Dear Forest Visitor:
Last June, I wrote a flyer to highlight
natural resource, and recreational values; highlight problems that needed to be addressed; and to list the
rules and regulations for the area. My previous write
continue to work with our partners on the best management
on changes we will implement in the day
Although many generally saw the need to deal with the
wildlife needs, and were interested in
and concerns among users that the area would be closed
Glen Springs to recreationists.
Additionally, there was a general misunderstanding and an expectation
the adjacent designated recreation area
spring boil area. It is managed by the Forest Service through a co
downstream from the Day-use Area
area.
The spring run’s designation, other than
manatee under the endangered species act
manage it as a campground, mooring area, day
over the area to protect its interests and resources
Wildlife Commission (FWC), Florida Department of Enviornmental Protection (
Service.
MANAGEMENT
This update provides information on
Springs Day-Use Area. This includes some immediate work to begin this year, conducting site survey
mapping and cultural resource fieldwork, and then further facility planning and construction.
We will be completing the needed site
such as restrooms, while better managing for use and preventing erosion and other resource damage
goal will be to provide a more tranquil
interpretation, and comply with our policies
information).
While we work with our federally recogni
public on management strategies for Silver Glen Springs
with improving conditions in the Silver Glen Springs D
1. Beginning in 2010, we will take the following
• Increase Forest Service presence
• Work with the concessionaire
visitation times to minimize impacts to visitors
• Stabilize erosion at entrance
Ocala National Forest
Seminole Ranger District Lake George Ranger District
40929 State Road 19 17147 East Highway 40
Umatilla, FL 32784 Silver Springs, FL 34488
(352) 669-3153 (352) 625-2520
File Code: 1900/2300/2600
Date: March 19, 2010
Silver Glen Springs as a special area with unique cultural resource,
write-up focused on the water resource
for the water. For this update
day-use area.
residency issues, sanitation needs
managed mooring facilities, there also was a great deal of response
closed. Just to clarify, I have NO plans to close Silver
here by many that the run was part of
area. The Silver Glen Springs Day-Use Area includes the land and
concessionaire. The spring run
has no designation as a state park or federally managed
as state sovereign submerged lands, is critical habitat for the
act. Although the run does not have any designation in place to
day-use, or swim area, several authorities have responsibilities
resources, such as Lake and Marion counties, the
DEP), and the Forest
OF THE DAY-USE AREA
the next steps we will take to improve management at Silver Glen
surveys, securing funding, and pursuing facility improvements
area to provide nature-based wildlife and cultural history
policies, requirements, and Forest Plan (see attachment for more
WHAT IS NEXT?
recognized Tribes, state, federal, and county partners
outside the day-use area, we will be proceeding
Day-Use Area in the following ways
immediate actions:
presence, education, and enforcement.
to ensure they perform much of their maintenance
visitors.
tabilize and other roads as needed.
Printed on Recycled Paper
10
and we will
update, I want to focus
needs, vegetation and
, ly recreation
Florida Fish and
, o y damage. Our
along with the
ways.
outside of peak
Page 2 of 3
• Protect the exposed cultural resource area (shell midden) due to damage from it being
inappropriately used as a beach area.
• Close the steps to the boil area (these are not the steps that access the run) and defer any repairs
until design plans show the best way to provide water access. In the meantime, water access to the
boil will be over the protected midden.
• Construct fencing around boil area to add a buffer around the spring per Florida Department of
Environmental Protection recommendations.
• Reroute administrative use of golf carts outside of buffer. The Forest Service must approve all
golf cart routes, and paths will be stabilized as needed.
• Reduce area mowed and frequency in some places to allow a more natural setting and reduce
erosion problems.
• Stop weed-eating vegetation within riparian buffer.
• Remove cigarette “butt cans” from the picnic tables. Provide educational message to public about
dangers to aquatic and bird species from cigarette butts discarded on the ground or in the water
where they can be accidentally ingested, and provide specialized receptacles in convenient
locations.
• Provide 20-30 picnic tables, tie them down, and locate them with the existing 20 grills.
• Improve information on bulletin boards and better area entrance signs that include clear rules and
expectations. Also, improve/replace signing for existing requirement that prohibits tying to
vegetation, landing or entering along the fence line on the north bank of the run.
• Have more frequent staffing of the small booth on weekends.
• Discontinue overnight parking in the day-use area in response to a recent review that determined
overnight use (parking) occurring in the day-use area was not within our policies.
• Limit parking to the 90 spaces in the main parking area and approximately 90 spaces in the
overflow parking area until site planning is completed and future management plans are in place.
2. Develop an engineering site base map and conduct resource surveys.
3. Consult with Native American Tribes, the State Historic Preservation Office, and the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service.
4. Conduct environmental analysis and public involvement necessary to provide parking, restroom
facilities, interpretive signs and information, and accessibility features and to stabilize and restore
eroded areas. In line with previous planning efforts and current needs, there is an opportunity to
highlight the cultural and natural resources in this unique and special area.
Thank you for your interest in Silver Glen Springs. I look forward to working with you further to ensure
this valuable resource is sustained for future generations. If you have any questions, comments, or
concerns, please call me at 352-669-3153 or send email to comments-southern-florida-seminole@fs.fed.us.
Sincerely,
/s/ John Richard Lint
JOHN RICHARD LINT
District Ranger
It looks to me from reading this that Mr. Lint has realized he doesn't control anything past the rope at the edge of the spring boil area, so that would mean good news for boaters.
