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District lands

Longleaf Flatwoods Reserve — relocated campsite

The campsite at Longleaf Flatwoods Reserve is being relocated to the northern portion of the property (see map). The entrance off of County Road 325 and the dirt road to the campsite requires additional work before the campsite can be utilized. The existing campsite will be unavailable until further notice. Thank you for your patience.

Longleaf Flatwoods Reserve campsite map

Thomas Creek Conservation Area — pine flatwoods restoration project

The St. Johns River Water Management District is conducting a timber harvest on approximately 200 acres of pine flatwoods at Thomas Creek Conservation Area as part of a restoration project (see map). This first phase began Dec. 7, 2009 and should last approximately two to three months. Logging trucks will be coming in and out of the east parking area on U.S. 1 and 23 during this time. Please park off to the side in the parking area to allow room for the logging trucks and be careful when using this area.

We apologize for any inconvenience. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Division of Land Management at landmgmt@sjrwmd.com or (386) 329-4404.

Thomas Creek Conservation Area map

Rice Creek Conservation Area — timber reservation harvest

Plum Creek Inc. is conducting a timber harvest on a 61-acre timber reservation at Rice Creek Conservation Area. When this portion of the conservation area was purchased in 2002, the cost of the acquisition was reduced by allowing Plum Creek to retain the rights to approximately 1,000 acres of timber. The timber reservation specifies where the 1,000 acres is located and when the reservation expires (2016).

There will be signs posted in the parking area as long as the harvest is ongoing. We strongly suggest that you take the white trail to avoid logging trucks on the main road.

We apologize for any inconvenience. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Division of Land Management at landmgmt@sjrwmd.com or (386) 329-4404.

Newnans Lake Conservation Area — 2009–2010 timber harvest

In December 2000, the District purchased more than 3,000 acres from a private timber company that was subsequently added to the Newnans Lake Conservation Area. Acquisition costs were lowered because the private company retained timber reservations (they own the trees) on more than 900 acres with the condition that the reservation period expires in 2012. The company has decided to remove the remaining 680 acres of timber in 2009–2010.

The areas will be clear-cut. During the logging operation, both the red and white hiking trails will be closed starting Nov. 7, 2009, until the logging is complete. We apologize for any inconvenience that this causes, but it is necessary for public safety.

Once the timber harvest is completed, the trails will be re-opened. Soon after, District staff will commence restoring the area into a longleaf pine-dominated natural community.

We apologize for any inconvenience. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Division of Land Management at landmgmt@sjrwmd.com or (386) 329-4404.

Newnans Lake Conservation Area map

Murphy Creek Conservation Area — sandhill restoration project

There is an ongoing restoration project at Murphy Creek Conservation Area off of Buffalo Bluff Road that involves the removal of several species of oak trees that have overgrown the sandhill natural community. This work will be occurring through much of 2010. As you enjoy the conservation area, please be aware that you may encounter heavy equipment. Please stay clear of any area in which the equipment is operating.

We apologize for any inconvenience. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Division of Land Management at landmgmt@sjrwmd.com or (386) 329-4404.

Lake Norris Conservation Area

Lake Norris Conservation Area is home to the 347-acre Blackwater Creek Mitigation Bank. This area was formerly a sand mine. Construction is under way to restore wetlands and uplands by removing sand piles, berms, haul roads and exotic plant species. Prescribed fires will be conducted to maintain the habitat and native species will be planted. Sand pine clear-cuts and selective timber harvesting will restore uplands to their natural sandhill habitat. This work will require a temporary closure of the yellow trail and partial closure of the red trail. Until further notice, the parking area on Hart Ranch Road will be closed. Please consider visiting the Lake Norris Road parking area, which provides access to more than 6 miles of trails.

We apologize for any inconvenience. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Division of Land Management at landmgmt@sjrwmd.com or (386) 329-4404.

Lake Norris Conservation Area map

Flooding

• For flood protection information and assistance, contact your local government .
• For flood statements and warnings, visit http://weather.gov/rivers_tab.php.
• USGS interactive map of current conditions in Florida

News and notices from other agencies and groups

Procurement expo

The North Florida Procurement Association will host the 2010 Procurement and Contracting Expo “Government and Business Coming Together” from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 25. The event will be held at the University of North Florida, University Center, 1200 Alumni Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32224-2678. The expo is an opportunity for businesses to schedule one-on-one appointments with purchasing personnel from various entities in north Florida, including government agencies in Clay, Duval, Flagler, Nassau, Putnam and St. Johns counties. Information and registration forms are available on the association’s Web site at www.nf-pa.org. Information is also available by calling Kenya Jones at (904) 407-0119 (exhibitors) and Kris Collora at (386) 313-4010 (registration). St.  Johns River Water Management District staff will be among those participating in the event.