Sims Valley Community Lake Ten-Year Area Management Pian FY 2016-2025 J- 11 - Jta Forestry Division Chief Date 2016 Sims Valley Community Lake Area Management Plan •:• Page 2 Sims Valley Community Lal{e Area Management Plan Approval Page PLANNING TEAM Michel Hullinger, Resource Forester Assistant Russell Hinnah, Forestry District Supervisor Justin Gailey, Wildlife Management Biologist Mary Scott, Fisheries Management Biologist Susan Farrington, Natural History Biologist Matt Franks, Conservation Agent Larry Lindeman, Outdoor Skills Specialist Marcus Asher, Private Lands Conservationist OZARK REGION RCT Chair 17 Ll 1015 Signature Date FORESTRY DIVISION Forestry Management Chief 2016 Sims Valley Community Lake Area Management Plan  Page 3 OVERVIEW • Official Area Name: Sims Valley Community Lake, #6213 • Year of Initial Acquisition: 1963 • Acreage: 107 acres • County: Howell • Division with Administrative Responsibility: Forestry • Division with Maintenance Responsibility: Forestry • Statements of Purpose: A. Strategic Direction Sims Valley Community Lake provides public use on 107 acres between Mountain View and Willow Springs, Missouri. The primary purpose of the area is to provide quality fishing opportunities and to manage and conserve the natural resources. B. Desired Future Condition The desired future condition of Sims Valley Community Lake is an area with healthy, well-managed aquatic and terrestrial resources that provides quality opportunities for citizens to enjoy nature. C. Federal Aid Statement N/A GENERAL INFORMATION AND CONDITIONS I. Special Considerations A. Priority Areas: None B. Natural Areas: None II. Important Natural Features and Resources A. Species of Conservation Concern: None observed. B. Caves: None C. Springs: None III. Existing Infrastructure • 1 boat ramp (electric motors only) • 1 fishing jetty/platform, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible • 2 parking lots (ADA accessible); south lot will accommodate boat trailer parking; north lot is for cars only • 2 picnic tables • 1 privy (ADA accessible) • Sims Valley Community Lake (41 acres) 2016 Sims Valley Community Lake Area Management Plan  Page 4 IV. Area Restrictions or Limitations A. Deed Restrictions or Ownership Considerations: None B. Federal Interest: Federal funds were used in the development of this area, or a portion thereof. The Department must maintain the developed project throughout its useful life. Federal funds may also be used in the management of this land. Fish and wildlife agencies may not allow recreational activities and related facilities that would interfere with the purpose for which the State is managing the land. Other uses may be acceptable and must be assessed in each specific situation. C. Easements: None D. Cultural Resources Findings: No known cultural resources. E. Hazards and Hazardous Materials: None observed. F. Endangered Species: None observed. G. Boundary Issues: None MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS V. Terrestrial Resource Management Considerations Challenges and Opportunities: 1) Maintain grounds surrounding the lake for public users to enjoy. 2) Conduct sound resource management. Management Objective 1: Manage a naturally developing stand of timber along the lake edge to enhance the aesthetics of the area and to aid in erosion control. Strategy 1: Allow natural succession to continue. Monitor forest health and respond, as needed, to address insect or disease outbreaks (Forestry). Strategy 2: Monitor and control invasive exotic species (Forestry). Strategy 3: Regularly remove trees and shrubs in the fenced, spillway area and mow the dam to keep it clear of small brush to discourage burrowing animals (Forestry). VI. Aquatic Resource Management Considerations Challenges and Opportunities: 1) Provide diverse quality angling opportunities compatible with the aquatic resources of the lake. Management Objective 1: Provide quality fish populations that offer diverse angling opportunities. 2016 Sims Valley Community Lake Area Management Plan  Page 5 Strategy 1: Follow management practices as outlined in the 2014-2024 Sims Valley Lake Fisheries Management Plan (Fisheries). Strategy 2: Conduct nighttime electrofishing samples every three years to assess the sportfish population. (Fisheries). Strategy 3: Annually stock channel catfish (Fisheries). Strategy 4: Defer lake management decisions to the appropriate Fisheries Management Biologist (Fisheries). Management Objective 2: Use appropriate fisheries management tools to maintain or improve the quality of fishing. Manage aquatic habitat, and vegetation at 25% of lakes surface. Strategy 1: Promote better catch rates with periodic placements of brush piles or artificial fish attractors to help concentrate sportfish (Fisheries). Strategy 2: Use herbicides for aquatic vegetation control. Water willow and cattails can develop problematic densities and impede successful angling. Spot treatment of aquatic approved glyphosate herbicide will be applied