review and aprovals okefenokee national wildlife …
TRANSCRIPT
REVIEW AND APROVALS
OKEFENOKEE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
FOLKSTON, GEORGIA
ANNUAL NARRATIVE REPORT
Calendar Year 1998
Refuge Manager Date
District Manager, Refuges &/Wildlife (RF-3) Da4e '
Regional Office Review
ARD, Refuges and Wildlife
Dat
Date
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION iii
HIGHLIGHTS v
CLIMATIC CONDITIONS vi
MONITORING AND STUDIES 11 .a. Surveys and Censuses 1l.b. Studies and Investigation 14
HABITAT RESTORATION 202.a. Wetland Restoration: On-refuge 202.b. Upland Restoration: On-refuge 202.c. Wetland Restoration: Off-refuge 202.d. Upland Restoration: Off-refuge 21
HABITAT MANAGEMENT 223.a. Water Level Management 223.b. Moist Soil Management 273.c. Graze/Mow/Hay 273.d. Farming 273.e. Forest Management • 273.f. Fire Management 383.g. Control Pest Plants 49
FISH AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT 504.a. Bird Banding 504.b. Disease Monitoring and Treatment 504.c. Reproductions 504.d. Nest Structures 504.e. Pest, Predator and Exotic Animal Control 50
COORDINATION ACTIVITIES 515.a. Interagency Coordination 515.b. Tribal Coordination 515.c. Private Land Activities (excluding restoration) 515.d. Oil and Gas Activities 535.e. Cooperative/Friends Organizations 53
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RESOURCE PROTECTION 546.a. Law Enforcement 546.b. Wildfire Preparedness 586.c. Permits & Economic Use Management 586.d. Contaminant Investigation and Cleanup 586.e. Water Rights Management 586.f. Cultural Resource Management 586.g. Federal Facility Compliancy Act 596.h. Land Acquisition 596.L Wilderness and Natural Areas 596.j. Threats and Conflicts 59
ALASKA ONLY 60
PUBLIC EDUCATION AND RECREATION . 618.a. Provide Visitor Services 618.b. Outreach 73
PLANNING AND ADMINISTRATION 829.a. Comprehensive Conservation Planning 829.b. General Administration 82
FEEDBACK 98
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INTRODUCTION
The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge is situated in the southeastern Georgia counties ofWare, Charlton and Clinch and northeastern Florida's Baker County. The refuge was establishedby Executive Order in 1937 and consists presently of 395,080 acres. The primary purpose of therefuge is to protect the ecological system of the 438,000-acre Okefenokee Swamp.Approximately 371,000 acres of the Okefenokee Swamp wetlands are incorporated into therefuge, and 353,981 acres within the swamp were designated as wilderness by the OkefenokeeWilderness Act of 1974. In 1986, the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge was designated bythe Wetlands Convention as a Wetland of International Importance.
Okefenokee's natural beauty was first threatened in the 1890's, when attempts were made to drainthe swamp to facilitate logging operations. The Suwannee Canal was dug 11.5 miles into theswamp from Camp Cornelia. After the failure of this project, known as "Jackson's Folly," otherinterests acquired the swamp and began removing timber in 1909, using a network of tram roadsextending deep into the major timbered areas. When logging operations were halted in 1927,over 423 million board feet of timber, mostly cypress, had been removed from the swamp.
The establishment of Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge on March 30, 1937, marked theculmination of a movement that had been initiated at least 25 years earlier by a group of scientistsfrom Cornell University who recognized the education, scientific and recreational values of thisunique area. The Okefenokee Preservation Society, formed in 1918, promoted nationwideinterest in the swamp. With the support of state and local interests and numerous conservationand scientific organizations, the Federal Government acquired most of the swamp for refugepurposes in 1936.
The Okefenokee Swamp is actually a vast peat bog filling a huge saucer-shaped sandy depressionthat was perhaps once part of the ocean floor. The upper margin of the swamp, or the "swampline," ranges in elevation from 128 feet above sea level on the northeast side to 103 feet on thesouthwest side. The shallow, dark-stained waters of Okefenokee flow slowly but continuouslyacross the swamp toward the two outlets—the famed Suwannee River on the southwest side andthe historic St. Marys River on the southeast. The eight predominant habitat types on the refuge
include swamp islands, prairies (freshwater marsh), shrub swamp, mixed cypress forests,blackgum forests, bay forests, pure cypress forests and managed upland pine forests.
Three primary entrances and two secondary entrances exist on the refuge. The east entrance,which is the location of the refuge headquarters, is located 11 miles southwest of Folkston,Georgia, and is managed solely by the Fish and Wildlife Service. The Stephen C. Foster StatePark is located at the refuge's west entrance which is located 18 miles northeast of Fargo,Georgia. This state park is operated on refuge lands under the provisions of a long-termagreement with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. The refuge's north entrance is viathe Okefenokee Swamp Park which is located about 13 miles south of Waycross, Georgia. Thispark is administered by a non-profit organization on refuge and state forest lands. KingfisherLanding located between Folkston and Waycross and the Sill area on the west side are consideredthe secondary entrances into the refuge.
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HIGHLIGHTS
Two red-cockaded woodpecker pairs were relocated to Compartment 15 from ApalachicolaNational Forest. (Section 1.a.)
The environment assessment on the future management of the Suwannee River Sill wascompleted. (Section 3.a.)
Honey Scrub Fire burned 4,847 acres of scrub-shrub habitat while other fires swept overprivate property to the southeast of the refuge. (Section 3.f.)
DuPont may not mine titanium along the refuges eastern boundary if funds can be obtained tosupport a "No Mine' proposal. (Section 5.c.)
High water closed overnight canoe trails during the busiest time of the year. (Section 8.a.)
One million dollars will be available in FY99 for environmental education exhibits at theRichard S. Bolt Visitor Center. (Section 8.a.)
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CLIMATIC CONDITIONS
Climatic conditions are recorded at several locations surrounding the swamp and also within itsinterior. The records of longest duration dating back to 1945 are from a manual NationalWeather Service station located at Camp Cornelia at the refuge's east entrance. Another manualNational Weather Service station is located at Stephen Foster State Park. The data from thisstation has not been consistently taken for the past several years and may be eliminated asautomatic weather monitoring systems are proven to be comparable. Forestry TechnologySystem (FTS) weather stations have recently been installed at three locations around the swamp.They can be accessed by computer for current weather conditions making them useful for therefuge's fire program. FTS weather station locations include Camp Cornelia, Stephen FosterState Park, and Eddy Fire Tower. There is also an FTS station at Braganza, northeast of theswamp, that Georgia Forestry Commission maintains. In addition to these weather stations,precipitation and/or water levels were monitored at seven water recorders within the swampduring 1998. All the above climate monitoring stations give just a glimpse of the dynamic forcesthat act upon the swamp.
Precipitation during 1998 resulted in a total of 60.73 inches falling at Camp Cornelia on the eastside of the swamp and 54.39 inches at Stephen Foster State Park on the west side of the swamp.Rainfall was greater than the 52-year average of 52.69 inches. Okefenokee experienced bothwetter and dryer than normal periods throughout the year. The year began with greater thanaverage rainfall in January and February. Less than average rainfall in May and June coupled withincreased evapotranspiration resulted in the spread of fires within and surrounding the swamp.July, August, and September brought greater amounts of rain extinguishing the fires and filling theswamp once again. Although water levels remained high in the swamp, less than average rainfallwas received during November and December (Table 1).
Temperatures ranged from 25°F to a high of 104°F. ffigher than average temperatures coincidedwith the dryer months of the year (Table 2).
Fire was a major force southeast of the refuge in May. Fire within the swamp was not a concernuntil June. Lightning was the cause of all wildfires within the swamp (Figure 1). No hurricanesthreatened the Okefenokee during the fall. Despite predictions of El Nina, it does not seem to bea threat at the beginning of 1999.
Water levels within the swamp are described in section 3.a.
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Table 1. Monthly precipitation (inches) for 1998 comparedwith the 52-year monthly average.
Month
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
TOTAL
1998
5.99
11.78
4.79
4.72
' 0.15
2.31
9.10
8.06
9.29
3.07
0.55
0.92
60.73
Average1945-1997
3.45
3.39
4.22-
3.34
3.93
5.76
7.59
7.19
5.26
3.36
2.22
2.89
52.60
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Table 2. Mean and absolute minimum and maximum monthly temperatures (°F) recorded atCamp Cornelia.
Year
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
AverageMinimum
98
45
45
46
56
65
71
74
71
70
60
57
48
88-97
43
45
50
53
61
67
71
70
68
58
48
42
AverageMaximum
98
69
71
76
84
92
99
95
94
88
84
79
71
88-97
66
71
77
82
88
91
94
93
89
81
75
67
AbsoluteMinimum
98
25
34
31
41
58
57
68
66
59
43
41
28
88-97
20
13
21
35
38
54
63
61
51
34
27
23
AbsoluteMaximum
98
81
88
90
89
98
104
101
101
95
90
87
84
88-97
84
88
90
95
103
104
106
101
98
94
89
84
Figure 1. Lightning was the cause of all wildfires within the swamp in 1998.
vm
1.MONITORING AND STUDIES
l.a. Surveys and Censuses
Threatened and Endangered Species
Bald eagles
No bald eagles were seen during the 1998 bald eagle survey conducted January 9. One adult andone immature eagle were seen on January 5 and January 7, respectively, in the vicinity of ChesserPrairie. One adult was spotted over the Suwannee River Sill in February. Two additionalsightings were recorded by canoeists in October and November.
Red-cockaded woodpecker
Current Status
Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge has a total of 56 red-cockaded woodpecker (RCW) clusterswith 22 active clusters and 34 inactive clusters (Figure 2). Eight active and 20 inactive clustersare in the upland forests surrounding the swamp (Table 3) and approximately 14 active clustersand 14 inactive clusters are on the interior islands (Table 4). Changes in the number of activeclusters on the perimeter are due to the movements of single birds between clusters. Cluster 3E,listed last year as active, now has a single bird joining cluster 3H. Similarly, cluster D inCompartment 15 has a single bird, but this female has joined the 15C group. A translocation oftwo pairs of RCW from Apalachicola National Forest was conducted in November. As of thisreport, only one of these birds, a male, has been located. He has joined a group near the releasesite.
Changes in the number of inactive clusters given for the islands are due to updated data on BillysIsland from research conducted this spring by Dr. J. Michael Meyers, USGS Patuxent WildlifeResearch Center UGA. Two islands (Mitchell and Billys) were visited this year by biologicalstaff. Efforts were focused on Billys Island to prepare for Dr. Meyers' research staff.
Site-Natural vs Inserts
NStatus for 1998. A* I
URefuge BoundaryUplands
Figure 2. 1998 Status of RCW Clusters On Okefenokee NWR
2
Nesting and Reproduction
Six of the eight perimeter clusters nested with a total of eleven fledglings produced. Of these,only one fledgling was male (cluster 3H). A nest was lost in cluster 3F as a result of prescribedfire activity. Efforts to closely monitor the tree inadvertently kept adults away from the tree longenough to allow predation. The pair re-nested with two females produced. Cluster 15D waschecked several times for nests; a single female in 15D was joining the group in adjacent cluster15C and nested there to produce two chicks. The male in cluster 3E has joined the group in 3H.Billys was the only island visited this year during the nesting season.
Augmentation
In August, a translocation strategy meeting was held in Tallahassee, Florida to determine needsand priorities among federal, state and private land owners managing RCW in Florida, Georgia,Alabama, and Mississippi. Okefenokee NWR was scheduled to receive two pairs fromApalachicola National Forest depending on availability. Compartment 15 was given priority forreceiving the two pairs due to the isolation and status of cluster 15C (three birds) and the fact thatthis now was the only active cluster on the northwest side of the refuge. A new recruitment standwas created at the end of Colony Road with the installation of four inserts along with road workand timber stand improvement (thinning). Cluster ISA was designated as the second site toreceive a pair with one additional insert installed. An alternate recruitment stand was created offof Wiregrass Road northeast of cluster ISC in the event the new birds left the release site. InNovember, four birds, all from separate clusters, were trapped and translocated from ApalachicolaNational Forest with the help of Tim Beaty and Larry Carlile from Fort Stewart Military Base.Only one bird (a male) has been seen since the morning of the release. He returned briefly tocluster ISA, his release site, but then moved to 15C and started roosting in the 1998 nest tree. Heforages with a male, believed to be the 1998 breeding male which roosts in the adjacent tree.Since the translocation, the 1998 fledgling (a female) has not been seen. The 1998 breedingfemale continues to roost in 15D.
Cluster 5A on Soldier Camp is no longer active. One bird has occupied the insert in 5C.
All clusters hi the Camp Cornelia area were monitored closely during the breeding season and intothe fall to complete fledge checks. No birds banded on Toledo Manufacturing Property in 1997by Dr. J. Carter have been seen on the refuge.
Habitat Management
Nesting Habitat
No inserts were placed in active clusters this year. An additional insert was installed in clusterISA to prepare for augmentation. Two clusters were burned this year (Table 7). One tree wasfitted with a squirrel excluder device (SQED) in cluster 5A (Figure 3). The tree had recently been
usurped by flying squirrels. Although there are two inserts available in this cluster and fresh workwas visible on both trees, no RCW were seen using these trees. The tree with the SQED was notre-activated.
Figure 3. Forestry technician Warren McLendon installed a squirrel excluder device onone red-cockaded woodpecker tree. 3/98 CT
Recruitment Stands and Artificial Clusters
Two new artificial clusters were created this year in Compartment 15 (see Augmentation).None of the recruitment stands provisioned with inserts in 1997 have been occupied.
Foraging Habitat
Timber thinning was conducted in new recruitment stand 15E to prepare for augmentation.Unfavorable weather conditions prevented prescribed burning within most clusters.
Table 3. Red-cockaded woodpecker clusters in upland forest compartments on OkefenokeeNational Wildlife Refuge in 1998.
Compartment
2
3
4
5
7
8
9
10
12
13
15
Active
none
C,F,G,H,I
none
C
none
none
none
none
none
none
C,D
Inactive
A
B,D,E
A
A,B,D
A,B,C
A,B,
A
A
A,B
A
A,B
Total Clusters
1
8
1
4
3
2
1
1
1
2
4
Total active perimeter clusters: 8Total inactive perimeter clusters: 20
Changes in cluster status in perimeter clusters:1) Cluster 3 A is no longer included; no evidence of RCW activity remains.2) Cluster 3E was a single male which has since joined with the 3H group.3) Cluster 15A was listed as active last year due to some activity noted at an insert; however, nobird was seen roosting in the cluster with no further signs of occupancy.
Table 4. Red-cockaded woodpecker clusters on interior islands of Okefenokee National WildlifeRefuge in 1998. (Changes in cluster status on interior islands compared to last year's narrativeare due to new information from a research project on Billys Island. With the lack of data duringthe nesting season, it is difficult to identify cluster boundaries for most of the islands.)
Interior Island
Billys Island
Blackjack
Bugaboo
Honey
Mitchell
Number One
Active
6
3
3
?
2
0
Inactive
6
4
1
?
2
1
Total active island clusters: 14Total inactive island clusters: 14
Table 5. Nesting and Reproduction in 1998.
Cluster
3C
3E
3F
3G
3H
31
5A
15C
15D
Clutch size
undetermined(inaccessible)
no nesting*
2
2
2
3
no nesting
1
no nesting
No. Banded
0
NA
2
2
0 (unable totrap)
3
NA
iNA
No. Fledged
2
NA
2
2
1
3
NA
1
NA
Sex
1 male, 1female
NA
2 females
2 females
1 female
3 females
NA
female
NA
Adults
2
1
2
2
4
2
2
3
**
* Cluster 3E is listed to note checks to area; however, it was determined that this male has joinedup with group 3H.** Cluster 15D was initially checked as a separate group; it was later determined that this femalehad joined 15C and was one of the breeding pair.
Table 6. Insert installation for 1998.
Cluster Type
inactive
artificial (<3 mi.from active cluster)
ClustersProvisioned
ISA
15E, 15F
No. Inserts Installed
1
8
Total Inserts
5
8
Total inserts installed: 9 (all in preparation for November translocation)
Table 7. Prescribed burns in red-cockaded woodpecker areas.
Burn Category
growing season
dormant season
Active Clusters
3E (partial)
3G (partial)
Inactive Clusters
0
0
Recruitment Stands
0
0
American Alligator
The alligator survey on the west side from Big Water to Billys Lake and along the sill was theonly one conducted this year. After last year's discussion on the influence of water levels onsurvey data, it was decided that surveys would be done within these ranges: east surveys whenwater levels were less than 121.00 feet at Suwannee Canal Recreation Area{SCRA); westsurveys when water levels were less than 114.25 feet at Stephen C. Foster State Park (SCFSP).At the time of the west side alligator survey in June, water levels at SCFSP were 113.74. Thislevel was so low it made boat travel slow and difficult - we had to pole through Stump Field justabove Minnie's Lake. The outboard was hitting the mud in the main channel of Big Water. Staffgauges into the south entrance of Floyd's Prairie and near the Big Water overnight shelter wereinaccessible. Ironically, the water level on the east side never dropped low enough to conduct thesurvey. When the elevation at SCRA was recorded at 121.38, the water was almost too low atKingfisher Landing to pull the big Panther airboat out of the water. With these levels, the trailerfalls off the drop-off beyond the boat ramp. Despite low water levels on the west side, only 354alligators were counted for the entire route (the Narrows portion of the trail was not surveyed).However, a large group of alligators was seen concentrated in an open area northeast of the southwater control structure on the sill. We were unable to view the entire area and couldn't get anaccurate count; 150 alligators would not be an overestimate. At this same time, fishermen on thesill reported catching large numbers of warmouth.
In early summer, the large alligator called George made his last appearance behind the visitor'scenter. He had been looking weak and emaciated for the past year (Figure 4). Plans were inplace to recover George for aging and tissue samples hi the event of his demise; however, wewere unable to locate him.
Figure 4. George, an 11' 2" alligator that frequently used the channel outside thevisitor center, had looked weak and emaciated over the past year. His last appearancewas in June. 10/97 SB A
Wood Storks
The year's highest count of wood storks occurred in July; most were seen near the purple trail inChase Prairie.
Table 8. Numbers of wood storks counted during 1998 Suwannee Canal Recreation Areamonthly surveys.
Jan.
0
Feb.
0
Mar.
0
Apr.
0
May
0
June
0
July
60
Aug.
—
Sep.
-
Oct.
9
Nov.
0
Dec.
21
Table 9. Annual peak values of wood storks counted during Suwannee Canal Recreation Areamonthly surveys.1998
60
1997
167
1996
141
1995
47
1994
48
1993
200
1992
110
1991
50
1990
100
1989
200
1988
800
1987
910
1987
800
1986
1070
Other Wildlife
Waterfowl
The 1998 mid-winter waterfowl survey resulted in a very low count for waterfowl: only fourwood ducks were seen. Monthly surveys for waterfowl were also low. Occasional sightings; bycanoeists are consistent with refuge survey results. One canoe party noted two pair of Americanblack ducks in May. Six snow geese were also seen by visitors along the Purple Trail-in ChasePrairie in November.
Table 10. Numbers of wood ducks counted during 1998 Suwannee Canal Recreation Areamonthly surveys.
Jan.
16
Feb.
4
Mar.
1
Apr.
4
May
8
June
10
July
19
Aug.
—
Sep.
—
Oct.
3
Nov.
2
Dec.
21
Marsh and Water Birds
The most visible and easily surveyed species are sandhill cranes, white ibis, great egrets, great blueherons, and little blue herons. Numbers of wintering sandhill cranes were still low compared topast counts. One juvenile was seen during the May survey. Most wading bird activity occurred inthe southern portion of Chase Prairie, and between Monkey Lake and Gannet Lake in GrandPrairie.
Table 11. Numbers of sandhill cranes counted during 1998 Suwannee Canal Recreation Areamonthly surveys.
Jan.
167
Feb.
2
Mar.
0
Apr.
1
May
2
June
2
July
6
Aug.
—
Sep.
—
Oct.
7
Nov.
5
Dec.
199
Table 12. Numbers of white ibis counted during 1998 Suwannee Canal Recreation Area monthlysurveys.
Jan.
43
Feb.
3
Mar.
6
Apr.
7
May
11
June
4
July
239
Aug.
—
Sep.
—
Oct.
164
Nov.
