DELNOR-WIGGINS PASS STATE PARK Unit Management Plan APPROVED STATE OF FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION Division of Recreation and Parks October 9, 2009 TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION.............................................................................................................1 PURPOSE AND SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PARK.......................................................1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF THE PLAN........................................................................1 MANAGEMENT PROGRAM OVERVIEW..................................................................5 Management Authority and Responsibility..................................................................5 Park Management Goals.................................................................................................6 Management Coordination.............................................................................................6 Public Participation..........................................................................................................7 Other Designations..........................................................................................................7 RESOURCE MANAGEMENT COMPONENT INTRODUCTION.............................................................................................................9 RESOURCE DESCRIPTION AND ASSESSMENT.....................................................9 Natural Resources............................................................................................................9 Cultural Resources.........................................................................................................24 RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM................................................................24 Management Needs and Problems..............................................................................24 Management Measures and Objectives.......................................................................25 Natural Resources..........................................................................................................25 Cultural Resources.........................................................................................................30 Special Management Considerations...........................................................................30 Research Needs..............................................................................................................32 Resource Management Schedule..................................................................................33 Land Management Review...........................................................................................33 i LAND USE COMPONENT INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................35 EXTERNAL CONDITIONS...........................................................................................35 Existing Use of Adjacent Lands....................................................................................36 Planned Use of Adjacent Lands....................................................................................37 PROPERTY ANALYSIS.................................................................................................37 Recreation Resource Elements......................................................................................37 Assessment of Use.........................................................................................................39 Existing Facilities...........................................................................................................41 CONCEPTUAL LAND USE PLAN...............................................................................42 Potential Uses ................................................................................................................44 Proposed Facilities.........................................................................................................45 Facilities Development..................................................................................................48 Existing Use and Optimum Carrying Capacity..........................................................48 Optimum Boundary......................................................................................................49 IMPLEMENTATION COMPONENT MANAGEMENT PROGRESS.......................................................................................51 Resource Management..................................................................................................51 Recreation and Visitor Services....................................................................................51 Park Facilities and Operations......................................................................................52 MANAGEMENT PLAN IMPLEMENTATION..........................................................52 ii TABLES TABLE 1 – Imperiled Species Inventory................................................................17—19 TABLE 2 – Exotic Plant Species Inventory............................................................20—21 TABLE 3 - Existing Use and Optimum Carrying Capacity..........................................49 TABLE 4 – Implementation Schedule and Cost Estimates...................................55—58 LIST OF ADDENDA ADDENDUM 1 Acquisition History and Advisory Group Staff Report ...................................A 1 - 1 ADDENDUM 2 References Cited.................................................................................................A 2 - 1 ADDENDUM 3 Soil Descriptions.................................................................................................A 3 - 1 ADDENDUM 4 Plant and Animal List..........................................................................................A 4 - 1 ADDENDUM 5 Imperiled Species Ranking Definitions ............................................................A 5 - 1 ADDENDUM 6 October 17, 1997 Final Land Management Review Report ............................A 6 - 1 MAPS Vicinity Map.......................................................................................................................2 Reference Map....................................................................................................................3 Soils