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CHIPOLA RIVER WATERSHED CHIPOLA RIVER WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLANMANAGEMENT PLAN

ForForWest Florida Resource ConservationWest Florida Resource Conservation

and Development Council and Development Council2944 Penn Ave.2944 Penn Ave.

Marianna, FL. 32446Marianna, FL. 32446

US Fish and Wildlife Service – Chris MetcalfUS Fish and Wildlife Service – Chris Metcalf

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission – Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission – Brian BranciforteBrian Branciforte

Chipola River Partnership – Grant to for Chipola River Partnership – Grant to for Implementation - Gary Latham Implementation - Gary Latham

Program: Florida Wildlife Legacy – Action StrategiesProgram: Florida Wildlife Legacy – Action Strategies

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Ecosystem DiversityEcosystem DiversitySpecies RichnessSpecies Richness

CavesCaves

Springs Springs

SwampsSwamps

Hydric Hydric Flatwoods Flatwoods

Unique WildlifeUnique Wildlife

1270 SQUARE MILES1270 SQUARE MILES

of WATERSHEDof WATERSHED

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The The Watershed Watershed BoundaryBoundary

Map by USFWS and Chris MetcalfMap by USFWS and Chris Metcalf

Marianna Lowlands – Marianna Lowlands –

Dougherty Plain Dougherty Plain

New Hope Ridge New Hope Ridge (Sand Hills) (Sand Hills)

Lower Gulf Coastal Lower Gulf Coastal Plain (Flatwoods) Plain (Flatwoods)

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GEOLOGY Of The FLORIDA Chipola River WatershedGEOLOGY Of The FLORIDA Chipola River Watershed

Terrestrial Cave –Terrestrial Cave – Jackson County Jackson County

Photo by Gary LathamPhoto by Gary Latham

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The Watershed The Watershed Boundary and Boundary and Blue Springs Blue Springs

Basin OverlapBasin Overlap

Map by USFWS and Chris MetcalfMap by USFWS and Chris Metcalf

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GOALS And PURPOSES of the GOALS And PURPOSES of the CHIPOLACHIPOLA

Watershed Management PlanWatershed Management Plan IDENTIFY ACTION STRATEGY PARTNERSHIPS – Agencies, IDENTIFY ACTION STRATEGY PARTNERSHIPS – Agencies,

Conservation Organizations, Private Industry, Local Conservation Organizations, Private Industry, Local government, Landholders, and various Stakeholders…..government, Landholders, and various Stakeholders…..

IDENTIFY ACTION STRATEGIES – Additional Data and IDENTIFY ACTION STRATEGIES – Additional Data and Inventory Needs, Research, Actions to implement now…….Inventory Needs, Research, Actions to implement now…….

MAINTAIN AND RESTORE Sustainable Native Wildlife, Plant MAINTAIN AND RESTORE Sustainable Native Wildlife, Plant Communities, and Fisheries……..Communities, and Fisheries……..

GENERAL PLANNING MODEL And EDUCATION – Watershed GENERAL PLANNING MODEL And EDUCATION – Watershed Based Boundaries – Assist Local Planning Decisions…….Based Boundaries – Assist Local Planning Decisions…….

Current First Plan Draft is a TOOL for Subsequent Study Current First Plan Draft is a TOOL for Subsequent Study and Action Implementation – Updating needed and Action Implementation – Updating needed periodically…..periodically…..

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Natural Natural Resource Resource

Agencies and Agencies and NGO’sNGO’sThat can or do play a That can or do play a

rolerolewithin the Chipola River within the Chipola River Watershed.Watershed.

Helpful Helpful Studies, Plans, Studies, Plans, and Resourcesand Resources

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Protection of Wetlands, Clean-Water Protection of Wetlands, Clean-Water Act, Fisheries, and Conservation of Act, Fisheries, and Conservation of

Threatened and Endangered SpeciesThreatened and Endangered Species

These protections, although not implemented and enforced These protections, although not implemented and enforced perfectly, do in-a sense, by default serve to protect portions perfectly, do in-a sense, by default serve to protect portions of our watershed…… and they are a source of renewal of our watershed…… and they are a source of renewal funding by statute or accepted public policy. This is funding by statute or accepted public policy. This is necessary funding for a wide variety of conservation necessary funding for a wide variety of conservation management efforts and acquisition for conservancy lands.management efforts and acquisition for conservancy lands.

