St Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve

St. Martins Marsh 

Aquatic Preserve 

Management Plan 

St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve 

3266 North Sailboat Avenue 

Crystal River, FL 34428 

352.228.6028 • www.dep.state.fl.us/coastal/sites/stmartins 

Florida Department of Environmental Protection 

Florida Coastal Office 

3900 Commonwealth Blvd., MS #235, 

Tallahassee, FL 32399 • www.aquaticpreserves.org

This publication funded in part through 

a grant agreement from the Florida 

Department of Environmental Protection, 

Florida Coastal Management Program by 

a grant provided by the Office of Ocean 

and Coastal Resource Management 

under the Coastal Zone Management Act 

of 1972, as amended, National Oceanic 

and Atmospheric Administration Award 

No. NA12NOS4190093-CM327 and 

NA15NOS4190096-CM06M. The views, 

statements, finding, conclusions, and 

recommendations expressed herein 

are those of the author(s) and do not 

necessarily reflect the views of the State of 

Florida, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration, or any of its sub-agencies. 

December 2016 

Right: Nurse shark swimming through a 

seagrass meadow off the St. Martins Keys. 

Cover photo: Tidal creek winding 

through red mangroves at low tide. 

St. Martins Marsh 









3900 Commonwealth Blvd., MS #235, 


Limestone crevice in the exposed bedrock of St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve. 

Mission Statement 

The Florida Coastal Office’s mission statement is: Conserving and restoring Florida’s coastal and 

aquatic resources for the benefit of people and the environment. 

The four long-term goals of the Florida Coastal Office’s Aquatic Preserve Program are to: 

1. protect and enhance the ecological integrity of the aquatic preserves; 

2. restore areas to their natural condition; 

3. encourage sustainable use and foster active stewardship by engaging local communities in the 

protection of aquatic preserves; and 

4. improve management effectiveness through a process based on sound science, consistent 

evaluation, and continual reassessment.

Acquisition and Restoration Council Management Plan Compliance Checklist 

Land Management Plan Compliance Checklist 

Required for State-owned conservation lands over 160 acres 

Item # Requirement Statute/Rule Pg#/App 

Section A: Acquisition Information Items 

1 The common name of the property. 18-2.018 & 

18-2.021 

2 The land acquisition program, if any, under which the property 

was acquired. 

3 Degree of title interest held by the Board, including reservations 

and encumbrances such as leases. 

18-2.018 & 

18-2.021 

4 The legal description and acreage of the property. 18-2.018 & 

18-2.021 

5 A map showing the approximate location and boundaries of the property, 

and the location of any structures or improvements to the property. 

6 An assessment as to whether the property, or any portion, should be 

declared surplus. Provide Information regarding assessment and 

analysis in the plan, and provide corresponding map. 

7 Identification of other parcels of land within or immediately adjacent to 

the property that should be purchased because they are essential to 

management of the property. Please clearly indicate parcels on a map. 

8 Identification of adjacent land uses that conflict with the planned use 

of the property, if any. 

9 A statement of the purpose for which the lands were acquired, the 

projected use or uses as defined in 253.034 and the statutory authority 

for such use or uses. 

10 Proximity of property to other significant State, local or federal land 

or water resources. 

Ex. Sum. 

p. 1 

18-2.021 p. 1, 6-8 

18-2.018 & 

18-2.021 

Ex. Sum 

& p. 12 

p. 11 

18-2.021 N/A 

18-2.021 N/A 

18-2.021 p. 43-45 

259.032(10) p. 6 

18-2.021 p. 41-43 

Section B: Use Items 

11 The designated single use or multiple use management for the property, 

including use by other managing entities. 

12 A description of past and existing uses, including any unauthorized 

uses of the property. 

13 A description of alternative or multiple uses of the property considered by 

the lessee and a statement detailing why such uses were not adopted. 

14 A description of the management responsibilities of each entity involved 

in the property’s management and how such responsibilities will 

be coordinated. 

15 Include a provision that requires that the managing agency consult with the 

Division of Historical Resources, Department of State before taking actions 

that may adversely affect archeological or historical resources. 

16 Analysis/description of other managing agencies and private land managers, 

if any, which could facilitate the restoration or management of the land. 

17 A determination of the public uses and public access that would be 

consistent with the purposes for which the lands were acquired. 

18 A finding regarding whether each planned use complies with the 1981 

State Lands Management Plan, particularly whether such uses represent 

“balanced public utilization,” specific agency statutory authority and 

any other legislative or executive directives that constrain the use 

of such property. 

19 Letter of compliance from the local government stating that the LMP is 

in compliance with the Local Government Comprehensive Plan. 

18-2.018 & 

18-2.021 

18-2.018 & 

18-2.021 

p. 10 

18-2.018 N/A 

p. 9-10, 37- 

38, 43-45, 

70-71 

18-2.018 p. 6-8, 47-73 

18-2.021 App. E.2 

18-2.021 p. 41-43, 51- 

58, 61-64 

259.032(10) p. 69-73 

18-2.021 p. 6-8 

BOT requirement 

App. E.3




20 An assessment of the impact of planned uses on the renewable and 

non-renewable resources of the property, including soil and water 

resources, and a detailed description of the specific actions that will 

be taken to protect, enhance and conserve these resources and to 

compensate/mitigate damage caused by such uses, including a 

description of how the manager plans to control and prevent soil 

erosion and soil or water contamination. 

18-2.018 & 

18-2.021 

P. 12-22, 

47-73 

21 *For managed areas larger than 1,000 acres, an analysis of the 

multiple-use potential of the property which shall include the potential 

of the property to generate revenues to enhance the management of 

the property provided that no lease, easement, or license for such 

revenue-generating use shall be entered into if the granting of such 

lease, easement or license would adversely affect the tax exemption 

of the interest on any revenue bonds issued to fund the acquisition of 

the affected lands from gross income for federal income tax purposes, 

pursuant to Internal Revenue Service regulations. 

18-2.021 & 

253.036 

N/A 

22 If the lead managing agency determines that timber resource 

management is not in conflict with the primary management objectives 

of the managed area, a component or section, prepared by a qualified 

professional forester, that assesses the feasibility of managing timber 

resources pursuant to section 253.036, F.S. 

18-021 N/A 

23 A statement regarding incompatible use in reference to Ch. 253.034(10). 253.034(10) p. 71 

*The following taken from 253.034(10) is not a land management plan requirement; however, it should be considered 

when developing a land management plan: The following additional uses of conservation lands acquired pursuant to 

the Florida Forever program and other state-funded conservation land purchase programs shall be authorized, upon 

a finding by the Board of Trustees, if they meet the criteria specified in paragraphs (a)-(e): water resource development 

projects, water supply development projects, storm-water management projects, linear facilities and sustainable 

agriculture and forestry. Such additional uses are authorized where: (a) Not inconsistent with the management plan 

for such lands; (b) Compatible with the natural ecosystem and resource values of such lands; (c) The proposed use is 

appropriately located on such lands and where due consideration is given to the use of other available lands; (d) The 

using entity reasonably compensates the titleholder for such use based upon an appropriate measure of value; and 

(e) The use is consistent with the public interest. 

Section C: Public Involvement Items 

24 A statement concerning the extent of public involvement and local 

government participation in the development of the plan, if any. 

25 The management prospectus required pursuant to paragraph 

(9)(d) shall be available to the public for a period of 30 days prior to 

the public hearing. 

26 LMPs and LMP updates for parcels over 160 acres shall be developed 

with input from an advisory group who must conduct at least one public 

hearing within the county in which the parcel or project is located. Include 

the advisory group members and their affiliations, as well as the 

date and location of the advisory group meeting. 

27 Summary of comments and concerns expressed by the advisory group 

for parcels over 160 acres 

18-2.021 App. C 

259.032(10) N/A 

259.032(10) App. C 

18-2.021 App. C 

28 During plan development, at least one public hearing shall be held in 

each affected county. Notice of such public hearing shall be posted on 

the parcel or project designated for management, advertised in a paper 

of general circulation, and announced at a scheduled meeting of the local 

governing body before the actual public hearing. Include a copy of each 

County’s advertisements and announcements (meeting minutes will 

suffice to indicate an announcement) in the management plan. 

253.034(5) & 

259.032(10) 

App. C 

29 The manager shall consider the findings and recommendations of the 

land management review team in finalizing the required 10-year update 

of its management plan. Include managers replies to the teams findings 

and recommendations. 

259.036 N/A




30 Summary of comments and concerns expressed by the management 

review team, if required by Section 259.036, F.S. 

18-2.021 N/A 

31 If manager is not in agreement with the management review team’s 

findings and recommendations in finalizing the required 10-year update 

of its management plan, the managing agency should explain why 

they disagree with the findings or recommendations. 

259.036 N/A 

Section D: Natural Resources 

32 Location and description of known and reasonably identifiable renewable 

and non-renewable resources of the property regarding soil types. Use 

brief descriptions and include USDA maps when available. 

18-2.021 p. 16-18 

33 Insert FNAI based natural community maps when available. ARC consensus 

p. 24 

34 Location and description of known and reasonably identifiable 

renewable and non-renewable resources of the property regarding 

outstanding native landscapes containing relatively unaltered flora, 

fauna and geological conditions. 

18-2.021 Ex Sum 


and non-renewable resources of the property regarding unique natural 

features and/or resources including but not limited to virgin timber stands, 

scenic vistas, natural rivers and streams, coral reefs, natural springs, 

caverns and large sinkholes. 

18-2.018 & 

18-2.021 

p. 23-33 



beaches and dunes. 

18-2.021 p. 28 


and non-renewable resources of the property regarding mineral resources, 

such as oil, gas and phosphate, etc. 


and non-renewable resources of the property regarding fish and wildlife, 

both game and non-game, and their habitat. 

18-2.018 & 

18-2.021 

18-2.018 & 

18-2.021 

p. 16 

p. 23-37, 

App. B.4 


and non-renewable resources of the property regarding State and Federally 

listed endangered or threatened species and their habitat. 

40 The identification or resources on the property that are listed in the Natural 

Areas Inventory. Include letter from FNAI or consultant where appropriate. 

41 Specific description of how the managing agency plans to identify, locate, 

protect and preserve or otherwise use fragile, nonrenewable natural and 

cultural resources. 

18-2.021 p. 23-35, 

App. B.4 

18-2.021 p. 23-33 

259.032(10) p. 37-38, 47- 

73, App. E.2 

42 Habitat Restoration and Improvement 259.032(10) 

& 253.034(5) 

42-A. 

Describe management needs, problems and a desired outcome and 

the key management activities necessary to achieve the enhancement, 

protection and preservation of restored habitats and enhance the natural, 

historical and archeological resources and their values for which the lands 

were acquired. 

259.032(10) 

& 253.034(5) 

p. 23-33, 37- 

38, 47-73 

42-B. 

Provide a detailed description of both short (2-year planning period) and 

long-term (10-year planning period) management goals, and a priority 

schedule based on the purposes for which the lands were acquired and 

include a timeline for completion. 

259.032(10) 

& 253.034(5) 

App. D.1 

42-C. The associated measurable objectives to achieve the goals. 259.032(10) 

& 253.034(5) 

App. D.1




42-D. 

The related activities that are to be performed to meet the land 

management objectives and their associated measures. Include fire 

management plans - they can be in plan body or an appendix. 

259.032(10) 

& 253.034(5) 

App. D.1 

42-E. 

A detailed expense and manpower budget in order to provide a 

management tool that facilitates development of performance measures, 

including recommendations for cost-effective methods of accomplishing 

those activities. 

259.032(10) 

& 253.034(5) 

App. D.1 

43 ***Quantitative data description of the land regarding an inventory of 

forest and other natural resources and associated acreage. See footnote. 

44 Sustainable Forest Management, including implementation of prescribed 

fire management 

253.034(5) Ex Sum 

18-2.021, 

253.034(5) & 

259.032(10) 

44-A. 

Management needs, problems and a desired outcome 

(see requirement for # 42-A). 

18-2.021, 

253.034(5) & 

259.032(10) 

N/A 

44-B. 

Detailed description of both short and long-term management goals 

(see requirement for # 42-B). 

18-2.021, 

253.034(5) & 

259.032(10) 

N/A 

44-C. Measurable objectives (see requirement for #42-C). 18-2.021, 

253.034(5) & 

259.032(10) 

44-D. Related activities (see requirement for #42-D). 18-2.021, 

253.034(5) & 

259.032(10) 

44-E. Budgets (see requirement for #42-E). 18-2.021, 

253.034(5) & 

259.032(10) 

N/A 

N/A 

N/A 

45 Imperiled species, habitat maintenance, enhancement, restoration 

or population restoration 

259.032(10) 

& 253.034(5) 

45-A. 



259.032(10) 

& 253.034(5) 

p. 23-37, 

47-73 

45-B. 



259.032(10) 

& 253.034(5) 

App. D.1 

45-C. Measurable objectives (see requirement for #42-C). 259.032(10) 

& 253.034(5) 

45-D. Related activities (see requirement for #42-D). 259.032(10) 

& 253.034(5) 

45-E. Budgets (see requirement for #42-E). 259.032(10) 

& 253.034(5) 

App. D.1 

App. D.1 

App. D.1 


exotic and invasive plants and associated acreage. See footnote. 

253.034(5) App. B.3.4 

47 Place the Arthropod Control Plan in an appendix. If one does not exist, 

provide a statement as to what arrangement exists between the local 

mosquito control district and the management unit. 


via lease 

language 

App. B.4 

48 Exotic and invasive species maintenance and control 259.032(10) 

& 253.034(5) 

48-A. 



259.032(10) 

& 253.034(5) 

p. 35-37, 63 

48-B. 



259.032(10) 

& 253.034(5) 

App. D.1





& 253.034(5) 


& 253.034(5) 


& 253.034(5) 

Section E: Water Resources 

53-A. 

53-B. 

49 A statement as to whether the property is within and/or adjacent to an 

aquatic preserve or a designated area of critical state concern or an area 

under study for such designation. If yes, provide a list of the appropriate 

managing agencies that have been notified of the proposed plan. 

50 Location and description of known and reasonably identifiable renewable and 

non-renewable resources of the property regarding water resources, 

including water classification for each water body and the identification of any 

such water body that is designated as an Outstanding Florida Water under Rule 

62-302.700, F.A.C. 



swamps, marshes and other wetlands. 

52 ***Quantitative description of the land regarding an inventory of 

hydrological features and associated acreage. See footnote. 

18-2.018 & 

18-2.021 

App. D.1 

App. D.1 

App. D.1 

p. 1-4 

18-2.021 p. 1-4, 18-22 

18-2.021 p. 24-27 

253.034(5) Ex. Sum 

53 Hydrological Preservation and Restoration 259.032(10) 

& 253.034(5) 





259.032(10) 

& 253.034(5) 

259.032(10) 

& 253.034(5) 


& 253.034(5) 


& 253.034(5) 


& 253.034(5) 

App. D.1 

App. D.1 

App. D.1 

App. D.1 

App. D.1 

Section F: Historical, Archaeological and Cultural Resources 

54 **Location and description of known and reasonably identifiable 


archeological and historical resources. Include maps of all cultural 

resources except Native American sites, unless such sites are major 

points of interest that are open to public visitation. 

18-2.018, 

18-2.021 & 

per DHR’s 

request 

Ex. Sum, p. 

37-38, App 

B.5 

57-A. 

57-B. 

55 ***Quantitative data description of the land regarding an inventory 

of significant land, cultural or historical features and associated acreage. 

56 A description of actions the agency plans to take to locate and 

identify unknown resources such as surveys of unknown archeological 

and historical resources. 

253.034(5) Ex. Sum, p. 

37-38, App 

B.5 

18-2.021 App. D.1 

57 Cultural and Historical Resources 259.032(10) 

& 253.034(5) 

Management needs, problems and a desired outcome (see requirement for 

# 42-A). 

Detailed description of both short and long-term management goals (see 

requirement for # 42-B). 

259.032(10) 

& 253.034(5) 

259.032(10) 

& 253.034(5) 

App. D.1 

App. D.1





& 253.034(5) 

App. D.1 


& 253.034(5) 


& 253.034(5) 

App. D.1 

App. D.1 

**While maps of Native American sites should not be included in the body of the management plan, the DSL 

urges each managing agency to provide such information to the Division of Historical Resources for inclusion in 

their proprietary database. This information should be available for access to new managers to assist them in 

developing, implementing and coordinating their management activities. 

Section G: Facilities (Infrastructure, Access, Recreation) 

58 ***Quantitative data description of the land regarding an inventory of infrastructure 

and associated acreage. See footnote. 

253.034(5) p. 77-78 

59 Capital Facilities and Infrastructure 259.032(10) 

& 253.034(5) 

59-A. 


# 42-A). 

259.032(10) 

& 253.034(5) 

p. 75-78, 

App. D.1 

59-B. 



259.032(10) 

& 253.034(5) 

App. D.1 


& 253.034(5) 


& 253.034(5) 


& 253.034(5) 

App. D.1 

App. D.1 

App. D.1 

60 *** Quantitative data description of the land regarding an inventory of recreational 

facilities and associated acreage. 

253.034(5) p. 69-71, 

App. D.1 

61 Public Access and Recreational Opportunities 259.032(10) 

& 253.034(5) 

61-A. 


# 42-A). 

259.032(10) 

& 253.034(5) 

App. D.1 

61-B. 



259.032(10) 

& 253.034(5) 

App. D.1 


& 253.034(5) 


& 253.034(5) 


& 253.034(5) 

App. D.1 

App. D.1 

App. D.1 

Section H: Other/ Managing Agency Tools 

62 Place this LMP Compliance Checklist at the front of the plan. ARC and 

managing 

agency consensus 

Front & App. 

E.1 

63 Place the Executive Summary at the front of the LMP. Include a physical 

description of the land. 

ARC and 

253.034(5) 

Ex. Sum




64 If this LMP is a 10-year update, note the accomplishments since the drafting 

of the last LMP set forth in an organized (categories or bullets) format. 

65 Key management activities necessary to achieve the desired outcomes 

regarding other appropriate resource management. 

66 Summary budget for the scheduled land management activities of the LMP 

including any potential fees anticipated from public or private entities for projects 

to offset adverse impacts to imperiled species or such habitat, which fees 

shall be used to restore, manage, enhance, repopulate, or acquire imperiled 

species habitat for lands that have or are anticipated to have imperiled species 

or such habitat onsite. The summary budget shall be prepared in such a 

manner that it facilitates computing an aggregate of land management costs 

for all state-managed lands using the categories described in s. 259.037(3) 

which are resource management, administration, support, capital improvements, 

recreation visitor services, law enforcement activities. 

67 Cost estimate for conducting other management activities which would 

enhance the natural resource value or public recreation value for which the 

lands were acquired, include recommendations for cost-effective methods 

in accomplishing those activities. 

ARC consensus 

App. D.3 

259.032(10) p. 47-73 

253.034(5) App. D.1 

259.032(10) App. D.1 

68 A statement of gross income generated, net income and expenses. 18-2.018 N/A 

*** = The referenced inventories shall be of such detail that objective measures and benchmarks can be established 

for each tract of land and monitored during the lifetime of the plan. All quantitative data collected shall 

be aggregated, standardized, collected, and presented in an electronic format to allow for uniform management 

reporting and analysis. The information collected by the DEP pursuant to s. 253.0325(2) shall be available to the 

land manager and his or her assignee.

Executive Summary 

St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve Management Plan 

Lead Agency 

Common Name of Property 

Location 

Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Florida Coastal Office (FCO) 

St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve (SMMAP) 

Citrus County, Florida 

Acreage Total: 28,461 

Acreage Breakdown According to Florida Natural Areas Inventory (FNAI) Natural Community Type 

FNAI Natural Communities 

Acreage according to GIS 

Hydric Hammock 1,518 

Shell Mounds 

Unknown 

Mangrove Swamp 1,607 

Salt Marsh 4,677 

Consolidated Substrate 

Unconsolidated Substrate 

Unknown 

Unknown 

Mollusk Reef 49 

Octocoral Bed 

Sponge Bed 

Algal Bed 

Unknown 

Unknown 

Unknown 

Seagrass Bed 17,705 

Aquatic Caves 

Total Acreage 

Management Agency 

Designation 

Unique Features 

Archaeological/ 

Historical Sites 

Unknown 

25,961 (This number does not match the “Acreage Total” above due to GIS numbers, 

and unmapped communities.) 

DEP’s FCO 


SMMAP sits along a largely undeveloped stretch of land within one of the largest 

extents of salt marshes and seagrasses in the nation. Additionally, the seagrasses 

of SMMAP serve as a critical habitat for the Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus 

latirostris) and various sea turtle species, while also serving as important nursery 

grounds for several fish and invertebrate species of commercial and recreational 

fishing importance. 

The Department of State’s Division of Historical Resources has identified numerous 

archaeological sites within SMMAP. Prehistoric shell middens are the most prominent 

features of the area due to the abundance of food resources available in the surrounding 

estuary. Furthermore historical structures such as the Crystal River Old City Hall and the 

Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins are located adjacent to SMMAP. 

Management Needs 

Ecosystem 

Science 

Resource 

Management 

Seagrass communities are vital to the health of the estuaries in SMMAP. Maintaining 

a strategic long-term seagrass and water quality monitoring program will be crucial 

in sustaining this important economic resource for future generations. 

With little restoration measures currently required in SMMAP, management emphasis 

is placed on preventing new damage to resources that may occur with increased use 

and development. Focus is primarily on management of interconnected measures of 

water quality and seagrass bed conditions.

Education 

and Outreach 

Public Use 

Public Involvement: 

Education and Outreach programs in SMMAP are critical to the protection, 

conservation, and enhancement of the aquatic and coastal resources. The intent 

of the aquatic preserve education and outreach program is to provide and foster 

responsible public stewardship of aquatic preserve resources. 

Public Use in SMMAP is dominated by ecotourism, as well as commercial and 

recreational fishing. Common public use activities include boating, birding, camping, 

canoeing, kayaking, and snorkeling. Various eco-tour operators provide a way of 

experiencing SMMAP, with activities such as guided fishing and scalloping charters, 

guided kayak tours, and airboat tours. 

Public support is vital to the success of conservation programs. The goal is to foster 

understanding of the problems facing these fragile ecosystems and the steps needed to 

adequately manage these important resources. SMMAP staff held public and advisory 

committee meetings September 28 and 29, 2016 in Crystal River to receive input on the 

draft management plan. An additional public meeting will be held in Tallahassee when 

the Acquisition and Restoration Council reviews the management plan. 

FCO/Trustees Approval 

FCO Approval: ARC approval date: Trustees approval date: 

Comments:

Acronym List 

Abbreviation Meaning 

AG:BG Above-ground to below-ground 

CH3D Curvilinear-grid Hydrodynamic 3D (model) 

CNWR Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge 

COAST COastal ASsessment Team 

CRPSP Crystal River Preserve State Park 

CSO Citizen Support Organization 

DACS Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services 

DEP Florida Department of Environmental Protection 

DNR Florida Department of Natural Resources 

EPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 

DRP Division of Recreation and Parks 

F.A.C. Florida Administrative Code 

F.A.R. Florida Administrative Register 

FCO Florida Coastal Office 

FGS Florida Geological Survey 

FMRI Florida Marine Research Institute 

FWRI Fish and Wildlife Research Institute 

FNAI Florida Natural Areas Inventory 

FLAIR Florida Accounting Information Resource 

FLEET Florida Equipment Electronic Tracking 

F.S. Florida Statutes 

FTE Full-Time Equivalent 

FTP File Transfer Protocol 

FWC Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission 

FWRI Fish and Wildlife Research Institute 

FWS U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 

G Global 

GARI Gulf Archaeology Research Institute 

GEMS Gulf Ecological Management Site 

GIS Geographic Information Systems 

IFAS Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences 

IRG Inwater Research Group 

NERR National Estuarine Research Reserve 

NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 

NWS National Weather Service 

OFW Outstanding Florida Water 

S State 

SES Select Exempt Service 

SIMM Seagrass Integrated Mapping and Monitoring 

SMMAP St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve 

SWMP System-Wide Monitoring Program 

TMDL Total Maximum Daily Load 

Trustees Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund 

UF University of Florida 

USDA U.S. Department of Agriculture 

USGS U.S. Geological Survey

Table of Contents 

Part One / Basis for Management 

Chapter 1 / Introduction..................................................................................................................................1 

1.1 / Management Plan Purpose and Scope..............................................................................................2 

1.2 / Public Involvement................................................................................................................................3 

Chapter 2 / The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Florida Coastal Office................5 

2.1 / Introduction...........................................................................................................................................5 

2.2 / Management Authority.........................................................................................................................6 

2.3 / Statutory Authority.................................................................................................................................7 

2.4 / Administrative Rules..............................................................................................................................7 

Chapter 3 / The St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve.................................................................................9 

3.1 / Historical Background..........................................................................................................................9 

3.2 / General Description............................................................................................................................10 

3.3 / Resource Description.........................................................................................................................12 

3.4 / Values..................................................................................................................................................38 

3.5 / Citizen Support Organization.............................................................................................................41 

3.6 / Adjacent Public Lands and Designated Resources .........................................................................41 

3.7 / Surrounding Land Use.......................................................................................................................43 

Part Two / Management Programs and Issues 

Chapter 4 / The St. Martins Marsh Management Programs and Issues...............................................47 

4.1 / The Ecosystem Science Management Program..............................................................................48 

Background of Ecosystem Science at St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve.....................................48 

Current Status of Ecosystem Science at St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve.................................51 

Issue One / Water Quality...................................................................................................................58 

Issue Two / Management and Protection of Seagrasses...................................................................59 

4.2 / The Resource Management Program...............................................................................................60 

Background of Resource Management at St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve..............................61 

Current Status of Resource Management at St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve...........................61 

Issue One / Water Quality (continued)...............................................................................................64 

Issue Two / Management and Protection of Seagrasses (continued)..............................................65 

Issue Three / Natural Resource Obstacles.........................................................................................65 

4.3 / The Education and Outreach Management Program......................................................................66 

Background of Education and Outreach at St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve.............................66 

Current Status of Education and Outreach St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve.............................66 

Issue One / Water Quality (continued)................................................................................................68 

Issue Two / Management and Protection of Seagrasses (continued)..............................................68 

Issue Three / Natural Resource Obstacles (continued).....................................................................69 

4.4 / The Public Use Management Program.............................................................................................69 

Background of Public Use at St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve...................................................70 

Current Status of Public Use at St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve................................................71 

Issue Four / Public Use.......................................................................................................................72 

Part Three / Additional Plans 

Chapter 5 / Administrative Plan...................................................................................................................75 

Chapter 6 / Facilities Plan.............................................................................................................................77 

List of Maps 

Map 1 / Florida Coastal Office system.............................................................................................................2 

Map 2 / St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve. ...............................................................................................11 

Map 3 / Geomorphology of St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve................................................................13 

Map 4 / Marine terraces..................................................................................................................................15 

Map 5 / Soils of St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve....................................................................................17 

Map 6 / Drainage basins of St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve.................................................................18 

Map 7 / Karst features of and nearby St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve.................................................19

Map 8 / Spring shellfish harvesting zones of St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve.....................................21 

Map 9 / Winter shellfish harvesting zones of St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve.....................................22 

Map 10 / St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve Florida Natural Areas Inventory natural communities........24 

Map 11 / Public conservation lands adjacent to St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve................................43 

Map 12 / Land use surrounding St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve.........................................................44 

Map 13 / Project COAST nutrient monitoring locations................................................................................52 

Map 14 / Continuous water quality monitoring stations of St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve................53 

Map 15 / Seagrass monitoring sites of St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve...............................................56 

Map 16 / Kiosk locations for St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve...............................................................67 

Map 17 / Public access at St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve...................................................................72 

List of Tables 

Table 1 / St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve Florida Natural Areas Inventory natural communities........25 

Table 2 / Land use surrounding St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve..........................................................45 

Table 3 / Continuous water quality monitoring stations................................................................................53 

List of Figures 

Figure 1 / State management structure...........................................................................................................8 

List of Appendices 

Appendix A / Legal Documents....................................................................................................................80 

A.1 / Aquatic Preserve Resolution..............................................................................................................80 

A.2 / Florida Statutes...................................................................................................................................81 

A.3 / Florida Administrative Code...............................................................................................................81 

Appendix B / Resource Data........................................................................................................................82 

B.1 / Glossary of Terms...............................................................................................................................82 

B.2 / References..........................................................................................................................................83 

B.3 / Species Lists.......................................................................................................................................88 

Native Species......................................................................................................................................88 

Listed Species....................................................................................................................................122 

Invasive Non-native and/or Problem Species...................................................................................123 

B.4 / Arthropod Control Plan....................................................................................................................125 

B.5 / Archaeological and Historical Sites.................................................................................................126 

Appendix C / Public Involvement..............................................................................................................130 

C.1 / Advisory Committee.........................................................................................................................130 

List of Members and their Affiliations.................................................................................................130 

Florida Administrative Register Posting............................................................................................131 

Meeting Summary..............................................................................................................................132 

C.2 / Formal Public Meeting.....................................................................................................................138 

Florida Administrative Register Posting............................................................................................138 

Advertisement Flyer............................................................................................................................140 

Newspaper Advertisement.................................................................................................................141 

Summary of the Formal Public Meeting............................................................................................142 

Appendix D / Goals, Objectives, and Strategies.....................................................................................144 

D.1 / Current Goals, Objectives, and Strategies Table............................................................................144 

D.2 / Budget Summary Table....................................................................................................................148 

D.3 / Major Accomplishments Since the Approval of the Previous Plan................................................148 

D.4 / Gulf Priority Restoration Projects.....................................................................................................149 

Appendix E / Other Requirements.............................................................................................................155 

E.1 / Acquisition and Restoration Council Management Plan Compliance Checklist..........................155 

E.2 / Management Procedures for Archaeological and Historical Sites and Properties 

on State-Owned or Controlled Lands...............................................................................................162 

E.3 / Letter of Compliance with the County Comprehensive Plan.........................................................163

Red mangrove propagules taking root in the shallow waters of St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve. 

Part One 

Basis for Management 

Chapter One 

Introduction 

The Florida aquatic preserves are administered on behalf of the state by the Florida Department of 

Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Florida Coastal Office (FCO) as part of a network that includes 41 

aquatic preserves, 3 National Estuarine Research Reserves (NERRs), a National Marine Sanctuary, the 

Coral Reef Conservation Program, the Florida Coastal Management Program, the Outer Continental 

Shelf Program, and the Florida Oceans and Coastal Council. This provides for a system of significant 

protections to ensure that our most popular and ecologically important underwater ecosystems 

are cared for in perpetuity. Each of these special places is managed with strategies based on local 

resources, issues and conditions. 

Our expansive coastline and wealth of aquatic resources have defined Florida as a subtropical oasis, 

attracting millions of residents and visitors, and the businesses that serve them. Florida’s submerged 

lands play important roles in maintaining good water quality, hosting a diversity of wildlife and habitats 

(including economically and ecologically valuable nursery areas), and supporting a treasured quality of 

life for all. In the 1960s, it became apparent that the ecosystems that had attracted so many people to 

Florida could not support rapid growth without science-based resource protection and management. To 

this end, state legislators provided extra protection for certain exceptional aquatic areas by designating 

them as aquatic preserves. 

Title to submerged lands not conveyed to private landowners is held by the Board of Trustees of the 

Internal Improvement Trust Fund (the Trustees). The Governor and Cabinet, sitting as the Trustees, act 

as guardians for the people of the State of Florida (§253.03, Florida Statutes [F.S.]) and regulate the

use of these public lands. Through statute, the Trustees have the authority to adopt rules related to the 

management of sovereignty submerged lands (Florida Aquatic Preserve Act of 1975, §258.36, F.S.). A 

higher layer of protection is afforded to aquatic preserves including areas of sovereignty lands that have 

been “set aside forever as aquatic preserves or sanctuaries for the benefit of future generations” due to 

“exceptional biological, aesthetic, and scientific value” (Florida Aquatic Preserve Act of 1975, §258.36, F.S.). 

This tradition of concern and protection of these exceptional areas continues, and now includes: the 

Rookery Bay NERR in Southwest Florida, designated in 1978; the Apalachicola NERR in Northwest 

Florida, designated in 1979; and the Guana Tolomato Matanzas NERR in Northeast Florida, designated 

in 1999. In addition, the Florida Oceans and Coastal Council was created in 2005 to develop Florida’s 

ocean and coastal research priorities, and establish a statewide ocean research plan. The group also 

coordinates public and private ocean research for more effective coastal management. This dedication 

to the conservation of coastal and ocean resources is an investment in Florida’s future. 

1.1 / Management Plan Purpose and Scope 

With increasing development, recreation and economic pressures, our aquatic resources have the 

potential to be significantly impacted, either directly or indirectly. These potential impacts to resources 

can reduce the health and viability of the ecosystems that contain them, requiring active management to 

ensure the long-term health of the entire network. Effective management plans for the aquatic preserves 

Alabama 

Georgia 

Yellow River 

Marsh 

Fort Pickens 

Rocky 

Bayou 

Lake 

Jackson 

Fort Clinch 

Nassau River - 

St. Johns 

River Marshes 

Guana River Marsh 

Atlantic Ocean 

St. Andrews 

Guana - Tolomato - Matanzas 

St. 

Joseph 

Bay 

Alligator 

Harbor 

Apalachicola 

Apalachicola 

Bay 

Big Bend 

Seagrasses 

Oklawaha 

River 

Pellicer Creek 

Tomoka 


St. Martins 


Rainbow 

Springs 

Wekiva 

River 

Mosquito 

Lagoon 

Banana River 

Pinellas 

County 

Boca Ciega 

Bay 

Terra Ceia 

Cockroach 

Bay 

North Fork, 

St. Lucie 

Indian River - 

Malabar to 

Vero Beach 

Indian River - 

Vero Beach 

to Fort Pierce 

Jensen Beach 

to Jupiter Inlet 

Gulf of Mexico 

Aquatic Preserves 

St. Joseph Bay State Buffer Preserve 

National Estuarine Research Reserves 

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary 

Coral Reef Conservation Program 

Lemon Bay 

Cape Haze 

Gasparilla Sound - 

Charlotte Harbor 

Pine 

Island 

Sound 

Estero Bay 

Matlacha 

Pass 

Rookery Bay 

Rookery Bay 

Cape Romano - 

Ten Thousand Islands 

Loxahatchee 

River - Lake 

Worth Creek 

Biscayne Bay - 

Cape Florida 

to Monroe 

County Line 

Biscayne Bay 

0 25 50 100 150 

Miles 

± September 2014 

Lignumvitae Key 

Coupon Bight 

 

Map 1 / Florida Coastal Office System

are essential to address this goal and each site’s own set of unique challenges. The purpose of these 

plans is to incorporate, evaluate and prioritize all relevant information about the site into a cohesive 

management strategy, allowing for appropriate access to the managed areas while protecting the longterm 

health of the ecosystems and their resources. 

The mandate for developing aquatic preserve management plans is outlined in Section 18-20.013 and 

Subsection 18-18.013(2) of the Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.). Management plan development and 

review begins with the collection of resource information from historical data, research and monitoring, 

and includes input from individual FCO managers and staff, area stakeholders, and members of the 

general public. The statistical data, public comment, and cooperating agency information is then 

used to identify management issues and threats affecting the present and future integrity of the site, 

its boundaries, and adjacent areas. This information is used in the development and review of the 

management plan, which is examined for consistency with the statutory authority and intent of the 

Aquatic Preserve Program. Each management plan is evaluated periodically and revised as necessary 

to allow for strategic improvements. Intended to be used by site managers and other agencies or private 

groups involved with maintaining the natural integrity of these resources, the plan includes scientific 

information about the existing conditions of the site and the management strategies developed to 

respond to those conditions. This management plan serves as an update to the original St. Martins 

Marsh Aquatic Preserve Management Plan adopted on September 9, 1987 (Florida Department of 

Natural Resources, 1987). 

To aid in the analysis and development of the management strategies for the site plans, four 

comprehensive management programs are identified. In each of these management programs, relevant 

information about the specific sites is described in an effort to create a comprehensive management 

plan. It is expected that the specific needs or issues are unique and vary at each location, but the four 

management programs will remain constant. These management programs are: 

• Ecosystem Science 

• Resource Management 

• Education and Outreach 

• Public Use 

In addition, unique local and regional issues are identified, and goals, objectives and strategies are 

established to address these issues. Finally, the program and facility needs required to meet these goals 

as identified. These components are all key elements in an effective coastal management program and 

for achieving the mission of the sites. 

1.2 / Public Involvement 

FCO recognizes the importance of stakeholder participation and encourages their involvement in the 

management plan development process. FCO is also committed to meeting the requirements of the 

Sunshine Law (§286.011, F.S.): 

• meetings of public boards or commissions must be open to the public; 

• reasonable notice of such meetings must be given; and 

• minutes of the meetings must be recorded. 

Several key steps are to be taken during management plan development. First, staff compose a draft 

plan after gathering information of current and historic uses; resource, cultural and historic sites; and 

other valuable information regarding the property and surrounding area. Staff then organize an advisory 

committee comprised of key stakeholders and conduct, in conjunction with the advisory committee, 

public meetings to engage the stakeholders for feedback on the draft plan and the development of the 

final draft of the management plan. Additional public meetings are held when the plan is reviewed by the 

Acquisition and Restoration Council and the Trustees for approval. For additional information about the 

advisory committee and the public meetings refer to Appendix C - Public Involvement.

Great blue heron utilizing the exposed karstic features at low tide. 

Chapter Two 

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s 


2.1 / Introduction 

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) protects, conserves and manages Florida’s 

natural resources and enforces the state’s environmental laws. The DEP is the lead agency in state government 

for environmental management and stewardship and commands one of the broadest charges 

of all the state agencies, protecting Florida’s air, water and land. The DEP is divided into three primary areas: 

Regulatory Programs, Land and Recreation, and Water Policy and Ecosystem Restoration. Florida’s 

environmental priorities include restoring America’s Everglades; improving air quality; restoring and 

protecting the water quality in our springs, lakes, rivers and coastal waters; conserving environmentallysensitive 

lands; and providing citizens and visitors with recreational opportunities, now and in the future. 

The Florida Coastal Office (FCO) is the unit within the DEP that manages more than four million acres 

of submerged lands and select coastal uplands. This includes 41 aquatic preserves, three National 

Estuarine Research Reserves (NERRs), the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and the Coral Reef 

Conservation Program. All are managed in cooperation with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration (NOAA). 

FCO manages sites in Florida for the conservation and protection of natural and historical resources and 

resource-based public use that is compatible with the conservation and protection of these lands. FCO is 

a strong supporter of the NERR system and its approach to coastal ecosystem management. The State 

of Florida has three designated NERR sites, each encompassing at least one aquatic preserve within

its boundaries. Rookery Bay NERR includes Rookery Bay Aquatic Preserve and Cape Romano - Ten 

Thousand Islands Aquatic Preserve; Apalachicola NERR includes Apalachicola Bay Aquatic Preserve; and 

Guana Tolomato Matanzas NERR includes Guana River Marsh Aquatic Preserve and Pellicer Creek Aquatic 

Preserve. These aquatic preserves provide discrete areas designated for additional protection beyond that 

of the surrounding NERR and may afford a foundation for additional protective zoning in the future. 

Each of the Florida NERR managers serves as a regional manager overseeing multiple other aquatic 

preserves in their region. This management structure advances FCO’s ability to manage its sites as part 

of the larger statewide system. 

 

2.2 / Management Authority 

Established by law, aquatic preserves are submerged lands of exceptional beauty that are to be 

maintained in their natural or existing conditions. The intent was to forever set aside submerged lands 

with exceptional biological, aesthetic, and scientific values as sanctuaries, called aquatic preserves, for 

the benefit of future generations. 

The laws supporting aquatic preserve management are the direct result of the public’s awareness of and 

interest in protecting Florida’s aquatic environment. The extensive dredge and fill activities that occurred 

in the late 1960s spawned this widespread public concern. In 1966, the Board of Trustees of the Internal 

Improvement Trust Fund (Trustees) created the first aquatic preserve, Estero Bay, in Lee County. 

In 1967, the Florida Legislature passed the Randall Act (Chapter 67-393, Laws of Florida), which 

established procedures regulating previously unrestricted dredge and fill activities on state-owned 

submerged lands. That same year, the Legislature provided the statutory authority (§253.03, Florida 

Statutes [F.S.]) for the Trustees to exercise proprietary control over state-owned lands. Also in 1967, 

government focus on protecting Florida’s productive water bodies from degradation due to development 

led the Trustees to establish a moratorium on the sale of submerged lands to private interests. An 

Interagency Advisory Committee was created to develop strategies for the protection and management 

of state-owned submerged lands. 

In 1968, the Florida Constitution was revised to declare in Article II, Section 7, the state’s policy of 

conserving and protecting natural resources and areas of scenic beauty. That constitutional provision 

also established the authority for the Legislature to enact measures for the abatement of air and water 

pollution. Later that same year, the Interagency Advisory Committee issued a report recommending the 

establishment of 26 aquatic preserves. 

The Trustees acted on this recommendation in 1969 by establishing 16 aquatic preserves and adopting 

a resolution for a statewide system of such preserves. In 1975 the state Legislature passed the Florida 

Aquatic Preserve Act of 1975 (Act) that was enacted as Chapter 75-172, Laws of Florida, and later 

became Chapter 258, Part II, F.S. This Act codified the already existing aquatic preserves and established 

standards and criteria for activities within those aquatic preserves. Additional aquatic preserves were 

individually adopted at subsequent times up through 1989. 

In 1980, the Trustees adopted the first aquatic preserve rule, Chapter 18-18, Florida Administrative 

Code (F.A.C.), for the administration of the Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserve. All other aquatic preserves 

are administered under Chapter 18-20, F.A.C., which was originally adopted in 1981. These rules apply 

standards and criteria for activities in the aquatic preserves, such as dredging, filling, building docks and 

other structures that are stricter than those of Chapter 18-21, F.A.C., which apply to all sovereignty lands 

in the state. 

This plan is in compliance with the Conceptual State Lands Management Plan, adopted March 17, 

1981 by the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund and represents balanced 

public utilization, specific agency statutory authority, and other legislative or executive constraints. 

The Conceptual State Lands Management Plan also provides essential guidance concerning the 

management of sovereignty lands and aquatic preserves and their important resources, including unique 

natural features, seagrasses, endangered species, and archaeological and historical resources. 

Through delegation of authority from the Trustees, the DEP and FCO have proprietary authority to 

manage the sovereignty lands, the water column, spoil islands (which are merely deposits of sovereignty 

lands), and some of the natural islands and select coastal uplands to which the Trustees hold title. 

Enforcement of state statutes and rules relating to criminal violations and non-criminal infractions rests 

with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission law enforcement and local law enforcement 

agencies. Enforcement of administrative remedies rests with FCO, the DEP Districts and Water 

Management Districts.

2.3 / Statutory Authority 

The fundamental laws providing management authority for the aquatic preserves are contained in 

Chapters 258 and 253, F.S. These statutes establish the proprietary role of the Governor and Cabinet, 

sitting as the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund, as Trustees over all sovereignty 

lands. In addition, these statutes empower the Trustees to adopt and enforce rules and regulations for 

managing all sovereignty lands, including aquatic preserves. The Florida Aquatic Preserve Act was 

enacted by the Florida Legislature in 1975 and is codified in Chapter 258, F.S. 

The legislative intent for establishing aquatic preserves is stated in Section 258.36, F.S.: “It is the intent 

of the Legislature that the state-owned submerged lands in areas which have exceptional biological, 

aesthetic, and scientific value, as hereinafter described, be set aside forever as aquatic preserves or 

sanctuaries for the benefit of future generations.” This statement, along with the other applicable laws, 

provides a foundation for the management of aquatic preserves. Management will emphasize the 

preservation of natural conditions and will include lands that are specifically authorized for inclusion as 

part of an aquatic preserve. 

Management responsibilities for aquatic preserves may be fulfilled directly by the Trustees or by staff 

of the DEP through delegation of authority. Other governmental bodies may also participate in the 

management of aquatic preserves under appropriate instruments of authority issued by the Trustees. 

FCO staff serves as the primary managers who implement provisions of the management plans and 

rules applicable to the aquatic preserves. FCO does not “regulate” the lands per se; rather, that is done 

primarily by the DEP Districts (in addition to the Water Management Districts) which grant regulatory 

permits. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services through delegated authority from 

the Trustees, may issue proprietary authorizations for marine aquaculture within the aquatic preserves 

and regulates all aquaculture activities as authorized by Chapter 597, Florida Aquaculture Policy Act, F.S. 

Staff evaluates proposed uses or activities in the aquatic preserve and assesses the possible impacts on 

the natural resources. Project reviews are primarily evaluated in accordance with the criteria in the Act, 

Chapter 18-20, F.A.C., and this management plan. 

FCO staff comments, along with comments of other agencies and the public are submitted to the 

appropriate permitting staff for consideration in their issuance of any delegated authorizations in aquatic 

preserves or in developing recommendations to be presented to the Trustees. This mechanism provides 

a basis for the Trustees to evaluate public interest and the merits of any project while also considering 

potential environmental impacts to the aquatic preserves. Any activity located on sovereignty lands 

requires a letter of consent, a lease, an easement, or other approval from the Trustees. 

Many provisions of the Florida Statutes that empower non-FCO programs within DEP or other agencies 

may be important to the management of FCO sites. For example, Chapter 403, F.S., authorizes rules 

concerning the designation of “Outstanding Florida Waters” (OFWs), a program that provides aquatic 

preserves with additional regulatory protection. Chapter 379, F.S., regulates saltwater fisheries, and 

provides enforcement authority and powers for law enforcement officers. Additionally, it provides similar 

powers relating to wildlife conservation and management. The sheer number of statutes that affect 

aquatic preserve management prevents an exhaustive list of all such laws from being provided here. 

2.4 / Administrative Rules 

Chapters 18-18, 18-20 and 18-21, F.A.C., are the three administrative rules directly applicable to the uses 

allowed in aquatic preserves specifically and sovereignty lands generally. These rules are intended to be 

cumulative, meaning that Chapter 18-21, F.A.C., should be read together with Chapter 18-18, F.A.C., or 

Chapter 18-20, F.A.C., to determine what activities are permissible within an aquatic preserve. If Chapter 

18-18, F.A.C., or Chapter 18-20, F.A.C., are silent on an issue, Chapter 18-21, F.A.C., will control; if a 

conflict is perceived between the rules, the stricter standards of Chapter 18-18, F.A.C., or Chapter 18-20, 

F.A.C., supersede those of Chapter 18-21, F.A.C. Because Chapter 18-21, F.A.C. concerns all sovereignty 

lands, it is logical to discuss its provisions first. 

Originally codified in 1982, Chapter 18-21, F.A.C., is meant “to aid in fulfilling the trust and fiduciary 

responsibilities of the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund for the administration, 

management and disposition of sovereignty lands; to insure maximum benefit and use of sovereignty 

lands for all the citizens of Florida; to manage, protect and enhance sovereignty lands so that the public 

may continue to enjoy traditional uses including, but not limited to, navigation, fishing and swimming; 

to manage and provide maximum protection for all sovereignty lands, especially those important to 

public drinking water supply, shellfish harvesting, public recreation, and fish and wildlife propagation 

and management; to insure that all public and private activities on sovereignty lands which generate

evenues or exclude traditional public uses provide just compensation for such privileges; and to aid in 

the implementation of the State Lands Management Plan.” 

To that end, Chapter 18-21, F.A.C., contains provisions on general management policies, forms of 

authorization for activities on sovereignty lands, and fees applicable for those activities. “Activity,” in the 

context of the rule, includes “construction of docks, piers, boat ramps, boardwalks, mooring pilings, 

dredging of channels, filling, removal of logs, sand, silt, clay, gravel or shell, and the removal or planting 

of vegetation” (Rule 18-21.003, F.A.C.). To be authorized on sovereignty lands, activities must be not 

contrary to the public interest (Rule 18-21.004, F.A.C.). 

Chapter 18-21, F.A.C., also sets policies on aquaculture, geophysical testing (using gravity, shock wave 

and other geological techniques to obtain data on oil, gas or other mineral resources), and special 

events related to boat shows and boat displays. Of particular importance to FCO site management, it 

additionally addresses spoil islands, preventing their development in most cases. 

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION 

Deputy Secretary 

Regulatory Programs 

Air Resource 

Management 

Waste 

Management 

Regulatory 

Districts 

Water Resource 

Management 

Emergency 

Response 

Florida 

Geological 

Survey 

National Estuarine 

Research Reserve 

Florida Oceans & 

Coastal Council 


Eco Restoration 

Environmental 

Assessment & 

Restoration 

Ecosystems 

Water 

Restoration 

Assistance 

SECRETARY 

Coral Reef 

Conservation Program 

Florida Coastal 

Management Program 

Aquatic Preserves 

Figure 1 / State management structure. 


Land & Recreation 

Cabinet 

Affairs 

State 

Lands 

Recreation 

& Parks 


Special Counsel 

Water Policy & 

Legal Affairs 

Water 

Policy 

Water 

Management 

Districts 

Florida Keys National 

Marine Sanctuary 

Outer Continental 

Shelf 

Chapters 18-18 and 18-20, F.A.C., apply 

standards and criteria for activities in the 

aquatic preserves that are stricter than 

those of Chapter 18-21, F.A.C. Chapter 18- 

18, F.A.C., is specific to the Biscayne Bay 

Aquatic Preserve and is more extensively 

described in that site’s management 

plan. Chapter 18-20, F.A.C., is applicable 

to all other aquatic preserves. It further 

restricts the type of activities for which 

authorizations may be granted for use 

of sovereignty lands and requires that 

structures that are authorized be limited 

to those necessary to conduct water 

dependent activities. Moreover, for certain 

activities to be authorized, “it must be 

demonstrated that no other reasonable 

alternative exists which would allow 

the proposed activity to be constructed 

or undertaken outside the preserve” 

(Paragraph 18-20.004(1)(g), F.A.C.). 

Chapter 18-20, F.A.C., expands on the 

definition of “public interest” by outlining 

a balancing test that is to be used to 

determine whether benefits exceed costs 

in the evaluation of requests for sale, 

lease, or transfer of interest of sovereignty 

lands within an aquatic preserve. The rule also provides for the analysis of the cumulative impacts of a 

request in the context of prior, existing, and pending uses within the aquatic preserve, including both 

direct and indirect effects. 

Chapter 18-20, F.A.C., directs management plans and resource inventories to be developed for every 

aquatic preserve. Further, the rule provides provisions specific to certain aquatic preserves and indicates 

the means by which the Trustees can establish new or expand existing aquatic preserves. 

As with statutes, aquatic preserve management relies on the application of many other DEP and outside 

agency rules. Perhaps most notably, Chapter 62-302, F.A.C., concerns the classification of surface 

waters, including criteria for OFW, a designation that provides for the state’s highest level of protection 

for water quality. All aquatic preserves contain OFW designations. No activity may be permitted within an 

OFW that degrades ambient water quality unless the activity is determined to be in the public interest. 

Once again, the list of other administrative rules that do not directly address FCO’s responsibilities 

but do affect FCO-managed areas is so long as to be impractical to create within the context of this 

management plan.

Mother dolphin and calf swimming through the seagrass beds in clear waters of the aquatic preserve. 

Chapter Three 

The St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve 

3.1 / Historical Background 

Human settlement of Florida can be dated back at least 12,000 years. Early inhabitants were nomadic 

hunters and gatherers who followed herds of large mammals. During that time period, Florida featured 

a much cooler climate and the land was much more expansive. As glaciers melted, sea level rose, and 

the climate became warmer, these native populations began to hunt smaller game, and with expansion 

of coastal resource use, the onset of agricultural civilizations began (Cohen, 1979). The most well-known 

and populous Native American tribe of North Central Florida were the Timucua. The Timucua were a 

loosely centralized group who once occupied an area stretching from Tallahassee to Jacksonville and 

down through much of central Florida. In the early 1500s, the Timucua came in contact with Spanish 

conquistadores in search of gold. Less than 50 years after the arrival of Spanish settlers, the Timucua 

were virtually wiped out (Worth, 1998). Over the next 250 years, most of Florida was ruled by the 

Spanish. As native populations dwindled, Lower Creek Indians from Georgia and Alabama moved in to 

settle the area. This group would later be known as the Seminoles (Homan & Reilly, 2001). 

In 1821, Florida was formerly ceded to the United States; as a result, conflicts between settlers and 

natives escalated. In 1823, soon after the First Seminole War, the Treaty of Moultrie Creek established 

a reservation in central Florida, including present day Citrus County, for the various tribes of Florida. In 

1830, the tribes were forced to Oklahoma via the Indian Removal Act of 1830, as part of what is now 

referred to as the Trail of Tears. The Second Seminole War would soon ensue and would prove to be the 

bloodiest of the three wars. Following this war, the Florida Armed Occupation Act of 1842 was passed 

to promote the population of Florida; and on March 3, 1845, Florida became the 27 th state in the Union. 