Map...........................................................................................................................11 Natural Communities Map.............................................................................................13 Management Zones Map.................................................................................................22 Base Map...........................................................................................................................40 Conceptual Land Use Plan..............................................................................................43 Optimum Boundary Map................................................................................................50 iii INTRODUCTION Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park is located in Collier County (see Vicinity Map). Access to the park is from Interstate Highway 75 or U.S. Highway 41 via County Road 846 (Immokolee Road/Bluebill Avenue). The Vicinity and Reference Maps also reflect significant land and water resources existing near the park. At Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park, public outdoor recreation and conservation is the designated single use of the property. There are no legislative or executive directives that constrain the use of this property (see Addendum 1). Currently, the park contains 166 acres. PURPOSE AND SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PARK The state park was acquired from Collier County to provide public beach access and outdoor recreation in a highly urbanized and populous region of Florida. Delnor- Wiggins Pass State Park is an important element of the supply for public beach access in southwest Florida. As a result, the park has experienced extremely high visitation for decades. The park’s beach dune, tropical hammock and mangrove swamp natural communities are important natural resources and, in conjunction with the Barefoot Beach Preserve, a County-managed area just north of the park, provide habitat for wide variety coastal plants and animals. Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park is classified as a state recreation area in the Division’s unit classification system. In the management of a state recreation area, major emphasis is placed on maximizing the recreational potential of the park. However, preservation of the park’s natural and cultural resources remains important. Depletion of a resource by any recreational activity is not permitted. In order to realize the park’s recreational potential, the development of appropriate park facilities is undertaken with the goal to provide facilities that are accessible, convenient and safe, to support public recreational use or appreciation of the park’s natural, aesthetic and educational attributes. PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF THE PLAN This plan serves as the basic statement of policy and direction for the management of Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park as a unit of Florida's state park system. It identifies the goals, objectives, actions and criteria or standards that guide each aspect of park administration, and sets forth the specific measures that will be implemented to meet management objectives. The plan is intended to meet the requirements of Sections 253.034 and 259.032, Florida Statutes, Chapter 18-2, Florida Administrative Code, and is intended to be consistent with the State Lands Management Plan. Upon approval, this management plan will replace the 2000 approved plan. All development and resource alteration proposed in this plan is subject to the granting of appropriate permits, easements, licenses, and other required legal instruments. Approval of the management plan does not constitute an exemption from complying 1 EsteroBayPreserve StatePark GatorHole Preserve CorkscrewRd CorckscrewRegional KoreshanState EcosystemWatershed EsteroBay HistoricSite AquaticPreserve CorkscrewSwamp Sanctuary LoversKey StatePark BigHickoryIslandPreserve BonitaBeach Bonita 865 LeeCounty CollierCounty /( !"#$ 41 75 BarefootBeachStatePreserve Delnor-WigginsPassStatePark !( 31 North Naples 896 Golden Gulfof Gate Mexico 886 q® Legend Interstates !( 84 PicayuneStrand FDOTUSRoutes StateForest FDOTStateRoutes Naples FDOTLocalRoads ParkBoundary PrivateLands Developed Undeveloped PublicLands FederalManagedAreas StateManagedAreas ^_ LocalManagedAreas RookeryBay PrivateManagedAreas AquaticPreserve AquaticPreserves RookeryBayNational Sources:FloridaNaturalAreasInventoy,2006 EstuarineResearchReserve FloridaLandUse,CoverandForms ClassificationSystem,2001 ´ DELNOR WIGGINS PASS VICINITY Miles 0 1.25 2.5 5 STATE PARK FloridaDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection MAP DivisionofRecreationandParks OfficeofParkPlanning with the appropriate local, state or federal agencies. This plan is also intended to meet the requirements for beach and shore preservation, as defined in Chapter 161, Florida Statutes and Chapter 62B-33 Florida Administrative Code. The plan consists of three interrelated components: the Resource Management Component, the Land Use Component and the Implementation Component. The Resource Management Component provides a detailed inventory and assessment of the natural and cultural resources of the park. Resource management problems and needs are identified, and measurable management objectives are established for each of the park’s management goals and resource types. This component provides guidance on the application of such measures as exotic species removal, imperiled species management, cultural resource management and restoration of natural conditions. The Land Use Component is the recreational resource allocation plan for the park. Based on considerations such as access, population, adjacent land uses, the natural and cultural resource base of the park, current public uses and existing development, measurable objectives are set to achieve the desired allocation of the physical space of the park. These objectives locate use areas and propose the types of facilities and programs and the volume of public use to be provided. The Implementation Component consolidates the measurable objectives and actions for each of the park’s management goals. An implementation schedule and cost estimates are included for each objective and action. Included in this table are (1) measures that will be used to evaluate the Division’s implementation progress, (2) timeframes for completing actions and