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Posted March 12, 2003 Bald Point State Park Public Workshop Thursday, April 3, 2003, 7:00 PM (ET) Sopchoppy Historical Gymnasium Sopchoppy, Florida 32358 Prior to reading the public notice of this important workshop, please take time to read the following text that clarifies the purpose for updating the management plan for Bald Point State Park and the purpose of fencing. Linc Barnett
Excerpt from an email from Michael J. Kinnison (Fl. Dept. of Environmental Management First, I think it is important for folks to understand that fencing is important for the effective management of state parks for a number of reasons. Fences are easier to identify and more permanent than merely posting signs along a boundary (when you cross a fence there is no question you have entered another's property). They help deter encroachments on park land, and with enforcement of park rules and regulations. They also assist park staff when conducting resource management activities, such as prescribed burning or exotic plant removal, along boundaries. As the saying goes, "good fences make good neighbors." However, each park is unique, and at Bald Point we are not currently planning to fence the entire park. Our intent is to establish a fence line between our property and St. Joe lands to the west. Other boundaries will be mowed and posted initially. We will then monitor how this approach works with resource management and park operations. No action will be taken prior to the April 3rd public meeting so that citizens will have an opportunity to air their concerns. If you would like to schedule a meeting onsite to discuss this issue further please contact Mark Wielgorecki, Park Manager, at 962-2711. The purpose of updating the management plan is so that we may include recreation, operations and resource management issues related to the new property. The existing plan does not include this area. Florida statute limits what may occur on public lands until a management plan is in place. We are also required to update plans every 5 years. However, we didn't want to wait another two years until the existing plan was due to be updated to address issues on the new property given its size and keen public interest in access. We thought it just made sense to move the clock forward a bit. We don't have any preconceived plans for the property yet so I can't really say what the results of this process will be. The purpose of the public meeting is to receive ideas and suggestions from the public that will be given due consideration by Division staff. This is not to say that everything suggested at a workshop will be adopted--all concepts are evaluated for resource concerns, impacts to park operations and their appropriateness as it relates to the mission of the Florida Park Service. However, it is very important to us that we hear from folks and hope that we have a good turnout at the meeting. Public input makes for a much better management plan. Michael J. Kinnison, AICP
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