the greenway?
                    What are the disadvantages that you perceive in designating the rivers as
                    greenways? What are the advantages of greenways?
                    What potential problems do we face in planning and managing the greenway
                    and what can be done to overcome those problems?

               11:35 a.m. Wrap-up -, Kent Wimmer
                    Where do we go from here?
                    What can each of us do?

               APPENDIX V

                                                                                                       A -39

                    SUMMARY OF THE: JUNE 1 5 ST. MARKS GREENWAY STEERING
                                                        CommirrEE:

                         Meeting opened with introductions by Kent Wimmer and Bob Williams of the Florida
                  Greenways Program of 1000 Friends of Florida and, Tyler Macmillan of the Northwest
                  Florida Water Management District. Kent and Tyler provided the project description and
                  goals for the steering committee. Information packets were handed out concerning the
                  project's boundaries, time frame and scope of work.

                  General concerns, comments and issues

                         One focus of the project is examining nonpoint source pollution of the St. Marks and
                  Wakulla rivers and possible mitigation strategies for nonpoint pollution. Many positive and
                  insightful remarks were made regarding this issue including:

                         More public amnesty days so citizens of Jefferson, Leon and Wakulla counties
                         could dispose of household toxic and hazardous waste,

                         More public awareness on the use.of lawn and garden fertilizers along the rivers

                         More public awareness of the precautions the oil industry is taking in St. Marks to
                         prevent and reduce the hazards associated with oils spills and tank leakages.

                         The role of the steering committee was discussed. The steering committee
                  requested 1000 Friends draft a vision statement and charge for the steering committee.
                  Some members expressed interest in helping with the project.

                  Other issues discussed

                         The number and speed of the power boats traveling the rivers was discussed in
                  relation to canoeists and manatees. Prop guards and other technological devices to
                  reduce the impacts on the river bottom and manatees. Some healthy debate was engaged
                  in over' this issue. Private property liabilities were discussed by several river front land
                  owners. It is proposed that ecotourism be developed in the watershed as a means of
                  improving the economic conditions while maintaining the resources. Members discussed
                  problems associated with more users on the rivers.

                         Liability of property owners letting the public use the river banks for day use
                         activities.

                         Introduction of exotic plants to the St. Marks and Wakulla Rivers

                  APPENDIX V

                  A -40

                          Concern about illegal takings and defacing historic and archaeological sites

                          Litter, noise and other potential issues associated with increased use

                          The need for more public education about proper etiquette for using recreation
                          lands and waters

                          Taxes and recreational use fees were discussed by committee members. Wakulla
                  County's emergency response agencies may not be able to handle more tourists. It was
                  mentioned if more emergency services are needed, then the citizens of Wakulla County
                  should not have to bear the entire cost of it. Other recreational issues include:

                          a voluntary boat launch fee at county and city public boat ramps collected for public
                          *education and facilities improvements including;

                          methods of enforcing a voluntary use fee at the public boat ramps

                          joint marketing efforts by Jefferson, Leon and Wakulla counties to bring more tourist
                          to the area as a destination for ecotourism activities.

                          Regulate and disperse use so as not to love the resource to death

                          Develop a historical trail with historical accounts placed on signs depicting the
                          historical significance of the area.

                  APPENDIX V

    									A-41

    St. Marks River Greenways Steering Committee
    A FORUM TO DISCUSS OPPORTUNITIES TO CONSERVE GREENWAYS ON THE ST. MARKS AND WAKULLA RIVERS
    JULY 22, 1994
    AGENDA

    10:00 a.m. Welcome
    	Introduction, project status, and review of vision and mission statements - Kent
    	Wimmer, The Florida Greenways program of 1000 Friends of Florida
    	Presentation of Draft Land Use and Resource Feature Maps- Tyler Macmillan,
    	NWFWMD

    	Your vision for the greenway in the St. Marks and Wakulla Rivers

    		LOCAL AN REGIONAL GOVERNMENTS AND ORGANIZATIONS
    11:00 a.m. 	An open discussion of Greenways opportunities and issues by the
    		steering committee

