Mosquito Lagoon Aquatic Preserve Management Plan Mtg.

[N. Cook]

We have been in contact with Ms. Sharon Tyson of the FDEP regarding a series of meetings on an area of the Mosquito Lagoon near New Smyrna Beach. This is basically a review of what is going on there now and what will be allowed in the future. The area seems to be about 3 miles long.

There does not seem to be any agreement about whether hunting is now being done on the area....but it probably will be decided if hunting will or will not be allowed in the future as part of the Plan. WHAT IS IMPORTANT IS THE NEED TO PROTECT HUNTING RIGHTS IN THE ENTIRE MOSQUITO LAGOON.

The ADVISORY COMMITTEE BRIEFING is sceduled for 6:30 pm on July 19th at the Mary Dewees Park, 178 North Gaines Street, Oak Hill, FL 32759

The "Committee concerns and priorities for the aquatic preserve will be discussed." Public Comments will follow.

The PUBLIC SCOPING MEETING will be held August 14th at 6:30 pm at the New Smyrna Beach Regional Library, 1001 S. Dixie Freeway, N S Beach. The public will be able to express their thought about issues facing the preserve. (here is where the anti hunters will be out in force)

The 3 mile area involved is between Edgewater and New Smyrna Beach.

Sharon Tyson is is the FDEP person involved with the "East Central Florida Aquatic Preserves". We need to have a positive relationship with her and the staff.

IF YOU WANT TO PRESERVE HUNTING RIGHTS ON THE MOSQUITO LAGOON YOU SHOULD ATTEND THESE MEETINGS.

[Keith Yates]

Thanks for posting. I'm up for both meetings. Anybody else? I'm not super familiar with the area north of MINWR in ML but I figure this is the area in question.

[Steve W]

Isn't this the same lady that is involved in the review of island hunting in the Indian River?


http://www.unitedwaterfowlersfl.org/forum/showthread.php?t=3384

[Keith Yates]

Yes it is.

[Steve W]

Well, I understand that the DEP is responsible for making sure that protected animals are protected, but why don't they spend more time REJECTING development permits rather than harrass hunters?

[Randy Clark]

when i talked to the head ranger or manager at canaveral seashore he said north of marker 19 starts the canaveral seashore from the beac h to the west side of the intercoastal extending north to marker 60 i belive he said was all protected and no hunting was allowed. bird sanctuary

[Converted]

Well, I understand that the DEP is responsible for making sure that protected animals are protected, but why don't they spend more time REJECTING development permits rather than harrass hunters?

Sharon is not in the permitting section of DEP. In fact, she shares our distain of development of wetlands. She directed me to The Pointe ACOE permit application that was raised in another thread.

She forwarded the ML meeting info to me because she wanted to be sure we (hunters) were represented at these early meetings where the issues will be defined.

[Steve W]

Well, that certainly changes my view of this DEP employee.

Thanks to Sharon for being an ally!!!

[NSBsailsntails]

i shal be ther!!
i will def be at the one in new smyrna. i prob can make oak hill also.

if it is the area i am thinking of... I HUNT THE AREA and so do alot of my friends.

[NSBsailsntails]

whats their reason for wanting to close the area?

[N. Cook]

I do not think the DEP is "wanting to close the area" (although you can never tell about their staff's motives) but there is always pressure along the river to stop hunting for either anti-hunting sentiment or "noise" by the landowners, etc. Therefore these meetings get set up on one basis or another(stakeholder review, public scoping meeting, etc.).....and if the hunters do not show in force the "staff" can easily say that there is a "consensus" to stop hunting in the area.

Not sure about the motive of this one....but if you hunt there you had better make the meeting,,,,,and if you hunt north or south of there....you had better make the meeting because your spot could be next.

[NSBsailsntails]

i will be there and i urge anyone who hunt the lagoon to be there too. there are no houses within sight of the legal hunting areas of the lagoon. so noise shouldnt be their motive to shut this area down(if they want to). will be interesting what they have to say.

[Keith Yates]

I've got to apologize as I wasn't able to break away from work to attend this meeting. I will try my best to make the second meeting.