11
Dec;
176
The colonial waterbird nest survey was flown May 18. The Gum Slough area was the only activerookery this year with 50 to 75 great egrets concentrated at the mouth of the slough. There were35 to 40 nests. It wasn't possible to estimate number of young - all birds were adults or youngready to fledge.
Raptors
The annual osprey nesting survey was flown May 18 in conjunction with the colonial nest survey.Seventeen nests were found. Five of these were active, all within the vicinity of the Pocket.Aside from general searches in the area for any new activity., only five nests remain on the eastside to be checked for nesting.
A Mississippi kite was seen by canoeists along the Purple Trail in October. An immature goldeneagle was seen December 16 along the Suwannee Canal near Orange Trail mile marker 2 in amixed flock of turkey and black vultures.
Other migrant birds
Avian point-counts were conducted in June following protocol recommended by Georgia Partnersin Flight. Ten sites were surveyed. The sampling period is from the last two weeks in May to thefirst two weeks in June.
Of the 602 canoe permits sent out in 1998, 52 voluntary canoeist bird surveys were returned.Observations by recreationists are valuable because they often take note of species not easilysurveyed by airboat. However, streamlining the overnight canoe reservation process and thepossibility of contracting the reservation system will change the avenue with which we contactcanoeists about this birding opportunity. Tree swallows returned to the swamp this fall after apoor showing last year with flocks of 200 to 300 birds seen in November. The eastern phoebe isa bird that occurs in higher concentrations here in the fall; one canoeist counted ninety-three alongthe Purple Trail in October. Other unusual sightings are noted in the waterfowl and raptorsections of this narrative.
The annual Christmas Bird Count was held on December 30. Sixty-nine species and 2776individual birds were observed. Eleven people participated in the count. The increased logging inthe accessible parts of the survey circle has brought noticeable changes to the numbers of birdsand species seen.
Mammals
The Swamp Wildlife Drive at Suwannee Canal Recreation Area was open to hunting October 30and 31. A total of 33 hunters spent 195 hours and took four bucks and six does. Average liveweight was 85 Ibs (Figure 5). Ages ranged from 6 months to 5 years.
Surveys of black bears visiting sardine bait stations were conducted July 7-22. Thirty-six stationswere set out. Three showed evidence of visitation by bears. The Pocket, Chesser and GrandPrairies were set out, but were not collected until sixteen days had passed due to wildfire.Fiddler's Island and Sapp Prairie were not set out due to impassable road conditions. Low waterlevels prevented Floyd's Island and Big Water from being set out. Billys Island was not set outdue to the Honey-Scrub wildfire.
The study on the population ecology of black bear in the Okefenokee Swamp-Osceola ecosystem
10
continued through its fourth year (section l.b).
Fifty-six bears were taken during the three two-day bear hunt in five Georgia countiessurrounding the swamp. Over the past 10 years, an average of 39 bear have been taken each yearwith the range between 20 (1992) and 86 (1993).
The female black bear that was visiting garbage receptacles at Stephen C. Foster State Park at theend of 1997 returned in December 1998 'and ripped a canopy on a mobile home. This bear wascaptured and relocated to Soldier Camp in the southeast portion of the refuge. Another bearbegan at the end of the year to visit the dumpster at Suwannee Canal Recreation Area.
Raccoons often become a nuisance around public facilities. At the beginning of the year, a youngcamper at Stephen C. Foster State Park was bitten by a raccoon. An aggressive raccoon washarvested for rabies testing the following day. Results indicated no evidence of rabies.
Fisheries
The Okefenokee Swamp is the headwaters of the well known and utilized Suwannee River andthe St. Mary's River. The swamp contributes to the fisheries in these two rivers.
The annual fish survey was conducted in early December by Georgia Department of NaturalResources and Panama City Fisheries Assistance Office. Billys Lake, Minnies Run to Big Water,Chesser and Grand Prairies, and Suwannee Canal were electrofished. Due to reports of fishermencatching largemouth bass in small lakes northwest of Kingfisher Landing, a survey ofCarter Prairie and the Kings Canal was also conducted. The results from the surveys aresummarized in Table 13.
As a result of mercury analysis on fish collected on the west side of the refuge in December 1997,a fish consumption advisory for Okefenokee Swamp will be in the state's fishing guidelines for1999. It is recommended that an individual has only one meal of bowfin per month and one mealof fliers per week.
A Special Use Permit was issued to Georgia Department of Natural Resources to collect livespecimens of select fish species for presentation at the annual Fisharama in Atlanta.
11
Figure 5. Biologist Cindy Thompson and Coop-studentMindy White weigh a deer during the refuge's annual twoday hunt at Suwannee Canal Recreation Area. 10/98 SD
12
Table 13. Fish electroshocked in December 1998 compared to previous years. (Only four out of sixtransects were surveyed on the east side and two out of sk were surveyed on the west side in 1995.)
Species
Wannouth
ChainPickerel
RedfiiiPickerel
BlueSpottedSunfish
Flier
3owfin
Bullhead
Other
Total
East Side
12/98
17
33
1
0
178
258
15
29
531
01/98
4
8
0
0
60
123
2
11
208
12/96
5
13
2
0
98
85
1
3
207
12/95
6
42
1
0
387
67
0
13
516
12/94
21
45
12
1
634
169
3
2
887
01/94
7
14
5
2
427
308
• 4
0
767
West Side
12/98
65
26
5
0
133
181
41
38
489
01/98
27
12
0
0
35
68
10
1
158
12/96
15
19
6
1
77
142
52
16
328
12/95
9
40
7
0
137
41
0
14
248
01/95
5
14
1
0
29
66
9
0
124
12/93
20
37
0
3
157
135
39
0
391
KingfisherLanding
12/98
0
4
4
0
8
8
0
3
27
Amphibians
Georgia Department of Natural Resources biologist John Jensen conducted a herpetologyworkshop at Okefenokee NWR in early April. Participants examined habitat for striped newtsand flatwoods salamanders. None were located on Chesser Island or along the Perimeter Road inCompartment 3.
4
Invertebrates
The 1998 Butterfly Count was held on August 29th. Twenty-eight species and 578 individualswere counted. The most plentiful was Palamedes swallowtails with 222 individuals counted.
This was the second year students from the University of Georgia visited the refuge to collectinvertebrates. They added numerous specimens to the refuge's collection that will be us.ed foreducational and research purposes.
The study "Wetland macroinvertebrate dynamics within the Okefenokee Swamp" was initiatedthis year by University of Georgia, Department of Entomology professors Joseph McHugh andDarold Batzer (see section l.b.). Initial sampling took place in December. Additional samplingwill occur in May and August 1999.
13
Vegetation
A Special Use Permit was issued to Robert Hunsucker from West Virginia to compile anannotated checklist of the vascular flora of Okefenokee NWR. During one visit, he examined andphotographed plants in the vicinity of Suwannee Canal Recreation Area. Because of othercommitments, he did not visit the refuge as often as he intended. His permit will be re-issued in1999 to continue.
Benchmarks
The Surveying and Mapping Society of Georgia in cooperation with the National GeodeticSurvey is responsible for maintaining a series of survey control monuments throughout the stateof Georgia. They surveyed a point at the south side of the helicopter pad at Camp Cornelia toreplace the monument known as "Davis". "Davis" is in a location that may soon be destroyed bytimber operations.
l.b. Studies & Investigations
Ecological
Effects of Hydrologic Alterations on the Ecology of Okefenokee Swamp. - University of FloridaCooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
Cyndy Loftin, Ph.D. candidate, finished writing the results of this study initiated in 1991. Thestudy precipitated from the need to address the future of the deteriorated Suwannee River Sillwater control structures.
Cyndy worked closely with refuge staff in completing an environmental assessment on the futuremanagement of the Suwannee River Sill. Her study results were used extensively throughout theEA. By the end of the year, Cyndy's dissertation was complete. This document has valuableinformation on the hydrology, vegetation, and effects of disturbances within the swamp.
Results have indicated that the sill has the greatest effects during high water levels, not duringdroughts. Due to a series of natural terraces in the swamp, the zone of influence during lowwater levels decreases to only 1% of the swamp. This impounded area is within the riverfloodplain that is not typically a fire prone area. Therefore, the sill is not serving its originalpurpose.
The Role of Bacterial Processes in the Biogeochemistry of Humic Substances in the OkefenokeeSwamp Ecosystem - Department of Marine Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens
Dr. R. E. Hodson, N. Bano and Dr. M.A. Moran are the principal investigators for this study.This study was supported for three years by the National Science Foundation and is acontinuation of Hodson's previous study "Microbial Mediation of Organic CarbonTransformations in an Emergent Macrophyte-Dominated Habitat of the Okefenokee Swamp
14
Ecosystem". Its focus was on measuring rates of biological and photochemical degradation ofdissolved humic substances in the Okefenokee Swamp. The results obtained from this study havebeen presented in the following:
• Bano, N, M.A. Moran, RE. Hodson (1998). Photochemical formation of labile organicmatter from two components of dissolved organic carbon in a freshwater wetland. AquatMicrob Ecol (in press)
• Bano, N., M.A. Moran, R.E. Hodson (1997). Bacterial utilization of dissolved humicsubstances from a freshwater swamp. Aquat Microb Ecol 12:233-238
• Bano, N., M.A. Moran, R.E. Hodson (1997). Effect of UV radiation on the biologicalavailability of dissolved organic matter from a freshwater ecosystem. 7th General Meeting ofthe American Society for Microbiology, Miami Beach, Florida, USA, May 4-8, 1997 (abstractpage 3 96).
• Bano, N., M.A. Moran, R.E. Hodson (1995). Bacterial utilization of dissolved humicsubstances in the Okefenokee Swamp. Presented in humic substances in the environment(Abstract)
• Bano, N., M.A. Moran, R.E. Hodson (1995). Utilization of dissolved humic substances bythe resident and non-resident bacterial populations from three communities of the OkefenokeeSwamp. 5th General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology, Washington DC,USA, May 21-25, 1995. (Abstract Page 350)
Emissions of air pollutants from biomass fuels in the United States and Fuel loading and firebehavior photo series for major natural fuel types of the United States - USFS, Intermountain andPacific Northwest Research Stations
Darold Ward and Roger Ottmar collaborated with the refuge's forestry staff to collect fuel datafrom Minims Island pre- and post- prescribed burning procedures. Pine stands were burned underrelatively moist, winter conditions with fuel moisture contents of the 10-hour timelag fuelsrelatively high and ranged between 39 and 51 percent. Less than 50 percent of the total fuelswere consumed. A sunphotometer was installed at Camp Cornelia from January to April 1996.Results have not been received. The photo series is currently at the printers.
Fire-adapted vegetation of the Southeastern Coastal Plain: A Template for restoration of thelongleaf pine ecosystem. - University of North Carolina
Through descriptions of composition and structure within upland, fire-maintained vegetation,Robert Peet will develop a gradient model for predicting the composition of the original uplandhabitat. Dr. Peet has classified the upland pine forests throughout most of the southeast. Workoff the refuge continues on this study; therefore, a final report has not been received.
Comparative stand development and stand histories in even-and uneven-aged longleaf pine standsin the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge (Restoration of longleaf pine communities) - TallTimbers Research, Inc., Tallahassee FL
Keith Moser began in April 1996 characterizing past, present, and future longleaf pinecommunities. The refuge received the final report. Reducing crown density of a longleaf pine
15
stand to allow for younger age classes to become established did not impact the understoryspecies. However, site disturbance from harvesting may influence the desirable understory.
Scrub-shrub habitat structure and fuel loading - Tall Timbers Research, Inc., Tallahassee FL
Sharon Hermann began sampling for this study in April and November 1997. A house (island)located in the "Triangle" area of the southwest corner of Mizell Prairie was used as the trial sitefor sampling fuel loads in the scrub-shrub habitat. High water levels continued to prohibit anysampling.
Feasibility of Implementing Fire Monitoring Handbook of the National Park Service - WesternRegion in a Complex Eastern Ecosystem - Tall Timbers Research, Inc., Tallahassee FL
Much of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's fire management activities occur in the southeasternUnited States. It appears the Western fire monitoring handbook (FMH) has potential inecosystems as complex as in the southeast. Procedures within the handbook, their ability tomonitor fire effects and the cost of implementing the monitoring program were examined bySharon Hermann in 1994 and 1995. A draft report will serve as the final result of this study.
Wildlife
Wetland macroinvertebrate dynamics within the Okefenokee Swamp - Department ofEntomology, Univsersity of Georgia
Joseph McHugh, Darold Batzer, and Ray Noblet initiated this two year study with sampling inDecember. This study focuses on describing the abundance and composition of themacroinvertebrate fauna in the Okefenokee by sampling the following aquatic habitats: trails,prairies, scrub-shrub, cypress swamp, and hardwood swamp. Samples will be taken in lowerGrand, Chase, Floyds, Durdin, and Carter Prairies, and the Suwannee River Sill area. Additionalsampling will be done in May and August of 1999.
Status of the red-cockaded woodpecker population on Billys Island, Okefenokee NationalWildlife Refuge - Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
Through the Research Partnership Projects program, J. Michael Meyers supervised theinvestigation of red-cockaded woodpeckers on a large interior island within the refuge. Surveyslocated and mapped all clusters of woodpeckers on the island. Nest trees were identified andobservation were made. A summary report will be presented to the refuge in early 1999.
Population Ecology of Black Bears in the Okefenokee Swamp-Qsceola Ecosystem - University ofTennessee, National Biological Service and the University of Florida
This is the fourth year of a five year study. Co-investigators of this study are Dr. J. Clark,National Biological Survey, University of Tennessee-Cooperative Park Studies Unit; Dr. M.Pelton, Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries, University of Tennessee; and Dr. M.Sunquist, Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida. David
16
Brandenburg, a Ph.D, candidate continued to lead the field crew. Researchers are looking atpopulation characteristics and habitat needs of the Okefenokee-Osceola black bear population.The impacts of land management practices and the effect of natural, legal, and illegal mortality onthe population are also being examined. Investigators will determine population growth,sustainable yield, and factors influencing population dynamics of the species. A long-termmonitoring method and a database on captured bears, telemetry locations, den sites, etc. will bedeveloped.
University of Florida M.S. candidate Brian Scheick is currently writing the results of hisinvestigations on habitat preferences and movements of female black bears in the Okefenokee-Osceola ecosystem. Daron Barnes, a M.S. candidate from the University of Tennessee, is alsowriting his thesis on bee yard depredation problems and possible solutions.
Steve Dobey from the University of Tennessee and Darrin Masters from the University of Floridajoined David in the field to pursue their masters degrees over the next two years.
Recapturing and replenishing the number of radio-equipped bears was critical in 1998. This effortwas highly successful on the Florida area and very poor on the Georgia area. Other means ofobtaining recapture samples are being considered with the possibility of looking closer at DNAfrom snagged hair.
Ethology and Natural History of the American Alligators, Alligator mississippiensis. -ZooAtlanta
Howard Hunt, Curator of Herpetology for Zoo Atlanta, continued his research on the Americanalligator in the Okefenokee Swamp. This study focuses on factors impacting reproductivesuccess, by observing parental behavior around nest sites and predation of nests. During a searchfor nests from July 5-10, no nests were found in Chesser and Grand Prairies. A helicopter searchalso did not reveal any nests this year.
Taxonomy of Black Bears in the Southeastern United States - Virginia Cooperative Fish andWildlife Research Unit, Virginia Polytechnic Institute
A comprehensive study was initiated in 1992 to examine possible differences between populationsof black bear in the southeast. The black bear population using the Okefenokee NWR and thesurrounding area was selected as one of 31 sample populations to be studied. The results werereceived this year. Although the sub specific status of Louisiana and Florida black bearpopulations is still debatable, they probably would constitute distinct population segments of theirbiological species.
Contaminants
Pesticide and Fertilizer Loading in the Okefenokee Swamp, Georgia and Florida - EcologicalServices, Brunswick GA
Contaminants Specialist Gregg Masson, Georgia Ecological Services, andEcologist John
17
Kasbohm obtained funding (FY97 and FY98) to determine the extent of nutrient, insecticide, andherbicide loading into the Okefenokee Swamp. A Cooperative Agreement was executed with theSuwannee River Water Management District (SRWMD) to conduct all field work and analysis aspart of their Surface Water Management and Improvement (SWIM) Program. Beginning inMarch, Environmental Services and Permitting (Gainesville, Florida) were subcontracted by theSRWMD to collect and analyze water and sediment samples monthly and quarterly, respectively,from Suwannee Creek, Cane Creek, Gum Slough, and the Suwannee River Sill at the refugeboundary. Preliminary examination of 1998 data have revealed typical black water chemistry withno pesticide residues detected in collected samples. In 1999, monthly water and quarterlysediment sampling will continue. Results from the study will be included in an effort to evaluatewater quality throughout the Suwannee River Basin by the SRWMD and the Georgia Departmentof Natural Resources. This project supports the activities of the Suwannee Basin InteragencyAlliance and demonstrates the refuge's commitment to the cooperative organization.
Air Quality Monitoring - USFWS Air Quality Division, Denver CO
Okefenokee NWR is the site for monitoring air quality conditions through the followingprograms: Interagency Monitoring of Protected Visual Environments (IMPROVE)
National Atmospheric Deposition Program (NADP)Mercury Deposition Program (MDP)
The site operator changed hands hi May with S. Elizabeth Daneman taking over the position fromAnne Kasbohm. The operator works one day a week to collect and process samples and maintainthe equipment. Numerous electrical problems and equipment adjustments occurred during theyear. Results from these sites are generally a year to two years behind.
Bioaccumulation of Mercury and Lead in Selected Food Chains and Trophic Levels of theOkefenokee National Wildlife Refuge and Possible Impacts on the Biota - National FisheriesResearch Center, Athens GA
Beverly Arnold-FIill, aPh.D. candidate, completed sampling the biota for metal analysis in 1994.A final report has not been received.
The Health of Amphibian and Reptile Populations at Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge -Southeast Georgia - Ecological Services, Brunswick GA
Contaminant Specialist Greg Masson collected amphibians and reptiles from the swamp in 1993and 1994 to determine whether contaminants are affecting the refuge's populations. Graphs frommercury analysis have been received; however, no report has been written.
Other Researchers
The following researchers obtained special use permits from the refuge to collect data for variousstudies:
DuPont was issued a permit to collect monthly water level and flow measurements at selectedsites and conduct quarterly sampling of water quality. These were activities allowed under a
18
special use permit in 1997. After stopping all monitoring and scientific investigations in 1997, thecore group reviewing the proposed mine under RESOLVE decided to allow DuPont to continuecollecting data. A request to sample striped newts and flatwoods salamander larvae was deniedalong with the request to access portions of the refuge on Trail Ridge for the purpose ofpreparing descriptions of natural communities.
Gary King from the University of Maine was issued a permit to examine methane emission andoxidation on the edge of Cooter Lake. During both oxic and anoxic phases, methane accumulatedlinearly with time. The rate of methane oxidation was about 59.5% of the total potentialemission.
John Jensen from Georgia Department of Natural Resources was issued a permit to surveyalligator turtles in the Upper Suwannee River. Conditions were not right for surveying in June.Later in the year he surveyed the river outside the refuge boundary.
Fredrick Rich from the Georgia Southern University was issued a permit in 1997 for Dr. VolkerWilde from the University of Bonn in Germany to collect flowers and leaves/petioles of the genusNymphaea in Chesser Prairie. Samples would be used for detailed analysis of the systematics andevolution of the genus Nymphaea. A presentation of results was given in August at theATBS/Botanical Society of America hi Baltimore, MD. Other papers on molecular systematics ofNymphaea are forthcoming.
Todd Schneider from GA DNR was issued a permit to collect information on breeding birds forGeorgia's Breeding Bird Atlas. Volunteers worked on this project during the breeding season.Also a flight was taken over the swamp to view areas where accessibility by boat is impossible.Surveying will continue into 1999.
Susannah Kitchens was issued a permit hi 1997 to conduct hydrogeological and geochemicalinvestigations of potential leakage from the Okefenokee Swamp to underlying bedrock aquifers.She has presented her findings at conferences in 1998; however, she quit the program leavingDonald Siegel, Professor of Earth Sciences, to write the results of her investigations.
Melissa Roan from Perm State University Fuel Science Program was issued in 1997 a special usepermit to collect peat cores to measure long time changes in the decomposition of plant matterinto peat. Samples were to be taken in Chesser, Grand, and Floyds Prairies and around Billys andMinnies Lakes. No results have been received.