Soon after, settlement began with investors focusing on the economic promises of the area. The most 

notable of early settlements was that of David Yulee and his family. In 1851, Yulee built a sugar plantation 

along the Homosassa River. This plantation would be of huge service to the state of Florida and the 

Confederacy during the Civil War (Bash & Pritchett, 2006; Homan & Reilly, 2001). Yulee also chartered 

the Florida Railroad system prior to the war, which ran from Fernandina to Cedar Key; the system would

e the first to connect the east and west coasts of Florida. During the Civil War, both the plantation and 

the railway system were destroyed; however, Yulee would subsequently rebuild the railway system. 

The remains of the sugar plantation are preserved today as a historical site in Old Homosassa. The site 

serves as one of the only civil war remnants in the area, as no land battles were fought in the county. 

Only a few ’skirmishes’ along the Gulf occurred, most notably the Battle of Shell Island in 1862 (Bash & 

Pritchett, 2006). 

In 1885, the area of Crystal River had a population of approximately 100 individuals. This would soon 

expand significantly, in part due to the operations of the Cedar Key Gulf Steam Boat and the continuance 

of the Dunnellon Short railroad in 1888 that helped bring individuals to the area. In 1903, Crystal River 

would form a municipal government and in 1923 would officially become the City of Crystal River. The 

formation of a city was coupled with the land boom of 1920s. Several climatological events, followed 

by the stock market crash of 1929 would bring an abrupt halt to the boom (Bash & Pritchett, 2006). The 

Great Depression brought severe economic downturn to the nation including Citrus County. As part 

of his recovery plan, newly elected President Franklin D. Roosevelt implemented the Works Progress 

Administration (later known as the Works Projects Administration). The Works Progress Administration 

would create hundreds of critical jobs in the area by financing several local projects including the 

construction of the Crystal River Airport, Lecanto Canning Plant, and most notably the former Crystal 

River City Hall building (Bash & Pritchett, 2006). 

Almost from the onset of settlement in the area, two major industries dominated the economy of present 

day Citrus County: citrus and cedar. The Citrus County area was one of the state’s biggest citrus 

producers, so much that the county was named after the industry upon its creation in 1887. However, the 

Big Freeze of 1894-95, along with several subsequent freezes, wiped out many of the groves and forced 

the industry further south (Homan & Reilly, 2001; Bash & Pritchett, 2006). Today, the only major grove in 

Citrus County is the Bellamy Grove located in Inverness. The cedar industry had a more lasting presence 

in the area. The local industry was part of a larger cedar industry along Florida’s Gulf coast. The local 

industry was best represented by the Dixon Cedar Mill and its Dixon House along the Crystal River. The 

mill finally closed operations in the 1950s and by the 1960s, the Cedar House, which had served as the 

last remnant of the mill, was destroyed (Bash & Pritchett, 2006). The site is presently occupied by the 

Best Western Resort on Highway 19. 

Around the same time of the collapse of the citrus industry, the phosphate mining industry developed; 

the industry would become the largest industrial boom for the county (Homan & Reilly, 2001). The 

industry was centered on export to Europe; however, production was greatly hampered by the World 

Wars, and the practice became economically unfeasible in the mid-1960s (Deuerling & MacGill, 1981). 

Another major industry in the area has been real estate, which has seen two major booms in production. 

The first was the pre Depression boom of the 1920s, followed by another in the 1970s. The 1970s boom 

was brought on by an influx of retirees to the population, and led to the development of waterfront 

property throughout Crystal River. During this time several canals were dug to create more opportunity 

for waterfront development, most notably in Kings Bay, where development began to depict the area 

as it is seen today. In 1977, the Florida Power Corporation’s nuclear power plant began operations just 

North of Crystal River. The plant would go on to become the area’s largest employer (Homan & Reilly, 

2001) until its retirement was announced in 2013 (Duke Energy, 2013). The complex still operates four 

coal powered power plants. Presently, the area is recognized for its ecotourism industry, with kayaking, 

boating, fishing, scalloping, and snorkeling being the major draws to the area. The riparian area of Citrus 

County is surrounded by various state and federal protected areas and has many wildlife attractions 

(Homan & Reilly, 2001). 

10 

3.2 / General Description 

International/National/State/Regional Significance 

Established in October of 1969, the St Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve (SMMAP) is one of the more 

pristine and undeveloped environments in Florida. Siting along Florida’s Big Bend coast, SMMAP is 

composed of largely undeveloped areas of inlet bays, tidal rivers, mangrove swamps, seagrass beds, 

and salt marshes. This estuarine system provides critical nursery grounds, various fish and invertebrate 

species of recreational and commercial importance, as well as important rookery grounds for migratory 

bird species, even providing a southern terminus for some species (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS], 

2012). The salt marshes of SMMAP are part of a larger extent of marshes that dominant the transitional 

zone between land and estuary along the Gulf Coast. SMMAP’s most well-known natural community, like 

the neighboring Big Bend Seagrasses Aquatic Preserve, is its seagrass beds. The seagrass beds serve 

as the basis for complex food webs in SMMAP, providing feeding grounds for various species including

many endangered or threatened species such as the Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris) 

and several sea turtle species. 

West central Florida and Citrus County are marked by their karst geology, which has created unique 

features such as sinks, springs, and caverns. Springs fed by the Floridan Aquifer litter the coastline of 

this area, giving rise to the name of the region’s watershed, Springs Coast. Springs groupings associated 

with the Crystal and Homosassa rivers provide direct freshwater flow into SMMAP, with both springs 

groups containing first magnitude springs. The Crystal River Springs Group is concentrated in Kings 

Bay and is home to 27 first magnitude, and 70 total springs (Florida Geological Survey [FGS], 2004; 

Southwest Florida Water Management District [SWFWMD], 2013). These springs discharge about 640 

million gallons per day, making the springs group the second largest in the state (SWFWMD, 2000; 

Citrus County Board of County Commissioners, 2006). The spring discharge from these groups does not 

fluctuate seasonally, which helps to maintain the productive estuarine system of SMMAP. 

SMMAP is part of a larger context of public conservation lands that cover the overwhelming majority 

of the Citrus County shoreline. With more than eight different public conservation lands located along 

Citrus County’s coastline, and several more located inland, Citrus County has become known as 

‘Mother Nature’s Theme Park’ (Homan & Reilly, 2001). Coupled with its largely pristine and picturesque 

landscape, productive natural communities, and diverse species composition, the conservation lands of 

this county help to create a world renowned ecotourism industry. Ecotourism activities include numerous 

activities for individuals of all walks of life and provide unique opportunities for interactions with native 

wildlife (Johnson, 1998). 

The most attractive component of the area’s ecotourism industry is the Florida manatee. The city of 

Crystal River is commonly referred to as the Manatee Capital of the World. Manatees utilize the warmer 

spring fed waters of Citrus County, particularly Kings Bay in Crystal River, during winter months when 

Gulf waters slip to deadly temperatures below 20 o C. Manatee aggregation for Citrus County waters 

reached a peak of 1016 manatees, with 706 of the total in Kings Bay, recorded on February 20, 2015 

during the Statewide Synoptic Aerial Manatee Survey (J. Kleen, personal communication, June 22, 2015). 

Levy 

Citrus 

Marion 

Crystal Bay 

Fort Island Trail 

Crystal 

River 

! 

Salt River 

Kings Bay 

Mangrove Point 

Crystal River 

Airport 

W. Ozello Trail 

US-19 

St. Martins River 

Ozello 

! 

Greenleaf Bay 

St. Martins Keys 

Halls River Rd. 

Homosassa Springs 

! 

± 

0 

6/17/2015 


1 2 4 

Miles 

Map 2 / St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve. 

Homosassa Bay 

Homosassa River 

Homosassa 

! 

11

Along with the manatees, come thousands of tourists; about 100,000 annually, (Sorice, Shafer, & Dittion, 

2005), to observe and swim with the manatee, generating millions of dollars for the local economy 

(Solomon, Corey-Luse, & Halvorsen, 2004). 

Location/Boundaries 

SMMAP is located in Citrus County between the City of Crystal River and the town of Homosassa 

and encompasses approximately 28,461 acres of submerged lands. SMMAP begins just south 

of the Crystal River and Fort Island Trail and extends southward to the northern boundary of the 

Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge (CNWR). The eastern boundary runs along the Citrus 

County shore line and portions of the Crystal River Preserve State Park (CRPSP), extending westward 

to include a chain of small islands from Mangrove Point down to the St Martins Keys. SMMAP also 

includes portions of Crystal and Homosassa Bay and the entirety of Greenleaf Bay. Additionally 

portions of the Salt River, St. Martins, and Homosassa River along with numerous other tidal creeks 

and bays are also within SMMAP boundaries. 

The SMMAP boundaries are located within close proximity of US Highway 98, the Crystal River Airport, 

the City of Crystal River and the towns of Homosassa, Homosassa Springs. Additionally SMMAP 

completely surrounds the town of Ozello. SMMAP is managed along with the Big Bend Seagrasses 

Aquatic Preserve from the office in the CRPSP at 3266 N. Sailboat Avenue in Crystal River, Florida. 

12 

3.3 / Resource Description 

Surrounding Population Data and Future Projected Changes 

The coastal zone of the United States has seen rapid growth and development, increasing by almost 40 

percent from 1970-2010 (U.S. Census Bureau, 2010). Currently, 39 percent of United States residents live 

in a coastal county (NOAA, 2013). In Florida, that number nearly doubled to around 75.5 percent (Florida 

Department of Environmental Protection [DEP], 2010). The population of Citrus County has had one of 

the fastest population growth rates in state from 1970-2013, increasing by about 632 percent (University 

of Florida [UF], 2014). That number has tapered off however in recent years, only increasing by 18.9 

percent since 2000. The Citrus County population is expected to continue to slow its rate of increase 

as the population is expected to only grow by 8.1 percent by 2040 (UF, 2014). While Citrus County 

as a whole has seen much growth, the closest major city to SMMAP, Crystal River saw a 10.8 percent 

population decrease from 2000-2010 (U.S. Census Bureau, 2010). 

The steep population growth of the last 45 years has also spawned increases in the construction and 

retail industries (Citrus County Board of County Commissioners, 2006). The tourism industry has also 

seen increases over this time period. While the industry has long been an important component of the 

county’s economy, the formation of the Ecotourism Committee in 1993 and subsequent investment into 

the industry has produced a substantial growth in the ecotourism industry over the past two decades 

(Ross, 2001). The 2010 announcement of the retirement of the Crystal River 3 Nuclear Power Plant led to 

further investment in the ecotourism industry (Amrhein, 2013). In 2013, Citrus County began developing 

a Strategic Plan to assess the local economy and investigate possible methods for diversification of 

industries (Goldsmith & Company, 2013). Further development will be done with the protection of the 

environment in mind, as indicated by the goals of the county in its Comprehensive Plan. 

Topography and Geomorphology 

The three main physiographic features located in Citrus County are the Tsala Apopka Plain, the 

Brooksville Ridge, and the Gulf Coast Lowlands (Map 3). Additionally, topographical features of 

marine terraces, ancient dunes, bars, and sinkholes are found in the county. While the Tsala Apopka 

Plain and the Brooksville Ridge fall outside of the aquatic preserve boundaries, SMMAP lies on a 

submerged extension of the Gulf Coastal Lowlands province (White, 1970). The Gulf Coastal Lowlands 

are described as a low, flat seaward sloping plain extending westward and coastward from the 

Central Highlands. The Gulf Coastal Lowlands are located on the Pamlico Terrace. The land surface is 

characterized as flat and sandy with a surface slope of two to three feet per mile. This slope continues 

down the submarine plain offshore for more than 20 miles (Rupert, 1987). The Gulf Coastal Lowlands 

and the associated submarine plain are underlain by the soluble marine Ocala Group limestone of 

the Eocene. Dissolution of the area’s limestone has developed various karstic morphologies. These 

morphologies include depressions, fissures, sinks, and caverns that give a more complex structure to 

an otherwise flat landscape. 

Given its small slope and low elevation, Citrus County has historically seen extensive land level 

fluctuations, brought on by even modest sea level fluctuations in the Gulf of Mexico. Marine terraces

of the area provide a general depiction of major sea level fluctuations. The two main marine terraces 

in Citrus County are the Pamlico and the Wicomico terraces of the Pleistocene (MacNeil, 1949) (Map 

4). The Wicomico Terrace extends through the Brooksville Ridge and Tsala Apopka Plain of the county. 

The Pamlico Terrace is the terrace that encompasses the Gulf Coastal Lowlands and SMMAP (Vernon, 

1951). This terrace is the lowest of the coastal terraces in the area with a 10-20 foot escarpment. It 

stands as a residual shoreline from the Sangamonian interglacial stage of the Late Pleistocene and was 

formed through the alternative deposition and erosion of sedimentary materials as the sea level rose 

and fell (Spencer, 1984). 

The section of the Gulf Coastal Lowlands along the western edge of Citrus County are the Coastal 

Swamps. The Coastal Swamp area is defined as the full extent of fresh water swamps and salt marshes 

along the coast (Puri & Vernon, 1964; White, 1970). The coastline itself is part of the Coastal Marsh Belt 

subprovince (Puri & Vernon, 1964) and is described as a low energy system with a net sand deficiency 

(Price, 1954; Tanner, 1960). Elevations in the Coastal Swamps is generally lower than 10 feet above sea 

level (Spencer, 1984). This area is described as a drowned karst coastline as the various marshes and 

underlying sediment layers cover the karstic features in the submerged limestone. The inlets and keys 

offshore in SMMAP serve as remnants of the once attached coastline prior to submergence following the 

glacial melting of the Holocene. 

The waterways surrounding SMMAP provide for more intricate features given the close interaction 

between surface and groundwater systems. This tight interaction has helped to form many of the 

karstic features in the area. The three major rivers that impact the water system of SMMAP are the 

Withlacoochee, Crystal, and Homosassa. All three receive contributions from spring discharge 

associated with the Floridan Aquifer System. The Crystal and Homosassa rivers receives discharge from 

first magnitude springs, among others, and the Withlacoochee from a second magnitude spring. Smaller 

rivers and creeks such as the Salt River, St. Martins River, Little Homosassa River, and Fish Creek are 

important draining features in the SMMAP boundary (Rupert, 1987). These surface waters, along with 

other karstic features, form portions of the expansive drainage basins of the area. 

Levy County 

Citrus 

Springs 

! 

Marion County 

Crystal 

River 

! 

Sumter County 

Citrus County 

Inverness 

! 

Homosassa 

! 

Hernando County 

Map 3 / Geomorphology of St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve. 


Geomorphology 

Coastal Swamps 

Gulf Coastal Lowlands 

Brooksville Ridge 

Tsala Apopka Plain 

Dunellon Gap 

Western Valley 

± 

0 2 4 8 

Miles 5/19/2015 

13

Exposed karst outcroppings amongst the mangroves at low tide in the estuary. 

14 

Geology 

The Florida Peninsula is the exposed portion of the Florida Plateau that first emerged in the late 

Oligocene. The plateau’s basement is composed of Precambrian to Cambrian igneous, Ordovician to 

Devonian sedimentary, and Triassic to Jurassic volcanic rocks. During the Cenozoic Era, the peninsula 

began to take its current shape (HAQ, 1987). Over the next 40 million years, a shallow warm tropical sea 

covered the plateau which led to the formation of limestone through marine organism deposition. These 

limestone formations would form the base of the Tertiary System, which includes the majority of exposed 

geology in Citrus County. The Ocala Platform, stretching from west central Florida up through the 

Panhandle, serves as the most prominent structure of the Florida peninsula (Scott, 1988). The formation, 

formed in the early Miocene, is described as a gentle curvature with a northwest-southeast trending crest 

that developed in the Tertiary sediments (Vernon, 1951). 

The present geological structure of Citrus County is that of extensive soluble limestone. This, coupled 

with the vast array of karstic features, play an important role in the hydrogeological framework of the 

area by creating a tight, interconnection between the Floridan Aquifer and surface waters. The surface 

of the county is predominately limestone with vast areas of undifferentiated sediments occurring in the 

central portion of the county along the Brooksville Ridge. These sediments range in age from Miocene to 

Holocene and are predominately sand and clay that have a varying thickness given the karst features of 

the surrounding limestone (Spencer, 1984). The eastern edge of the Brooksville Ridge is dominated by 

undifferentiated Quaternary sediments. The sediments consist of non-carbonate, poorly to moderately 

consolidated clays and sands, as well as organics, and some freshwater carbonates (FGS, 2001). 

Undifferentiated Tertiary-Quaternary non-carbonate sediments are also present in the Brooksville Ridge. 

These sediments are differentiated from the first group of sediments based on their elevation and their 

role as a part of the Surficial Aquifer System (FGS, 2001). Additionally Miocene sediments, referred to as 

Undifferentiated Hawthorn Group sediments are dominant along the northeastern and central to south 

central portion of the Brooksville Ridge. The sediments are poorly to moderately consolidated claylike 

sands, silty clays, and relatively pure clays and are the remnants of the Hawthorn Group that once 

covered the Ocala Platform (Pirkle, 1956; Brooks, 1966). The sediments are currently an intermediate 

confining unit for the Floridan Aquifer System and provide an aquitard in areas not perforated by karst 

features (FGS, 2001). 

Suwannee Limestone is an Oligocene formation found in south central Citrus County, as well as in 

small areas around Lecanto and Citrus Hills. The formation lies unconformably upon the Crystal River

Formation of the Ocala Group, running 120 feet thick, with exposures occurring in road cuts, quarries, 

and sinkholes (Spencer, 1984). The limestone is poorly to well indurated, fossiliferous grainstone and 

packstone, with partially to completely dolomitized rock (FGS, 2001). Suwannee Limestone also contains 

areas of silicified limestone, otherwise known as chert. Present fossils include mollusks, foraminifera, 

corals and echinoids (Spencer, 1984; FGS, 2001). 

The Ocala Group limestone formations are predominantly composed of pure limestone with occasional 

dolostones and serve as the dominant surface feature of the Tsala Apopka Plain, Gulf Coastal Lowlands, 

and the Coastal Marshes. It is the dominant surface feature of the entire SMMAP. The formation is known 

for its extensive karstic features providing for a high level of permeability and thus making the formation 

an integral component of the Floridan Aquifer System (Miller, 1986). The Ocala Group is further classified 

into three distinct sub formations, in descending order: Crystal River Formation, Williston Formation, and 

the Inglis Formation. 

The Crystal River Formation of the late Eocene was named after its exposure in the Crystal River Rock 

Quarry (Puri, 1953). Additional exposures can be found in the coastal region as well as the south-central 

area of Citrus County. The formation is approximately 108 feet thick (Spencer, 1984) and is composed 

of moderately indurated packstone and wackestone that is heavily fossiliferous, as well as chert (FGS, 

2001). The formation contains fossils of bryozoan, echinoids, and mollusks; however is most often 

identified by its common occurrences of the foraminifera genus Lepidocyclina (Spencer, 1984). The 

Crystal River Formation is conformably underlain by the Williston Formation. 

The Williston Formation is a fossiliferous limestone composed of grainstone and calcarenite. The 

average thickness of the formation is approximately 30 feet with exposures found in the western regions 

near the coast, in the northern portion along the Withlacoochee River, as well as in the southeastern 

portion of the Tsala Apopka Plain, in abandoned phosphate quarries in Citrus County (Spencer, 1984; 

Vernon, 1951). The formation includes fossilized echinoids, mollusks and several species of foraminifera, 

most notably miliolid foraminifera (Spencer, 1984). The Williston Formation conformably overlays the 

Inglis Formation, where the former has not eroded away. 

Levy County 

Citrus 

Springs 

! 

Marion County 

Crystal 

River 

! 

Sumter County 

Citrus County 

Inverness 

! 

Homosassa 

! 

Map 4 / Marine terraces. 



Marine Terraces 

Palmlico Terrace 

Wicomico Terrace 

± 

0 2 4 8 

Miles 6/17/2015 

15

16 

The Inglis Formation is a fossiliferous partially to completely dolomitized limestone composed of poorly 

to moderately indurated grainstone and packstone (FGS, 2001). The formation is approximately 50 feet 

thick with exposures occurring in the northeast along the Withlacoochee River, along the coastal area, 

as well a quarry near Inglis. Fossilized organisms in the formation include mollusks, echinoids, and 

foraminifera (Spencer, 1984). 

The oldest exposed geological unit in Florida is the Avon Park Formation, formed in the upper 

middle Eocene (FGS, 2001). The only exposures in Citrus County are found north of SMMAP near 

the Withlacoochee River and Lake Rousseau. The formation is composed of poorly indurated to well 

indurated, varyingly fossiliferous grainstone, packstone, wackestone, and occasional mudstone (FGS, 

2001). The limestone also exhibits varying degrees of dolomization (Spencer, 1984). The Avon Park 

Formation provides a non-conformal base for the Ocala Group formation, with exposures occurring 

where the younger limestone has eroded away. Additionally, the formation serves as a sub-regional 

confining unit within the Floridan Aquifer System (Miller, 1986). Fossil groups include foraminifera, 

echinoids, mollusks, bryozoan, corals, algae, and carbonized plant material (Spencer, 1984; FGS, 2001). 

Mineral Resources 

While there are no mining operations immediately within the SMMAP boundaries, historically there 

have been four mineral resources mined in the uplands of Citrus County: stone, sand, clay, and 

phosphate. Stone mining in Citrus County focuses on limestone and dolomite. Stone mining occurs in 

the northwestern portion of Citrus County, just south of the town of Inglis, as well as the Lecanto area 

due east of Crystal River. Formations from which limestone is extracted include late Middle Eocene age 

Avon Park Limestone, late Eocene Ocala Group Limestone, and the Oligocene Suwannee Limestone 

(Schmidt et al., 1979). The primary uses of limestone are: road base, fertilizer, soil conditioner, rip rap, 

and concrete and asphalt aggregate (Spencer, 1984). Sand and clay mining occurs in the central 

portion of Citrus County just east of Homosassa Springs. The mined sand deposits of Citrus County are 

largely limited to the Brooksville Ridge, as deposits in the Gulf Coastal Lowlands are too fine grained for 

economic feasibility. The sands of the Brooksville Ridge range in age from Miocene to Holocene, and are 

a poorly sorted mix of fine to medium grain quartz. The primary purpose for mined sand is construction 

related uses including: concrete aggregate, road base, construction fill, and asphalt mixture (Spencer, 

1984). Fuller’s earth is a type of clay mined in near Lecanto of Citrus County. Fuller’s earth is a general 

term used to describe clays with high surface area and high sorption rates which give them binding, 

thickening, and/or decolorizing abilities (Pickering & Heivilin, 2006). Phosphate was the major mineral 

mined in the area until it reached levels of economic infeasibility in 1966. The origin of phosphate in the 

area is believed to come from phosphoric acid in water that replaced the carbonate of limestone to form 

calcium phosphate, otherwise known as hard rock phosphate (Sellards, 1913). Phosphatic clays were 

discarded as waste materials from the height of the industry, and were often left in previous mined pits. 

These clays have been processed in recent years for use as animal feed and direct application fertilizer 

(Spencer, 1984). 

Soils 

The soils of SMMAP are primarily sandy and poorly drained. With little urban development and a large 

amount of marshlands, the soil is largely uniform in many characteristics. The four main soil complexes 

of significance in SMMAP are Rock Outcrop-Homosassa-Lacoochee, Hallandale-Rock Outcrop, 

Weekiwachee-Durbin Mucks, and Homosassa-Mucky Fine Sandy Loam (Map 5). 

The most expansive complex in SMMAP is the Rock Outcrop-Homosassa-Lacoochee Complex. Found in 

tidal marshes and some offshore islands, most of the soil is flooded daily with island soil being flooded 

by extreme high tides and storm tides (U.S. Department of Agriculture [USDA], 1988). The primary 

component of this complex are the rock outcrops which are largely flat surfaces pitted with solution 

holes. However, areas near Ozello are highly fractured and partially dissolved along the fractures. The 

second major component of the complex is Homosassa soil. The surface of the Homosassa soil is black, 

murky fine sandy loam which is about five inches thick. The next layer is a dark grayish brown fine sand 

which runs to about 21 inches deep and is underlain by a hard limestone bedrock. The third major 

component of this complex is Lacoochee soil, which has a light gray fine sandy loam surface layer of 

about five inches in thickness. This is underlain by a grayish brown fine loamy sand to a depth of about 

eight inches followed by a yellowish brown fine loamy sand which reaches approximately 21 inches in 

depth. The bottom layers consist of a white soft limestone bedrock which reaches a depth of about 21 

inches, and the subsequent hard white limestone bedrock. The water capacity for the Homosassa and 

Lacoochee soils ranges from high to moderate with decreasing depth (USDA, 1988). 

The second largest complex in SMMAP is the Hallandale-Rock Outcrop Complex. The complex is 

marked by its high water table, moderate to moderately slow permeability, and strongly acidic to mildly

alkaline surface and medium acidic to moderately alkaline underlying layers (USDA, 1988). The major 

component of this complex is Hallandale soil and is found along the coastline, adjacent to fresh and salt 

water swamps. The soil is also found on some offshore islands. The surface layer of this soil is a black 

fine sand that is two inches thick and is followed by a grayish brown fine sand which runs to about six 

inches in depth. The underlying layer is a yellowish brown fine sand which runs about 10 inches deep, 

followed by a hard limestone bedrock. The rock outcrop of this complex is randomly scattered, but can 

range up to 50 feet in length (USDA, 1988). 

The Weekiwachee-Durbin Mucks are the third largest complex in SMMAP and are characterized by their 

well decomposed soils, which contain sulfur, as well as its high water capacity and moderately rapid 

permeability. The complex is found in salt marshes and is flooded on average of twice daily by high tides 

(USDA, 1988). There are two main soil types in the complex: Weekiwachee and Durbin. Weekiwachee 

soil is the dominant component of the complex and is often found adjacent to mineral soils or rock 

outcroppings. The surface layer of this soil is a black muck that is about 34 inches thick. This is underlain 

by about four inches of gray fine sand, followed by a layer of white soft limestone bedrock which runs 

about 41 inches deep and is ultimately followed by a hard limestone bedrock. Durbin soil is exposed to 

open water and has a surface layer of dark gray muck, about seven inches thick. This is underlain by a 

black muck which runs about 80 inches deep (USDA, 1988). 

The Homosassa Mucky Fine Sandy Loam complex is the fourth largest in SMMAP and is found in tidal 

marshes where it experiences daily tidal flooding. The complex is marked by its high water capacity near 

the soil surface, and medium capacity in lower layers, as well as its slightly acidic to mildly alkaline pH 

(USDA, 1988). The surface layer of the soil is a dark gray mucky fine sandy loam, about 10 inches thick 

followed by another eight inches of dark grayish brown mucky fine sandy loam. This is underlain by a 

grayish brown loamy fine sand which runs about 31 inches deep and is followed by four inches of soft 

limestone bedrock and ultimately a hard limestone bedrock (USDA, 1988). 

A small amount of Quartzipsamments (0-5 percent slope) can also be found in SMMAP. 

Quartzipsamments is commonly found near urban lands but can occur throughout the area (USDA, 


Soil Type 

Homosassa mucky fine sandy loam (6.6%) 

Rock outcrop-Homosassa-Lacoochee (55.9%) 

Weekiwachee-Durbin mucks (17.7%) 

Hallandale-Rock (19.4%) 

Quartzipsaments (0.4%) 

± 

0 1.5 

3 

Miles 6/18/2015 

Lecanto 

! 

Map 5 / Soils of St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve. 

17

1988). The soil is characterized by its variable but generally rapid permeability and its generally low water 

capacity. The surface layer is a mottled brownish yellow and pale brown fine sand which runs about 54 

inches in thickness, followed by a layer of thick dark grey fine sand and a brownish yellow fine sand, 

running 80 inches deep (USDA, 1988). 

Hydrology and Watershed 

Surface Water 

SMMAP is a complex system of inlet bays, salt marshes, and tidal creeks and rivers that form an 

expansive estuarine system along the coast of Citrus County. The three major rivers that influence the 

waters of SMMAP are the Crystal, Homosassa, and Withlacoochee. These rivers are incorporated into 

two main watersheds that impact SMMAP, the Withlacoochee River, and Springs Coast watersheds. 

These watersheds drain into the estuaries and bays of the area before flowing into the Gulf of Mexico. 

Withlacoochee River Drainage Basin 

The Withlacoochee River is a coastal river that begins in the Green Swamp of northern Polk County, 

flowing northwest 157 miles to Withlacoochee Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. The river is one of only two 

that flows north in the State of Florida. The river’s flow is derived from runoff, seepage, and springs 

discharge. The Withlacoochee Bay drainage area covers approximately 2,067 square miles and includes 

portions of Citrus, Sumter, Marion, Hernando, Polk, and Lake counties. 

The major tributaries to the Withlacoochee River include Gator Creek, Little Withlacoochee River, Jumper 

Creek, Gum Creek, Pond Creek, Grass Creek, Mattress Drain, Cumbee Drain, Cross Creek, Devils 

Creek, Gum Slough, Rainbow River, Turner Creek, and Bell Branch. The river also receives flow from 

Lake Panasoffkee and the Tsala-Apopka Lake Complex. Little Jones Creek and Shady Brook discharge 

into Lake Panasofkee and the outlet river on Lake Panasoffee discharges into the South Withlacoochee. 

Many springs also discharge into the Withlacoochee River and its tributaries including A. Wayne Lee 

Spring, Beltons Millpond Head Spring 1, Gum Spring #2, Beltons Millpond Head Spring 2A, Rainbow 

Spring, Rainbow Spring #8, Gum Spring #3, Gum Spring #1, Big Hole Spring, Shady Brook Head 

Levy County 

Citrus 

Springs 

! 

Marion County 

Withlacoochee River Basin 

Crystal River Basin 

Crystal 

River 

! 

Sumter County 

Direct Runoff to Gulf 

Homosassa River Basin 

Inverness 

! 

Homosassa 

! 

Citrus County 


± 

0 2 4 8 

Miles 5/19/2015 

Withlacoochee River 

Drainage Basin 


Springs Coast 

Withlacoochee 

18 

Map 6 / Drainage basins of St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve.

Spring #4, Nichols Spring, Henry Green Spring, Beltons Millpond Head Spring 4, Beltons Millpond 

Head Spring 2B, Shady Brook Head Spring #3, Indian Creek #1 Spring, Alligator Spring , Maintenance 

Spring, Rainbow Bridge Seep South, Gum Spring #4, Beltons Millpond Head Spring 2, Shady Brook 

Spring #2, Beltons Millpond Head Spring 3, Rainbow Bridge Seep North, Rainbow Seep #1, Rainbow 

Spring #1, Indian Creek #3 Spring, Wilson Head Spring, Rainbow Spring North, Rainbow Spring #6, 

Indian Creek #2 Spring, Rainbow Unnamed Swamp Spring, Gum Spring Main, Rainbow Spring #2, 

Rainbow Spring #4, Rainbow Spring #5, Bubbling Spring, Rainbow Springs #7, Rainbow Cave Spring, 

Citrus Blue Spring, Rainbow Spring #3, Rainbow East Seep, Waterfall Springs, Indian Creek #4 Spring, 

Fenney Spring, Canal 485 Spring 5, Canal 485A Spring 1B, Dobes Hole Spring, Canal 485A Spring 2, 

Sumter Blue Spring and Riverdale Spring. 

The Withlacoochee River discharges at the mouth of the river in Yankeetown and the western portion of 

the Cross Florida Barge Canal, an important hydrologic alteration of the river that changed the pattern 

of outflow. The current operating schedule allows flows below 1,540 cubic feet per second (cfs) to go 

through the bypass canal to the lower Withlacoochee River. Outflows above 1,540 cfs are discharged 

through the Inglis Dam to the barge canal (The Amy H. Remley Foundation, 2010). Lake Rousseau, an 

impoundment located 11 miles upstream of the river’s mouth and the eastern point of termination for the 

unfinished barge canal, also contributes to the altered flow of the Withlacoochee River. 

The Withlacoochee Bay is a large and shallow estuary at the mouth of the Withlacoochee River with an 

area of 81 square miles (DeHaven, 2004). It has an average depth of 7.35 feet, ranging from about 3- 

20 feet within the barge canal. Tides are semidiurnal with two unequal high and low tides daily and an 

average tide height of 3.6 feet. The basin opens to the southwest and mixing occurs with tidal exchange, 

wind, and near shore currents resulting in exchange of more than 50 percent of the bay’s volume twice 

daily. The average salinity of the bay is 19 parts per thousand (ppt) and the temperature averages 23°C. 

Springs Coast Drainage Basin 

The Springs Coast Basin covers approximately 1,052 square miles. Bound by the Brooksville Ridge to 

the east and the Gulf of Mexico to the west, the basin encompasses parts of Citrus, Hernando, Pasco, 

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and Pinellas counties. The northern portion of the basin is heavily influenced by spring fed rivers 

including the Crystal, Homosassa, Chassahowitzka, and Weeki Wachee rivers. These tidally influenced 

rivers are relatively short in distance, spanning only a few miles and are all fed by first magnitude springs 

(100 cfs). The southern portion of the basin is primarily influenced by direct runoff to the Gulf aside from 

the contributions of the Pithlachascotee River (SWFWMD, 2001a). 

There are three sub basins of the Springs Coast Watershed that impact the waters of SMMAP: the Crystal 

River Drainage Basin, the Homosassa River Drainage Basin, and an unnamed drainage basin. The 

unnamed basin spans 52 square miles, encompassing much of SMMAP, and culminating in direct runoff 

to the Gulf. 

Crystal River Drainage Basin 

The Crystal River Drainage Basin spans approximately 69 square miles, encompassing the Crystal 

River, Kings Bay, and the City of Crystal River. The eastern portion of the watershed is internally drained, 

limiting the surface water discharge into the Crystal River (SWFWMD, 2000). The Crystal River begins 

in Kings Bay and runs northwest through the town of Crystal River before terminating in Crystal Bay, 

spanning about seven miles in total length. Kings Bay includes a complex of 70 springs (SWFWMD, 

2013), which supply the river with fresh water from the Floridan Aquifer System. The surface area of the 

bay is approximately 600 acres with a combined spring discharge of about 640 million gallons per day, 

making the Crystal River Springs Group the second largest in the state (SWFWMD, 2000; Citrus County 

Board of County Commissioners, 2006). The most notable springs in the Crystal River/Kings Bay Springs 

Group include: Black Springs, Catfish Corner Spring, Hunters Spring, Idiot’s Delight Spring, Jurassic 

Spring, Kings Bay Spring #1, King Spring, Little Hidden Spring, Little Spring, Millers Creek Spring, 

Manatee Sanctuary Spring Tarpon Hole Spring, and Three Sisters Springs among others (FGS, 2004). 

Homosassa River Drainage Basin 

The Homosassa River Drainage Basin spans approximately 56 square miles and encompasses 

the Homosassa River and the town of Homosassa Springs. The Homosassa River is headed by 

the Homosassa Springs Group and continues approximately six miles west before terminating in 

Homosassa Bay. The most notable springs in the Homosassa Springs Group include: Abdoney Springs, 

Alligator Spring, Banana Spring, Bear Spring, Belcher Spring, Bluebird Springs, Blue Hole Spring, 

Hidden River Springs, Homosassa Spring #1, Homosassa Spring #2, Homosassa Spring #3, Totter 

Main Spring, and Trotter Spring #1 among others (FGS, 2004; DEP, 2014).The Halls River Springs also 

supply the Halls River, a tributary of the Homosassa River (FGS, 2004). 

Ground Water 

The karst geology of west central Florida plays an important role in the hydrological framework of the area. 

The ground water system of west central Florida is composed of three units: the Surficial Aquifer System, 

the Intermediate Aquifer System, and the Floridan Aquifer System. In Citrus County, small portions of the 

Surficial Aquifer System can be found in the Brooksville Ridge while the Intermediate Aquifer System is 

largely absent (SWFWMD, 2001a). 

The Surficial Aquifer System is the uppermost aquifer system. The aquifer is unconfined and composed 

primarily of clay and unconsolidated sands. The Surficial Aquifer System is found mostly in the 

Brooksville Ridge as this province still possesses the Hawthorn Group clay layer. This layer, given its low 

permeability, slows the movement of water into the Floridan Aquifer System and acts as the base of the 

Surficial Aquifer System and the upper confining layer of the Floridan Aquifer System. 

The Floridan Aquifer System is the principle aquifer system of Citrus County. The aquifer is further 

divided into the Upper Floridan Aquifer and Lower Floridan Aquifer. The Upper Floridan Aquifer contains 

potable water used for direct consumption as well as agriculture, and industrial purposes. The thickness 

of the Upper Floridan Aquifer varies from 600-1,800 feet. Throughout much of the Springs Coast and 

Withlacoochee watersheds, the Upper Floridan Aquifer is present at or near the land surface (SWFWMD, 

2001a; SWFWMD, 2001b). The Middle Confining Unit of west-central Florida is that of dolomite and 

dolomitic limestone in the Avon Park Formation. The unit has a low permeability that acts as a confining 

unit for the bottom of the Upper Floridan Aquifer, as evidenced by the mineralized water of the unit 

(Miller, 1986). The Lower Floridan Aquifer lies below the Middle Confining Unit and extends down to 

Paleocene and Cretaceous formations, containing largely non potable water (Miller, 1986). 

Groundwater recharge in Citrus County varies across geomorphic providences. The Gulf Coastal 

Lowlands province and Coastal Swamps subprovince are categorized as ‘none to moderate’ recharge 

(Stewart, 1980; Copeland, Scott, & Lloyd, 1991), with rates ranging from a net loss of nine inches per 

year to a gain of 12 inches per year. Recharge rates are generally higher in the Tsala Apopka Plain, which 

is classified as ‘low to moderate’ (Copeland et al., 1991), with rates ranging from five to 21 inches per

year (SWFWMD, 2000). The Brooksville Ridge has the highest recharge rate, classified as ‘moderate to 

high,’ annual rates range from 14 to 22 inches per year. The high recharge rate of the province is tied to 

the combination of the province’s abundant karst features, generally well drained surface, deep water 

table, and lack of permanent surface waters (streams, wetlands, creeks, etc.) (SWFWMD, 2000). 

Surface Water Quality Classification 

Waters of SMMAP are classified as Outstanding Florida Waters (OFWs). OFWs are defined as waters 

designated by the state as worthy of special protection due to their natural attributes (§403.061(27), 

Florida Statutes [F.S.]). These waters are afforded special protection by DEP due to their high quality, 

recreational or ecological significance, or their location within state or federally owned lands. This 

designation is intended to preserve the ambient water quality at the time of the designation. Stringent 

standards are applied regarding proposed alterations or potentially damaging activities to prevent any 

degradation of water quality. 

As required by the Clean Water Act, all surface waters in the state have been classified by DEP 

according to their designated use. Florida has six classes with associated designated uses, which 

are arranged in order of degree of protection required. All of the waters within SMMAP are designated 

as Class II - for shellfish propagation or harvesting area. Class II water standards are more stringent 

concerning bacteriological quality than any other class; shellfish can concentrate pathogens in 

quantities significantly higher than the surrounding waters, and can therefore be harmful if consumed. 

Approximately, every 12 years, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DACS) 

conducts regular microbial pollution source surveys ( i.e. to enumerating fecal coliform concentrations, 

identifying point and non-point sources of water pollution, assessing toxic marine plankton, etc.) of 

shellfish harvesting areas to identify all known and potential sources of pollution and determine water 

quality in shellfish waters. Based upon these surveys, all Class II waters are classified by the department 

as ‘approved,’ ‘conditionally approved,’ ‘restricted,’ ‘conditionally restricted’ or ‘prohibited’ for shellfish 

harvest (Maps 8 & 9). When environmental conditions (i.e. specific rainfall, river level, etc.) exceed 

the shellfish harvest area’s management plan, the area is closed. Emergencies such as harmful algal 

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Map 8 / Spring shellfish harvesting zones of St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve. 

Shellfish Harvesting Areas (Spring) 

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blooms, hurricanes, tropical storms, or sewage spills may trigger precautionary closures as well. In the 

case of rain or river stage closing a shellfish harvesting area, the area is reopened once bacteriological 

water quality meets National Shellfish Sanitation Program guidelines (U.S. Food and 

Drug Administration, 2013). 

The Crystal, Homosassa, and Withlacoochee rivers are designated as Class III water bodies as well as 

Special Waters OFWs. Special Waters are classified as such because they demonstrate exceptional 

recreational or ecological significance. For a more complete description of surface water quality 

standards, refer to DEP Chapter 62- 302 (Florida Administrative Code): Surface Water Quality Standards. 

In addition, Crystal River and the Homosassa River have been designated Surface Water Improvement 

and Management (SWIM) priority water bodies. Under the Surface Water Improvement and Management 

Act of Florida, each water management district identifies a list of priority water bodies within their 

boundaries and implements plans to improve them. 

In addition, SMMAP is designated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as a Gulf Ecological 

Management Site (GEMS). GEMS are geographic areas that have special ecological significance to 

the continued protection of fish, wildlife, and other natural resources or that represent unique habitat. 

The GEMS program is an initiative of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Gulf of Mexico 

Program, and the five Gulf of Mexico states that provides a framework for protection of ecologically 

important Gulf habitat. 

Climate 

Citrus County is characterized as a sub-tropical region with high mean annual temperatures and rainfall. 

The mean annual temperature is 71°F. Summer temperatures peak in the low to mid 90s and the area 

receives frequent cooling from thunderstorms. The hottest month, on average, is August, when the 

average temperature is around 82°F (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [NOAA], 2014). 

Winters are mild, yet more variable due to the frequency of cold fronts. Cold fronts generally last two to 

three days with temperatures rarely remaining below freezing during the day (Wolfe, 1990). The coldest 

month on average is January with an average temperature of 62°F (NOAA, 2014). 

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Miles 6/12/2015 


Shellfish Harvesting Areas (Winter) 

Status 

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Map 9 / Winter shellfish harvesting zones of St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve.

Rainfall varies seasonally and annually. Average annual rainfall is around 54 inches. However, records 

show fluctuations as low as 36 inches and as high as 86 inches. Citrus County is defined as exhibiting a 

bi-modal precipitation with rainfall peaks in the summer and winter. Summer rainfall is driven by warming 

of air in the interior of the peninsula which rises, creating a low pressure system of moist air from the 

Gulf. These storms are known as convective storms. Winter rainfall is caused mostly by low pressure 

systems brought in from jet stream air masses offshore. 

El Niño and La Niña are large scale 

climate interactions that are linked 

to periodic changes in sea surface 

temperatures and precipitation. 

El Niño leads to wetter and colder 

conditions along the Gulf, while La 

Niña results in the opposite effect 

in the Gulf. 

During the months of June through 

November, extreme weather events 

such as hurricanes and tropical 

storms can also have a pronounced 

effect on weather. Florida is a region 

that is highly prone to hurricane 

threats. Since 1842, Citrus County 

has endured 27 major storms, of 

which 24 were classified as tropical 

depressions or higher. The No 

Name Storm of 1993, also referred 

to as the “Storm of the Century,” 

was one of the most intense midlatitude 

cyclones ever observed 

along the east coast of the United 

States (Armstrong, 2013). The storm 

made landfall along the west coast of 

Florida on March 13 with hurricane 

strength wind speeds. Swells of up 

to 12 feet hit shore causing massive 

flooding and drowning casualties. 

The storm spawned 15 tornados A water spout that formed over the St. Martins Keys. 

across Florida’s west coast before 

moving northward up the eastern seaboard causing the most impactful blizzard on record for the region 

(NOAA, 2012). In Citrus County, wind speeds registered approximately 80 mph, and storm surges of six 

feet hit land. Residents were left without power while evacuation routes flooded. The storm would cause 

extensive damage across the nation, with Florida receiving the brunt. The state would see more than 

18,000 homes damaged and 44 casualties, as 21 counties had federal disasters declared. The severity of 

the storm and the damage that followed encouraged changes in protocol and monitoring for the National 

Weather Service (NOAA, 1993; NOAA, 2012). 

NATURAL COMMUNITIES 

The natural community classification system used in this plan was developed by the Florida Natural 

Areas Inventory (FNAI) and the Florida Department of Natural Resources, now the Florida Department of 

Environmental Protection (DEP), and updated in 2010. The community types are defined by a variety of 

factors, such as vegetation structure and composition, hydrology, fire regime, topography and soil type. 

The community types are named for the most characteristic biological or physical feature (FNAI, 2010). 

FNAI also assigns Global (G) and State (S) ranks to each natural community and species that FNAI 

tracks. These ranks reflect the status of the natural community or species worldwide (G) and in Florida 

(S). Lower numbers reflect a higher degree of imperilment (e.g., G1 represents the most imperiled 

natural communities worldwide, S1 represents the most imperiled natural communities in Florida). 

The Florida Cooperative Land Cover (CLC) Version 3.0 (2014) was used to produce a map delineating 

the major natural community types found on SMMAP. This data was developed through a partnership 

between the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and Florida Natural Areas 

23

Inventory (FNAI) to develop ecologically-based statewide land cover from existing sources and expert 

review of aerial photography. These data are not always based on comprehensive or site-specific 

field surveys, and no additional fieldwork was conducted for purposes of producing this map. The 

descriptions of the natural community types found in SMMAP have been adapted from the Guide to the 

Natural Communities of Florida (FNAI, 2010). 

Hydric Hammock 

(Synonyms: wet hammock, Gulf hammock) Hydric hammock is an evergreen and/or palm closedcanopy 

forest where palms and ferns are commonly found in moist soils and occur in low, flat, wet sites. 

Limestone is often found near the surface of the soil. High soil moisture is maintained throughout the year 

due to rainfall accumulation and periodic flooding from rivers, springs, and seepage on poorly drained 

soils. The canopy generally consists of swamp laurel oak (Quercus laurifolia) and live oak (Q. virginiana). 

Cabbage palm (Sabal palmetto), American elm (Ulmus americana), sweetbay (Magnolia virginiana), 

red cedar (Juniperus virginiana), red maple (Acer rubrum), sugarberry (Celtis laevigata), sweetgum 

(Liquidambar styraciflua), and water oak (Q. nigra) are also commonly found. The open understory is 

composed of numerous small trees and shrubs, including American hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana), 

swamp dogwood (Cornus foemina), small-leaf viburnum (Viburnum obovatum), common persimmon 

(Diospyros virginiana), swamp bay (Persea palustris), wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera), dwarf palmetto (Sabal 

minor), American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana), and needle palm (Rhapidophyllum hystrix). Vines 

are also typically found, with species such as eastern poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans), peppervine 

(Ampelopsis arborea), rattan vine (Berchemia scandens), trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans), climbing 

hydrangea (Decumaria barbara), yellow jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens), greenbriers (Smilax spp.), 

summer grape (Vitis aestivalis), and muscadine (Vitis rotundifolia). Graminoids and ferns are frequent and 

diverse; typical species are sedges (Carex spp.), woodoats (Chasmanthium spp.), smooth elephants foot 

(Elephantopus nudatus), Carolina scalystem (Elytraria caroliniensis), woodsgrass (Oplismenus hirtellus), 

maiden ferns (Thelypteris spp.), cinnamon fern (Osmunda cinnamomea), royal fern (Osmunda regalis var. 

spectabilis), toothed midsorus fern (Blechnum serrulatum), netted chain fern (Woodwardia areolata), and 

Virginia chain fern (Woodwardia virginica) (FNAI, 2010). 


Natural Communities 

Percentage of Total Area 

Hydric Hammock (5.33%) 

Mangrove Swamp (5.65%) 

Mollusk Reef* (0.17%) 

Salt Marsh (16.43%) 

Seagrass Bed (62.21%) 

0 1 

2 

Miles 

*Mollusk reef enlarged for visualization 

± 

12/15/2016 

24 

Map 10 / St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve Florida Natural Areas Inventory natural communities.

One of many tidal creeks winding up into Crystal River Preserve State Park from the Gulf of Mexico. 

Species diversity and composition is primarily determined by flooding patterns. Environments that are 

saturated and frequently flooded typically contain hydrophytic trees such as swamp tupelo (Nyssa 

sylvatica var. biflora). The frequency of floods and depths at which they occur have a prominent effect on 

oak canopy composition; saturated soils support mostly swamp laurel oak, whereas environments that 

experience less flooding are more abundant with live oak. The SMMAP hydric hammocks occur within 

and adjacent to CRPSP. According to the park biologist, this natural community is in good condition. 

Variation: Coastal Hydric Hammock 

Areas of hammock immediately 

bordering salt marsh or other coastal 

areas. Species composition is limited 

by salinity: Predominant species are 

cabbage palm, live oak, and red cedar. 

Shell Mounds 

(Synonyms: midden, Indian mound, 

tropical hammock, maritime hammock, 

coastal hammock.) Shell mounds 

are small hills elevated entirely by 

mollusk shells that were discarded by 

Native Americans several centuries 

ago. These mounds support a diverse 

hardwood, closed-canopy forest with 

the rich calcareous soil composed of 

shell fragments. If hammock vegetation 

is not available, a sparse shrubby 

community has been known to develop. 

FNAI Natural 

Community Type 

Acres 

Percent 

of Area 

Federal 

Rank 

Shell mounds tend to host tropical plant species which is in constant flux. It is natural for species to be 

eliminated by freezes and re-colonized via bird dispersal. Typical plants include gumbo-limbo (Bursera 

simaruba), cabbage palm, false mastic (Sideroxylon foetidissimum), red cedar, snowberry (Chiococca 

alba), live oak, Florida swampprivet (Forestiera segregata), coral bean (Erythrina herbacea), marlberry 

(Ardisia escallonioides), saffron plum (Sideroxylon celastrinum), smallflower mock buckthorn (Sageretia 

State 

Rank 

Hydric Hammock 1,518 5.33% G4 S4 

Shell Mounds G2 S2 

Mangrove Swamp 1,607 5.65% G3 S3 

Salt Marsh 4,677 16.43% G4 S4 

Consolidated Substrate G3 S3 

Unconsolidated Substrate G5 S5 

Mollusk Reef 49 0.17% G3 S3 

Octocoral Bed G2 S1 

Sponge Bed G2 S2 

Algal Bed G3 S2 

Seagrass Bed 17,705 62.21% G2 S2 

Aquatic Caves G3 S2 

Table 1 / St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve Florida Natural Areas 

Inventory natural communities. 

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26 

minutiflora), and coontie (Zamia pumila), among others (FNAI, 2010). The SMMAP shell mounds occur 

within and adjacent to CRPSP. According to the park biologist, this natural community is in good to 

fair condition. Erosion, by boat wake and tidal surge, is the primary cause for concern relating to shell 

mounds in the area. 

Salt Marsh 

(Synonyms: salt marsh, brackish marsh, coastal wetlands, coastal marshes, tidal wetlands.) Salt marsh 

occurs in coastal zones that are greatly affected by tides and seawater. These herbaceous communities 

are protected by large waves by the broad, gently sloping topography of the shore, by a barrier island, 

or by location along a bay or estuary. The width of the intertidal zone depends on the slope of the shore 

and the tidal range. It is not uncommon for salt marsh to have distinct zones of vegetation, with each 

zone dominated by a single plant species. Salt marsh cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora) dominates the 

areas that are most frequently flooded, the seaward edge and borders of tidal creeks. Needle rush 

(Juncus roemerianus) dominates higher, less frequently flooded areas. Carolina sea lavender (Limonium 

carolinianum), perennial salt marsh aster (Symphyotrichum tenuifolium), wand loosestrife (Lythrum 

lineare), marsh fimbry (Fimbristylis spadicea), and shoreline seapurslane (Sesuvium portulacastrum) can 

also be found in that zone. The landward edge of the marsh is influenced by freshwater influx from the 

uplands and may be colonized by a mixture of high marsh and inland species, including needle rush, 

sawgrass (Cladium jamaicense), saltmeadow cordgrass (Spartina patens), Gulf cordgrass (Spartina 

spartinae), and sand cordgrass, among others. A border of salt-tolerant shrubs, such as groundsel 

tree (Baccharis halimifolia), saltwater falsewillow (B. angustifolia), marshelder (Iva frutescens), and 

christmasberry (Lycium carolinianum), often marks the transition to upland vegetation or low berms 

along the seaward marsh edge (FNAI, 2010). 

Salt marshes are one of the most biologically productive natural communities in the world due to the tidal 

fluctuations that cycle nutrients and allow marine and estuarine fauna to access the marsh. Salt marshes 

are also extremely important because of their storm buffering capacity and their pollutant filtering actions. 

The dense roots and stems hold the unstabilized soils together, reducing the impact of storm wave 

surge. The plants, animals, and soils filter, absorb, and neutralize many pollutants before they can reach 

adjacent marine and estuarine communities. These factors make salt marshes extremely valuable as a 

natural community. The SMMAP salt marshes occur within and adjacent to CRPSP. According to the park 

biologist, this natural community is in good condition. 