Another concern to myself, and other ecologists, is the Another concern to myself, and other ecologists, is the fragility and rarity of upland natural ecosystem surfaces. fragility and rarity of upland natural ecosystem surfaces. Existing land use comprehensive plans throughout the CRW Existing land use comprehensive plans throughout the CRW offer little, none, and in some cases ‘negative’ protection. offer little, none, and in some cases ‘negative’ protection. The entire surface landscape pattern and fabric of our The entire surface landscape pattern and fabric of our watershed needs attention…watershed needs attention…

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Landscape ‘Pattern Landscape ‘Pattern Language’ Language’

Typical in the Chipola Typical in the Chipola WatershedWatershed

Labins TM AerialLabins TM Aerial

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Functions and Values of WetlandsFunctions and Values of WetlandsWithin the Chipola River WatershedWithin the Chipola River Watershed

Water Quality – Filtration and CleansingWater Quality – Filtration and Cleansing Flood and Erosion Control (Sedimentation-Flood Flood and Erosion Control (Sedimentation-Flood

Damage)Damage) Groundwater Recharge and DischargeGroundwater Recharge and Discharge Biological HabitatBiological Habitat Education, Recreation, Aesthetic ValuesEducation, Recreation, Aesthetic Values Economic ValuesEconomic Values

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Types of Wetlands of Types of Wetlands of Chipola River WatershedChipola River Watershed

Riparian Stream Corridors – Blackwater streams, Spring runs, Riparian Stream Corridors – Blackwater streams, Spring runs, Alluvial streams, and seepage streamsAlluvial streams, and seepage streams

Sandhill lakes and ponds (Karst ponds)Sandhill lakes and ponds (Karst ponds) Forested Swamps – Cypress – GumForested Swamps – Cypress – Gum Hydric Pine FlatwoodsHydric Pine Flatwoods Chipola River SystemChipola River System Choctawhatchee – Holmes CreekChoctawhatchee – Holmes Creek Seepage slopesSeepage slopes Springs – Sinkhole springsSprings – Sinkhole springs Dug ditches, roadside swalesDug ditches, roadside swales Other lakes – pondsOther lakes – ponds Depressional wetlands (Bays, swamps)Depressional wetlands (Bays, swamps) Wet meadows pastures – Ephemeral pondsWet meadows pastures – Ephemeral ponds Impounded farm ponds and Dug farm pondsImpounded farm ponds and Dug farm ponds

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Important Values of WetlandsImportant Values of WetlandsFiltration and CleansingFiltration and Cleansing

Wetlands serve as a filter and cleansing mechanism for pollutants discharged into Wetlands serve as a filter and cleansing mechanism for pollutants discharged into the watershed (drainage basin) directly and indirectly. These discharges may be the watershed (drainage basin) directly and indirectly. These discharges may be direct, such as storm water run-off from vehicular roadways, industrial sites, or lawns, direct, such as storm water run-off from vehicular roadways, industrial sites, or lawns, going into ditches and drainage ways. Indirect discharges are such as pollutants going into ditches and drainage ways. Indirect discharges are such as pollutants seeping directly into the soil and groundwater, or leaching over non-wetland (upland) seeping directly into the soil and groundwater, or leaching over non-wetland (upland) areas, before reaching the surface wetland systems.areas, before reaching the surface wetland systems.

These pollutants include excess nutrients from lawns and agricultural runoff, These pollutants include excess nutrients from lawns and agricultural runoff, complex hydro-carbons and heavy metals from roadways and urban-industrial sites, complex hydro-carbons and heavy metals from roadways and urban-industrial sites, herbicides and pesticides from agricultural runoff, and sedimentation (fine soils and herbicides and pesticides from agricultural runoff, and sedimentation (fine soils and sands) discharging into downstream wetlands and drainage ways that smother the sands) discharging into downstream wetlands and drainage ways that smother the plants and animals living in the wetlands, contribute to muddy (turbid) water.plants and animals living in the wetlands, contribute to muddy (turbid) water.