Phoenix Environmental Group, Inc. in Tallahassee was issued a permit for on-going water leveland quality monitoring for comparison with PCS phosphate mining reclamation projects in NorthFlorida. A staff gage and groundwater well downstream from the north Suwannee River Sillwater control structure was their sampling site. This site was discontinued in November 1998,because they found a more representative location for the ambient site. The well and staff gagewere left hi place.
19
James Hurley was issued a special use permit in 1997 to collect humic substances from theSuwannee River to compare with Lake Superior tributaries and sites in the Florida Everglades tostudy the behavior of trace metals in the environment. A final report has not been received.
Huizhong Ma from the University of Deleware was issued a permit in 1997 to collect dissolvedorganic material from the south structure of the Suwannee River sill for the study of "AquaticToxicity of Copper Effects of Chemical Speciation." No results or publications have beenreceived;
20
2.HABITAT RESTORATION
2. a. Wetland Restoration: On-refuge
An environmental assessment was completed on the future management of the Suwannee RiverSill. This will restore" the hydrologic link between the Okefenokee Swamp and the SuwanneeRiver and in turn re-establish the ecological processes that are vital to the continued health of theOkefenokee ecosystem. See section 3.a.
2. b. Upland Restoration: On-refuge
Status of Longleaf Pine Community Restoration
During the past 25 years, over one thousand acres of longleaf pine plantations have beenestablished on Okefenokee Refuge, most of it on poorly drained, difficult to plant sites. Theforestry staff has experimented with several methods of planting, including direct seeding, bareroot and containerized seedlings. Site preparation has varied from clearing and harrowing toplanting on suitable microsites with no preparation at all.
Refuge goals are best accomplished by establishing natural regeneration. Where this is notpossible, best survival is obtained by hand planting containerized seedlings. New direct seedingtechniques may hold some promise. Native stock should be genetically preferable. Minimal sitepreparation is now used in hopes of saving remnants of the fire dependant understory species thatonce existed here. Open sites receive prescribed fire prior to burning. Shrub understories arechopped and burned. Heavy shrub sites are burned several times, then strip harrowed ormounded to provide planting beds without totally destroying native ground cover. Prescribedfire is now used within two years after planting to reduce understory competition, stimulate nativeground cover and to kill unwanted slash pine volunteers.
See Section 3.e.
2.c. Wetland Restoration: Off-refuge
Nothing to Report
20
2.d. Upland Restoration: On-refuge
Nothing to Report
21
3.HABITAT MANAGEMENT
Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge (395,080 acres) includes most of the 438,000 acreOkefenokee Swamp.
The refuge objectives pertaining to habitat management are:
1) To provide protection to the unique environmental qualities of the Okefenokee Swamp (toperpetuate the health and integrity of the swamp considering the natural processes of fire andhydrology).
2) To provide optimum habitat and protection for endangered and threatened species, includingthe American alligator, red-cockaded woodpecker, indigo snake [and black bear].
3) To provide optimum habitat for a wide diversity of birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, andamphibians.
To meet these objectives, habitat management techniques include prescribed burning, wildfire,timber stand thinning, commercial timber harvest, planting, herbicide application, and trail cutting.The vastness, inaccessibility to most of the swamp, and wilderness designation puts additionalrestraints on management practices.
The most intensive management occurs on our 31,000 acres of upland pine stands. These uplandpine forests are managed primarily for the red-cockaded woodpecker and the re-establishment ofthe native long-leaf pine/wiregrass community. Our habitat management plan has focused on thisportion of the refuge. Forester Ron Pheraetton continues to re-write the Habitat ManagementPlan to encompass all habitats and management, making it a comprehensive, integrated plan.
3.a. Wetland Management
Water Levels
Acres classified as wetlands total 371,000. Although fire plays an important role in the landscape,we do not currently conduct prescribed burns in swamp vegetation communities or do we have alet burn policy for wildfires in the swamp. Because of the difficulty in fighting a fire within theswamp, fire fighting efforts are generally concentrated on the periphery to protect private
22
property.
Water levels are critical in the management of Okefenokee. We cannot control the level, but itinfluences our prescribed burning of islands, our travel and access into areas, and the distributionof wildlife species.
Water levels on both sides of the swamp were more than a foot above the average at thebeginning of the year (Table 14 and Figure 6). Overnight canoe trails were closed February 24 toMarch 31 due to shelters being flooded and potential conflicts with wildlife seeking dry ground.Levels on the east side of the refuge never went below the average throughout the year. Thelowest level occurred at the end of June after two months of very little rain. Levels on the westside of the swamp did drop, below average levels in May and reached a low in June also. Thiscontributed to the increased likelihood of fire in the swamp. Despite November and Decemberbeing dry, water levels remained slightly higher than the average at the end of the year.
23
Table 14. Water levels at Suwannee Canal Recreation Area (SCRA) and Stephen Foster StatePark (SFSP) for 1998. Subscripts indicate number of years included in the average due to missingdata.
Date
Janl15
Febl15
Marl15
Aprl15
May 115
Junl15
lull15
Augl15
Sep 115
Octl15
Novl15
Dec 115
Dec 31
SCRA
1998
122.39122.36
122.66122.60
123.17122.90
122.78122.80
122.58122.30
121.95121.54
121.30121.46
121.71122.01
121.92121.78
122.47122.60
122.30122.10
121.94121.80
121.68
Avg 88-97
121.24121.41
121.66121.66
121.76121.79
121.84121.71
121.55121.38
121.13121.13
121.23121.25
121.34121.36
121.36121.31
121.27121.53
121.47121.44
121.35121.36
121.24
SFSP
1998
115.75115.50
117.05117.00
118.25117.43
115.95115.50
114.30113.78
115.15114.72
113.40113.75
114.05114.70
114.60114.72
115.30115.70
114.90114.62
114.45114.35
114.38
Avg 88-97
114.48114.75
115.10115.27
115.29115.36
115.389
115.029
114.69114.38
114.09114.26
114.19114.17
114.30114.43
114.409
114.468
114.299
114.689
114.52114.51
• 114.469
114.529
114.68
24
^i/fr I
!(i SMS >M »fis sn an* 'M 'ns sji sn* BI'I
1st and 15th of each Month
-•-SCRA1998 +SCRAAvg 1988-97 *SFSP1998 *SFSP Avg 1988-97
Figure 6. Water levels at Suwannee Canal Recreation Area (SCRA) and Stephen FosterState Park (SFSP) during 1998 compared to the 10-year averages.
Suwannee River Sill
With water levels high along the Suwannee River in March, rumors were spread over the radioand through newspaper articles that the Suwannee River Sill broke and a wall of water was sentdownstream. Although water was flowing over the top of the sill at this time, water levels werealmost equal within the swamp and just downstream from the sill (Figure 7). There were onlyminor washouts on the surface of the sill road. Water levels downstream at White Springs neverreached the 1948, 1984 or 1973 high water line.
25
Figure 7. Water levels topped the sill with about equal levels within the swamp and theSuwannee River. 3/98 SJ
Environmental Assessment
Through the years, the wetlands have been manipulated by man from the early attempt to drainthe swamp, to extensive timber harvesting, to the construction of the Suwannee River Sillinhibiting a portion of the swamp's outflow. The influence of the sill structure to the overallhydrology of the swamp has been highlighted in recent years, initiating an intensive study (Section1 .b). After Representative Saxby Chambliss visited the refuge in 1997, he sent a letter of concernto Washington requesting that an environmental assessment be conducted immediately. AnEnvironmental Assessment examining the following alternatives on the future management of thesill was completed in July 1998.
• No action The Service would continue its current maintenance and water managementprogram on the Suwannee River sill and its two water control structures. The sill wouldnot be functioning as originally proposed and continued deterioration due to inadequatefunding for full repair will eventually result in dam failure.
• Phased removal of concrete water control structures and breaching of the sill inselected locations (Preferred Action) After two years of baseline monitoring, the watercontrol structures would be fully opened and monitored for two additional years. Barringdocumented impacts to public use and private landowners which cannot be mitigated
26
documented impacts to public use and private landowners which cannot be mitigatedthrough management actions, the two concrete water control structures would beremoved and four additional breaches would be made through the earthen dam.
• Removal of the entire Suwannee River Sill and water control structures The entireearthen dam and the two water control structures would be removed and the area restoredto its original grade and elevation.
• Repair and maintain the Suwannee River Sill water control structures to theoriginal design The Service would comply with the original sill legislation passed in1956 and would correct deficiencies with major repairs intended for long term stability.
To implement Alternative B, the FWS has partnered with USGS to monitor water levels andflows down stream and examine potential lead and mercury levels downstream from the Sill in thenext 4 years. At the same time the refuge will be varifying the University of Florida's hydrologymodel within the swamp and examine public access in the vicinity of the sill. Funding for partialremoval of the Suwannee River Sill will depend on Congressional action.
3.b. Manage Moist Soil Units
Nothing to Report
3.c. Graze/mow/hay
Nothing to Report
3.d. Farming
Nothing to Report
3.e. Forest Management
Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge contains 347,131 acres of forest lands, including 315,308acres of wetland hardwoods, cypress, and brush lands. The remaining 33,602 acres are uplandforest stands of longleaf, loblolly, slash and pond pine, and scattered upland hardwoods. Theuplands also contain many bog filled ponds containing mixed stands of pine, cypress andhardwoods. Approximately half of the upland forest area (17,444 acres) is located on islandswithin the Class I National Wilderness Area. The remaining 16,158 acres of upland forest, 4.1%of the total refuge area, are in areas designated as forest management compartments. Commercialharvesting is permitted in the compartments as a tool to accomplish habitat management goals.
Habitat management activities for upland and wetland forests support the overall mission
27
statement for the refuge: "To manage the Okefenokee NWR as an integral component of thegreater Okefenokee ecosystem by restoring and maintaining native fauna and flora and associatednatural processes, and by providing educational and compatible recreational opportunities."
Upland Forests
Goals for upland forests on Okefenokee include the restoration of the longleaf pine communitiesonce covering most of the refuge uplands, and maintenance of these habitats through replicationof the natural processes that shaped these communities. These habitats deteriorated throughoutthe Southeast due to "turn of the century" logging and disruption of the natural, frequent fireregime. These open stands hosted a diverse understory of warm season grasses, many lowshrubs, and forbs maintained by frequent, low intensity fire.' The old growth longleaf pinecommunities were replaced by dense stands of more prolific, less fire dependent overstory andunderstory species normally restricted to lower areas. Over most of its range, only remnantstands of longleaf pine remain, representing less than five percent of its former range. Manywildlife species associated with longleaf communities, including the red-cockaded woodpecker,are either endangered or threatened.
By the time Okefenokee NWR was established, pure longleaf pine stand communities consisted ofa few pure stands of longleaf pine on sandy ridges, a few predominately longleaf stands and manymixed pine stands with a few relict longleaf stems left after logging in the 1920's. Because of thedifficulty of re-establishing longleaf pine, and continued exclusion of fire, refuge longleaf pinecommunities continued to decline in quality and quantity for many years. Understory conditionsdepreciated during this period, allowing dense hardwood shrubs to replace grasses, herbs and lowshrubs common to the longleaf pine communities. Table 15 lists the present distribution oflongleaf pine and other species throughout the refuge uplands. Figure 8 shows the locations ofthe 16 forest management compartments and the wilderness islands.
28
Table 15. Upland Forest Stands on Okefenokee.
Species Class
Mature Pine (> 9 " DBH)• Pure Longleaf Pine (>70%)• Longleaf Dominant (>40%)• Scattered Longleaf (<40%)• Other Pine Species
Young Pine (< 9 " DBH)• Pure Longleaf Pine (>70%)• Longleaf Dominant (>40%)• Scattered Longleaf (<40%)• Other Pine Species
Upland Hardwoods
Bottomland Hardwoods
Bog Filled, Forested Ponds
Open and Administrative Areas
TOTALS
ACRES
Forest MgtCompartments
1,7311,3032,0853,471
1,016182410
3,431
248
335
1,894
52
16,158
WildernessIslands
1,4291,3052,5228,976
0*0*
70*1,730
509
22
820
61
17,444
Total
3,160. 2,608
. 4,60712,447
1,016182480
5,161
757
357
2,714
113
33,602
* While there are very few young longleaf pine stands on the wilderness islands, small patches oflongleaf regeneration, not constituting a stand, are scattered on some -wilderness islands andsome compartments. As more of these patches accumulate, they will form multi-aged stands.
29
Refuge Boundary
Forest Compartments
Islands
Comp 3
Figure 8. Forest Management Compartments and Interior Islands
30
Habitat management tools utilized to restore traditional longleaf communities include:
• Maintenance of multi-aged pine stands (including old growth trees of up to 350 years).• Selective thinning on a 10-year cycle to favor longleaf pine.• Removal of undesired mid-story stems.• Dormant and growing season fire.• Several methods of stand conversion (patch regeneration, shelterwood regeneration, direct
seeding, and planting of containerized seedlings).
Restoration activities for the community understory component has been limited to dormant andgrowing season fire.
Existing hardwood stands, openings and wetland areas within or adjacent to the longleafcommunity are included in the burn areas and allowed to seek a more natural size in the presenceof fire. These provide a variety of habitats to meet the needs of native wildlife and to provide anaesthetically pleasing variety of forest lands. Only areas of special interest are excluded from fire.
Fire is the most effective tool available for management of longleaf pine communities onwilderness uplands. Fire may be used to thin young forest stands, remove midstory pines andhardwoods, kill invading hardwood understory species, prepare seed beds for natural and plantedlongleaf pine stands, and kill slash and other unwanted pine seedlings. If used skillfully^ fire canaccomplish most of these tasks without damage to the fire resistant longleaf seedlings. Alldistinguishable islands inside refuge boundaries receive periodic dormant or growing seasonburns. Other management activities conducted on the upland wilderness islands include red-cockaded woodpecker habitat surveys.
Habitat Management Planning
Okefenokee's forestry and biological staff is working on a new management plan, combiningmanagement of forest uplands, wetlands, hydrology, wildlife and other disciplines into onecomprehensive plan. The draft of the plan is complete. Various units of the plan are undergoingstaff review and rewrite. The fire unit is complete, and approved.
Forest Management Prescriptions
One new forest management prescription was started this year in Compartment 15. Prescribedhabitat management activities are continuing in Compartments 4, 7, 13 and 14. Selective thinningover most of Compartment 13 favors longleaf pine. Two slash pine plantations, five acres andfifteen acres, will be clear-cut and converted to longleaf pine. Patch regeneration areas weremarked to begin a gradual conversion to longleaf in other slash pine plantations. The sale will beadvertised in 1999. The Compartment 14 prescription proposes selective thinning over most ofthe compartment to increase the percentage of longleaf pine basal area, to improve habitatdiversity, and to maintain the desired basal area for the red-cockaded woodpecker cluster and
31
foraging areas. As in all upland compartments, fire will play a major role in meeting prescriptiongoals.
Forest Habitat Inventory
An inventory was begun on Billys Island, but it was not completed. A proposal is being revisitedto complete Billys and the remainder of the upland islands throughout the refuge. The inventorywill provide type, age and species of the overstory, and ground cover information such as speciesand coverage.
Timber Marking
Timber marking was completed in Compartments 8, 13, 14 and 15 (a 15 acre RCW relocationsite).
Timber Harvesting
Timber harvesting at the beginning of the year was hampered by unusually high water levels(Figure 9) and fluctuating market conditions, but hi the last half of the year dry conditionsprevailed and the harvesting in Compartments 14 and 15 progressed very well.
Five sales were awarded hi 1998, but only four began. A carry over operation began in Januaryfor Chanticleer Farms, from Columbus Grove, Ohio. The Special Use Permit was to harvesttimber marked in Compartment 4. The permittee used horses to remove timber from a public usearea. Selective thinning took place in several slash pine stands on the island to improve foraginghabitat for the red-cockaded woodpecker and create patch regeneration areas for longleaf pine.Proposed management activities are expected to yield 1,000 cords of forest products valued atapproximately $10,000. The operation is conducted during the winter months between red-cockaded woodpecker nesting seasons. The operations concluded for the season in March, withonly about 1/3 of the total sale cut. There will not be another special use permit issued toChanticleer Farms; however, the remaining portion will be awarded to a conventional operation in1999.
The sale hi Compartment 7 was awarded to Axson Timber Company in January of 1998. Noforest products were removed in 1998.
Axson Timber Company was awarded the sale in Compartment 8 to thin a 25 acre slash pinestand on the northen tip of the Pocket. Approximately 70% of the trees were removed with patchregeneration areas incorporated into the thin. Volunteers planted 1,500 containerized longleafpines in December, 1998 and January, 1999.
M&G Logging was awarded two sales on the NW side of the refuge in Compartments 14 and 15.The cutting in 14 was interrupted when notification came that the refuge would receive two pairsof red-cockcaded woodpeckers. The RCW relocation site needed to be thinned and M&G movedover to quickly accomplish the operation. At the start, refuge employees using four wheelersmoved cut trees to a logging deck before M&G could begin (Figure 10).
32
Figure 9. High water standing in Compartment 4. 3/98 FEW
Figure 10. Refuge employees skidding thinned trees to log decks in Compartment 15in preparation for relocated woodpeckers . 10/98
33
Table 16. Forest Products ReceiSPECIAL
USEPERMIT*
98-009
97-010
98-026
98-035 .
98-035A
TOTAL
PERMITTEE
AxsonTimber Co.
ChanticleerFarms
AxsonTimber Co.
M&GLogging
M&GLogging
. 5
PERMITPERIOD
02/03/9802/19/00
04/30/9704/30/98
05/27/9808/31/98
08/19/9808/31/99
10/26/9811/30/98
pts for CY 1998.
PRODUCT
PineTimber
PineTimber
PineTimber
PineTimber
PineTimber
VALUEPERUNIT
19.06/ton
$3.577-ton
$21.507ton
$7.827ton
$7.827ton
TOTALSALE
VOLUME
4950 tons(1800 cds)
2750 tons'(1000 cds)
1232 tons(448 cds)
1925 tons(700 cds)
564 tons(205 cds)
11421 tons(4153 cds)
TOTALVALUE
$94,347
$10,000
$26,510
$15,054
$4,411
$150,322
VOLUMEHARVESTED
1998
NONE
610 tons(222 cds)
1,233 tons(448 cds)
1,322 tons(480 cds)
564 tons(205 cds)
3729 tons(1355 cds)
1998RECEIPTS
NONE
$2,178
$26,510
$10,338
$4,411
$43,437
* Sale actually sold on weight basis by ton. Converted to cords for reference (2.75 tons = 1 cd.).
TABLE 17. Ten-year Forest Products Removal Summary.
CY
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
SAW TIMBER(MBF)
-
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
PULPWOOD 1(CDS)
2,807
5,228
4,394
1,343
539
66
1,486
448
283
1,356
POSTS(EA)
—
—
90,090
14,420
2,508
—
—
—
—
—
TOTAL VALUEDOLLARS
$105,672
$192,372
$165,731
$53,732
$23,336
$3,199
$ 77,559
$ 23,489
$2,778
$43,438
34
Reforestation
Ten thousand containerized seedlings were obtained from Meeks' Farms in Kite, Georgia througha grant with American Forest (Global Releaf). Most of the 10,000 seedlings were planted byvolunteers (Figure 11). Longleaf pine seedlings were planted in 15 sites. Exact locations areshown in the Compartment Atlases. Table 18 recaps the years planting efforts.
Figure 11. Mrs. Bruschke's 3-6 graders planting trees in Compartment 4. Most ofOkefenokee's tree planting was accomplished by volunteers this year. 12/98
35
Table 18. Longleaf Pine (LLP) Planting Sites, CY 1998.
COMPARTMENT(Or Island)
Compartment 3Compartment 3
Compartment 4Compartment 4Compartment 4
Compartment 6
Compartment 7Compartment 7a
Compartment 8Compartment 8
Compartment 14Compartment 14Compartment 14Compartment 14Compartment 14
MGTUNIT
73
222
3
23
44
11111
NUMBEROF
SEEDLINGS
250100
225275630
1020
15001900
700400
AREA(Acres)
2.51.0
1.51.52.0
5.0
34.5
4.02.0
0.250.250.250.250.25
REMARKS
Scattered Planting in Bug kill and open area.Scattered Planting in open area.
