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District lands

Following is a list of properties that are closed or have portions closed due to ongoing land management activities. We regret the temporary inconvenience, but the closures are necessary for public safety. If you have concerns or comments about any of these activities, please contact us at landmgmt@sjrwmd.com or (386) 329‑4404.

• Bayard Conservation Area timber harvest [Updated on 5-15-2013]
  The area in red (see map) is part of a pine flatwoods restoration project. The first phase of the project involves reducing the number of pine trees. Pine removal on the eastern half of the red area has been temporarily suspended until the area dries out. Please note that all of the trails are open.
• Lake Apopka North Shore [Updated on 4-24-2013]
  The westernmost mile of the Lake Apopka Loop Trail will be closed starting April 29, 2013, for approximately one month (see map). A water control structure will be installed to further restoration of the Lake Apopka North Shore property.
• Bayard Conservation Area [Posted on 3-8-2013]
  A pine flatwoods restoration project begins in mid-March 2013 on approximately 48 acres of current pine plantation (see map). The first phase of the project is pine thinning, followed by a prescribed fire approximately one year post thinning. The contractor has nine months to complete the thinning. The thinning operation may impact the fall 2013 hunting season at this location. We apologize for any inconvenience.
• Newnans Lake Conservation Area [Posted on 3-8-2013]
  A pine flatwoods restoration project begins in mid-March 2013 on approximately 401 acres of current pine plantation (see map). The first phase of the project is pine thinning, followed by a prescribed fire approximately one year post thinning. The contractor has nine months to complete the thinning. The thinning operation may impact the fall 2013 hunting season at this location. We apologize for any inconvenience.
• Three Forks Conservation Area [Posted on 2-14-2013]
  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has begun construction of the last segment of the L-74N remainder levee (see map). This component is located along the south side of Sweetwater Drive and will consist of approximately 1,000 feet of concrete floodwall extending east from the existing terminus of the L-74N remainder levee to the south embankment of U.S. 192. The elevation of the floodwall will be 24.5 ft.–NGVD and is intended to prevent floodwaters from the St. Johns River from extending to the east. Construction is scheduled for completion by mid-August 2013. Every attempt will be made to keep Sweetwater Drive open during construction. We apologize for any inconvenience resulting from this project.
• Newnans Lake Conservation Area — North Tract [Posted on 10-25-2012]
  The yellow-white (y/w) connector trail at Newnans Lake Conservation Area — North Tract (see map) will be closed until further notice for repairs. A large tree fell causing substantial damage to one of the trail bridges. We apologize for any inconvenience.
• Lochloosa Wildlife Management Area timber harvest [Posted on 10-3-2012]
  This restoration project along County Road 325 (see map) involves the removal of slash pine and the subsequent planting of longleaf pine and ground cover. Hunting in this area will be impacted by the project. The contractor has until September 2013 to complete the harvest of the slash pine. We apologize for any inconvenience.
• Palm Bluff Conservation Area timber harvest [Posted on 10-3-2012]
  This restoration project is a thinning effort in 268 acres of pine flatwoods located throughout the property (see map). The white and red trails will be impacted by the project at different times and will be temporarily closed for public safety due to large, vehicle traffic. Work is expected to begin in December 2012 and end in September 2013. We apologize for any inconvenience.
• Lake Norris Conservation Area [Updated on 9-29-2011]
  Lake Norris Conservation Area is home to the 347-acre Blackwater Creek Mitigation Bank. This area was formerly a sand mine. Construction is under way to restore wetlands and uplands by removing sand piles, berms, haul roads and exotic plant species. Prescribed fires will be conducted to maintain the habitat and native species will be planted. Sand pine clear-cuts and selective timber harvesting will restore uplands to their natural sandhill habitat.
• Rice Creek Conservation Area — timber reservation harvest [Updated on 9-27-2010]
  Plum Creek Inc. has timber reservations on approximately 1,000 acres within Rice Creek Conservation Area. The reservations were negotiated during acquisition to reduce the purchase price of the property. The timber reservations expire in 2016. Until that time, harvest activities will occur intermittently on the property. There will be signs posted in the parking area whenever harvest operations are ongoing. We strongly suggest that you take the white trail to avoid logging trucks on the main road during these times.

Flooding

• For flooding and hurricane information, please visit floridaswater.com/storm.

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