Variation: Salt Flat 

Salt flats are slightly elevated areas within the salt marsh. It floods only from storm tides or extreme 

high tides. Due to the isolation from freshwater, these communities are very saline and are dominated 

by species that can only tolerate increased salinities. This includes succulents such as saltwort (Batis 

maritima), perennial glasswort (Sarcocornia ambigua), annual glasswort (Salicornia bigelovii), and bushy 

seaside oxeye (Borrichia frutescens), or short grasses, such as saltgrass (Distichlis spicata), seashore 

paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum), and shoregrass (Monanthochloe littoralis). Some salt flats are too 

elevated and become too saline and are unable to sustain much plant life. Vegetation is limited to a very 

sparse and stunted cover of succulents and/or shoregrasses with much bare ground. 

Mangrove Swamp 

(Synonyms: mangrove forest, mangrove swamp, and mangrove islands.) Mangrove swamp is a dense 

forest that can be found along flat marine and estuarine shorelines with low wave energy. These 

communities occur in flat coastal areas along saline or brackish portions of rivers, along the edges 

of low-energy estuaries, and along the seaward fringes of salt marshes and rockland hammocks. 

Soils are generally anaerobic and are saturated with brackish water at all times, becoming inundated 

during high tides. Mangrove swamp occurs on a wide variety of soils, ranging from sands and mud 

to solid limestone rock. Mangrove swamps predominately consist of red mangrove (Rhizophora 

mangle), black mangrove (Avicennia germinans), white mangrove (Laguncularia racemosa), and 

buttonwood (Conocarpus erectus). These species can be found together in mixed stands or separated 

in monospecific zones that reflect varying degrees of tidal influence, levels of salinity, and types of 

substrate. In the lowest, deep water zone, red mangrove tends to dominate, black mangrove is most 

likely to be found in the intermediate zone, followed by white mangrove and buttonwood in the highest, 

least tidally-influenced zone. 

Mangroves can range considerably within the mangrove swamp. Mangroves can typically be found in 

dense stands but it is not uncommon to find them in sparse patches, especially in upper tidal zones 

where salt marsh species dominate. The range of the mangroves varies from 80 foot tall trees to dwarf 

shrubs that thrive on limestone rock. Usually, the mangroves average about 10 to 20 feet tall. Mangrove

Red mangroves are one of three mangrove species found in St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve. 

swamps often exist with no understory, although shrubs such as seaside oxeye and vines including gray 

nicker (Caesalpinia bonduc), coinvine (Dalbergia ecastaphyllum), and rubbervine (Rhabdadenia biflora), 

and herbaceous species such as saltwort, shoregrass, perennial glasswort, and giant leather fern 

(Acrostichum danaeifolium), where present, occur most commonly in openings and along swamp edges 

(FNAI, 2010). Mangrove swamp communities are important because they provide homes for Florida’s 

commercially and recreationally significant fish and shellfish. These natural communities are also the 

breeding grounds for substantial populations of wading birds, shorebirds, and other animals. The 

continuous shedding of mangrove leaves and other plant components produce as much as 80 percent 

of the total organic material available in the aquatic food web. Additionally, mangrove swamps help 

protect other inland communities by absorbing the brunt of tropical storms and hurricanes. This natural 

community is currently in good/stable condition in SMMAP. 

Consolidated Substrate 

(Synonyms: hard bottom, rock bottom, limerock bottom, coquina bottom, relic reef.) Marine and 

estuarine consolidated substrates are mineral based natural communities generally characterized as 

expansive, relatively open areas of subtidal, intertidal and supratidal zones which lack dense populations 

of sessile plant and animal species. Consolidated substrates are solidified rock or shell conglomerates 

and include coquina, limerock or relic reef materials. These communities may be sparsely inhabited by 

sessile, planktonic, epifaunal, and pelagic plants and animals but house few infaunal organisms (i.e., 

animals living within the substrate). 

The three kinds of consolidated substrate communities occurring in Florida are of limited distribution. 

Coquina, which is a limestone composed of broken shells, corals and other organic debris, occurs 

primarily along the east coast, in marine areas in the vicinity of St. Johns and Flagler counties. Limerock 

substrates occur as outcrops of bedded sedimentary deposits consisting primarily of calcium carbonate. 

This consolidated substrate is more widespread than coquina substrate and can be found in a patchy 

distribution under both marine and estuarine conditions from north Florida to the lower-most keys in 

Monroe County, including in SMMAP. Relic reefs, the skeletal remains of formerly living reefs, are more 

limited in distribution than limerock outcrops but more common than coquina substrate (FNAI, 2010). 

Consolidated substrates are important in that they form the foundation for the development of other 

marine and estuarine natural communities when conditions become appropriate. Consolidated substrate 

communities are easily destroyed through siltation or placement of fill, and deliberate removal by actions 

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such as blasting or non-deliberate destruction by forces such as vehicular traffic. This natural community 

is currently in good/stable condition in SMMAP. The limerock substrate type is the prevalent consolidated 

substrate of SMMAP. 

Unconsolidated Substrate 

(Synonyms: beach, shore, sand bottom, shell bottom, sand bar, mud flat, tidal flat, soft bottom, coralgal 

substrate, marl, gravel, pebble, calcareous clay.) Marine and estuarine unconsolidated substrates 

are mineral based natural communities generally characterized as expansive, relatively open areas 

of subtidal, intertidal, and supratidal zones which lack dense populations of sessile plant and animal 

species. Unconsolidated substrates are unsolidified material and include coralgal, marl, mud, mud/ 

sand, sand or shell. This community may support a large population of infaunal organisms as well as a 

variety of transient planktonic and pelagic organisms (e.g., tube worms, sand dollars (Clypeasteroida), 

mollusks, isopods, amphipods, burrowing shrimp (Thalassinidea), and an assortment of crabs). 

In general, marine and estuarine unconsolidated substrate communities are the most widespread 

communities in the world. However, unconsolidated substrates vary greatly throughout Florida, based 

on surrounding parent material. Unconsolidated sediments can originate from organic sources, such 

as decaying plant tissues (e.g., mud) or from calcium carbonate depositions of plants or animals (e.g., 

coralgal, marl and shell substrates). Marl and coralgal substrates are primarily restricted to the southern 

portion of the state. The remaining four kinds of unconsolidated substrate, mud, mud/sand, sand, 

and shell, are found throughout the coastal areas of Florida. While these areas may seem relatively 

barren, the densities of infaunal organisms in subtidal zones can reach the tens of thousands per 

meter square, making these areas important feeding grounds for many bottom feeding fish, such as 

red drum or redfish (Sciaenops ocellatus), spot (Leiostomus xanthurus), and sheepshead (Archosargus 

probatocephalus). The intertidal and supratidal zones are extremely important feeding grounds for many 

shorebirds and invertebrates (FNAI, 2010). 

Unconsolidated substrates are important in that they form the foundation for the development of other 

marine and estuarine natural communities when conditions become appropriate. Unconsolidated substrate 

communities are associated with and often grade into beach dunes, salt marshes, mangrove swamps, 

seagrass beds, coral reefs, mollusk reefs, worm reefs, octocoral beds, sponge beds, and algal beds. 

Mollusk Reef 

(Synonyms: oyster bar, oyster reef, oyster bed, oyster rock, oyster grounds, mussel reef, worm shell 

reef, Vermetid reef.) Marine and estuarine mollusk reefs are faunal based natural communities typically 

characterized as expansive concentrations of sessile mollusks occurring in intertidal and subtidal zones 

to a depth of 40 feet. In Florida, the most developed mollusk reefs are generally restricted to estuarine 

areas and are dominated by the Eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica). Less common are mollusk reefs 

dominated by mussels and others dominated by Vermetid worm shells. Numerous other sessile and 

benthic invertebrates live among, attached to, or within the collage of mollusk shells. Most common are 

burrowing sponge (Hadromerida), anemones, mussels, clams, oyster drill (Urosalpinx spp.), lightning 

whelk (Busycon sinistrum), polychaetes, oyster leech (Stylochus spp.), barnacles, blue crab (Callinectes 

sapidus), mud crab (Xanthidae), stone crab (Menippe mercenaria), pea crab (Pinnotheridae), amphipods, 

and starfish (Asteroidea). Several fish also frequently occur near or feed among mollusk reefs, including 

cownose ray (Rhinopter bonasus), Gulf menhaden (Brevoortia patronus), gafftopsail catfish (Bagre 

marinus), pinfish (Lagodon rhomboides), spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus), spot, black drum 

(Pogonias cromis) and striped mullet (Mugil cephalus). Mollusk reefs that are exposed during low tides 

are frequented by a multitude of shorebirds, wading birds, raccoons and other vertebrates. One of the 

United States’ largest wintering populations of American oystercatchers (Haematopus palliates) is situated 

in the heart of the Cedar Keys. The success of this rookery can be attributed to the oyster reefs located 

here, which are an excellent and tremendously important food source. Also, successful nesting pairs of 

American oystercatchers are monitored annually on local spoil islands just north of the SMMAP boundary. 

Reef-building mollusks require a hard (consolidated) substrate on which the planktonic larvae (i.e., 

spat) settle and complete development. The spat dies if it settles on soft (unconsolidated) substrates, 

such as mud, sand or grass. Hard substrates include rocks, limestone, wood and other mollusk shells. 

Hard substrates are often limited in estuarine natural communities because of the large amounts of silt, 

sands and muds that are deposited around river mouths. Once established, however, mollusk reefs can 

generally persist and often expand by building upon themselves. 

The most common kind of mollusk reef, oyster mollusk reefs, occur in water salinities from just above 

fresh water to just below full strength sea water, but develop most frequently in estuarine water with 

salinities between 15 and 30 ppt. Their absence in marine water is largely attributed to the many

Oyster reefs are important in this area as they improve water quality and help slow storm surge from impacting 

the coastline. 

predators, parasites, and diseases of oysters that occur in higher salinities. Prolonged exposure to low 

salinities (less than two ppt) is also known to be responsible for massive mortality of oyster reefs. Thus, 

significant increases or decreases in salinity levels through natural or unnatural alterations of freshwater 

inflow can be detrimental to oyster mollusk reef communities. Mollusk reefs occupy a unique position 

among estuarine invertebrates and have been an important human food source since prehistoric times. 

They present a dynamic community of estuarine ecology, forming refugia, nursery grounds, and feeding 

areas for a myriad of other estuarine organisms. 

The major threats to mollusk reefs continue to be pollution and substrate degradation due, in large 

part, to upland development. Mollusks are filter feeders, filtering up to 100 gallons of water a day. In 

addition to filtering food, they also filter and accumulate toxins from polluted waters. Sources of these 

pollutants can be from considerably distant areas, but are often more damaging when nearby. Substrate 

degradation occurs when silts, sludge and dredge spoils cover and bury the mollusk reefs. Declining 

oyster and other mollusk reef populations can be expected in coastal waters that are being dredged 

or are receiving chemicals mixed with rainwater flowing off the land, or from drainage of untreated 

residential or industrial sewage systems. 

Reported declines in oyster bars are likely due to a departure from historical norms, and stems from 

multiple factors. Extended periods of high salinity are likely stressors of oyster populations, particularly 

on offshore bars, to the extent that the physical structure of bars are affected by both mortality of older 

oysters, and the loss of significant recruitment. Once the structure of bars is weakened, bars became less 

resilient to wave action, particularly during storm events. Evidence suggest that the primary mechanism 

is reduced survival and recruitment as a result of decreased freshwater inputs, thus causing existing 

bars to be vulnerable to wave action and sea level rise; once bar substrate becomes unconsolidated, the 

breakdown of the bar may not be reversible. Emerging threats such as sea level rise, increasing storm 

intensity, and changes to ocean chemistry are much less understood partly because these threats occur at 

very broad spatial scales and partly because oyster community response to these stressors may be locally 

confounded with other stressors such as dredging or overharvest. Evidence suggests that increasing 

human uses of freshwater inland may be an important factor resulting in habitat loss (FNAI, 2010). 

Understanding the resilience of oyster reef communities in the Gulf to these and other threats is 

important for developing effective conservation, management, and restoration plans for this species and 

29

Staff commonly find sea stars in the seagrass and on rock piles in the aquatic preserve. 

30 

this globally significant habitat. Planning for the conservation of oyster habitat in the Gulf should include 

scenarios that encompass the interaction of global change and local anthropogenic stressors. This 

natural community in SMMAP is currently in fair condition. Restoration or enhancement efforts may be 

necessary in the future. 

Octocoral Bed 

(Synonyms: gorgonians, sea fans, sea feathers, sea fingers, sea pansies, sea plumes, sea rods, sea 

whips, soft corals.) Marine and estuarial octocoral beds are characterized by their large populations 

of sessile invertebrates including Class Anthozoa, Subclass Octocorallia, Orders Gorgonacea and 

Pennatulacea. The dominant animal species are soft corals such as gorgonians, sea fans (Gorgonacea), 

sea feathers and sea plumes (Pseudopterogorgia spp.), sea fingers (Briareum asbetinum), sea pansies 

(Renilla spp.), sea rods (Plexaura spp.), and sea whips (Leptogorgia spp.). This community is confined 

to the subtidal zone and organisms are likely to dry out if not completely saturated. Sea anemones 

(Actiniaria) are also typically occurring in these communities. 

An assortment of non-sessile benthic and pelagic invertebrates and vertebrates [e.g., sponges, 

mollusks, tube worms, burrowing shrimp (Thalassinidea), crabs, isopods, amphipods, sand dollars 

(Clypeasteroida), and fishes] are associated with octocoral beds. Species include flamingo tongue snail 

(Cyphoma gibbosa) and the giant basket starfish (Astrophyton muricatum). Sessile and drift algae can 

also be found scattered throughout octocoral beds. 

Octocoral beds require hard bottom (consolidated) substrate (i.e., coquina, limerock, relic reefs) on 

which to anchor. Hard bottom substrate occurs sparsely throughout Florida in marine and estuarine 

areas; however, soft corals prefer the warmer waters of the southern portion of the state, severely limiting 

the distribution. This natural community in SMMAP is currently in good/stable condition. 

Octocoral beds may grade into other marine and estuarine hard bottom subtidal, intertidal, and 

supratidal communities (i.e., consolidated substrate, sponge bed, coral reef, mollusk reef, worm reef, 

lithophytic algal bed) as well as soft bottom communities (i.e., unconsolidated substrate, psammophytic 

algal bed, seagrass bed, salt marsh, mangrove swamp) (FNAI, 2010). 

Sponge Bed 

(Synonyms: branching candle sponge, Florida loggerhead sponge, sheepswool sponge.) Marine and 

estuarine sponge beds are soft faunal based natural communities characterized as dense populations

of sessile invertebrates of the phylum Porifera, Class Demospongiae. The dominant animal species 

are sponges such as branching candle sponge (Verongia longissima), Florida loggerhead sponge 

(Spheciospongia vesparium), and sheepswool sponge (Hippiospongia lachne). Although concentrations 

of living sponges can occur in marine and estuarine intertidal zones, sponge beds are confined primarily 

to subtidal zones. Other sessile animals typically occurring in association with these sponges are stony 

corals (Scleractinia), sea anemones (Actiniaria), mollusks, tube worms, isopods, amphipods, burrowing 

shrimp (Thalassinidea), crabs, sand dollars (Clypeasteroida), and fishes. Sessile and drift algae can also 

be found scattered throughout sponge beds. 

Sponge beds require hard bottom (consolidated) substrate (i.e., coquina, limerock, relic reefs) 

on which to anchor. Hard bottom substrate occurs sparsely throughout Florida in marine and 

estuarine areas; however, sponges prefer the warmer waters of the southern portion of the state, 

significantly limiting the distribution severely. This natural community in SMMAP is currently in good/ 

stable condition. 

Sponge beds may grade into other marine and estuarine hard bottom subtidal, intertidal and supratidal 

communities (i.e., consolidated substrate, sponge bed, coral reef, mollusk reef, worm reef, and 

lithophytic algal bed) as well as soft bottom communities (i.e., unconsolidated substrate, ammophytic 

algal bed, seagrass bed, salt marsh, mangrove swamp) (FNAI, 2010). 

Algal Bed 

(Synonyms: algal mats, periphyton mats.) Marine and estuarine algal beds are floral based natural 

communities characterized as large populations of nondrift macro or micro algae. The dominant 

vegetative species include the following genera: Anadyomene, Argardhiella, Avrainvellea, Batophora, 

Bryopsis, Calothrix, Caulerpa, Chondria, Cladophora, Dictyota, Digenia, Gracilaria, Halimeda, Laurencia, 

Oscillatoria, Penicillus, Rhipocephalus, and Sargassum. This community may occur in subtidal, intertidal, 

and supratidal zones on soft and hard bottom substrates. Vascular plants (e.g., seagrasses) may occur 

in algal beds associated with soft bottoms. Sessile animals associated with algal beds will vary based on 

bottom type. For algal beds associated with hard bottom substrate (lithophytic), faunal populations will 

be similar to populations associated with octocoral beds and sponge beds. Those associated with soft 

bottom substrate (psammophytic) may have similar benthic and pelagic species in addition to infauna 

species. Recent research has shown that algal beds provide critical habitat for juvenile spiny lobsters 

(Panulirus argus), a species of great commercial importance (FNAI, 2010). 

Lithophytic algal beds are thought to be less widespread within Florida than psammophytic algal beds. 

The precise distribution of both kinds is not known; however, the distribution is thought to be less than 

for marine and estuarine seagrass beds. 

Marine and estuarine algal beds may grade into seagrass beds, salt marsh, mangrove swamp, 

or many of the other marine or estuarine natural communities. Supratidal algal beds such as 

periphyton beds (e.g., blue-green algal mats) may grade into various coastal palustrine and 

terrestrial natural communities. 

Distribution information for algal beds is lacking. The location of major beds must be determined 

before this natural community can be managed adequately. Existing state dredge and fill laws provide 

specific protection for marine and estuarine seagrass beds but not for algal beds. The correction of this 

deficiency could prove to be the most effective management tool available. 

The primary threat to marine and estuarine algal beds are dredging and filling activities which physically 

remove or bury the beds. Other damage occurs from increased turbidity in the water column which 

reduces available light; pollution, particularly from oil spills; and damage from boats (FNAI, 2010). This 

natural community in SMMAP is currently in good/stable condition. 

Seagrass Bed 

(Synonyms: seagrass meadows, grass beds, grass flats.) Marine and estuarine seagrass beds are 

floral based natural communities typically characterized as expansive stands of vascular plants. This 

community occurs in subtidal (rarely intertidal) zones, in clear, coastal waters where wave energy is 

moderate. Seagrasses are not true grasses (Poaceae). The three most common species of seagrasses 

in Florida are turtle grass (Thalassia testudinum), manatee grass (Syringodium filiforme), and shoal grass 

(Halodule wrightii). Nearly pure stands of any one of these species can occur, but mixed stands are 

also common. Species of Halophila may be intermingled with the other seagrasses, but species of this 

genus are considerably less common than turtle grass, manatee grass and shoal grass. Widgeon grass 

(Ruppia maritima) can also be found occurring with the previously listed seagrasses although they occur 

primarily under high salinities while widgeon grass occurs in areas of lower salinity. 

31

32 

Attached to the seagrass leaf blades are numerous species of epiphytic algae and invertebrates. 

Together, seagrasses and their epiphytes serve as important food sources for manatees, marine turtles, 

and many fish, including spotted sea trout, spot, sheepshead and red drum. The dense seagrasses also 

serve as shelter or nursery grounds for many invertebrates and fish, including marine snails, clams, bay 

scallops (Argopecten irradians), polychaete worms, pink shrimp (Farfantepenaeus duorarum), blue crab, 

starfish (Asteroidea), sea urchins (Echinoidea), tarpon (Megalops atlanticus), seahorses (Hippocampus 

spp.), Florida pompano (Trachinotus carolinus), permit (T. falcatus), striped mullet, great barracuda 

(Sphyraena barracuda), and long-horned cowfish (Lactoria cornuta). 

Marine and estuarine seagrass beds occur most frequently on unconsolidated substrates of marl, 

muck or sand, although they may also occur on other unconsolidated substrates. The dense blanket of 

leaf blades reduces the wave-energy on the bottom and promotes settling of suspended particulates. 

The settled particles become stabilized by the dense roots and rhizomes of the seagrasses. Thus, 

marine and estuarine seagrass beds are generally areas of soil accumulation. Other factors affecting 

the establishment and growth of seagrass beds include water temperature, salinity, wave-energy, tidal 

activity and available light. Generally, seagrasses are found in waters with temperatures ranging from 

between 68°- 86 °F (20° and 30 °C). Seagrasses occur most frequently in areas with moderate current 

velocities, as opposed to either low or high velocities. Although marine and estuarine seagrass beds are 

most commonly submerged in shallow subtidal zones, they may be exposed for brief periods of time 

during extreme low tides. 

One of the more important factors influencing seagrass communities is the amount of solar radiation 

reaching the leaf blades. In general, the water must be fairly clear because turbidity blocks essential light 

necessary for photosynthesis. The rapid growth rate of seagrass under optimum conditions rivals that of 

most intensive agricultural practices, without energy input from man. 

Seagrass beds are often associated with and grade into unconsolidated substrate, coral reefs, 

mangrove swamps, and salt marshes, but may also be associated with any other marine and estuarine 

natural community. 

Seagrass beds are extremely vulnerable to human impacts. Many have been destroyed through 

dredging and filling activities or have been damaged by sewage outfalls and industrial wastes. In these 

instances, the seagrasses are either physically destroyed or succumb as a result of decreased solar 

radiation resulting from increased water turbidity. Seagrass beds are also highly vulnerable to oil spills. 

Low concentrations of oil are known to greatly reduce the ability of seagrasses to photosynthesize. 

Extreme high temperatures also have adverse impacts on seagrass beds. The area surrounding 

power plant outfalls, where water temperatures may exceed 95 °F (35 °C), has been found to be 

lethal to seagrasses. Seagrass beds are susceptible to long term scarring cuts from boat propellers, 

anchors and trawls. Such gouges may require many years to become revegetated. When protected 

from disturbances, seagrasses have the ability to regenerate and recolonize areas. Additionally, some 

successful replantings of seagrass beds have been conducted. However, the best management is 

to preserve and protect seagrass beds in their natural state (FNAI, 2010). This natural community in 

SMMAP is currently in good/stable condition. 

Aquatic Caves 

(Synonyms: cave, cavern grotto, chamber, chimney, sink, swallow hole, spring rise.) A cave system is 

classified as cavities below the surface of the ground in karst areas. All caves develop under aquatic 

conditions, therefore terrestrial caves can be considered dry aquatic caves. Aquatic caves vary from 

shallow pools that are highly susceptible to disturbance, to more stable systems that are completely 

submerged. At cave entrances, dense vegetation from the surrounding natural community may be 

present. Within the cave, vegetation densities drop rapidly due to the decreased illumination levels. 

Within the limits of light penetration, species of algae, moss, liverworts, and ferns may grow. Beyond light 

penetration, plant species are generally absent besides the occasional fungi that grow on guano or other 

organic debris. Troglobites are organisms that are specially evolved to survive in complete darkness 

in deep cave habitats. Blind cave crayfish, blind cave salamander, cave amphipods, cave shrimp, 

cave snail, and cave isopods are typical troglobites in aquatic caves. The dependence of troglobites 

on detrital inputs and other nutrients imported from the surface generally limits the distribution of welldeveloped 

aquatic cave communities to karst areas with surface connections. 

The dissolution and corrosion of limestone play active roles in enlarging cave passageways. These 

forces differ primarily in the slopes of the passageways which result. Since limestone caves initially 

develop in the aquifer, they are frequently associated with aquifer-related surface features. Thus, a spring 

run stream issues from an aquatic cave, while sinkhole lakes and occasionally blackwater streams lead 

into aquatic caves.

Generally, cave waters are clear and deep water appears bluish. Water can become stained brown 

from tannins leached from decaying matter nearby and transported in via rainwater. The water may 

also become milky white if fine limestone mud on the bottom of the cave is disturbed and becomes 

suspended. Waters are generally circumneutral to alkaline with a high mineral content (particularly 

calcium bicarbonate and magnesium) and with constant temperature. Flowing waters within a cave 

generally have a lower pH, is often unsaturated due to carbonates, and is relatively richer in fauna. 

Pools that are fed by seepage or dripping water have a relatively high pH, high concentration of 

dissolved carbonates, low amounts of organic matter suitable for food, and little to no fauna. Cave water 

characteristics may also vary seasonally because of fluvial inputs from interconnected surface streams, 

or because of detrital pulses and other surface inputs during periods of substantial aquifer recharge. 

In general, however, aquatic caves are very stable environments with relatively constant physical and 

chemical characteristics (FNAI, 2010). 

Aquatic caves occur within SMMAP in the form of the numerous spring vents in the bays of the 

aquatic preserve. 

NATIVE SPECIES 

The subtropical climate, diverse vegetation, and habitat variety of SMMAP allow its waters and 

surrounding lands to support a wide variety of wildlife. 

More than 40 species of mammals have been documented in SMMAP and surrounding lands. Notable 

mammal species include the two marine mammals: Florida manatee and the bottlenose dolphin 

(Tursiops truncates), as well as the Florida black bear (Ursus americanus floridanus), the North American 

river otter (Lontra canadensis), and the Homosassa shrew (Sorex longirostris eionis). 

More than 190 species of birds inhabit SMMAP and its surrounding areas during some portion of the 

year. This area supports permanent residents, as well as migratory species, with the marshes and 

coastal hammocks of the area serving as a southern terminus for some species. Notable species include 

American oystercatcher, bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis), 

white pelican (P. erythrohynchos), great blue heron (Ardea alba), peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus), 

roseate spoonbill (Platalea ajaja), Scott’s seaside sparrow (Ammodramus maritimus peninsulae), snowy 

egret (Egretta thula), white ibis (Eudocimus albus), and the wood stork (Mycteria americana). 

Upwards of 40 reptile and 30 amphibian species are present in and around SMMAP, including several 

snake, lizard, turtle, and frog species. Notable species include the American alligator (Alligator 

mississippiensis), the ornate diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin macrospilota), eastern indigo 

snake (Drymarchon corais couperi), loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta), green sea turtle (Chelonia 

mydas), Kemp’s ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempi), leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), 

eastern diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus), and the southern leopard frog (Lithobates 

sphenocephalus). 

SMMAP supports a variety of fish and invertebrate species throughout various life stages in its seagrass 

beds, mangrove forests, oyster bars, and salt marshes. These habitats often offer protection and nursery 

grounds for juveniles. Notable species inhabiting SMMAP include grouper, snapper species (Lutjanus 

spp.), red drum, sheepshead, sand tiger shark (Carcharias taurus), eastern oyster, pink shrimp, and 

stone crab. 

For a complete list of native species found in SMMAP, see Appendix B.3. 

LISTED SPECIES 

SMMAP provides refuge to several species currently listed on state or federal levels. These classifications 

range from state levels ranging in order of severity from ‘species of special concern’ to ‘threatened,’ to 

‘endangered.’ Federal listing include ‘threatened’ and ‘endangered.’ A species designation is based on 

its status and the threat it faces. 

Threats to listed species are numerous and can include human related activities such as watercraft 

collision, entanglement in manmade structures, overfishing, vandalism, consumption of human litter, 

habitat degradation, and habitat loss. Additionally species such as the Florida manatee face threats from 

disease, temperature fluctuations, and algal blooms (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission 

[FWC], 2016). 

For more information on listed species within SMMAP see below and Appendix B.3. 

Roseate Spoonbill 

Roseate spoonbills (Platalea ajaja) are the only spoonbill species native to the Western Hemisphere. 

Physical characteristics for this species include white heads, necks and backs with pinkish legs and feet. 

33

Roseate spoonbills are a migratory species that utilize St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve during the 

winter months. 

34 

Roseate spoonbills have no feathers on their heads and necks and appear completely pink inflight due 

to the feather coloration of the undersides of their wings and bellies. As their name suggests, this bird 

has a wide, spoon shaped bill that is used for foraging. Historically, this bird was hunted by people for 

its unique feathers. Threats today include fluctuating habitat regimes that affect both prey availability and 

roosting sites (Bjork & Powell, 1996). 

Piping Plover 

The piping plover (Charadrius melodus) is a small white bellied shorebird with bright yellow-orange 

legs, and a bi-colored bill and inhabits open, sandy beaches and tidal mudflats along the Atlantic and 

Gulf coasts. The species winters along the coast before returning to the Midwest to breed (FNAI, 2001). 

The biggest threat to the piping plover is the removal of nesting and feeding grounds via commercial, 

residential, and recreational development. Additionally, excessive disturbance via foot and vehicle 

traffic can negatively affect breeding success. The species also experiences predation from the influx 

of urbanized species such as raccoons, skunks, foxes, and feral and domestic pets (FWS, 2014). The 

species is listed as federally threatened. 

Red-cockaded Woodpecker 

The red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis) is a black and white bird that can reach lengths of 

nine inches. Males of the species are marked by the red-cockade, or red streak, above the cheek. The 

species can be found as far north as North Carolina and as far west as Texas. In Florida, the species 

prefers longleaf pine but will also inhabit loblolly and slash communities. Red-cockaded woodpeckers 

are the only woodpecker species to excavate cavities in living pine trees (FWC, 2015a). The biggest 

threat to red-cockaded woodpeckers is the loss and deterioration of habitat, particularly from logging 

activities (FWC, 2016). The species is listed as federally endangered. 

Wood Stork 

The wood stork is a large, long-legged wading bird that nests in mixed hardwood swamps, sloughs, 

mangroves, and cypress domes/strands in Florida. The species is the only stork species that breeds 

in the United States (FWC, 2016). Wood storks are highly social in nesting habitats, with colonies 

containing 100 to 500 nests. A major threat to wood storks is the drainage of cypress stands. This 

prevents the wood stork from nesting, and promotes predation from raccoons (FWC, 2016). While

nesting is not prevalent within SMMAP, wood storks utilize the expansive salt marsh areas during 

migration throughout the winter months (FWS, n.d.-b). The species is listed as federally threatened. 

Florida Manatee 

The Florida manatee is a large gray aquatic mammal that commonly reaches a body length of nine 

to ten feet and a weight of 1,000 pounds; however, it can grow to more than 13 feet and weight up to 

3,500 pounds (FWC, 2016). The species is known for its low reproductive rate, producing one calf every 

three to five years on average (FWC, 2016). The main causes of manatee death are human-related 

such as watercraft collisions, entanglement in flood gates or canal locks, habitat destruction and deaths 

caused from monofilament line, litter, vandalism, culverts and other man-made structures. Other causes 

of manatee death are natural causes such as cold water temperatures, red tide, disease and calving 

difficulties (Save the Manatee Club, 2010). The species is listed as federally endangered. 

Florida Panther 

The Florida panther (Puma concolor coryi) is a long-tailed, big cat with significant color variation. 

Adults have a reddish-brown back with dark tan sides and a pale gray stomach. Juveniles are grayer in 

coloration, display dark spots along their coat, and have stripes around the tail (FWC, 2016). The species 

is sexual dimorphic with males reaching heights of seven feet, and females six feet. Florida panthers are 

carnivores that inhabit forested communities and wetlands (FNAI, 2001) and require large home ranges, 

about 75 to 150 square miles (FWC, 2016). During the 1800s and early 1900s, habitat loss and hunting 

nearly drove the species to extinction. Recent conservation efforts have brought up population numbers 

to an estimated 100-160 wild panthers (FWC, 2016). The biggest current threat to Florida panther 

populations is habitat fragmentation, and related deaths by automobile collisions (FWS, 2008). The 

species is listed as federally endangered. 

Eastern Indigo Snake 

The Eastern indigo snake is a glossy bluish-black, smooth scaled snake that inhabits the southeastern 

United States. These thick bodied snakes can grow more than eight feet in length, making them 

the largest native snake species in North America (Johnson & McGarrity, 2015). Inhabitants of pine 

forests, hardwood hammocks, scrubby flatwoods, and wetlands, the species faces threats from habitat 

degradation and loss (Grosse, n.d.). Eastern indigo snakes are listed as federally threatened. 

Sea Turtles 

The main threat to sea turtles at sea is entanglement in fishing gear such as longlines, monofilament 

fishing line, nets, and crab trap lines. On land, increased beach development is an ongoing threat 

for sea turtles as development can cause degradation of the habitat, and limit the amount of nesting 

sites available. Coastal development also increases artificial lighting which can cause hatchlings to 

migrate towards the lights instead of the ocean. Other threats include increased predation on eggs, 

hits by watercraft, and habitat degradation from contaminants and pollutants (ex. oil spills) (FWC, 

2016). Sea turtle nesting occurs in all coastal counties except those in the Big Bend area of Florida. 

SMMAP’s shoreline is dominated by coastal marsh and lacks the sea turtles’ preferred nesting habitat 

of sand (FWC, 2016). Instead, sea turtles use SMMAP as a forage area. The green, Kemp’s ridley, and 

leatherback sea turtles are listed as federally endangered, while the loggerhead is listed as 

federally threatened. 

INVASIVE NON-NATIVE AND/OR PROBLEM SPECIES 

Florida ranks as one of highest in the United States in terms of invasive species. The abundance of 

invasive species has caused extensive ecological and economic damages statewide. The semi tropical 

climate of central Florida and SMMAP provides favorable conditions for potential invasive species. 

This is shown by the habitation of the area by several non-native species, including more than 45 plant 

species. Additionally, six non-native bird species, nine non-native mammal species, and six non-native 

invertebrate species have been documented in SMMAP. The infamous, invasive lionfish (Pterois volitans) 

and green mussel (Perna viridis) are potential threats to the area. Listed below are a few of the prominent 

invasive and problem species found within SMMAP’s boundary. For a comprehensive list of invasive and 

problem species, refer to Appendix B.3. 

Brazilian Pepper 

Native to Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay, Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius) is an evergreen, 

shrub-like tree that grows 15 to 30 feet in height. This species is considered the most widespread of 

Florida’s invasive plants and has invaded both terrestrial and aquatic habitats covering more than 

700,000 acres across the state (UF, n.d.-b). The tree produces dense canopies that shade out native 

vegetation, and is considered poor habitat for native wildlife species (FWC, 2015b). The berries of the 

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Juvenile and adult sea turtles can be seen swimming across the seagrass meadows year round. 

36 

species are known to cause death in native bird species, when consumed in high amounts (Morton, 

1978). This species is listed as a prohibited plant and a noxious weed by DACS. 

Chinese Tallow 

Native to Southeast Asia, Chinese tallow (Sapium sebiferum) is a tree species that can grow up to 52 

feet in height and is marked by a rapid rate of growth maturation, occurring in three to five years. This 

species is remarkably adaptive, as it can inhabit dry and wet soils, as well as, areas near fresh or salt 

water bodies. The Chinese tallow’s fast rate of maturity, coupled with its general hardiness, allows it 

to outcompete several terrestrial and aquatic tree species (FWC, 2015b). The species can also alter 

local fire regimes as the species is fire resistant (UF, n.d.-a). Chinese tallow is listed as a noxious 

weed by DACS. 

Green Mussel 

Native to the Indo-Pacific, green mussels are a potential threat to SMMAP as an invasive species. 

Green mussels are believed to have been introduced to the Tampa area in the late 1990s via larval 

transportation from ship ballast water (Benson, Marelli, Frischer, Danforth, & Williams, 2001). While 

species observations have been made in the Atlantic, as far north as Charleston, South Carolina, there 

have been no observations to date in Citrus County or SMMAP (FWC, 2015a). The species causes 

ecological damage in invaded areas by outcompeting local shellfish and also by causing potential shifts 

in trophic flow of an ecosystem, driving the system to be more benthic oriented. The species also 

causes economic damage by clogging water intake pipes for hatcheries and power plants, attaching to 

and sinking floating structures such as buoys, as well as causing increased resistance on boat 

hulls (FWC, 2015a). 

Lionfish 

Native to the Indo-Pacific, the lionfish is a red, brown, and white striped fish known for its 18 venomous 

spines and fast rate of reproduction. Averaging 12 to 15 inches in length, this species is a predatory reef 

fish, known to predate on more than 70 marine fish and invertebrate species. The lionfish also competes 

with native predatory species such as grouper and snapper, and can disrupt a reef system by removing 

important ecological roles, such as algal suppressors (FWC, 2015c). More recently, lionfish have been 

observed increasingly at areas of more variable salinities, including fresher waters (Jud, Nichols, & 

Layman, 2014) thus increasing the risk of potential invasion in SMMAP.

Staff partner with Crystal River Preserve State Park to treat invasive plant species, like Australian pine and 

Brazilian pepper, on many islands in the aquatic preserve. 

Wild Hog 

Wild hogs (Sus scrofa) in Florida include escaped domesticated livestock, Eurasian wild boar, and 

hybrids, with all three being classified as one species. Domesticated wild stock are believed to have 

been introduced to Florida in the early 1500s by either Ponce de Leon or Hernando de Soto during their 

explorations of the area. Eurasian wild boar is believed to have been introduced to the state in the early 

1900s as a form of new game (Giuliano, 2013). Size of the species is variable with adult males reaching 

weights in excess of 200 pounds and three feet in height. Wild hogs reach sexual maturity at one year 

of age and sows can produce two litters per year, ranging from 1-13 piglets each (Giuliano, 2013). The 

species typically inhabit forested upland areas. However, they are also found in swamps and marshes, 

using the waters as a means of thermoregulation. This behavior causes extensive damage by uprooting 

and weakening native vegetation. 

ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL RESOURCES 

With numerous archeological sites documented by the Florida Department of State Division of Historical 

Resources (Appendix B.5), the area of SMMAP is recognized as a major center of aboriginal activity in 

Florida. Evidence of human presence in the area is dated back to approximately 10,000 years ago with 

the presence of small bands of nomadic Paleoindians. These peoples were hunter gathers who followed 

big game animals. At that time, the climate of the area was cooler and drier, and the shoreline extended 

approximately 60-100 miles further west than it does today. The warming of the climate and receding of 

the shoreline marked the beginning of the Archaic period of human activity. Archaic people adapted to the 

changing climate by hunting smaller game, collecting plants, fishing, and shellfish harvesting. With this 

lifestyle came the onset of more permanent settlements. The best documented evidence of settlement 

in Citrus County dates back 2,500 years ago to the Deptford Culture settlements, of the Formative stage, 

along the matured Crystal River System. Groups of the Formative stage are distinguished from Archaic 

groups by the presence of ceramics. The type of ceramics additionally serves to distinguish Formative 

groups from each other. Along with late Archaic groups, the Deptford Culture settlements are responsible 

for the area’s most well-known archaeological sites, shell middens. Shell middens are former dump sites 

of these cultures, named for their most common remnant, shellfish. 

The most well-known site, believed to have been occupied from Deptford through the Late Fort Walton 

period, lies in the Crystal River Archaeological State Park. Known as the Crystal River Indian Mounds, the 

37

site was first discovered by C.B. Moore in 1903, and is considered one of the longest continually occupied 

sites in Florida (Pluckhahn, Thompson, & Weisman, 2010). The site is a mound complex with four shell 

and sand platforms, two burial mounds, and an extensive shell midden. Additional mounds from the same 

time period are found on the small island of Mullet Key. Both the Crystal River Site and Mullet Key are 

listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The shell middens, among archaeological sites of Citrus 

County and SMMAP, presently face issues of erosion brought on by changes in sea level. This poses a 

threat to the sites, not just in terms of their importance as historical resources, but also their importance as 

habitat communities they provide SMMAP (G. Ellis, personal communication, May 6, 2015). 

The end of the Fort Walton period marks the beginning of Spanish contact, or the Leon-Jefferson period. 

During this time, it is believed that Hernando De Soto marched through present day Citrus County on his 

quest for gold in La Florida. Upon landing in the Tampa area, De Soto and his troops marched northward, 

eventually crossing through the present day city of Inverness before crossing the Withlacoochee River 

and moving further northwest. This trail is marked via the De Soto Trail of Florida, with parts of the trail 

occurring along the Withlacoochee State Trail in Inverness (De Soto Trail, n.d.). Through contact with 

Spanish conquistadores, the majority of the native Timucua people were wiped out (Worth, 1998). This 

paved way for other groups of Native Americans, later known as the Seminoles, to reoccupy the land. 

With the further southern progressions of American settlements, came conflicts with the Seminoles. 

These conflicts would result in three separate wars, known as the Seminole Wars (1817-1818, 1835-1842, 

and 1855-1858). Soon after the First Seminole War, Spain ceded control of Florida to the United States 

in 1821. In 1830, the Indian Removal Act was passed in an effort to encourage population by American 

settlers by removing Native American tribes from the land. This would bring about the Second Seminole 

War, the deadliest of the three, which would include battles in eastern Citrus County. Fort Cooper State 

Park is a historic site named in honor of Major Mark Anthony Cooper, the commander of the 380 First 

Georgia Battalion Volunteers. In 1836, Major Cooper built a fort to serve as a stockade to protect the sick 

and wounded soldiers left behind by General Winfield Scott. The major was ordered to hold his position 

and await relief troops who were nine days away. During this period, the fort received constant attack 

from the Seminoles before finally receiving relief 16 days later (DEP, n.d.-a). Fort Cooper was listed on the 

National Register of Historic Places in 1972. 

Following the Armed Occupation Act of 1845, and the acceptance of Florida as a state in 1845, the 

establishment of American settlements in the area began to grow. In 1851, David Levy Yulee, the 

first senator of Florida and first Jewish U.S. senator, would build the Yulee Sugar Mill in present day 

Homosassa. The site, along with Yulee’s railroad system, would become important tools for the 

Confederate Army after Florida’s secession from the Union in 1861. The mill would serve as a supplier of 

sugar for the Confederate Army with the accompanied mansion serving as a stockpile (Bash & Pritchett, 

2006). Yulee’s compound and railroad were destroyed by the Union Army during the Civil War. Following 

the conclusion of the war, Yulee was imprisoned for a year, accused of aiding the escape of Confederate 

President Jefferson Davis. After his release from prison, Yulee rebuilt the Florida Railroad, however the 

mansion and sugar mill were never repaired. The Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins have since been partially restored 

and now serve as a landmark of Old Homosassa in the Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins Historic State Park, and are 

listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 

In 1903, Crystal River formed a municipal government, and by 1923 became a city. The formation of 

the city, coincided with the real estate boom of the 1920s and its steep decline leading into the Great 

Depression. It was during the Depression that newly elected president Franklin D. Roosevelt implemented 

the Works Progress Administration (later known as Works Projects Administration). The Works Progress 

Administration was a major component of the New Deal and provided millions of jobs through public 

works projects (Morris & Morris, 1996). Several projects were performed in Citrus County with the most 

notable ones being the Lecanto Canning Plant, Crystal River Airport, and the Old Crystal River City Hall. 

The Crystal River Airport is the only structure of the three that is still in active, originally purposed use. The 

Crystal River City Hall remained in use until 1970 and is currently listed on the National Register of Historic 

Places. The building currently houses the Coastal Heritage Museum. 

38 

3.4 / Values 

Natural Values 

SMMAP houses several critical habitat communities that provide a structural matrix for many 

commercially, recreationally, and ecologically important species of the area. Among the habitats within 

SMMAP, the most notable are seagrass beds, salt marshes, and mangrove swamps. Additionally, warmer 

spring fed waters of the Homosassa and Crystal rivers bring the endangered Florida manatee eastward, 

through SMMAP, as they travel towards warmer, springhead waters during winter months.

The seagrasses of SMMAP are part of a larger community of seagrass beds in the Big Bend region, 

stretching from Apalachee Bay to Tarpon Springs. Seagrass beds are an essential component of local 

ecosystems, often serving as the basis for complex food webs. Seagrasses serve as feeding grounds 

for several species of finfish, birds and many other marine animals, including several endangered or 

threatened species such as the Florida manatee and various species of sea turtle. Seagrass meadows 

also serve as a nursery ground for juvenile species of fish and invertebrates (Heck & Valentine, 2006), 

including blue crabs and bay scallops (Orth & van Montfrans, 1987). In addition, seagrass beds provide 

a host of other ecological services including the improvement of coastal water quality by oxygenating 

the water column, stabilizing sediments, and recycling nutrients (Perillo, Wolanski, Cahoon, & Brinson, 

2009). They are considered essential to the ecological integrity and health of Florida’s estuarine 

ecosystems, and can be used as an environmental indicator of overall water quality (Mattson, Frazer, 

Hale, Blitch, & Ahijevych, 2007). 

The salt marshes of SMMAP are part of a larger context of salt marshes that dominant the coastline of 

Apalachicola Bay to Tampa Bay, and are an integral component of the local estuarine system. The salt 

marshes of the area serve as a transitional zone between the uplands to the east and estuaries and 

Gulf to the west. As a transitional zone, salt marshes serve to protect uplands from salt water intrusion, 

waves and storm surges, while also protecting estuaries by trapping pollutants flowing into the waterway 

(Perillo et al., 2009; Doody, 2008). The plants associated with this community also serve as habitat for 

various bird, invertebrate, and finfish species. Many finfish species use the area as a nursery grounds, as 

the area provides shelter from larger predators at high tides. It is estimated that salt marshes and nearby 

estuaries of the Florida Gulf Coast provide a nursery environment for at least 70 percent of the area’s 

recreational and commercial fishery species (UF, n.d.-c). 

Moving further westward of SMMAP’s salt marshes, mangrove swamps begin to dominate the emergent 

landscape, with red and black mangroves being the dominant species of the area. Red mangroves 

are more prevalent in the eastern portion of SMMAP, while black mangroves dominate the St. Martins 

Key in the western portion. Additionally, Levy and Citrus counties serve as the northern terminus of red 

mangrove extent along the Gulf Coast (FWS, 2012). The fringe forest mangrove swamps of SMMAP 

provide an important protective barrier between storm and wave energy and the immediate coastline 

while also improving water quality from excess nutrients and pollutants (Ewel, Twiley, & Eong Ong, 

1998). Mangrove propagules and pneumatophores trap nutrients and sediments, in turn creating a 

highly productive environment. These propagules and pneumatophores also provide protection and 

serve as nursery grounds for several species of juvenile fish and invertebrates (Manson, Loneragan, 

Skilleter, & Phinn, 2005). Mangrove swamps also serve as an important rookery, and feeding sites for 

several bird species in SMMAP (FWS, 2012). 

Economic Values 

SMMAP and its surrounding waters have long had important economic ties to the surrounding land 

areas. The fishing and tourism industries are heavily dependent on these waters. Both commercial and 

recreational fisheries are present in Citrus County waters. The area has long been known for its recreational 

fishing, which once attracted the likes of professional baseball players: Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, and 

Dazzy Vance (Homan & Reilly, 2001). Today recreational fishing charters are commonplace, offering 

tourists the opportunity to fish for red drum, cobia (Rachycentron canadum), sheepshead, spotted seatrout, 

grouper, snook (Centropomus undecimalis), and mackerel (Scomberomorus spp.) among other species. 

The waters of SMMAP are also home to bay scallops. Following the reopening of Citrus County waters 

to recreational scallop harvesting in 2002, the industry has provided an economic boost to the county. In 

2003, a year after the reopening of the recreational scalloping season, it was estimated that approximately 

$982,253 was added to the local economy from the industry (Stevens, Adams, Hodges, & Mulkey, 2004). 

The commercial fishing industry has diminished considerably since its pre Great Depression heights, yet 

still remains an industry of some importance in the area. In 2013, total finfish landings of 346,519 pounds 

and 864,739 pounds of invertebrate landings were reported for the industry. (FWC, 2015d). 

The tourism industry has developed significantly over the past 30 years (Citrus County Board of County 

Commissioners, 2006), particularly with the county’s investment in ecotourism over the past two decades 

(Ross, 2001). The ecotourism industry is tied to the aesthetic values provided by the county’s numerous 

springs, crystal clear waters, migratory bird species, and perhaps most notably the Florida manatee. 

Proclaimed the manatee capital of the world, Crystal River, and nearby Homosassa, attract visitors from 

across the globe, for what has been described as one of the top ten United States adventures (Hetter, 

2013). SMMAP and its surrounding waters provide a necessary refuge for the Florida manatee when Gulf 

waters dip below 68°F (20°C) (Kleen & Breland, 2014). A 2004 study by Solomon et al. estimated the 

total economic value of the Florida manatee in Citrus County to be $8,667,120. 

39

40 

While county specific tourism studies are limited in the area, the Florida State Park System uses the 

National Park Service’s Money Generation Model (Stynes, 2011) to assess the economic impact a 

state park has on the local economy. The two largest state parks located near SMMAP include the 

CRPSP and the Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs State Park (henceforth referred to as Homosassa 

Springs for this section). These state parks are largely centered on nature based activities, providing a 

measure of ecotourism value for the area. CRPSP manages almost all emergent lands directly within, 

or bordering SMMAP, providing the best estimate of ecotourism value for SMMAP, but it still excludes 

numerous public and private access points used for boating, fishing, scalloping and other recreational 

activities. Homosassa Springs meanwhile represents the most visited state park in Citrus County. 

During the 2012-2013 fiscal year, CRPSP had an attendance of more than 169,000 that contributed a 

direct economic impact estimated at $7,568,861 to the local economy, while supporting an estimated 

121 jobs (DEP, 2013). During the same fiscal year Homosassa Springs had an attendance of more 

than 314,000 that supported 243 jobs and directly contributed an estimated $15,188,954 to the local 

economy, making it one of the top 20 profit makers in the Florida State Park System (DEP, 2013). Two 

smaller state parks located near SMMAP, Crystal River Archaeological State Park and Yulee Sugar 

Mill Ruins Historic State Park, are centered on the historical and cultural resources. These state 

parks provide an estimate of the economic value of cultural resources located near SMMAP. While 

significantly smaller in size than Homosassa Springs and CRPSP, these parks still saw a combined 

attendance of more than 47,000 that supported 36 jobs and had a direct economic impact estimated 

at $10,492,728 (DEP, 2013). 

Scientific Values 

The seagrass of SMMAP is an important component of the area’s estuarine system and serves as one 

of the system’s most productive natural communities. The seagrasses of SMMAP fall within a greater 

extent of beds along the Big Bend which provide abundant opportunities for scientific study of seagrass 

habitat. The unique ecological processes and relationships within the seagrass and salt marsh habitats 

provide invaluable information on a relatively undisturbed ecosystem. The first region-wide survey of 

seagrasses in the Big Bend was conducted during the mid- and late 1970s (Iverson & Bittaker, 1986). 

Despite numerous investigations that have followed, there still remain innumerable questions that could 

be answered utilizing this unique setting (Mattson et al., 2007). 

The waters of SMMAP are home to five of the seven species of Florida seagrass: manatee grass, shoal 

grass, star grass (Halophila engelmannii), turtle grass, and widgeon grass. SMMAP seagrass beds 

have been monitored annually by staff since 1997. Over the years, various governmental agencies, 

universities, and nonprofit groups have performed or assisted in performing studies relating to 

seagrasses in SMMAP. Such groups include FWC’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI), UF, and 

the Gulf Archeological Research Institute (GARI), of which UF and GARI have been the most active in 

recent years. GARI, is an independent, not for profit, scientific research group based in Crystal River. 

GARI has performed extensive archeological work in the area, however, has also served to assist in 

natural and physical science research in the area. Most recently, GARI partnered with SMMAP staff to 

perform a pilot study of mollusk and sediment analysis for seagrass communities in SMMAP. UF is the 

largest academic institution in the area and has performed many wildlife and wetlands related studies, 

including many in SMMAP. The most recent studies in SMMAP have focused on the effects that nutrient 

loading and biomass accumulation have on seagrass communities. 

Additional academic institutions’ staff and students frequently contact SMMAP staff to request 

information on specific locations and associated resources within SMMAP. SMMAP staff reviews and 

comments on proposed projects, assists with ecological sampling efforts; provides site access; and 

supplies data to facilitate scientific research within SMMAP on a regular basis. For more information 

regarding research and monitoring in SMMAP, see Chapter 4. 

Social and Cultural Values 

The communities near SMMAP are heavily dependent on their surrounding waters. The tight-knit 

bond between people and water resources in the area date back to the Late Archaic peoples who 

inhabited the area. The presence of more than 95 currently documented archeological sites in SMMAP 

substantiates the historical connection between humans and the coastal environment. The most famous 

of the documented archaeological sites near SMMAP is the Crystal River Indian Mounds inhabited by 

Deptford peoples more than 2,500 years ago (Pluckhahn et al., 2010). The site served many ceremonial 

purposes over time as indicated by the remains of burial mounds and a temple platform. These 

structures are shell middens composed mainly of shellfish, highlighting the important cultural connection 

between early inhabitants and the coastal resources. The site is located within the Crystal River 

Archeological State Park, which also houses a museum with additional artifacts on display.

Today, local communities still have a special relationship with the Gulf and its resources. This 

relationship brings together people through a shared appreciation of the environment and their shared 

interdependence on its resources. Throughout Citrus County, various social events are organized 

throughout the year in celebration of the natural beauty and bountiful resources provided by the local 

waters. Such events include: the Scallop Festival, the Florida Manatee Festival, the Homosassa Seafood 

Festival, and the Stone Crab Jam, etc. The Florida Manatee festival is perhaps the most well-known of 

the local events, occurring every January and attracting thousands of visitors to downtown Crystal River. 

