Gulf Coast residents needed for Monarch Butterfly study

People who live along the Gulf Coast are being sought to help in a Monarch Butterfly Over-Wintering Count.

Researchers are interested in learning whether some monarch butterflies spend their winters along the Gulf Coast instead of going further south.

Many people have said they have seen monarchs along this coast in January or February, but currently there is little or no data to verify whether this is a rare or consistent happening.

Researchers would like to find out answers to a number of questions including where the monarchs find the milkweed necessary for their survival, where they go when the weather turns cold and most importantly could the northern coast of the Gulf of Mexico be an option to the threatened reserves in central Mexico.

The only pre-requisite for helping out is that participants should live or at least spend part of most weeks within a mile of the Gulf Coast.

If you are interested in helping with the project, there will be a free workshop to discuss the project on December the 18th from 5 till 6:30 at the Apalachicola Estuarine Research reserve on Island Drive in Eastpoint.

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Florida DEP permit activity for Franklin County

Florida Department of Environmental Protection Bob Martinez Center 2600 Blair Stone Road Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2400

Rick Scott Governor Herschel T. Vinyard Jr. Secretary

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Permitting Application Subscription Service Subscriber email address: manager@oysterradio.com   Profile Name: Oyster Radio Permit: Water - ERP Formal Determination Project Name: WADDELL RD WETLAND DETERMINATI Location id: 322988 Location name: WADDELL RD WETLAND DELINEATION FOR RACKLEY County: Franklin Application number: 322988-001 For further information, please contact the Northwest District Branch ( Tallahassee ) permitting office in Tallahassee at (850) 245-2984

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Help available for SBA loan applications

If you plan to apply for a US Small Business Administration Economic Injury Disaster Loan but are having difficulties figuring out how, the Apalachicola Bay chamber of Commerce can help.

The loans were approved in November for Small Businesses in Franklin and neighboring counties.

The SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the oyster disaster. 

Businesses may be eligible for loans up to $2 million dollars with rates at 3 percent for non-profit organizations and 4 percent for small businesses with terms up to 30 years. 

Applications and program information are available by sending an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

The Apalachicola Bay Chamber of Commerce will host “one-on-one” technical assistance sessions on Tuesday, December 17, 2013.

A representative from the FAMU Small Business Development Center and the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity will be on hand to help complete the Loan application.

State representatives will be on-site to conduct the “one-on one” technical assistance sessions anytime between the Hours of 10:00 am and 4:00 pm at the Apalachicola Bay Chamber of Commerce office.

You can get more information about the assistance by calling 653-9419.

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Merry Christmas from Camp Gordon Johnston

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Public hearing today to discuss 10 year management plan for St. Joseph Peninsula State Park

A public hearing will be held at the St. Joseph State Buffer Preserve center today to get public input on the 10 year management plan for  St. Joseph Peninsula State Park.

The management plan spells out the various uses of the park and any proposed changes that park may see over the next 10 years.

The 10 year plan includes some new facilities planned for the park, plans for replacing older facilities, and plans to extend the park’s bike trail.

It also covers how the park manages its various wilderness areas.

If you would like to comment on the plan or ask questions, the meeting will be this evening at 7 PM.

It will be held at the St. Joseph Bay State Buffer Preserve Center at 3915 State Road 30-A in Port St. Joe.

You can get a copy of the draft plan on-line.

We have posted the link on this story on the Oyster Radio facebook page and at oysterradio.com.

http://sharepoint.dep.state.fl.us/PublicNotices.

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WCSO speed trailer is shot, reward is offered

The Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office is seeking information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person who shot a WCSO speed trailer on Sunday, Dec. 1 while it was posted on Rehwinkel Road in Crawfordville, according to Sheriff Charlie Creel. The sheriff’s office is offering a reward of $500 for information that leads law enforcement to arrest and convict the person who shot the electronic device. A concerned citizen contacted the WCSO and reported that the speed trailer had been shot. The trailer is a Stalker Speed Awareness Monitor (SAM). The digital display was shot three times disabling the first digit and the red and blue signal lights. Evidence at the scene revealed that the SAM was shot with a shotgun. Damage to the trailer is estimated at $1,200. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the sheriff’s office at (850) 745-7100.

