The Division of forestry in Franklin County had a busy year.
The Division oversees nearly 60 thousand acres of woodland in Franklin County.
In a report given to the county commission Tuesday, forestry managers said that since last July they have dealt with 17 wildfires which burned close to 242 acres.
That’s up from 12 wildfires last year.
The Division has also done plenty of other work – including issuing 172 authorizations for outdoor burning; they’ve also done controlled burns on over 46 thousand acres of state owned forest land and maintained 679 miles of road in the state forest.
The Division has also developed 5 new campsites and helped with 3 university research studies including one on bear habitat being done by Auburn.
The Division of forestry will also present the school system with a check for about 45 thousand dollars this year which represents 15 percent of the total revenue collected from state forests.
That’s way down from last year when the schools received 112 thousand dollars.
Last year’s check was the largest check Forestry has provided since Tate’s Hell was established as a state forest.
This is the last year however that Franklin County school will receive money from the Division of Forestry.
Because of a change in the law, money raised through timber sales will now go back to the Division to fund its budget.
County Commission Report Presentation
Ø Name & Title, 1.5 years as Operations Administrator at Tate’ s Hell,
History (8 years with the state and 4 years managing Wakulla State Forest)
Ø Introduce Victor and Bryce
Ø Presenting the Annual County Commission Report and Mutual Aid
Operating Plan. Format is the same as last year’ s format.
County Commission Report
Ø Fire Control: Wildfire activity slightly higher than last year.
1) Responded to 17 wildfires (vs 12 in 08-09) for a
total of
242 acres.
2 ) Preformed 4 on-site inspections and investigated 1
smoke complaints
3 ) 172 authorizations in the County.
4 ) 12 mitigation projects reduced fuel load on
approximately 333 acres in close proximity to
residential areas.
Ø Cooperative Forestry Assistance
1 ) Franklin County does not have a cooperative agreement
however the Wakulla County Forester assists private
landowner with in managing forested lands.
2 ) Wakulla County landowner administers cost-share
assistance and writes management plans.
3 ) A workshop was conducted at the Consolidated School.
During the workshop students were taught basic
forestry measurements and tree identification
4 ) Future plans include planting 2000 cypress trees around
the retention ponds at the Consolidated School.
Ø State Lands
1 ) Primary reason for acquisition of Tate’ s Hell State
Forest is to protect and restore the waters in the
Apalachicola Bay
and other surrounding
water bodies.
2 ) Unfortunately due to changes in Florida statute this
will be the last year that 15% of revenues generated
by forest go to the Franklin County School Board.
Revenue includes timber harvest and recreation fees.
A total of $112,561 was given during the 09-10 Fiscal
Year.
3 ) 1168 acres was thinned
4 ) No reforestation took place (due to budget shortfalls)
5 ) 46,270 acres were prescribed burned
6 ) 679 miles of roads were maintained
7 ) 5 new campsites were developed. Two off of Gully
Branch Rd and 3 at the new OHV campsite. The OHV
campsite includes a vaulted restroom.
8 ) Three research projects. Bear Habitat Study (Auburn),
Decomposition Study (Auburn), Biomass (DOF)
Mutual Aid Operation Plan
Ø Outlines the procedures and responsibilities between DOF and the
Franklin County Fire Departments when responding to wildfires and
emergencies.
Ø Includes
1 ) DOF equipment loaned to fire departments
2 ) Command structure (unified command)
3 ) Training opportunities
4 ) Radio Frequencies
5 ) Fire Readiness Level Procedures
6 ) Key Contact Information
7 ) Resource List
Future Projects in the County and THSF
Ø December 9th is the next THSF Liaison Meeting. The purpose of
Liaison Committees is to facilitate communication and dialogue between
the community in which the State Forest exists and DOF. Input, advice, and
suggestions received by the Liaison Members provides the land managers
of the State Forest feedback on interest and concerns of the public and user
groups.
Ø Final Rx burn plan for the 10-11FY has been developed and will be posted
in the next week. Plan will be sent to the local newspaper.
Ø Mitigation efforts will continue around the Apalachicola Airport,
Whispering Pines and Wilderness Rd in East point, and on St Joe east of the
Carrabelle River.
Ø Hardwood restoration project in the Womack Creek Tract.
Ø Planting longleaf in November around the Carrabelle office to be used as a
outdoor classroom.
Ø Name & Title, 1.5 years as Operations Administrator at Tate’ s Hell,
History (8 years with the state and 4 years managing Wakulla State Forest)
Ø Introduce Victor and Bryce
Ø Presenting the Annual County Commission Report and Mutual Aid
Operating Plan. Format is the same as last year’ s format.
County Commission Report
Ø Fire Control: Wildfire activity slightly higher than last year.
1) Responded to 17 wildfires (vs 12 in 08-09) for a
total of
242 acres.
2 ) Preformed 4 on-site inspections and investigated 1
smoke complaints
3 ) 172 authorizations in the County.
4 ) 12 mitigation projects reduced fuel load on
approximately 333 acres in close proximity to
residential areas.
Ø Cooperative Forestry Assistance
1 ) Franklin County does not have a cooperative agreement
however the Wakulla County Forester assists private
landowner with in managing forested lands.
2 ) Wakulla County landowner administers cost-share
assistance and writes management plans.
3 ) A workshop was conducted at the Consolidated School.
During the workshop students were taught basic
forestry measurements and tree identification
4 ) Future plans include planting 2000 cypress trees around
the retention ponds at the Consolidated School.
Ø State Lands
1 ) Primary reason for acquisition of Tate’ s Hell State
Forest is to protect and restore the waters in the
Apalachicola Bay
and other surrounding
water bodies.
2 ) Unfortunately due to changes in Florida statute this
will be the last year that 15% of revenues generated
by forest go to the Franklin County School Board.
Revenue includes timber harvest and recreation fees.
A total of $112,561 was given during the 09-10 Fiscal
Year.
3 ) 1168 acres was thinned
4 ) No reforestation took place (due to budget shortfalls)
5 ) 46,270 acres were prescribed burned
6 ) 679 miles of roads were maintained
7 ) 5 new campsites were developed. Two off of Gully
Branch Rd and 3 at the new OHV campsite. The OHV
campsite includes a vaulted restroom.
8 ) Three research projects. Bear Habitat Study (Auburn),
Decomposition Study (Auburn), Biomass (DOF)
Mutual Aid Operation Plan
Ø Outlines the procedures and responsibilities between DOF and the
Franklin County Fire Departments when responding to wildfires and
emergencies.
Ø Includes
1 ) DOF equipment loaned to fire departments
2 ) Command structure (unified command)
3 ) Training opportunities
4 ) Radio Frequencies
5 ) Fire Readiness Level Procedures
6 ) Key Contact Information
7 ) Resource List
Future Projects in the County and THSF
Ø December 9th is the next THSF Liaison Meeting. The purpose of
Liaison Committees is to facilitate communication and dialogue between
the community in which the State Forest exists and DOF. Input, advice, and
suggestions received by the Liaison Members provides the land managers
of the State Forest feedback on interest and concerns of the public and user
groups.
Ø Final Rx burn plan for the 10-11FY has been developed and will be posted
in the next week. Plan will be sent to the local newspaper.
Ø Mitigation efforts will continue around the Apalachicola Airport,
Whispering Pines and Wilderness Rd in East point, and on St Joe east of the
Carrabelle River.
Ø Hardwood restoration project in the Womack Creek Tract.
Ø Planting longleaf in November around the Carrabelle office to be used as a
outdoor classroom.
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