where plant densities dictate (Fisheries). Management Objective 3: Increase public awareness of the area and angling opportunities to maintain or improve public use and satisfaction. Strategy 1: Prepare, as needed, news releases for regulation changes and to inform the public of fishing opportunities (Outreach and Education, Fisheries). Strategy 2: Prepare lake report and fishing prospects for inclusion in Fishing Prospects at Selected Missouri Lakes and Streams for years samples have occurred (Fisheries). VII. Public Use Management Considerations Challenges and Opportunities: 1) Provide a safe inviting environment for public recreational opportunities. Management Objective 1: Provide adequate angler accessibility and associated public use facilities to support current level of public use. Strategy 1: Maintain infrastructure on a as needed basis to ensure parking lots, boat ramp, floating fishing dock, courtesy dock, and privies are in good condition. (Forestry, Fisheries, Design and Development) 2016 Sims Valley Community Lake Area Management Plan  Page 6 Management Objective 2: Provide angler and area information. Strategy 1: Maintain fishing regulations signs in accordance with Department guidelines outlined in the Sign Manual.(Forestry, Fisheries) VIII. Administrative Considerations Challenges and Opportunities: 1) Ensure boundary lines are easily identifiable. Management Objective 1: Maintain boundary lines so that they are easy to locate. Strategy 1: Maintain signs and re-paint boundary lines every five years or as needed (Forestry). MANAGEMENT TIMETABLE Strategies are considered ongoing unless listed in the following table: FY16 FY17 FY18 FY19 FY20 FY21 FY22 FY23 FY24 FY25 Aquatic Resource Management Considerations Objective 1 Strategy 2 X X X 2016 Sims Valley Community Lake Area Management Plan  Page 7 APPENDICES Area Background: On Feb. 11, 1963 the Commission approved the recommendation for the development of a community lake in Howell County, Missouri. The site chosen was is 8 miles west of Mountain View and 6 miles east of Willow Springs, Missouri. Approval was given with the understanding that the local communities would buy the land and deed it to the Commission. The lake is approximately 41 acres in size and has been open to fishing since 1966. Current Land and Water Types: Land/Water Type Acres % of Area Lake/Pond 41 38 Upland Forest 36 34 Old Fields/Upland Fields 15 14 Mowed Lawn 14.78 14 Total 106.78 100 Public Input Summary: The draft Sims Valley Community Lake Area Management Plan was available for a public comment period August 1–31, 2015. The Missouri Department of Conservation received comments from 2 respondents (Appendix A). The Sims Valley Community Lake Area Planning Team carefully reviewed and considered these ideas as they finalized this document. A brief summary of public input themes, including how they were incorporated or why they were not, can be found below. Rather than respond to each individual comment, comments are grouped into general themes and are addressed collectively. Department responses to themes and issues identified through Sims Valley Community Lake Area public comment period Concern that there is not enough turning area in parking lot to access boat ramp. There are no current plans to increase the size of this parking lot. Suggests larger signage to direct proper parking. Suggests paving parking lot and painting parking stripes. Howell County areas are currently being evaluated for compliance with the agency’s Area Signing Policy and Procedures policy. All areas out of compliance will be righted within due time. No project is currently planned to pave or paint the parking lot. 2016 Sims Valley Community Lake Area Management Plan  Page 8 Appreciates covered dock and courtesy dock. We appreciate all feedback from our stakeholders. Positive and critical feedback alike help us evaluate the trajectory of our agency’s misson to protect and manage the forest, fish, and wildlife of Missouri. References: Missouri Department of Conservation. (1992). Sims Valley Community Lake limited area plan. West Plains, Missouri: Missouri Department of Conservation. Scott, M. (2013). Sims Valley Lake fisheries management plan. West Plains, Missouri: Missouri Department of Conservation. Appendices: Appendix 1: Area Map Appendix 2: Aerial Map Appendix 3: Topographic Map Appendix 4: Sims Valley Community Lake Area Management Plan Public Comments 2016 Sims Valley Community Lake Area Management Plan  Page 9 Appendix 1: Area Map SIMS VALLEY COMMUNITY LAKE HOWELL COUNTY 107 ACRES LEGEND BoundaryL=====.-::.-;;:-.:--:: Paved Road Gravel Road Drainage - - Parking Lot • Privy lll: Picnic Area -f1- BoatRamp ~ Disabled Accessible-b. Fishing Dock ® Courtest Dock 8 Forest _____ ~p~r~hy ~ ( '( '1. ll 'i l l } ' J ~· I f ' ' / l SIMS VALLEY COMMUNITY LAKE 41ACRES SCALE 1116 1/S 114Mio Conservation Commission of the State of Missouri 004/15 .l~. 2016 Sims Valley Community Lake Area Management Plan  Page 10 Appendix 2: Aerial Map