The natural wetlands, through physical entrapment and bio-chemical and biological The natural wetlands, through physical entrapment and bio-chemical and biological processes, serve as a processor and sponge, thus protecting downstream areas from processes, serve as a processor and sponge, thus protecting downstream areas from pollutant build-up. Bio-chemical and biological processes actually ‘clean’ the water as pollutant build-up. Bio-chemical and biological processes actually ‘clean’ the water as it is used by living plant and animal organisms. Some materials, such as some heavy it is used by living plant and animal organisms. Some materials, such as some heavy metals, carbon, nitrogen, and phosporous to a degree, are actually used and become metals, carbon, nitrogen, and phosporous to a degree, are actually used and become part of the biomass and or physical substrate of the wetland, and are thus prevented part of the biomass and or physical substrate of the wetland, and are thus prevented from passing downstream.from passing downstream.

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Flood, Erosion Control, and Flood, Erosion Control, and Sediment Storage ValueSediment Storage Value

Wetlands provide a storage for excess water from heavy rainfall storm water Wetlands provide a storage for excess water from heavy rainfall storm water events. This storage occurs in two closely related ways and benefits are obvious in a events. This storage occurs in two closely related ways and benefits are obvious in a reduction of downstream flooding and erosion impacts. The energy potential in reduction of downstream flooding and erosion impacts. The energy potential in flowing water is tremendous, and the wetlands serve as large energy dissipators to flowing water is tremendous, and the wetlands serve as large energy dissipators to moderate the damaging erosive affects downstream, since they act to slow the water moderate the damaging erosive affects downstream, since they act to slow the water down.down.

Depressional wetlands serve as giant sponges that slowly absorb and then Depressional wetlands serve as giant sponges that slowly absorb and then

release water from the local watershed areas as they reach a saturated or flooded release water from the local watershed areas as they reach a saturated or flooded condition. The flood plains along streams, rivers, and small drainage branches serve condition. The flood plains along streams, rivers, and small drainage branches serve as temporary storage areas along the linear corridors receiving the water, and as temporary storage areas along the linear corridors receiving the water, and moderate the tremendous power of the flowing water. These floodplains also receive moderate the tremendous power of the flowing water. These floodplains also receive regular dosages of sediment from the upstream areas. As the water stream widens in regular dosages of sediment from the upstream areas. As the water stream widens in a flood event, the water slows down in these areas and the sediments are discharged. a flood event, the water slows down in these areas and the sediments are discharged. This natural discharge of silt-sediment water is part of the natural floodplain This natural discharge of silt-sediment water is part of the natural floodplain ecosystem, especially the transport of annual organic loads such as leaves and plant ecosystem, especially the transport of annual organic loads such as leaves and plant debris.debris.

Any artificial channeling of streams and drainage ways, and the ditching Any artificial channeling of streams and drainage ways, and the ditching and draining of natural wetland depressions greatly reduces the flood and sediment and draining of natural wetland depressions greatly reduces the flood and sediment storage, and increases flooding and erosion impacts downstream. storage, and increases flooding and erosion impacts downstream.

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Groundwater Recharge andGroundwater Recharge and Discharge Value Discharge Value

Wetlands provide varying degrees of Wetlands provide varying degrees of RechargeRecharge into groundwater, often into groundwater, often known as known as AquiferAquifer recharge. The degree of recharge value is primarily a recharge. The degree of recharge value is primarily a function of topography and the perviousness (porosity) of subsurface function of topography and the perviousness (porosity) of subsurface geologic or subsoil strata.geologic or subsoil strata.

Groundwater recharge from ‘natural’ wetlands are especially important in Groundwater recharge from ‘natural’ wetlands are especially important in

our area. Jackson and Washington County have numerous depressional our area. Jackson and Washington County have numerous depressional areas, sinkholes, karst (lime outcrop) areas providing direct surface areas, sinkholes, karst (lime outcrop) areas providing direct surface exposure of the subsurface aquifer. Pollutants can directly enter our exposure of the subsurface aquifer. Pollutants can directly enter our groundwater and damage springs and wells.groundwater and damage springs and wells.

