Levy Prairie Project

[chiplaughton]

In the North Carolina DU publication First Flight, there is a mention of the Levy Prairie Project and several others that they are evaluating for projects. I think this Levy Prairie project is in the center of the state, some of it near Lake Istokpoga. Has anybody heard anything this?

[Lawrence]

Is this a joke? Keep reading other posts about DU to get a "little" info about that private club. If you would, call DU about the place and give us the lo-down.

[chiplaughton]

I am sorry, there is a management area near Lake Istokpoga, that is apart of the Lake Wales Ridge area. I had heard about it and had the name confused. However, in the publication we receive up here DU lists projects they are conducting feasibility studies on for Hickory Mound (already started),Lake Okeechobee, Denner Island, Lake Woodruff NWR, and Guana River WMA..The Levy Prairie project is 2864 acres and is in the permit phase. I have no idea where or what it is.

[Lawrence]

If it is a hunt club how much does it cost to join?????? It is close to my house. Don't bother looking for the Levy Prarie WMA, it doesn't exist.

[Logans1437]

OK - here's the deal on the Levy Prairie area:

A private landowner in Alachua County enrolled his 2800+ acres in the federally-governed WRP (Wetlands Reserve Program). This conservation program is administered by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) under the Farm Bill. It is similar to a conservation easement in which the landowner relinquishes his development rights forever in exchange for federal funds and federal efforts to restore the land to its original condition. Most WRP's allow the landowner full access to the property as long as his/her involvement fits within the program's conservation parameters (i/e: no more manipulation of the land or its water).

The NRCS contracted DU to consult on the engineering of this project because of its extensive wetlands engineering expertise. The program is federally funded and DU put no money into it. Instead, it was paid by the US government for any and all consultation regarding said project because they acknowledge DU as a leader in wetlands conservation.

THERE WERE NO GRASSROOTS DOLLARS (MARSH FUNDS) FROM FLORIDA DONORS SPENT ON THIS PROJECT.

Guess what boys - your donated dollars (or lack thereof) were never touched for this project. I don't expect to change your minds with this news, but please move on to another gripe. This one doesn't work anymore.

[Converted]

Thanks for the info Logans.

This is a type of DU involvement that I have no problem with and even applaud. Even if some DU dollars were used on a private project like this I would have no problem because the net benefit is clearly for wildlife. We need more farmers to put lands into WRP. If I only want WRP lands that I can hunt on that would be a very selfish position.

[Logans1437]

There's no denying that Converted - WRP's sound like the duck hunter's best friend. I wonder why the WRP landowners don't work like the farmers out west who've enrolled their lands in CRP? Many of those lands are open for walk-in hunting. Might be a good question to raise sometime.

Do you know of many WRP programs in Florida? This is the first I've heard of, though my source tells me that they are not limited to private landowners. I want to say Broadmoor might be enrolled in some capacity - perhaps you could shed more light.

[Lawrence]

The reality is the more WRP's, WMA's, and preserves that are out there the more total birds there will be. Great to hear things like this are being done. There is a good chance if someone wanted to kiss enough a$$ or spend enough money, they could probably access most places. Just got to know the owner.

I don't think anyone on here would say that a strip mall or retirement community would be preferrable to a private wetland that has had native habitat restored.

I would be interested in what vegetation was used to restore the prarie. I wonder how I could find this out? Years ago a lot of the praries around here had native wild rice.

[duckmanJR]

I agree with David. It is a good thing and the 7% of every dollar that is available to MARSH was not used.

It is my understanding that DU also did the engineering at Broadmoore