After Hurricane Dorian, district lands begin reopening to the public
District staff are inspecting and cleaning up district lands for reopening to the public after Hurricane Dorian. Nic Smith gets ready to unload a tractor to assist in clearing roads and trails at Stokes Landing Conservation Area in St. Johns County.
District staff are inspecting and cleaning up district lands for reopening to the public after Hurricane Dorian. Nic Smith gets ready to unload a tractor to assist in clearing roads and trails at Stokes Landing Conservation Area in St. Johns County.
Staff assessing properties for public safety
PALATKA, Fla., Sept. 5, 2019 — The St. Johns River Water Management District is working to reopen conservation lands to public recreation following Hurricane Dorian. Openings occur after district staff complete a safety assessment of recreational access points, levees, trails and boat ramps.
The following properties have reopened as of today:
- Bayard Conservation Area
- Black Creek Ravines Conservation Area
- Blue Cypress Conservation Area
- Clark Bay Conservation Area
- Crescent Lake Conservation Area
- Econ Sandhills Conservation Area
- Emeralda Marsh Small Game Area
- Fellsmere Water Management Area
- Fort Drum Marsh Conservation Area
- Gourd Island Conservation Area
- Heart Island Conservation Area
- Julington-Durbin Preserve
- Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive and Loop Trail
- Lake George Wildlife Management Area
- Lake Monroe Conservation Area
- Lake Jesup Conservation Area
- Longleaf Flatwoods Reserve
- Micco Water Management Area
- Newnans Lake Conservation Area
- Ocklawaha Prairie Restoration Area
- Orange Creek Restoration Area
- Palm Bluff Conservation Area
- Rice Creek Conservation Area
- River Lakes Conservation Area, including Moccasin Island
- Silver Springs Forest Conservation Area
- Sunnyhill Restoration Area
- Thomas Creek Conservation Area
- Three Forks Marsh Conservation Area
- West Augustine (the southern portion of Twelve Mile Swamp Conservation Area)
Additionally, Hal Scott Regional Park and Preserve is open but flooded in places. The reservable campsite is closed at this time due to limited vehicular access. Also, Canaveral Marshes Conservation Area is open but very flooded. Please use care on these properties.
Other district lands remain closed.
The district is assessing for damage from Hurricane Dorian to its public lands with a goal to reopen the properties for recreational uses as soon as it is safe to do so.
For updates on district land reopening, visit the district’s website, www.sjrwmd.com.