Discharge occurs in a slow and moderate manner to distant and Discharge occurs in a slow and moderate manner to distant and downstream rivers creeks, lakes, contributing to a perched (closer to downstream rivers creeks, lakes, contributing to a perched (closer to surface) groundwater level or a deeper aquifer that feeds springs and wells. surface) groundwater level or a deeper aquifer that feeds springs and wells.

Natural wetlands provide for a more even flow of water for streams and Natural wetlands provide for a more even flow of water for streams and rivers, and water levels in ponds and lakes by consistent groundwater rivers, and water levels in ponds and lakes by consistent groundwater discharges. This provides extra water in times of drought due to ample discharges. This provides extra water in times of drought due to ample groundwater supplies.groundwater supplies.

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Education, Recreation, Aesthetic Education, Recreation, Aesthetic ValuesValues

Education - Wetlands usually provide concentrated examples of a high diversity of Education - Wetlands usually provide concentrated examples of a high diversity of plants and wildlife in relatively small study areas for education.plants and wildlife in relatively small study areas for education.

Plant identification, birds and birdsong song identification, microscopy projects, and Plant identification, birds and birdsong song identification, microscopy projects, and many other projects inventorying ecosystem elements and water quality parameters many other projects inventorying ecosystem elements and water quality parameters are able to be studied.are able to be studied.

The dynamics of the water cycle and how water availability, duration, and flow affects The dynamics of the water cycle and how water availability, duration, and flow affects and creates micro-habitats for plants and wildlife.and creates micro-habitats for plants and wildlife.

Recreation – Wetlands provide passive and active opportunities for Recreation – Wetlands provide passive and active opportunities for many types of physical activities. Hiking, hunting, fishing, and canoeing are obvious many types of physical activities. Hiking, hunting, fishing, and canoeing are obvious

examples, but combination educational-recreational activities such as bird watching examples, but combination educational-recreational activities such as bird watching and ecosystem monitoring are important common endeavors are also done in wetlands.and ecosystem monitoring are important common endeavors are also done in wetlands.

Aesthetic Values – The visual experience and mysterious interface of water with land Aesthetic Values – The visual experience and mysterious interface of water with land is magnified in the wetlands. An inner call to a higher purpose and creative inspiration is magnified in the wetlands. An inner call to a higher purpose and creative inspiration is found by many persons along these edges of the upland with the dynamics of life is found by many persons along these edges of the upland with the dynamics of life giving water. Whether an open visual expanse of a wetland meadow and swathes of giving water. Whether an open visual expanse of a wetland meadow and swathes of wildflower species, or a sequestered darkened canopy deep within a primeval swamp wildflower species, or a sequestered darkened canopy deep within a primeval swamp forest, the availability of these habitats provides an opportunity to elevate the human forest, the availability of these habitats provides an opportunity to elevate the human experience. experience.

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Biological Habitat ValueBiological Habitat Value Naturally diverse plant communities provide the basis for all wildlife communities. The Naturally diverse plant communities provide the basis for all wildlife communities. The

transitional ecotonal areas between uplands and wetlands are especially rich in diversity. transitional ecotonal areas between uplands and wetlands are especially rich in diversity. Many rare, threatened, and endangered species of plants and animals find a safe refuge in Many rare, threatened, and endangered species of plants and animals find a safe refuge in wetlands and associated buffer areas. Without their protections, more species would be on wetlands and associated buffer areas. Without their protections, more species would be on the decline.the decline.

Bird rookeries and nesting habitat, fish species, reptiles and amphibians, and other small Bird rookeries and nesting habitat, fish species, reptiles and amphibians, and other small benthic organisms such as crayfish, mussels, and insects, have their greatest diversity benthic organisms such as crayfish, mussels, and insects, have their greatest diversity and/or concentration of habitat usage in these wetland edge areas. and/or concentration of habitat usage in these wetland edge areas.