The festival features food, live music, crafts, and most importantly, Florida manatees. 

The pristine coastline of SMMAP and surrounding lands also offers unique aesthetic value. The scenic 

panoramas of undeveloped coastal marshes, mangrove swamps, and calm, crystal clear, spring-fed 

waters create a uniquely peaceful and sacred environment in which people can connect with nature. The 

aesthetic values of the area are commonly appreciated by participating in recreational activities such as 

biking, boating, canoeing, fishing, hiking, kayaking, picnicking, snorkeling, wildlife viewing, and even 

simply communing. Given the many recreational opportunities of the area, the coastline offers locals and 

tourists alike boundless opportunities for enjoyment and the ability to relax and escape from potential 

societal pressures. 

Environmental outreach is another unique and important cultural value to the region. Every year in 

the “manatee season” of November to March, hundreds of manatees seek refuge from the harmful 

temperatures of Gulf waters by swimming up into the warmer springs areas of Citrus County. Annually, 

thousands of tourist come to see and interact with the aggregating manatees, often through guided 

tours. This opportunity for wildlife viewing has the ability to increase knowledge and awareness 

regarding the local wildlife of the area (Schänzel & McIntosh, 2000), and has the ability to lead 

individuals to adopt more environmentally friendly behaviors (Kals, Schumacher, & Montada, 1999). 

Thus, the manatee-centric ecotourism industry can be used to highlight and raise awareness for the 

environmental perils that the area faces, as well as to foster responsible environmental practices and 

beliefs among visitors. 

3.5 / Citizen Support Organization 

The SMMAP does not currently have a “Friends Group” or Citizen Support Organization (CSO). However, 

the Friends of the Crystal River State Parks, Inc. supports the SMMAP on occasion. The CSO has 

provided funds for research, management, and outreach efforts through fund raising activities. The CSO 

also serves as a means to accept donations of funds or equipment from individuals, corporations, or 

community organizations desiring to contribute to the restoration or management of public lands and/or 

waters. The recently organized statewide CSO, the Aquatic Preserve Society, Inc., may provide support 

to SMMAP as well. 

3.6 / Adjacent Public Lands and Designated Resources 

The overwhelming majority of Citrus County’s coastline is classified as public conservation lands. This 

network of managed conservation land adjacent to SMMAP, helps protect the water quality, habitats, 

and species of SMMAP from degradation. SMMAP staff regularly participates in land management 

reviews, land acquisition projects, and federal and state management planning. Managing agencies for 

conservation lands near SMMAP are predominantly state and federal and include DACS’ Florida Forest 

Service, DEP, FWC, SWFWMD, and FWS (Map 11). 

Federally Managed Lands and Waters 

Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge 

Established in 1983, Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge is located in Citrus County. Lying east of 

the northern border of the SMMAP, Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge serves to preserve the last 

undeveloped and unspoiled spring habitat in Kings Bay. The refuge was created specifically for the 

protection of the Florida manatee, and is the only refuge created for such purpose. The refuge manages 

177 total acres including 40 acres of winter manatee sanctuaries within Kings Bay. These sanctuaries 

are managed by the refuge to prevent undue stress on crowded manatee populations in the springs. 

Additionally, sanctuaries can be expanded and other public areas can be closed if the manatee 

populations become too crowded (FWS, n.d.-a). 

Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge 

CNWR is located in Citrus and Hernando counties, 60 miles north of St. Petersburg. The refuge was 

established in 1943 to provide wintering habitat for migratory birds. CNWR currently consists of 30,842 

41

42 

acres of saltwater bays, estuaries, brackish marshes, and hardwood swamps and is home to approximately 

200 species of bird, 50 species of mammal, and at least 30 species of reptile (FWS, 2012). The estuarine 

waters of CNWR receive freshwater flow from the spring fed Chassahowitzka River, located in southern 

Citrus County. The CNWR serves as the southern boundary for the SMMAP. CNWR is only accessible by 

boat, offering recreational activities that include fishing, kayaking, canoeing, and boating (FWS, 2012). 

State Managed Lands and Waters 

Crystal River Preserve State Park 

Acquired by the state in 1984, CRPSP contains more than 27,000 acres of upland, wetland, and coastal 

areas. Management of the property was transferred from the Florida Coastal Office (formerly known as 

the Coastal and Aquatic Managed Areas) to the Florida Park Service in 2004. CRPSP stretches from the 

northern border of Citrus County, through the City of Crystal River, down to the mouth of the Homosassa 

River. The park includes the majority of the terrestrial land inside and along the boundaries of SMMAP, 

including much of the immediate uplands (DEP, 2004). For recreational activities, the park offers biking 

and hiking trails, boat tours, canoe and kayak launches, designated fishing areas, and several wildlife 

viewing opportunities (DEP, n.d.-b.). The park is jointly administered with Crystal River Archaeological 

State Park and Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins Historic State Park. 

Crystal River Archaeological State Park 

Acquired in 1962 and located in Crystal River, Crystal River Archaeological State Park currently contains 

approximately 62 acres of land and is registered as a National Historic Landmark. The park is known 

for its historically significant archaeological resources. The park houses temple, burial, shell and sand 

mounds that form a complex ceremonial center and burial site and is believed to be one of the longest 

occupied human settlements in Florida, dating back to the Deptford Culture of 2,000 years ago (DEP, 

2008a). The park is jointly administered with CRPSP and Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins Historic State Park. 

Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs State Park 

Acquired in 1988 and located in Homosassa Springs, Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs State Park 

is located east of the southern portion of SMMAP. The park currently contains more than 195 acres 

designated for resource-based, public, outdoor recreation, and other park uses (DEP, 2005). The park 

contains natural communities of hydric hammock, dome swamp, depression marsh, upland mixed 

forest, and mesic flatwoods and also contains springs of the Homosassa Springs Group. The park 

houses several native wildlife enclosures and is the most visited state park in Citrus County (DEP, 2013). 

Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins Historic State Park 

Acquired in 1953 and located in Old Homosassa, the Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins Historic State Park serves as a 

historical conservation area as well as a recreational park. The site is that of the former sugar mill of David 

Levy Yulee, citrus pioneer, railroad magnate, and state politician. The park is currently 4.6 acres and located 

east of the southern portion of SMMAP. The site includes a picnic area and offers guided tours of the ruins. 

The park is jointly administered with CRPSP and Crystal River Archeological State Park (DEP, 2008c). 

Withlacoochee State Forest 

Acquired in the late 1930s, the Withlacoochee State Forest is managed by DACS’ Florida Forest Service 

and is the third largest state forest in Florida (DACS, 2013). The state forest houses more than 150,000 

acres of land, through seven noncontiguous tracts stretching through Citrus, Hernando, Pasco, Polk, 

and Sumter counties. The tract closest to SMMAP is the Homosassa Wildlife Management Area, an 

area of more than 5,600 acres south of the Homosassa River and north of the Chassahowitzka River. 

The state forest serves purposes of forestry, natural resource management, and recreational activities. 

The state forest is home to 18 different natural communities, and many rare or endangered species. 

Withlacoochee State Forest also contains more than 67,300 acres of sandhill, a rapidly disappearing 

ecosystem in the southeast (DACS, 2014). Recreational activities are enhanced through boat ramps, 

picnic tables, pavilions, canoe launches, docks, camping sites, and trails used for birding, hiking, 

horseback riding, off-highway vehicles, and biking (DACS, 2013). 

Southwest Florida Water Management District 

SWFWMD is one of Florida’s five water management districts and is responsible for the management 

of ground and surface waters in all or part of 16 counties in west central and southcentral Florida. 

SWFWMD manages the Chassahowitzka River and Coastal Swamps property housed in Citrus and 

Hernando counties. Purchased in the early 1990s, the property is an area of over 5,600 acres, located 

two miles south of Homosassa Springs and includes a portion of the Chassahowitzka River. The site 

consists primarily of hydric hammock, accounting for almost 90 percent of the management area 

(SWFWMD, 2005). Salt marshes, as well as upland habitats, are also present. The management area

serves purposes of wildlife and habitat management, water quality management, and recreation. 

Recreational activities in the area include biking, bird watching, boating, canoeing, camping, fishing, and 

hiking, among others (SWFWMD, 2005). 

Additionally, SWFWMD maintains an important presence in Kings Bay, the headwaters of the Crystal River. 

In 1988, SWFWMD designated Crystal River and Kings Bay as a SWIM priority and developed a SWIM plan 

by 1989. A 2000 plan update established four goals for improvements to water quality, focusing mainly on 

submerged aquatic vegetation and sedimentation management. Projects are proposed and funded by the 

district with these goals in mind. In 2003, SWFWMD and DEP formed an interagency group for Kings Bay 

and Crystal River, the group is now known as the Kings Bay Working Group. In 2010, SWFWMD purchased 

a 30 percent share of Three Sisters Springs, a primary water source for Kings Bay and an important refuge 

for the Florida manatee. In 2013, SWFWMD completed the final design plans for a treatment wetland for 

Three Sisters Springs, designed to intercept and treat stormwater that is discharging directly into the canal 

system (SWFWMD, 2013). The Kings Bay Technical Working Group has finalized updates to the SWIM 

plan. The document was made available to the public March 2016. 

3.7 / Surrounding Land Use 

SWFWMD’s 2011 Land Use Map for the Springs Coast Watershed in Citrus County was used to 

examine the land use surrounding SMMAP. Land use categories include agriculture, disturbed lands, 

infrastructure, natural, urban, water, and wetlands (Map 12). 

Citrus County was once an economy dominated by agriculture; however, agricultural land use has 

declined with Citrus County’s decrease in agricultural workforce and a transition from predominantly 

rural to a more populated suburban area (Citrus County Board of County Commissioners, 2006). 

Additionally, over the last century, freezes have driven out the county’s name sake crop: citrus (Homan 

& Reilly, 2001). Presently, agricultural lands account for nearly 10 percent of land use in the Springs 

Coast Watershed within Citrus County, with the two biggest subcategories being cropland/pastureland 

and tree plantations. 

Crystal River Archaeological State Park 

Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge 


Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs 

Wildlife State Park 

Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins 

Historic State Park 

Chassahowitzka River 

and Coastal Swamps 

Withlacoochee 

State Forest 

Chassahowitzka 

National Wildlife Refuge 


Adjacent Consevation Lands 

Managing Agency 

Florida Forest Service 

FL Dept. of Environmental Protection, Div. of Recreation and Parks 

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission 


Southwest Florida Water Management District 

US Fish and Wildlife Service 

± 

0 4 

8 

Miles 5/27/2015 

Chassahowitzka 

Wildlife Management Area 

Map 11 / Public conservation lands adjacent to St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve. 

Annutteliga Hammock 

Fickett Hammock Preserve 

43

Disturbed lands account for nearly two percent of Springs Coast land use. The biggest faction of 

disturbed lands is extractive land use, or mining. Similar to agriculture, extractive land use represents 

a historic economic sector that has seen steep decline over the years. Citrus County has historically 

housed several mining operations, with the most successful being the phosphate mining industry. 

Centered largely on the east side of the county, the industry originated in the area in the late 1800s and 

brought a quick economic boom. With the regression of phosphate operations in Citrus County during 

the 1960s, the county has experienced steep declines in mining lands. From 1995 to 2004, Citrus County 

saw a 96.44 percent decrease in mining land use (Citrus County Board of County Commissioners, 

2006). Current mining operations are located in the northwest and central portions of the county and 

concentrate on limestone, sand, and clay. 

Infrastructure accounts for nearly two percent of Springs Coast land use and is composed of 

transportation, communications, and utility use, with utilities representing the greatest land use. 

The largest utility land use near SMMAP is the Crystal River Energy Complex. The complex is home 

to four coal-fired steam units and a recently decommissioned nuclear power plant. Following the 

decommissioning of the nuclear power plant, Duke Energy announced plans to build a combinedcycle 

natural gas plant on 400 acres in the eastern portion of the Crystal River Energy Complex. The 

site received initial approval from the state in 2015 and plans to commence energy operations in 2018 

(Duke Energy, 2015). 

Urban areas account for about 25 percent of the Springs Coast Watershed land use. Urban land use 

is subdivided into residential units (with densities of low, medium, and high), commercial and services, 

industrial, institutional, recreational, and golf courses. Citrus County and its neighboring counties along 

Florida’s west-central coast are marked by relatively low populations and relatively undeveloped lands. 

As a result, the majority of urban land use is low density residential (defined as less than two dwelling 

units per acre), accounting for 18 percent of the total Springs Coast land use, and 81 percent of total 

residential land use. Conversely, high density residential land use (defined as greater than five dwelling 

units per acre) accounts for less than one percent of Springs Coast land use and two percent of total 

residential use. While the majority of lands surrounding SMMAP are conservation lands, there are four 

Levy County 

Marion County 

Sumter County 

Citrus County 


Surrounding Land Use 

44 


Map 12 / Land use surrounding St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve. 

Water 

Wetlands 

Natural 

Urban 

Infrastructure 

Agricultural 

Disturbed Land 

0 2 4 8 

± 

Miles 6/1/2015

population centers nearby: Ozello, Homosassa, Homosassa Springs, and Crystal River. Ozello is a small 

unincorporated community located directly east of SMMAP with limited development. 

West central Citrus County is moderately developed containing the city of Crystal River, one of two 

relatively large centralized population centers in the county with a current population of 3,089. The 

other major population is the city of Homosassa Springs with a population of approximately 13,791 

(USCB, 2016). The remaining areas of west central Citrus County remain relatively undeveloped due the 

public trust land holdings like Crystal River Preserve State Park and Chassahowitzka National Wildlife 

Refuge. This has enabled the region to remain relatively pristine and wild in character. The coastal 

communities in the area depend largely on the estuarine resources for economic development. Activities 

like ecotourism, recreational fishing and the annual recreational harvest of bay scallops generate a 

substantial amount of revenue and jobs in Citrus County each year. 

The populations of Homosassa and Homosassa Springs are found along the Homosassa River sub 

basin of the Springs Coast Watershed. Urban land use in the sub basin accounts for about 20 percent 

of the 89.8 square miles in the sub basin (DEP, 2008b). The majority of development for Homosassa 

is focused along the water front. While Homosassa Springs has the county’s largest population, 

development impacts along the waterfront from Homosassa Springs are buffered by the Homosassa 

Springs State Park. Additionally, neither 

Land Use Type Acreage Percent 

Homosassa nor Homosassa Springs 

possess a town-wide sewage system, 

Agriculture 20,007 9.5% 

leading to potential harm from improperly Disturbed Land 3,866 1.8% 

installed, outdated, and damaged septic 

Infrastructure 3,675 1.7% 

tanks (DEP, 2008b). 

Natural 67,753 32.1% 

The City of Crystal River is one of two 

Urban 52,114 24.7% 

incorporated cities in Citrus County and is 

located in the Crystal River sub basin of the Water 5,809 2.7% 

Springs Coast Watershed. Urban land use in Wetlands 58,108 27.5% 

the Crystal River sub basin accounts for more Total 211,332 100% 

than 35 percent of the sub basin’s total land 

use (DEP, 2008b). Development along the Table 2 / Land use surrounding St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve. 

Crystal River and Kings Bay has been linked 

to water quality issues and has spawned several water quality enhancement projects from the SWFWMD, 

most recently a stormwater treatment system completed in 2009, as well as a water reclamation project 

completed in 2015. 

Natural areas, wetlands, and water make up the remaining 62 percent of the Springs Coast Watershed. 

Natural areas consist of undeveloped, natural upland habitats and are the most dominant feature of 

the Springs Coast Watershed, accounting for approximately 32 percent of land use. Wetlands include 

various types of swamps and marshes among other habitats, accounting for about 27 percent of land 

use in the basin. Additionally, wetlands are the dominant form of land use for the Citrus County coastline 

and SMMAP. Much of the natural, wetland, and water areas are protected as public conservation lands. 

In total, more than 30 percent of Citrus County lands are classified as conservation lands. These lands 

include almost all of Citrus County’s coastline. Between the various state and federally managed 

conservation lands, only a fraction of the coastline is classified for other land uses. This serves to provide 

a natural barrier for SMMAP from potentially harmful uses of upland lands. 

45

This sea turtle’s shell allows it to camouflage with the sea floor as it rests. 

Part Two 

Management Programs and Issues 

Chapter Four 

The Florida Coastal Office’s Management 

Programs and Issues 

The work performed by the Florida Coastal Office (FCO) is divided into components called management 

programs. In this management plan all site operational activities are explained within the following four 

management programs: Ecosystem Science, Resource Management, Education and Outreach, and 

Public Use. 

The hallmark of Florida’s Aquatic Preserve Program is that each site’s natural resource management 

efforts are in direct response to, and designed for unique local and regional issues. When issues are 

addressed by an aquatic preserve it allows for an integrated approach by the staff using principles of the 

Ecosystem Science, Resource Management, Education and Outreach, and Public Use Programs. This 

complete treatment of issues provides a mechanism through which the goals, objectives and strategies 

associated with an issue have a greater chance of being met. For instance, an aquatic preserve may 

address declines in water clarity by monitoring levels of turbidity and chlorophyll (Ecosystem Science 

- research), planting eroded shorelines with marsh vegetation (Resource Management - habitat 

restoration), creating a display or program on preventing water quality degradation (Education and 

Outreach), and offering training to municipal officials on retrofitting stormwater facilities to increase levels 

of treatment (Education and Outreach). 

Issue-based management is a means through which any number of partners may become involved with 

an aquatic preserve in addressing an issue. Because most aquatic preserves have few staff, partnering is 

a necessity, and by bringing issues into a broad public consciousness partners who wish to be involved 

are able to do so. Involving partners in issue-based management ensures that a particular issue receives 

attention from angles that the aquatic preserve may not normally address. 

47

This section will explore issues that impact the management of St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve 

(SMMAP) directly, or are of significant local or regional importance that the aquatic preserve’s participation 

in them may prove beneficial. While an issue may be the same from preserve to preserve, the goals, 

objectives and strategies employed to address the issue will likely vary depending on the ecological and 

socioeconomic conditions present within and around a particular aquatic preserve’s boundary. In this 

management plan, SMMAP will characterize each of its issues and delineate the unique goals, objectives 

and strategies that will set the framework for meeting the challenges presented by the issues. 

Each issue will have goals, objectives and strategies associated with it. Goals are broad statements 

of what the organization plans to do and/or enable in the future. They should address identified needs 

and advance the mission of the organization. Objectives are a specific statement of expected results 

that contribute to the associated goal, and strategies are the general means by which the associated 

objectives will be met. Appendix D contains a summary table of all the goals, objectives and strategies 

associated with each issue. Large, beneficial projects, outside the current capacity of St. Martins Marsh 

Aquatic Preserve’s funding and staffing, are identified in Appendix D.4, in case opportunities become 

available to support those projects in the ten-year span of this management plan. 

4.1 / The Ecosystem Science Management Program 

The Ecosystem Science Management Program supports science-based management by providing 

resource mapping, modeling, monitoring, research and scientific oversight. The primary focus of this 

program is to support an integrated approach (research, education and stewardship) for adaptive 

management of each site’s unique natural and cultural resources. FCO ensures that, when applicable, 

consistent techniques are used across sites to strengthen the State of Florida’s ability to assess the 

relative condition of coastal resources. This enables decision-makers to more effectively prioritize 

restoration and resource protection goals. In addition, by using the scientific method to create baseline 

conditions of aquatic habitats, the Ecosystem Science Management Program allows for objective 

analyses of the changes occurring in the state’s natural and cultural resources. 

48 

4.1.1 / Background of Ecosystem Science at St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve 

A relatively small amount of ecosystem science activities have occurred in the region, when compared 

to the large body of scientific research, monitoring data, maps, and models that more urbanized areas of 

the state have compiled. However, the pristine conditions of the Springs Coast makes it an ideal location 

to conduct this type of research and is continuously gaining momentum. The following section highlights 

some of the mapping, modeling, and monitoring efforts that have been conducted in SMMAP and associated 

Springs Coast. 

Mapping 

In order to effectively manage resources within SMMAP, it is imperative to conduct routine mapping of 

these resources. This allows for the identification of areas within SMMAP where increased research, 

monitoring, and management emphasis is necessary. Habitat mapping within SMMAP has, for the most 

part, been focused on seagrass habitat. Mapping efforts have suffered from a lack of consistency in 

methodologies that makes comparative analysis between mapping efforts difficult. 

• In 1977, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) mapped the extent of saltwater intrusion in coastal 

Citrus County. 

• In 1997, SMMAP staff did a comparative study on prop scarring focusing on changes in area 

and degree of impact since 1995, when they were evaluated by Florida Marine Research Institute 

(FMRI, now Fish and Wildlife Research Institute [FWRI]). An aerial reconnaissance of the area 

was conducted. 

• In 2007, the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) collected digital imagery for 

Florida Springs Coast (70 mile stretch of coastline north of Tampa Bay) in April 2007 for the purpose 

of mapping the extensive seagrass beds of this region. 

• In 2007, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) FWRI developed the Seagrass 

Integrated Mapping and Monitoring (SIMM) program to protect and manage seagrass resources in 

Florida by providing a collaborative vehicle for seagrass mapping, monitoring, and data sharing. This 

is the first comprehensive effort to provide both mapping and monitoring information for seagrasses 

throughout Florida’s coastal waters. 

• In 2009, Crystal River Preserve State Park (CRPSP) staff began an extensive Invasive Vegetation 

Mapping Effort. The primary species of focus is Brazilian pepper and the effort is ongoing. Updated 

infestation maps are created after each field assessment.

Modeling 

Computational models support scientific analyses and provide scientist and resource managers better 

information, which ultimately supports management decisions and policies. Models increase the level of 

understanding about natural systems and the way in which they react to varying conditions. 

• In 1979, USGS collected hydrologic and water quality data in Citrus County to evaluate modeling 

results. Current and predicted waste loading of the estuary was simulated by use of a twodimensional 

steady-state, intertidal-condition model. 

• USGS investigated the position of the saltwater-freshwater interface in the upper part of the Floridan 

Aquifer in 1979. The position of the saltwater-freshwater transition zone in the Floridan Aquifer along 

coastal southwest Florida is depicted by the 250 milligram per liter line of equal chloride concentration 

in the upper producing zone of the aquifer. Knowledge about the position and movement of the 250 

milligram per liter line is significant in the effective management of the ground-water resources of 

coastal areas; moreover, the present position of the line will be used as a basis for detecting future 

movement of the saltwater-freshwater interface. 

• USGS modelled groundwater resources of coastal Citrus, Hernando, and southwestern Levy counties 

in 1983. Computer models are presently available to help predict the extent of influence of groundwater 

withdrawals in an area. These may be used as management tools in planning ground-water 

development of the area. 

• USGS developed a digital groundwater flow model to approximate steady-state predevelopment flow 

conditions in the Upper Floridan Aquifer of coastal west-central Florida in 1988. 

• Dr. Y. Peter Sheng developed a Curvilinear-grid Hydrodynamic 3D model (CH3D) at the Aeronautical 

Research Associates of Princeton, Inc. Since 1989, Dr. Sheng’s Advanced Coastal Environmental 

Simulations Lab at the University of Florida (UF) has enhanced processes, algorithms, and coding 

of the model through studies on shallow estuaries with complex shorelines and bathymetry. A fully 

integrated modeling system (IMS), CH3D-IMS has been developed and includes circulation, wave, 

sediment transport, water quality, light attenuation, and seagrass models. Additional processes such 

as surface water ground water interaction, atmospheric processes, contaminant transport are being 

added to the model suite. Another integrated modeling system for storm surge and coastal inundation 

has been developed and can produce high resolution inundation simulations. 

• In 1996, USGS investigated the tidal-flow, circulation, and flushing characteristics of Kings Bay in 

Citrus County. Kings Bay is a unique estuarine system with no significant in flowing rivers or streams. 

As much as 99 percent of the freshwater entering the bay originates from multiple spring vents at the 

bottom of the estuary. The circulation and flushing characteristics of Kings Bay were evaluated by 

applying SIMSYS2D, a two-dimensional numerical model. Simulation results indicate that all of the 

open waters of Kings Bay are flushed by the spring discharge. 

• In 1996, USGS mapped elevation differences on the order of 10 cm within Florida's marsh system 

influence on major variations in tidal flooding and in the associated plant communities. This low 

elevation gradient combined with sea level fluctuation of five to 10 cm over long periods can generate 

significant alteration and erosion of marsh habitats along the Gulf Coast. Analysis included use of 

the GEOID93 model with a least squares network adjustment and reference to the National Geodetic 

Reference System. Knowledge of precise and accurate elevations in the marsh is critical to the 

efficient monitoring and management of these habitats. These new positions provide sufficient vertical 

accuracy to achieve the project objectives of tying marsh surface elevations to long-term water level 

gauges recording sea level fluctuations along the coast. 

• In 2001, USGS investigated the hydrology of the coastal spring’s ground-water basin and adjacent 

parts of Pasco, Hernando, and Citrus counties. The coastal springs in Citrus County consist of two 

first-order magnitude springs and numerous smaller springs, which are points of substantial groundwater 

discharge from the Upper Floridan Aquifer. Spring flow is proportional to the water-level altitude 

in the aquifer and is affected primarily by the magnitude and timing of rainfall. Water budgets were 

constructed for small ground-water basins that form the Coastal Springs Ground-Water Basin. The 

collection of hydrologic data from index sites could provide much needed information to assess the 

hydrologic factors affecting the quantity and quality of spring flow in the Coastal Springs Ground- 

Water Basin. 

Monitoring and Research 

Considerable water quality and scientific monitoring data has been collected in SMMAP during the 

last 30 years. Although, most water quality studies have been restricted to waters near the upstream 

extent of tidal influence. Below are some of the historical water quality and monitoring studies that have 

been conducted in the Springs Coast region. Water quality studies conducted as part of the Florida 

49

50 

Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) watershed management approach for protecting water 

resources and addressing Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) requirements. These studies primarily have 

focused on freshwater portions of the region. 

• SWFWMD has monitored the potentiometric surface of the Upper Florida Aquifer 1978-1982, and 

again in 2007. This monitoring effort allows experts to observe changes in the level of the aquifer in 

the low lying areas of coastal Citrus County. 

• In 1978, USGS conducted a preliminary evaluation of how coastal springs and seeps discharge as 

much as a billion gallons of water per day to low-lying coastal swamps and estuarine marshes along 

the Gulf Coast of Citrus and Hernando counties. 

• The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DACS) assesses microbiological conditions 

(fecal coliform and toxic marine plankton) of coastal waters to reduce the risk of shellfish-borne 

illness. Sanitary surveys are conducted to identify waters where contaminants may be present in 

amounts that present a human health hazard, and thus should not be open to harvest. DACS began 

monitoring the shellfish harvesting areas of the Crystal River region in 1981 and Withlacoochee 

Bay in 1983. 

• In 1992, USGS examined the effects of tidal stage and ground-water levels on the discharge and 

water quality of springs in coastal Citrus County. 

• In 1997, SMMAP staff did a comparative study on prop scarring focusing on changes in area and degree 

of impact since 1995, when they were evaluated by FMRI. An aerial reconnaissance of the area 

was conducted. 

• Dr. Tom Frazer of UF began a long term water quality monitoring study in 1997 to present in the 

Crystal River, Homosassa River, and Withlacoochee River estuaries. 

• FWC’s FMRI, now the FWRI, conducted an Inshore Marine Monitoring and Assessment Program 

that sampled areas within SMMAP in 2004 and Withlacoochee Bay in 2001. These sampling events 

provided a snapshot of the water quality within these systems. 

• Coordinated through UF's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences/School of Forest Resources 

& Conservation’s Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, the LAKEWATCH program has been in existence 

since 1986. The program has coordinated water quality sampling at more than 600 lakes, rivers and 

coastal sites in more than 40 counties. Data has been collected in Citrus County since 2004. 

• In 2007, FWC’s FWRI developed the SIMM program to protect and manage seagrass resources in 

Florida by providing a collaborative vehicle for seagrass mapping, monitoring, and data sharing. This 

is the first comprehensive effort to provide both mapping and monitoring information for seagrasses 

throughout Florida’s coastal waters. 

• Since 2009, CRPSP has surveyed remote islands in SMMAP to quantify the extent and location of 

non-native invasive plant infestations, including Brazilian pepper. Areas are resurveyed on a 24- 

month maximum rotation. Accurate survey information allows Florida Park Service staff to prioritize 

chemical treatments and contract work to aid in the overall control strategy for different invasive 

species within SMMAP. 

• In July 2009, SWFWMD investigated the spatial distribution of benthic macroinvertebrates in the 

Crystal River-Kings Bay System with emphasis on relationships with salinity. Particular emphasis was 

given to the analysis of relationships between univariate biological metrics and chemical parameters 

that are known to influence macroinvertebrate spatial distribution and are known to be affected by 

water flow (e.g., salinity). 

• From 2010-2012, UF conducted research linking seagrass performance measures to water quality. 

The environmental conditions along Florida’s central Gulf Coast present a unique opportunity for 

integrated monitoring of water quality and seagrasses. Such monitoring can identify undesirable 

trends, trigger and guide actions to stop or reverse such trends, and document the success of 

efforts to manage the region’s natural resources sustainably. This project made valuable progress 

toward developing a rigorous and efficient long-term monitoring program that will yield early warning 

of detrimental changes to seagrasses and provide natural resource managers with a means of 

evaluating changes in water quality as a driver of such impacts. 

• In August 2012, University of Georgia researchers collected seawater and seagrass samples to 

evaluate them for chelonid fibropapilloma-associated herpesvirus, the etiologic agent of sea turtle 

fibropapilloma tumors. DNA samples were examined using quantitative PCR (polymerase chain 

reaction) analysis, and all samples collected were negative for the virus. 

• Inwater Research Group (IRG) has been conducting sea turtle research in SMMAP and surrounding 

waters since 2012. Efforts in 2012 included vessel based visual transect surveys to document sea 

turtle abundance and distribution. That work revealed a sea turtle assemblage dominated by green 

turtles (67 percent), followed by Kemp’s ridleys (26 percent), and loggerheads (7 percent). Work in 

2013 and 2014 included capture and tagging efforts, which documented the size class distributions

of all species and also documented an unexpectedly high prevalence of fibropapillomatosis among 

green turtles. Sea turtle abundance in the waters of SMMAP was among the highest of any site IRG 

has studied, and IRG plans to continue to work in the area with the hopes of establishing SMMAP as 

an “in-water index site” for long term population monitoring. 

• UF PhD candidates conducted research that monitored morphological characteristics and patterns 

of biomass allocation of turtle grass in relation to nutrient regimes off Florida’s Gulf Coast in August 

2013. Monitoring occurred across two coastal systems (Crystal River and Homosassa River) at 

existing water quality monitoring stations. At each location, replicate plots were marked for production 

and cores were taken for biomass analysis. 

• In 2014, Gulf Archaeology Research Institute (GARI) received a grant to study mollusks and 

sediments from seagrass habitats within the SMMAP. 

• In 2014, UF PhD candidates investigated the resilience of seagrass to shading driven by biomass 

allocation strategy along a productivity gradient. Researchers examined how seagrasses exhibit 

differing above-ground to below-ground (AG:BG) biomass ratios along the Springs Coast. This 

pattern largely tracks water quality patterns off the coast and is of interest to ecologists and mangers 

because it may affect seagrass resilience. This project examined the role of AG:BG biomass ratio in 

the resilience of turtle grass to reductions in light availability. 

• In 2015, University of South Florida researchers conducted a study to quantify the magnitude of 

oyster reef change by reconstructing prehistoric oyster size distributions and growth rates using 

midden shells from an archaeological site in Crystal River, and comparing these demographics with 

the extant population. 

4.1.2 / Current Status of Ecosystem Science at St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve 

Research and monitoring are crucial components of resource and ecosystem management. Data obtained 

from monitoring programs provide staff with information to make effective resource management 

decisions. Monitoring efforts allow for the creation of baseline data, as well as, recognizing short and 

long term variation of environmental 

conditions. In the past, research 

and monitoring goals and objectives 

have included conducting the 

necessary research and monitoring 

activities to understand the 

ecological functioning of SMMAP 

so it can be managed and used 

in an ecologically sound manner, 

and restored and maintained 

in its natural condition for future 

generations. While these same 

goals continue to be relevant to 

the management of SMMAP, the 

program has grown to include a 

more ecosystem-based management 

approach to protecting the 

biological and physical aspects of 

the ecosystem and focuses on the 

unique attributes and challenges 

of SMMAP. SMMAP’s research and 

monitoring programs are developed 

and implemented based on 

current and potential impacts to 

the resources within the system. 

Staff conduct monthly water quality sampling in the three river systems that 

feed St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve. 

Major management issues that 

SMMAP faces include: changes in water quality, health of seagrass beds, land use changes, and 

critical/sensitive habitat protection. Florida is rapidly growing and development pressures on habitats 

are growing just as quickly. Therefore, sound resource management practices, public education and 

outreach, system-wide monitoring and research, and interagency and volunteer cooperation are vital in 

maintaining and protecting the natural resources within SMMAP. Current Ecosystem Science Programs 

within SMMAP and the future needs of the program are discussed in the following sections. 

51

St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve Water Quality Monitoring 

SMMAP’s water quality program is comprised of several different programs, methods, and techniques 

used to monitor short and long term variation and trends within the waters of SMMAP. Staff works with a 

variety of partners to investigate water quality trends in estuaries throughout the Springs Coast region. 

The partnerships pool resources, allowing important data to be collected and ultimately disseminated 

to other scientist and decision makers. The data collected by SMMAP and its partners has been used 

to help establish Minimum Flows and Levels and TMDLs (total maximum daily loads) for the Kings Bay 

system and support is being provided in the establishment of the TMDLs for the Homosassa Springs 

system. The following sections will discuss water quality monitoring programs conducted by SMMAP 

staff and other agencies that monitor water quality parameters in SMMAP. 

Project COAST 

SMMAP began a partnership in 1997, with UF, conducting an extensive water quality monitoring program 

called Project COAST (COastal ASsessment Team). Staff collect field samples at 30 fixed sites within the 

St. Martins area. Sampling occurs within the Withlacoochee, Crystal, and Homosassa river systems (Map 

13). Examples of parameters collected include light attenuation through the water column, temperature, 

salinity, pH, Secchi depth, and dissolved oxygen. Water samples are also filtered and processed for 

chlorophyll assessments and surface water grab samples are taken for nitrogen and phosphorous 

analysis. All COAST samples are processed by UF, and data is stored in an electronic database which is 

available to the public upon request. 

Project COAST has established a baseline data set which allows resource managers to effectively assess 

changes in nutrient concentrations and eutrophication, with a focus on shifts in water quality that may 

negatively affect seagrass beds (Frazer, Notestein, Keller & Jacoby, 2006). Staff plan on continuing this 

partnership with UF on the Project COAST Program to further develop this baseline data and determine 

both short and long term trends in coastal water quality within SMMAP as long as funding allows. 

#* 

#* 

#* 

#* 

#* 

#* 

#* 

#* 

#* 

#* 

#* 

#* 

#* 

#* 

#* 

#* 

#* 

#* 

#* 

#* 

#* 

#* 

#* 

#* 

#* 

#* 

#* 

#* 

#* 

#* 

#* 

Nutrient Monitoring Site 


0 3 

6 

± 

Miles 6/11/2015 

52 

Map 13 / Project COAST nutrient monitoring locations.

Continuous Water Quality Monitoring 

Continuous water quality monitoring in SMMAP began in 2004. Using both YSI 600 and 6600 series 

datalogger equipment, SMMAP’s water quality monitoring program was developed and modeled 

after the National Estuarine Research Reserve’s (NERR’s) System-Wide Monitoring Program (SWMP) 

which follows standardized methods to ensure continuity and accuracy of data collection. In 2004, five 

water quality monitoring stations were 

established in Citrus County, three near 

SMMAP. Two stations were established 

within or immediately adjacent to SMMAP 

at the mouth of the Homosassa River 

and the mouth of the Crystal River, while 

one was established just outside SMMAP 

boundaries in Kings Bay (Map 14). The 

selection of these locations allows for 

comparison between relatively pristine, 

undeveloped areas versus more urbanized 

drainage basins, as well as fresh versus 

marine salinity regions within the systems 

that feed into SMMAP. The primary 

objective of these efforts is to establish 

Site Name ID Code Lat. / Long. Description 

Crystal River 

Homosassa 

Kings Bay 

baseline data for scientific comparison, measure short and long term changes in SMMAP’s contributing 

systems, and assess the impacts both human and natural events may have on SMMAP. 

All five sites were outfitted with YSI 600 OMS dataloggers at the time of establishment which record time, 

temperature, specific conductivity and salinity every 30 minutes [currently every 15 minutes], 24 hours 

per day, 365 days per year. All but the Kings Bay location are still equipped with these sondes. In 2006, 

the Kings Bay location was upgraded to a YSI 6600 EDS datalogger, which is setup to record additional 

parameters including: pH, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, and depth. This model incorporates a specially 

CR 

HS 

KB 

N28 55.502 

W82 41.227 

N28 46.224 

W82 41.783 

N28 53.000 

W82 35.986 

Table 3 / Continuous water quality monitoring stations. 

Sand/mud bottom, 

adjacent to oyster bars, 

near mouth of the 

Crystal River 

Sand/mud/shell bottom, 

near mouth of the 


Sand/rock bottom, near 

residential developments, 

high tourism activity 

Continuous Water Quality Monitoring Station 


0 1.5 

3 

Map 14 / Continuous water quality monitoring stations of St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve. 

± 

Miles 6/11/2015 

53

54 

designed wiper apparatus attached to the turbidity probe that reduces fouling on the external probes, 

ultimately improving the quality of collected data. From 2004 to 2006, data was collected sporadically 

due to lack of staff, however, continuous monitoring has occurred since mid-2006. Data is retrieved from 

the equipment approximately every two to four weeks, processed and edited, and monthly and annual 

graphs are created by SMMAP staff to quantify data and assess trends. All data is stored on a local 

server and is backed up to a file transfer protocol (FTP) site for file sharing. 

St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve Resource Monitoring 

In 1997, SMMAP began monitoring 25 fixed seagrass sites in Citrus County, with an additional 100 sites 

added throughout the Big Bend region starting in 2002. The objective of this effort is to quantify the spatial/temporal 

variability and trends of seagrass abundance and distribution (e.g. establish baseline data) 

within SMMAP. Identification and assessment of seagrass and macroalgae is completed using the Braun- 

Blanquet scale. The Braun-Blanquet study method is used for measuring the submerged aquatic vegetation. 

This involves identifying all vegetative species represented and percent coverage within a one meter 

square “quadrat.” Presence or absence of bay scallops and green sea urchins (Lytechinus variegatus), 

epiphyte densities, sediment type and sediment depths are also recorded. Staff examine site-intensive 

monitoring data to determine trends in species composition, abundance, and distribution of seagrasses 

within SMMAP. This information can also be used to determine species composition, abundance and 

distribution of seagrasses within a particular area. Seagrass and water quality data provides state entities 

with helpful information which can be used to help address resource management issues within this 

highly diverse ecosystem. 

SMMAP staff are also assisting UF with research projects that focus on the productivity and trends in 

growth rates of seagrasses in SMMAP. In addition, SMMAP also has an ongoing partnership with GARI to 

study different sediment regimes in which seagrasses grow and the different species of mollusks that live 

in those areas. 

Staff also have several programs to educate the public on the importance of seagrasses and why this 

critical habitat needs protection. Kiosks containing information about SMMAP, seagrasses, and prop 

scarring, have been placed at boat ramps throughout SMMAP. The signs promote seagrass awareness 

and the importance of poling in shallow water to avoid prop scarring. 

Seagrass Monitoring Program 

The surrounding lands of SMMAP is comprised mostly of developed interior areas, buffered by federal 

and state conservation lands. These conservation areas, comprised of salt marsh, hammock islands, and 

pine flatwoods, play a critical role in the health of coastal estuarine communities by acting as a filter from 

inland surface runoff. “The low wave energy and shallow depths combined with low sediment loads and 

generally high contributions of clear groundwater from the Floridan Aquifer System in the rivers draining 

to the region, create a physical environment highly conductive to the survival and growth of seagrasses 

in the Big Bend” (Mattson, 2000). “The broad shallow coastal shelf along the Springs Coast permits the 

development of an extensive seagrass area and is geologically characterized as drowned karst with 

limestone at or near the surface” (Kolasa & Craw, 2009). These pristine and relatively undisturbed waters 

make ideal habitat for seagrasses. 

In collaboration with other state agencies, FWC collected data from existing monitoring inventories and 

mapping databases to create more accurate estimates on spatial coverage and species composition of 

seagrasses for the SIMM program (Yarbro & Carlson, 2011). This program aims to integrate seagrass 

mapping and monitoring across Florida. There are approximately 2.2 million acres of seagrasses that 

have been mapped in Florida’s coastal waters (Carlson & Madely, 2007). The entire Springs Coast region, 

which includes areas outside of SMMAP, contains approximately 379,000 acres of mapped seagrass 

habitat. This estimate does not include the deep water seagrass acreage, which is unknown due 

to the technical difficulty of mapping these deep areas. According to FWC’s 2007 SIMM report (Yarbro & 

Carlson, 2011), there are approximately 94,000 acres of seagrass beds between SMMAP’s northern and 

southern boundaries, which includes shallow waters west of SMMAP. 

There are five different types of seagrasses found in SMMAP: manatee grass, shoal grass, star grass, 

turtle grass, and widgeon grass. Manatee, shoal, and turtle grass are the most prominent species in 

the shallow waters of SMMAP, which has an average depth of eight feet or less. Star grass and shoal 

grass are found in the deeper areas of SMMAP, and are especially adapted to the low light levels and are 

found down to at least 98 feet and 22 miles offshore, well outside of SMMAP boundaries. Shoal grass, 

which has narrow, short leaves (.04 inches by 6 inches) and shallow root system, and is thought to be a 

pioneer species in succession in the development of grass beds in the Gulf (Woodward-Clyde Consultants 

& Continental Shelf Associates, Inc., 1985) can be found throughout SMMAP. Shoal grass is more

Staff conduct annual seagrass monitoring at 25 fixed site locations throughout the aquatic preserve. 

tolerant to low light conditions than other grasses and can be found in a wide range of salinity regimes. 

Widgeon grass is a euryhaline freshwater angiosperm and is confined to low salinity areas such as river 

mouths (Iverson & Bittaker, 1986). Since widgeon grass can be found in shallow estuarine waters, it is 

an important food source for many wading and migratory birds. Distribution of these grasses is largely 

dependent upon water clarity, water depth, and salinity. 

Seagrass beds are highly productive ecosystems that support an abundance of fish and invertebrate 

species. These shallow seagrass beds act as nursery grounds for many of the Gulf of Mexico’s offshore 

commercial and recreational fisheries, by acting as a food source and providing cover from larger predators. 

The Springs Coast region of Florida is especially important for commercial and recreational fisheries, 

and Crystal River supports the largest population of wintering manatees in the state. The seagrass 

beds and hard bottom areas in this region provide vital habitat that is host to many sport fish such as red 

drum, speckled sea trout, and grouper. 

Commercial usages include stone crab, blue crab, oysters, shrimp and mullet. “The Big Bend region 

accounts for between 25 percent and 33 percent of the total commercial blue crab landings in Florida 

and supports the largest recreational scallop fishery in the state” (Mattson et al., 2007). “Approximately 

2.2 million acres of seagrass have been mapped in estuarine and nearshore Florida waters, and they 

provide ecological services worth over 40 billion each year” (Carlson & Yarbro, 2009). 

Coastal dredge and fill activities, shoreline and watershed development, drainage alterations, changes 

in stream and river flow, and vessel prop scarring contribute to seagrass distribution and composition 

changes and loss. When loss of seagrass habitat occurs, there are also other resource impacts associated 

with the loss, such as decreased water quality and decreased refuge and the availability of food. 

The ultimate consequence of seagrass habitat loss is alterations in the food chain which lowers availability 

of commercial and recreational fish and shellfish, in turn, directly affecting the general public. Most 

of the early losses of seagrass in Florida were caused by dredge and fill activities. In Florida, 60,000 

acres of estuarine habitat had been filled by 1985 (Durako, Phillips, & Lewis, 1987). Even if the fill is not 

placed directly on top of seagrass beds, mortality may result from increased water turbidity. Unconsolidated 

particles of fill may be continually re-suspended into the water column, inhibiting re-colonization 

of seagrasses. Excessive nutrients from point and non-point pollutants can cause phytoplankton blooms 

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or dramatic epiphytic algal growth, which may shade seagrasses causing a reduction of productivity 

and eventual loss. Vessel propeller scarring can create an immediate reduction in seagrass coverage 

that can be expounded by constant scouring. Since primary reproduction of seagrasses is via rhizomes, 

re-colonization of disturbed areas is relatively slow or nonexistent depending on the degree of impact. As 

the Springs Coast’s shallow estuarine waters become impacted by development, it is important to collect 

baseline conditions within SMMAP for post impact comparisons and to identify any habitat restoration or 

watershed management activities. 

Seagrass coverage in SMMAP appears to be stable or increasing slightly, based on a rough comparison 

of the seagrass coverage in 2007 to that in 1999 that was completed using the footprint of the 1999 

mapping area as the common base. Seagrass species composition is diverse, with turtle grass most 

frequently observed. Manatee grass, shoal grass, and star grass are less common but occur throughout 

the region, along with a diverse mix of macroalgae. Since 1997, SMMAP staff have monitored 25 

sites each year nearshore in the St. Martins Keys, west of Homosassa (Map 15). Turtle grass occurred 

in about 70 percent of quadrats surveyed, and manatee grass was found in 40–50 percent of quadrats. 

Shoal grass has shown more variation over time and occurred more frequently during 1999–2003. Star 

grass and widgeon grass had very low occurrence; no widgeon grass was observed in 2012, and this 

species was observed very infrequently in 2013. The occurrence of bare quadrats was also very low. 

A diverse community of macroalgae can be found on hard bottom dominated areas with the green algae 

Caulerpa prolifera and the calcareous green genera Penicillus being the most common macroalgae 

observed. In addition to macroalgaes, a variety of species of sponges and corals can be found on these 

lime rock outcroppings. 

The health of seagrass beds can be affected by many different stressors including: nutrients, phytoplankton, 

and turbidity, which in turn affect light available to seagrasses. These were elevated after the 2004 

and 2005 hurricane seasons, but they since returned to background levels. In the fall of 2012 and 2013, 

optical water quality and clarity data show that conditions were excellent for seagrass communities within 

the Springs Coast region. Although seagrass meadows can be found throughout the Springs Coast 

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Map 15 / Seagrass monitoring sites of St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve.

egion, species distribution, density, and the overall health of the beds can be affected greatly by water 

quality and quantity. Seagrasses need sunlight in order for photosynthesis to occur. Particulate matter 

and high levels of chlorophyll-a suspended in the water column can affect the amount of light attenuation 

in a particular area. Shoal grass, star grass and a mixture of macroalgaes are the dominant species in areas 

of SMMAP where water clarity is reduced. Based on all available data, the occurrence of seagrasses 

in SMMAP has been remarkably stable during the 18–year monitoring program. 

University of Florida Seagrass Research 

UF conducted research linking seagrass performance measures to water quality from 2010-2012. 

Elevated nutrient concentrations in the water column favor the growth of epiphytic microalgae and 

phytoplankton, which also require less light than seagrasses to support their growth. The enhanced 

competitive abilities of algae and phytoplankton are a major threat to seagrass health. The environmental 

conditions along Florida’s central Gulf Coast present a unique opportunity for integrated monitoring of 

water quality and seagrasses. Such monitoring can identify undesirable trends, trigger and guide actions 

to stop or reverse such trends, and document the 

success of efforts to manage the region’s natural 

resources sustainably. This project made valuable 

progress toward developing a rigorous and efficient 

long-term monitoring program that will yield early 

warning of detrimental changes to seagrasses and 

provide natural resource managers with a means 

of evaluating changes in water quality as a driver of 

such impacts. 

UF PhD candidates conducted research that 

monitored productivity rates of turtle grass in August 

2013. Monitoring occurred across two coastal 

systems (Crystal River and Homosassa River) at 

existing seagrass monitoring stations. At each 

location, replicate plots were marked for production 

and cores were taken for biomass analysis. In 2014, 

the same graduate candidate investigated how 

seagrasses exhibit differing AG:BG biomass ratios 

along the Springs Coast. This pattern largely tracks 

water quality patterns off the coast and is of interest 

to ecologists and mangers because it may affect 

seagrass resilience. This project examined the role 

of AG:BG biomass ratio in the resilience of turtle 

grass to reductions in light availability. 

Seagrass-Sediment-Mollusk Study 

Knowledge about the molluscan species composition 

from seagrass habitats and their sediments, the 

relationship between the various seagrass species, and 

growing environment, and sediments, is deficient across 

the vast Big Bend region of shallow Gulf waters. The 

purpose of the pilot study in SMMAP is to provide new 

information about the molluscan fauna of the seagrass In partnership with the Gulf Archaeology Research 

habitats, benthic environment, and the sedimentology Institute, staff collect field samples to analyze in the 

of the environments that support various seagrass laboratory as part of a seagrass-sediment-mollusk study. 

communities and the mollusks that depend on them. A 

mollusk species list from the seagrass habitats will be a valuable tool, and the information derived from this 

study will be useful for the long term management of the seagrass resource and for evaluation of impacts 

to seagrass communities. GARI and FCO staff have collected numerous mollusk and sediment samples 

from established seagrass monitoring sites in SMMAP. These samples are currently being processed at the 

GARI laboratory. Identification of the mollusks is underway and the taxonomic work has revealed that a great 

diversity of species are present. 

Mapping 

Geographical/Geospatial Information Systems (GIS) technology is a valuable tool that allows natural 

resource managers to better assess the resources they are responsible for managing. GIS technology 

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provides managers with detailed information on the current extent, condition and management needs of 

resources, which facilitates the protection of Florida’s aquatic preserves. As natural resource managers, 

there is always a need for current and accurate GIS data layers and maps to effectively assess SMMAP 

resources. Mapping products allow for the identification of areas within SMMAP where increased management 

emphasis is necessary. The maps are not only to inform resource managers as to the coverage 

and extent of resources, such as seagrass beds, oyster reefs, etc., but also may be used by the regulatory, 

research, and recreational communities. Precise bathymetric and submerged resource maps also 

provide valuable information for regulatory decisions on dredging, filling and construction. 

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4.1.3 / Issue One: Water Quality 

Water quality monitoring plays a major role in SMMAP’s understanding of natural and human impacts on 

coastal waters. Researchers use water quality data to document short and long term changes within the 

water column in an effort to quantify the spatial and temporal variability and trends. These are applied 

both seasonally and as a function of tidal forcing, of the selected abiotic parameters (e.g. establish baseline 

data) within SMMAP. Water quality affects both people and the environment. Accordingly, it is essential 

to develop a proficient water quality monitoring program to recognize and prevent potential negative 

impacts to SMMAP. 

A healthy water body contains a balanced amount of nutrients and normal fluctuations in salinity and 

temperature. It also has plenty of oxygen, a basic requirement for nearly all aquatic biota, and minimal 

suspended sediment, so that living aquatic resources can breathe or receive enough sunlight to grow. 

Nutrients, like nitrogen and phosphorus, occur naturally in water, soil and air. Just as nutrient fertilizers are 

used to promote plant growth on lawns and farm fields, nutrients in the water encourage the growth of 

aquatic plants and algae. Although nutrients are essential to all plant life within SMMAP, an excess of these 

nutrients can be harmful. This is called nutrient pollution. The two general sources of adverse impacts 

on water quality are point and nonpoint source pollution. Point source pollution can be traced to a single 

identifiable source, such as a discharge pipe. Nonpoint source pollution in Citrus County originates from 

various diffused sources such as, but not limited to, stormwater runoff, development, and agriculture. 

These sources aide in the transport of excess nutrients into the aquifer through the natural recharge 

process. When these nutrient sources are not managed properly, elevated nutrient levels enter the fresh 

water tributaries, the Crystal and Homosassa rivers, which feed SMMAP via the spring vent systems 

leading from the Floridan Aquifer. Increased nutrient levels, such as total nitrogen and total phosphorous, 

can cause habitat degradation, fish kills and closure of shellfish beds and swimming areas. 

SMMAP’s current water quality monitoring project utilizes several methods to examine water column 

characteristics. Basic water quality parameters are monitored, and this data provides information to 

assess the condition of biological assemblages. To properly assess water quality conditions, long-term 

data sets are used to develop baseline data. While routine water quality monitoring detects effects of 

nutrient enrichment, it is not designed to detect trace levels of toxicants or contaminants. Biological assessments, 

coupled with habitat assessment, such as physical and chemical measurements, will aid in 

identifying probable causes of impairment not detected by physical and chemical water quality analyses 

alone, such as nonpoint source pollution and contamination, erosion, or poor land use practices (U.S. 