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Florida DEP permit activity for Wakulla County

Florida Department of Environmental Protection Bob Martinez Center 2600 Blair Stone Road Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2400

Rick Scott Governor Herschel T. Vinyard Jr. Secretary

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Permitting Application Subscription Service Subscriber email address: manager@oysterradio.com   Profile Name: Oyster Radio Permit: Water - ERP Noticed General Permit Project Name: ST MARKS SUB TRANSMISSION LINE Location id: 322947 Location name: ST MARKS SUBSTATION TRANSMISSION LINE PROJECT County: Wakulla Application number: 322947-001 For further information, please contact the Northwest District Branch ( Tallahassee ) permitting office in Tallahassee at (850) 245-2984

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Bristol man arrested for stealing drugs from Apalachicola CVS

            A Bristol man was arrested early Monday morning while breaking in to the CVS pharmacy in Apalachicola.

The Apalachicola police Department said 38 year old Marcus Dewayne Kelley was arrested at about 3 o’clock Monday morning after entering the CVS Pharmacy through the roof.

Apalachicola police officer Ginger Creamer and Franklin County sheriff’s deputies Chase Richards and Kevin Shuman responded to the call of a breaking and entering in progress.

When they arrived at the scene they found Mister Kelley on the roof of the CVS attempting to climb down a ladder onto the rooftop of a storage shed located at the rear of the store.

Mr. Kelley was ordered to come down to the ground, where he was then handcuffed and placed into custody.

It was determined that Mr. Kelley had stolen ladders and tools from nearby homes and had managed to break into the store and pharmacy through the roof and ceiling where he took multiple bottles of Hydrocodone tablets, a potent painkiller.

Mister Kelley is now facing charges of grand theft of the medication and Burglary of tools, as well as charges of resisting an officer without violence, burglary of a Structure, Possession of a Controlled Substance and Criminal Mischief.

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Telemarketers top November complaint list in Florida

Telemarketers violating Florida’s Do Not Call list topped the list of consumer complaints in Florida again in November.

Every month the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services releases a list of the top three complaints made by consumers in the Sunshine State and almost every month telemarketers top the list.

Motor vehicle sales made the second spot on the list in November followed by fuel issues.

In total, nearly 3500 complaints were filed by consumers last month.

The Department also added over 14 thousand numbers to Florida’s do not call list which is supposed to keep telemarketers from calling you.

There are nearly 560 thousand telephone numbers on that list.

If you have a compliant to make against a Florida business, its easy to do.

There is a consumer protection and information hotline at 1-800-HELP-FLA.

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Temporary Closings and Holiday Hours for Area Restaurants