Several species of turtles utilize the wetland transitional areas as hibernating areas during Several species of turtles utilize the wetland transitional areas as hibernating areas during the cool season, such as the box turtle, the chicken turtle, and the eastern mud turtle. the cool season, such as the box turtle, the chicken turtle, and the eastern mud turtle.

The interior wetlands, due to difficulty of timber harvest and current protective laws, often The interior wetlands, due to difficulty of timber harvest and current protective laws, often have the older and larger trees, including dead snags, stumps, and hollow trees. These have the older and larger trees, including dead snags, stumps, and hollow trees. These serve as apartment complexes for a myriad of wildlife species, and are critically the only serve as apartment complexes for a myriad of wildlife species, and are critically the only habitat that many species can utilize. [Tree snags, hollow trees, old trees, and all stumps habitat that many species can utilize. [Tree snags, hollow trees, old trees, and all stumps and logs are critical wildlife habitat, both in wetlands and uplands. As a rule they should and logs are critical wildlife habitat, both in wetlands and uplands. As a rule they should never be removed accept for direct safety purposes such as a dead snag or tree over a never be removed accept for direct safety purposes such as a dead snag or tree over a structure or parking area.]structure or parking area.]

Some of the Rare, Threatened, and Endangered species……………lists are in the CRWM Some of the Rare, Threatened, and Endangered species……………lists are in the CRWM Plan Plan

Numerous mussels species, fishes, reptiles and amphibians, birds, numerous plant species, Numerous mussels species, fishes, reptiles and amphibians, birds, numerous plant species, insects, insects,

The Mussels, amphibians and reptiles, small fishes and aquatic insect taxa are important The Mussels, amphibians and reptiles, small fishes and aquatic insect taxa are important indicator species (canary in a coal mine cliché’) as a measure of the relative health and indicator species (canary in a coal mine cliché’) as a measure of the relative health and viability of various ecosystems.viability of various ecosystems.

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PROTECTION Of Our WETLANDSPROTECTION Of Our WETLANDSAction StrategiesAction Strategies

and Avoidances we Should Not Doand Avoidances we Should Not Do

Tell others about the many values of wetlands, and if possible and you so inclined, Tell others about the many values of wetlands, and if possible and you so inclined, join and contribute to conservation organizations that protect wetlands and other join and contribute to conservation organizations that protect wetlands and other natural areas.natural areas.

Minimize the use of detergents, fertilizers, and other chemicals to minimum and just Minimize the use of detergents, fertilizers, and other chemicals to minimum and just amount needed for the job. This especially applies to lawn fertilizers and agricultural amount needed for the job. This especially applies to lawn fertilizers and agricultural applications of all kinds. These practices have seriously affected the groundwater of applications of all kinds. These practices have seriously affected the groundwater of our springs, aquifers, and wetlands, in our area and around the world.our springs, aquifers, and wetlands, in our area and around the world.

Do not change oil and spill it on the ground, pour it on fence posts, or any other Do not change oil and spill it on the ground, pour it on fence posts, or any other landscape surface. Recycle it.landscape surface. Recycle it.

Do not disturb wetland edges for general open ‘beautification’ purposes. This usually Do not disturb wetland edges for general open ‘beautification’ purposes. This usually will ensure infestation with invasive nuisance species such as Chinese Privet, Fire will ensure infestation with invasive nuisance species such as Chinese Privet, Fire ants, and other pests. This also occurs in uplands occurs when any natural landscape ants, and other pests. This also occurs in uplands occurs when any natural landscape surface profile is disturbed. surface profile is disturbed.

The transitional buffer area just above the wetland boundary is critical to the health The transitional buffer area just above the wetland boundary is critical to the health of the wetland also. Respect the area as you would a wetland; it is part of the of the wetland also. Respect the area as you would a wetland; it is part of the wetland system and is why the County law protects it with a minimum fifty foot wetland system and is why the County law protects it with a minimum fifty foot buffer.buffer.