Mrs. Bruschke 4-6TH grade special education class plantedApprox. 225 LLP seedlings. Opening caused by horse logging(loading decks).Replanted field 1998 planting destroyed by volunteer mowing thefield.
Replanted area of poor survival.
Additional seedlings planted. Part of area mounded.Planted LLP seedlings. Mounded area.
Patch regeneration area cause by RX bum.Replanted logging deck area.Additional seedlings planted in open area by Lake City BoyScouts.
Patch regeneration area.Patch regeneration area.Patch regeneration area.Patch regeneration area.Patch regeneration area.Replanted logging deck area.
Status of Longleaf Pine Community Restoration
During the past 25 years, over one thousand acres of longleaf pine plantations have beenestablished on Okefenokee Refuge, most of it on poorly drained, difficult to plant sites. Theforestry staff has experimented with several methods of planting, including direct seeding, bareroot and containerized seedlings. Site preparation has varied from clearing and harrowing toplanting on suitable natural and mounded microsites with no preparation at all. Local seed stockfrom refuge stands has been collected to compare seedlings grown from local stock with thosesupplied by vendors.
Refuge goals are best accomplished by establishing natural regeneration. Where this is notpossible, best survival is obtained by hand planting containerized seedlings. New direct seedingtechniques may hold some promise. Native stock should be genetically preferable. Minimal sitepreparation is now used in hopes of saving remnants of the fire dependant nnderstorycommunities that once existed here. Open sites receive prescribed fire prior to planting. Shrubunderstories are chopped and burned. Heavy shrub sites are burned several times, then stripharrowed or mounded to provide planting beds without totally destroying native ground cover.Prescribed fire is now used within two years after planting to reduce understory competition,stimulate native ground cover and to kill unwanted slash pine volunteers.
36
Significant results of dormant and growing season fire, and longleaf pine management arebeginning to show (Figure 12). Patches of natural longleaf pine regeneration are appearingthroughout the forest management compartments. Many native longleaf pine communitycomponents are beginning to appear where growing season fire has occurred. It is apparentthrough the use of selective thinning, and prescribed fire, longleaf pine communities can berestored on Okefenokee's forest management compartments without massive clearcutting andplanting operations.
Figure 12. Many years of selective thinning, dormant and growing season prescribedfire are resulting in open park like conditions in Okefenokee's longleaf pine stands.Prescribed fire prevents the establishment of competing species while fire resistantlongleaf pine seedlings survive.
In the fall of 1996 a bumper seed fall occurred which boosted the stocking levels in most areas.On Okefenokee's wilderness islands, seed fall and response to fire has not been as successful.Mitchell and Blackjack Islands show a significant amount of natural longleaf pine regeneration,but there is very little on Honey and Billys Islands.
Timber Stand Improvement
No timber stand improvement (TSI) was accomplished in 1998. A 26 acre direct seeded longleafpine stand in Compartment 1 is scheduled for TSI work when funding and personnel are available.
37
Most of the TSI work completed in forest stands, particularly mid-story hardwood removal inred-cockaded woodpecker foraging stands, is now achieved by growing and dormant season fire.
Swamp Forest
Swamp forest areas include all refuge wetland forest areas inside the swamp's edge and outsidethe perimeter of the interior islands. Forest types within the swamp are shown in Table 19.
Figure 19. Forest types within the Swamp.
FOREST TYPES
Broad Leaved Hardwoods
Cypress
Scrub Pine
Mixed (Bay, Cypress, Pine)
Scrub Shrub
Total Swamp Forest
ACRES
15,824
11,911
728
55,659
231,187
315,309
The basic goal of wetland management is to "maintain the dynamic mosaic of wetland habitattypes". Because most of the wetland area is located within national wilderness boundaries, habitatmanagement activities are limited to natural and prescribed fire. Other management activitiesinclude osprey and other water and shorebird surveys, habitat surveys, prescribed and wildfiremanagement. Vegetative sampling plots were established in the Dragline Ditch area to measurevegetative response to fire in the wetlands.
Wildlife Openings
Several wildlife openings, also serving as emergency helispots have been developed within uplandforests. Many openings within forest management compartments contain helicopter dip sites thusproviding open water and adding to habitat diversity. Many of the openings provide several edgehabitats: pine forests, upland hardwoods, swamp forest, grassland and open water.
3.f. Fire Management
Almost every acre of upland on the refuge is fire dependent, particularly the longleaf pinecommunities. This habitat, including understory fuels have been drastically altered by majorchanges in the fire regime. Existing upland habitats are limited and cannot be indiscriminatelydestroyed, even to develop future improved habitat. Understory fuels are extremely heavy and
38
recover rapidly after fuel reduction fires. Until upland fuel types are restored to presettlementconditions, most dry cycle wildfires may destroy valuable habitat.
Within the swamp, fire management is even more complex. Intense fire is desirable within theswamp, however, under conditions when fire is the most beneficial, control is impossible. Duringthis time, the probability of fire leaving the swamp and endangering adjacent life and property ismost likely to occur. The completion of the Swamps Edge Break in 1993 marked theestablishment of a cooperative venture to manage fuels around the swamp perimeter. Thegrowing cooperative ventures among the Greater Okefenokee Association of Landowners(GOAL), such as the construction of 32 out of the planned 34 dip sites, will reduce the risk ofswamp fires destroying private property.
Prescribed Burning
During the past 30 years, dormant season fire has been used to reduce existing fuels. Asunderstory woody shrub fuels are reduced, growing season fire has been introduced to alter thefuel types from woody shrubs to warm season grasses and other ground covers associated withlongleaf pine communities. When these conditions are achieved, natural wildfires will benefitrather than destroy the habitat.
Two rainfall extremes occurred during the year. Exceptionally high water conditions existed asthe year began, then very dry conditions existed through the summer months. This combinationprevented the execution of many prescribed burns this year. Although both extremes fell insidethis calendar year, the interruption of burning schedules by extreme weather is not uncommon.
Other benefits of prescribed fire when properly applied are:
• Control of diseases, insects, and parasites.• Increase of available wildlife habitat.• Seed bed preparation for natural forest regeneration.• Improvement of access for forest and wildlife management.• Enhancement of aesthetic qualities.
During fiscal year 1998, 1,890.5 acres of 15,985 acres prescribed were burned. Total burningcosts for FY 1998 were $15,920 averaging $8.42 per acre. Table 20 shows a summary ofprescribed burns for 1998.
39
Table 20. FY 1998 SUMMARY OF BURNING ACTIVITYAREA
BTJKNUNIT
C2-2C2-4C2-5
C3-1. TrainingC3-2C3-3AC3-7C3-MSC
C4-MSCC4-1C4-4
C5-1C5-2C5-5
C6-1C6-3
C7-3C7-5C7-6
C8-6
C9-1C9-2C9-3
C10-2
C13-4
C15-1C15-2
C15-3C15-4
FIRE NO.GDI 1202)
-
470847454746
4506450746394640
45434662
:—
-
-
-
-
-
ACRESPLANNED
1141524
1110395130
<100
<100287
14
379438114
174430
25292
241
90
74195120
102
225
405387
363224
ACRESBURNED
000
157
1700
664445
2871.5
000
00
000
0
• o00
0
0
00
00
DATEBURNED
-
04/07/9805/02/9805/06/98
01/10/9801/12/9803/11/9803/11/98
02/09/9803/16/98
~
—
-
-
-
'
-
-
-
IGNITIONMETHOD
-
GGG
GGGG
AG
-
—
-
-
-
-
-
-
BURNEVAL
—
3B3B3B
3A3A3A3A
3A3B
-
—
:-
-
---
TOTALCOST
-
3691,116
642
1,4331,012
494494
1,257375
— .
—
:-
-
---
—
COST/ACRE
—
369.0019.583.78
21.7225.30
123.0099.00
6.47250.00
_
-
-
-
-
-
-
REMARKS
Unable to schedule.Unable to schedule.Unable to schedule.
Training bum for teachers.Overall good burn. USFS Rx burn team assisted.Overall good burn. USFS Rx burn team assisted.Unable to schedule.Low intensity fire but overall good burn.Overall good burn. All objectives were met.Overall good burn.Overall good burn.
Unable to schedule.Excellent burn.Some control problems. Good burn.
Unable to schedule.Unable to schedule.Unable to schedule.
Unable to schedule.Unable to schedule.
Unable to schedule.Unable to schedule.Unable to schedule.
Unable to schedule.
Unable to schedule.Unable to schedule.Unable to schedule.
Unable to schedule.
Unable to schedule.
Unable to schedule.Unable to schedule.
Unable to schedule.Unable to schedule.
AKEABURN UNIT
C16-3C16-4
SEB-FESEB-SW
Billys Island
Floyds Island
Mitchell Island
Rowells Island
Strange Island
Hickory Island
HickoryHammock
DogfennelGroup
Ellicotts Group
Fowels Group
Roasting EarGroup
Scrub Shrub
TOTALS
FERE NO.(DI 1202)
45684567
—
-
4604
-
' -
-
-
-
4553
4544
-
4554
-
ACRESPLANNED
55260
200200
3,330
625
1,070
763
1,850
171
101
152
176
296
141
1,000
15,985
ACRESBURNED
6460
00
0
625
0
0
0
0
0
189
176
0
141
0
1,890.5
DATEBURNED
02/11/9802/11/98
-
03/03/98
-
-
-
-
-
02/10/98
02/10/98
-
02/10/98
-
IGNITIONMETHOD
G&AG&A
—
-
A
-
-
-
-
-
A
A
-
A
-
BURNEVAL
3B3B
-
3B
-
-
-
-
-
3B
3B
-
3B
-
TOTALCOST
1,148672
-
2,757
-
-
-
-
-
1,381
1,381
-
1,389
-
$15,920
COST/ACRE
17.4911.20
-
-
4.41
-
-
-
-
-
7.31
7.85
-
9.85
-
$8.42
REMARKS
Good burn.Good burn.
Unable to schedule.Unable to schedule
Unable to schedule.
Patchy burn in some areas.
Unable to schedule.
Unable to schedule.
Unable to schedule.
Unable to schedule.
Unable to schedule.
Good hazard reduction burn.
Good hazard reduction burn.
Unable to schedule.
Good hazard reduction burn.
Unable to schedule.
-P-
IGNinON METHOD
G - Ignition by ground crewsA - Aerial ignition
BURN EVALUATION
Fire and Resource Management Objectives
1 - Prescribed fire failed to accomplish objectives.2 - Prescribed fire accomplished objectives in part but not within prescriptionlimits.3 - Prescribed fire accomplished objectives within prescription limits.4 - Prescribed fire accomplished objectives beyond prescription limits.
Allowable Resource damage Objectives (Crown Scorch,Mortality)
A - Little or no crown scorch.B - Crown scorch within prescription limits.C - Crown scorch exceeds prescription limits.D - Excessive crown scorch - some mortality probable.
|g Hazard0 Incomplete
Dip Site by OwnerALTELLFWS
IOILMANJSLANGDALEPRIVATE
H RAYONIERSTATE FOR
•''••' SUPERIOR PTOLEDOUNION CAMP
/\/ Refuge Boundary-SSiS Refuge Uplands
.DUCK POND
031 06.35
08218.69
BIG TURNj"
31 04.96 IS08218.86
*OUND
—.NORTH 177%3l 31 05.60
08216.09
SflfMP PARK31 03.84082 16.50
GOAT SHED31 01.7408210.84
RD72131 00.78082 09.65
GUM SLOUGH3100.5S
09.37
DEAN BARBER (DUDD RD)
3058.50 |082 26.87
PATRICIA FIELD3048.5708231.79 :
GATOR BRANC3048.10
062 30.79
CYPRESSj3039.33 |
08231.99
FORTNER CAI3036.9808230.34
STRAW IS.30 35.76 |082 28.86
BAKER PI3034.04082
1-LWbSI
•§3033.99^»2 24.05
jt FL MIDDLE3033.28
J •— I ROUGH IS3033.46
08223.35 08219.56
JPt |̂ BJK?
jJSwiMSlS
08217.5"
• RD63032.7208217.90
STOKESRD(BEEGUM)
/3036.B4082 07.83
'BOUNDARY BREAK
'3035.16082 08.35
CRAWFORD POND3033.72 Sffl082 03.89!';ii'
CLAY3032.9008204.10
Figure 13. GOAL Dip Sites - September 25,1998
42
Wildfire
There was a lot of wildfire activity during 1998. Although the year started out wet, the droughtindexes were very high for several months from June through July. Two factors contributed tothe smaller than anticipated number of acres burned. The swamp water remained above averageto normal throughout the year, limiting the number of lightning starts in the swamp. Secondly, anaggressive prescribed fire program has vastly reduced fuels throughout the refuge uplands. Thiscan easily be seen by the number of fires on adjoining lands where burning is no longer practiced.
At the height of wildfire activity in July, an unusual rain event occurred, dropping 2.77 inches onthe refuge. Overall for the month of July, 9.10 inches fell between the 14th and the 31st.
Within the refuge boundary, 14 wildfires occurred, all. starting from lightning strikes. The refugefires are the first 14 on the list below. The remaining fires required a suppression response fromrefuge employees and directly threatened the refuge.
Fire #4815 S-l Fire This lightning caused fire was discovered on June 20th by the refugehelicopter recon just west of Ohio Lake. Surveillance action was taken and the fire, a snag, wasallowed to burn itself out. It was declared out on June 21st. This fire only burned a tenth of anacre.
Fire #4818 Minnies Hammock Fire This lightning caused fire was discovered on June 23rd byrefuge helicopter recon in a small hammock about 2/3 mile west of Minnies Island. The fire wasabout IVi acres when discovered. Several helicopter water drops were made to retard the spreadof the fire. Heavy fuels in the center of the fire were allowed to burn. The fire was contained at 5acres during the same burning period and declared out on June 30th.
Fire #4831 Natural Out 1 This fire was on Blackjack Island and was discovered by helicopteron normal reconnaissance of the refuge. The fire had already burned itself out and there was nosmoke visible.
Fire #4834 Dog Fennel Fire On the 0900 hour reconnaissance flight, following the heaviestnight of thunderstorms and lightning of the summer season, the Dog Fennel Fire was detected. At0925 hours estimated size of the fire was 5 acres. Location and water levels were assessed andthe determination was made by 1C Fred Wetzel to allow the three snags, which were the onlyvisible smokes, to burn. No open flames were detected. A planned recon at 1300 hours showedthe fire was putting up more smoke, but had not grown in size. Recon continued with theintention to take the helicopter back and knock out open flames, but let the heavy fuels burn.However, water and chemical retardant were dropped on the fire by other resources without therefuge's approval.
Fire #4837 S-2 This lightning ignited fire began in a large cypress tree on an unnamedhammock. The tactic was to suppress the surface fire with water and allow the heavy fuels to
43
burn, but with each passing thunderstorm the fire spread around the hammock. A total of fifteenacres was burned. Swamp water levels prevented the fire from leaving the hammock.
\e #4849 S-3 This lightning caused fire started in a large snag cypress dome and was located
by refuge helicopter on routine recon flight. All open flames were extinguished by bucket drops.The fire smoked lightly until windy conditions caused a flare-up. Open flames were detected andthe fire grew to five acres. No other spread was observed when the fire was rained out on July13, 1998.
Fire #4850 Natural Out 2 This snag was located south of Floyds Island. Vegetation aroundthe base of the tree was burned, but the fire was put out by rainfall before it had a chance tospread. No action was taken on this fire.
Fire #4855 Billys East Fire On July 9, 1998, a lightning strike caused a fire on Billys Islandwhich burnt a total of 271 acres. Initial Attack was coordinated by the Refuge Fire ManagementTeam and consisted of several hours of heavy bucket work. The Eastern Area IncidentManagement Team assumed command of the incident at 1800 hours on July 12, 1998, andmanaged it as part of the Honey Scrub Complex.
Fire #4856 Honey Scrub Fire On July 9, 1998, a lightning fire started burning east of HoneyIsland in the scrub shrub (Figure 14). Initial attack was coordinated by the Refuge FireManagement Team. The Eastern Area Incident Management Team assumed command of it at1800 hours on July 12, 1998. The Honey Scrub Complex was established and all ongoing fires atthis time were placed under its management. This fire burned 4,847 acres.
Fire #4857 Buck Island Fire This lightning caused fire was located by refuge helicopter nearthe southwest corner of the refuge near Buck Island. A Georgia Forestry Commission tractor-plow unit plowed out the fire. This was one of five fires that was started on July 9, 1998. Thefire burned a total of 2 acres.
Fire #4927 Natural Out 3 This natural out was found in Forest Compartment 15 by refugeforestry personnel. The fire was located on the west side of Perimeter Road about 1A mile southof Seldom Seen Road. This fire was started by lightning, but rain put it out with only a 1A an acreburned.
Fire #4972 Natural Out 4 This snag was located on Number One Island. Vegetation aroundthe base of the snag has burned, but the fire was rained out before it had a chance to spread.
Fire #4973 Natural Out 5 This natural out was discovered during a routine flight of the refugeand was located west of Mims Island. Vegetation around the base of the snag was burned, butthe fire was rained out before it had a chance to spread.
Fire #4974 Natural Out 6 This snag was south of Number One Island. Vegetation around thebase of the snag was burned, but the fire was rained out before it had a chance to spread.
44
Figure 14. Honey Scrub Fire 7/98
Fire #4799 GA/FL-1 Fire This suppression action was initiated to suppress a series of fires seton Florida Highway 2 and Georgia Highway 94 and 177 during the afternoon of June 10, 1998.The fires were threatening refuge lands along the southwest and west boundaries. The fire wasfirst reported to be on the refuge by the Florida State Coordination Center. Initial attack was by15 to 30 tractor-plow units, two helicopters and two air tankers standing by from previous firesites. The fires on Florida Highway 2 and Georgia Highway 94 were contained by FloridaDivision of Forestry and US Forest Service units. The fires on Georgia Highway 177 werecontained by the Georgia Forestry Commission. Mop-up continued through the next day whenthe fires were declared out on June 11, 1998, with a total of 330 acres burned. The fire wascontained before it reached the refuge boundary. Refuge equipment responding to the firesincluded one tractor-plow unit, one engine, and the Nodwell soft track unit.
Fire #4809 GA/FL-2 Fire The fire was reported on June 17, at 1330 hours by aircraft workingon the Georgia Bend Fire. The fire was set by a freight train along the Norfolk Southern railroadtracks, a short distance south of the refuge boundary. Although the fire was outside the refugeboundary it was determined to be a threat to the refuge. Two refuge tractor-plow units, oneengine and a helicopter with bucket responded to attack the fire along with one Florida Divisionof Forestry and two industry tractor-plow units. The fire was contained by 1530 hours the sameday. The fire burned 14 acres.
45
Fire #4810 Georgia Bend Fire The Georgia Bend Fire began on June 15 as two spots on theeast side of Georgia Highway 185. The refuge helicopter responded to a fire as it jumped SR 185between Moniac, Georgia, and the state line. State units were already working the fire.Helicopter bucket drops were used to protect structures and to suppress spots. The two firesjoined during the following night. On June 17, the Georgia Forestry Commission requestedpersonnel and equipment to aid in the suppression effort. Refuge assistance included fouroverhead personnel, helicopter and manager, two tractor-plow units, and one engine. The city ofSt. George and many structures in rural areas were threatened by the fire. At one time as many as29 tractor-plow units, two air tankers, several engines and six helicopters were committed to thefire. The fire was declared out on June 30, 1998, after burning about 14,000 acres.
Fire #4811 GA-3 Fire On June 19, at 0930 hours during a recon with refuge helicopter, asmoke column was spotted near the refuge by the helicopter pilot on a fire previously contained.It was determined the fire had jumped the containment line and could endanger refuge lands. Thehelicopter worked throughout the day to assist in the containment of the fire.
Fire #4812 GA-4 Fire On June 20, a helicopter recon located a fire on Toledo ManufacturingCompany land about % of a mile off the refuge. The helicopter made five water drops on the fire.D5 and D6 tractor-plows were dispatched along with two engines. Both units plowed linesaround the fire and the engines were on standby on the road. Total fire size was 1A of an acre.
Fire #4813 GA-5 Fire This fire was located by the refuge helicopter near William Still Road.The D6 and D5 were both moved from the GA-4 fire to this fire. Tractor-plows met up with theToledo tractor and all three went in to plow. The engines were again on standby at the road. Thehelicopter dropped six buckets of water on the fire. The size of the fire was 1 acre.