Environmental Protection Agency [EPA], n.d.). Continued long-term water quality monitoring is necessary 

and essential to protect the valuable natural resources in SMMAP. 

Goal One: Further develop and improve the strategic, long-term water quality monitoring program within 

SMMAP that will assist with identifying and addressing issues pertaining to the natural resources. 

Objective One: Analyze and interpret the status and trends of SMMAP’s water quality throughout the 

Springs Coast to identify potential impacts to natural resources and provide quality scientific data and 

recommendations to address such issues. 

Integrated Strategy One: Maintain a strategic long-term water quality monitoring program that 

includes biotic and abiotic parameters, and compile analyzed data to evaluate water quality status and 

trends. This will be achieved through the use of YSI datalogger equipment at priority locations and the 

collection of continuous in-situ measurements for the following water quality parameters: temperature, 

specific conductivity, salinity, dissolved oxygen, pH, turbidity, and depth. 

Integrated Strategy Two: Continue to monitor nutrients and water clarity in SMMAP through a 

partnership with the UF’s Project COAST to determine total nitrogen and phosphorous, chlorophyll, 

and water clarity. This project requires the collection of water samples and relevant data once a month 

at the designated sampling sites. Monitoring efforts began in 1997 and SMMAP staff assist with sample 

collection in the following systems: Withlacoochee River, Crystal River, and Homosassa River.

Integrated Strategy Three: Acquire additional YSI datalogger equipment to expand water quality 

monitoring efforts within SMMAP. Upgrade existing equipment from YSI 6-series dataloggers to YSI 

EXO2 series equipment. (YSI will be discontinuing the manufacturing and support of YSI 6-series in the 

near future.) 

Integrated Strategy Four: Upgrade site locations using standard YSI 600 equipment to YSI 6600 

equipment to increase monitoring parameters and improve baseline data collection. 

Goal One, Objective One – Performance Measure: Develop an annual metadata report detailing 

scientific results and recommendations regarding the water quality within SMMAP. 

Objective Two: Identify specific current and emerging water quality issues related to nutrients, pollution, 

and environmental, contaminants, and with coordination from other agencies, develop a response 

strategy to these issues. 

Integrated Strategy One: Identify point and non-point sources of pollutants and turbidity. 

Goal One, Objective Two – Performance Measure: In coordination with other state agencies, 

identify potential pollution threats and develop a strategy to address issues, including planning, 

action, and prevention. 

Objective Three: Ensure the sustainability of scallop, fish, salt marsh, seagrass habitat, and other 

concerned species and habitats through the development of a tiered approach to water quality 

monitoring that integrates biological assessments and multiple tools to define a core set of baseline 

indicators to possibly explain causes and/or sources of any impairment within SMMAP. 

Integrated Strategy One: Continue to monitor the distribution and abundance of specific indicator 

species, including scallops and seagrass, to determine the ecological health of the bay system. As 

needed, staff will contribute and assist in the development of a technical report assessing the status of 

these resources, areas of concern, and recommendations. An annual bay scallop report that discusses 

the status and trends of bay scallop populations around the state is supplied by FWRI. 

Integrated Strategy Two: Determine the biodiversity of SMMAP by establishing baseline data and 

broad scale characterizations of benthic communities which are sensible indicators of habitat quality 

in an aquatic environment. Acquire data and work in conjunction with other agencies to develop a 

biological assessment report. 

Goal One, Objective Three – Performance Measure: Work with other state and federal agencies to 

develop associated reports and a database of all concerned species, and use water quality data and 

other indicators to create an approach to protect/ensure stability. 

Goal Two: Provide timely and accurate water quality data and information to the public and other entities/agencies. 

Objective One: Acquire a repository to store water quality data in a centralized database that is userfriendly, 

provides quality assurance and quality control for the data collection effort, and can be accessed 

via the internet to provide site specific information, generate reports, graphs, tables, and metadata 

for review by the public and other entities/agencies. 

Integrated Strategy: Work with other entities and agencies to develop a centralized water quality storage 

database and website. This would involve compiling a list of all water quality monitoring efforts 

throughout Florida, establishing a storage database and website that provides data to the public in a 

timely manner, and increase data sharing throughout the water quality monitoring network. 

Goal Two, Objective One – Performance Measure: Work within FCO to develop a storage database 

to ensure data is available to the public. 

4.1.4 / Issue Two: Management and Protection of Seagrasses 

Seagrass beds are one of the most productive habitats found in the world. The rich biodiversity that 

make up seagrass habitats plays a critical ecological and environmental role to Florida’s coastal communities. 

Seagrasses improve water clarity by stabilizing bottom sediments and absorbing nutrients from 

the water column. They reduce coastal erosion by helping to diffuse wave energy during storm events. 

Economically, seagrass beds are of critical importance to Florida’s commercial and recreational fisheries. 

Florida’s juvenile fish and invertebrates (red drum, shrimp, bay scallops, seatrout, mullet, and stone 

crabs) depend on these rich nurseries for food and protection. Manatees, wading birds, and sea turtles 

also utilize these areas for foraging. 

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Seagrass monitoring is an integral part of mapping the total acreage of Florida’s seagrasses. According 

to FWC’s 2011 SIMM report for the state of Florida, there are approximately 380,000 acres of seagrass 

coverage in the Springs Coast region and 2.5 million acres in Florida’s coastal waters (Yarbro 

& Carlson, 2011). The five species of seagrass found in SMMAP include shoal grass, manatee grass, 

turtle grass, widgeon grass, and star grass. In addition to the five seagrass species, eighteen species 

of green macroalgae have been documented during annual seagrass surveys in SMMAP. Macroalgae 

not only plays an important role in reducing nutrient loading in estuarine environments but are also 

pioneer species and help to stabilize prop scars from continuous scouring. Destruction of seagrass 

in aquatic preserves is a violation of Florida Law (§ 253.04(3)(a), Florida Statutes [F.S.]) and carries 

a penalty of up to $1,000. One of the major threats to seagrasses in the state is from prop scarring. 

Repetitive scouring of prop scars prevents re-colonization of new grass and often requires restoration. 

Another threat to seagrass is nutrient loading from rivers which can decrease water clarity and shade 

out sunlight that grasses need for photosynthesis. Natural threats, like hurricanes, can cause fragmentation 

of seagrass beds that can take years to heal. 

Goal One: Manage seagrass communities through research and monitoring, education and outreach 

efforts, continued resource management and collaborative mapping efforts with other state agencies to 

effectively protect and maintain this habitat as a valuable, natural resource throughout SMMAP. 

Objective One: Monitor the status and trends of seagrass distribution within SMMAP to determine the 

overall health and identify potential threats to the habitat. 

Integrated Strategy One: Develop and implement a Seagrass Monitoring Plan for SMMAP that 

maintains a strategic, long-term seagrass monitoring project to include water quality indicators, 

percent coverage of seagrass and macroalgae species, macroalgae identification, density, epiphyte 

loading, and sediment depths. 

Integrated Strategy Two: Continue collaboration with FWC and other state agencies on the SIMM 

report to produce a resource for seagrass monitoring, mapping, and data sharing. 

Integrated Strategy Three: Utilize existing GIS technology, aerial surveys, and ground truthing to 

identify severely scarred areas to determine restoration needs, assess management options, and 

develop a seagrass restoration plan for SMMAP. 

Goal One, Objective One – Performance Measure: A SMMAP Seagrass Monitoring Technical 

Report is developed for fiscal year (FY) 2016 and beyond. This report will include information on the 

project’s background, status of the resources, goals, data collection methods, sampling results, areas 

of concern, recommendations, and conclusions on the effectiveness of the project. The report will be 

updated annually, and the project will be reevaluated on a five year cycle. 

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4.2 / The Resource Management Program 

The Resource Management Program addresses how FCO manages the SMMAP and its resources. 

The primary concept of SMMAP Resource Management projects and activities are guided by FCO’s 

mission statement: To conserve and restore Florida’s coastal and aquatic resources for the benefit of 

people and the environment. FCO’s sites accomplish resource management by physically conducting 

management activities on the resources for which they have direct management responsibility, 

and by influencing the activities of others within and adjacent to their managed areas and within 

their watershed. Watershed and adjacent area management activities, and the resultant changes 

in environmental conditions, affect the condition and management of the resources within their 

boundaries. FCO managed areas are especially sensitive to upstream activities affecting water quality 

and quantity. FCO works to ensure that the most effective and efficient techniques used in management 

activities are used consistently within our sites, throughout our program, and when possible, throughout 

the state. The strongly integrated Ecosystem Science, Education and Outreach and Public Use 

Programs, provide guidance and support to the Resource Management Program. These programs work 

together to provide direction to the various agencies that manage adjacent-properties, our partners 

and our stakeholders. SMMAP also collaborates with these groups by reviewing various protected area 

management plans. The sound science provided by the Ecosystem Science Program is critical in the 

development of effective management projects and decisions. The nature and condition of natural and 

cultural resources within SMMAP are diverse. This section explains the history and current status of our 

Resource Management efforts.

4.2.1 / Background of Resource Management at St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve 

Over the past decade, SMMAP’s Resource Management Programs have expanded. Water quality 

and seagrass monitoring programs were developed in–house, in conjunction with other agencies and 

research entities to support resources management activities. Today, many of the resource management 

needs have remained the same and include evaluating and documenting any changes or impacts to 

resources and habitats of SMMAP. Resource management activities have focused on both the impacts 

of an individual action, as well as the cumulative impacts of changes and actions on the natural system. 

SMMAP staff have been responsible for reviewing and commenting on proposed environmental 

regulatory permits, Minimum Flows and Levels, TMDLs, land acquisition projects and adjacent state 

lands management reviews. Staff provides technical support to other land managers and regulatory 

authorities on a regular basis. Examples of such support include: conducting field assessments, making 

comments and recommendations to appropriate agencies, ensuring consistency with all established 

rules and regulations, and notifying the appropriate regulatory agencies of violations and illegal activities. 

Maintaining effective communication between local, state, and federal environmental regulatory agencies 

is essential to protecting the resources of SMMAP. A tremendous effort has been made by state, federal, 

and other entities to purchase lands adjacent to SMMAP and the protection of these lands is one of the 

best ways to protect SMMAP’s resources. Land managers and conservation groups continue to evaluate 

and purchase priority parcels adjacent to SMMAP. 

4.2.2 / Current Status of Resource Management at St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve 

Staffing and Management Strategic Approach 

Currently, SMMAP has one select exempt employee serving as manager, two full time equivalent (FTE) 

field positions, and one FTE administrative position. These four staff members manage SMMAP and 

Big Bend Seagrasses Aquatic Preserve that together total almost one million acres of submerged 

lands. SMMAP staff work with many different stakeholders to protect and restore resources of SMMAP. 

Staff often partner with other land managers, agencies, and researchers to accomplish many resource 

management goals within SMMAP. SMMAP strives to be efficient as possible and shares resources such 

as staff time, grant funding, vessels, and equipment to accomplish a common goal. The management 

strategy for pristine areas like SMMAP is usually proactive and preventative rather than reactive. 

Currently, there is little restoration needed in SMMAP, and the emphasis is placed on preventing new 

damage that may occur with increase development and resource use. The current status of resource 

management programs within SMMAP, as well as future needs are described in the following sections. 

Permitting, Enforcement, and Mitigation 

SMMAP staff regularly provides technical support to many local, state, federal entities. These include: 

Northwest DEP, Northeast DEP, and Southwest DEP regulatory districts; DEP’s Bureau of Mining and 

Minerals Regulation; DEP’s Energy Siting Office; DEP’s Bureau of Beaches and Coastal Systems; and 

SWFWMD; FWC; EPA; and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. 

SMMAP often assist regulatory agencies in the form of providing permit application review and 

comments, mitigation planning, and public interest project options. SMMAP staff works to maintain 

good communications and cooperative relationships with regulatory staff. SMMAP staff is often relied 

on as a source of information on submerged resources and the possible impacts to ecosystem function 

from a proposed project. SMMAP, along with other DEP training staff, provides materials and training 

to regulatory staff which ensures consistent permitting and application of Chapter 18-20, Florida 

Administrative Code. SMMAP staff will continue to work with regulatory agencies and decision makers 

to ensure proper avoidance and minimization of impacts is conducted to protect water quality and 

resources of SMMAP. 

Habitat Restoration/ Enhancement 

The Society for Ecological Restoration defines ecological restoration as an “intentional activity 

that initiates or accelerates the recovery of an ecosystem with respect to its health, integrity and 

sustainability.” Restoration activities should reestablish the ecological integrity of degraded ecosystems 

including structure, composition, and the natural processes of biotic communities and the physical 

environmental. Ecosystems with integrity are self-sustaining and resilient natural systems that are 

able to accommodate stress and change. Restoration activities should be designed to achieve 

ecological integrity at the greatest extent that is practical under current environmental conditions and 

limitations. An important step in any restoration project is to identify the causes of degradation and 

eliminate or remediate those causes. Restoration efforts are likely to fail if the sources of degradation 

61

62 

persist. Early in the planning stage, it is important to identify if the restoration project is scientifically, 

financially, socially, and ecologically feasible to ensure that limited fiduciary resources are used in 

the most appropriate manner and to increase the probability of success. Restoration projects must 

have clear, measurable and achievable goals to 1) help guide project implementation activities and 2) 

provide the standard for measuring project success. Each restoration project presents a unique set of 

environmental conditions, variables and project goals (EPA, n.d.). Therefore, it is important to evaluate 

each project on a case by case basis. 

Oyster Reef 

DACS conducts shell or “cultch” planting, as well as oyster relaying and transplanting which are 

important resource management tools for maintaining and enhancing productive oyster habitat. 

Depositing processed oyster shell on depleted oyster reefs and suitable bay bottom areas has been a 

state-managed habitat restoration practice since 1913. This practice provides resource managers within 

DACS the opportunity to mitigate resource losses, to enhance productivity, and to contribute direct 

economic benefit to the oyster fishery. Reef construction and enhancement activities are located in 

Florida’s historically productive estuaries. This program relies heavily on hard clam shell contributions 

from local shellfish processing plants. 

Significant acreage of productive oyster reefs in the Big Bend region are located in waters where harvesting 

for direct-to-market sale is prohibited to prevent public health problems associated with actual 

or potential pollution. Resource development projects called “relaying” take advantage of the oysters’ 

ability to cleanse itself of contaminates (depurate) and offer a practical means to use a previously debilitated 

resource, making them safe for human consumption. Additionally, there are abundant stocks 

of juvenile oysters that grow on intertidal oyster bars. These intertidal oyster reefs are exposed at low 

tides, often limiting their ability to grow to legal size. Oysters which are moved from the poor growing 

intertidal areas are able to recover and take advantage of less stressful growing conditions and grow to 

a legal and marketable quality size in a short time. When seed oysters are transplanted in the summer, 

harvesting may begin the following season and continue as oysters grow to market size. Relaying and 

transplanting activities are often conducted as cooperative management programs between DACS and 

local oystermen’s associations. 

Shoreline Restoration 

Extreme high tides, wave actions, strong currents, human impacts and storm events can all contribute 

to shoreline erosion. Storm surge and wave activity from hurricanes can have devastating erosive effects 

along beaches and sparsely vegetated shorelines. Also, human impacts such as bulkheads or seawalls 

can be poor dissipaters of wave energy. This can cause scouring of the bottom beneath seawalls and 

accelerated erosion, adjacent to seawalls. The use of environmentally friendly practices such as rip 

rap, vegetative planting and biologically manufactured logs have shown success in stabilizing eroding 

shorelines. Restoring and preserving shorelines is necessary for the protection of critical habitat that 

is home to much of Florida’s wildlife. Landowners and volunteers alike can all play a role in keeping 

Florida in its natural state. Planting natural vegetation along shorelines can help prevent erosion, improve 

water quality, and improve access to the water. Along with the aesthetic appeal, natural vegetation also 

creates habitat for animals like wading birds, migratory birds, fish, and crabs (Northwest Florida Water 

Management District, 2001). SMMAP is a supporter of “Living Shorelines Initiative” that is sponsored by 

the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to help educate the public on ecologically beneficial shoreline 

restoration practices. 

Seagrass Restoration 

SMMAP is located in one of the least developed parts of Florida. In recent years, the loss of seagrass 

in the Gulf of Mexico has become a serious concern to resource managers. Therefore, seagrass 

management and protection has been a primary focus of SMMAP’s management program. Seagrass 

declines due to stormwater, nitrification, sedimentation, shading, prop scarring, and dredging practices 

are potential factors that contribute to direct, secondary, and cumulative impacts in SMMAP. Recovery 

and restoration time is different for each seagrass species and depends on growth rate, hydrological/ 

water quality conditions, and sediment characteristics. 

To date, staff has completed one seagrass restoration project (prop scar restoration) in SMMAP which 

will serve as a basis for future prop scar restoration efforts. Seagrass scarring can best be prevented 

through improved boater awareness, and in severe cases, enforcement. Once scarring occurs, seagrass 

may recolonize the scarred area over time, but depending on the width and depth of the scar and 

localized currents, this may not happen. Several techniques have been tested to repair scar areas

including temporary placement of bird stakes in the scarred areas to encourage re-growth through 

enhanced fertilization, and placing sediment-filled tubes in a prop scar to bring the substrate elevation 

level back to ambient grade increasing seagrass rhizome colonization. 

The sediment tube technique was selected for this project because of the karstic nature of the bottom 

substrate. When placed at ambient grade, the tubes clearly stabilized the sediment long enough for 

submerged aquatic vegetation colonization. However, where they settled below ambient grade, the tubes 

may be accelerating the undermining of adjacent seagrass beds. Due to the sediment type and depth, 

many of the sediment tubes have settled 15 – 18 centimeters below ambient grade. It is recommended in 

future studies that enough tubes are placed in the prop scars to assure the proper grade is established. 

An analysis of prop scar sediment depth is recommended to be completed prior to the placement of the 

sediment tubes. 

Invasive Non-Native Removal and Treatment 

Invasive plants degrade and diminish Florida’s conservation lands and waterways. Some invasive 

aquatic plants pose a significant threat to human welfare by impeding flood control and affecting 

recreational use of waterways and its associated surrounding economy. The FWC Invasive Plant 

Management Section is the lead agency in Florida responsible for coordinating and funding statewide 

programs controlling invasive aquatic and upland plants on public conservation lands and waterways 

throughout the state. The Section’s aquatic plant management program designs, funds, coordinates and 

contracts invasive non-native aquatic plant control efforts in Florida’s 1.25 million acres of public waters. 

The freshwater tributaries flowing into SMMAP contain the most problematic aquatic invasive non-native 

species, but those species are not a problem within SMMAP itself. SMMAP does not currently conduct 

regular treatments of aquatic non-native/invasive plant species, but supports appropriate permitted 

removal and treatment activities to protect and enhance the natural habitats found within SMMAP. 

SMMAP staff work with CRPSP staff in an effort to combat invasive vegetation in and around SMMAP. 

The overall objective of the exotics program at CRPSP is to employ methodologies and timing of 

treatment appropriate to the autecology of each invasive plant in question, the size of the infestation, 

the maturity of the infestation, and the proximity of the infestation to other infested areas. CRPSP aims 

to monitor sufficiently to keep abreast of changes in populations to maintain records for Florida Park 

Service and to guide near term treatment decisions. Outreach will be secondary to the first two efforts, 

but is still critically important. Efforts in this area will be geared toward spurring action (volunteering, 

private property treatment, public support for programs) that will reduce the problem of non-native 

plants in the region. 

The objective of the surveys is to establish a historical accounting of infestation and treatment in 

the park, evaluate effectiveness of treatment types, establish yearly goals and plans for treatment, 

retreatment, and monitoring efforts, and collect all available information on extent of acreage infested 

and location. The objective for treatment is to use contractors, volunteers, the Florida Conservation 

Corps, and staff effort to directly treat (kill/remove) with herbicide and other methods (mechanical, 

manual, and biological) the invasive plants in the preserves. Crews deployed to the field will follow 

the annual plan for determining treatment areas. This annual plan will draw infestations that need 

retreatment as a priority followed by treatment of adult plants in proximity to maintenance condition 

areas. Infestations targeted for treatment will be mapped in GIS and transferred to a reference map for 

use by staff. Florida Park Service standard treatment forms will be used in conjunction with GPS and GIS 

mapping to determine exact acreage and infestation number treated. This information will be entered into 

the statewide infestation database. 

Marine Debris Removal 

Lost and abandoned stone crab and blue crab traps have been identified as a problem in Florida’s 

marine environment by various stakeholder groups. Traps that become lost or abandoned “ghost fish” 

(continue to trap marine organisms until traps degrade enough to allow escape), visually pollute, cause 

damage to sensitive habitats, and become hazards to navigation. Traps become derelict by several 

mechanisms including shifting during storms making them difficult to locate; they may be snagged by 

passing vessels and dragged to another area; or they are illegally abandoned by their owners for various 

reasons. The Big Bend region has blue crab trap closures July 20-29 in odd calendar years. SMMAP staff 

partner with regional, state, and federal agencies to conduct annual blue crab trap cleanup events. Staff 

has conducted derelict crab trap clean-ups in waters in and adjacent to SMMAP in 2010 (Chassahowitzka), 

2013 (Crystal and Salt rivers), and 2014 (Homosassa River and Homosassa Bay). These efforts 

have resulted in the removal of hundreds of derelict traps and thousands of pounds of marine debris 

from coastal waters. 

63

Staff conduct marine debris cleanups during winter extreme low tide events to remove various items from 

the aquatic preserve. 

Abandoned vessels become derelict vessels quickly and then subject the boating public to safety issues, 

become locations for illegal activity, illegal housing, opportunities for theft and vandalism and ultimately 

cost the taxpayers to be removed by local, county or state authorities. Derelict vessels have the potential 

to discharge waste, gas and oil, and other potentially harmful substances. FWC is charged with the 

execution of abandoned and derelict vessel removal from pubic waters under § 376.15, F.S. SMMAP 

coordinates with FWC law enforcement to document and remove derelict vessels. 

Historical and Cultural Management 

According to GARI, at present the greatest threats to coastal cultural resources within FCO’s area of 

management fall into three areas: 1) damage due to coastal dynamics from storms and hurricanes and 

surge conditions that overwhelm or disarticulate sites; 2) looting and illegal artifact hunting that destroy 

site contexts and weaken shore and bank lines and island structures; and 3) the effects from coastal 

oil spills that contaminate or corrupt sensitive archaeological and natural contexts. The west central 

Gulf Coast, including the Big Bend, is underlain by karst structures that will present unique problems 

in protecting and clean-up in the event of oil saturation (GARI, unpublished). The lands managed by 

SMMAP continue to be affected by sea level rise and the deleterious effects of storm and surge impacts. 

The dynamic nature of the coast and the fragile nature on the cultural resources inventory, particularly 

those located on near shore and estuarine contexts, indicates a need to continue the location, 

evaluation, and protection of prehistoric sites. Staff will work with the Department of State’s Division of 

Historical Resources, GARI, and Florida Public Archeological Network to protect and identify cultural 

resources within SMMAP. 

64 

4.2.3 / Issue One continued: Water Quality 

Goal One, Objective Two continued from 4.1.3 Water Quality 

Objective Two: Identify specific current and emerging water quality issues related to nutrients, pollution, 

and environmental, contaminants, and with coordination from other agencies, develop a response 

strategy to these issues. 

Integrated Strategy Two: Support the development of nutrient criteria. In a collaborative effort with 

other state agencies, staff contributes water quality data to assist in the development of nutrient criteria.

Integrated Strategy Three: Support the development of TMDLs and a basin management action 

plan. Staff will contribute water quality data to assist in the development of an assessment report 

documenting scientific data, results, conclusions, and recommendations regarding TMDLs and a 

basin management action plan within SMMAP. 

Goal One, Objective Two – Performance Measure: In coordination with other state agencies, 

identify potential pollution threats and develop a strategy to address issues, including planning, action, 

and prevention. 

4.2.4 / Issue Two continued: Management and Protection of Seagrasses 

Goal One, Objective One continued from 4.1.4 Management and Protection of Seagrasses 

Objective One: Monitor the status and trends of seagrass distribution within SMMAP to determine the 

overall health and identify potential threats to the habitat. 

Integrated Strategy Four: Establish and maintain close communication with all federal, state, and 

local land managers that are responsible for making resource management decisions that could affect 

water quality or seagrass habitat in SMMAP. Work with DEP district’s and water management district’s 

permitting and regulatory offices for input on proposed projects, site inspections, assessing potential 

impacts and participating in quarterly DEP Environmental Resource Permit meetings. 

Integrated Strategy Five: Coordinate with stakeholders, adjacent resource managers and law enforcement 

to support clean-up efforts that address marine debris, derelict vessels, and/or illegal fisheries 

gear that could impact seagrass habitat. 

Goal One, Objective One – Performance Measure: Development of a SMMAP Seagrass Monitoring 

Technical Report for FY 2016 and beyond. This report will include information on the project’s 

background, status of the resources, goals, data collection methods, sampling results, areas of 

concern, recommendations, and conclusions on the effectiveness of the project. The report will be 

updated annually, and the project will be reevaluated on a five year cycle. 

4.2.5 / Issue Three: Natural Resource Obstacles 

SMMAP is an important part of the Springs Coast, which extends over a vast area of coastal resources 

and habitats. It is imperative that these areas be managed in the most effective, comprehensive manner. 

Having a baseline level of presence and distribution of habitats, composition and abundance of species 

that depend on those habitats (including salinity and temperature ranges), and updated maps to 

graphically represent these parameters and how they change over time are all essential tools needs 

to effectively manage SMMAP. Addressing issues such as marine debris is important in assessing the 

overall health of SMMAP. Marine debris presents a real and chronic threat to wildlife and public safety; 

entanglement, ingestion, and the release of toxins into the environment are issues related to debris. 

Additionally, the presence of debris detracts from the aesthetic value of natural landscapes. Marine 

debris can include paper and plastic products, construction debris, derelict vessels, and derelict 

aquaculture and fisheries gear. Significant change events such as sea level rise and climate change may 

drastically alter the status of the Springs Coast benthic community and may have a regional impact. 

Catastrophic events, such as hurricanes, oil disasters, and harmful algal blooms, are also major issues 

that could affect the health of SMMAP’s natural resources. 

Goal One: Assessment of impacted natural resources in SMMAP. 

Objective One: Develop and implement restoration goals for impacted areas or areas of concern. 

Integrated Strategy One: Work with law enforcement to ensure implementation of the seagrass law 

prohibiting destruction of seagrasses in SMMAP. 

Integrated Strategy Two: Coordinate with other resource agencies and law enforcement to support 

efforts to address derelict and/or illegal fisheries gear and harvesting activities. 

Integrated Strategy Three: Partner with other agencies and enlist public participation to assist in the 

removal of derelict and/or illegal fisheries gear from SMMAP. 

Goal One, Objective Two – Performance Measure: Partner with local citizens, state agencies, and 

federal agencies to complete annual marine debris clean up events in areas of concern to protect and 

restore natural resources. 

65

Staff bring local aquatic life to outreach events to encourage sound environmental stewardship. 

4.3 / The Education and Outreach Management Program 

The Education and Outreach Management Program components are essential management tools used 

to increase public awareness and promote informed stewardship by local communities. Education 

programs include on and off-site education and training activities. These activities include field studies 

for students and teachers; the development and distribution of media; the distribution of information at 

local events; the recruitment and management of volunteers; and, training workshops for local citizens 

and decision-makers. The design and implementation of education programs incorporates the strategic 

targeting of select audiences. These audiences include all ages and walks of life, and each represents 

key stakeholders and decision-makers. These efforts by the Education and Outreach Program allow 

SMMAP to build and maintain relationships and convey knowledge to the community; invaluable 

components to successful management. 

4.3.1 / Background of Education and Outreach at St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve 

The educational and outreach practices conducted by SMMAP are geared towards promoting the goal of 

maintaining and restoring the aquatic preserve for future generations. By coordinating and participating 

in various education and outreach events, SMMAP is able to reach out to a wide and varied audience. 

Common target audiences for such events include landowners and developers, commercial and 

recreational resource users, students of all ages, organized working groups, the general public, as well 

as local, regional, state, and federal government agencies. While education and outreach is extremely 

important, participation proves difficult at times due to budget and staff limitations. 

66 

4.3.2 / Current Status of Education and Outreach at St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve 

SMMAP strives to provide accurate and comprehendible information about the natural resources within 

SMMAP to the stakeholders, general public, and local, state, and federal agencies. Education and 

outreach play a crucial role in the management of SMMAP. A wide variety of information is available in 

the form of flyers, pamphlets, kiosks, educational brochures, and signage. While some of this literature 

is created in-house, staff also distribute educational materials from partnering agencies that are relevant 

to SMMAP. This literature is distributed to the public at public events throughout the year. Information

about SMMAP is displayed at permanent kiosks located throughout Citrus County (Map 16).Various 

stakeholders and other state, local, and government agencies also distribute information regarding the 

aquatic preserve. Information ranges from proper uses of vessels and the various ecosystems within 

the aquatic preserve, to information on the Aquatic Preserve Program and FCO. An informational video 

featuring SMMAP is on display in the CRPSP’s visitor center, as well as two living educational displays, 

which are maintained by aquatic preserve staff. Signage and interpretive materials are on display and 

literature is available to the public free of charge. 

In addition to posted and distributed literature, staff also attends various local and regional meetings and 

participate in working groups relating to SMMAP. Involvement in these types of meetings is important to 

relay relevant information, such as data trends, to ensure the protection, preservation, and enhancement 

of the natural resources and to encourage sound decision making regarding both land use and natural 

resource management strategies. Furthermore, staff also participates in various local events to not only 

promote the aquatic preserve, but also to encourage sound environmental stewardship and address 

the importance of proper use and management of the natural resources. Examples of these community 

based events are: FWC’s Kids’ Fishing Clinic, National Estuaries Day, Ocean Conservancy’s International 

Coastal Clean-Up, Save Our Waters Week, and the Florida Manatee Festival in Crystal River. Staff 

partners with CRPSP to host an Earth Day celebration and with Citrus County School’s Marine Science 

Station to host National Estuaries Day events annually. 

SMMAP staff also work with local entities to provide educational programs to specific groups 

throughout the community. Partnerships with public libraries, elementary schools, and various nonprofit 

organizations make it possible for scientific presentations and grade school activities that bring 

SMMAP to land. Numerous scientific presentations have been conducted by SMMAP staff to visitors 

of the Withlacoochee Gulf Preserve and varying other non-profit user groups. Staff have also created 

an elementary level curriculum which is used as part of the Friends of the Crystal River Parks’ Summer 

Camp program, as well as the Sumter County Library System’s Science Expo Program. Bringing SMMAP 

to young minds aids in accomplishing FCO’s mission to conserve and restore Florida’s coastal and 

aquatic resources for the benefit of people and the environment by getting them involved at an early age. 

#* 

#* 

#* 

#* 

#* 

Information Kiosk 


0 1.5 

3 

± 

Miles 6/11/2015 

Map 16 / Kiosk locations for St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve. 

67

Aquatic preserve staff are involved in various education and outreach opportunities in area schools. 

4.3.3 / Issue One, continued: Water Quality 

Goal Two: Provide timely and accurate water quality data and information to the public and other entities/agencies. 

Objective Two: Utilize a variety of methods to inform the public and other entities regarding water quality 

conditions, the importance of water quality, and suggestions to improve water quality within SMMAP. 

Integrated Strategy One: Utilize educational signage at strategic access points to SMMAP to educate 

the public on the ecological significance of the bay and how the public can assist in conserving 

natural resources. 

Integrate Strategy Two: Coordinate and participate in public lectures and other events where staff can 

address water quality issues and discuss methods for improving water quality. 

Integrated Strategy Three: Provide and/or create opportunities for the public to volunteer to assist 

with monitoring efforts and unique events (i.e. Earth Day). 

Goal Two, Objective Two – Performance Measure One: Create new, and revise existing, 

informational brochures to distribute to the public. Maintain and update all SMMAP’s kiosk locations 

as necessary. 

Goal Two, Objective Two – Performance Measure Two: Track number of attendees of public lecture 

and outreach events relating to water quality in the area. 

68 

4.3.4 / Issue Two continued: Management and Protection of Seagrass 

Goal One, continued from 4.2.4 Management and Protection of Seagrasses 

Goal One: Manage seagrass communities through research and monitoring, education and outreach 

efforts, continued resource management, and collaborative mapping efforts with other state agencies to 

effectively protect and maintain this habitat as a valuable natural resource throughout SMMAP. 

Objective Two: Promote the importance of seagrass habitats by generating a variety of informational 

outlets that target recreational, commercial, and scientific user groups operating in SMMAP.

Integrated Strategy One: Update the current SMMAP brochures to include additional information on 

the importance of seagrass habitat, water quality, and sound user practices that can be used to prevent 

destruction of seagrasses. 

Integrated Strategy Two: Repair, replace, or install education signage pertaining to resource protection 

at public and private boat ramps and marinas throughout SMMAP. Provide educational and 

informational materials, such as boater’s guides and brochures to local businesses, marinas, and tour 

operators. 

Integrated Strategy Three: Continue to participate in education and outreach events throughout the 

surrounding areas to promote the importance of seagrass and other estuarine habitats. 

Goal One, Objective Two – Performance Measure One: Produce and acquire brochures and 

signage informing users of SMMAP’s research, proper boating practices, and general information on 

the importance of seagrasses. 

Goal One, Objective Two – Performance Measure Two: Track number of signs that are repaired and/ 

or installed. 

Goal One, Objective Two – Performance Measure Three: Track number of brochures distributed. 

4.3.5 / Issue Three continued: Natural Resource Obstacles 

Goal Two: Educate the public about the importance of SMMAP’s history, natural resources, and cultural 

resources. 

Objective One: Partner with other agencies and/or non-governmental organizations to promote greater 

understanding and interpretation of resources. 

Integrated Strategy One: Repair, replace, or install up to date signage and kiosks to educate the 

public on SMMAP and its resources. 

Integrated Strategy Two: Develop an informational brochure on the current efforts employed by 

SMMAP’s water quality, seagrass. And resource management programs. This information will be distributed 

at local festivals, workshops, and events. SMMAP staff is responsible for updating information 

as needed. 

Goal Two, Objective One – Performance Measure: Develop, distribute, and track quantities of 

educational materials to other government entities, ecotourism businesses and the public. Update 

documents every five years. 

Objective Two: Partner with state, county, and municipal parks to incorporate information on SMMAP 

history and resources into guided tours, signage, staff training, and promotional materials. 

Integrated Strategy One: Provide interpretive training and literature for tour guides on natural and 


Integrated Strategy Two: Provide training for staff of local parks and other destinations. 

Goal One, Objective Two – Performance Measure: Distribute SMMAP information to appropriate 

outlets. This will be based on, or controlled by, the amount of brochures distributed annually. Track 

locations, number, and content of brochures distributed. 

Goal One, Objective Two – Performance Measure: Track number of tour guides and staff of local 

parks trained. 

4.4 / The Public Use Management Program 

The Public Use Management Program addresses the delivery and management of public use 

opportunities at the preserve. The components of this program focus on providing the public recreational 

opportunities within the site’s boundaries which are compatible with resource management objectives. 

The goal for public access management in FCO managed areas is to “promote and manage public use 

of our preserves and reserves that supports the research, education, and stewardship mission of FCO.” 

While access by the general public has always been a priority, the conservation of FCO’s sites is the 

primary management concern for FCO. It is essential for staff to analyze existing public uses and 

define management strategies that balance these activities where compatible in a manner that protects 

natural, cultural and aesthetic resources. This requires gathering existing information on use, needs, and 

opportunities, as well as a thorough consideration of the existing and potential impacts to critical upland, 

69

A group of kayakers paddling along the Salt River. 

wetland and submerged habitats. This includes the coordination of visitor program planning with social 

science research. One of FCO’s critical management challenges during the next 10 years is balancing 

anticipated increases in public use with the need to ensure preservation of site resources. This section 

explains the history and current status of our Public Use efforts. 

70 

4.4.1 / Background of Public Use at St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve 

Historically, public use in SMMAP has been dominated by ecotourism and consumptive commercial and 

recreational fisheries. Boating, birding, camping, canoeing, kayaking, and snorkeling provide a unique 

opportunity to explore SMMAP. There are numerous eco-tour operations that provide a variety of ways to 

view and experience SMMAP including guided fishing and scalloping charters, airboat tours, and guided 

kayak trips. The aquatic preserve is home to a variety of species of migratory and wading birds including 

roseate spoonbills, great blue heron, osprey (Pandion halieetus), white pelicans, and wood storks, 

making SMMAP ideal for birders and photographers. 

The nutrient exchange between the marshes and the Gulf of Mexico makes the salt marsh a significant 

area of primary production and a nursery ground for commercial and recreational fish species. Species 

typically harvested in SMMAP are oysters, crabs, scallops, and shrimp. 

Much of the preserves boundaries are buffered by CRPSP to the east and the Chassahowitzka National 

Wildlife Refuge to the south. These adjacent publically owned conservation areas help preserve some of 

the most extensive and productive seagrass beds in the nation. These seagrass beds supports most of 

the commercial and recreational species that are harvested each year. Cooperative efforts between local, 

state, and federal agencies have been critical in maintaining the pristine qualities of SMMAP. Interagency 

efforts have been largely responsible for the improvement of public access, shoreline restoration, 

interpretive signage, data collection, and resource management within SMMAP. 

Public Access 

SMMAP is composed of open water, mangrove islands, several inlet bays, tidal rivers and creeks, salt 

marsh, and adjoins upland hammock islands. Public access to the aquatic preserve is through the use 

of boat ramps and kayak/canoe launches. There are 13 major public boat ramps that provide access 

to SMMAP (Map 17), some of which are large marine facilities. Most of the major marinas provide 

boat ramps, docking, fueling, dry slips and ship stores. Staff continues to post informational signs 

and install kiosks at most access points to keep the public informed of pertinent issues and general 

information about SMMAP. Staff coordinates signage with other agencies in the region to effectively 

convey information.

User Groups 

One of the most popular uses of SMMAP is hook and line recreational fishing. The shallow water 

grass flats are also attractive to the growing number of fly fisherman who travel to SMMAP for trophy 

fish. Species of particular interest include: snook, snapper, sheepshead, red drum, spotted seatrout, 

grouper, shark, bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix), mackerel, and cobia. The seagrass supports most of 

the commercial and recreational species that are harvested each year. Commercial harvest of blue 

crabs, stone crabs, mullet, and shrimp provides livelihoods for many local families from fisherman, to 

dockworkers, to seafood houses and restaurants. Commercial and recreational shellfish harvesting of 

oysters is approved by DACS in areas of SMMAP (Maps 8 and 9). Please check with the Division of 

Aquaculture for more information. (www.floridaaquaculture.com) 

Annual recreational scallop harvest attracts visitors from across the nation during the summer months, 

generating revenue and jobs for local communities; in company with the Steinhatchee area in the Big 

Bend, the coastal waters in SMMAP are considered the state’s most prime scallop harvesting grounds. 

In 2003, University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences conducted a survey with local 

businesses and reported that Citrus County had an increase in revenue of nearly $1.5 million during 

scallop season. In addition to increased revenue, the increasing popularity of scalloping has created 

multiple job opportunities (Stevens et al., 2004). 

The extensive seagrass meadows and shallow backwater estuaries of the SMMAP provide unique 

opportunities for birding, fishing, snorkeling, and photography. Canoes and kayaks are excellent ways 

to access the remote mangrove islands and tidal marshes of the Nature Coast. The Citrus County 

Kayak/Canoe Trail is a great route for paddlers to explore this coastline; this trail begins in the Crystal 

River and follows the coastline south to the Homosassa River, and eventually the Chassahowitzka 

River. Additionally, the Florida Circumnavigation Saltwater Paddling Trail passes through SMMAP. This 

paddling trail was created by the DEP in coordination with the Office of Greenways and Trails. The 1,500 

mile paddling trail runs from Big Lagoon State Park near Pensacola, through the Big Bend, around the 

peninsula, to Fort Clinch State Park near Jacksonville. Paddlers should be well prepared, and always file 

a float plan. Maps, access points, and photos of the trail can be downloaded at: (http://www.dep.state. 

fl.us/gwt/paddling/saltwater.htm). 

4.4.2 / Current Status of Public Use at St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve 

SMMAP encourages sustainable use of natural resources while minimizing user impacts. Nutrient 

exchange between the marshes and the Gulf of Mexico makes the salt marsh a significant area of 

primary production and a nursery ground for commercial and recreational fish species. Public support 

and participation are imperative to protecting natural resources. Strong citizen support is vital to 

the success of SMMAP’s programs. Public participation in resource management enables them to 

understand the important ecological and economic issues of the system. 

Consumptive Use 

The seagrass supports most of the commercial and recreational species that are harvested each year. 

The grass flats, oyster bars, and mangroves provide productive and challenging habitats for saltwater 

anglers; additionally, SMMAP provides critical habitat for the bay scallop. In the past, it was estimated 

that “approximately 1,500 people visit SMMAP each week during scallop season and generate upwards 

of $3 to $5 million in tourism revenue each summer” (Leary, 2001). The public’s interest in scalloping 

continues to increase each year. The increased number of boaters increases the potential risk for 

damage to the natural resources, especially seagrasses. 

To avoid damage to seagrass beds, boaters are encouraged to use bathymetry maps and/or consult 

with local vendors about the area. The draw of these recreational and commercial species fuel local 

economies; loss of critical habitat for these species could potentially negatively impact local economies. 

SMMAP staff have partnered with FWC to create and post signage at public access points (i.e. boat 

ramps) informing the public about proper techniques to avoid damaging the seagrasses and other 

natural resources. Cooperative efforts between local, state, and federal agencies have been critical in 

maintaining the pristine qualities of SMMAP. Interagency efforts have been largely responsible for the 

improvement of public access, shoreline restoration, interpretive signage, data collection, and resource 

management within SMMAP. 

71

4.4.3 / Issue Four: Public Use 

SMMAP encourages sustainable use of natural resources while minimizing user impacts. SMMAP provides 

many opportunities to both recreational and commercial users. Public support and interagency 

participation are imperative to protecting natural resources. Public participation in resource management 

enables them to understand the importance of protecting the resource while encouraging recreational 

and commercial use. 

Goal One: Maintain a safe and natural environment for SMMAP’s wildlife, habitats, and user groups. 

Objective One: Facilitate research to identify human use conflicts with natural resources. 

Integrated Strategy One: Work with law enforcement and other resource management entities to 

identify and address uses within SMMAP that are not water dependent, potentially illegal, or harmful to 

natural resources. 

Integrated Strategy Two: Partner with other agencies to develop and distribute information identifying 

potential use conflicts and methods of prevention. 

Goal One, Objective One – Performance Measure One: Maintain relationships with local law 

enforcement to understand, prevent, and deter potential threats to the resources. 

Goal One, Objective One – Performance Measure Two: Continue to attend meetings with regulatory 

staff to provide updates and discuss relevant issues within SMMAP. 

Goal One, Objective One – Performance Measure Three: Provide timely and accurate technical 

information to the appropriate agencies and offices. 

Objective Two: Reduce the amount of debris, contaminants, and other resource damages associated 

with user group activities. 

Integrated Strategy One: Understand and address consumptive use impacts from fisheries utilizing 

gear and methods that cause potential harm to the resource, such as shrimping, crabbing, and 

scalloping, while recognizing the importance to local economies. 


Florida Public Access Boat Ramps 

[d Boat Ramp within Marina 

[d Stand Alone Ramp 

± 

0 1 2 4 

Miles 6/18/2015 

Crystal Bay 

[d 

Fort Island Trail 

Salt River 

[d 

[d 

Kings Bay 

Crystal 

River 

! 

[d 

[d 

Mangrove Point 

[d 

Crystal River 

Airport 

[d 

St. Martins River 

[d 

Ozello 

! 

[d 

Greenleaf Bay 

W. Ozello Trail 

US-19 

St. Martins Keys 

Halls River Rd. 

Homosassa Springs 

! 

Homosassa Bay 


[d 

[d [d 

Homosassa 

! 

[d 

72 

Map 17 / Public access at St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve.

Integrated Strategy Two: Promote awareness of proper boating practices to reduce prop scarring 

in seagrasses and benthic communities. This includes, but is not limited to, increasing or replacing 

legally enforceable regulatory signage as needed at various boat ramps throughout Citrus County. 

Integrated Strategy Three: Coordinate and participate in projects that remove or make use of debris 

within SMMAP. 

Integrated Strategy Four: Develop and distribute informational brochures and/or participate in local 

meetings to educate user groups of potential impacts to the natural resources associated with user 

activities. 

Goal One, Objective Two – Performance Measure One: Continue to produce informational signage 

to address issues. Track number and content of signs produced. 

Goal One, Objective Two – Performance Measure Two: Partner with local citizens, state, and federal 

agencies to conduct annual marine debris clean-up events. Track number of events and amount of 

debris removed. 

Goal Two: Promote low-impact, sustainable recreational opportunities. 

Objective One: Increase awareness of non-consumptive use opportunities such as paddle boarding, 

sailing, kayaking, canoeing, swimming, and snorkeling. 

Integrated Strategy One: Identify appropriate locations for paddling launch sites and desirable 

destinations to access SMMAP via kayak or canoe. FWC recommends that SMMAP staff coordinate 

with FWC’s Office of Public Access and Wildlife Viewing Services staff which has worked closely with 

paddling organizations in developing paddling information, trails, and wildlife viewing opportunities in 

Florida. 

Integrated Strategy Two: Work with other resource management agencies and local vendors to 

educate users of the unique recreational opportunities in SMMAP. This includes providing informational 

kiosks and educating guides on historical locations, birding and hiking trails, and kayak and canoeing 

trails (i.e. the Nature Coast Canoe and Kayak Paddling Trail). http://floridabirdingtrail.com/index. 

php/trip/trail/Nature_Coast_Canoe_and_Kayak_Trail/ 

Goal Two, Objective One – Performance Measure One: Provide literature to local guides, eco-tour 

operators, and marinas to help educate and encourage responsible use of the resources within SM- 

MAP. Track quantity of literature provided. 

Goal Two, Objective One – Performance Measure Three: Hold regular meetings with adjacent 

land managers and government agencies to promote expansion of non-consumptive activities (e.g. 

kayaking, nature viewing). 

73

Sunset at the mouth of the Crystal River. 

Part Three 

Additional Plans 

Chapter Five 

Administrative Plan 

The success of the St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve’s (SMMAP’s) research, education, and resource 

management programs depends upon effective administrative strategies. The objectives of SMMAP’s 

administrative plan include: 

1. To supervise and administer programs and maintain facilities; 

2. To comply with all legal rules, contracts, agreements, and regulations; 

3. To maintain all records needed for operating, budgeting, planning, and purchasing; and 

4. To communicate and coordinate with all entities involved in research, education, commercial, and 

recreational utilization or management within SMMAP. 

Staffing 

SMMAP staff consists of four permanent positions that also manage the largest aquatic preserve, Big 

Bend Seagrasses Aquatic Preserve. The positions include one select exempt service (SES), and three 

full-time equivalent (FTE) positions. 

75

Aquatic Preserve Manager (SES) - The position supervises three staff members and is responsible for 

insuring that work assignments and reviews are completed satisfactorily and on time. The supervisor 

directs project management, administration, budget, operations, and facilitates visiting investigators. 

Environmental Specialist II (FTE) – The position is responsible for data collection and data 

management for the two aquatic preserves’ seagrass monitoring programs. Works with supervisor 

to organize and implement annual marine debris clean up events and responsible for preventative 

maintenance on vehicles, vessels and vessel trailers. 

Environmental Specialist I (FTE) – The position responsible for managing the two aquatic preserve’s 

continuous water quality programs. Handles calibration, deployment, and annual metadata report for 

eight water quality stations. Also, plans and organizes education and outreach events to promote the 

aquatic preserves and the importance of conserving natural resources. Plans and implements resource 

monitoring activities including seagrass, water quality, and restoration activities. Enters, analyzes, and 

interprets all data collected during monitoring activities. 

Administrative Assistant I (FTE) - Submits all purchase orders and invoices, tracks budget through 

QuickBooks and reconciles to Florida Accounting Information Resource (FLAIR), enters monthly reports 

to Florida Equipment Electronic Tracking (FLEET) management system and OCULUS (for both fuel and 

purchasing cards), reviews p- card transactions for staff, maintains files, answers the telephone and 

provides visitor services. 

Each of these positions is state funded. In order to run an effective program and accomplish the goals 

set out in this plan, adequate staffing is critical. Given the complexity of SMMAP, additional staff may be 

necessary to continue adequate research and monitoring efforts within SMMAP. 

Projected Staffing Needs 

Over the next 10 years, as development increases throughout the Springs Coast, additional staff will be 

critical to ensure the quality of current and future restoration projects, research and monitoring efforts, and 

expanding the education and outreach program. Two and sometimes three staff members are required 

aboard vessels when water-based monitoring activities are initiated in the ongoing management of SMMAP 

to comply with proper safety procedures. As funds become available, these positions will be needed: 

Education and Outreach Specialist II (FTE) - Organize and conduct natural and cultural history 

interpretive talks and education programs, perform speaking engagements promoting preservation of 

SMMAP and public awareness of the program’s objectives. 

Environmental Specialist II (FTE) - Perform all grant administration activities including locating vendors, 

processing payments to vendors, and coordinating staff for restoration projects within SMMAP. The 

position would work with other state, local and federal agencies on restoration projects in SMMAP and 

adjacent conservation lands. 

Environmental Specialist I (FTE) - Full time position which would be dedicated to field operations. The 

position would be assisting current staff when conducting research and monitoring activities, as well as 

any other mission critical or necessary tasks. 

76

Staff removing debris identified during annual seagrass monitoring off the St. Martins Keys. 

Chapter Six 

Facilities Plan 

Facilities 

The St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve (SMMAP) office is housed within the Crystal River Preserve 

State Park facility located on the north side of the city of Crystal River at 3266 North Sailboat Avenue, 

Crystal River, Florida, 34428. The facility includes a visitor center, conference room, staff office space and 

laboratory space totaling 5,300 square feet. The complex also includes a 1,250 square foot pole barn 

under which vessels are stored, and a small storage shed. The facility has a boat ramp on the Crystal 

River for agency and staff use only. 

Upon the occasion of a hurricane or major storm event, all vehicles and vessels of SMMAP will follow the 

procedures outlined in the SMMAP Hurricane Plan, which is updated annually. 

Vehicles 

SMMAP acquired one 2005 Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid in 2005 and one 2008 Ford F-150 in 2011. The 

current mileage on the Chevrolet is more than 120,000 miles, while the mileage on the Ford is more 

than 60,000 miles. Future needs will include total replacement of the Chevrolet as well as an increase in 

funding for fuel costs. 

Vessels 

18’ airboat - In 1998, SMMAP acquired an 18 foot airboat and trailer that are utilized to accomplish 

program management goals, such as monitoring seagrass habitat in shallow areas. The trailer for this 

vessel was replaced in 2003. This vessel is maintained through monthly inspections performed by staff. 

Since its purchase, the engine has been replaced four times and the cage was replaced twice. Future 

77

expenses over the next 10 years may include replacing the boat and/or trailer. Future expenses also 

include vessel and trailer maintenance, as well as fuel costs, at approximately $3,000 per year pending 

an increase in fuel prices. 

22’ Panga - In 2005, SMMAP acquired a 22 foot Panga outboard vessel and trailer, also utilized to 

accomplish program management goals. This vessel is maintained through monthly inspections 

performed by staff. The engine for this vessel was replaced in 2012. Future expenses also include vessel 

and trailer maintenance, as well as fuel costs, at approximately $3,000 per year pending an increase in 

fuel prices. 

18’ Wahoo – Surplus pending. 

Kayaks - SMMAP acquired three kayaks - two of which are stored in SMMAP’s pole barn area, and one 

is on loan to Rainbow Springs Aquatic Preserve. 