objectives and (3) estimated costs to complete each action and objective. In the development of this plan, the potential of the park to accommodate secondary management purposes (“multiple uses”) was analyzed. These secondary purposes were considered within the context of the Division’s statutory responsibilities and an analysis of the resource needs and values of the park. This analysis considered the park natural and cultural resources, management needs, aesthetic values, visitation and visitor experiences. For this park, it was determined that no secondary purposes could be accommodated in a manner that would not interfere with the primary purpose of resource-based outdoor recreation and conservation. Uses such as water resource development projects, water supply projects, stormwater management projects, linear facilities and sustainable agriculture and forestry are not consistent with this plan or the management purposes of the park. The potential for generating revenue to enhance management was also analyzed. Visitor fees and charges are the principal source of revenue generated by the park. It was determined that multiple-use management activities would not be appropriate as a means of generating revenues for land management. Instead, techniques such as 4 entrance fees, concessions, facility rentals and similar measures will be employed on a case-by-case basis as a means of supplementing park management funding. The use of private land managers to facilitate restoration and management of this park was also analyzed. Decisions regarding this type of management (such as outsourcing, contracting with the private sector, use of volunteers, etc.) will be made on a case-by- case basis as necessity dictates. MANAGEMENT PROGRAM OVERVIEW Management Authority and Responsibility In accordance with Chapter 258, Florida Statutes and Chapter 62D-2, Florida Administrative Code, the Division of Recreation and Parks (Division) is charged with the responsibility of developing and operating Florida's recreation and parks system. These are administered in accordance with the following policy: It shall be the policy of the Division of Recreation and Parks to promote the state park system for the use, enjoyment, and benefit of the people of Florida and visitors; to acquire typical portions of the original domain of the state which will be accessible to all of the people, and of such character as to emblemize the state's natural values; conserve these natural values for all time; administer the development, use and maintenance of these lands and render such public service in so doing, in such a manner as to enable the people of Florida and visitors to enjoy these values without depleting them; to contribute materially to the development of a strong mental, moral, and physical fiber in the people; to provide for perpetual preservation of historic sites and memorials of statewide significance and interpretation of their history to the people; to contribute to the tourist appeal of Florida. The Trustees have granted management authority of certain sovereign submerged lands to the Division under Management Agreement MA 68-086 (as amended January 19, 1988). The management area includes a 400-foot zone from the edge of mean high water where a park boundary borders sovereign submerged lands fronting beaches, bays, estuarine areas, rivers or streams. Where emergent wetland vegetation exists, the zone extends waterward 400 feet beyond the vegetation. The agreement is intended to provide additional protection to resources of the park and nearshore areas and to provide authority to manage activities that could adversely impact public recreational uses. Many operating procedures are standard system-wide and are set by internal direction. These procedures are outlined in the Division’s Operations Manual (OM) that covers such areas as personnel management, uniforms and personal appearance, training, signs, communications, fiscal procedures, interpretation, concessions, public use 5 regulations, resource management, law enforcement, protection, safety and maintenance. Park Management Goals The following park goals express the Division’s long-term intent in managing the state park. 1. Provide administrative support for all park functions. 2. Protect water quality and quantity in the park, restore hydrology to the extent feasible and maintain the restored condition. 3. Restore and maintain the natural communities/habitats of the park. 4. Maintain, improve or restore imperiled species populations and habitats in the park. 5. Remove exotic and invasive plants and animals from the park and conduct needed maintenance-control. 6. Protect, preserve and maintain the cultural resources of the park. 7. Provide public access and recreational opportunities in the park. 8. Develop and maintain the capital facilities and infrastructure necessary to meet the goals and objectives of this management plan. Management Coordination The park is managed in accordance with all applicable laws and administrative rules. Agencies having a major or direct role in the management of the park are discussed in this plan. The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Forestry (DOF), assists Division staff in the development of wildfire emergency plans and provides the authorization required for prescribed burning. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FFWCC), assists staff in the enforcement of state laws pertaining to wildlife, freshwater fish and other aquatic life existing within the park. Division staff maintains extensive coordination with FFWCC in relation to imperiled species management in the park, particularly the management of nesting sea turtles, and shorebirds. In addition, the FFWCC aids the Division with wildlife management programs, including the development and management of Watchable Wildlife programs. The Department of State, Division of Historical Resources (DHR) assists staff to assure protection of archaeological and historical sites. The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Office of Coastal and Aquatic Managed Areas (CAMA) aids staff in aquatic preserves management programs. Coastal resources management at the state park is coordinated by the Division with the DEP’s Bureau of Beaches and Coastal Systems and the Collier County Coastal Zone Management Department. The collaboration involves the management of Wiggins Pass, management of beach re-nourishment projects, navigational issues that impact the 6