Fire #4814 GA-6 Fire This fire was located by refuge helicopter while enroute from GA -5fire. Engine 41 and Engine 42 were moved from the GA-5 fire to this fire and met a GeorgiaForestry Commission tractor-plow unit. The tractor-plow unit plowed a line around the fire andEngine 42 mopped up the area. The size of this fire was 1 acre.
Fire #4816 GA-7 Fire On June 22, at 1915 hours, a Georgia Forestry Commission Rangercalled for helicopter recon to determine the location of smoke. The refuge helicopter located asmoke column and directed county units into the fire. The cause of the fire was lightning. Thefire burned 1A an acre.
Fire #4817 GA-8 Fire The fire was located at 1930 hours, on June 22, while on a recon of theGA-7 fire. The refuge helicopter suppressed the fire using water drops. A Georgia ForestryCommission unit plowed a line around the fire. The fire consumed 1A an acre.
Fire #4820 GA-9 Fire This fire was sported during a helicopter recon flight 1A mile east of therefuge boundary. Refuge tractor-plow and engines responded. One tractor-plow plowed the fireout. As the line was being completed the rain came.
46
Fire #4821 GA-10 Fire This fire was located by a Toledo Manufacturing Company employeeabout 3/i of a mile east of the refuge boundary. The employee directed a refuge engine to the fireand it was put out.
Fire #4835 GA-11 Fire This fire was located by Toledo Manufacturing Company personneland Georgia Forestry Commission personnel. A request came from the Georgia ForestryCommission for refuge tractor-plows to respond because their tractor-plows were committed toanother fire. The fire was 3.5 miles east of the refuge boundary. Refuge personnel respondedwith 2 tractor-plows, 2 engines, and a helicopter. The .fire was controlled at Vz an acre.
Fire #4836 FL-12Fire The fire was spotted by both Florida Division of Forestry personnel(Eddy Tower) and Georgia Forestry Commission personnel (St. George Tower). The refugehelicopter flew recon of the south end the refuge and located the fire approximately 1.5 milessouth of the refuge boundary. The helicopter landed at the Mims Island dipsite, hooked upbucket and made bucket drops until Florida Division of Forestry and Jefferson Smurfit tractor-plows arrived and plowed it out.
Fire #4841 GA-13 Fire This fire was spotted by the refuge helicopter returning from anotherfire. Two tractor-plows, 2 engines and the helicopter with the bucket were dispatched to the fire.The helicopter made bucket drops to assist refuge tractor-plow units in plowing the fire out. Thefire was on Toledo Manufacturing Company lands 1 Vz miles east of the refuge boundary.
Fire #4843 GA-14 Fire This fire was located on Toledo Manufacturing Company property byToledo personnel. Seven Georgia Forestry Commission and industry tractor-plows and therefuge helicopter responded.
Fire #4844 GA-15 Fire The fire was spotted by refuge helicopter on Union Camp land 1A mileeast of Gowen Tower and \Vz miles east of the refuge boundary. The refuge helicopter providedbucket drops until Georgia Forestry Commission tractor-plows arrived to plow it out.
Fire #4858 Dipsite Fire This lightning caused fire was located by the refuge helicopter on thesouthwest corner of the refuge near Fiddlers Island after a heavy thunderstorm. Georgia ForestryCommission personnel already had a line plowed around the fire. This was one of five fires thatwas started on July 9, 1998. The fire consumed approximately J/2 an acre.
Fire #4859 GA-16 Fire This lightning caused fire was located on the northwest side onRayonier property. The Georgia Forestry Commission requested the use of the refuge helicopterto assist the tractor-plow units with the fire. This was one of five fires that was started on July 9,1998. The fire consumed a total of 40 acres.
Fire #4862 GA-17 Fire This lightning ignited fire began as a severe thunderstorm crossed overthe Southwest corner of the refuge. The fire was reported by the refuge helicopter while on reconand called in a type one helicopter and three tractor-plow strike teams.
47
Refuge Boundary
Uplands
Prescribed Fire
Wildfire
Figure 15. Prescribed fires and wildlfires at Okefenokee NWR during 1998.
48
Other FaciKties - Swamps Edge Break
The Okefenokee Swamp, upland islands and surrounding uplands depend upon fire to preservethe conditions and habitats supporting the wildlife species native to Okefenokee Refuge. Thedifficulty of keeping prescribed and wildfires within the swamp and refuge boundaries whenconditions are sufficiently dry to accomplish desired objectives presents a difficult and costly firemanagement challenge.
Swamps Edge Break (SEE) was completed during 1993. The continuous fuels management zoneit supports is being developed slowly but surely, around the swamp. This zone will allow indirectsuppression actions during wildfires and allow greater use of prescribed fire to accomplishobjectives. The construction and maintenance of the fuels management zone is a cooperativeventure between the Georgia Forestry Commission, the Florida Division of Forestry, the Fish andWildlife Service, and private landowners.
The Georgia Forestry Commission rehabilitated the south half of the Clinch County break duringthe Honey Scrub Fire. Ware County and Rayonier Timber Company relocated eight miles andrehabilitated all of the Ware County Break.
Fire Management Planning
The final draft of the new Fire Management Plan is complete and approved. The FireManagement Plan will be one unit of a more comprehensive Habitat Management Plan.
3.g. Control Pest Plants
Growth of shrubs and greenbrier along boat and canoe trails is a continuous problem. Volunteerscontinued to trim the vegetation back from the Orange Trail. The trail cutter was able to cut thetrails out of Suwannee Canal Recreation Area and a portion of the trails out of KingfisherLanding. Cutting was stopped due to high water levels.
Pesticide Use Proposals were submitted for Rodeo, Garlon 3 A, Bait'em, Bushwhacker Fire AntControl, Amdro, Sulfur, Garlic Barrier, Rabon, D-Con, Pest Strip, Malathion, Orthene andSuspend. Rodeo is used on mats of maidencane, emergent vegetation, and shrub species adjacentto canoe and boat trails; however, no Rodeo was used in this manner, during 1998. Rodeo wasonly used around refuge and public facilities to eliminate weeds within graveled areas and aroundbuildings. Garlon 3 A is only used when it is desirable to kill larger trees to create snags andreduce competition for the establishment of more desirable trees. None was used in 1998. Theother pesticides are insecticides that are used around public facilities and within refuge buildings.
49
4.FISH AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
4.a. Bird Banding
Refer to section l.a. for RCW banding information.
4.b. Disease Monitoring and Treatment
After a raccoon entered a tent and bit a young camper, an aggressive raccoon was collected fromStephen C. Foster State Park and analyzed for rabies. No evidence of rabies was found.However, the boy was administered the rabies shots because there was no guarantee we hadtested the raccoon that had bit him.
4.c. Reintroductions
Nothing to Report
4.d. Nest Structures
Working with a Lake City, Florida boy scout troop and an eagle scout, preparation for cleaningexisting wood duck boxes for the 1999 nesting season was started at the end of the year. In mid-January 1999, twenty-two wood duck boxes on the west side of the refuge were cleaned andfilled with cypress mulch. Two new boxes were installed and eight additional boxes were made.
Refer to section l.a. for installation of RCW inserts.
4.e. Pest, Predator and Exotic Animal Control
See section l.a. Mammals and 3.g.
50
5.COORDINATION ACTIVITIES
5.a. Interagency Coordination
Over the past year, interagency ecosystem coordination continued through the Suwannee BasinInteragency Alliance. In this forum, representatives of Federal (Natural Resources ConservationService, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and U. S. Geological Survey), Florida (Suwannee RiverWater Management District, Department of Environmental Protection, Game and Fresh WaterFish Commission, Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and Division of Forestry),and Georgia (Environmental Protection Division, Division of Wildlife Resources, Department ofAgriculture, and Forestry Commission) agencies worked together to promote effectivecommunication and coordination, and develop a comprehensive natural resource managementplan for the basin utilizing the planning process adopted by the State of Georgia. The Allianceholds regular meetings and publishes a newsletter. Articles regarding the Okefenokee black bearstudy, the Suwannee River Sill, and Director, Jamie Rappaport Clark's visit to Okefenokeeappeared in the Swannee River Network in 1998. In addition, a satellite photo poster of theSuwannee River basin was developed and distributed by the Suwannee River Water ManagementDistrict (SRWMD).
5.b. Tribal Coordination
Nothing to Report
5.c. Private Land Activities
Proposed E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company Titanium Mining Project
DuPont continued with plans to develop a heavy minerals mine on 38,000 acres directly adjacentto the east boundary of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service's Okefenokee National Wildlife Refugeand Wilderness Area. This operation would remove zircon, staurolite, and the titanium minerals,ilmenite, rutile, and leucoxene. The mining operation would include: 1) clearing of vegetation inapproximately 1-mile square sections, 2) dredging the cleared area down to 50 feet below groundlevel with a sand dredge and extracting the minerals, and 3) back-filling and reclaiming (i.e., re-vegetating) the mined area. At any time about three square miles would be cleared: one foractive mining, one for reclamation, and one in preparation for mining.
51
Potentially significant, long-term alterations to the hydrology and water quality of the OkefenokeeSwamp and St. Mary's River are likely. Impacts could include the destruction of thousands ofacres of wetlands, alterations to surface water inflow, and permanent changes to the hydrologicalrelationships among the swamp, the underlying aquifer, and the surficial ground water in theadjacent mined area. The mining process also may mobilize contaminants, thus, degrading surfaceand ground water quality. Air quality in the Class I Wilderness Area may be degraded by dust,smoke, soot, and exhaust emissions generated at the mine. Endangered species and their habitatsthat may be directly affected include red-cockaded woodpeckers, indigo snakes, and wood storks.In addition to environmental effects, the mine operation could significantly degrade the uniquewilderness experience available to the annual 400,000 refuge visitors through a variety of visualimpacts and noise pollution. A U.S. Army Corps of Engineer's Section 404 wetland dredge andfill permit, and surface mining, National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES),ground water withdrawal, and water quality certification permits from the Georgia Department ofNatural Resources will be required.
Following an overnight of similar mines in Florida and a visit to the refuge on April 3, 1997, theSecretary of the Interior publicly stated his opposition to the project and subsequently wroteDuPont asking them to withdraw their mining proposal. As a result, DuPont temporarily haltedthe necessary permitting process. In June, 1997, DuPont hired an independent facilitator(Resolve, Inc) to begin a "collaborative process" in order to determine and address concernsabout the mining proposal. The collaborative process included representatives from local andcounty governments, environmental groups, DuPont, and other local and regional interests. Allfederal and state agencies chose not to participate. Participants met regularly from August, 1997to December, 1998.
In January, 1998, following the approval of the collaborative process, DuPont decided to resumetheir environmental studies suspended in April, 1997, and requested permission to monitor waterlevels, flow velocities, and water quality at four locations previously permitted on the refuge andto conduct wildlife, plant, and soil surveys. Just as the refuge staff treats any other request forresearch, DuPont's study proposal was reviewed for compatibility and integrity. Because of thelack of information on their wildlife, plant, and soil data needs, this portion of the permit wasdenied. After approval from the Washington, D.C. office, a Special Use Permit was issued toDuPont for monitoring monthly water levels and flow velocities and quarterly water quality atfour locations on the refuge that had been previously permitted in 1996 and early 1997.Okefenokee NWR staff made it clear in the accompanying letter to DuPont that the Servicecontinues to be opposed to their proposal to mine next to the refuge and data collected from thisor any other study will not alter that opposition.
On December 9, 1998, the collaborative met in a closed session to discuss a no mining proposal.A subsequent press release outlined a $90 million buyout proposal that included permanentretirement of the titanium dioxide mineral rights on all 38,000 acres through purchase, exchange,or other mechanisms. The proposal also presented the possibility that additional land (10,000acres) could be added to the refuge and that an Okefenokee Center for Education and Research
52
would be developed. On February 5, 1999, the members of the collaborative held a signingceremony in Folkston, Georgia where they formally ratified the agreement and dissolved thecollaborative process. However, success of the no mine proposal will depend on the ability ofmembers of the collaborative to secure the necessary money from private foundations,universities, government agencies or other sources to fund the proposal. Without funding,DuPont has made it clear they will reevaluate their options and likely will pursue a mining option.
Throughout the year, staff took all available opportunities to voice the Service's concerns andopposition to the mining proposal. A complete slide show presentation including script wasdeveloped outlining Service concerns. Freestanding exhibits were developed and placed in theRichard S. Bolt Visitor Center, Stephen Foster State Park, Swamp Park, and Zoo Atlanta. OnJune 21, the Savannah chapter of the American Bikers Active Toward Education (ABATE) held amotorcycle ride/rally from Savannah to Folkston to protest the mine proposal. Gene Bernofsky,World Wide Film Expedition, Missoula, Montana, produced a video entitled Trembling Waters;the video outlined the mining proposal and the overwhelming opposition expressed by theService, various local people, and environmental groups. Numerous newspaper articles,television, and radio stories concerning the mine and the collaborative process ran in 1998.
The Secretary of the Interior has stated he believes it is inappropriate for DuPont to carry outmining activities along the eastern boundary of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge becauseof the unknown consequences to this unique and priceless ecosystem. The Fish and WildlifeService is in complete concurrence with the Secretary's position.
5.d. Oil and Gas Activities
Nothing to Report
5. e. Cooperative/Friends Organizations
Cooperating Association
The Okefenokee Wildlife League is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that supports educationaland research projects at Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. During 1998, the Board ofDirectors met with refuge staff to discuss ways in which OWL can support outreach efforts inresponse to the DuPont mining issue.
Due to the efforts of Dee Arentz, a refuge volunteer, OWL received a $5,000 capacity buildinggrant from the National Wildlife Refuge Association Friends Initiative. The grant was used tofund a board of directors retreat with mentors from National Audubon Society and Friends of theMinnesota Valley. During the retreat, board members identified expectations of both themselvesand the refuge, discussed long term goals, and identified projects on which they would work.
The grant is also funding work on a membership drive and will fund development of a "BirdersGuide to the Okefenokee." These projects are currently underway.
53
6.RESOURCE PROTECTION
6.a. Law Enforcement
The year ended with a total of one full time officer and three collateral Refuge Officers. This isthe highest number of Refuge Officers this refuge has.had in five years. Jim Shelton is still the fulltime Refuge Officer and Deputy Project Leader Shaw Davis, Heavy Equipment Operator GregBlanks, and Forestry Technician Stacey Welch are the Collateral Refuge Officers. Fifty- nineFederal cases and 72 State/County cases were made this year.
Table 21. Federal and State/County cases for 1998
Refuge Violations
Possession of a firearm on a National Wildlife Refuge
Hunting on a National Wildlife Refuge
Trespassing on a National Wildlife Refuge
Possession of a controlled substance
Use of an oversize outboard engine
Boating/Fishing in a closed area
Use of outboards in the Wilderness Area Overnight Canoe Trip
Possession of over limit offish
Operating a motor vehicle with an open container of alcohol
Operation of a boat with no PFD
No Fishing License
Total
Number of Cases
28
13
3
3
3
2
2
2
1
1
1
59
54
Table 22. Violations written by Georgia Department of Natural Resources Officers and CountySheriff Department Officers.
Violations
Possession of a controlled substanceCannabis less than 1 oz. (12 arrest)
Fishing without a valid fishing license
Possession of illegal narcotic paraphernalia
No PFD on board
Invalid boat registration
Under the influence on a National Wildlife Refuge
Stealing US government property
Trespassing and damaging refuge property
Possession of alcohol by minors
Criminal mischief
DUI (Alcohol)
BUI (Alcohol)
Lewd and indecent activities
Total
Number of Cases
15
14
10
8
6
4
3
3
3
3
1
1
1
72
Twenty warnings were written this ye.ar by refuge officers. Warnings are issued by officers forminor violations that do not warrant a notice of violation. The majority of these warnings areafter hours trespassing and fishing without a fishing license. Sixty incident reports were done byrefuge officers, ranging from baiting black bear, to abandoned cannabis gardens on the refuge.The refuge suffered a break-in at the east side entrance fee canister again this year. The methodused to gain entry into the refuge and the way the subjects broke into the canister reminded refugeofficers and the local sheriffs department of the last time the canister was broken into. One weeklater the sheriffs department received a tip that there were two young men in Folkston paying cashfor items with money out of blue envelopes. The sheriffs office identified one subject as one ofthe persons who had broken into the canister in 1997, and had just paid $1500 in restitution to therefuge a few months earlier. The subject was apprehended by the sheriffs office and had hisparole revoked and went back to prison to finish out his prison term of three years for the 1997theft. Loss of fee money and damage to the canister was estimated at $1000.
55
Refuge Officers were involved in three refuge operations this year. Each operation was designedto address three growing problems on the refuge: cannabis gardens, illegal drug use, and illegalbear poaching. The results of each operation is shown in Table 23.
OPERATION SWAMP BUST"98"
Operation Swamp Bust "98" is an annual Law Enforcement (LE) Operation to address the illegalnarcotic problem on the refuge. Heavy LE presence is.made during peak visitor use tunes. Checkpoints along with spot checks are made at all the primary entry points into the refuge. The regionK9 Handler, Refuge Officer Brannan, and K9 Beaux came down again for the operation. Casesmade during this operation are shown in Table 23.
Table 23. Wilderness Overnight Canoe Violations - State and County Charges
Violation
Possession of Cannabis less than 1 ounce
Possession of a drug related object
Counts
8
5
Table 24. Wilderness Overnight Canoe Violations - Federal Charges
Violations
Possession of Cannabis less than 1 ounce
Possession of a loaded firearm
Fishing in a closed area of the refuge
Fishing without a valid fishing license
Operation of a boat without a required PFD
Counts
3
11
2
1
1
Refuge Officers involved with Operation Swamp Bust "98":
Refuge Officer Jim Shelton, Okefenokee NWRRefuge Officer Greg Blanks, Okefenokee NWRRefuge Officer Stacey Welch, Okefenokee NWRRefuge Officer and K9 Handler Edgar Brannon, Tenasaw NWR
56
OPERATION SMOKEY'S REVENGE
Since the state of Georgia has had a legal black bear hunting season, the refuge has been illegallyhunted by many of the bear hunt clubs which border its boundary. In the past, gates have beendestroyed, hunting dogs cast out into the refuge to run bear off, bait placed on the refuge, andattempts to hunt bear on the refuge itself have even occurred. Last hunting season a concentratedeffort by refuge officers netted violators in a large hunting club in the northwest side of the refuge.This year it was decided to concentrate our efforts on opening day near the south end of therefuge in the land lot 260 area. In this part of the refuge, the perimeter road goes through asection of the refuge where there is refuge property on both sides of the road. On this road thereare no gates, and it is used by a hunting club as a travel corridor. The boundaries in this area arewell marked, and each end of the road has a large 2x3 foot sign which states "ALL FIREARMSMUST BE UNLOADED AND CASED OR DISMANTLED". In years past, Refuge OfficerShelton has seen evidence that illegal hunting activity had been ongoing in this area. Many hoursof surveillance were spent in the area watching hunters cruise up and down the road looking forgame. Many of these hunters were seen with their heads hanging out of their vehicle looking fortracks on the road to cast their hunting dogs onto. As luck would have, on the days officers werein the woods, the hunter's prey did not cross the road to leave tracks for the hunters to find. As aresult, Officer Shelton came up with the idea to leave false tracks on the refuge road using a castof a black bear track to see if the hunters would cast their hunting dogs upon the tracks or honorthe boundaries of the refuge and leave them alone. On September 25, 1998, the opening day ofthe Georgia bear season, five refuge officers apprehended eighteen subjects attempting to huntbear on the refuge. Thirteen adults and five juveniles (from 2 to 17 years old) were apprehendedafter being observed by refuge officers entering the refuge and casting their hunting dogs upon thefalse track of a black bear. The thirteen adults received 26 citations. All were charged withhunting on a NWR and possession of a firearm on a NWR. When Refuge Officers searched thehunters vehicles, over 23 loaded weapons were found. This case caused quite a bit of local newsaction, two of the subjects were local sheriff deputies and three other subjects were countyemployees. At the writing of this Narrative, all 26 citations were paid with out going to court.
