The Northwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board this week approved an $8 million dollar long-term restoration plan for Tate’s Hell State Forest that should provide major benefits to East Bay and Apalachicola Bay.
From the 1950s to early 1990, large areas of Tate’s Hell were converted to pine plantation.
The swamp was gridded with more than 800 miles of roads which channeled silty water to creeks, rivers, East Bay and Apalachicola Bay.
The state has since purchased the forest and has begun piecemeal restoration, but this plan will be much more comprehensive.
The restoration plan could take 20 years to complete and will include 29 basins in Tate’s Hell.
The proposed improvements will include 200 low water crossings, more than 300 culvert improvements, 80 flashboard risers which help adjust water levels to accommodate forestry activities and nearly 20 miles of road segment removals.
The 202 thousand acre forest covers over half of Franklin County and its restoration will benefit critical aquatic nurseries and correct large scale habitat impacts that altered ecology and the quantity, quality and timing of surface water discharge to local waters.
The Hydrologic Restoration Plan is available on the internet - you can find it by clicking HERE.
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