Temporary Closings and Holiday Hours for Area Restaurants AJ's Neighborhood Bar & Grill Closed 12/24 - 12/29 closed New Year's Day. OPEN on these Monday's... 11/25 & 12/2 Apalachicola Riverwalk Café - closed Christmas Eve and Day. No other closings. Apalachicola Seafood Grill & Steakhouse Closed December 1-16 /Reopen 16th Christmas Eve -Open until 4:00 Christmas Day - Closed   New Years Day - Closed Boss Oyster Only closed Christmas Day Café con Leche   No closings at this time Caroline's No special closings except Christmas Day close New Year's Eve party at the Spoonbill Hole in the Wall   No closings until January. Ira's at the Gibson Inn will be open all of December. Opening for lunch soon. Closed Christmas Eve. Open Christmas Day. Open New Year's Eve and for brunch New Year's Day. Closed New Year's Day in the evening. Owl Café Closed Monday Dec 2 - Wednesday Dec 18. Reopen on Thursday Dec 19. Papa Joe's Oyster Bar and Grill Closed all December. Tamara's Café & Tapa's- Closed on Mondays as usual no closings at this time. Tapa's. Ugly Christmas Sweater party on December 12th Up The Creek Raw Bar Closed December 2-21 Closed Xmas eve and Xmas day. New Year's Eve open 11-4 New Year's Day open 4-9. SGI Blue Parrot Closed on Christmas. Closed from December 2 through December 15. Open New Years Day. The Beach Pit (St. George Island location) All of December we are OPEN Christmas Day we will be CLOSED New Year's Day we will be OPEN.  The Eastpoint location is going to be CLOSED for all three holidays. Eddy Teaches No special closing. Open noon every day Tacky Christmas Sweater Party Friday December 20th ** Open Christmas Day Free, Pot Luck, welcome to bring a dish, must purchase your beverages New Eve celebration, open New Year's Day with hangover bar Eastpoint Bayside Burgers Open regular hours, closed Christmas Day. Open New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. The Beach Pit Eastpoint  The Eastpoint location is going to be CLOSED for all Three holidays and possibly part of December. Anita Grove Executive Director       Apalachicola Bay Chamber of Commerce 122 Commerce Street Apalachicola, Florida 32320

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More NRDA projects announced for Franklin, Gulf and Wakulla counties

The Deepwater Horizon Natural Resource Damage Assessment Trustees have proposed another $88 million dollars in early restoration projects for Florida including over 1.7 million dollars for 7 projects in Franklin County.

The projects include constructing additional docks at the Abercrombie boat ramp and enhancing parking and adjacent tie-up docks at Waterfront Park in Apalachicola.

Money has also been proposed to fund building restroom facilities at Indian Creek Park in Eastpoint and renovating the boat ramp there and adding restrooms to the Eastpoint and St. George Island Fishing Piers.

Other proposed project including building picnic pavilions, boardwalks,

and a restroom at Bald Point State Park and building a boardwalk  and fishing and wildlife observation structure at Cash Bayou.

Nearly 3 million dollars has been proposed for 5 boat ramp and park improvement projects in Gulf County, including work at the Windmark Beach fishing pier, the Indian Pass Boat Ramp and the Frank Pate Boat Ramp.

A little over 2 million dollars is proposed for three projects in Wakulla County including improvements to Mash’s Sands park, beach Nourishment at Shell Point, and improvements to the St. Marks Boat Ramp.

This would be the third phase of NRDA projects - To date, Phases I and II of early restoration projects for Florida have totaled nearly 12 million dollars. 

The earlier projects include oyster Reef Restoration in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Bay and Franklin counties, a Living Shoreline Project at Cat Point, and seagrass recovery projects in Gulf, Franklin and Bay counties.

Before any of the proposed projects are finalized, the projects will go through a 60-day public comment period that runs through February the 4th.

Included in the comment period are two public meetings in Florida; one in Pensacola on January 28th and one on January 29th in Panama City.

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Everything you ever wanted to know about oysters on December the 9th, 2013

• Oysters on the brink: ‘It’s not a decline; it’s zero population’
• The sex of an oyster. Instructions for shucking her.
• Local leadership class raises money, builds oyster reef
• TWELVE DAYS OF OYSTERS: MAINE RESTAURANTS GO BEYOND THE HALF SHELL
• Oysters at home for the holidays
• REBUILDING THE TEXAS OYSTER REEF
• Oyster farmers still feeling affects of oil spill
• How to Make Easy Low-Fat Oyster Stew Using Fresh Oysters
• Oyster Rockfeller Soup
• Major oyster reef restoration begins in the Gulf of Mexico
• Oyster Stew (The Local Palate)
• Museum to preserve watermen's history opens

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Gulf Specimen Invites You to Visit Our Gift Shop for the Holidays

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DEP to discuss 10 year plan for St. Joseph Peninsula State Park

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Recreation and Parks announces a public workshop to which all persons are invited.