78

List of Appendices 

Appendix A / Legal Documents.......................................................................................................................................80 

A.1 / Aquatic Preserve Resolution.................................................................................................................................80 

A.2 / Florida Statutes.....................................................................................................................................................81 

A.3 / Florida Administrative Code.................................................................................................................................81 

Appendix B / Resource Data...........................................................................................................................................82 

B.1 / Glossary of Terms..................................................................................................................................................82 

B.2 / References.............................................................................................................................................................83 

B.3 / Species Lists..........................................................................................................................................................88 

Native Species........................................................................................................................................................88 

Listed Species......................................................................................................................................................122 

Invasive Non-native and/or Problem Species.....................................................................................................123 

B.4 / Arthropod Control Plan.......................................................................................................................................125 

B.5 / Archaeological and Historical Sites....................................................................................................................126 

Appendix C / Public Involvement.................................................................................................................................130 

C.1 / Advisory Committee............................................................................................................................................130 

List of Members and their Affiliations..................................................................................................................130 

Florida Administrative Register Posting..............................................................................................................131 

Meeting Summary................................................................................................................................................132 

C.2 / Formal Public Meeting........................................................................................................................................138 

Florida Administrative Register Posting..............................................................................................................138 

Advertisement Flyer.............................................................................................................................................140 

Newspaper Advertisement..................................................................................................................................141 

Summary of the Formal Public Meeting.............................................................................................................142 

Appendix D / Goals, Objectives, and Strategies........................................................................................................144 

D.1 / Current Goals, Objectives, and Strategies Table...............................................................................................144 

D.2 / Budget Summary Table......................................................................................................................................148 

D.3 / Major Accomplishments Since the Approval of the Previous Plan..................................................................148 

D.4 / Gulf Priority Restoration Projects........................................................................................................................149 

Appendix E / Other Requirements................................................................................................................................155 

E.1 / Acquisition and Restoration Council Management Plan Compliance Checklist.............................................155 


on State-Owned or Controlled Lands.................................................................................................................162 

E.3 / Letter of Compliance with the County Comprehensive Plan............................................................................163 

79

Appendix A 

Legal Documents 

80 

A.1 / Aquatic Preserve Resolution 

WHEREAS, the State of Florida, by virtue of its sovereignty, is the owner of the beds of all navigable 

waters, salt and fresh, lying within its territory, with certain minor exceptions, and is also the owner of 

certain other lands derived from various sources; and 

WHEREAS, title to these sovereignty and certain other lands has been vested by the Florida Legislature 

in the State of Florida Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund, to be held, protected 

and managed for the long range benefit of the people of Florida; and 

WHEREAS, the State of Florida Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund, as a part of 

its overall management program for Florida’s state-owned lands, does desire to insure the perpetual 

protection, preservation and public enjoyment of certain specific areas of exceptional quality and value 

by setting aside forever these certain areas as aquatic preserves or sanctuaries; and 

WHEREAS, the ad hoc Florida Inter-Agency Advisory Committee on Submerged Land Management has 

selected through careful study and deliberation a number of specific areas of state—owned land having 

exceptional biological, aesthetic and scientific value, and has recommended to the State of Florida Board 

of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund that these selected areas be officially recognized and 

established as the initial elements of a statewide system of aquatic preserves for Florida; 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the State of Florida Board of Trustees of the Internal 

Improvement Trust Fund: 

THAT it does hereby establish a statewide system of aquatic preserves as a means of protecting and 

preserving in perpetuity certain specially selected areas of state-owned land: and 

THAT specifically described, individual areas of state-owned land may from time to time be established 

as aquatic preserves and included in the statewide system of aquatic preserves by separate resolution of 

the State of Florida Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund; and 

THAT the statewide system of aquatic preserves and all individual aquatic preserves established 

thereunder shall be administered and managed, either by the said State of Florida Board of Trustees 

of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund or its designee as may be specifically provided for in the 

establishing resolution for each individual aquatic preserve, in accordance with the following 

management policies and criteria: 

(1) An aquatic preserve is intended to set aside an exceptional area of state-owned land and its 

associated waters for preservation essentially in their natural or existing condition by reasonable 

regulation of all human activity which might have an effect on the area. 

(2) An aquatic preserve shall include only lands or water bottoms owned by the State of Florida, and 

such private lands or water bottoms as may be specifically authorized for inclusion by appropriate 

instrument from the owner. Any included lands or water bottoms to which a private ownership claim 

might subsequently be proved shall upon adjudication of private ownership be automatically excluded 

from the preserve, although such exclusion shall not preclude the State from attempting to negotiate 

an arrangement with the owner by which such lands or water bottoms might be again included within 

the preserve. 

(3) No alteration of physical conditions within an aquatic preserve shall be permitted except: (a) minimum 

dredging and spoiling for authorized public navigation projects, or (b) other approved activity designed 

to enhance the quality or utility of the preserve itself. It is inherent in the concept of the aquatic preserve 

that, other than as contemplated above, there be: no dredging and filling to create land, no drilling of 

oil wells or excavation for shell or minerals, and no erection of structures on stilts or otherwise unless 

associated with authorized activity, within the confines of a preserve - to the extent these activities can be 

lawfully prevented. 

(4) Specifically, there shall be no bulkhead lines set within an aquatic preserve. When the boundary of 

a preserve is intended to be the line of mean high water along a particular shoreline, any bulkhead line 

subsequently set for that shoreline will also be at the line of mean high water. 

(5) All human activity within an aquatic preserve shall be subject to reasonable rules and regulations 

promulgated and enforced by the State of Florida Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust 

Fund and/or any other specifically designated managing agency Such rules and regulations shall not 

interfere unduly with lawful and traditional public uses of the area, such as fishing (both sport and 

commercial), hunting, boating, swimming and the like. 

(6) Neither the establishment nor the management of an aquatic preserve shall infringe upon the lawful 

and traditional riparian rights of private property owners adjacent to a preserve. In furtherance of these

ights, reasonable improvement for ingress and egress, mosquito control, shore protection and similar purposes 

may be permitted by the State of Florida Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund and other 

jurisdictional agencies, after review and formal concurrence by any specifically designated managing agency for 

the preserve in question.(7) Other uses of an aquatic preserve, or human activity within a preserve, although not 

originally contemplated, may be permitted by the State of Florida Board of Trustees of the Internal improvement 

Trust Fund and other jurisdictional agencies, but only after a formal finding of compatibility made by the said 

Trustees on the advice of any specifically designated managing agency for the preserve in question. 

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, the Trustees for and on behalf of the State of Florida Board of Trustees of the Internal 

Improvement Trust Fund have hereunto subscribed their names and have caused the official seal of said State of 

Florida Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund to be hereunto affixed, in the City of Tallahassee, 

Florida, on this the 24th day of November A. D. 1969. 

CLAUDE R. KIRK, JR, Governor 

TOM ADAMS, Secretary of State 

EARL FAIRCLOTH, Attorney General 

FRED O. DICKINSON, JR., Comptroller 

BROWARD WILLIAMS, Treasurer 

FLOYD T. CHRISTIAN, Commissioner of Education 

DOYLE CONNER, Commissioner of Agriculture 

As and Constituting the State of Florida Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund 

A.2 / Florida Statutes 

All the statutes can be found according to number at www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes 

Florida Statutes, Chapter 253: State Lands 

Florida Statutes, Chapter 258: State Parks and Preserves 

Part II (Aquatic Preserves) 

Florida Statutes, Chapter 370: Saltwater Fisheries 

Florida Statutes, Chapter 372: Wildlife 

Florida Statutes, Chapter 403: Environmental Control 

(Statute authorizing the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to create Outstanding 

Florida Waters is at 403.061(27)) 

Florida Statutes, Chapter 597: Aquaculture 

A.3 / Florida Administrative Codes 

All rules can be found according to number at www.flrules.org/Default.asp 

Florida Administrative Code, Chapter 18-20: Florida Aquatic Preserves 

www.dep.state.fl.us/legal/Rules/shared/18-20.pdf 

Florida Administrative Code, Chapter 18-21: Sovereignty Submerged Lands Management 

www.dep.state.fl.us/legal/Rules/shared/18-21.pdf 

Florida Administrative Code, Chapter 62-302: Surface Water Quality Standards 

(Rule designating Outstanding Florida Waters is at 62-302.700) 

www.dep.state.fl.us/legal/Rules/shared/62-302/62-302.pdf 

81

Appendix B 

Resource Data 

82 

B.1 / Glossary of Terms 

References to these definitions can be found in Appendix B.2 (References). 

aboriginal - the original biota of a geographical region. (Lincoln, Boxshall & Clark, 2003) 

anaerobic - growing or occurring in the absence of molecular oxygen. (Lincoln et al., 2003) 

aquaculture - the cultivation of aquatic organisms. (Lincoln et al., 2003) 

autecology – the ecology of individual organisms and populations, including physiological ecology, animal behavior, 

and population dynamics. (Allaby, 2005) 

codify - to arrange laws and rules systematically. (Neufeldt & Sparks, 1990) 

diversity - a measure of the number of species and their relative abundance in a community. (Lincoln et al., 2003) 

drainage basin (catchment) - the area from which a surface watercourse or a groundwater system derives its water; 

watershed. (Allaby, 2005) 

easement - a right that one may have in another’s land. (Neufeldt & Sparks, 1990) 

ecosystem - a community of organisms and their physical environment interacting as an ecological unit. (Lincoln 

et al., 2003) 

emergent - an aquatic plant having most of the vegetative parts above water; a tree which reaches above the level of 

the surrounding canopy. (Lincoln et al., 2003) 

endangered species - an animal or plant species in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its 

range. (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS], 2015) 

endemic - native to, and restricted to, a particular geographical region. (Lincoln et al., 2003) 

epiphyte - a plant that uses another plant, typically a tree, for its physical support, but which does not draw 

nourishment from it. (Allaby, 2005) 

extinction - the disappearance of a species from a given habitat. (Lincoln et al., 2003) 

fauna - the animal life of a given region, habitat or geological stratum. (Lincoln et al., 2003) 

flora - the plant life of a given region, habitat or geological stratum. (Lincoln et al., 2003) 

geographic information system (GIS) - computer system supporting the collection, storage, manipulation and query 

of spatially referred data, typically including an interface for displaying geographical maps. (Lincoln et al., 2003) 

grainstone - a limestone consisting of grain supported particles without any mud matrix. (Allaby, 2008) 

hydric - pertaining to water; wet. (Lincoln et al., 2003) 

hydrophyte- a plant that is adapted morphologically and/or physiologically to grow in water or very wet 

environments. (Allaby, 2005) 

infauna - the animal life within a sediment; epifauna. (Lincoln et al., 2003) 

intertidal zone - the shore zone between the highest and lowest tides; littoral. (Lincoln et al., 2003) 

listed species - a species, subspecies, or distinct population segment that has been added to the Federal list of 

endangered and threatened wildlife and plants. (FWS, 2015) 

lithophyte – a plant living on a rock surface. (Neuendorf, Mehl, & Jackson, 2011) 

mandate - an order or command; the will of constituents expressed to their representative, legislature, etc. (Neufeldt 

& Sparks, 1990) 

mesic - pertaining to conditions of moderate moisture or water supply; used of organisms occupying moist habitats. 

(Lincoln et al., 2003) 

midden - a refuse heap; used especially in archaeology. (Lincoln et al., 2003) 

mosaic - an organism comprising tissues of two or more genetic types; usually used with reference to plants. 


packstone - a limestone characterized by a grain supported texture, together with a lime-mud matrix. (Allaby, 2008) 

population - all individuals of one or more species within a prescribed area. A group of organisms of one species, 

occupying a defined area and usually isolated to some degree from other similar groups. (Lincoln et al., 2003) 

psammophyte - a plant growing or moving in unconsolidated sand. (Lincoln et al., 2003) 

ruderal - pertaining to or living amongst rubbish or debris, or inhabiting disturbed sites. (Lincoln et al., 2003) (FNAI 

describes ruderal as areas impacted by development measures such as roadways, drainage ditches, navigational 

channels or are considered hydrological alterations.) 

runoff - part of precipitation that is not held in the soil but drains freely away. (Lincoln et al., 2003) 

salinity - a measure of the total concentration of dissolved salts in seawater. (Lincoln et al., 2003)

sessile - non-motile; permanently attached at the base. (Lincoln et al., 2003) 

species - a group of organisms, minerals or other entities formally recognized as distinct from other groups; the 

basic unit of biological classification. (Lincoln et al., 2003) 

species of concern - an informal term referring to a species that might be in need of conservation action. This may 

range from a need for periodic monitoring of populations and threats to the species and its habitat, to the necessity for 

listing as threatened or endangered. Such species receive no legal protection and use of the term does not necessarily 

imply that a species will eventually be proposed for listing. A similar term is “species at risk,” which is a general term for 

listed species as well as unlisted ones that are declining in population. Canada uses the term in its new “Species at Risk 

Act.” “Imperiled species” is another general term for listed as well as unlisted species that are declining. (FWS, 2015) 

sorption - to take in something through either absorption or adsorption. (Gorse & Martin, 2012) 

stakeholder - any person or organization who has an interest in the actions discussed or is affected by the resulting 

outcomes of a project or action. (FWS, 2015) 

subtidal - environment which lies below the mean low water level. (Allaby, 2005) 

supratidal - the zone on the shore above mean high tide level. (Lincoln et al., 2003) 

threatened species - an animal or plant species likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future 

throughout all or a significant portion of its range. (FWS, 2015) 

turbid - cloudy; opaque with suspended matter. (Lincoln et al., 2003) 

upland - land elevated above other land. (Neufeldt & Sparks, 1990) 

vegetation - plant life or cover in an area; also used as a general term for plant life. (Lincoln et al., 2003) 

wackestone - a limestone consisting of carbonate particles in a mud matrix supported structure. (Allaby, 2008) 

water column - the vertical column of water in a sea or lake extending from the surface to the bottom. (Lincoln 

et al., 2003) 

watershed - an elevated boundary area separating tributaries draining in to different river systems; drainage basin. 


wetland - an area of low lying land, submerged or inundated periodically by fresh or saline water. (Lincoln et al., 2003) 

wildlife - any undomesticated organisms; wild animals. (Allaby, 2005) 

xeric - having very little moisture; tolerating or adapted to dry conditions. (Lincoln et al., 2003) 

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B.3 / Species Lists 

B.3.1 / Native Species List 

88 

Common Name Species Name Status 

Legend: FT = Federally and State Designated Threatened • FE = Federally & State Designated Endangered 

ST = State Designated Threatened • SE = State Designated Endangered • SSC = State Species of Special 

Concern • (S/A) = listed due to similarity of appearance • C = commercially exploited 

Plants 

Slender threeseed mercury 

Red maple 

Oppositeleaf spotflower 

Inland giant leather fern 

Acalypha gracilens 

Acer rubrum 

Acetabularia crenulata 

Acmella oppositifolia 

Acrostichum danaeifolium 

Brittle maidenhair fern Adiantum tenerum SE 

Beach false foxglove 

Agalinis fasciculata 

Saltmarsh false foxglove 

Agalinis maritima 

Purple false foxglove 

Agalinis purpurea 

Incised groove-bur Agrimonia incisa SE 

Southern colicroot 

Aletris obovata 

Common ragweed 

Ambrosia artemisiifolia 

False indigobush 

Amorpha fruticosa 

Peppervine 

Ampelopsis arborea 

Stiff bluestar 

Amsonia rigida 

Anadyomene stellata 

Splitbeard bluestem 

Andropogon ternarius 

Chalky bluestem 

Andropogon virginicus glaucus 

Green silkscale 

Anthaenantia villosa 

Devils’ walking stick 

Aralia spinosa 

Marlberry 

Ardisia escallonioides 

Greendragon 

Arisaema dracontium 

Wiregrass 

Aristida beyrichiana 

Big threeawn 

Aristida condensata 

Bottlebrush threeawn 

Aristida spiciformis 

Virginia snakeroot 

Aristolochia serpentaria 

Florida indian plantain 

Arnoglossum floridanum 

Butterfly milkweed, butterflyweed 

Asclepias tubersoa 

Whorled milkweed 

Asclepias verticillata 

Slimleaf pawpaw, narrowleaf pawpaw 

Asimina angustifolia 

Ebony spleenwort 

Asplenium platyneuron 

Florida milkvetch 

Astragalus obcordatus 

Smooth yellow false foxglove 

Aureolaria flava 

Fernleaf yellow false foxglove 

Aureolaria pedicularia 

Black mangrove 

Avicennia germinans 

Avrainvillea levis 

Common carpetgrass 

Axonopus fissifolius 

Big carpetgrass 

Axonopus furcatus 

Saltwater false willow 

Baccharis angustifolia 

Silverling 

Baccharis glomulerifolia 

Sea myrtle, eastern baccharis 

Baccharis halimifolia 

Blue waterhyssop 

Bacopa caroliniana 

Herb-of-grace 

Bacopa monnieri 

Pineland wild indigo 

Baptisia lecontei 

Saltwort 

Batis maritima 

Batophora oerstedi





Tarflower 

Rattan vine, supplejack 

Florida greeneyes 

Beggarticks, spanish needles 

Spanish needles 

Smooth beggarticks 

Smallfruit beggarticks 

Crossvine 

Toothed midsorus fern 

False nettle 

Seaside oxeye daisy 

American bluehearts 

Capillary hairsedge 

Gumbo limbo 

Gray n+A421icker 

Scarlet calamint 

American beautyberry 

Bearded grasspink 

Tuberous grasspink 

Hedge false bindweed 

Florida bellflower 

Trumpet creeper, trumpet vine 

Sandywoods sedge 

Florida paintbrush 

Vanillaleaf, vanilla plant 

Hairy chaffhead 

American hornbeam 

Water hickory 

Pignut hickory 

Chinquapin 

Southern catalpa 

New Jersey tea, redroot 

Sugarberry 

Slender sandbur 

Coastal sandbur 

Spadeleaf 

Spurred butterfly pea 

Common buttonbush 

Coontail 

Eastern redbud 

Partridge pea 

Sensitive pea 

Bejaria racemosa 

Berchemia scandens 

Berlandiera subacaulis 

Bidens alba 

Bidens bipinnata 

Bidens laevis 

Bidens mitis 

Bignonia capreolata 

Blechnum serrulatum 

Boehmeria cylindrica 

Borrichia frutescens 

Buchnera americana 

Bulbostylis ciliatifolia 

Bursera simaruba 

Caesalpinia bonduc 

Calamintha coccinea 

Callicarpa americana 

Calopogon barbatus 

Calopogon tuberosus 

Calystegia sepium 

Campanula floridana 

Campsis radicans 

Carex dasycarpa 

Carphephorus corymbosus 

Carphephorus odoratissimus 

Carphephorus paniculatus 

Carpinus caroliniana 

Carya aquatica 

Carya glabra 

Castanea pumila 

Catalpa bignonioides 

Caulerpa ashmeadii 

Caulerpa cupressoides 

Caulerpa langinosa 

Caulerpa mexicana 

Caulerpa pasploides 

Caulerpa prolifera 

Caulerpa racemosa 

Ceanothus americanus 

Celtis laevigata 

Cenchrus gracillimus 

Cenchrus incertus 

Centella asiatica 

Centrosema virginianum 

Cephalanthus occidentalis 

Ceratophyllum demersum 

Cercis canadensis 

Chamaecrista fasciculata 

Chamaecrista nictitans 

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Longleaf chasmanthium 

Shiny woodoats 

Snowberry, milkberry 

Fringetree 

Cottony golden aster 

Maryland golden aster 

Scrubland golden aster 

Citrus 

Sawgrass 

Pine hyacinth 

Netleaf leather-flower 

Butterfly pea 

Tread-softly 

Whitemouth dayflower 

Buttonwood 

Blue mistflower, ageratum 

American squawroot 

Canadian horseweed 

Florida tickseed 

Leavenworth’s tickseed 

Roughleaf dogwood 

Flowering dogwood 

Swamp dogwood 

May haw, Michaux’s hawthorne 

String-lily, seven-sisters 

Slender scratchdaisy 

Pursh’s rattlebox 

Rabbitbells 

Silver croton 

Rushfoil, Michaux’s croton 

Compact dodder 

Bermudagrass 

Baldwin’s flatsedge 

Wiry flatsedge 

Plukenet’s flatsedge 

Pinebarren flatsedge 

Coinvine 

Whitetassels 

Cowitch vine 

Hairy small-leaf ticktrefoil 

Florida ticktrefoil 

Sand ticktrefoil 

Panicledleaf ticktrefoil 

Dixie ticktrefoil 

Coastalplain balm 

Needleleaf witchgrass 

Variable witchgrass 

Cypress witchgrass 

Chasmanthium laxum 

Chasmanthium nitidum 

Chiococca alba 

Chionanthus virginicus 

Chrysopsis gossypina 

Chrysopsis mariana 

Chrysopsis subulata 

Citrus spp. 

Cladium jamaicense 

Clematis baldwinii 

Clematis reticulata 

Clitoria mariana 

Cnidoscolus stimulosus 

Codium isthmocladum 

Commelina erecta 

Conocarpus erectus 

Conoclinium coelestinum 

Conopholis americana 

Conzya canadensis 

Coreopsis floridana 

Coreopsis leavenworthii 

Cornus asperifolia 

Cornus florida 

Cornus foemina 

Crataegus michauxii 

Crinum americanum 

Croptilon divaricatum 

Crotalaria purshii 

Crotalaria rotundifolia 

Croton argyranthemus 

Croton michauxii 

Cuscata compacta 

Cynodon dactylon 

Cyperus crocerus 

Cyperus filiculmis 

Cyperus plukenetii 

Cyperus retrorsus 

Dalbergia ecastaphyllum 

Dalea carnea 

Decumaria barbara 

Desmodium ciliare 

Desmodium floridanum 

Desmodium lineatum 

Desmodium paniculatum 

Desmodium tortuosum 

Dicerandra linearifolia 

Dichanthelium aciculare 

Dichanthelium commutatum 

Dichanthelium ensifolium ensifolium





Cypress witchgrass 

Eggleaf witchgrass 

Hemlock witchgrass 

Roughhair witchgrass 

Dichanthelium ensifolium unciphyllum 

Dichanthelium ovale 

Dichanthelium portoricense 

Dichanthelium strigosum 

Carolina ponysfoot 

Dichondra caroliniensis 

Dictyota sp. 

Digenia simplex 

Slender crabgrass 

Digitaria filiformis 

Virginia buttonweed 

Diodia virginiana 

Common persimmon 

Diospyros virginiana 

Salt grass 

Distichlis spicata 

Dwarf sundew 

Drosera brevifolia 

Pink sundew 

Drosera capillaris 

Oblong twinflower 

Dyschoriste oblongifolia 

Burrhead 

Echinodorus spp. 

Baldwin’s spikerush 

Eleocharis baldwinii 

Tall elephantsfoot 

Elephantopus elatus 

Smooth elephants foot 

Elephantopus nudatus 

Carolina scalystem 

Elytraria caroliniensis 

Florida tasselflower 

Emilia fosbergii 

Green-fly orchid Epidendrum conopseum C 

Elliott’s lovegrass 

Eragrostis elliottii 

Coastal lovegrass 

Eragrostis virginica 

Burnweed 

Erectites hieracifolia 

Oakleaf fleabane 

Erigeron quercifolius 

Early whitetop fleabane 

Erigeron vernus 

Pipewort 

Eriocaulon compressum 

Wild buckwheat 

Eriogonum tomentosum 

Rattlesnakemaster 

Eryngium aquaticum 

Baldwin’s eryngo 

Eryngium baldwinii 

Rattlesnakemaster, button eryngo 

Eryngium yuccifolium 

Coralbean 

Erythrina herbacea 

American strawberrybush 

Euonymus americanus 

White thoroughwort 

Eupatorium album 

Dogfennel 

Eupatorium capillifolium 

Yankeeweed 

Eupatorium compositifolium 

False fennel 

Eupatorium leptophyllum 

Semaphore thoroughwort 

Eupatorium milkanoides 

Mohr’s thoroughwort 

Eupatorium mohrii 

Common boneset 

Eupatorium perfoliatum 

False hoarhound 

Eupatorium rotundifolium 

Saltmarsh fingergrass 

Eustachys glauca 

Seaside gentian 

Eustoma exaltatum 

Flat-topped goldenrod, slender goldenrod 

Euthamia caroliniana 

Flattop goldenrod 

Euthamia graminifolia 

Silver dwarf morningglory 

Evolvulus sericeus 

Marsh frimby 

Fimbristylis spadicea 

Hairy frimby 

Fimbristylis puberula 

Narrowleaf yellowtops 

Flaveria linearis 

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Florida privet, Florida swampprivet 

White ash 

Carolina ash 

Southern umbrellasedge 

Lanceleaf blanketflower 

Elliott’s milkpea 

Soft milkpea 

Eastern milkpea 

Downy milkpea 

Coastal bedstraw 

Stiff marsh bedstraw 

Dwarf huckleberry 

Blue huckleberry 

Carolina jessamine 

Rose mock vervain 

Loblolly bay 

Rough hedgehyssop 

Shaggy hedgehyssop 

Branched hedgehyssop 

Bearded skeletongrass 

Chapman’s skeletongrass 

Toothpetal false reinorchid 

Bog orchid 

Carolina silverbell 

Shoal grass 

Engelmann’s seagrass, star grass 

Southeastern sneezeweed 

Swamp sunflower 

Rayless sunflower, stiff sunflower 

Seaside heliotrope, salt heliotrope 

Crested coralroot 

Crimsoneyed rosemallow 

Coastalplain hawkweed 

Marsh pennywort 

Sky flower 

Coastalplain St. John’s-wort 

Roundpod St. John’s-wort 

Peelbark St. John’s-wort 

St. Andrew’s-cross 

Dwarf St. John’s wort 

Myrtleleaf St. John’s-wort 

Fourpetal St. John’s wort 

Common yellow stargrass 

Fringed yellow stargrass 

Musky mint, clustered bushmint 

Carolina holly 

Dahoon holly 

Forestiera segregata 

Fraxinus americana 

Fraxinus caroliniana 

Fuirena scirpoidea 

Gaillardia aestivalis 

Galactia elliottii 

Galactia mollis 

Galactia regularis 

Galactia volubilis 

Galium hispidulum 

Galium tinctorium 

Gaylussacia dumosa 

Gaylussacia frondosa 

Gelsemium sempervirens 

Glandularia canadensis 

Gordonia lasianthus 

Gracilaria sp. 

Gratiola hispida 

Gratiola pilosa 

Gratiola ramosa 

Gymnopogon ambiguus 

Gymnopogon chapmanianus 

Habenaria floribunda 

Habenaria quinqueseta 

Halesia caroliniana 

Halimeda incrassata 

Halodule wrightii 

Halophila engelmannii 

Helenium pinnatifidum 

Helianthus angustifolius 

Helianthus radula 

Heliotropium curassavicum 

Hexalectris spicata 

Hibiscus moscheutos 

Hieracium megacephalon 

Hydrocotyle umbellata 

Hydrolea corymbosa 

Hypericum brachyphyllum 

Hypericum cistifolium 

Hypericum fasciculatum 

Hypericum hypericoides 

Hypericum mutilum 

Hypericum myrtifolium 

Hypericum tetrapetalum 

Hypoxis curtissi 

Hypoxis juncea 

Hyptis alata 

Ilex ambigua 

Ilex cassine





Possumhaw 

Gallberry, inkberry 

American holly 

Yaupon holly 

Wild indigo, Carolina indigo 

Man-of-the-earth 

Saltmarsh morningglory 

Prairie iris, blueflag 

Virginia willow, sweetspire 

Marshelder, sumpweed, Jesuit’s bark 

Forked rush 

Common rush 

Shore rush 

Manyhead rush 

Black needlerush 

Needlepod rush 

Southern red cedar 

Wicky, hairy laurel 

Virginia saltmarsh mallow 

Dwarf dandelion 

Carolina redroot 

Whitehead bogbutton 

Small’s bogbutton 

Ilex decidua 

Ilex glabra 

Ilex opaca 

Ilex vomitoria 

Indigofera caroliniana 

Ipomoea pandurata 

Ipomoea sagittata 

Iris hexagona 

Itea virginica 

Iva frutescens 

Juncus dichotomus 

Juncus effusus 

Juncus marginatus 

Juncus polycephalos 

Juncus roemerianus 

Juncus scirpoides 

Juniperus virginiana 

Kalmia hirsuta 

Kosteletzkya pentacarpos 

Krigia virginica 

Lachnanthes caroliana 

Lachnocaulon anceps 

Lachnocaulon minus 

White mangrove 

Laguncularia racemosa 

Laurencia sp. 

Thymeleaf pinweed 

Lechea minor 

Pineland pinweed 

Lechea sessiliflora 

Little duckweed 

Lemna obscura 

Virginia pepperweed 

Lepidium virginicum 

Narrowleaf lespedeza 

Lespedeza angustifolia 

Hairy lespedeza 

Lespedeza hirta 

Tall lespedeza 

Lespedeza stuevei 

Chapman’s gayfeather, Chapman’s blazing star Liatris chapmanii 

Pinkscale gayfeather 

Liatris elegans 

Slender gayfeather 

Liatris gracilis 

Few flowered gayfeather, fewflower blazing star Liatris pauciflora 

Shortleaf gayfeather 

Liatris tenuifolia 

Gopher apple 

Licania michauxii 

Eastern glasswort 

Lilaeopsis chinensis 

Pine lily Lilium catesbaei ST 

Carolina sealavendar 

Limonium carolinianum 

Blue toadflax 

Linaria canadensis 

Savannah false pimpernel 

Lindernia grandiflora 

Florida yellow flax 

Linum floridanum 

Sweetgum 

Liquidambar styraciflua 

Cardinal flower Lobelia cardinalis ST 

Glades lobelia 

Lobelia glandulosa 

White lobelia 

Lobelia paludosa 

Coral honeysuckle 

Lonicera sempervirens 

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Seaside primrose-willow 

Smallfruit primrose-willow 

Marsh seedbox 

Creeping primrose-willow 

Savannah primrose-willow 

Christmasberry, Carolina desertthorn 

Foxtail club-moss 

Southern club-moss 

Slender club-moss 

Rose-rush 

Rusty staggerbush 

Coastalplain staggerbush 

Fetterbush 

Wand lythrum 

Wild bushbean 

Southern magnolia 

Sweetbay 

Ludwigia maritima 

Ludwigia microcarpa 

Ludwigia palustris 

Ludwigia repens 

Ludwigia virgata 

Lycium carolinianum 

Lycopodium alopecuroides 

Lycopodium appressa 

Lycopodium carolinianum 

Lygodesmia aphylla 

Lyonia ferruginea 

Lyonia fruticosa 

Lyonia lucida 

Lythrum lineare 

Macroptilium lathyroides 

Magnolia grandiflora 

Magnolia virginiana 

Florida spiny pod Matelea floridana SE 

Axilflower 

Mecardonia acuminata 

Snow squarestem 

White sweetclover 

Climbing hempvine 

Littleleaf sensitive briar 

Sensitive briar 

Partridgeberry 

Lax hornpod 

Shoregrass 

Red mulberry 

Hairgrass, muhly grass, hairawn muhly 

Wax myrtle, southern bayberry 

Southern waternymph 

Tropical puff 

Swamp tupelo 

Pinebarren aster 

Cutleaf evening-primrose, willow primrose 

Clustered mile graines 

Woodsgrass 

Tuna cactus 

Pricklypear 

Devilwood 

Cinnamon fern 

Royal fern 

Eastern hophornbeam 

Common yellow woodsorrel 

Water cowbane, water dropwort 

Coastalplain palafox 

Beaked panicum 

Melanthera nivea 

Melilotus albus 

Mikania scandens 

Mimosa microphylla 

Mimosa quadrivalvis angustata 

Mitchella repens 

Mitreola petiolata 

Monanthochloe littoralis 

Morus rubra 

Muhlenbergia capilaris filipes 

Myrica cerifera 

Najas guadalupensis 

Neptunia pubescens 

Nyssa sylvatica biflora 

Oclemena reticulata 

Oenothera laciniata 

Oldenlandia uniflora 

Oplismenus hirtellas 

Opuntia ficus-india 

Opuntia humifusa 

Oscillatori sp. 

Osmanthus americanus 

Osmunda cinnamomea 

Osmunda regalis 

Ostrya virginiana 

Oxalis corniculata 

Oxypolis filiformis 

Padina vickersiae 

Palafoxia integrifolia 

Panicum anceps





Maidencane 

Redtop panicum 

Switchgrass 

Pineland nailwort 

Virginia creeper 

Crowngrass 

Florida paspalum 

Early paspalum 

Thin paspalum 

Seashore paspalum 

Purple passionflower 

Panicum hemitomon 

Panicum rigidulum 

Panicum virgatum 

Paronychia patula 

Parthenocissus quinquefolia 

Paspalum bifidum 

Paspalum floridanum 

Pasaplum praecox 

Paspalum setaceum 

Paspalum vaginatum 

Passiflora incarnata 

Buckroot 

Pediomelum canescens 

Penicillus capitatus 

Penicillus dumetosus 

Mayflower beardtongue 

Penstemon multiflorus 

Red bay 

Persea borbonia 

Swamp bay 

Persea palustris 

Goldenfoot fern, golden polypody 

Phlebodium aureum 

Florida false sunflower 

Phoebanthus grandiflorus 

Red chokeberry 

Photinia pyrifolia 

Common cane, roseau cane 

Phragmites australis 

Fogfruit, capeweed 

Phyla nodiflora 

Cypresshead groundcherry 

Physalis arenicola 

Walter’s groundcherry 

Physalis walteri 

Slenderleaf false dragonhead 

Physostegia leptophylla 

Eastern false dragonhead 

Physostegia purpurea 

American pokeweed 

Phytolacca americana 

Wild pennyroyal 

Piloblephis rigida 

Blueflower butterwort Pinguicula caerulea ST 

Yellow butterwort Pinguicula lutea ST 

Small butterwort 

Pinguicula pumila 

Sand pine 

Pinus clausa 

Slash pine 

Pinus elliottii 

Longleaf pine 

Pinus palustris 

Pond pine 

Pinus serotina 

Loblolly pine 

Pinus taeda 

Blackseed needlegrass 

Piptochaetium avenaeceum 

Pitted stripesteed 

Piriqueta caroliniana 

Southern plantain 

Plantago virginica 

Yellow fringed orchid Platanthera ciliaris ST 

Resurrection fern 

Pleopeltis polypodioides 

Stinking camphorweed 

Pluchea foetida 

Sweetscent 

Pluchea odorata 

Rosy camphorweed 

Pluchea rosea 

Rose pogonia Pogonia ophioglossoides ST 

Baldwin’s milkwort 

Polygala balduinii 

Drumheads 

Polygala cruciata 

Orange milkwort 

Polygala lutea 

Candyroot 

Polygala nana 

Racemed milkwort 

Polygala polygama 

95

96 





Coastalplain milkwort 

Tall jointweed 

Octoberflower 

Swamp smartweed 

Dotted smartweed 

Rustweed 

Pickerelweed 

Hairy shadow witch 

Eastern cottonwood 

Illinois pondweed 

Claspingleaf 

Small pondweed 

Marsh mermaidweed 

Combleaf mermaidweed 

American plum 

Chickasaw plum 

Carolina laurel cherry 

Black cherry 

Flatwoods plum 

Heller’s cudweed 

Sampson’s snakeroot 

Tailed bracken 

Blackroot, rabbit tobacco 

Wand blackroot 

Mock bishopsweed, herbwilliam 

White oak 

Chapman’s oak 

Runner oak 

Southern red oak 

Sand live oak 

Bluejack oak 

Turkey oak 

Laurel oak 

Overcup oak 

Sand post oak 

Swamp chestnut oak 

Dwarf live oak 

Myrtle oak 

Water oak 

Shumard’s oak 

Bluff oak 

Virginia live oak 

Wild radish 

Rubbervine 

Polygala setacea 

Polygonella gracilis 

Polygonella polygama 

Polygonum hydropiperoides 

Polygonum punctatum 

Polypremum procumbens 

Pontederia cordata 

Ponthieva racemosa 

Populus deltoids 

Potamogeton illinoensis 

Potamogeton perfoliatus 

Potamogeton pusillus 

Proserpinaca palustris 

Proserpinaca pectinata 

Prunus americana 

Prunus angustifolia 

Prunus caroliniana 

Prunus serotina 

Prunus umbellata 

Pseudognaphalium helleri 

Psoralea psoralioides 

Pteridium aquilinum pseudocaudatum 

Pterocaulon pycnostachyum 

Pterocaulon virgatum 

Ptilimnium capillaceum 

Quercus alba 

Quercus chapmanii 

Quercus elliottii 

Quercus falcata 

Quercus geminata 

Quercus incana 

Quercus laevis 

Quercus laurifolia 

Quercus lyrata 

Quercus margaretta 

Quercus michauxii 

Quercus minima 

Quercus myrtifolia 

Quercus nigra 

Quercus shumardii 

Quercus sinuata 

Quercus virginiana 

Raphanus raphanistrum 

Rhabdadenia biflora 

Needle palm Rhapidophyllum hystrix C 

Savannah meadowbeauty 

Rhexia alifanus 

West indian meadowbeauty 

Yellow meadowbeauty 

Pale meadow beauty 

Rhexia cubensis 

Rhexia lutea 

Rhexia mariana





Nuttall’s meadowbeauty 

Rhexia nuttallii 

Fringed meadowbeauty 

Rhexia petiolata 

Rhipocephalus phoenix 

Red mangrove 

Rhizphorus mangle 

Sweet pinxter azalea 

Rhododendron canescens 

Indian azalea 

Rhododendron simsii 

Swamp azalea 

Rhododendron viscosum 

Winged sumac 

Rhus copallinum 

Royal snoutbean 

Rhynchosia cytisoides 

Michaux’s snoutbean 

Rhynchosia michauxii 

Dollarleaf 

Rhynchosia reniformis 

Baldwin’s beaksedge 

Rhynchospora baldwinii 

Shortbristle beaksedge 

Rhynchospora breviseta 

Loosehead beaksedge 

Rhynchospora chalarocephala 

Chapman’s beaksedge 

Rhynchospora chapmanii 

Fringed beaksedge 

Rhynchospora ciliaris 

Star-top rush, starrush whitetop 

Rhynchospora colorata 

Short bristled horned beaksedge 

Rhynchospora corniculata 

Curtiss’ beaksedge 

Rhynchospora curtissii 

Fascicled beaksedge 

Rhynchospora facicularis 

Threadleaf beaksedge 

Rhynchospora filifolia 

Globe beaksedge 

Rhynchospora globularis 

Slender beaksedge 

Rhynchospora gracilenta 

Gray’s beaksedge 

Rhynchospora grayi 

Pinebarren beaksedge 

Rhynchospora intermedia 

Giant whitetop 

Rhynchospora latifolia 

Millet beaksedge 

Rhynchospora miliacea 

Pineland beaksedge 

Rhynchospora perplexa 

Plumed beaksedge 

Rhynchospora plumosa 

Fairy beaksedge 

Rhynchospora pusilla 

Fewflower beaksedge 

Rhynchospora rariflora 

Swamp rose 

Rosa palustris 

Sawtooth blackberry 

Rubus argutus 

Sand blackberry 

Rubus cuneifolius 

Northern dewberry 

Rubus flagellaris 

Southern dewberry 

Rubus trivialis 

Orange coneflower 

Rudbeckia fulgida 

Blackeyed susan 

Rudbeckia hirta 

Carolina wild petunia 

Ruellia caroliniensis 

Hairyflower wild petunia 

Ruellia ciliatiflora 

Ciliate wild petunia 

Ruellia ciliosa 

Nightflowering petunia Ruellia noctiflora SE 

Swamp dock 

Rumex verticillatus 

Widgeongrass 

Ruppia maritima 

Bluestem palmetto 

Sabal minor 

Cabbage palm 

Sabal palmetto 

Shortleaf rosegentian 

Sabatia brevifolia 

Coastal rosegentian 

Sabatia calycina 

Slender rosegentian 

Sabatia campanulata 

97

98 

B.3.2 / Invasive Non-native Species List 





Largeleaf rosegentian 

Fourangle rosegentian 

Rose of plymouth 

Sugarcane plumegrass 

Sugarcane plumegrass 

Smallflower mock buckthorn 

Chapman’s arrowhead 

Strap-leaved sagittaria 

Bulltongue arrowhead 

Awl-leaf arrowhead 

Annual glasswort 

Perrenial glasswort 

Carolina willow, coastalplain willow 

Black willow 

Azure blue sage 

Lyreleaf sage 

Water spangles 

Elderberry 

American elder 

Water pimpernel 

Pineland pimpernel 

Pineland pimpernel, seaside brookweed 

Canadian blacksnakeroot 

Sabatia macrophylla 

Sabatia quadrangula 

Sabatia stellaris 

Saccharum coarctatum 

Saccharum giganteum 

Sageretia minutiflora 

Sagittaria graminea 

Sagittaria kurziana 

Sagittaria lancifolia 

Sagittaria subulata 

Salicornia bigelovii 

Salicornia virginica 

Salix caroliniana 

Salix nigra 

Salvia azurea 

Salvia lyrata 

Salvinia minima 

Sambucus canadensis 

Sambucus nigra canadenis 

Samolus ebracteatus 

Samolus parviflorus 

Samolus valerandi 

Sanicula canadensis 

Perennial glasswort 

Sarcocornia ambigua 

Sargassum sp. 

Hooded pitcherplant Sarracenia minor ST 

Parrot pitcherplant Sarracenia psittacina ST 

Sassafras 

Sassafras albidum 

Lizard’s tail 

Saururus cernuus 

Little bluestem 

Schizachyrium scoparium 

Creeping bluestem 

Schizachyrium stoloniferum 

Slender bluestem 

Schizachyrium tenerum 

Florida sensitive brier 

Schrankia microphylla 

Three-square sedge 

Scirpus olneyi 

Threesquare bulrush 

Scirpus pungens 

Leafy sedge 

Scirpus robustus 

Baldwin’s nutrush 

Scleria baldwinii 

Fringed nutrush 

Scleria ciliata 

Fewflower nutrush 

Scleria ciliata pauciflora 

Slenderfruit nutrush 

Scleria georgiana 

Netted nutrush 

Scleria retulgris 

Tall nutgrass 

Scleria triglomerata 

Low nutrush 

Scleria verticillata 

Florida scrub skullcap 

Scutellaria arenicola 

Small’s skullcap 

Scutellaria multiglandulosa 

Maryland wild sensitive plant 

Senna marilandica 

Saw palmetto 

Serenoa repens 

Dixie whitetopped aster 

Sericocarpus tortifolius 

Seapurslane 

Sesuvium portulacastrum

B.3.3 / Problem Species List 





Yaupon blacksenna 

Piedmont blacksenna 

Saffron plum 

False mastic 

Gum bully 

Florida bully 

Starry rosinweed 

Kidneyleaf rosinweed 

White blue-eyed grass 

Narrowleaf blue-eyed grass 

Eastern blue-eyed grass 

Nash’s blue-eyed grass 

Annual blue-eyed grass 

Hemlock waterparsnip 

Earleaf greenbrier 

Saw greenbrier 

Cat greenbrier 

Laurel greenbrier 

Sarsaparilla vine 

Bristly greenbrier 

American black nightshade 

Florida horsenettle 

Pinebarren goldenron 

Giant goldenrod 

Chapman’s goldenrod, anise-scented goldenrod 

Wrinkleleaf goldenrod 

Wand goldenrod 

Spiny sowthistle 

Slender indiangrass 

Yellow indiangrass 

Lopsided indiangrass 

Smooth cordgrass, oystergrass 

Saltmeadow hay, saltmeadow cordgrass 

Giant cordgrass, rough cordgrass 

Gulf cordgrass 

Woodland false buttonweed 

Bog moss species 

Seymeria cassioides 

Seymeria pectinata 

Sideroxylon celastrinum 

Sideroxylon foetidissimum 

Sideroxylon lanuginosa 

Sideroxylon reclinatum 

Silphium asteriscus 

Silphium compositum 

Sisyrinchium albidum 

Sisyrinchium angustifolium 

Sisyrinchium atlanticum 

Sisyrinchium nashii 

Sisyrinchium rosulatum 

Sium suave 

Smilax auriculata 

Smilax bona-nox 

Smilax glauca 

Smilax laurifolia 

Smilax pumila 

Smilax tamnoides 

Solanum americanum 

Solanum carolinense 

Solidago fistulosa 

Solidago gigantea 

Solidago odora 

Solidago rugosa 

Solidago stricta 

Sonchus asper 

Sorghastrum elliottii 

Sorghastrum nutans 

Sorghastrum secundum 

Spartina alterniflora 

Spartina patens 

Spartina cynosuroides 

Spartina spartinae 

Spermacoce assurgens 

Sphagnum spp. 

Florida ladies tresses Spiranthes floridana SE 

Spring ladies tresses 

Spiranthes vernalis 

Common duckweed 

Hidden dropseed 

Florida dropseed 

Pineywoods dropseed 

Seashore dropseed 

Sweet shaggytuft 

St. Augustine grass 

Water toothleaf, corkwood 

Queensdelight 

Pink fuzzybean 

Spirodela polyrhiza 

Sporobolus clandestinus 

Sporobolus floridanus 

Sporobolus junceus 

Sporobolus virginicus 

Stenandrium dulce 

Stenoaphrum secundatum 

Stillingia aquatica 

Stillingia sylvatica 

Strophostyles umbellata 

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Coastalplain dawnflower 

Sidebeak pencilflower 

American snowbell 

Bigleaf snowbell 

Sea blite 

Scaleleaf aster 

Savannah aster 

Easten silver aster 

Rice button aster 

Perennial saltmarsh aster 

Common sweetleaf 

Yellow hatpins 

Manatee grass 

Pond-cypress 

Bald-cypress 

Scurf hoarypea 

Florida hoarypea 

Sprawling hoarypea 

Spiked hoarypea 

Wood sage 

Turtle grass 

Widespread maiden fern 

Widespread maiden fern 

Marsh fern 

Carolina basswood 

White basswood 

Bartram’s airplant 

Spanish moss 

Stylisma patens 

Stylosanthes biflora 

Styrax americanus 

Styrax grandiflorus 

Suadea linearis 

Symphyotrichum adnatum 

Symphyotrichum chapmanii 

Symphyotrichum concolor 

Symphyotrichum dumosum 

Symphyotrichum tenuifolium 

Symplocos tinctoria 

Syngonanthus flavidulus 

Syringodium filiforme 

Taxodium ascendens 

Taxodium distichum 

Tephrosia chrysophylla 

Tephrosia florida 

Tephrosia hispidula 

Tephrosia spicata 

Teucrium canadense 

Thalassia testudinum 

Thelypteris kunthii 

Thelypteris normalis 

Thelypteris palustris 

Tilia americana caroliniana 

Tilia americana heterophylla 

Tillandsia bartramii 

Tillandsia usneoides 

Crippled cranefly orchid Tipularia discolor ST 

Coastal false asphodel 

Tofieldia racemosa 

Eastern poison oak 

Poison ivy 

Atlantic poison oak 

Poison sumac 

Climbing dogbane 

Spiderwort 

Small’s noseburn 

Wavyleaf noseburn 

Nettleleaf noseburn 

Forked bluecurls 

Carolina fluffgrass 

Field clover 

White clover 

Trillium 

Venus’s lookingglass 

Perennial sandgrass 

Purple sandgrass 

Winged elm 

American elm 

Toxicodendron pubescens 

Toxicodendron radicans 

Toxicodendron toxicarium 

Toxicodendron vernix 

Trachelospermum difforme 

Tradescantia spp. 

Tragia smallii 

Tragia urens 

Tragia urticifolia 

Trichostema dichotomum 

Tridens carolinianus 

Trifolium campestre 

Trifolium repens 

Trillium spp. 

Triodanis perfoliata 

Triplasis americana 

Triplasis purpurea 

Ulmus alata 

Ulmus americana





Little floating bladderwort 

Bladderwort 

Sparkleberry 

Highbush blueberry 

Darrow’s blueberry 

Shiny blueberry 

Deerberry 

Tapegrass 

Brazilian vervain 

Frostweed, white crownbeard 

Tall ironweed 

Giant ironweed 

Southern arrowwood 

Possumhaw 

Walter’s viburnum 

Rusty blackhaw 

Fourleaf vetch 

Vetch 

Hairypod cowpea 

Common blue violet 

Bog white violet 

Early blue violet 

Primroseleaf violet 

Common blue violet 

Prostrate blue violet 

Summer grape 

Graybark grape 

Muscadine 

Calloose grape 

Southern rockbell 

Netted chain fern 

Virginia chain fern 

Coastal plain yellow-eyed grass 

Baldwin’s yellow-eyed grass 

Carolina yellow-eyed grass 

Curtiss’ yellow-eyed grass 

Elliot’s yellow-eyed grass 

Savannah yellow-eyed grass 

Tall yellow-eyed grass 

Spanish bayonet, aloe yucca 

Adam’s needle 

Utricularia radiata 

Utricularia subulata 

Vaccinium arboretum 

Vaccinium corymbosum 

Vaccinium darrowii 

Vaccinium myrsinites 

Vaccinium stamineum 

Vallisenaria americana 

Verbena brasiliensis 

Verbesina virginica 

Vernonia angustifolia 

Vernonia gigantea 

Viburnum dentate 

Viburnum nudan 

Viburnum obovatum 

Viburnum rufidulum 

Vicia acutifolia 

Vicia spp. 