    Possible questions for discussion:

    	WHAT SHOULD THE BOUDARY BE FOR THE GREENWAY?
    	WHAT SHOULD WE NAME THE GREENWAY?
    	WHAT OPPORTUNITIES EXIST FOR A NATURAL AND RESTORED GREENWAY?
    	WHAT SHOULD BE THE ROLE OF GOVERNMENT IN PLANNING AND MANAGING THE GREENWAY?
    	WHAT SHOULD BE THE ROLE OF PRIVATE INDUSTRY, LANDOWNERS AND CITIZEN ORGANIZATIONS
    	IN PLANNING AND MANAGING THE GREENWAY?
    	WHAT ARE THE DISADVANTAGES THAT YOU PERCEIVE OF DESIGNATING THE RIVERS AS A
    	GREENWAY? WHAT ARE THE ADCANTAGES OF GREENWAYS?
    	WHAT POTENTIAL PROBLEMS DO WE FACE IN PLANNING AND MANAGING THE GREENWAY AND
    	WHAT CAN BE DONE TO OVERCOME THOSE PROBLEMS?

                   A -42

                                      The St. Marks Greenway Steering Committee
                                               Meeting Notes for July 22, 1994

                           Kent Wimmer of the Florida Greenways Program opened the meeting at 10: 15 a.m.
                   at St. Marks City Hall. Wimmer discussed the project's status and briefly reviewed the
                   discussion of the last meeting on June !5. Tyler Macmillan of the Northwest Florida Water
                   Management District. provided a review of the maps. The maps displayed included the
                   natural, recreational, and cultural resources map, the watershed - project boundary map,
                   the land use - land cover map and the critical habitat map produced by the Florida Game
                   and Fresh Water Fish Commission.

                           The maps presentation lead into a Steering Committee discussion of the sources
                   used to develop the Critical habitat map. Macmillan explained that the map used Florida
                   Natural Areas Inventory (FNAI) data combined with satellite land cover data to map areas
                   of habitat that could support various indicator species. The information from the FNAI is
                   a species occurrence database of all endangered, threatened and state critical concern
                   species of plants and animals. The Florida Natural Areas Inventory is a source for the
                   map. FNAI is a joint venture between the Nature Conservancy and the Florida Department
                   of Natural Resources. The Game and Fish maps may not always be based on actual
                   sightings and they do not readily take existing land uses into account when determining
                   critical habitat.

                           The Districts land use - land cover maps generated some discussion regarding the
                   accuracy of the data. The satellite imagery indicated that a few areas on the map were
                   clear cuttshrub and brush lands. Most of these areas are found near the St. Marks River
                   and reflect recent silviculture harvest. Luann Rains clarified the issue by describing the
                   limitations of the satellite and the computers.          The satellite has a difficult time
                   distinguishing between three foot trees/brush and 15 foot trees. They produce a similar
                   reflectance and this problem is magnified when the area has recently been timbered and
                   is adjacent to a mature forest. The District indicated that they would welcome comments
                   and corrections regarding the land use and land cover maps provided that they could be
                   mapped on USGS 7.5 minute quadrangle maps. The Steering Committee also indicated
                   it wanted the District and the Florida Greenways Program to identify in the report the
                   limitations of the Hot Spots map.

                           The Plan/Report was also briefly discussed. The Florida Greenways Program
                   talked about what is anticipated to be the report including proposed future land uses,
                   comprehensive plan reviews, ecotourism/economic benefits and functions of greenways.
                   The District said that this plan/report will provide a point of departure for the initiation of
                   a Surface Water Improvement Management (SWIM) program. The SWIM program will
                   allow the District to conduct water quality analyses, biological assessments, and

                   APPENDIX V

                                                                                                     A -43

                 hydrological assessments on the St. Marks and Wakulla rivers. Macmillan indicated that
                 the St. Marks River is next priority SWIM project for the District and the St. Marks SWIM
                 plan could be initiated in the next year. Macmillan indicated that the SWIM plan would
                 considerably more detailed in its water quality collection and research than this greenways
                 conservation project. The District would like to use this Steering Committee to assist in
                 gathering public comments and concerns during the SWIM project.