Refuge Officers involved in Operation Smokey's Revenge:
Refuge Officer Jim Shelton, Okefenokee NWRRefuge Officer Shaw Davis, Okefenokee NWRRefuge Officer Greg Blanks, Okefenokee NWRRefuge Officer Stacey Welch, Okefenokee NWRRefuge Officer Kelly Smith, Wheeler NWR
57
OPERATION SWAMP TOAD
In the past years, the refuge has been a hot bed of illegal cannabis. This year was no different.Refuge Officer Shelton had discovered a cannabis garden on the refuge in October of last year.A year long investigation with cooperation from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, FloridaDepartment Of Law Enforcement, US Forest Service, Florida National Guard, and the BakerCounty Sheriffs Office, resulted in the shutting down of one of the biggest cannabis growingoperations in North Florida history. .Over 2,500 plants, with a street value of $5.5 million, werefound growing in 13 gardens on and off the refuge. So far, this has led to the indictment of nineindividuals for growing cannabis. The case is not closed yet with the possibility of more arrestscoming.
6.b. Wildfire Preparedness
Preparedness efforts were directed toward repair or maintenance of equipment that will make firesuppression efforts safe and more effective during the next dry cycle. The following projects werecontinued in 1998:
• Fire access roads were mowed and graded where necessary.• Swamp Perimeter Road and fire access roads were maintained around the refuge.• A great deal of time was spent on heavy equipment maintenance and rehabilitation.
6.c. Permits and Economic Uses Management
See section l.b. Studies and Investigations
6.d. Contaminant Cleanup
Nothing to Report
6.e. Manage Water Rights
Nothing to Report
6.f. Manage Cultural Resources
Refuge staff continued pursuit of a National Historic Preservation listing for the Floyds Islandcabin. This has been an on-going project involving Region 4 National Historic PreservationOfficer and Refuge Volunteer, Chris Trowell. The first Draft of the nomination was submitted
58
for review and approval by Mr. Trowell. After an initial re-write and numerous additionalchanges, the refuge is still awaiting a Final Draft from the Regional Historic PreservationOfficer. The refuge is hopeful that FY 99 will be the year the proposal is finallysubmitted to Washington, D.C. for final approval.
6.g. Federal Facility Compliance Act
Nothing to Report
6.h. Land Acquisition
Nothing to Report
6.L Wilderness and Natural Areas
Nothing to Report
6.j. Threats and Conflicts
Nothing to Report
59
7.ALASKA ONLY
60
8.PUBLIC EDUCATION AND RECREATION
8.a. Provide Visitor Services
Visitor Service Highlights
The threat of DuPont dredging a fifty foot strip mine adjacent to the Okefenokee NationalWildlife Refuge directed every public use event, facility improvement, community meeting,exhibit, and public contact in some way in 1998. We worked on our facilities in order to makevisitor experiences safe and enjoyable, so our visitors would become our allies. We plannedspecial events and interpretive programs to build a base of support from local and regionalresidents. We entered the community on boards, service organizations, and initiatives todemonstrate Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge is an important resource for the cities andcounty. We planned Environmental Education exhibits that would not only teach about theOkefenokee, but would encourage visitors to remain in the area and provide an economic boost tolocal businesses. And at every opportunity we taught our visitors, other Service employees,neighbors, partners, elected representatives, the media and anyone who would listen about thisthreat to the priceless Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge.
Visitor Use Statistics
Visitors continue to come to Okefenokee NWR from all 50 states and over a dozen countries. In1998, the Georgia Tech Economic Development Institute conducted a demographic survey ofOkefenokee visitors. Their location information reflected that most Okefenokee visitors comefrom the southeast and northeast, with the majority from Florida and Georgia. While theinformation they collected on the source of visitors seemed to reflect current refuge observations,the information on the demographics may not reflect refuge observations at the East Entrance.Further study is needed.
Weather conditions in 1998 affected visitation greatly. It was a highly unusual year, as the refugeclosed boat trails because of both high water and low water. El Nino is blamed for higher thanaverage water levels throughout the spring, which affected canoe trails during the busiest time ofthe year (Figure 16). Some platforms were under water. Others were the only high spot in thearea and were providing resting areas for alligators and other wildlife (a little too crowded to addhumans, too). Unfortunately, when the media reported on canoe trail closings, they consistently
61
failed to mention day use areas remained open. Thus, visitation was affected in day use areas aswell.
During June and July, canoe trails were then closed due to abnormally low water levels. Whilestaff tried to minimize press on this closing, the AP picked up the story and ran it regionally, againaffecting visitation. While Stephen Foster State Park was closed in July due to the threat ofwildfires, the East and North Entrances remained open, with some boat access restricted.
62
Figure 16. Coffee Bay Day Use Shelter was covered with water during the busiest timeof the year. 2/98 CT
Table 25. Visitation by entrance.
Entrance
East
West
North
Total
1998
127,501
127,758
74,062
331,319
1997
134,784
91,881
82,593
311,255
1996
136,106
130,137
81,428
349,667
1995
133,345
125,694
89,428
350,462
1994
152,138
123,231
84,863
362,226
63
Table 26. Federal Recreation Fee Collection - Entrance Permits (FY98)
Type of Permit
Single Visits
Group/Commercial
Golden Eagle
Golden Age
Golden Access
Refuge Passes
Duck Stamp
Okefenokee Swamp Park
TOTAL
Number
14,223
35
26
309
34
135
40
61,694
76,496
Receipts
$71,115.00
1,400.00
1,300.00
3,090.00
0
1,620.00
600.00
10,176.49
$89,301.49
Table 27. Recreation User Permits (FY98)
Type of Permit
Special Use (canoeing)
Commercial (canoeing)
Hunt
TOTAL
Number
582
5
36
623
Receipts
$53,880.00
250.00
432.00
$54,562.00
Table 28. Day-Use
Trail
Homestead Trail
Deerstand Trail
Boardwalk ("Swamp Walk")
Upland Discovery Trail
Canal Diggers Trail
Swamp Island Drive (auto tour)
Number of Visits
1,291
2,353
27,095
4,302
3,248
81,190
64
Table 29. Visits to Interpretive Exhibits
Richard S. Bolt Visitor Center
Chesser Island Homestead
1998
58,302
24,357
1997
35,147
26,996
Facility Improvements
Most public use facilities at Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge were constructed in the late1960s and early 1970s. Buildings, boardwalks, trails, and shelters have deteriorated in the harshswamp environment and efforts are underway to repair and replace facilities.
More work was done on the Swamp Walk Boardwalk during 1998. The old photo blinds weretorn down to make way for Environmental Education shelters. Additional boards at the beginningof the walk were replaced. Extensive trimming was done by refuge volunteers, led by RangerGrade Gooch, to open up the views at rest shelters. Grade and her crew did an excellent job -when done correctly a good trimming can last two to three years.
Sewage problems plagued the Suwannee Canal Recreation Area (SCRA) during the year, forcingthe refuge to replace the impeller/grinder pump. Some of the work then resulted in broken sewerlines to the raised sand bed filter, which were then replaced.
Since being replaced 4-5 years ago, the water systems at Camp Cornelia, SCRA and ChesserIsland have never really worked well. Complaints of foul odor and taste (mostly sulfur), frequentbreakdowns, and complicated equipment have been constant. Regional Engineer Jim Poje wasinvited to look at the system and evaluate recommendations from refuge staff on improving thewater. Maintenance Worker Everette Sikes and Mechanic Tony Gooch are working on thesystems.
Regional Engineers completed an evaluation of the Owl's Roost Tower, The report indicates themain beams and foundation are okay, but all the secondary boards, decking, railings, and roofneed to be replaced. The project will be submitted in the MMS system as a health and safetyfunding project.
In cooperation with Okefenokee Pastimes Campground, a new trail through the longleaf pineforest was constructed. Refuge staff did the initial groundwork, with the understanding thatOkefenokee Pastimes will maintain the trail. This gives visitors an opportunity to hike andbirdwatch after hours, as the trail is located before the entrance gates. The trail is not yet named.
The refuge received word the FY99 budget would contain $1 million for environmental educationexhibits at the Richard S. Bolt Visitor Center. Staff met with Regional Exhibit Coordinator
65
Donna Stanek at the end of December to plan roles, responsibilities, and a timeline for the project.It is scheduled to be completed in June, 2000.
Planning
New Entrance Fee Guidelines, increased ecotourism attention, and the expiration of the currentconcession contract forced public use staff to re-evaluate a number of programs at Okefenokee.After several meetings with refuge management and staff, public use staff drafted new guidelinesfor entrance fees, commercial guides, and the wilderness canoe trail system. These changes willbe instituted in 1999.
Interpretation
Refuge staff and volunteers offered night Owl Prowls during January - March of 1998. OwlProwls are evening strolls on the boardwalk focusing on night sights and sounds. The East Sideconcession has the opportunity to offer these programs for a fee, but had not done so in years.Reaction was quite positive for these programs.
Staff provided a program for the Stephen Foster State Park Elderhostel program in February.Staff are also working on initiating an Elderhostel program on the east side.
Environmental Education
Refuge Volunteer Dee Arentz worked on a Teachers Guide to the Okefenokee in the spring. Shecompleted a draft of the guide.
Staff did a program for a group of teachers sponsored by UGA and the Georgia ForestryAssociation. Staff also conducted a Project WILD workshop in November for a group of localteachers.
Eight Regional Field Service Directors from the Georgia Department of Education visited therefuge in October.
Table 30. Environmental Education for 1998
Students
Teacher
Visits
639
135
Activity Hours
2056
540
66
On-site Special Events
Sandhill Crane
The sixth annual Sandhill Crane Awareness Day was held in February. The crowd ofapproximately 800 enjoyed a day packed with special birding and environmental programs andactivities. Zoo Atlanta staff brought the Zoo Mobile with live animals, which were a hit (Figure17)!
Figure 17. Zoo Atlanta brought the Zoo Mobile and friendsto the Sandhill Crane Awareness Festival in February.
2/98
67
National Wildlife Week/Earth Day
For the second year, Refuge Ranger Joanna Taylor and Biologist Sara Aicher worked to bringartists to the National Wildlife Week/Earth Day events (Figure 18). In 1998, they workedextensively with the local community to raise money and awareness of this event. White OakConservation Center matched $2,000 in local in-kind services with cash that was used foradvertising the event. Despite all the efforts of staff and community, artists did not sell theirworks as they had hoped. While support is still strong, the focus on fixture festivals will likely beon workshops and other artist events, rather than an attempt to sell artwork.
Approximately 2,000 people attended the event and activities included a juried art show, theatricalperformances, live music, youth art activities, environmental programs, bird walks and specialboat tours.
Figure 18. Visitors to the second annual Earth Day Art Festival learn how to makepaper. 4/98
National Fishing Week
This year's National Fishing Week celebration was held on May 30th. Forty-one youthparticipated in the event which included a one-hour fishing workshop by the Coastal Conservation
68
Association, followed by a two-hour fishing derby. Nine youth caught 12 fish during the event.Twenty two prizes were awarded in different age categories for biggest and most fish caught.After the awards ceremony., participants enjoyed a seining demonstration and free lunch. TheGeorgia Department of Natural Resources, Coastal Conservation Association, staff andvolunteers all cooperated in this event. This year's big winner was Hannah Wetzel., whose brotherNoah won last year (using his Snoopy pole). Both are the children of Forester Fred Wetzel.
Okefenokee Festival/National Wildlife Refuge Week
National Wildlife Refuge Week and the Okefenokee Festival continue to overlap each year.Again in 1998, the Chesser Island Homestead was the focus of activities. Over 1,500 peopleenjoyed singing, storytelling, and pioneer crafts: butter churning, pine straw baskets, palmettobrooms, woodstove cooking and others.
For the first time, the refuge used shuttle buses to transport visitors from the Visitor Centerparking area to the Homestead during the event (Figure 19). In past years, parking had become aproblem on the narrow, one-way wildlife drive. With wet weather the week before the event,roadsides would have also been torn up by vehicles parking alongside. While there wereconsiderable problems with how the shuttle and entrance fees were administered (lines were verylong and some people had to wait over an hour for a trip), staff intend to work out the bugs andtry again next year. Each shuttle was guided and staff discussed upland management, swamprecreation, and the ubiquitous DuPont issue along the way.
69
Figure 19. Co-op Student Mindy White was one of four interpreters assigned toshuttles during the annual Okefenokee Festival. 10/98
Spooky Swamp Night
The third annual Spooky Swamp night was again a success, almost too much so. It is estimatedthat over 800 people attended the program which included night nature walks with a costumedguide, hayrides, spooky boat tours, a swamp costume contest, and games.
While this is a great community event, the reaction has been greater than anticipated, with visitorscoming from Jacksonville and Waycross. Lines were long, hayrides were sold out early, anddarkness created safety problems. The 1999 event will likely be advertised only locally.
Yule Log Festival
The 1998 Yule Log Ceremony was held on a Friday night for the first time (Figure 20). Almost300 people attended the evening of caroling, holiday stories, the search for the Yule Log, andcommunity fellowship.
70
Figure 20. Local Girl Scout troop baked cookies and helped with preparations for theannual Yule Log program. 12/98 GG
Hunting
Georgia DNR Ranger Mike Brooks again conducted a Hunter Safety Course at OkefenokeeNational Wildlife Refuge prior to hunting season.
The annual deer hunt was held at the Suwannee Canal Recreation Area on October 31 andNovember 1. Thirty-three hunters took four bucks and six does.
Fishing
While fishing numbers remain relatively stable, there was a dramatic increase along the SuwanneeRiver sill in 1998. In late summer, anglers were catching large numbers of bream along the sill,which may account for the increase.
71
Table 31. On-Refuge Anglers
East Entrance
West Entrance
Kingfisher Landing
Suwannee River Sill
TOTAL
1998
547
5,567
404
5,149
11,667
1997
550
4,747
633
3,620
9,550
1996
573
5,795
480
1,763
8,611
Camping
Tent, RV, and cabin camping are available at the West Entrance (Stephen C. Foster State Park).The park was evacuated briefly in July when wildfires threatened the area. Since then, state parkstaff have done considerable fuel reduction work in their camping area.
Table 32. Campers at Stephen C. Foster State Park
Tent/RV Campers
Cabin Users
Number of Visits
8,305
9,400
Activity Hours
41,525
75,200
Concessions
Each of the three refuge entrances offer concession services of some sort: boat and canoe rentals,boat tours, food service, or other services. Both the North Entrance (Okefenokee Swamp Park)and East Entrance (Suwannee Canal Recreation, Inc.) concession contracts are up for renewal in1999. Few changes will be made to the Okefenokee Swamp Park contract. The Suwannee CanalRecreation Area will re-open to bidders and will include some changes in services, expectations,and requirements.
Refuge staff continue to work with the East Side concession to improve services and facilities.The refuge offered two different guide trainings in 1998 in order to improve services.
The West Entrance (Stephen C. Foster State Park) is operated by the Georgia Department ofNatural Resources. As mentioned above, they did considerable work on fuels reduction aroundbuildings in 1998. They have also had repeated bear problems with the garbage collection.Future agreements with all concessions will require they ensure bear-proof waste disposaloperations.
72
Table 33. East Entrance Concession Net Receipts
Net Receipts
1998
$307,254
1997
$333,293
1996
$308,243
8.b. Outreach
Partnerships
Zoo Atlanta
Okefenokee continued its partnership with Zoo Atlanta during 1998.
Teacher WorkshopIn April, teachers and Zoo staff members visited Okefenokee NWR for a week-longtraining in refuge management and issues. While participation was small, it set thegroundwork for more trainings in the future.
• Zoom MagazineRefuge staff continue to submit articles to the Zoo's membership magazine, which reachesover 40,000 households three - four times each year.
• Okefenokee Festival at Zoo AtlantaFor the second year, a contingent of refuge staff and volunteers spent a weekend at theZoo teaching visitors about the natural and cultural history of the Okefenokee (Figure 21).Visitors were able to quilt, make palmetto brooms, play pioneer games, make crafts,examine swamp critters through a microscope, learn about current issues, and take home alongleaf pine seedling. Representatives from the Okefenokee Chamber of Commerce andCity of Folkston accompanied the group in 1998. Over 6,000 people visited the Zooduring the weekend of the festival.
73
Figure 21. A costumed alligator made his (or her?)appearance at the second Okefenokee Festival at ZooAtlanta. 10/98
1. GSAMS ProgramsRefuge Ranger Jim Burkhart and local teacher Josh Howard conducted threeenvironmental education programs during the year with Zoo Atlanta over the state-wideinteractive television network.
2. Richard Hazlepp of Zoo Atlanta video taped (in digital format) scenes of the Starke Mine,Trail Ridge and other shots for use on the refuge's home page.
74
Waycross College
Waycross College, the host site for GSAMS, allowed the refuge to tie in with them on theirenvironmental education programs.
DuPont Outreach
While all outreach efforts on the refuge were indirectly inspired by this issue, the followingactivities were directly related to the DuPont Issue. In .1998, refuge staff were encouraged by theRegional Office to become more aggressive in outreach related to DuPont.
Staff collaborated with the Regional Office and the Turner Foundation to identify possiblecelebrities who would be interested in taking on DuPonfs Okefenokee mine as a cause.
Staff created nine portable exhibits on the DuPont issue. The exhibits described the miningprocess, highlighted Service concerns, and provided information on what the public can do to helpthe issue. An exhibit was posted at all three entrances to the refuge, one went to the RegionalOffice, one to Zoo Atlanta, and one to a school. Several more will be sent out in 1999 to theMam Interior Building, Cumberland Island National Seashore, the Georgia State Capitol andother locations.
A fact sheet was developed in conjunction with the exhibits and was distributed at refuge events,Zoo Atlanta, and other locations.
Refuge staff, including Ecologist John Kasbohm, Ranger Jim Burkhart, and Ranger MaggieO'Connell gave presentations to various civic and social organizations, elderhostel groups,international visitors, and others on the DuPont issue. A slide program and script were developedfor loan to other organizations.
In June, 200 riders with ABATE (American Bikers Active Toward Education) staged amotorcycle rally at the East Entrance to the Refuge to protest the proposed strip mine (Figures 22and 23). They cooperated with the Ware County Sheriffs Office, Charlton County SheriffsOffice and Okefenokee Pastimes Campground to stage the event. It received media coveragefrom various print and television media.
An organization called Dentists Defending the Swamp (DDS) was founded in Savannah, Georgiaby an environmentally aware dentist. He contacted others in his profession to provide informationin their waiting rooms on this issue.
75
Figure 22. ABATE (American Bikers Active Toward Education) members held a rallyprotesting the proposed DuPont strip mine. 6/98
76
Figure 23. Rally coordinator "Junkyard" presented anti-DuPont petitions to Sierra Club representative RhettLawrence. 6/98
77
Off-refuge Special Events/Community Events
Okefenokee Festival
The 26th Annual Okefenokee Festival was held in downtown Folkston in October. In addition toactivities at the Chesser Island Homestead, the refuge was the site of the family fun ride and a legof the "Tour de Swamp" bike ride.
The refuge once again entered a float in the Okefenokee Festival Parade, after a break last year."Treasures of the Okefenokee" won first place in the Business and Industry category. Onceagain, Refuge Forester Ron Phernetton and Biologist Sara Aicher were instrumental in designingand constructing the float. •
Qkefenokee Fair
For the third year, all three refuge entrances cooperated on a booth at the Okefenokee RegionalFair in Waycross, Georgia. Due largely to the efforts of Okefenokee Swamp Park, the boothagain won first place. Money from the last two years' prizes will be used to host a gathering forstaff from all three entrances.
Relay for Life
Once again, Refuge Ranger Grade Gooch captained the Okefenokee Relay for Life team, acommunity effort to raise money for the American Cancer Society. The event requires teams tofield at least nine people to walk for 14 hours, beginning at 7:00 p.m. (One person from the teammust be on the track at all times.) This year, the refuge team raised $1150.00. Almost thirtyrefuge staff members and volunteers participated in the event, which also included a cookout.
Kiwanis Family Festival
The local Kiwanis Family Festival continues to grow in popularity. The festival offers parentingworkshops, dance and martial arts demonstrations, programs for kids, and communityinformation. The Refuge staffed a touch and feel booth and did face painting for the event.
Local Community Outreach
Office Automation Assistant Judy Drury provided a guided tour for participants in aFamiliarization Tour (FAM Tour) for travel professionals. The tour was hosted by theOkefenokee Chamber of Commerce and featured stops in Folkston and Charlton County,including the swamp.
Okefenokee Staff worked with the Okefenokee Chamber of Commerce to host participants in theJapan-America Grassroots Summit in November. Twenty two Japanese citizens spent the
V
78
weekend in the homes of Charlton County residents while learning about the Okefenokee andsouth Georgia culture. The event was a great success for both the Japanese and Americanparticipants, who learned about Japan from their guests.