Vigna luteola 

Viola floridana 

Viola lanceolata 

Viola palmata 

Viola primulifolia 

Viola sororia 

Viola walteri 

Vitis aestivalis 

Vitis cinerea 

Vitis rotundifolia 

Vitis shuttleworthii 

Wahlenbergia marginata 

Woodwardia areolata 

Woodwardia virginica 

Xyris ambigua 

Xyris baldwiniana 

Xyris caroliniana 

Xyris difformis curtissii 

Xyris elliottii 

Xyris flabelliformis 

Xyris platylelpis 

Yucca aloifolia 

Yucca filamentosa 

Coontie Zamia pumila C 

Hercules’-club, prickly ash 

Zanthoxylum clava-herculis 

Wild lime 

Atamasco lily, rainlily 

Zanthoxylum fagara 

Zephyranthes atamasca 

Treat’s rainlily Zephyranthes treatiae ST 

Crowpoison, Osceola’s plume 

Zigadenus densus 

Annual wild rice 

Zizania aquatica 

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102 





Birds 

Cooper’s hawk 

Accipiter cooperii 

Sharp-shinned hawk 

Accipiter striatus 

Spotted sandpiper 

Actitis macularia 

Red-winged blackbird 

Agelaius phoeniceus 

Wood duck 

Aix sponsa 

Saltmarsh sharp-tailed sparrow 

Ammodramus caudacutus 

Henslow’s sparrow 

Ammodramus henslowii 

Leconte’s sparrow 

Ammodramus leconteii 

Scott’s seaside sparrow Ammodramus maritimus peninsulae SSC 

Nelson’s sharp-tailed sparrow 

Ammodramus nelsoni 

Grasshopper sparrow 

Ammodramus savannarum 

Northern pintail 

Anas acuta 

American wigeon 

Anas americana 

Northern shoveler 

Anas clypeata 

Green-winged teal 

Anas crecca 

Blue-winged teal 

Anas discors 

Mottled duck 

Anas fulvigula 

Mallard 

Anas platyrhynchos 

American black duck 

Anas rubripes 

Gadwall 

Anas strepera 

Anhinga 

Anhinga anhinga 

Greater white-fronted goose 

Anser albifrons 

American pipit 

Anthus rubescens 

Limpkin Aramus guarauna SSC 

Ruby-throated hummingbird 

Archilochus colubris 

Great egret 

Ardea alba 

Great blue heron 

Ardea herodias 

Great white heron 

Ardea herodias occidentalis 

Ruddy turnstone 

Arenaria interpres 

Short-eared owl 

Asio flammeus 

Burrowing owl Athene cunicularia SSC 

Lesser scaup 

Aythya affinis 

Redhead 

Aythya americana 

Ring-necked duck 

Aythya collaris 

Greater scaup 

Aythya marila 

Canvasback 

Aythya valisineria 

Tufted titmouse 

Baeolophus bicolor 

Cedar waxwing 

Bombycilla cedrorum 

American bittern 

Botaurus lentiginosus 

Great horned owl 

Bubo virginianus 

Cattle egret 

Bubulcus ibis 

Bufflehead 

Bucephala albeola 

Common goldeneye 

Bucephala clangula 

Short-tailed hawk 

Buteo brachyrus 

Red-tailed hawk 

Buteo jamaicensis 

Red-shouldered hawk 

Buteo lineatus 

Broad-winged hawk 

Buteo platypterus 

Green-backed heron 

Butorides striatus 

Green heron 

Butorides virescens





Sanderling 

Dunlin 

Red knot 

Stilt sandpiper 

Western sandpiper 

Pectoral sandpiper 

Least sandpiper 

Semipalmated sandpiper 

Chuck-will’s-widow 

Whip-poor-will 

Northern cardinal 

Turkey vulture 

Veery 

Hermit thrush 

Gray-cheeked thrush 

Swainson’s thrush 

Willet 

Brown creeper 

Chimney swift 

Calidris alba 

Calidris alpina 

Calidris canutus 

Calidris himantipus 

Calidris mauri 

Calidris melanotos 

Calidris minutilla 

Calidris pusilla 

Caprimulgus carolinensis 

Caprimulgus vociferus 

Cardinalis cardinalis 

Cathartes aura 

Catharus fuscescens 

Catharus guttatus 

Catharus minimus 

Catharus ustulatus 

Catoptrophorus semipalmatus 

Certhia americana 

Chaetura pelagica 

Piping plover Charadrius melodus FT 

Snowy plover Charadrius nivosus ST 

Semipalmated plover 

Charadrius semipalmatus 

Killdeer 

Wilson’s plover 

Snow goose 

Black tern 

Common nighthawk 

Northern harrier 

Charadrius vociferus 

Charadrius wilsonia 

Chen caerulescens 

Chlidonias niger 

Chordeiles minor 

Circus cyaneus 

Marian’s marsh wren Cistothorus palustris marianae SSC 

Sedge wren 

Cistothorus platensis 

Long-tailed duck 

Yellow-bellied cuckoo 

Black-billed cuckoo 

Northern flicker 

Northern bobwhite 

Rock dove 

Common-ground dove 

Eastern wood-pewee 

Black vulture 

American crow 

Fish crow 

Yellow rail 

Blue jay 

Tundra swan 

Black-throated blue warbler 

Yellow-rumped warbler 

Prairie warbler 

Yellow-throated warbler 

Magnolia warbler 

Palm warbler 

Clangula hyemalis 

Coccyzus americanus 

Coccyzus erythropthalmus 

Colaptes auratus 

Colinus virginianus 

Columba livia 

Columbina passerina 

Contopus virens 

Coragyps atratus 

Corvus brachyrhynchos 

Corvus ossifragus 

Coturnicops noveboracensis 

Cyanocitta cristata 

Cygnus columbianus 

Dendroica caerulescens 

Dendroica coronata 

Dendroica discolor 

Dendroica dominica 

Dendroica magnolia 

Dendroica palmarum 

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Yellow warbler 

Pine warbler 

Blackpoll warbler 

Cape May warbler 

Black-throated green warbler 

Bobolink 

Pileated woodpecker 

Gray catbird 

Dendroica petechia 

Dendroica pinus 

Dendroica striata 

Dendroica tigrina 

Dendroica virens 

Dolichonyx oryzivorus 

Dryocopus pileatus 

Dumetella carolinensis 

Little blue heron Egretta caerulea SSC 

Reddish egret Egretta rufescens SSC 

Snowy egret Egretta thula SSC 

Tricolored heron Egretta tricolor SSC 

American swallow-tailed kite 

Elanoides forficatus 

Acadian flycatcher 

Empidonax virescens 

White ibis Eudocimus albus SSC 

Rusty blackbird 

Euphagus carolinus 

Merlin 

Peregrine falcon 

Falco columbarius 

Falco peregrinus tundrius 

Southeastern American kestrel Falco sparverius paulus ST 

Magnificent frigatebird 

Fregata magnificens 

American coot 

Wilson’s snipe 

Common snipe 

Common moorhen 

Common loon 

Common yellowthroat 

Fulica americana 

Gallinago delicata 

Gallinago gallinago 

Gallinula chloropus 

Gavia immer 

Geothlypis trichas 

Florida sandhill crane Grus canadensis pratensis ST 

American oystercatcher Haematopus palliatus SSC 

Bald eagle 

Haliaeetus leucocephalus 

Worm-eating warbler 

Black-necked stilt 

Barn swallow 

Caspian tern 

Wood thrush 

Yellow-breasted chat 

Baltimore oriole, northern oriole 

Least bittern 

Dark-eyed junco 

Loggerhead shrike 

Herring gull 

Helmitheros vermivorus 

Himantopus mexicanus 

Hirundo rustica 

Hydroprogne caspia 

Hylocichla mustelina 

Icteria virens 

Icterus galbula 

Ixobrychus exilis 

Junco hyemalis 

Lanius ludovicianus 

Larus argentatus 

Red-cockaded woodpecker Leuconotopicus borealis FE 

Laughing gull 

Leucophaeus atricilla 

Ring-billed gull 

Bonaparte’s gull 

Black rail 

Short-billed dowitcher 

Long-billed dowitcher 

Marbled godwit 

Hooded merganser 

Belted kingfisher 

Larus delawarensis 

Larus philadelphia 

Laterallus jamaicensis 

Limnodromus griseus 

Limnodromus scolopaceus 

Limosa fedoa 

Lophodytes cucullatus 

Megaceryle alcyon





Eastern screech-owl 

Red-bellied woodpecker 

Red-headed woodpecker 

Surf scoter 

Wild turkey 

Swamp sparrow 

Song sparrow 

Common merganser 

Red-breasted merganser 

Northern mockingbird 

Black-and-white warbler 

Brown-headed cowbird 

Northern gannet 

Megascops asio 

Melanerpes carolinis 

Melanerpes erythrocephalus 

Melanitta perspicillata 

Meleagris gallopavo 

Melospiza georgiana 

Melospiza melodia 

Mergus merganser 

Mergus serrator 

Mimus polyglottos 

Mniotilta varia 

Molothrus ater 

Morus bassanus 

Wood stork Mycteria americana FT 

Great crested flycatcher 

Myiarchus crinitus 

Long-billed curlew 

Whimbrel 

Yellow-crowned night-heron 

Black-crowned night-heron 

Connecticut warbler 

Orange-crowned warbler 

Ruddy duck 

Osprey 

Northern parula 

House sparrow 

Savannah sparrow 

Painted bunting 

Indigo bunting 

American white pelican 

Brown pelican 

Bachman’s sparrow 

Wilson’s phalarope 

Double-crested cormorant 

Rose-breasted grosbeak 

Downy woodpecker 

Hairy woodpecker 

Rufous-sided towhee, eastern towhee 

Scarlet tanager 

Summer tanager 

Numenius americanus 

Numenius phaeopus 

Nyctanassa violacea 

Nycticorax nycticorax 

Oporonis agilis 

Oreothlypis celata 

Oxyura jamaicensis 

Pandion haliaetus 

Parula americana 

Passer domesticus 

Passerculus sandwichensis 

Passerina ciris 

Passerina cyanea 

Pelecanus erythrorhynchos 

Pelecanus occidentalis 

Peucaea aestivalis 

Phalaropus tricolor 

Phalocrocorax auritis 

Pheucticus Iudovicianus 

Picoides pubescens 

Picoides villosus 

Pipilo erythrophthalmus 

Piranga olivacea 

Piranga rubra 

Roseate spoonbill Platalea ajaja ST 

Glossy ibis 

Plegadis falcinellus 

Black-bellied plover 

Horned grebe 

Pied-billed grebe 

Carolina chickadee 

Blue-gray gnatcatcher 

Vesper sparrow 

Purple gallinule 

Sora 

Pluvialis squatarola 

Podiceps auritus 

Podilymbus podiceps 

Poecile carolinensis 

Polioptila caerulea 

Pooecetes gramineus 

Porphyrio martinicus 

Porzana carolina 

105

106 





Purple martin 

Prothonotary warbler 

Boat-tailed grackle 

Common grackle 

King rail 

Virginia rail 

Clapper rail 

American avocet 

Ruby-crowned kinglet 

Golden-crowned kinglet 

Bank swallow 

Progne subis 

Protonotaria citrea 

Quiscalus major 

Quiscalus quiscula 

Rallus elegans 

Rallus limicola 

Rallus longirostris 

Recurvirostra americana 

Regulus calendula 

Regulus satrapa 

Riparia riparia 

Black skimmer Rynchops niger SSC 

Eastern phoebe 

Sayornis phoebe 

American woodcock 

Ovenbird 

Northern parula 

Florida prairie warbler 

American redstart 

Eastern bluebird 

White-breasted nuthatch 

Brown-headed nuthatch 

Yellow-bellied sapsucker 

American goldfinch 

Chipping sparrow 

Field sparrow 

Northern rough-winged swallow 

Least tern 

Scolopax minor 

Seiurus aurocapilla 

Setophaga americana 

Setophaga discolor paludicola 

Setophaga ruticilla 

Sialia sialis 

Sitta carolinensis 

Sitta pusilla 

Sphyrapicus varius 

Spinus tristis 

Spizella passerina 

Spizella pusilla 

Stelgidopteryx serripennis 

Sternula antillarum 

Forster’s tern Sterna forsteri FE 

Common tern 

Sterna hirundo 

Barred owl 

Eastern meadowlark 

Tree swallow 

Royal tern 

Sandwich tern 

Carolina wren 

Brown thrasher 

Lesser yellowlegs 

Greater yellowlegs 

Willet 

Solitary sandpiper 

House wren 

Winter wren 

American robin 

Gray kingbird 

Eastern kingbird 

Common barn owl 

Strix varia 

Sturnella magna 

Tachycineta bicolor 

Thalasseus maximus 

Thalasseus sandvicensis 

Thryothorus ludovicianus 

Toxostoma rufum 

Tringa flavipes 

Tringa melanoleuca 

Tringa semipalmata 

Tringa solitaria 

Troglodytes aedon 

Troglodytes troglodytes 

Turdus migratorius 

Tyrannus dominicensis 

Tyrannus tyrannus 

Tyto alba 

Bachman’s warbler Vermivora bachmanii FE 

Yellow-throated vireo 

Vireo flavifrons 

White-eyed vireo 

Red-eyed vireo 

Vireo griseus 

Vireo olivaceus





Solitary vireo, blue-headed vireo 

White-winged dove 

Mourning dove 

White-throated sparrow 

Vireo solitarius 

Zenaida asiatica 

Zenaida macroura 

Zonotrichia albicollis 

Mammals 

Everglades short-tailed shrew 

Blarina peninsulae 

Rafinesque’s big-eared bat 

Corynorhinus rafinesquil 

Least shrew 

Cryptotis parva 

Virginia opossum 

Didelphis virginiana 

Big brown bat 

Eptescius fuscus 

Southeastern pocket gopher 

Geomys pinetis 

Southern flying squirrel 

Glaucomys volans 

Red bat 

Lasiurus borealis 

Hoary bat 

Lasiurus cinereus 

Yellow bat 

Lasiurus intermedius 

Seminole bat 

Lasiurus seminolus 

River otter 

Lontra canadensis 

Bobcat 

Lynx rufus 

Striped skunk 

Mephitis mephitis 

Pine vole 

Microtus pinetorum 

House mouse 

Mus musculus 

Florida long-tailed weasel 

Mustella frenata peninsulae 

Southeastern myotis 

Myotis austroriparius 

Round-tailed muskrat 

Neofiber alleni 

Wood rat 

Neotoma floridana 

Florida mink 

Neovison vison lutensis 

Evening bat 

Nycticeius humeralis 

Golden mouse 

Ochrotomys nuttalli 

White-tailed deer 

Odocoileus virginianus 

Marsh rice rat 

Oryzomys palustris 

Cotton deermouse 

Peromyscus gossypinus 

Old field mouse 

Peromyscus polionotus 

Eastern pipistrelle 

Pipistrellus austrorparius 

Florida mouse Podomys floridanus SSC 

Raccoon 

Procyon lotor 

Florida panther Puma concolor coryi FE 

Eastern harvest mouse 

Reithrodontomys humulis 

Eastern mole 

Scalopus aquaticus 

Gray squirrel 

Sciurus carolinesis 

Sherman’s fox squirrel Sciurus niger shermani SSC 

Cotton rat 

Sigmodon hispidus 

Southeastern shrew 

Sorex longirostris 

Homosassa shrew Sorex longirostris eonis SSC 

Eastern spotted skunk 

Spilogale putorius 

Eastern cottontail 

Sylvilagus floridanus 

Marsh rabbit 

Sylvilagus palustris 

Brazilian free-tailed bat 

Tadarida brasiliensis 

Florida manatee Trichechus manatus latirostris FE 

Atlantic bottle-nosed dolphin 

Tursiops truncatus 

107





Gray fox 

Florida black bear 

Red fox 

Urocyon cinereoargenteus 

Ursus americanus floridanus 

Vulpes vulpes 

Amphibians 

Florida cricket frog 

Acris gryllus dorsalis 

Mole salamander 

Ambystoma talpoideum 

Tiger salamander 

Ambystoma tigrinum tigrinum 

Two-toed amphiuma 

Amphiuma means 

One-toed amphiuma 

Amphiuma pholeter 

Oak toad 

Bufo quercicus 

Southern toad 

Bufo terrestris 

Southern dusky salamander 

Desmognathus auriculatus 

Greenhouse frog 

Eleutherodactylus planirostris planirostris 

Dwarf salamander 

Eurycea quadridigitata 

Eastern narrow-mouthed toad 

Gastrophryne carolinensis 

Cope’s gray treefrog 

Hyla chrysoscelis 

Green treefrog 

Hyla cinerea 

Pine woods treefrog 

Hyla femoralis 

Barking treefrog 

Hyla gratiosa 

Squirrel treefrog 

Hyla squirella 

Striped newt 

Notophthalmus perstriatus 

Peninsula newt 

Notophthalmus viridescens piaropicola 

Central newt 

Notophthalmus viridescens louisianensis 

Spring peeper 

Pseudacris crucifer bartramiana 

Southern chorus frog 

Pseudacris nigrita nigrita 

Florida chorus frog 

Pseudacris nigrita verrucosa 

Little grass frog 

Pseudacris ocularis 

Ornate chorus frog 

Pseudacris ornata 

Narrow-striped dwarf siren 

Pseudobranchus axanthus axanthus 

Slender dwarf siren 

Pseudobranchus striatus spheniscus 

Gulf hammock dwarf siren 

Pseudobranchus striatus lustricolus 

Rusty mud salamander 

Pseudotriton montanus floridanus 

Florida gopher frog Rana capito SSC 

Bullfrog 

Rana catesbeiana 

Bronze frog 

Rana clamitans clamitans 

Pig frog 

Rana grylio 

River frog 

Rana heckscheri 

Southern leopard frog 

Lithobates sphenocephalus 

Eastern spadefoot toad 

Scaphiopus holbrooki holbrooki 

Eastern lesser siren 

Siren intermedia intermedia 

Greater siren 

Siren lacertina 

108 

Fishes 

Scrawled cowfish 

Acanthostracion quadricornis 

Lined sole 

Achirus lineatus 

Atlantic sturgeon Acipenser oxyrhynchus oxyrinchus FE 

Gulf sturgeon Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi FT 

Diamond killifish 

Adinia xenica 

Spotted eagle ray 

Aetobatus narinari





Orange filefish 

Fringed pipefish 

Striped anchovy 

Bay anchovy 

Ocellated flounder 

American eel 

Sheepshead 

Hardhead catfish 

Bronze cardinalfish 

Southern stargazer 

Gafftopsail catfish 

Silver perch 

Frillfin goby 

Gulf menhaden 

Grass porgy 

Blue runner 

Crevalle jack 

Bull shark 

Blacktip shark 

Sand tiger shark 

Snook 

Rock sea bass 

Black sea bass 

Atlantic spadefish 

Florida blenny 

Striped burrfish 

Atlantic bumper 

Spotted whiff 

Bay whiff 

Darter goby 

Sand seatrout 

Spotted seatrout 

Sheepshead minnow 

Southern stingray 

Atlantic stingray 

Bluntnose stingray 

Round scad 

Irish pompano 

Dwarf sand perch 

Sand perch 

Spottail pinfish 

Gizzard shad 

Threadfin shad 

Sharksucker 

Whitefin sucker 

Ladyfish 

Atlantic goliath grouper 

Jackknife fish 

Fringed flounder 

Aluterus schoepfii 

Anarchopterus criniger 

Anchoa hepsetus 

Anchoa mitchilli 

Ancylopsetta quadrocellata 

Anguilla rostrata 

Archosargus probatocephalus 

Ariopsis felis 

Astrapogon alutus 

Astroscopus y-graecum 

Bagre marinus 

Bairdiella chrysoura 

Bathygobius soporator 

Brevoortia patronus 

Calamus arctifrons 

Caranx crysos 

Caranx hippos 

Carcharhinus leucas 

Carcharhinus limbatus 

Carcharias taurus 

Centropomus undecimalis 

Centropristis philadelphica 

Centropristis striata 

Chaetodipterus faber 

Chasmodes saburrae 

Chilomycterus schoepfii 

Chloroscombrus chrysurus 

Citharichthys macrops 

Citharichthys spilopterus 

Ctenogobius boleosoma 

Cynoscion arenarius 

Cynoscion nebulosus 

Cyprinodon variegatus 

Dasyatis americana 

Dasyatis sabina 

Dasyatis say 

Decapterus punctatus 

Diapterus auratus 

Diplectrum bivittatus 

Diplectrum formosum 

Diplodus holbrookii 

Dorosoma cepedianum 

Dorosoma petenense 

Echeneis naucrates 

Echeneis neucratoides 

Elops saurus 

Epinephelus itajara 

Equetus lanceolatus 

Etropus crossotus 

109

110 





Smallmouth flounder 

Gray flounder 

Silver jenny 

Tidewater mojarra 

Goldspotted killifish 

Marsh killifish 

Gulf killifish 

Striped killifish 

Eastern mosquitofish 

Skilletfish 

Highfin goby 

Naked goby 

Twoscale goby 

Code goby 

Ocellated moray 

Smooth butterfly ray 

Tomtate 

White grunt 

Slippery dick 

Scaled sardine 

Bluntnose jack 

Least killifish 

Lined seahorse 

Dwarf seahorse 

Zebratail blenny 

American halfbeak 

Halfbeak 

Warsaw grouper 

Feather blenny 

Hogfish 

Buffalo trunkfish 

Long-horned cowfish 

Pinfish 

Spot 

Longnose gar 

Freckled skate 

Tripletail 

Rainwater killifish 

Gray snapper 

Dog snapper 

Mahogany snapper 

Lane snapper 

Tarpon 

Rough silverside 

Inland silverside 

Southern kingfish 

Northern kingfish 

Clown goby 

Green goby 

Etropus microstomus 

Etropus rimosus 

Eucinostomus gula 

Eucinostomus harengulus 

Floridichthys carpio 

Fundulus confluentus 

Fundulus grandis 

Fundulus similis 

Gambusia holbrooki 

Gobiesox strumosus 

Gobionellus oceanicus 

Gobiosoma bosc 

Gobiosoma longipala 

Gobiosoma robustum 

Gymnothorax saxicola 

Gymnura micrura 

Haemulon aurolineatum 

Haemulon plumierii 

Halichoeres bivittatus 

Harengula jaguana 

Hemicaranx amblyrhynchus 

Heterandria formosa 

Hippocampus erectus 

Hippocampus zosterae 

Hypleurochilus caudovittatus 

Hyporhamphus meeki 

Hyporhamphus unifasciatus 

Hyporthodus nigritus 

Hypsoblennius hentz 

Lachnolaimus maximus 

Lactophyrs trigonus 

Lactoria cornuta 

Lagodon rhomboides 

Leiostomus xanthurus 

Lepisosteus osseus 

Leucoraja lentiginosa 

Lobotes surinamensis 

Lucania parva 

Lutjanus griseus 

Lutjanus jocu 

Lutjanus mahogoni 

Lutjanus synagris 

Megalops atlanticus 

Membras martinica 

Menidia beryllina 

Menticirrhus americanus 

Menticirrhus saxatalis 

Microgobius gulosus 

Microgobius thalassinus





Atlantic croaker 

Fringed filefish 

Striped mullet 

White mullet 

Fantail mullet 

Red goatfish 

Smooth dogfish 

Yellowmouth grouper 

Gag 

Speckled worm eel 

Lesser electric ray 

Spinycheek scorpionfish 

Emerald parrotfish 

Golden shiner 

Shiner 

Yellowtail snapper 

Polka-dot batfish 

Leatherjacket 

Shrimp eel 

Crested cusk-eel 

Atlantic thread herring 

Spotfin jawfish 

Gulf toadfish 

Pigfish 

Seaweed blenny 

Banded blenny 

Gulf flounder 

Broad flounder 

Gulf butterfish 

Harvestfish 

Sailfin molly 

Black drum 

French angelfish 

Bluefish 

Leopard sea robin 

Bighead sea robin 

Micropogonias undulatus 

Monacanthus ciliatus 

Mugil cephalus 

Mugil curema 

Mugil gyrans 

Mullus auratus 

Mustelus canis 

Mycteroperca interstitialis 

Myctoperca microlepis 

Myrophis punctatus 

Narcine bancroftii 

Neomerinthe hemingwayi 

Nicholsina usta 

Notemigonus crysoleucas 

Notropis spp. 

Ocyurus chrysurus 

Ogcocephalus cubifrons 

Oligoplites saurus 

Ophichthus gomesii 

Ophidion josephi 

Opisthonema oglinum 

Opistognathus robinsi 

Opsanus beta 

Orthopristis chrysoptera 

Parablennius marmoreus 

Paraclinus fasciatus 

Paralichthys albigutta 

Paralichthys squamilentus 

Peprilus burti 

Peprilus paru 

Poecilia latipinna 

Pogonias cromis 

Pomacanthus paru 

Pomatomus saltatrix 

Prionotus scitulus 

Prionotus tribulus 

Smalltooth sawfish Pristis pectinata FE 

Cobia 

Rachycentron canadum 

Clearnose skate 

Roundel skate 

Atlantic guitar fish 

Cownose ray 

Atlantic sharpnose shark 

Spanish sardine 

Red drum 

Spanish mackerel 

Cero mackerel 

Barbfish 

Lookdown 

Raja eglantaria 

Raja texana 

Rhinobatos lentiginosus 

Rhinoptera bonasus 

Rhizoprionodon terraenovae 

Sardinella aurita 

Sciaenops ocellatus 

Scomberomorus maculatus 

Scomberomorus regalis 

Scorpaena brasiliensis 

Selene vomer 

111





Pygmy sea bass 

Belted sandfish 

Bucktooth parrotfish 

Southern puffer 

Bandtail puffer 

Guaguanche barracuda 

Great barracuda 

Northern sennet 

Bonnethead shark 

Checkered blenny 

Planehead filefish 

Pygmy filefish 

Atlantic needlefish 

Redfin needlefish 

Timucu 

Dusky flounder 

Blackcheeked tonguefish 

Dusky pipefish 

Chain pipefish 

Sargassum pipefish 

Bull pipefish 

Inshore lizardfish 

Florida pompano 

Permit 

Houndfish 

Southern hake 

Spotted hake 

Serraniculus pumilio 

Serranus subligarius 

Sparisoma radians 

Sphoeroides nephelus 

Sphoeroides spengleri 

Sphyraena guachancho 

Sphyraena barracuda 

Sphyraena borealis 

Sphyrna tiburo 

Starksia ocellata 

Stephanolepis hispidus 

Stephanolepis setifer 

Strongylura marina 

Strongylura notata 

Strongylura timucu 

Syacium papillosum 

Symphurus plagiusa 

Syngnathus floridae 

Syngnathus lousianae 

Syngnathus pelagicus 

Syngnathus springeri 

Synodus foetens 

Trachinotus carolinus 

Trachinotus falcatus 

Tylosorus crocodilus 

Urophycis floridana 

Urophycis regia 

Insects 

True flies 

Beetles 

True bugs 

Seashore springtail 

Ants, bees, wasps 

Butterflies, moths 

Dicrotendipes spp. 

Diptera spp. 

Coleoptera spp. 

Hemiptera spp. 

Anurida maritima 

Hymenoptera spp. 

Lepidoptera spp. 

112 

Marine invertebrates 

Atlantic abra 

Striate glass-hair chiton 

White miniature ark 

Channelled barrel-bubble 

Cande’s barrel-bubble 

West indian sea cucumber 

Bay scallop 

Texas venus 

Aligena species 

Bigclaw snapping shrimp 

West indian alvania 

Abra aequalis 

Acanthochitona pygmaea 

Acar domingensis 

Acteocina canaliculata 

Acteocina candei 

Actinopyga agassizi 

Aequipectin irradians 

Agriopoma texasianum 

Aligena spp. 

Alpheus heterochaelis 

Alvania auberiana





Cockle 

Atlantic papermussel 

Cut-ribbed ark 

Cockle 

Traverse ark 

Sybaritic tellin 

Texas tellin 

Delicate tellin 

Many-colored tellin 

Buttercup lucine 

Chalky buttercup lucine 

Pointed venus 

Common jingle 

Pilsbry tuskshell 

Cockle 

Sea slug/spotted sea hare 

Mossy ark 

Turkey wing 

Cancellate ark 

Atlantic assiminea 

Coral 

Giant basket starfish 

Lunar dovesnail 

Stiff penshell 

Half-naked penshell 

Sawtooth penshell 

Riise’s glassy bubble 

Ivory barnacle 

Corbula sportella 

Square sportella 

Grass cerith 

Impressed odostome 

Borniaclam 

Spiny slippersnail 

Scorched mussel 

Biconic top-turris 

Sea fingers 

Striate bubble 

Lightning whelk 

Pear whelk 

Bipartite caecum 

Cooper’s caecum 

Fine-line caecum 

Beautiful caecum 

Striate caecum 

Box crab 

Americardia spp. 

Amphicteis gunneri floridus 

Amygdalum papyrium 

Anadara floridana 

Anadara spp. 

Anadara transversa 

Angulus sybariticus 

Angulus texanus 

Angulus tenellus 

Angulus versicolor 

Anodontia alba 

Anodontia philippiana 

Anomalocardia cuneimeris 

Anomia simplex 

Antalis pilsbryi 

Antigona spp. 

Aplysia dactylomela 

Arca imbricata 

Arca zebra 

Arcopsis adamsi 

Assiminea succinea 

Astrangia spp. 

Astrophyton muricatum 

Astyris lunata 

Atrina rigida 

Atrina seminuda 

Atrina serrata 

Atys riiseanus 

Balanus eburneus 

Basterotia corbuloidea 

Basterotia quadrata 

Bittiolum varium 

Boonea impressa 

Bornia longipes 

Bostrycapulus aculeata 

Brachidontes exustus 

Brachycythara biconica 

Briareum asbetinum 

Bucephalus cuculus 

Bulla striata 

Busycon sinistrum 

Busycotypus spiratus 

Caecum bipartitum 

Caecum cooperi 

Caecum multicostatum 

Caecum pulchellum 

Caecum strigosum 

Calappa spp. 

Callianassa jamaicensis 

113

114 





Greater blue crab 

Lesser blue crab 

Beautiful topsnail 

Mauve mouth drill 

Circular chinese hat 

Common nutmeg 

Cancellate cantharus 

Broad-ribbed carditid 

Needle odostome 

Costate hornsnail 

Ladder hornsnail 

Yellow miniature cerith 

Gem miniature cerith 

Green’s miniature cerith 

Variable cerith 

Flyspeck cerith 

Corrugate jewelbox 

Lace murex 

Cross barred venus 

Venerid bivalve 

Atlantic petricolid 

Suppressed vitrinella 

Hermit crab 

Fancy shell hermit crab 

Striate scalesnail 

Dwarf tiger lucine 

Rusty dovesnail 

Stearn’s cone 

Truncate corbula 

Contracted corbula 

Well-ribbed dovesnail 

Gulf dovesnail 

Dovesnail 

Florida cave amphipod 

Hobb’s cave amphipod 

Lunate crassinella 

Eastern or american oyster 

Depressed slippersnail 

Slipper limpet 

Waxy mangelia 

Tellin semele 

Slender isopod 

Trilex vitrinella 

Two-tooth barrel-bubble 

Flamingo tongue snail 

Florida marshclam 

Angelwing 

Callinectes sapidus 

Callinectes similis 

Calliostoma pulchrum 

Calotrophon ostrearum 

Calyptraea centralis 

Cancellaria reticulata 

Cantharus cancellarius 

Carditamera floridana 

Careliopsis styliformis 

Cerithidea costata turrita 

Cerithidea scalariformis 

Cerithiopsis flava 

Cerithiopsis gemmulosa 

Cerithiopsis greenii 

Cerithium lutosum 

Cerithium muscarum 

Chama congregata 

Chicoreus florifer dilectus 

Chione cancellata 

Chione elevata 

Choristodon robustum 

Chrysallida nioba 

Circulus suppressus 

Clibanarius spp. 

Clibanarius vittatus 

Cochliolepis striata 

Codakia orbiculata 

Columbella rusticoides 

Conus stearnsi 

Corbula barrattiana 

Corbula contracta 

Costoanachis lafresnayi 

Costoanachis semiplicata 

Costoanachis spp. 

Crangonyx grandimanus 

Crangonyx hobbsi 

Crassinella lunulata 

Crassostrea virginica 

Crepidula depressa 

Crepidula fornicata 

Cryoturris cerinella 

Cryoturris vincula 

Cumingia tellinoides vanhyningi 

Cyathura polita 

Cyclostremiscus pentagonus 

Cylichnella bidentata 

Cyphoma gibbosa 

Cyrenoida floridana 

Cyrtopleura costata





Hermit crab 

Gold-line marginella 

Tan marginella 

Black sea urchin 

Atlantic giant cockle 

Tube worm 

Orange sea star 

Interrupted periwinkle 

Sea urchin 

Variable spike 

Minor jackknife 

Textured sportella 

Sportella 

Bladed wentletrap 

Angulate wentletrap 

Semismooth wentletrap 

Cande’s wentletrap 

Humphrey’s wentletrap 

Brown-band wentletrap 

Mauger’s erato 

Gold-stripe eulima 

Two-band eulima 

Channeled odostome 

Sharp-rib drill 

Flatback mud crab 

Alternate tellin 

Broad back mud crab 

Pink shrimp 

Commercial shrimp 

Eastern banded tulip 

True tulip 

Pitted murex 

Golfball coral 

Atlantic gastrochaenid 

Amethyst gemclam 

Ribbed mussel 

Snowflake marginella 

Santo Domingo carditid 

Blood worm 

Blood worm 

Square glyph-turris 

Eroded crab 

Hadria marginella 

Ivory tuskshell 

Tanaid 

Amber glassy-bubble 

Capitellid thread worm 

Dardanus spp. 

Dentimargo aureocinctus 

Dentimargo eburneolus 

Diadema antillarum 

Dinocardium robustum 

Diopatra cuprea 

Echinaster spp. 

Echinolittorina interrupta 

Echinometria spp. 

Elliptio icterina 

Ensis megistus 

Ensitellops protextus 

Ensitellops spp. 

Epitonium albidum 

Epitonium angulatum 

Epitonium apiculatum 

Epitonium candeanum 

Epitonium humphreysii 

Epitonium rupicola 

Erato maugeriae 

Eulima auricincta 

Eulima bifasciata 

Eulimastoma canaliculatum 

Eupleura sulcidentata 

Eurypanopeus depressus 

Eurytellina alternata 

Eurytium limosum 

Farfantepenaeus duorarum 

Farfantepenaeus spp. 

Fasciolaria hunteria 

Fasciolaria tulipa 

Favartia cellulosa 

Favia fragum 

Gammarus mucronatus 

Gastrochaena hians 

Gemma gemma 

Geukensia demissa 

Gibberula lavalleeana 

Glans dominguensis 

Glycera americana 

Glycera dibranchiata 

Glyphoturris quadrata 

Glyptoxanthus spp. 

Grandidierella spp. 

Granulina hadria 

Graptacme eborea 

Halmyrapseudes bahamensis 

Haminoea succinea 

Heteromastus filiformis 

115

116 





Giant eastern murex 

Yellow sea cucumber, Florida sea cucumber 

Sheepswool sponge 

Caridean shrimp 

Hexaplex fulvescens 

Holothuria floridana 

Hippiospongia lachne 

Hippolyte pleuracantha 

Hooked mussel 

Ischadium recurvum 

Ischnochiton niveus 

Brown-tip mangelia 

Kurtziella atrostyla 

Punctate mangelia 

Kurtziella limonitella 

Polychaete 

Laeonereis culveri 

Common egg cockle 

Laevicardium laevigatum 

Yellow eggcockle 

Laevicardium mortoni 

Painted eggcockle 

Laevicardium pictum 

Sea slug 

Lamellaria spp. 

Leitoscoloplos fragilis 

Sea whip 

Leptogoria spp. 

Spider crab 

Libinia spp. 

Antillean fileclam 

Limaria pellucida 

Atlantic horseshoe crab 

Limulus polyphemus 

Miniature lucine 

Linga amiantus 

White shrimp 

Litopenaeus setiferus 

Mangrove periwinkle 

Littoraria angulifera 

Marsh periwinkle 

Littoraria irrorata 

Bantum hydrobe 

Littoridinops palustris 

Crinkled pyram 

Longchaeus suturalis 

File fleshy limpet 

Lucapinella limatula 

Woven lucine 

Lucina nassula 

Thick lucine 

Lucina pectinata 

Pennsylvania lucine 

Lucina pennsylvanica 

Blood ark 

Lunarca ovalis 

Florida lyonsia 

Lyonsia floridana 

Green sea urchin 

Lytechinus variegatus 

Short macoma 

Macoma brevifrons 

Constricted macoma 

Macoma constricta 

Calico clam 

Macrocallista maculata 

Sunray venus 

Macrocallista nimbosa 

Decorator crab 

Macrocoeloma spp. 

Fragile surfclam 

Mactra fragilis 

Rose coral 

Mancina areolata 

Gem cyclostreme 

Marevalvata tricarinata 

Striate piddock 

Martesia striata 

Ochlockonee moccasinshell Medionidus simpsonianus FE 

Meioceras nitidum 

Eastern melampus 

Melampus bidentatus 

Melanella atypha 

Conoidal eulima 

Melanella conoidea 

Sharp eulima 

Melanella hypsela 

Jamaica eulima 

Melanella jamaicensis 

Melita nitida 

Crown conch 

Melongena corona





Stone crab 

Southern quahog 

Hard-shell clam 

Striate tellin 

Brown eulima 

Spotted decorator crab 

Clinging crab 

False tip mussel 

Button snail 

Dward surfclam 

Lateral mussel 

Sharp nassa 

Striate nassa 

Bruised nassa 

Gaudy natica 

Pile worms 

Round worm 

Kingsly mud crab 

Stimpson mud crab 

False sharks’s eye 

Shark’s eye 

Brown-line niso 

Ponderous ark 

Mottled triphora 

Pointed nutclam 

Atlantic nutclam 

Caribbean reef octopus 

Ovoid odostome 

Variable dwarf olive 

Tiny dwarf olive 

Lettered olive 

Fine-lined hydrobe 

Giant montacutid 

West indian sea star 

Crested oyster 

Antilles oxynoe 

Hermit crab 

Brackish green shrimp 

Grass shrimp 

Common mud crab 

Spiny lobster 

Subovate softshell 

Brown gem clam 

Fat dovesnail 

Menippe mercenaria 

Mercenaria campechiensis 

Mercenaria mercenaria 

Merisca aequistriata 

Microeulima hemphillii 

Microphrys spp. 

Mithrax spp. 

Modiolus modiolus squamosus 

Modulus modulus 

Mulinia lateralis 

Musculus lateralis 

Mysella spp. 

Nassarius acutus 

Nassarius consensus 

Nassarius vibex 

Natica canrena 

Neanthes succinea 

Nematoda spp. 

Neopanope packardii 

Neopanope texana 

Neverita delessertiana 

Neverita duplicata 

Niso aeglees 

Noetia ponderosa 

Nototriphora decorata 

Nuculana acuta 

Nucula proxima 

Octopus briareus 

Odostomia laevigata 

Olivella inusta 

Olivella mutica 

Olivella perplexa 

Olivella prefloralia 

Olivella pusilla 

Oliva sayana 

Onobops jacksoni 

Onuphis eremita oculata 

Orobitella floridana 

Oreaster reticulatus 

Ostreola equestris 

Oxynoe antillarum 

Pagurus spp. 

Palaemonetes intermedius 

Palaemonetes pugio 

Panopeus herbstii 

Panulirus argus 

Paramya subovata 

Parastarte triquetra 

Parvanachis obesa 

117

118 





Oyster dovesnail 

Many lined lucine 

Interuppted vitrinella 

Miraculous pedipes 

Anemone shrimp 

Tower pyram 

Boring petricola 

Hermit crab 

Apple murex 

White-knobbed drillia 

Hairy crab 

Chalky pitar 

Threetooth carditid 

Sea rods 

Shark eye shell 

Tinted cantharus 

Polychaete worm 

Fourtooth toothshell 

Small finger coral 

Iridescent swimming crab 

Blotched swimming crab 

Big blue spring cave crayfish 

Light-fleeing cave crayfish 

Common Atlantic marginella 

Little oat marginella 

Florida lucine 

Sea feathers, sea plumes 

Plicate mangelia 

Mangelia 

Oyster turris 

Mussel 

Sea pansies 

Emerson’s miniature cerith 

Pitted baby-bubble 

Reddish mangelia 

Incongruous ark 

Catesby’s risso 

Florida risso 

Rainbow tellin 

Adam’s miniature cerith 

Cancellate semele 

Atlantic semele 

Parvanachis ostreicola 

Parvilucina crenella 

Parviturboides interruptus 

Pectinaria gouldii 

Pedipes mirabilis 

Periclimenes spp. 

Peristichia toreta 

Petricola lapicida 

Petrochirus spp. 

Phyllonotus pomum 

Pilsbryspira leucocyma 

Pilumnus spp. 

Pitar simpsoni 

Pithos spp. 

Pleuromeris tridentata 

Plexaura spp. 

Polinices duplicatus 

Pollia tincta 

Polydora websteri 

Polyschides tetraschistus 

Porites furcata 

Portunus gibbesii 

Portunus spinimanus 

Procambarus horsti 

Procambarus lucifugus 

Prunum apicinum 

Prunum avenaceum 

Prunum succinea 

Pseudomiltha floridana 

Pseudopterogorgia spp. 

Ptychodera bahamensis 

Pyrgocythara plicosa 

Pyrgocythata spp. 

Pyrgospira ostrearum 

Rissoina elegantissima 

Quincuncina kleiniana 

Renilla spp. 

Retilaskeya emersonii 

Rictaxis punctostriatus 

Rubellatoma rubella 

Sabellaria spp. 

Scapharca brasiliana 

Schwartziella catesbyana 

Schwartziella floridana 

Scissula iris 

Scoloplos fargilis 

Seila adamsi 

Semele bellastriata 

Semele proficua





Nut semele 

Scotch bonnet 

White baby ear 

Skenea 

Blake’s vitrinella 

Gabb’s vitrinella 

Terminal vitrinella 

Florida loggerhead sponge 

Southern surfclam 

Red-mouthed rock snail 

Florida rock snail 

Florida fighting conch 

Lineate dovesnail 

Minor snapping shrimp 

Purplish tagelus 

Miniature moon snail 

High-spired vitrinella 

White-crest tellin 

Sunrise tellin 

Speckeled tellin 

Concave auger 

Eastern auger 

Fine-ribbed auger 

Lilac auger 

Southern oyster drill 

Bryozoan shrimp 

Gray pygmy-venus 

Slender barrel-bubble 

Arrow shrimp 

Florida pricklycockle 

Yellow pricklycockle 

Samana triphora 

Mottled triphora 

Horse conch 

Tropical sea urchin 

Arrow dwarf triton 

Spider cave crayfish 

Caribbean truncatella 

Beautiful truncatella 

Chestnut turban 

Hawk turbonille 

Semelina nuculoides 

Semicassis granulata 

Sinum perspectivum 

Skenea spp. 

Solariorbis blakei 

Solariorbis infracarinata 

Solariorbis terminalis 

Spheciospongia vesparium 

Spisula raveneli 

Stramonita haemastoma 

Stramonita haemastoma canaliculata 

Strictispira acurugata 

Strombus alatus 

Stylochus frontalis 

Suturoglypta iontha 

Synalpheus minus 

Tagelus divisus 

Tectonatica pusilla 

Teinostoma cryptospira 

Teinostoma parvicallum 

Tellidora cristata 

Tellina radiata 

Tellinella listeri 

Terebra concava 

Terebra dislocata 

Terebra protexta 

Terebra vinosa 

Thais haemastoma 

Thor floridanus 

Timoclea grus 

Tornatina inconspicua 

Tozeuma spp. 

Trachycardium egmontianum 

Trachycardium muricatum 

Transenella conradina 

Triphora albida 

Triphora decorata 

Triphora modesta 

Triphora nigrocincta 

Triplofusus giganteus 

Tripneustes ventricosus 

Tritonoharpa lanceolata 

Troglocambarus maclanei 

Truncatella caribaeensis 

Truncatella pulchella 

Turbo castanea 

Turbonilla arnoldoi 

Turbonilla buteonis 

Turbonilla constricta 

119





Dall’s turbonille 

Delicate turbonille 

Punctate turbonille 

Turbonille 

Toyatan’s turbonille 

Conrad’s turbonille 

Boring turretsnail 

Gulf marsh fiddler 

Fiddler crab 

Gulf oyster drill 

Tampa drill 

Florida worm snail 

Branching candle sponge 

Florida rainbow 

Conical eulima 

Terminal vitrinella 

Southern spindle-bubble 

Smooth risso 

Turbonilla dalli 

Turbonilla hemphilli 

Turbonilla levis 

Turbonilla puncta 

Turbonilla punicea 

Turbonilla pyrrha 

Turbonilla spp. 

Turbonilla toyatani 

Turbonilla virga 

Turbonilla viridaria 

Turritella acropora 

Uca longisignalis 

Uca spp. 

Urosalpinx perrugata 

Urosalpinx tampaensis 

Vermicularia knorrii 

Verongia longissima 

Villosa amygdala 

Vitreolina conica 

Vitrinella terminalis 

Volvulella persimilis 

Zebina browniana 

Zebinella decussata 

Zebinella elegantissima 

120 

Reptiles 

Florida cottonmouth 

Agkistrodon piscivorous conanti 

American alligator Alligator mississippiensis FT (s/a) 

Green anole 

Anolis carolinensis carolinensis 

Six-lined racerunner 

Aspidoscelis sexlineata 

Loggerhead sea turtle Caretta caretta caretta FT 

Florida scarlet snake 

Cemophora coccinea coccinea 

Green sea turtle Chelonia mydas FE 

Florida snapping turtle 

Chelydra serpentina osceola 

Southern black racer 

Coluber constrictor priapus 

Eastern diamondback rattlesnake 

Crotalus adamanteus 

Florida chicken turtle 

Deirochelys reticularia chrysea 

Eastern chicken turtle 

Deirochelys reticularia reticularia 

Leatherback sea turtle Dermochelys coriacea FE 

Southern ringneck snake 

Diadophis punctatus punctatus 

Eastern indigo snake Drymarchon corais couperi FT 

Corn snake 

Elaphe guttata guttata 

Rat snake 

Elaphe obsoleta 

Yellow rat snake 

Elaphe obsoleta quadrivittata 

Gray rat snake 

Elaphe obsoleta spiloides 

Atlantic hawksbill sea turtle Eretmochelys imbricata imbricata FE 

Peninsula mole skink 

Eumeces egregius onocrepis 

Five-lined skink 

Eumeces fasciatus 

Southeastern five-lined skink 

Eumeces inexpectatus 

Broad-headed skink 

Eumeces laticeps





Eastern mud snake 

Rainbow snake 

Farancia abacura abacura 

Farancia erytrogramma erytrogramma 

Gopher tortoise Gopherus polyphemus ST 

Eastern hognose snake 

Heterodon platirhinos 

Southern hognose snake 

Striped mud turtle 

Florida mud turtle 

Heterodon simus 

Kinosternon baurii 

Kinosternon subrubrum steindachneri 

Short-tailed snake Lampropeltis extenuate ST 

Florida kingsnake 

Lampropeltis getula floridana 

Eastern kingsnake 

Scarlet kingsnake 

Lampropeltis getula getula 

Lampropeltis triangulum elapsoides 

Kemp’s ridley sea turtle Lepidochelys kempii FE 

Alligator snapping turtle Macrochelys temminckii SSC 

Ornate diamondback terrapin 

Malaclemys terrapin macrospilota 

Eastern coachwhip 

Coral snake 

Gulf salt marsh snake 

Mangrove salt marsh snake 

Banded water snake 

Florida water snake 

Florida green water snake 

Brown water snake 

Rough green snake 

Eastern slender glass lizard 

Island glass lizard 

Eastern glass lizard 

Masticophis flagellum flagellum 

Micrurus fulvius fulvius 

Nerodia clarkii clarkii 

Nerodia clarkii compressicauda 

Nerodia fasciata fasciata 

Nerodia fasciata pictiventris 

Nerodia floridana 

Nerodia taxispilota 

Opheodrys aestivus 

Ophisaurus attenuatus longicaudus 

Ophisaurus compressus 

Ophisaurus ventralis 

Florida pine snake Pituophis melanoleucus mugitus SSC 

Suwannee cooter Pseudemys concinna suwanniensis SSC 

Peninsula cooter 

Pseudemys floridana peninsularis 

Florida red-bellied turtle 

Striped crayfish snake 

Pine woods snake 

Florida worm lizard 

Eastern fence lizard 

Southern fence lizard 

Ground skink, little brown skink 

North florida swamp snake 

Dusky pigmy rattlesnake 

Loggerhead musk turtle 

Common musk turtle, stinkpot 

Florida brown snake 

Florida redbelly snake 

Florida box turtle 

Gulf coast box turtle 

Three-toed box turtle 

Bluestripe ribbon snake 

Bluestripe garter snake 

Eastern garter snake 

Florida softshelled turtle 

Eastern earth snake 

Pseudemys nelsoni 

Regina alleni 

Rhadinaea flavilata 

Rhineura floridana 

Sceloporus undulates 

Sceloporus undulatus undulatus 

Scincella lateralis 

Seminatrix pygaea pygaea 

Sistrurus miliarius barbouri 

Sternotherus minor minor 

Sternotherus odoratus 

Storeria dekayi victa 

Storeria occipitomaculata obscura 

Terrapene carolina bauri 

Terrapene carolina major 

Terrapene carolina triunguis 

Thamnophis sauritus nitae 

Thamnophis sirtalis similis 

Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis 

Trionyx ferox 

Virginia valeria valeria 

121

B.3.2 / Listed Species 


Plants 

Brittle maidenhair fern Adiantum tenerum SE 

Incised groove-bur Agrimonia incisa SE 

Green-fly orchid Epidendrum conopseum C 

Pine lily Lilium catesbaei ST 

Cardinal flower Lobelia cardinalis ST 

Florida spiny pod Matelea floridana SE 

Blueflower butterwort Pinguicula caerulea ST 

Yellow butterwort Pinguicula lutea ST 

Yellow fringed orchid Platanthera ciliaris ST 

Rose pogonia Pogonia ophioglossoides ST 

Needle palm Rhapidophyllum hystrix C 

Nightflowering petunia Ruellia noctiflora SE 

Hooded pitcherplant Sarracenia minor ST 

Parrot pitcherplant Sarracenia psittacina ST 

Florida ladies tresses Spiranthes floridana SE 

Crippled cranefly orchid Tipularia discolor ST 

Coontie Zamia pumila C 

Treat’s rainlily Zephyranthes treatiae ST 

Birds 

Scott’s seaside sparrow Ammodramus maritimus peninsulae SSC 

Limpkin Aramus guarauna SSC 

Burrowing owl Athene cunicularia SSC 

Piping plover Charadrius melodus FT 

Snowy plover Charadrius nivosus ST 

Marian’s marsh wren Cistothorus palustris marianae SSC 

Little blue heron Egretta caerulea SSC 

Reddish egret Egretta rufescens SSC 

Snowy egret Egretta thula SSC 

Tricolored heron Egretta tricolor SSC 

White ibis Eudocimus albus SSC 

Southeastern American kestrel Falco sparverius paulus ST 

Florida sandhill crane Grus canadensis pratensis ST 

American oystercatcher Haematopus palliatus SSC 

Red-cockaded woodpecker Leuconotopicus borealis FE 

Wood stork Mycteria americana FT 

Roseate spoonbill Platalea ajaja ST 

Black skimmer Rynchops niger SSC 

Forster’s tern Sterna forsteri FE 

Bachman’s warbler Vermivora bachmanii FE 

122 

Mammals 

Florida mouse Podomys floridanus SSC 

Florida panther Puma concolor coryi FE 

Sherman’s fox squirrel Sciurus niger shermani SSC 

Homosassa shrew Sorex longirostris eonis SSC 

Florida manatee Trichechus manatus latirostris FE


Amphibians 

Florida gopher frog Rana capito SSC 

Reptiles 

American alligator Alligator mississippiensis FT (s/a) 

Loggerhead sea turtle Caretta caretta caretta FT 

Green sea turtle Chelonia mydas FE 

Leatherback sea turtle Dermochelys coriacea FE 

Eastern indigo snake Drymarchon corais couperi FT 

Atlantic hawksbill sea turtle Eretmochelys imbricata imbricata FE 

Gopher tortoise Gopherus polyphemus ST 

Short-tailed snake Lampropeltis extenuate ST 

Kemp’s ridley sea turtle Lepidochelys kempii FE 

Alligator snapping turtle Macrochelys temminckii SSC 

Florida pine snake Pituophis melanoleucus mugitus SSC 

Suwannee cooter Pseudemys concinna suwanniensis SSC 

Fishes 

Atlantic sturgeon Acipenser oxyrhynchus oxyrinchus FE 

Gulf sturgeon Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi FT 

Smalltooth sawfish Pristis pectinata FE 

Marine Invertebrates 

Ochlockonee moccasinshell Medionidus simpsonianus FE 

B.3.3 / Invasive Non-native and/or Problem Species 

Common Name 

Species Name 

FLEPPC* Category (Plants) 

Invasive Status (Others) 

Plants 

Mimosa, silktree Albizia julibrissin I 

Alligatorweed Alternanthera philoxeroides II 

Tung oil tree Aleurites fordii II 

Coral ardisia Ardisia crenata I 

Scarlet milkweed Asclepias curassavicum Invasive 

Pindo palm Butia capitata Invasive 

Madagascar periwinkle Catharanthus roseus Invasive 

Camphor tree Cinnamomum camphora I 

Wild taro Colocasia esculenta I 

Winged yam Dioscorea alata I 

Air-potato Dioscorea bulbifera I 

Common water hyancith Eichhornia crassipes I 

Hydrilla Hydrilla verticillata I 

Cogon grass Imperata cylindrica I 

Crape-myrtle Lagerstroemia indica Invasive 

Dotted duckweed Landolita punctata Invasive 

Lantana Lantana camara I 

Japanese privet Ligustrum japonicum I 

Glossy privet Ligustrum lucidum I 

123

Common Name 

Species Name 



Chinese privet, hedge privet Ligustrum sinense I 

Japenese honeysuckle Lonicera japonica I 

Japanese climbing fern Lygodium japonicum I 

Chinaberry Melia azedarach I 

Eurasian water-milfoil Myriophyllum spicatum II 

Nandina, heavenly bamboo Nandina domestica I 

Sword fern Nephrolepis cordifolia I 

Oleander Neria oleander Invasive 

Violet wood sorrel Oxalis corymbosa Invasive 

Skunk vine Paederia foetida I 

Torpedo grass Panicum repens I 

Bahiagrass Paspalum notadum saurae Invasive 

Red-leaf photina Photina glabra Invasive 

Common cane, Roseau cane Phragmites australis Problem 

Golden bamboo Phyllostachys aurea II 

Water lettuce Pistia stratiotes I 

Chinese brake fern Pteris vittata II 

Kudzu Pueraria montana I 

Tropical Mexican clover Richardia brasiliensis Invasive 

Castor bean Ricinus communis II 

Mexican petunia Ruellia brittoniana I 

Chinese tallow Sapium sebiferum Invasive 

Brazilian pepper Schinus terebinthifolius Invasive 

Sicklepod, coffeeweed Senna obtusifolia Invasive 

Rattlebox, purple sesban Sesbania punicea II 

White-flowered wandering jew Tradescantia fluminensis II 

Caesar weed Urena lobata Invasive 

Chinese wisteria Wisteria sinensis II 

Malanga, elephant ear Xanthosoma sagittifolium II 

Birds 

Muscovy duck Cairina moschata Non-Native 

Rock pigeon Columba livia Non-Native 

Monk parakeet Myiositta monachus Non-Native 

House sparrow Passer domesticus Non-Native 

Eurasian collared dove Streptopelia decaocto Non-Native 

European starling Sturnus vulgaris Non-Native 

124 

Mammals 

Domestic dog Canis familaris Non-Native 

Coyote Canis latrans Non-Native 

Nine-banded armadillo Dasypus novemcinctus Non-Native 

Domestic cat Felis silvestris Non-Native 

House mouse Mus musculus Non-Native 

Nutria Myocaster coypu Non-Native 

Norway rat Rattus norvegicus Non-Native 

Roof rat, black rat Rattus rattus Non-Native 

Feral hog Sus scrofa Non-Native

Common Name 

Species Name 



Amphibians 

Cuban treefrog Osteopilus septentrionalis Non-Native 

Fishes 

Brown hoplo Hoplosternum littorale Non-Native 

Swamp eel Monopterus albus Non-Native 

Red lionfish Pterois volitans Non-Native 

Sailfin catfish Pterygoplichthys multiradiatus Non-Native 

Blue tilapia Oreochromis aureus Non-Native 

Marine Invertebrates 

Indo-Pacific swimming crab Charybdis helleri Non-Native 

Asian clam Corbicula fluminea Non-Native 

Common periwinkle Littorina littorea Non-Native 

Green mussel Perna viridus Potential Invader 

Porcelain crab Petrolisthes armatus Non-Native 

Mantis shrimp Pullosquilla litoralis Non-Native 

Reptiles 

Brown anole Anolis sagrans Non-Native 

*Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council (FLEPPC) categorizes invasive exotic plants as Category I (plants that are altering 

native plant communities by displacing native species, changing community structures or ecological functions, 

or hybridizing with natives) or Category II (plants that have increased in abundance or frequency but have not yet 

altered Florida plant communities to the extent shown by Category I species). 