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Build Filtration Pond forBuild Filtration Pond for Livestock OperationLivestock Operation

PROTECTION Of Our WETLANDSPROTECTION Of Our WETLANDS

Maintain Buffers Strips Maintain Buffers Strips along Riparian areas along Riparian areas

DO’SDO’S

Construct temporary sediment basins Construct temporary sediment basins to hold construction project run-offto hold construction project run-off

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N’T Dig a Steep Sided PondN’T Dig a Steep Sided Pondor a Pondor a Pond

OOPROTECTION Of Our WETLANDSPROTECTION Of Our WETLANDS

DO NOT Dig Steep Sided Ponds ORDO NOT Dig Steep Sided Ponds OR Dig a Pond in an Existing Wetland!Dig a Pond in an Existing Wetland! Note the Poor Water quality and LackNote the Poor Water quality and Lack Of Vegetated Shallow Slopes .Of Vegetated Shallow Slopes . Vegetated Shallow Slopes are needed toVegetated Shallow Slopes are needed to Cleanse Water and Provide HabitatCleanse Water and Provide Habitat

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PROTECTION Of Our WETLANDSPROTECTION Of Our WETLANDSAction Strategies we Should Do andAction Strategies we Should Do and

Avoidances we Should Not Do Avoidances we Should Not Do

When possible, provide periodic prescribed burning of the landscape When possible, provide periodic prescribed burning of the landscape surface to the edges and wetland itself, depending on the moisture levels. surface to the edges and wetland itself, depending on the moisture levels. This prescribed burning increases the diversity of plants and wildlife, and This prescribed burning increases the diversity of plants and wildlife, and increases the ’use ability’ of the landscape surface. increases the ’use ability’ of the landscape surface.

Do not allow runoff from any open, raw soil area of a construction site, Do not allow runoff from any open, raw soil area of a construction site, field, roadway or driveway cut, or similar area. Contain the area of field, roadway or driveway cut, or similar area. Contain the area of potential erosion with silt fencing and hay bales.potential erosion with silt fencing and hay bales.

If you have a traditional deep sided, farm pond, with little vegetation If you have a traditional deep sided, farm pond, with little vegetation around the edges, DO create habitat niches for wildlife with snags, logs, around the edges, DO create habitat niches for wildlife with snags, logs, and wetland plants and of the water, except in needed select areas, and wetland plants and of the water, except in needed select areas, because this contributes to poor water quality.because this contributes to poor water quality.

Obtain necessary local County, State, and Federal permits for any activities Obtain necessary local County, State, and Federal permits for any activities in wetlands or the buffer area, including driveways and drainage culverts in wetlands or the buffer area, including driveways and drainage culverts and extensions. Encourage others to do the same.and extensions. Encourage others to do the same.

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Some Action StrategiesSome Action StrategiesFor Threatened and Endangered For Threatened and Endangered

SpeciesSpecies Habitat Conservation speciesHabitat Conservation species – – Inventory, mapping, GIS Inventory, mapping, GIS systemsystem

Priority acquisition conservation easements and habitat Priority acquisition conservation easements and habitat partnerships with landowners.partnerships with landowners.

Eliminate and minimize sand clay roadbed sedimentationEliminate and minimize sand clay roadbed sedimentation into low wetland crossings, branches, and depressionsinto low wetland crossings, branches, and depressions Restore and expand remnant seed bank areas of wiregrass Restore and expand remnant seed bank areas of wiregrass

and associated native herbaceous coverand associated native herbaceous cover Assure provision of woody snags and woody materialAssure provision of woody snags and woody material For stream ecosystems, habitat niches, diversity of sand-For stream ecosystems, habitat niches, diversity of sand-

gravel bars, riffles, ……gravel bars, riffles, …… Begin eradication of invasive nuisance plants….Begin eradication of invasive nuisance plants…. Minimize, control, and eliminate pollutants contributing to Minimize, control, and eliminate pollutants contributing to

degradation of springs, aquifer degradation of springs, aquifer Implement and enforce known Best Management Practices Implement and enforce known Best Management Practices

(BMP’s) for agriculture, forestry, and county road (BMP’s) for agriculture, forestry, and county road maintenance operations, while Developing new applicable maintenance operations, while Developing new applicable BMP’s.BMP’s.

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Lets not let this happen!Lets not let this happen!

Kudzu InfestationKudzu Infestation

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Thank You!Thank You!