The Okefenokee Chamber of Commerce submitted a grant to the Turner Foundation to bring aresource economist into the area twice a month for the next 18 months to coordinate tourism andoutreach efforts.
The refuge participated in Economic Assessment meetings hosted by a number of differentorganizations. The Wilderness Society presented a day-long workshop on Conservation BasedDevelopment. Refuge staff are involved with Folkston's Better Hometown initiative. Refugestaff attended the Southeast Georgia Nature Based Tourism Conference and are members of thenewly formed association. Staff also attended meetings with Georgia Scenic Byways coordinatorand Georgia Coastal Birding Trail participants to get involved in these efforts.
Congressional Outreach
Tom Williams and Scott Brady from Senator Max Cleland's office visited the refuge for a briefingand tour in May.
Staff continue to work closely with Congressman Saxby Chambliss' staff on the Suwannee RiverSill Environmental Assessment (EA), the DuPont issue, and funding for Environmental Educationexhibits at the Richard S. Bolt Visitor Center.
Sill Outreach
Supervisory Refuge Ranger Jim Burkhart worked closely with the biology staff to draft anoutreach plan for the Suwannee River Sill EA process. Public use staff participated in publicmeetings during the comment period of the EA process. Burkhart conducted media interviewsand worked with biology staff on news releases. There was little controversy surrounding theprocess, thanks in part to the outreach and scoping efforts.
Fire Outreach
The Honey Scrub Fire in July dominated all staff time, including public use, for about a week.Staff drafted news releases and talking points, worked with Information Officers when theyarrived, oriented Overhead Team members to the Refuge, faxed information to local newspapersand landowners, and worked with the media. Some shortcomings of refuge preparedness wereidentified and will be remedied before the 1999 fire season.
79
North Florida Ecosystem Outreach/National Wildlife Refuge Week
Okefenokee Public Use staff continue to work with other field stations to promote the Service,coordinate activities, and promote unified public outreach effort. Okefenokee hosted this year'sOutreach Workshop, which was attended by public use staff from field stations around the region.The workshop included presentations by Regional Office External Affairs ARD Vicki Boatwright,Legislative Liaison Ann Feltner, Assistant District Manager Rick Ingram, and other field staff.Action items were identified, including an activity book, refuge passport, assorted memos, workon a refuge commemorative postage stamp for 2003 and other projects.
Okefenokee staff visited Warm Springs Regional Fish Research Center twice. Once to conduct aninformal interpretive evaluation and to give staff there some suggestions on easy and effectiveinterpretation methods. The second trip was to attend the annual Warm Springs WatermelonFestival in preparation for the hatchery's centennial in 1999. Okefenokee staff are working withWarm Springs staff to plan the Centennial Celebration in September of 1999.
Refuge Ranger Maggie O'Connell and Intern Lori Ward attended the 95th Birthday Celebration atPelican Island National Wildlife Refuge. They put blue goose tattoos on hundreds of peoplethroughout the day. Also on the refuge birthday, Refuge Ranger Jim Burkhart and volunteersdistributed posters at the 1-95 Welcome Center in Kingsland, Georgia.
Staff also submitted and staffed a poster at the National Wildlife Refuge System Conference atKeystone. The poster was on the DuPont issue.
Media Contacts/Events
After a day-long trip with a reporter and photographer with the Florida Times Union, the refugewas featured prominently in the Weekend section of the paper on September 18th. On the sameday, the refuge was featured on the front page of the news section with a story on the DuPontcollaborative process.
An organization called Green Umbrella filmed a video on crocodilians at Okefenokee during1998.
Another organization, World Wildlife Film Expeditions produced a 25-minute video outlining theproposed DuPont strip mine and opposition to the project.
VIP Visits
In November, Refuge Manager Skippy Reeves and Refuge Ranger Maggie O'Connell conducteda day-long tour for National Wildlife Federation President Mark Van Putten and members of hisWashington and Atlanta staff. The National Wildlife Federation is beginning an initiative thatfocuses on the Okefenokee and Osceola Ecosystems, St. Marys and Suwannee Rivers, and the
80
North Florida/S outh Georgia region.
New Geographic ARD Linda Kelsey visited the refuge in December. She was briefed by therefuge management team, toured the swamp and Suwannee River sill by helicopter, walked theboardwalk, and took a boat trip in the swamp. She also enjoyed a potluck lunch with refuge staffand volunteers.
Members of the National Wildlife Refuge System Conference Leadership Subcommittee met atthe refuge in December as well. They were also provided with a tour of the boardwalk and otherfacilities. Former Okefenokee Refuge Manager John Schroer was part of that subcommittee.
Studies
The Georgia Tech Economic Development Institute completed an analysis of visitors from allthree refuge entrances and presented their findings in October. Unfortunately, the organizationdid not contact the refuge in advance of the study, therefore our data was not as complete as itcould have been. Staff is working with local communities on a grant to get additional money tocomplete the study and get more in-depth marketing information from it.
81
9.PLANNING AND ADMINISTRATION
9.a. Comprehensive Management Planning
Nothing to Report
9.b. General Administration
A five-year comparison of Okefenokee's approved staffing pattern is shown below:
Table 34. A five-year comparison of Okefenokee's approved staffing pattern.
FY 1998
FY 1997
FY 1996
FY 1995
FY 1994
Full-time
28
25
25
23
19
Part-time
5 (3.55FTE)
5(3.55FTE)
5(3.55FTE)
5(3.55FTE)
0
Temporary
1
0
2(1.0FTE)
2(1.0FTE)
1
Firefighters
5
6
2 (1040 APP)
7 (1040 APP)
14
82
Personnel
Permanent Staff1. M. Skippy Reeves (EOD 02/21/93)2. W. Shaw Davis (EOD 04/10/88)3. Melinda White (EOD 05/25/97)4. DarthaP. Campbell (EOD 12/06/76)5. Beverly A. Stevens (EOD 03/05/95)6. Judy L. Drury (EOD 08/17/92)7. Sara Brown Aicher (EOD 03/10/91)8. Cynthia Thompson (EOD 06/13/94)9. John Kasboshm (EOD 11/26/95)
10. James N. Shelton (EOD 07/05/87)11. John Gibson (EOD 10/29/95)12. James A. Burkhart (EOD 06/11/78)13. Margaret S. O'Connell (EOD 05/14/95)14. Grade A. Gooch (EOD 05/29/84)15. Nell D. Snowden (EOD 07/14/77)16. Joanna A. Taylor (EOD 12/26/96)
Refuge Manager (GS 14, PFT)Deputy Refuge Manager (GS 13, PFT)Coop Student (GS 4, PFT)Office Assistant (GS 7, PFT)Office Automation Asst. (GS 5, PFT)Office Automation Clerk (GS 4, PFT)Biologist (GS 11, PFT)Wildlife Biologist (GS 9, PFT)Ecologist(GSll,PFT)Law. Enforcement Officer (GS 8, PFT)Computer Specialist (GS 9, PFT)Sup. Refuge Ranger (GS 12, PFT)Refuge Ranger (GS 9, PFT)Park Guide (GS 5, PFT)Laborer (WG 2, PFT)Park Ranger (GS 5, PFT)
(Transferred to Merritt Island NWR 11/08/98)17. Everette Sikes (EOD 03/15/87)18. Stiner Jones (EOD 09/19/83)19. Ronald Phernetton (EOD 01/09/74)20. Fred E. Wetzel (EOD 05/03/92)21. Howard McCullough (EOD 01/05/87)22. Reggie Porcine (EOD 07/23/95)23. Richard B. Boatright (EOD 01/05/97)24. Douglas E. Nuss (EOD 01/16/77)25. Tony R. Gooch (EOD 08/18/80)26. Gregory S. Blanks (EOD 04/02/95) .27. Rockwell Chesser (EOD 06/23/96)28. Stacey Welch (EOD 07/23/95)29. Warren McLendon (Resigned 09/04/98)30. Fed Privett (EOD 07/06/97
Motor Vehicle Operator (WG 7, PFT)Maintenance Worker (WG 6, PFT)Forester/FMO (GS 12, PFT)Supervisory Forester (GS 11, PFT)Forestry Technician (GS 8, PFT)Forestry Technician (GS 5, PPT)Office Auto. Clerk/Dispatcher (GS 3, PFT)Engineering Equip. Oper. (WS 10, PFT)Automotive Worker (WG 8, PFT)Engineering Equip. Oper. (WG 8, PFT)Engineering Equip. Oper. (WG 8,PFT)Forestry Technician (GS 4, PPT)Forestry Technician (GS 4, PPT)Forestry Technician (GS 4, PPT)
(Transferred to Florida Panther NWR 11/08/98)31. Matthew J. Cole (EOD 01/03/99 Lead Forestry Technician (GS 5, PPT)32. William E. Sikes (EOD 05/24/98) Forestry Technician (GS 4, PPT)33. Vacant Vice: Tony R. Gooch Engineering Equip. Oper. (WG 8, PFT)
Temporary Employees
1. Sarah E. Daneman (EOD 12/06/98)2. Kimberly Harris3. Jeremy Thomas
Biological Aid (GS 3, NTE)YCC EnrolleeEquipment Operator - AD
83
Figure 24. Okefenokee NWR Staff 10/98
Front Row: W. Sikes, H. McCullough, R. Porcine, F. Privett, B. Boatright, G. Blanks,R. Chesser, J. Thomas
Middle Row: S. Aicher, F. Wetzel, S. Welch, J. Gibson, R. Phernetton, C. Thompson,B. Stevens, S. Davis, S. Reeves, J. Taylor, G. Gooch, T. Gooch, E. Daneman
Back Row: J. Kasbohm, M. O'Connell, E. Sikes, M. White, N. Snowden, J. Drury, S. Jones,D. Nuss
84
Figure 25. J. Shelton Figure 26. J. Burkhart
Figure 27. D. Campbell Figure 28. K. Harris - YCC
85
Douglas E. Nuss was selected for the Engineering Equipment Operator Foreman positioneffective March 29, 1998.
Effective April 26, 1998, Reggie Porcine became the Forestry Technician vice Gregory S. Blanks.
Anne F. Kasbohm, Biological Aid, resigned effective date May 12, 1998.
Will Sikes was selected for the Forestry Technician position effective date May 24, 1998.
Warren McLendon, Forestry Technician, resigned effective date September 4, 1998.
Tony R. Gooch lateraled over to the Automotive Worker effective date September 27, 1998.
Fed Privett, Forestry Technician, transferred to Florida Panther NWR, Naples FL, effective dateNovember 8, 1998.
Joanna A. Taylor, Park Ranger, transferred to Merritt Island NWR, Titusville FL, effective dateNovember 8, 1998.
Sarah Elizabeth Daneman was selected for the Biological Aid position effective date December 6,1998.
James N. Shelton received a promotion.
Training
Summaries of training and other travel are shown below:
Training - Permanent Personnel
Nell Snowden Customer Service Training Jan 27-28Joanna Taylor Tallahassee FL
Gregory Blanks ICS-200 and ICS-300 Feb 17 - 20Brantley Boatright Asheville NC
James Shelton Annual LE Refresher Training Feb 22 -Quincy FL
27
Stacey Welch ROBS Training Feb 22 - Mar 7Shepherdstown WV
Judy Drury T&A and FPPS Training Mar 11 - 12Atlanta GA
86
M. Skippy Reeves
Cindy ThompsonFred WetzelMaggie O'Connell
Gregory BlanksStacey Welch
M. Skippy Reeves
Shaw Davis
Beverly Stevens
Jim BurkhartMargaret O'Connell
Gracie Gooch
Joanna Taylor
William SikesStacey Welch
Fred WetzelReggie Porcine
Congressional Operations TrainingWashington DC
Arthur Carhart Wilderness TrainingKey West FL
Annual LE RefresherQuincy FL
LE Training for Supervisors. Tallahassee FL
Annual LE Refresher TrainingTallahassee FL
Basic Computer TrainingShepherdstown WV
Warrant Refresher TrainingAtlanta GA
Web Page TrainingMacon GA
Developing Festivals and Special EventsShepherdstown WV
S-290 Fire TrainingTallahassee FL
Helicopter Manager TrainingFfiawassee GA
Mar 15 - 20
Mar 15 - 20
Mar 15 - 20
Mar 22 - 27
Mar 22 - 27
Apr 25 - May 9
June 1-4
July 6 - 7
Aug 4 - 7
Nov 2 - 6
Dec 7- 11
Travel - Permanent Personnel
John Gibson
Margaret O'ConnellJames Burkhart
Lake WoodruffNWRDeland FL
Manchester GA
Jan 11 - 16
Jan 12 - 13
87
Douglas Nuss
Skippy Reeves
John Gibson
Douglas Nuss
Tony R. Gooch
Fred Wetzel
John Gibson
John Gibson
M. Skippy Reeves
Tim Huling
M. Skippy Reeves
Cindy Thompson
Howard McCullough
M. Skippy ReevesFred Wetzel
St. Vincent NWRApalachicola FL
NWLS ConventionWashington DC
Computer AssistDing Darling and Florida PantherNaples FL
State Interagency Coordination CenterPanama City FL
DOI Radio WorkshopDenver CO
Overhead Team MeetingBismarck ND
Savannah Coastal RefugeSavannah GA
Regional Office DetailAtlanta GA
NWLS Convention MeetingMinneapolis MN
Transport EquipmentHolla Bend NWR Dardanelle AR
NWLS Convention MeetingMinneapolis MN
RCW MeetingOcala FL
S-130 - S-190 Training InstructorTallahassee FL
1-420 Cadre Training InstructorWithlacoochee FL
Jan 15 - 26
Jan 27 - 29
Jan 27-30
Feb 2 - 5
Feb 9 - 14
Feb 9 - 14
Feb 10 - 13
Feb 17-20
Feb 17 - 19
Feb 17-19
Feb 17 - 19
Feb 18- 19
Feb 18-20
Feb 27 - Mar 5
88
James Shelton
Margaret O'Connell
John Kasbohm
Ronald PhernettonHoward McCulloughCindy Thompson
M. Skippy ReevesSara Aicher
Brantley BoatrightFred Wetzel
Margaret O'Connell
James Shelton
John Kasbohm
James Shelton
John Gibson
Shaw Davis
John Gibson
ROBS InstructorShepherdstown WV
Education Program EvaluationAtlanta GA
Black Bear ConservationCommittee MeetingLittle Rock AR
Forest Ecosystem WorkshopAikenSC
Sill BriefingAtlanta GA
Mar2-5
Mar 4 - 5
Mar4-6
Mar 10 - 12
Mar 11 - 12
Annual Interagency Cooperators Meeting Mar 11-13Titusville FL
Public OutreachSebastian FL
Annual LE Refresher InstructorQuincy FL
Black Bear MeetingOrlando FL
Annual LE Refresher InstructorQuincy FL
Computer Assist Hatchie NWRBrownsville TN
FLETC InstructorGlynco GA
Computer Assist Loxahatchee NWRBoynton Beach FL
Mar 13 - 14
Mar 15-20
Mar 18 - 19
Mar 22 - 27
Mar 31 -Apr 3
Apr 6- 11
Apr?- 10
89
Ron PhemettonCindy ThompsonHoward McCulloughFred WetzelM. Skippy ReevesShaw Davis
John Kasbohm
Tony R. GoochReggie Porcine
M. Skippy Reeves
John Gibson
John Gibson
Howard McCulloughStacey Welch
Margaret O'Connell
Brantley Boatright
William E. SikesFed Privett
Tony Gooch
Gregory Blanks
John Gibson
Fire Ecology ConferenceTallahassee FL
Apr 13 - 16
International Conference on Bear Research Apr 19-24Gatlinburg TN
Merritt Island Fire AssistTitusville FL
Project Leader's MeetingAtlanta GA
Regional Office DetailAtlanta GA
Computer Assist St. VincentApalachicola FL
Eastern Fire AssistTallahassee FL
Public OutreachNew Orleans LA
Eastern Fire AssistTallahassee FL
Osceola NF Fire AssistLake City FL
Eastern Fire AssistLake City and Sanford FL
Osceola NF Fire AssistLake City FL
Computer Assist Lake WoodrufFNWRDaytona Beach FL
Apr 24 - May 5
Apr 27-30
Apr 28 - May 1
May 5 - 8
May 14 - 19
May 14 - 17
May 30-June 18
June 3 - 12
June 4 - 24
June 7 - 8
June 11-12
90
Douglas Nuss
Warren McLendon
Douglas NussGregory Blanks
Joanna TaylorJim Burkhart
Beverly Stevens
John Gibson
M. Skippy Reeves
John Kasbohm
M. Skippy Reeves
Eastern Fire AssistCrescent City FL
S-130-S-190 InstructorSavannah GA
Eastern Fire AssistRaiford FL
Public OutreachWarm Springs GA
Eastern Fire AssistTallahassee FL
Regional Office DetailAtlanta GA
Leadership Team MeetingMinneapolis MN
Black Bear MeetingMobile AL
Acting District Manager RF-3Atlanta GA
June 11 - 13
June 15 - 19
June 17 - 19
June 19-20
June 23 - July 13
June 30-July 2
June 30-July 2
June 30-JulyS
July 6- 11
Tim Huling
M. Skippy Reeves•Shaw Davis
Eastern Fire AssistTallahassee FL
Merritt Island NWR MeetingTitusville FL
July 7 - 12
July 21 -22
John Gibson
John Gibson
Jim BurkhartShaw Davis
Computer Assist Cedar Key NWRCedar Key FL
Computer Assist Choctaw NWRJackson AL
Meeting in Regional Office andZoo AtlantaAtlanta GA
July 23 - 24
July 29 - 31
Aug 3 - 5
91
John Kasbohm
John Gibson
Ronald PhernettonCindy ThompsonSara AicherShaw Davis
John KasbohmCindy Thompson
John Gibson
Stacey Welch
John Kasbohm
Tony Gooch
Shaw DavisJim Burkhart
Shaw DavisSkippy ReevesMargaret O'ConnellMelinda WhiteSara AicherRonald Phernetton
John Kasbohm
M. Skippy ReevesShaw DavisMargaret O'Connell
Black Bear MeetingOviedo FL
Computer Assist Regional OfficeAtlanta GA
RCW MeetingTallahassee FL
RCW MeetingApalachicola FL
Meeting in AtlantaAtlanta GA
Western Fire AssistAbilene TX
Bear BriefingAtlanta GA
Western Fire AssistAustin TX
Arthur Carhart Wilderness TrainingMissoula MT
Meeting Jones CenterNewton GA
Bear ConferenceOrlando FL
National Wildlife Service Conventiont Keystone CO
Aug 3 - 6
Aug 5 - 7 '
Aug 17 - 19
Aug 19 - 21
Aug 20-21
Aug 23 - Sept 12
Sept 1
Sept 6-20
Sept 9 - 22
Sept 29-30
Oct 3 - 4
Oct 16 - 23
92
John Gibson Regional Office DetailAtlanta GA
Oct20-31
William E. SikesBeverly StevensBrantley BoatrightJudy DruryJohn KasbohmMelinda WhiteNellie SnowdenGracie GoochJim BurkhartRonald PhernettonCindy ThompsonFed Privett
Zoo Atlanta Okefenokee FestivalAtlanta GA
Oct 23 - 26
John Kasbohm Brunswick RetreatMcRae GA
Oct 27-29
John Kasbohm
Ronald PhernettonFred WetzelHoward McCulloughReggie PorcineCindy Thompson
John Gibson
Cindy Thompson
Shaw DavisSkippy ReevesJohn KasbohmMargaret O'ConnellMelinda White
Approach to Ecosystem ConservationShepherdstown WV
Long Leaf Pine ConferenceCharleston SC
Computer Assist Key DeerKey West FL
RCW RelocationApalachicola FL
North Florida Ecosystem Team MeetingCrystal River FL
Nov 13 - 20
Nov 16 - 20
Nov 16-21
Nov 17 - 19
Dec 1 - 3
John Gibson Computer Assist Pee Dee NWRWadesboro NC
Dec 7- 10
93
John Kasbohm Florida Black Bear ConferenceWashington DC
Dec 8 - 9
John Gibson
Energy
Computer Assist Eufaula NWREufaula AL
Dec 15 - 17
Fuel usage increased this year due to the Fire Storm 98 fires and funds from other sources besidesour normal budget, therefore more projects were completed.