                        Several issues and concerns were brought up by Committee members. Ecotourism
                 was discussed. Cynthia Rusling brought up by that an additional canoe/paddle boat livery
                 may be opening up in Newport. The additional canoes/paddle boats may have some
                 conflicts with power boaters. No wake zones and public education about the use of the
                 river and proper boating courtesy were mentioned, as were the impacts of additional
                 boaters  on the river.. It was suggested having River Rangers who patrol the river and
                 educate the users about river recreation ethics could be one solution to the problem.

                        During the course of the meeting the term greenway has been bantered about,
                 however, the term has not been defined properly for the Committee. Florida Greenways
                 staff defined a greenway as being green and connecting or linking one place to another.
                 They are often linear corridors such as shorelines and rivers. Greenways; also have to be
                 managed and afforded some level of protection. Trails are not greenways, but rather a way
                 to experience the greenway. The greenway is protected corridor of land which the trail
                 travels through.

                         The Steering Committee indicated that language used in the report needs to be
                 as clear as possible. Vague language could cause problems in getting decision makers
                 to buy into the plan. The Committee Members indicated that there was a great deal of
                 effort put into the Wakulla County Comprehensive Plan and it should be used as the
                 starting point for the reporCs conservation assessment and strategies. Macmillan stated
                 that this report/plan is intended to be used as a guidance document offering
                 recommendations to local and state planning agencies. Another concern raised by the
                 Committee centered around what restrictions may be placed on river front land owners if
                 the greenway is established. The report will attempt to address these concerns.

                        There was no input from the steering committee regarding the greenways name.
                 The remaining tim was spent discussing the draft mission and vision statements. A few
                 changes were recommended to the draft mission and vision statements including an
                 emphasis on providing additional economic opportunities.
                 The meeting was adjourned at 12:20 p.m.

                 APPENDIX V

              A -44

                     ST. MARKs RIVER GREENWAYS STEERING COMMITTEE

               A roRum ro Discuss oppomumrEs To coNsEpvE aREENwAys oN THE, Sr. mARKs AND wAKuuA RIVERS
                                        AuGUST, 26 1994
                                             AGENDA
              10:00 a.m. Welcome

              41    Introductions, project status, and review of revised vision and mission
                    statements, - Kent Wimmer, The Florida Greenways Program of 1000 Friends of
                    Florida

              +     Presentation of Draft Land Use and Resource Feature Maps, Greenways Maps,
                    and land ownership patterns maps - Tyler Macmillan, NWFWMD

              11:00 a.m.

              4-    Present Draft Greenways Assessment Report to the Steering Committee to
                    discuss the committees' review process for the draft greenways assessment and
                    discuss the next meeting on tentatively scheduled for September 9, 1994.

              12:00 p.m.
              Adjourn

              APPENDIX V

                                                                                                  A -45

                     Summary of the August 26 St. Marks Greenway Steering Committee
                                                        Meeting

                       Wimmer opened the meeting to discuss the committee's charge and vision
                 statements. No discussion resulted and the draft charge was adopted by the steering
                 committee.    Draft recommendations were presented during the meeting.               The
                 recommendations generated lively debate over the greenway concept.                   The
                 recommendations as of this meeting were ideas and thoughts and were not refined in their
                 wording. This vagueness caused confusion and apprehension among the steering
                 committee members.

                      . Some members of the steering committee indicated they did not want any more
                 regulation and some of the preliminary recommendations are duplicated in other laws and
                 regulations addressing wetlands and open space. Lead staff noted their concern and
                 explained the greenway concept in more detail and asked for suggestions from the
                 committee to resolve the vagueness in the language of the recommendations. Lead staff
                 agreed to provide a draft of the recommendations to the committee for review. Members
                 of the steering committee expressed concern over the greenway removing property from
                 the tax roles. Lead staff explained the ecotourism and economic benefits of greenways
                 for the region.

                 The meeting was adjourned at 12:15 p.m.

                 APPENDIX V

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