DATE AND TIME:  Tuesday, December 10, 2013, 7:00 p.m. (EST)

PLACE: St. Joseph Bay State Buffer Preserve Center 3915 State Road 30-A, Port St. Joe, Florida 32456

GENERAL SUBJECT MATTER TO BE CONSIDERED:  Presentation of the update to the unit management plan for T.H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park.

A COPY OF THE AGENDA MAY BE OBTAINED BY CONTACTING:  Mark Knapke, Park Manager, 8899 Cape San Blas Road, Port St. Joe, Florida 32456, PH# (850) 227-1327, FAX# (850) 227-1488 or email Mark.Knapke@dep.state.fl.us. A copy of the draft plan and agenda are available before the date of the public hearing online at http://sharepoint.dep.state.fl.us/PublicNotices.

Pursuant to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations to participate in this workshop/meeting is asked to advise the agency at least 48 hours before the workshop/meeting by contacting:  Mark Knapke, Park Manager, 8899 Cape San Blas Road, Port St. Joe, Florida 32456, PH# (850) 227-1327, FAX# (850) 227-1488 or email Mark.Knapke@dep.state.fl.us.

If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, 1(800) 955-8771 (TDD) or 1(800) 955-8770 (Voice).

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Bristol man arrested while stealing drugs from Apalachicola CVS

Apalachicola Police Department Press Release

At approximately 3:00am on the morning of Monday, December 9, 2013. Apalachicola Police officer Ginger Creamer responded to a dispatch call of a Breaking and Entering in progress at CVS pharmacy. Along with assistance from Franklin County Sheriff Deputy’s Chase Richards and Kevin Shuman, Officer Creamer arrived on scene and was advised the suspect to be wearing a white t-shirt and most likely entered through the roof and was still inside the CVS pharmacy store at the time.  Upon Officer Creamer and Deputies Shuman and Richards approaching the rear of the store, the suspect was spotted on the roof of the store attempting to climb down a ladder onto the rooftop of a storage shed located at the rear of the store.

The subject was identified as Marcus Dewayne Kelley, 38, of Bristol, Florida. Mr. Kelley was ordered to come down to the ground, where he was then handcuffed and placed in custody and transported to the Franklin County jail. The officers on scene were then joined by Franklin County Sheriff Sgt. Goldie Harris where the scene was then investigated and photos taken. It was determined Mr. Kelley, using stolen ladders and tools from nearby residents had gained entrance into the store and pharmacy through the roof and then ceiling of the pharmacy and had removed multiple bottles of Hydrocodone tablets. In addition to the grand theft of the medication and Burglary of tools, Mr. Kelley is also being charged with resisting officer without violence, burglary of a Structure, Possession of Control Substance and Criminal Mischief.

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Mon, 12/9/13 SEAHAWK SCOOP

  bulletin.12.9.13

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Trustees Propose $627 Million in New Restoration Projects including 7 projects in Franklin County

The Trustees have released a draft plan for the third phase of Early Restoration. The draft plan proposes more than $625 million in new early restoration projectsacross the Gulf states--making this thelargest phase of Early Restoration yet. The draft plan also outlines the Trustees' proposed programmatic approach to early restoration planning for Phase III and future early restoration plans. The draft plan isavailable for public review and comment through February 4, 2014. Included in the draft are 44 proposed projects that aim to restore barrier islands, dunes, marshes, shorelines, seagrasses, and oyster beds. They also begin to address lost recreational use of natural resources through boat ramps, park enhancements, and other projects. View the draft plan and fact sheets for each project. Of the $627 million, ecological projects comprise about $397 million, which is approximately 63 percent of the total. Lost recreational use projects make up the remaining $230 million. Both approaches meet criteria under the Oil Pollution Act and other applicable laws and guidelines. As with the two previous phases of Early Restoration, we are asking for your input. You can give us your feedback at public meetings, or provide written comments online, or via U.S. mail: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service P.O. Box 49567 Atlanta, GA 30345 Early restoration projects represent an initial step toward fulfilling the responsible parties' obligation to pay for restoration of injured natural resources. During Early Restoration, the Trustees and BP must negotiate and agree to each restoration project. Meanwhile, the full damage assessment continues. Ultimately, the responsible parties are obligated to compensate the public for the full scope of natural resource injuries caused by the spill, including the cost of assessment and restoration planning.