Table 35. Energy Usage
Electricity (kwh)
Gasoline (gal)
Diesel (gal)
CY1998
201,470
17,787
10,957
CY1997
174,098'
13,682
12,126
CY1996
184,685
9,549
5,852
Funding
Table 36. Comparison of 5-year funding.
ACTIVITY
1260
6860
9251/9110
9263/9252/9120
1130
2821
2960
Total
1998*
1202.0
60.0
576.2
52.0
1.9
600.0
2492.1
1997**
898.2
60.0
681.9
93.5
0
0
1733.6
1996***
741.7
60.0
745.1
55.0
0
0
1601.8
1995#
725.4
60.0
750.4
49.0
0
26.8
1611.6
1994+
684.6
60.0
78.4
477.4
50.0
409.4
1759.8* Includes MMS project (241.0), contaminant (32.0), research (92.4), and helicopter contract (62.9)
** Includes MMS projects (75.0), contaminant (65.6), research (56.8), and helicopter contract(148.0).
*** Includes MMS projects (108.5), helicopter contract (173.6), and move costs (27.5).
# Includes contaminant studies and helicopter contract.
+ Includes all funds coded to activities listed. May include the following: Challenge, UST,MMS, YCC and Contaminants.
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Safety
Safety meetings were held during the year. Work hazard forms were completed and tailgatesessions were held before the beginning of each work project. First Aid and CPR training wereprovided to the refuge staff and firefighters. Numerous topics including airboat andhelicopter/aircraft safety, compliance with mandatory safety requirements, i.e., seat belts, hardhats, life jackets, the importance of MSDS Sheets, procedures for hazmat spills and office andshop machine safety were discussed.
The following accidents occurred during the year:
Permanent Employees
Stiner Jones - April 22,1998
Employee was working on a wire live trap when a metal wire stuck him in the finger.
Tony R. Gooch - May 15,1998
Employee re-injured his back picking up a 25 pound tool box.
Stiner Jones - July 7,1998
Employee sprained his middle finger while pulling rope on an outboard motor. The rope kickedback and pulled the middle finger on his right hand.
Warren E. McLendon - August 12,1998
Employee was checking fluid levels on a piece of equipment. He leaned down to check the engineoil level and placed his right forearm on the machine muffler resulting in second degree burns.
Gregory S. Blanks - August 31,1998
Employee sprained his back while lifting a grease drum off the floor and placing it into the bed ofa work truck.
Rockwell M. Chesser - November 2,1998
Employee sprained his right shoulder from constant use of right arm operating ditcher blade.
James N. Shelton - November 12,1998
Employee stepped on a loose cement block and fell, twisting his right knee.
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Gregory S. Blanks - November 23,1998
Employee dropped a 200 Ib. weight on his gloved right hand.
William E. Sikes - December 30,1998
Employee dropped a socket under a trailer. While going under trailer to retrieve the socket, hebumped his head on a low hanging piece of metal under the trailer.
Firefighters
Nothing to report.
Interns
William G. Blanchard- January 21,1998
Employee was operating an ATV in an area of woods with a thick understory laced with thornyvines. The ATV was moving forward when a vine caught the intern under his chin cutting a smallarea on the left side of his face.
Volunteers
Nothing to report.
Visitors
January 17,1998Two refuge officers received word that one of the visitors on Bluff Lake was very ill and neededmedical attention. The two officers met a canoe paddling out with the sick youth. He wastransported to Charlton County Hospital where he was diagnosed with a severe case of the fluand was released.
February 9, 1998A Ms. Turner was exiting a rented motorboat at Coffee Bay Shelter when she slipped getting outof the boat. She was transported by family members to Waycross Hospital. She had bruises,contusions, and a fractured arm.
March 5,1998A Sean Golon was camping in a tent at Stephen C. Foster State Park when a racoon entered histent and bit him on the left cheek and left forearm. Sean was taken to Clinch Memorial Hospitalby his guardians. There he was given a rabies vaccine, a tetanus shot and an immune globulin.Test results came back negative.
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July 4,1998
A Ms. Singleton, who is highly allergic to insect bites, was visiting the Chesser Island Homesteadwhen she was stung by an insect which looked similar to a wasp. She was escorted to the VisitorCenter by Refuge Law Enforcement Officer Shaw Davis and given a dose of Benadryl and an icepack to place on the wound. She was later contacted by Officer Davis to find out the status ofher condition. She was doing well.
Volunteer Program
Approximately 250 volunteers donated 15,837 hours to Okefenokee National Wildlife Refugeduring 1998. Volunteers staffed the Visitor Center and Chesser Island Homestead; maintainedcanoe and hiking trails; repaired overnight canoe shelters, boardwalks, and buildings; maintainedand repaired signs; assisted with RCW monitoring; and worked with administrative staff Internscreated information kiosks, worked on the refuge's home page, and were given an opportunity towork with all refuge program areas. It would be very difficult to manage the refuge without theirconsiderable help!
Volunteers continue to help with the refuge's annual special events, including Sandhill CraneAwareness Day, the Okefenokee Festival, Yule Log Ceremony, Halloween Festival and NationalWildlife Weekend.
For Federal Lands Cleanup in September, volunteers spent several weekends cutting and trimmingthe 4,000 foot boardwalk. They also split wood, raked, hoed, and cleaned the ChesserHomestead in preparation for the annual Okefenokee Festival.
Several Scout groups helped with projects throughout the year. They cleared canoe and walkingtrails, assisted with special program preparations, worked on Floyds Island, and more.
The Greater Atlanta Americorps group helped trim canoe trails and worked on the boardwalkduring the year. Refuge maintenance staff were impressed with their hard work on theboardwalk.
The Sierra Club held a work week at Okefenokee during the fall. They camped at KingfisherLanding and trimmed the Red and Green Trails out of Kingfisher. We could not accomplish anyof our trail trimming without volunteer help.
The Okefenokee Wildlife League hosted a supper for refuge volunteers and volunteers from theFernbank Museum of Natural History in November. Most of the Fernbank volunteers work in theWalk through Georgia exhibit, which features Okefenokee. They enjoyed boat tours and anevening boardwalk stroll during their visit.
Refuge staff were contacted by Associated Marine Institutes (AMI) to consider providing a site
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for a Youth Environmental Services (YES) program at Okefenokee. There is an MOU betweenthe Department of the Interior and Department of Justice which allows federal land to be used foryouth rehabilitation facilities. AMI operates a similar program at Big Cypress National Preserveand considered Okefenokee an excellent location. At the end of 1998, a decision had not beenreached on the program, but staff were investigating the possibilities.
Computers
The Refuge's 25-user Novell 4.1 Network and a Lotus CCMail Post Office with router continuesto run as a viable file server. We have three remote sites with the ability to dial into the mailrouter and receive their email messages. Two desktop computers are located in the maintenanceshop, one in the auto shop, two in the visitors center and two at the west entrance to the refuge.These computers currently serve 30 FTE's with email access to the Internet and numerousprograms utilized to accomplish the missions of the various management programs.
Due to the large number of staff depending on the network and ccmail, three administrative staffare being trained to serve as network/ccmail administrators.
Feedback
As you read through this report and the accomplishments of the year, keep in mind most activitieswere still tempered by the Dupont mining threat on our eastern boundary. To determine thepotential for mining, Dupont assembled a "collaborative team" made up of many stakeholders.The State of Georgia and the Service decided not to participate in the process. A no miningoption was developed and approved. Subgroups of the collaborative are currently seekingfinancial support for implementation. Were we involved? You bet!! Tremendous amounts ofbehind the scenes staff time has been devoted to the process and in keeping the issue before thepublic.
Was it worth it? Time will tell. Can future employees look out the office window and see alongleaf pine community? Can visitors enjoy the entrance road and wildlife drive with anunspoiled view? Do wetland and upland habitats on Trail Ridge still exist for wood storks, RCW,gopher tortoises and indigo snakes? Is the night sky unspoiled by artificial light? Is the integrityof the Okefenokee Swamp secure? In the future if the answer is YES, then our efforts will bemeasured a success by those who follow!!!
Many other important projects were addressed this year. Most notably is a plan to remove theinfluences of the Suwannee River sill. This project was lead by a very dedicated biologist, withtremendous support from the entire staff. At full implementation, the Okefenokee Swamp willagain be connected to the historic Suwannee River!
Funding to renovate exhibits in the visitor center, increased work to improve RCW areas,becoming a recipient RCW population, and dealing with wildfires are just some major areas of
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emphasis this year.
What does next year bring?? Unfortunately, Dupont has not gone away. I expect more of thesame!! Boy, this is fun!!
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REVIEW AND APROVALS
BANKS LAKE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
FOLKSTON, GEORGIA
ANNUAL NARRATIVE REPORT
Calendar Year 1998
Refuge Manager (7 ' Date
District Manager, Refuges «& Wfldlife (RF-3) Date / '
-5Regional Office Review // Date
ARD, Refuges andI Wildlife^7 x Date
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION iii
HIGHLIGHTS
CLIMATIC CONDITIONS ,
MONITORING AND STUDIES 1l.a. Surveys and Censuses 1l.b. Studies and Investigation 2
HABITAT RESTORATION 32.a. Wetland Restoration: On-refuge 32.b. Upland Restoration: On-refuge 32.c. Wetland Restoration: Off-refuge 32.d. Upland Restoration: Off-refuge 3
HABITAT MANAGEMENT 43.a. Water Level Management 43 .b. Moist Soil Management 43.c. Graze/Mow/Hay 43.d. Farming 43.e. Forest Management , 43 .£ Fire Management 43.g. Control Pest Plants 5
FISH AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT 64.a. Bird Banding 64.b. Disease Monitoring and Treatment 64.c. Reintroductions 64.d. Nest Structures 64.e. Pest, Predator and Exotic Animal Control 6
COORDINATION ACTIVITIES 75.a. Interagency Coordination 75.b. Tribal Coordination 85.c. Private Land Activities (excluding restoration) 85.d. Oil and Gas Activities 85.e. Cooperative/Friends Organizations 8
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RESOURCE PROTECTION . 96.a. Law Enforcement 96.b. WildjBre Preparedness 96.c. Permits & Economic Use Management 96.d. Contaminant Investigation and Cleanup 96.e. Water Rights Management 106.f. Cultural Resource Management 106.g. Federal Facility Compliancy Act 106.h. Land Acquisition 106.1. Wilderness and Natural Areas , 106.j. Threats and Conflicts 10
ALASKA ONLY 11
PUBLIC EDUCATION AND RECREATION 128.a. Provide Visitor Services 128.b. Outreach 12
PLANNING AND ADMINISTRATION 139.a. Comprehensive Conservation Planning 139.b. General Administration 13
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INTRODUCTION
Banks Lake National Wildlife Refuge (4,049 acres) is located in Lanier County near Lakeland,Georgia. The refuge contains a variety of habitat types including 1,500 acres of marsh, 1,549acres of cypress swap and 1,000 acres of open water. Scattered through these types arehardwood swamp, pine forest, and other upland areas. The refuge was established for theprotection and conservation of a unique environment as well as migratory and resident wildlife.
On April 16, 1980, the U.S. fish and Wildlife Service entered a lease agreement with The NatureConservancy to manage approximately 4,049 acres of the Banks Lake/Grand Bay Wetlandcomplex, located in Lanier and Lowndes Counties in southeastern Georgia. The original intent ofthe lease was to eventually establish a National Wildlife Refuge on this area. Changes in theemphasis of the land acquisition program resulted in no funds being appropriated for acquiringthis land. This area remained in a state of limbo during 1982 and 1983 with U.S. Fish andWildlife Service maintaining a caretaker position over Banks Lake. In 1984, funds were added tothe FY 1985 budget for the purchase of this area at a land value of $356,000. The refuge wasauthorized under the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 and funded through provisions of the Landand Water Conservation Fund Act of 1955 with strong local support from the Lakelandcommunity and the congressional delegation. The area became Banks Lake National WildlifeRefuge on Feb4ruary 22, 1985.
-in-
1.MONITORING AND STUDIES
l.a. Surveys and Censuses
Banks Lake is one of the largest freshwater swamp systems in the coastal plains of Georgia. Itsunique habitat provides for a diversity of wildlife species that migrate through the area as well asfor a number of resident species. Only incidental sightings as staff and volunteers work in the areaadd to our knowledge of this satellite refuge.
Endangered and Threatened Species
The bald eagle nest was not active in 1998.
Other WMlife
Waterfowl
Wood ducks are the most common waterfowl species. Nest boxes installed by the State ofGeorgia in Grand Bay and by the refuge in Old Field have increased nest cavities providing for alarger population. Forty wood duck boxes are currently in place on the refuge portion of BanksLake. They were not maintained during 1998.
Fisheries
A meeting was held in February discussing the fisheries at Banks Lake and Okefenokee NWRs.The last survey indicated that the total number offish was low. The bass population is not badand there seems to be good reproduction. Surveying during the day may result in low bluegillnumbers. It was decided that surveys will be conducted every other year. The next survey will beconducted in Jate fall of 1999. Some transects will be duplicated during a night survey forcomparison. Vegetation composition and condition will be recorded at the same time the fish aresurveyed.
l.b. Studies and Investigations
Contaminants Assessment of Banks Lake National Wildlife Refuge - ES, Brunswick GA
Contaminants Specialist Gregg Masson, Ecologist John Kasbohm, and Assistant ContaminantsSpecialist Diane B'ateman began one year of quarterly sampling in March 1997 to determine baseline contaminant conditions. Fish, sediment and water samples were collected in 5 areas of thelake to determine relative concentrations of metals, organochlorines, organophosphates, totalorganic carbon, total petroleum hydrocarbons, nutrients and general water chemistrycharacteristics. All samples were submitted to the Patuxent Analytical Facility for analysis.Results from the first three quarters reveal the existence of organochlorine pesticides and PAHs inboth fish species consistent with the use of the lake and the known activities that occur around thelake. Sediments were analyzed for Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons and are consistent with the useof outboard motors on the lake. A final report is expected in 1999.
2.HABITAT RESTORATION
2. a. Wetland Restoration: On-refuge
Nothing to Report
2. b. Upland Restoration: On-refuge
Nothing to Report
2. c. Wetland Restoration: Off-refuge
Nothing to Report
2. a. Upland Restoration: Off-refuge
Nothing to Report
3.HABITAT MANAGEMENT
The refuge, which contains 4049 acres, is composed of several wetland types. Approximately1,000 acres are classified as open water, 1,500 acres as marsh and 1,549 acres as cypress swamp.A water control structure constructed in the early 1940's on the north side of the lake is key tomanaging the area. This structure is scheduled for replacement.
3.a. Water Level Management
No manipulation of water levels will take place until the boundary issue is settled. Therefore, thereplacement of the water control structure on Banks Lake was again postponed and no drawdownoccurred.
3.b. Moist Soil Management
Nothing to Report
3.c. Graze/Mow/Hay
Nothing to Report
3.d. Farming
Nothing to Report
3.e. Forest Management
Nothing to Report
3.f. Fire Management
Nothing to Report
3.g. Control Pest Plants
Nothing to Report
4.FISH AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
4.a. Bird Banding
Nothing to Report
4.b. Disease Monitoring and Treatment
Nothing to Report
4.c. Reintroductions
Nothing to Report
4.d. Nest Structures
Nothing to Report
4.e. Pest, Predator and Exotic Animal Control
Nothing to Report
5.COORDINATION ACTIVITIES
5.a. Interagency Coordination
Okefenokee NWR continued to work with Moody Air Force Base, The Nature Conservancy, andthe Georgia Department of Natural Resources on the-Grand Bay/Banks Lake (GBBL) Council.This group was established to foster a cooperative ecosystem management approach among theBanks Lake land management organizations. A Cooperative Stewardship plan outlining the goalsand strategies for the group was developed by staff and was signed by the Council's memberagencies following a field trip to the GBBL ecosystem (Figure 1) by Lonice Barrett,Commissioner of Georgia DNR; Tavia McCuean, Vice President and State Director, The NatureConservancy; a colonel representing Moody Air Force Base; and Skippy Reeves. The goals ofthe plan are:
1. Create a comprehensive database for the GBBL ecosystem.2. Maintain or restore representative ecological components of the GBBL ecosystem., utilizing
appropriate management tools.3. Maintain or enhance habitats that support Special Concern Species.4. Monitor ecological components to identify progress toward goals, using adaptive management
'process.5. Increase awareness and support for the GBBL ecosystem.6. Provide opportunities for appropriate public use of designated areas within the GBBL
ecosystem.
The plan will be -unveiled to the public during a stake holder forum planned for May 1999.Influential private landowners and public officials will be invited to attend. With this meeting, theCouncil hopes to initiate the involvement of local, private landowners in the management of thearea.
Figure 1. Ecologist John Kasbohm discusses Banks Lake NWR during a field trip withthe Grand Bay/ Banks Lake Council. June 1998
5.b. Tribal Coordination
Nothing to Report
5.c. Private Land Activities (excluding restoration)
Nothing to Report
5.d. Oil and Gas Activities
Nothing to Report
5.e. Cooperative/Friends Organizations
Nothing to Report
6.RESOURCE PROTECTION
6.a. Law Enforcement
Law enforcement efforts were carried out by refuge officers from Okefenokee National WildlifeRefuge. Due to the distance and budget constraints, very little law enforcement (LE) was donethis year. A kiosk, with posted refuge regulations, is located at the boat ramp and informs refugevisitors about refuge rules and regulations. The refuge boundary is still in dispute and hampersLE efforts along the north shore of the lake. Hopefully, when this action is completed the refugewill finally have a boundary. Two federal cases and two warning letters were issued by refugeofficers this year. One violations for a loaded pistol in a tackle box on the waters of the refugeand an individual was apprehended taking paper wasps nests and paper wasp adults for thepurpose of commercial resale. Twenty four state cases were made by state officers this year onthe lake. Five incident reports were made this year ranging from illegal fish stocking to beerparties on the refuge pier. The use of the refuge by Satanic/witchcraft worshipers has decreasedcompared to past years. It is believed the extra LE patrols by the refuge and local Sheriffs officehas slowed their use of the refuge at night. The refuge is still used as a late night party spot by thelocal teens. Six teenagers were apprehended this year by the Lanier County Sheriffs Office fordoing doughnuts and burning out on the refuge parking lot. The teenagers were required by thesheriffs office, by the terms of their probation, to clean the area up and purchase grass seed, rake,and replant the parking lot back to its original condition.
6.b. Wildfire Preparedness
Nothing to Report
6.c. Contaminants Investigations
See l.b. Studies and Investigations
6.d. Contaminant Investigation and Cleanup
Nothing to Report
6.e. Water Rights Management
Nothing to Report
6.f. Cultural Resource Management
Nothing to Report
6.g. Federal Facility Compliancy Act
Nothing to Report
6.h. Land AcquisitionV
Nothing to Report
6.i. Wilderness and Natural Areas
Nothing to Report
6.j. Threats and Conflicts
At the end of the year, the north boundary issue sits in the hands of the Federal Judge in Macon,Georgia. This is a new judge taking the case. Until a decision is reached, wetland management ison hold.
10
7.ALASKA ONLY
11
8.PUBLIC EDUCATION AND RECREATION
8.a. Provide Visitor Services
Volunteer, Sandy Olsen of nearby Lakeland, Georgia, remains as the only refuge personnelassigned to Banks Lake National Wildlife Refuge. Her primary responsibility is to pick up trashand to coordinate the response of other volunteers working at the refuge. A Detention Centercrew from the Robert Patten prison performed a great deal of work in cleaning up the area andmaking everyone's trip a pleasant one. Sandy also found enough time to create a Web Site forBanks Lake which can be accessed through the Internet.
Concession
The refuge has not been able to locate a concessioner to operate at Banks Lake. The OkefenokeeRefuge management team has asked the interagency Grand Bay/Banks Lake Council toinvestigate prospects for occupying the building that coincide with the overall management planfor the area.
8.b. Outreach
The Grand Bay/Banks Lake Council has tentatively planned to host a luncheon in the Spring of1999, to provide information and solicit input and support for the founding of a ShareholdersGroup of surrounding landowners, businesses, and politicians. This will be the group that ischarged with the responsibility of providing community input into decisions made about the futuremanagement of Banks Lake and Grand Bay.
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9.PLANNING AND ADMINISTRATION
9.a. Comprehensive Conservation Planning
Nothing to Report
9.b. General Administration
Nothing to Report
13