[duckbone]

http://www.dep.state.fl.us/coastal/

[Steve W]

I do not know if you MINWR hunters (other than the ones that have already commented on this thread) know this but this preserve INLCUDES area 2 and 3 of MINWR.

http://www.dep.state.fl.us/coastal/downloads/maps/mosquito.pdf

[navigator]

I'm confused. The area shaded in red (Refuge) is the portion that is open to hunting? The non shaded red (to the north of it) is the area they want to close? There are no existing enclosed impoundments to the north of the shaded red is there? Noise can't be a factor in the red zone, not a soul lives on either side. Not sure what the issue is here. (unless you hunt salt water).

[NSBsailsntails]

I'm confused. The area shaded in red (Refuge) is the portion that is open to hunting? The non shaded red (to the north of it) is the area they want to close? There are no existing enclosed impoundments to the north of the shaded red is there? Noise can't be a factor in the red zone, not a soul lives on either side. Not sure what the issue is here. (unless you hunt salt water).

im confused also. the map doesnt explain too much. i missed the oak hill meeting due to work but i will make the new smyrna one on the 14th. i will let you know what i hear.

[duckbone]

You got it right Nav.

[Converted]

I don't know what their plans are but I know if I hunted MINWR more than once every two years I would be at the meetings.

The locals should turn out in force and find out what is going on. If we need to "turn up the heat" someone had better let us know.

[navigator]

It sounds to me that they want the area north of the boundary shown to be a true bird sanctuary. I don't have a problem with that. I don't know of or have heard anyone ever hunting up there, unless it's in an impoundment that has been opened up to salt water intrusion in the past several years. It might have been an issue in the past, but I think most of the eastern impoundments up there have been returned to the condition they originally were in. (ie, no ducks, just wading birds) Perhaps there are bluebill hunters up there, who knows. Anyway, unless this is considered slow encroachment,
and they'll want more and more, it's kind of a non issue. (unless this isn't all the information, and more hidden agendas we can't see).

[NSBsailsntails]

it is an issue to me. if that area closes then it means almost everyone has to fight for a quota permit. im sure everyone will be stoked when that happens.

[navigator]

I think this thread should be moved to the members only section.;)

[uncle D]

To my understanding, hunting is limited to the Merritt Is. Natl. Wildlife Refuge (MINWR) portion of Canaveral National Seashore (CNS). The islands and marsh North of MINWR boundary is off limits to hunting. Areas North of CNS boundary are, to my knowledge part of the ICW and State sovereign waters.

Duke

[Randy Clark]

duke that seems about what i siad the ranger told me above maker 19 north to i belive 60 is canaveral seashore park not sure about the northern boundry cause it was north of the spot i wanted to try and hunt

[duckbone]

Duke, thats what I always understood. The only reason Canaveral National Seashore allows hunting is because of the unique agreement with the refuge and NASA when the property was aquired 60yrs ago from hunt clubs. It's surprising that those two organizations have supported hunting all this time. Yet they do support it and recognize the contributions we make. As far as quota's go it is what it is and we work hard to keep it down as much as possible but we are screwed and have to live with what we get. I do know this if the refuge gets any excuse to limit hunters and make area 2 and 3 quota's they will. That means any more problems like last year with arguments between hunters will result in this we were lucky to persuade them off one more year to see how it goes.

[Converted]

Reminder...

DEP Mosquito Lagoon Public Use Meeting, 6:30 pm, New Smyrna Beach Public Library.

I'm sure that members in the area, especially those members that want more going on in regions other than the south region, will attend and report back with details.:icon_thumr

[whistlingwings]

If your gonna stir the pot use a bigger spoon:laughing4

[Randy Clark]

my son Matt and I just returned from New Symrna after grouper sandwichs at sea harvest on the intercoastal waterway and a killians we went to the meeting lots of fisherman and staff. two duck hunters. For those of you that could not attend but do hunt the three aquatic preserves bananna river indian river and mosquito lagoon preserve (which starts on the south at goverment cu and heads north to edgewaters city limits) Sharon Tyson would like to hear from you she is the site manager of all three preserves comes from a hunting family and wants to continue the historic nature of duck hunting in these areas. I think she can be reached at aquaticpreserves.org I'll check tomorrow. It was strange to be welcomed into a meeting and asked to fill out comment sheets like they really cared what you were saying or doing.She mentioned talking to Newton and would like to work with people in our area guys it seems if you hunt these areas we should get involved.They also have a stakeholders set up to help planning and organization. also volunteers that do island restoration. good meeting nothing negative all positive check out the maps start scoutng and tell her if you already hunt these areas

[N. Cook]

Thanks for attending Randy......and a good report.