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Carrabelle Chamber of Commerce E-News

December 6^th E-News

   

PANCAKE BREAKFAST

December 7, 2013

8:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Chillas Hall, Heffernan Rd.

Begin the Holidays with a good breakfast!

Featuring- Santa’s Surprise Waffles

Traditional Pancakes

Choice of Meats: Bacon or Sausage

Eggs prepared as requested

Coffee or Tea and Orange Juice Included

Donations-$5.00 for Breakfast. Please come to help support the Restoration and Maintenance of our Golf Course

 Best Ball Tourneys played every other week. Schedule posted.  In December we will start our popular  Shoot Out.  We will also be selling Chistmas Lights.

From the Crooked River Lighthouse:

Also:

Debi Jordan has a beautiful CD out with all the beloved Christmas carols, be sure to get one, they’re going to be in some of the shops around town.  They will sell for $10.00.

Don’t forget the Boat Parade/Holiday on the Harbor next Saturday, December 14th.  It’s going to be FANTASTIC!  Shops will be open and our vendors will be on Marine Street with entertainment by Swiftwater.  See, I told you it will be FANTASTIC!

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Full Moon Climb at Cape St. George Lighthouse

The December Full Moon Climb at the Cape St. George Lighthouse on St. George Island will be held on Monday, December 16, 2013.  The Sunset/Full Moon Climb will take place from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and will include light hors d'oeuvres and a sparkling cider toast to the full moon.  Cost is $15.00 for the general public and $10.00 for members of the St. George Lighthouse Association.

The sun will set at 5:43 p.m. and the moon will rise at 5:28 p.m. on December 16.  

After sunset, people are invited to climb to the top of the lighthouse for a breathtaking view of the full moon, as space and time permit.  Cost is $10.00 for the general public and $5.00 for SGLA members. 

The Cape St. George Light is located in St. George Lighthouse Park at the center of St. George Island, where Island Drive (the road off the bridge) ends at Gulf Beach Drive.  Parking is available in lots at either side of the park.

Because space is limited, reservations are recommended.  For reservations or more information, please contact the Lighthouse Gift Shop at 850-927-7745.

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Tress Dameron hired as EOC coordinator

The Franklin County emergency Management Office has hired a new coordinator.

Emergency Management Director Pam Brownell said that Tress Reynolds Dameron was hired to fill the vacancy left when Mike Rundell left the department in September.

Tress is a graduate from Apalachicola High school with an AA in general studies and Vet tech.

The Emergency management office is still seeking a special needs coordinator/ office manager to replace Joyce Durham, who retired at the end of November.

The commission agreed on Tuesday to set the pay for that position at 25 thousand dollars a year.

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GOVERNOR SCOTT HONORS NELSON MANDELA WITH FLAGS AT HALF-STAFF

For Immediate Release December 6, 2013

Contact: media@eog.myflorida.com (850) 717-9282

GOVERNOR SCOTT HONORS NELSON MANDELA WITH FLAGS AT HALF-STAFF

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Governor Rick Scott,  in honor of the memory of former South African President Nelson Mandela, directed the flags of the United States and the State of Florida to be flown at half-staff at all local, state, and federal buildings, installations, and grounds throughout the State of Florida. The flags shall be lowered immediately and remain at half-staff until sunset, Monday, December 9, 2013.