B.4 / Arthropod Control Plan 

Spatial data (e.g. shapefiles) for the boundaries of the aquatic preserve have been made accessible to the appropriate 

mosquito control district. The aquatic preserve is deemed highly productive and environmentally sensitive. By 

policy of DEP since 1987, aerial adulticiding is not allowed, but larviciding and ground adulticiding (truck spraying 

in public use areas) is typically allowed. Mosquito control plans temporarily may be set aside under declared threats 

to public or animal health, or during a Governor’s Emergency Proclamation. Mosquito control plans are typically 

proposed by local mosquito control agencies when they desire to treat on public lands. A plan has never been proposed 

for St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve. 

125

B.5 / Archaeological and Historical Sites 

The list below was derived from shapefiles obtained from the Florida Department of State, Division of Historical Resources 

on June 8, 2016, and includes sites within .25 miles of St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve. 

126 

SiteID SiteName Description 

CI00022 MULLET KEY 

Campsite (prehistoric), Specialized site for procurement of raw materials, 

Prehistoric shell midden, Tidal-estuarine 

CI00030 OZELLO 1 Prehistoric shell midden 


CI00048 

NORTHEAST TIGERTAIL 

BAY 

Prehistoric shell midden 

CI00052 OZELLO Prehistoric shell midden 


CI00118 FORT ISLAND Prehistoric shell midden 

CI00128 GOVERNOR’S ISLAND Prehistoric shell midden 

CI00129 COFFIN POINT Prehistoric shell midden 

CI00131 TIGER TAIL ISLAND Prehistoric shell midden 

CI00130 GUSTAF BAY 

Prehistoric burial(s),Specialized site for procurement of raw materials, 

Prehistoric shell midden, Other 

CI00132 TIGER TAIL BAY Prehistoric shell midden 

CI00135 

BUD NELSON 

MEMORIAL 

Prehistoric burial(s), Prehistoric shell midden, Prehistoric midden(s) 

CI00136 TIGER TAIL BAY MIDDEN Prehistoric shell midden 

CI00137 

NORTH SHIVERS BAY 

MIDDEN 

Campsite (prehistoric), Land-terrestrial, Prehistoric shell midden 

CI00138 SALT RIVER 2 

CI00224 SPICE KEY 


Prehistoric shell midden, Habitation (prehistoric) 

CI00225 FOUR PALMS 


Habitation (prehistoric), Prehistoric shell midden 

CI00226 NN 

Prehistoric shell midden, Historic refuse / dump, Artifact scatter-low density 

(< 2 per sq meter) 

CI00228A NN Prehistoric shell midden, Artifact scatter-low density (< 2 per sq meter) 

CI00228B NN Prehistoric shell midden 

CI00229 NN Prehistoric shell midden, Artifact scatter-low density (< 2 per sq meter) 

CI00230 NN Prehistoric shell midden, Historic refuse / dump, Ceramic scatter 

CI00231 NN Prehistoric shell midden 




CI00417 CHAIR ISLAND Habitation (prehistoric), Prehistoric shell midden, Tidal-estuarine 

CI00421 GREEN’S PLACE Campsite (prehistoric), Prehistoric shell midden 

CI00427 STONEY/LANE TRACT I Campsite (prehistoric), Prehistoric shell midden, Prehistoric midden(s) 

CI00444 LAST ISLAND Habitation (prehistoric), Prehistoric midden(s) 

CI00451 WILLEY POINT Campsite (prehistoric), Prehistoric midden(s) 

CI00452 DECIDUE 

Habitation (prehistoric), Prehistoric shell midden, Artifact scatter-dense (> 2 

per sq meter) 

CI00559 

DECIDUE-MILTON Subsurface features are present, Habitation (prehistoric), Prehistoric shell 

MIDDEN 

midden, Artifact scatter-dense (> 2 per sq meter) 

CI00566 JOHN BROWN I Prehistoric shell midden 

CI00567 JOHN BROWN II Prehistoric shell midden, Artifact scatter-low density (< 2 per sq meter) 

CI00568 JOHN BROWN III 

Habitation (prehistoric), Prehistoric shell midden, Variable density scatter of 

artifacts 

CI00569 JOHN BROWN IV Prehistoric shell midden, Artifact scatter-low density (< 2 per sq meter) 

CI00570 JOHN BROWN V Prehistoric shell midden, Artifact scatter-low density (< 2 per sq meter) 

CI00580 BATTLE CREEK I Prehistoric shell midden, Artifact scatter-dense (> 2 per sq meter) 

CI00581 BATTLE CREEK II Prehistoric shell midden, Artifact scatter-dense (> 2 per sq meter)


CI00582 SOUTH TIGER TAIL BAY I Prehistoric shell midden, Artifact scatter-dense (> 2 per sq meter) 

CI00583 

SOUTH TIGER TAIL BAY 

II 

Prehistoric shell midden,Artifact scatter-low density (< 2 per sq meter) 

CI00584 BELL ISLAND SOUTH Prehistoric shell midden, Artifact scatter-dense (> 2 per sq meter) 

CI00585 WILLEY POINT I Prehistoric shell midden, Artifact scatter-dense (> 2 per sq meter) 

CI00586 WILLEY POINT II 

Specialized site for procurement of raw materials, Land terrestrial, 


CI00587 HELL GATE SOUTH Prehistoric shell midden, Artifact scatter-low density (< 2 per sq meter) 

CI00588 HELL GATE WEST I Prehistoric shell midden, Artifact scatter-low density (< 2 per sq meter) 

CI00589 HELL GATE WEST II Prehistoric shell midden, Artifact scatter-low density (< 2 per sq meter) 

CI00590 GUSTAF BAY EAST Prehistoric shell midden, Artifact scatter-low density (< 2 per sq meter) 

CI00591 DORSEY Prehistoric shell midden, Artifact scatter-dense (> 2 per sq meter) 

CI00592 WEST HOMOSASSA I Prehistoric shell midden, Artifact scatter-low density (< 2 per sq meter) 

CI00593 WEST HOMOSASSA II Prehistoric shell midden, Artifact scatter-low density (< 2 per sq meter) 

CI00596 WEST HOMOSASSA V Prehistoric shell midden, Artifact scatter-dense (> 2 per sq meter) 

CI00598 SHELL ISLAND WEST Prehistoric shell midden, Artifact scatter-dense (> 2 per sq meter) 

CI00599 DOG ISLAND Prehistoric shell midden, Artifact scatter-dense (> 2 per sq meter) 

CI00600 OUTER DEEP CREEK Prehistoric shell midden, Artifact scatter-low density (< 2 per sq meter) 

CI00601 

FALSE CHANNEL 

ISLAND 

Habitation (prehistoric), Prehistoric shell midden 

CI00602 GUSTAF BAY ISLAND Prehistoric shell midden, Artifact scatter-low density (< 2 per sq meter) 

CI00603 

GUSTAF BAY EAST- 

NORTH SHORE 

Prehistoric shell midden, Artifact scatter-low density (< 2 per sq meter) 

CI00604 HELL GATE WEST III Prehistoric shell midden, Artifact scatter-dense (> 2 per sq meter) 

CI00605 WILLEY POINT III Prehistoric shell midden, Artifact scatter-low density (< 2 per sq meter) 

CI00606 BELL ISLAND NORTH Prehistoric shell midden, Artifact scatter-low density (< 2 per sq meter) 

CI00607 LASHLEY POINT Campsite (prehistoric), Land-terrestrial, Prehistoric shell midden 

CI00857 BROWN, JOHN VI 

Subsurface features are present, Land-terrestrial, Prehistoric shell midden, 

Other 

CI00869 

LITTLE HOMOSASSA 

RIVER I 

Land-terrestrial, Prehistoric shell midden, Prehistoric midden(s) 

CI00870 


RIVER II 


CI00871 


RIVER III 


CI00872 


RIVER IV 


CI00873 


RIVER V 


CI00874 


RIVER VB 


CI00875 


RIVER VI 


CI00876 


RIVER VII 


CI00877 


RIVER VIII 


CI00878 


RIVER IX 


CI00879 


RIVER X 


CI00880 


RIVER XI 


CI00881 


RIVER XII 


127

128 


CI00882 

CI00883 

CI00884 

CI00885 


RIVER XIII 


RIVER XIV 


RIVER XV 


RIVER XVI 

CI01060 NORTH LASHLEY 1 





Campsite (prehistoric), Land-terrestrial, Prehistoric shell midden, Tidalestuarine 

CI01061 NORTH LASHLEY 2 Campsite (prehistoric), Land-terrestrial, Prehistoric shell midden 

CI01062 NORTH LASHLEY 3 

Campsite (prehistoric), Subsurface features are present, Land-terrestrial, 


CI01063 NORTH LASHLEY 4 Campsite (prehistoric), Land-terrestrial, Prehistoric shell midden 

CI01064 NORTH LASHLEY 6 Campsite (prehistoric), Land-terrestrial 

CI01066 MUD CREEK 1 

CI01067 MUD CREEK 2 


Land-terrestrial, Prehistoric shell midden 

Campsite (prehistoric), Land-terrestrial, Prehistoric shell midden, Prehistoric 

midden(s) Underwater 

CI01193 Camp Island Prehistoric shell midden, Tidal-estuarine 

CI01194 Keith’s 2 



CI01195 Wasted Prehistoric shell midden, Tidal-estuarine 

CI01196 Washed Up Prehistoric shell midden, Tidal-estuarine 

CI01197 Sickle Midden Prehistoric shell midden, Tidal-estuarine 

CI01198 Ofunlv Midden Prehistoric shell midden, Tidal-estuarine 

CI01199 

Etoh Midden 



CI01200 Hidden Midden Prehistoric midden(s), Tidal-estuarine 

CI01201 

CI01202 

CI01227 

CI01282 

Illifoki 

Chiento Illifoki 

Charlie F. Carroll grave 

site 

THLU’THLU 

CI01283 AMPA 1 


CI01285 Iste’lane - 1 

CI01286 Ampa 3 


CI01288 THLA 2 








Private family cemetary (c1950) 

Specialized site for procurement of raw materials, Habitation (prehistoric), 

Prehistoric shell midden, Prehistoric midden(s) 





Building remains, Homestead, Other, Artifact scatter-low density (< 2 per sq 

meter) 












Prehistoric shell midden, Tidal-estuarine



CI01293 Huti 1 

















CI01298 Huti 6 Specialized site for procurement of raw materials, Habitation (prehistoric), 


CI01300 Iste Lane 2 Cistern, Homestead, Other, Artifact scatter-low density (< 2 per sq meter) 

CI01301 Thampko 7 Specialized site for procurement of raw materials, Habitation (prehistoric) 


CI01303 Thampko 1 










Tidal-estuarine 







CI01310 THLA 10 

CI01311 THLA 11 






Prehistoric shell midden, Other 

CI01312 Chiento 1 Specialized site for procurement of raw materials, Habitation (prehistoric) 

CI01347 Schoolhouse Island School 

129

Appendix C 

Public Involvement 

C.1 / Advisory Committee 

The following Appendices contain information about the advisory committee meeting which was held in order to 

obtain input from the St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve Management Plan Advisory Committee regarding the draft 

management plan. 

C.1.1 / List of Members and Their Affiliations 

Member Affiliation Contact 

John Lakich Park Manager, Crystal River Preserve State Park John.Lakich@dep.state.fl.us 

Keith Morin Environmental Specialist (Park Biologist), 

Keith.Morin@dep.state.fl.us 


Joyce Kleen Wildlife Biologist, Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge Joyce_Kleen@fws.gov 

Earnie Olsen Supervisor / Lead Instructor, Citrus County School’s 

OlsenE@citrus.k12.fl.us 

Marine Science Station 

Sky Notestein Senior Environmental Specialist, South West Florida 

Sky.notestein@swfwmd.state.fl.us 

Water Management District 

Savanna Barry Regional Sea Grant Agent, UF/IFAS Extension Nature Savanna.Barry@ufl.edu 

Coast Biological Station 

Kimberlee Tennill Park Manager, Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park Kimberly.Tennille@dep.state.fl.us 

Tom Frazer Professor, University of Florida frazer@ufl.edu 

Dennis Damato Citrus County Commissioner District 1 (Crystal River) dennis.damato@citrusbocc.com 

Nijole Wellendorf DEP DEAR Representative Nijole.Wellendorf@dep.state.fl.us 

Terry Hansen DEP DEAR Representative (TMDL / BMAP) Terry.Hansen@dep.state.fl.us 

Ryan Crane Law Enforcement, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Ryan.Crane@myfwc.com 

Commission, Withlacoochee Gulf Preserve (Non profit org) 

John Roberts Private Land owner 

Rick Mainster Eco tour guides 

Don Chancey Fishing industry 

130

C.1.2 / Florida Administrative Register Posting 

131

132 

C.1.3 / Summary of the Advisory Committee Meeting

133

134

135

136

137

C.2 / Formal Public Meeting 

The following Appendices contain information about the Formal Public Meeting(s) which was held in order to obtain 

input from the public about the St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve Draft Management Plan. 

C.2.1 / Florida Administrative Register Posting 

138

139

140 

C.2.2 / Advertisement Flyer

C.2.3 / Newspaper Advertisement 

141

142 

C.2.4 / Summary of the Formal Public Meeting

143

Appendix D 

Goals, Objectives, and Strategies 

D.1 / Current Goals, Objectives and Strategies Table 

The following table provides a cost estimate for conducting the management activities identified in this plan. The data is organized by year and Management Program with subtotals 

for each program and year. The following represents the actual budgetary needs for managing the resources of the aquatic preserve. This budget was developed using data from the 

Florida Coastal Office (FCO) and other cooperating entities, and is based on actual costs for management activities, equipment purchases and maintenance, and for development 

of fixed capital facilities. This budget assumes optimal staffing levels and does not include the costs associated with staffing such as salary or benefits. Budget categories identified 

correlate with the FCO Management Program Areas. The Funding Source column depicts the source of funds with “S” designated for state, “F” for federal, and “O” for other funding 

sources (e.g. non-profit groups, etc.). Dollar figures in red font indicate funding not available at this time. 

Large, beneficial projects, outside the current capacity of St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve’s funding and staffing, are identified in Appendix D.4, in case opportunities become 

available to support those projects in the ten-year span of this management plan. 

Goals, Objectives & 

Integrated Strategies 

144 

Mgmt. 

Program 

Implement.Date 

(Planned) 

Length of 

Initiative 

Est. Avg. 

Funding 16-17 17-18 18-19 19-20 20-21 21-22 22-23 23-24 24-25 25-26 

Yearly Cost 

Issue 1: Water Quality 

Goal 1: Further develop and improve the strategic, long-term water quality monitoring program within SMMAP that will assist with identifying and addressing issues pertaining to the natural 

resources. 

Objective 1: Analyze and interpret the status and trends of SMMAP’s water quality throughout the Springs Coast to identify potential impacts to natural resources and provide quality scientific 

data and recommendations to address such issues. 

Strategy 1: Maintain a strategic long-term 

water quality monitoring program that 

includes biotic and abiotic parameters, and 

compile analyzed data to evaluate water 

quality status and trends. 

Strategy 2: Continue to monitor nutrients 

and water clarity through a partnership 

with UF’s Project COAST to determine total 

nitrogen and phosphorous, chlorophyll, 

and water clarity. 

Strategy 3: Acquire additional YSI datalogger 

equipment to expand water quality 

monitoring efforts with SMMAP. Upgrade 

existing equipment from YSI 6-series 

dataloggers to YSI EXO2 series equipment. 

Strategy 4: Upgrade site locations from 

standard YSI 600 equipment to YSI 6600 

equipment to increase monitoring parameters 

and improve baseline data collection. 

Ecosystem 

Science 

Ecosystem 

Science 

Ecosystem 

Science 

Ecosystem 

Science 

2004 Ongoing $17,000 F $17,000 $17,000 $23,000 $23,000 $17,000 $17,000 $17,000 $17,000 $23,000 $23,000 

1997 Ongoing $4,500 F $4,500 $4,500 $4,500 $6,000 $4,500 $4,500 $4,500 $4,500 $4,500 $6,000 

2015 Ongoing $30,000 F $30,000 $30,000 $30,000 $30,000 $30,000 $5,000 $5,000 $5,000 $5,000 $5,000 

2015 Ongoing $500 F $500 $500 

Objective 2: Identify specific and emerging water quality issues related to nutrients, pollution, and environmental, contaminants, and with coordination from other agencies, develop a 

response strategy to these issues. 

Strategy 1: Identify point and non-point 

sources of pollutants and turbidity. 

Strategy 2: Support the development of 

nutrient criteria. 

Strategy 3: Support the development of 

TMDLs and a BMAP. 

Ecosystem 

Science 

Resource 

Mgmt. 

Resource 

Mgmt. 

2012 Ongoing $250 F $250 $250 $250 $250 

1997 Ongoing $5,500 F $5,500 $5,500 $5,500 $5,500 $7,500 $5,500 $5,500 $5,500 $5,500 $7,500 

2012 Ongoing Included 

in other 

strategy



Mgmt. 

Program 


(Planned) 

Length of 

Initiative 

Est. Avg. 

Funding 16-17 17-18 18-19 19-20 20-21 21-22 22-23 23-24 24-25 25-26 

Yearly Cost 

Objective 3: Ensure the sustainability of scallop, fish, salt marsh, seagrass habitat, and other concerned species through the development of a tiered approach to water quality monitoring. 

Strategy 1: Continue to monitor the 

distribution and abundance of specific 

indicator species to determine the ecological 

health of the bay system. 

Strategy 2: Determine the biodiversity 

of SMMAP by establishing baseline data and 

broad scale characterizations of 

benthic communities. 

Ecosystem 

Science 

Ecosystem 

Science 


in other 

strategy 

2013 Ongoing $500 F $500 $500 $500 

Goal 2: Provide timely and accurate water quality data and information to the public and other entities/agencies. 

Objective 1: Acquire a repository to store water quality data in a centralized database that is user-friendly, provides quality assurance and quality control for the data collection effort, and can 

be accessed via the internet. 

Strategy 1: Work with other entities and 

agencies to develop a centralized water 

quality storage database and website. 

Ecosystem 

Science 

2012 Ongoing No 

Additonal 

Cost 

Objective 2: Utilize a variety of methods to inform the public and other entities regarding water quality conditions, the importance of water quality, and suggestions to improve water quality 

within SMMAP. 

Strategy 1: Utilize educational signage at 

strategic access points to SMMAP to educate 

the public on the ecological significance of 

the bay and how the public can assist in 

conserving natural resources. 

Strategy 2: Coordinate and participate in 

public lectures and other events where staff 

can address water quality issues and discuss 

methods for improving water quality. 

Strategy 3: Provide and/or create 

opportunities for the public to volunteer to 

assist with monitoring efforts and unique 

events (i.e. Earth Day). 

Education 

and 

Outreach 

Education 

and 

Outreach 

Education 

and 

Outreach 

2011 As 

Needed 

$500 F $500 $500 $1,000 

2004 Ongoing $200 F $200 $200 $200 $200 $200 $200 $200 $200 $200 $200 

2004 As 

Needed 

Included 

in other 

strategy 

Issue 2: Management and Protection of Seagrasses 

Goal 1: Manage seagrass communities through research and monitoring, education and outreach efforts, continued resource management and collaborative mapping efforts with other state 

agencies to effectively protect and maintain this habitat as a valuable, natural resource throughout SMMAP. 

Objective 1: Monitor the status and trends of seagrass distribution within SMMAP to determine the overall health and identify potential threats to the habitat. 

Strategy 1: Develop and implement a 

Seagrass Monitoring Plan for SMMAP. 

Strategy 2: Continued collaboration with 

FWC and other state agencies on the SIMM 

report to produce a resource for seagrass 

monitoring, mapping and data sharing. 

Strategy 3: Utilize existing GIS technology, 

aerial surveys, and ground truthing to 

identify severely scarred areas to determine 

restoration needs, assess management 

options, and develop a seagrass restoration 

plan for SMMAP. 

Ecosystem 

Science 

Partnership 

(Ecosystem 

Science) 

Ecosystem 

Science 

1998 Ongoing $7,500 F $7,500 $7,500 $7,500 $7,500 $7,500 $7,500 $7,500 $7,500 $7,500 $7,500 

1998 Ongoing $1,000 F $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 

TBD TBD $12,000 F $12,000 $12,000 

145



Strategy 4: Establish and maintain close 

communication with all federal, state, and 

local land managers that are responsible 

for making resource management decisions 

that could affect water quality or seagrass 

habitat in SMMAP. 

Strategy 5: Coordinate with stakeholders, 

adjacent resource managers and law 

enforcement to support clean-up efforts. 

146 

Mgmt. 

Program 

Resource 

Mgmt. 

Resource 

Mgmt. 


(Planned) 

Length of 

Initiative 


Additonal 

Cost 

Est. Avg. 

Funding 16-17 17-18 18-19 19-20 20-21 21-22 22-23 23-24 24-25 25-26 

Yearly Cost 

2004 Ongoing $3,500 F $3,500 $3,500 $3,500 $3,500 $3,500 $3,500 $3,500 $3,500 $3,500 $3,500 

Objective 2: Promote the importance of seagrass habitats by generating a variety of informational outlets that target recreational, commercial, and scientific user groups operating in SMMAP. 

Strategy 1: Update the current SMMAP 

brochures to include additional information 

on the importance of seagrass habitat, water 

quality, and sound user practices that can be 

used to prevent destruction of seagrasses. 

Education 

and 

Outreach 

2004 Ongoing $500 F $500 $500 $500 $500 $500 $500 $500 $500 $500 $500 

Strategy 2: Repair, replace, or install 

education signage pertaining to resource 

protection at public and private boat ramps 

and marinas throughout SMMAP. 

Strategy 3: Continue to participate in 

education and outreach events throughout the 

surrounding areas to promote the importance 

of seagrass and other estuarine habitats. 

Issue 3: Natural Resource Obstacles 

Education 

and 

Outreach 

Education 

and 

Outreach 

2011 Ongoing $500 F $500 $500 $1,000 


in other 

strategy 

Goal 1: Document the natural resources in SMMAP. 

Objective 1: Develop and implement restoration goals for impacted areas or areas of concern. 

Strategy 1: Work with law enforcement to 

ensure implementation of the seagrass 

law prohibiting destruction of seagrasses 

in SMMAP. 

Strategy 2: Coordinate with other resource 

agencies and law enforcement to support 

efforts to address derelict and/or illegal 

fisheries gear and harvesting activities. 

Strategy 3: Partner with other agencies 

and enlist public participation to assist in 

the removal of derelict and/or illegal 

fisheries gear from SMMAP. 

Resource 

Mgmt. 

Partnership 

(Resource 

Mgmt.) 

Resource 

Mgmt. 


in other 

strategy 

2004 Ongoing $1,000 F $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 

2004 Ongoing $1,000 F $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 

Goal 2: Educate the public about the importance of SMMAP’s history, natural resources and cultural resources. 

Objective 1: Partner with other agencies and/or non-governmental organizations to promote greater understanding and interpretation of resources. 

Strategy 1: In conjunction with other 

natural resource agencies, develop and 

install kiosks or signage informing the public 

on how to avoid impacting seagrass habitat. 

Education 

and 

Outreach 


in other 

strategy



Strategy 2: Repair, replace, or install up 

to date signage and kiosks to educate the 

public on SMMAP and its resources. 

Strategy 3: Develop an informational 

brochure on the current efforts employed 

by SMMAP’s water quality, seagrass and 

resource management programs. 

Issue 4: Public Use 

Mgmt. 

Program 

Education 

and 

Outreach 

Education 

and 

Outreach 


(Planned) 

Length of 

Initiative 


in other 

strategy 


in other 

strategy 

Est. Avg. 

Funding 16-17 17-18 18-19 19-20 20-21 21-22 22-23 23-24 24-25 25-26 

Yearly Cost 

Goal 1: Maintain a safe and natural environment for SMMAP’s wildlife, habitats, and user groups. 

Objective 1: Facilitate research to identify human use conflicts with natural resources. 

Strategy 1: Work with law enforcement 

and other resource management entities to 

identify and address uses within SMMAP 

that are not water dependent, potentially 

illegal, or harmful to natural resources. 

Public 

Use 

2004 Ongoing $200 F $200 $200 $200 $200 $200 $200 $200 $200 $200 $200 

Strategy 2: Partner with other agencies 

to develop and distribute information 

identifying potential use conflicts and 

methods of prevention. 

Public 

Use 

Objective 2: Reduce the amount of debris, contaminants, and other resource damages associated with user group activities. 

Strategy 1: Understand and address 

consumptive use impacts from fishing gear 

and methods that cause potential harm to 

the resource. 

Strategy 2: Promote awareness of proper 

boating practices to reduce propeller scarring 

in seagrasses and bentic communities. 

Strategy 3: Coordinate and participate in 

projects that remove or make use of debris 

within SMMAP. 

Strategy 4: Develop and distribute 

informational brochures and/or participate 

in local meetings to educate user groups of 

potential impacts to the natural resources 

associated with user activities. 

Public 

Use 

Public 

Use 

Public 

Use 

Public 

Use 

2004 Ongoing $500 F $500 $500 $500 


Additonal 

Cost 

2004 Ongoing $500 F $500 $500 $500 $500 $500 

2004 Ongoing $1,000 F $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 


in other 

strategy 

147

D.2 / Budget Summary Table 

The following table provides a summary of cost estimates for conducting the management activities identified in this plan. 

Ecosystem 

Science 

Resource 

Management 

Education 

& Outreach 

Public 

Use 

Partnering 

Annual 

Total 

2016-2017 $60,250 $10,000 $1,200 $2,200 $2,000 $75,650 

2017-2018 $60,250 $10,000 $1,200 $1,200 $2,000 $74,650 

2018-2019 $65,750 $10,000 $700 $1,700 $2,000 $80,150 

2019-2020 $66,750 $10,000 $700 $1,200 $2,000 $80,650 

2020-2021 $71,000 $12,000 $1,200 $2,200 $2,000 $88,400 

2021-2022 $34,000 $10,000 $1,200 $1,200 $2,000 $48,400 

2022-2023 $34,000 $10,000 $700 $1,700 $2,000 $48,400 

2023-2024 $34,000 $10,000 $700 $1,200 $2,000 $47,900 

2024-2025 $40,000 $10,000 $700 $1,700 $2,000 $54,400 

2025-2026 $53,500 $12,000 $2,700 $1,700 $2,000 $71,900 

Ten Year Totals $519,500 $104,000 $11,000 $16,000 $20,000 $670,500 

148 

D.3 / Major Accomplishments Since the Approval of the Previous Plan 

Since the approval of St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve’s (SMMAP’s) previous management plan in September of 

1987, many management activities have changed focus and expanded over the years. Management strategies were 

historically concentrated on mapping and cataloging resources, identifying issues threatening these resources, 

and permitting. Below are a few major accomplishments that staff have implemented over the last 20+ years, and 

continue to expand upon today. 

Water Quality Monitoring Program 

In 1987, SMMAP’s continuous water quality monitoring program was non-existent and limited to nutrient monitoring. 

The present day continuous water quality monitoring program was started in 2004. Using both YSI 600 and 6600 

series datalogger equipment, SMMAP’s water quality monitoring program was developed and modeled after the 

National Estuarine Research Reserve’s System-Wide Monitoring Program which follows standardized methods to 

ensure continuity and accuracy of data collection. Five water quality monitoring stations were established in Citrus 

County. The selection of locations allowed for comparison between relatively pristine, undeveloped areas versus 

more urbanized drainage basins, as well as variations in salinity regimes within the systems that feed into SMMAP. 

The primary objective of these efforts was to establish baseline data for scientific comparison, measure short and 

long term changes in SMMAP’s contributing systems, and assess the impacts both human and natural events may 

have on SMMAP. 

In conjunction with the continuous water quality monitoring program, staff began assisting with Project COAST, 

a partnership with the University of Florida, to collect various water quality field samples within SMMAP in 1997. 

Monthly sampling events occur at 30 fixed stations within the three surrounding systems (Withlacoochee, Crystal, 

and Homosassa rivers). Examples of parameters collected include light attenuation through the water column, 

temperature, salinity, pH, Secchi depth, and dissolved oxygen. Water samples are also filtered and processed for 

chlorophyll assessments and surface water grab samples are taken for nitrogen and phosphorous analysis. In 2014, 

an additional grab sample was added to this effort through a partnership with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation 

Commission- Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, whose primary focus is on harmful algal blooms in coastal waters 

throughout the state. 

Seagrass Monitoring Program 

In 1997, SMMAP began monitoring 25 fixed seagrass sites in Citrus County, with an additional 100 sites added 

throughout the Big Bend region starting in 2002. The objective of this effort was to quantify the spatial/temporal 

variability and trends of seagrass abundance and distribution (e.g. establish baseline data) within SMMAP. 

Identification and assessment of seagrass and macroalgae is completed using the Braun-Blanquet scale, which 

is a method used for measuring the submerged aquatic vegetation. This involves identifying all vegetative species 

represented and percent coverage within a one meter square “quadrat.” Staff examine data to determine trends in 

species composition, abundance, and distribution of seagrasses within SMMAP. This information can also be used 

to determine species composition, abundance and distribution of seagrasses within a particular area. Presence or 

absence of bay scallops and variegated sea urchins (Lytechinus variegatus), epiphyte densities, sediment type and 

sediment depths are also collected. 

Education and Outreach Program 

SMMAP’s previously adopted plan did not address education and outreach specifically. Presently, SMMAP staff 

compile several brochures for public distribution, maintain informational kiosks at major boat ramps, attend

community events, and develop curricula for local programs. The educational and outreach practices conducted by 

SMMAP are geared towards the promotion of maintaining and restoring the aquatic preserve for future generations. 

By coordinating and participating in various education and outreach events, SMMAP is able to reach out to a wide 

and varied audience. Common target audiences for such events include: landowners and developers, commercial 

and recreational resource users, students of all ages, organized working groups, the general public, as well as 

local, regional, state, and federal government agencies. While education and outreach is extremely important, 

participation proves difficult at times due to budget and staff limitations. 

Partnerships 

Over the past 20 years, staff have developed many successful partnerships to aid in the management and protection 

of SMMAP’s natural resources. These relationships build a strong network for data sharing, as well as increase 

physical efforts to maintain or improve communities with SMMAP boundaries. Examples of partnerships created, or 

strengthened, since the adoption of SMMAP’s 1987 management plan include federal (U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. 

Fish and Wildlife Service), state (University of Florida, Crystal River Preserve State Park, Florida Fish and Wildlife 

Conservation Commission- Fish and Wildlife Research Institute and Division of Law Enforcement), various nonprofits 

(Gulf Archeological Research Institute, Friends of the Withlacoochee Gulf Preserve), Crystal River Marine 

Science Station, as well as local libraries, and elementary schools. 

Marine Debris 

In early 2000, SMMAP staff began partnering with local communities, state agencies, and federal agencies to 

conduct annual marine debris cleanup efforts in Citrus County. Addressing issues, such as marine debris, is 

important in assessing the overall health of SMMAP’s resources. Marine debris presents a real and chronic threat to 

wildlife and public safety; entanglement, ingestion, and the release of toxins into the environment are issues related 

to debris. Additionally, the presence of debris detracts from the aesthetic value of natural landscapes. Marine debris 

can include paper and plastic products, construction debris, derelict vessels, and derelict aquaculture and fisheries 

gear. Since this effort began, staff has annually removed an average of more than 1,200 pounds of marine debris 

from local waters. 

Restoration 

In 2009, staff partnered with The Nature Conservancy on a pilot prop scar restoration project in SMMAP. Due to the 

shallow depth of SMMAP, the seagrass beds are susceptible to prop scarring from improper boating activities. These 

trenches created by boat propellers can cause significant amounts of seagrass loss due to constant scouring. Staff 

identified 17 prop scars, totaling approximately 392 meters, to be restored using a sediment tube technique. In 2010, 

contractors placed sediment tubes consisting of 20-centimeter diameter biodegradable cotton tubes of approximately 

one meter in length into the target scars. After approximately one year, most of the scars had recolonized with 

various species of microalgae’s and shoal grass. Some scars, where the sediment tubes sank below ambient 

grade, remained barren but no further scouring had occurred. With the exception of a few areas that continued to be 

undermined by the currents, the project was deemed relatively successful in the restoration of most prop scars. 

149

D.4 / Gulf Priority Restoration Projects 

Florida’s expansive coastline and wealth of aquatic resources have defined it as a subtropical oasis, attracting 

millions of residents and visitors, and the businesses that serve them. Florida’s submerged lands play important 

roles in maintaining good water quality and hosting a diversity of wildlife and habitats (including economically and 

ecologically valuable nursery areas). The following two projects are proposed by the Florida Coastal Office as top 

priorities for the St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve in regards to creating and maintaining healthy ecosystems and 

economies. Following the two projects is a table listing the projects, including the top two, that were reviewed and 

are supported by St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve. In addition, the table also crosswalks the St. Martins Marsh 

Aquatic Preserve management plan’s issues, goals, objectives, and strategies with the projects. 

150

151

152

153

154

Appendix E 

Other Requirements 

E.1 / Acquisition and Restoration Council Management Plan Compliance Checklist 




Section A: Acquisition Information Items 

1 The common name of the property. 18-2.018 & 

18-2.021 

2 The land acquisition program, if any, under which the property 

was acquired. 

3 Degree of title interest held by the Board, including reservations 

and encumbrances such as leases. 

18-2.018 & 

18-2.021 

4 The legal description and acreage of the property. 18-2.018 & 

18-2.021 

5 A map showing the approximate location and boundaries of the property, 

and the location of any structures or improvements to the property. 

6 An assessment as to whether the property, or any portion, should be 

declared surplus. Provide Information regarding assessment and 

analysis in the plan, and provide corresponding map. 

7 Identification of other parcels of land within or immediately adjacent to 

the property that should be purchased because they are essential to 

management of the property. Please clearly indicate parcels on a map. 

8 Identification of adjacent land uses that conflict with the planned use 

of the property, if any. 

9 A statement of the purpose for which the lands were acquired, the 

projected use or uses as defined in 253.034 and the statutory authority 

for such use or uses. 

10 Proximity of property to other significant State, local or federal land 

or water resources. 

Ex. Sum. 

p. 1 

18-2.021 p. 1, 6-8 

18-2.018 & 

18-2.021 

Ex. Sum 

& p. 12 

p. 11 

18-2.021 N/A 

18-2.021 N/A 

18-2.021 p. 43-45 

259.032(10) p. 6 

18-2.021 p. 41-43 

Section B: Use Items 

11 The designated single use or multiple use management for the property, 

including use by other managing entities. 

12 A description of past and existing uses, including any unauthorized 

uses of the property. 

13 A description of alternative or multiple uses of the property considered by 

the lessee and a statement detailing why such uses were not adopted. 

14 A description of the management responsibilities of each entity involved 

in the property’s management and how such responsibilities will 

be coordinated. 

15 Include a provision that requires that the managing agency consult with the 

Division of Historical Resources, Department of State before taking actions 

that may adversely affect archeological or historical resources. 

16 Analysis/description of other managing agencies and private land managers, 

if any, which could facilitate the restoration or management of the land. 

17 A determination of the public uses and public access that would be 

consistent with the purposes for which the lands were acquired. 

18 A finding regarding whether each planned use complies with the 1981 

State Lands Management Plan, particularly whether such uses represent 

“balanced public utilization,” specific agency statutory authority and 

any other legislative or executive directives that constrain the use 

of such property. 

18-2.018 & 

18-2.021 

18-2.018 & 

18-2.021 

p. 10 

18-2.018 N/A 

p. 9-10, 37- 

38, 43-45, 

70-71 

18-2.018 p. 6-8, 47-73 

18-2.021 App. E.2 

18-2.021 p. 41-43, 51- 

58, 61-64 

259.032(10) p. 69-73 

18-2.021 p. 6-8 

155




19 Letter of compliance from the local government stating that the LMP is 

in compliance with the Local Government Comprehensive Plan. 


App. E.3 

20 An assessment of the impact of planned uses on the renewable and 

non-renewable resources of the property, including soil and water 

resources, and a detailed description of the specific actions that will 

be taken to protect, enhance and conserve these resources and to 

compensate/mitigate damage caused by such uses, including a 

description of how the manager plans to control and prevent soil 

erosion and soil or water contamination. 

21 *For managed areas larger than 1,000 acres, an analysis of the 

multiple-use potential of the property which shall include the potential 

of the property to generate revenues to enhance the management of 

the property provided that no lease, easement, or license for such 

revenue-generating use shall be entered into if the granting of such 

lease, easement or license would adversely affect the tax exemption 

of the interest on any revenue bonds issued to fund the acquisition of 

the affected lands from gross income for federal income tax purposes, 

pursuant to Internal Revenue Service regulations. 

18-2.018 & 

18-2.021 

18-2.021 & 

253.036 

P. 12-22, 

47-73 

N/A 

22 If the lead managing agency determines that timber resource 

management is not in conflict with the primary management objectives 

of the managed area, a component or section, prepared by a qualified 

professional forester, that assesses the feasibility of managing timber 

resources pursuant to section 253.036, F.S. 

18-021 N/A 

23 A statement regarding incompatible use in reference to Ch. 253.034(10). 253.034(10) p. 71 

*The following taken from 253.034(10) is not a land management plan requirement; however, it should be considered 

when developing a land management plan: The following additional uses of conservation lands acquired pursuant to 

the Florida Forever program and other state-funded conservation land purchase programs shall be authorized, upon 

a finding by the Board of Trustees, if they meet the criteria specified in paragraphs (a)-(e): water resource development 

projects, water supply development projects, storm-water management projects, linear facilities and sustainable 

agriculture and forestry. Such additional uses are authorized where: (a) Not inconsistent with the management plan 

for such lands; (b) Compatible with the natural ecosystem and resource values of such lands; (c) The proposed use is 

appropriately located on such lands and where due consideration is given to the use of other available lands; (d) The 

using entity reasonably compensates the titleholder for such use based upon an appropriate measure of value; and 

(e) The use is consistent with the public interest. 

Section C: Public Involvement Items 

24 A statement concerning the extent of public involvement and local 

government participation in the development of the plan, if any. 

25 The management prospectus required pursuant to paragraph 

(9)(d) shall be available to the public for a period of 30 days prior to 

the public hearing. 

26 LMPs and LMP updates for parcels over 160 acres shall be developed 

with input from an advisory group who must conduct at least one public 

hearing within the county in which the parcel or project is located. Include 

the advisory group members and their affiliations, as well as the 

date and location of the advisory group meeting. 

27 Summary of comments and concerns expressed by the advisory group 

for parcels over 160 acres 

18-2.021 App. C 

259.032(10) N/A 

259.032(10) App. C 

18-2.021 App. C 

156 

28 During plan development, at least one public hearing shall be held in 

each affected county. Notice of such public hearing shall be posted on 

the parcel or project designated for management, advertised in a paper 

of general circulation, and announced at a scheduled meeting of the local 

governing body before the actual public hearing. Include a copy of each 

County’s advertisements and announcements (meeting minutes will 

suffice to indicate an announcement) in the management plan. 

253.034(5) & 

259.032(10) 

App. C




29 The manager shall consider the findings and recommendations of the 

land management review team in finalizing the required 10-year update 

of its management plan. Include managers replies to the teams findings 

and recommendations. 

259.036 N/A 

30 Summary of comments and concerns expressed by the management 

review team, if required by Section 259.036, F.S. 

31 If manager is not in agreement with the management review team’s 

findings and recommendations in finalizing the required 10-year update 

of its management plan, the managing agency should explain why 

they disagree with the findings or recommendations. 

18-2.021 N/A 

259.036 N/A 

Section D: Natural Resources 


and non-renewable resources of the property regarding soil types. Use 

brief descriptions and include USDA maps when available. 

18-2.021 p. 16-18 

33 Insert FNAI based natural community maps when available. ARC consensus 

p. 24 



outstanding native landscapes containing relatively unaltered flora, 

fauna and geological conditions. 

18-2.021 Ex Sum 


and non-renewable resources of the property regarding unique natural 

features and/or resources including but not limited to virgin timber stands, 

scenic vistas, natural rivers and streams, coral reefs, natural springs, 

caverns and large sinkholes. 

18-2.018 & 

18-2.021 

p. 23-33 



beaches and dunes. 

18-2.021 p. 28 


and non-renewable resources of the property regarding mineral resources, 

such as oil, gas and phosphate, etc. 


and non-renewable resources of the property regarding fish and wildlife, 

both game and non-game, and their habitat. 

18-2.018 & 

18-2.021 

18-2.018 & 

18-2.021 

p. 16 

p. 23-37, 

App. B.4 


and non-renewable resources of the property regarding State and Federally 

listed endangered or threatened species and their habitat. 

40 The identification or resources on the property that are listed in the Natural 

Areas Inventory. Include letter from FNAI or consultant where appropriate. 

41 Specific description of how the managing agency plans to identify, locate, 

protect and preserve or otherwise use fragile, nonrenewable natural and 


18-2.021 p. 23-35, 

App. B.4 

18-2.021 p. 23-33 

259.032(10) p. 37-38, 47- 

73, App. E.2 

42 Habitat Restoration and Improvement 259.032(10) 

& 253.034(5) 

42-A. 

Describe management needs, problems and a desired outcome and 

the key management activities necessary to achieve the enhancement, 

protection and preservation of restored habitats and enhance the natural, 

historical and archeological resources and their values for which the lands 

were acquired. 

259.032(10) 

& 253.034(5) 

p. 23-33, 37- 

38, 47-73 

42-B. 

Provide a detailed description of both short (2-year planning period) and 

long-term (10-year planning period) management goals, and a priority 

schedule based on the purposes for which the lands were acquired and 

include a timeline for completion. 

259.032(10) 

& 253.034(5) 

App. D.1 

157




42-C. The associated measurable objectives to achieve the goals. 259.032(10) 

& 253.034(5) 

App. D.1 

42-D. 

The related activities that are to be performed to meet the land 

management objectives and their associated measures. Include fire 

management plans - they can be in plan body or an appendix. 

259.032(10) 

& 253.034(5) 

App. D.1 

42-E. 

A detailed expense and manpower budget in order to provide a 

management tool that facilitates development of performance measures, 

including recommendations for cost-effective methods of accomplishing 

those activities. 

259.032(10) 

& 253.034(5) 

App. D.1 


forest and other natural resources and associated acreage. See footnote. 

44 Sustainable Forest Management, including implementation of prescribed 

fire management 

253.034(5) Ex Sum 

18-2.021, 

253.034(5) & 

259.032(10) 

44-A. 



18-2.021, 

253.034(5) & 

259.032(10) 

N/A 

44-B. 



18-2.021, 

253.034(5) & 

259.032(10) 

N/A 

44-C. Measurable objectives (see requirement for #42-C). 18-2.021, 

253.034(5) & 

259.032(10) 

44-D. Related activities (see requirement for #42-D). 18-2.021, 

253.034(5) & 

259.032(10) 

44-E. Budgets (see requirement for #42-E). 18-2.021, 

253.034(5) & 

259.032(10) 

N/A 

N/A 

N/A 

45 Imperiled species, habitat maintenance, enhancement, restoration 

or population restoration 

259.032(10) 

& 253.034(5) 

45-A. 



259.032(10) 

& 253.034(5) 

p. 23-37, 

47-73 

45-B. 



259.032(10) 

& 253.034(5) 

App. D.1 


& 253.034(5) 


& 253.034(5) 


& 253.034(5) 

App. D.1 

App. D.1 

App. D.1 


exotic and invasive plants and associated acreage. See footnote. 

253.034(5) App. B.3.4 

47 Place the Arthropod Control Plan in an appendix. If one does not exist, 

provide a statement as to what arrangement exists between the local 

mosquito control district and the management unit. 


via lease 

language 

App. B.4 

158 

48 Exotic and invasive species maintenance and control 259.032(10) 

& 253.034(5)




48-A. 



259.032(10) 

& 253.034(5) 

p. 35-37, 63 

48-B. 



259.032(10) 

& 253.034(5) 

App. D.1 


& 253.034(5) 


& 253.034(5) 


& 253.034(5) 

App. D.1 

App. D.1 

App. D.1 

Section E: Water Resources 

49 A statement as to whether the property is within and/or adjacent to an 

aquatic preserve or a designated area of critical state concern or an area 

under study for such designation. If yes, provide a list of the appropriate 

managing agencies that have been notified of the proposed plan. 

18-2.018 & 

18-2.021 

p. 1-4 

50 Location and description of known and reasonably identifiable renewable and 

non-renewable resources of the property regarding water resources, 

including water classification for each water body and the identification of any 

such water body that is designated as an Outstanding Florida Water under Rule 

62-302.700, F.A.C. 



swamps, marshes and other wetlands. 

52 ***Quantitative description of the land regarding an inventory of 

hydrological features and associated acreage. See footnote. 

18-2.021 p. 1-4, 18-22 

18-2.021 p. 24-27 

253.034(5) Ex. Sum 

53 Hydrological Preservation and Restoration 259.032(10) 

& 253.034(5) 

53-A. 



259.032(10) 

& 253.034(5) 

App. D.1 

53-B. 



259.032(10) 

& 253.034(5) 

App. D.1 


& 253.034(5) 


& 253.034(5) 


& 253.034(5) 

App. D.1 

App. D.1 

App. D.1 

Section F: Historical, Archaeological and Cultural Resources 

54 **Location and description of known and reasonably identifiable 


archeological and historical resources. Include maps of all cultural 

resources except Native American sites, unless such sites are major 

points of interest that are open to public visitation. 

18-2.018, 

18-2.021 & 

per DHR’s 

request 

Ex. Sum, p. 

37-38, App 

B.5 

55 ***Quantitative data description of the land regarding an inventory 

of significant land, cultural or historical features and associated acreage. 

56 A description of actions the agency plans to take to locate and 

identify unknown resources such as surveys of unknown archeological 

and historical resources. 

253.034(5) Ex. Sum, p. 

37-38, App 

B.5 

18-2.021 App. D.1 

159




57 Cultural and Historical Resources 259.032(10) 

& 253.034(5) 

57-A. 


# 42-A). 

259.032(10) 

& 253.034(5) 

App. D.1 

57-B. 



259.032(10) 

& 253.034(5) 

App. D.1 


& 253.034(5) 


& 253.034(5) 


& 253.034(5) 

App. D.1 

App. D.1 

App. D.1 

**While maps of Native American sites should not be included in the body of the management plan, the DSL 

urges each managing agency to provide such information to the Division of Historical Resources for inclusion in 

their proprietary database. This information should be available for access to new managers to assist them in 

developing, implementing and coordinating their management activities. 

Section G: Facilities (Infrastructure, Access, Recreation) 

58 ***Quantitative data description of the land regarding an inventory of infrastructure 

and associated acreage. See footnote. 

253.034(5) p. 77-78 

59 Capital Facilities and Infrastructure 259.032(10) 

& 253.034(5) 

59-A. 


# 42-A). 

259.032(10) 

& 253.034(5) 

p. 75-78, 

App. D.1 

59-B. 



259.032(10) 

& 253.034(5) 

App. D.1 


& 253.034(5) 


& 253.034(5) 


& 253.034(5) 

App. D.1 

App. D.1 

App. D.1 

60 *** Quantitative data description of the land regarding an inventory of recreational 

facilities and associated acreage. 

253.034(5) p. 69-71, 

App. D.1 

61 Public Access and Recreational Opportunities 259.032(10) 

& 253.034(5) 

61-A. 


# 42-A). 

259.032(10) 

& 253.034(5) 

App. D.1 

61-B. 



259.032(10) 

& 253.034(5) 

App. D.1 

160 


& 253.034(5) 


& 253.034(5) 


& 253.034(5) 

App. D.1 

App. D.1 

App. D.1




Section H: Other/ Managing Agency Tools 

62 Place this LMP Compliance Checklist at the front of the plan. ARC and 

managing 

agency consensus 

Front & App. 

E.1 

63 Place the Executive Summary at the front of the LMP. Include a physical 

description of the land. 

64 If this LMP is a 10-year update, note the accomplishments since the drafting 

of the last LMP set forth in an organized (categories or bullets) format. 

ARC and 

253.034(5) 

ARC consensus 

Ex. Sum 

App. D.3 

65 Key management activities necessary to achieve the desired outcomes 

regarding other appropriate resource management. 

66 Summary budget for the scheduled land management activities of the LMP 

including any potential fees anticipated from public or private entities for projects 

to offset adverse impacts to imperiled species or such habitat, which fees 

shall be used to restore, manage, enhance, repopulate, or acquire imperiled 

species habitat for lands that have or are anticipated to have imperiled species 

or such habitat onsite. The summary budget shall be prepared in such a 

manner that it facilitates computing an aggregate of land management costs 

for all state-managed lands using the categories described in s. 259.037(3) 

which are resource management, administration, support, capital improvements, 

recreation visitor services, law enforcement activities. 

67 Cost estimate for conducting other management activities which would 

enhance the natural resource value or public recreation value for which the 

lands were acquired, include recommendations for cost-effective methods 

in accomplishing those activities. 

259.032(10) p. 47-73 

253.034(5) App. D.1 

259.032(10) App. D.1 

68 A statement of gross income generated, net income and expenses. 18-2.018 N/A 

*** = The referenced inventories shall be of such detail that objective measures and benchmarks can be established 

for each tract of land and monitored during the lifetime of the plan. All quantitative data collected shall 

be aggregated, standardized, collected, and presented in an electronic format to allow for uniform management 

reporting and analysis. The information collected by the DEP pursuant to s. 253.0325(2) shall be available to the 

land manager and his or her assignee. 

161


on State-Owned or Controlled Lands (revised March 2013) 

These procedures apply to state agencies, local governments, and non-profits that manage 

state-owned properties. 

A. General Discussion 

Historic resources are both archaeological sites and historic structures. Per Chapter 267, Florida Statutes, ‘Historic 

property’ or ‘historic resource’ means any prehistoric district, site, building, object, or other real or personal property 

of historical, architectural, or archaeological value, and folklife resources. These properties or resources may 

include, but are not limited to, monuments, memorials, Indian habitations, ceremonial sites, abandoned settlements, 

sunken or abandoned ships, engineering works, treasure trove, artifacts, or other objects with intrinsic historical or 

archaeological value, or any part thereof, relating to the history, government, and culture of the state.” 

B. Agency Responsibilities 

Per State Policy relative to historic properties, state agencies of the executive branch must allow the Division of 

Historical Resources (Division) the opportunity to comment on any undertakings, whether these undertakings directly 

involve the state agency, i.e., land management responsibilities, or the state agency has indirect jurisdiction, i.e. 

permitting authority, grants, etc. No state funds should be expended on the undertaking until the Division has the 

opportunity to review and comment on the project, permit, grant, etc. 

State agencies shall preserve the historic resources which are owned or controlled by the agency. 

Regarding proposed demolition or substantial alterations of historic properties, consultation with the Division must 

occur, and alternatives to demolition must be considered. 

State agencies must consult with Division to establish a program to location, inventory and evaluate all historic 

properties under ownership or controlled by the agency. 

C. Statutory Authority 

Statutory Authority and more in depth information can be found at: www.flheritage.com/preservation/compliance/ 

guidelines.cfm 

D. Management Implementation 

Even though the Division sits on the Acquisition and Restoration Council and approves land management 

plans, these plans are conceptual. Specific information regarding individual projects must be submitted to 

the Division for review and recommendations. 

Managers of state lands must coordinate any land clearing or ground disturbing activities with the Division to 

allow for review and comment on the proposed project. Recommendations may include, but are not limited to: 

approval of the project as submitted, cultural resource assessment survey by a qualified professional archaeologist, 

modifications to the proposed project to avoid or mitigate potential adverse effects. 

Projects such as additions, exterior alteration, or related new construction regarding historic structures must also 

be submitted to the Division of Historical Resources for review and comment by the Division’s architects. Projects 

involving structures fifty years of age or older, must be submitted to this agency for a significance determination. In 

rare cases, structures under fifty years of age may be deemed historically significant. These must be evaluated on a 

case by case basis. 

Adverse impacts to significant sites, either archaeological sites or historic buildings, must be avoided. Furthermore, 

managers of state property should make preparations for locating and evaluating historic resources, both 

archaeological sites and historic structures. 

E. Minimum Review Documentation Requirements 

In order to have a proposed project reviewed by the Division, certain information must be submitted for comments 

and recommendations. The minimum review documentation requirements can be found at: www.flheritage.com/ 

preservation/compliance/docs/minimum_review_documentation_requirements.pdf . 

Questions relating to the treatment of archaeological and historic resources on state lands should be directed to: 

Deena S. Woodward 

Division of Historical Resources, Bureau of Historic Preservation, Compliance and Review Section 

R. A. Gray Building, 500 South Bronough Street 

Tallahassee, FL 32399-0250 

Phone: (850) 245-6425, Toll Free: (800) 847-7278, Fax: (850) 245-6435 

162

E.3 / Letters of Compliance with County Comprehensive Plan 

163

St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserves 








3900 Commonwealth Blvd., MS #235

St Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve

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