Evidently very few who read this site hunt there or have any interest in maintaining hunting in the Lagoon.

Did you happen to get the names of the other duck hunters? UW-F could use them.

It is encouraging the staff is looking for stakeholder involvement....but if no one is willing to step up and do the long term work that builds relationships with the local staff for hunting....the inetivable results will be closure to hunting.

Thanks for helping us in Orlando as well.

[Converted]

Thanks for the post Randy!

I assume there was a sign-in sheet. If so, hopefully you will get notice of any future meetings or public comment periods. If you do, please post the info.

Here's the contact info;

Sharon Tyson
(321)634-6148
Sharon.Tyson@dep.state.fl.us

[Converted]

Dear David,
Thanks for advertising our meeting on your website. Thank you for posting contact information. We were fortunate to have at least a pair of duck hunter/fishing enthusiasts familiar with our Aquatic Preserve area.
They were able to provide me with some feedback and submitted a public comment on the process. You can also place public comment by email through today's date. Overall the meeting went well.

The discussions on your website got the interest of an individual who is considering becoming a member of your group. He hunted the vicinity in the past and was a nearby resident. He spoke to me for quite a while and has agreed to write two paragraphs on the waterfowl species, habits, and habitat for our historic public use section of our plan. (He is an English teacher.) He told me there were about 5 groups (families, friends) that used to hunt the area in the past. He said the hunting spots are not easy to get to and require more work. Between the two individuals I have spoken to, it sounds like there are salt water diving duck species, mottled ducks and some dabbler species that historically were supported by habitat in the area we manage.

While going out to a boat ramp last Sunday I saw a hunter's vehicle
(decals) leaving the parking lot, but did not get to talk to them.
Potentially they were scouting. Hopefully by spending some time in Mosquito Lagoon, I can make more contacts.

To answer some questions that have arisen: the legal boundaries (under rule) of the MLAP include all of the submerged lands east of the AICW in Mosquito Lagoon. However, because the southern portion of the Mosquito Lagoon were all deeded or dedicated to the Federal government from the 1960's through 1980, we do not manage this area. I can find out for certain and try to provide a map to let your members know the rules concerning Canaveral National Seashore. My current management boundaries run north from CNS, (Government Cut) to the northern City limits of Edgewater. It is somewhat confusing. Our website should show our current boundaries.

In addition, the east boundary of the MLAP is developed with condos, commercial dev, and single family houses. The Western boundary the AICW has Edgewater and the surrounding communities to the West. The undeveloped areas are mostly those managed under Canaveral National Seashore.

Thanks again for getting the word out to an under-represented user group.
Sharon

Mosquito Lagoon Management Plan Development
Advisory Committee Calendar for 2007-2008


Advisory Committee Briefing Meeting* Jul. 19th, 2007
Site Public Scoping Meeting* Aug. 14th, 2007
Public Comment Period closes Aug. 21st, 2007
Advisory Committee Meeting to review input received at Public Meeting* Sep. 20th, 2007
Initial Draft Plan posted on-line/submitted to Advisory Committee Nov. 20th, 2007
Advisory Committee Meeting to review Initial Draft Plan* Dec. 11th, 2007
Draft Management Plan released to public Jan. 25th, 2008
Formal Public Meeting* Week of Feb. 25th-29th, 2008
Written public comment period ends Week of Mar. 3rd-7th, 2008
Official DEP review of Draft Management Plan Apr. – Jun., 2008
Final (unapproved) Draft Management Plan released & submitted to Governor and Cabinet ~ Jun. – Jul., 2008

* Dates we need Advisory Committee members to attend meetings.

[Randy Clark]

dave thanks for posting this. it was the first meeting i have went to in awhile where they were glad you came and listened to what you said.