Governor Scott said, “Today, Ann and I honor South African President Nelson Mandela. His work to bring equality to his country is one of the greatest human rights movements the world has ever seen. President Mandela’s legacy is apparent today all across the world. I join every Floridian as we honor this great man and offer President Mandela’s family, and South Africa, our condolences while they grieve his passing.”

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Philaco club holding raffle to raise money for Humane Society Spay/Neuter program

The women of Philaco have graciously organized a fantastic raffle to benefit the spay/neuter voucher program. This program has been very successful but ongoing funds are needed to continue offering this service to families that can not otherwise afford to have their pet altered.

The raffle package includes: a two night stay at the The Coombs House Inn, two days of bike rental from the Tin Shed, lunch at Tamara's Cafe, coffee at Café Con Leche, a tour by Enjoy Apalachicola, oysters at Up the Creek Raw Bar, tickets to the lighthouse, the Orman House, the Ice museum and the Dixie Theatre. A flight of beers at the Tap Room.

Tickets are 1 for $10.00 or 3 for $20.00 and can be purchased at the Apalachicola Times office on Commerce St., Apalachicola Bay Animal Clinic in Eastpoint, Some like it Hotter on SGI, and the Franklin County Humane Society in Eastpoint. The drawing will be held on February 8th.

Thanks to all involved in organizing this fundraiser, who donated to the raffle and those of you that purchase tickets.

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Department of Agriculture will not open summer bars

            The Department of Agriculture will not open any of the summer bars during the winter season.

State legislators made the request this week after oystermen said that opening the summer bars during December could help them earn more money during the Christmas season and possibly catch up on their bills.

The “summer bars” in Apalachicola are traditionally closed to harvesting September 1^st – that date was set based on years of water sampling data. 

Local oystermen are suffering financially because of the poor state of the oyster crop on the winter bars.

The local oyster fishery has been declared a federal disaster because of a number of factors including a lack of fresh water from the river system and increased salinity allowing more predators into the bay.

The Department of Agriculture said they cannot open the summer bars for a number of reasons, including poor water quality, and the potential for illness from oysters harvested from those waters during this time of year.

The Department said there is also the possibility that by extending the summer season could result in Florida being removed from the Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference  which would not only be devastating to the Apalachicola shellfish industry but all shellfish harvesting areas in the State of Florida. 

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Florida DEP permit activity for Wakulla County

Florida Department of Environmental Protection Bob Martinez Center 2600 Blair Stone Road Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2400

Rick Scott Governor Herschel T. Vinyard Jr. Secretary

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Permitting Application Subscription Service Subscriber email address: manager@oysterradio.com   Profile Name: Oyster Radio Permit: Water - ERP Noticed General Permit Project Name: T-6 MICROWAVE TOWER Location id: 205199 Location name: TALQUIN ELECTRIC COOP COMPANY - OCULUS County: Wakulla Application number: 205199-004 For further information, please contact the Northwest District permitting office in Pensacola at (850) 595-8300

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Apalachicola National Forest prescribed burning today in Liberty County

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The U.S. Forest Service is prescribed burning in the Apalachicola National Forest today.

The 2,356 acre prescribed burn will take place north of Sumatra at Highways 65 and 379 in Liberty County. The burn will improve wildlife habitat, eliminate vegetation build up and reduce the threat of wildfires.

People are reminded that the smoke they may see today and tomorrow in this vicinity is not coming from a wildfire.  Motorists are cautioned to drive slowly with lights on while traveling in smoky areas. Drivers should be particularly cautious in areas where prescribed fires have taken place when it is foggy.  Morning fog can mix with smoke and decrease visibility further. 

This is one of many prescribed burns the Apalachicola National Forest is doing during the 2013/2014 prescribed burning season.  Today’s burn is in burn unit 77 (see the Apalachicola’s planned burn map): http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5438893.pdf. 

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