After Irma, 26 district properties reopen to recreation

Staff are working diligently to clear district lands following Hurricane Irma.

PALATKA, Fla., Sept. 20, 2017 — More St. Johns River Water Management District conservation lands are reopening to public recreation following Hurricane Irma’s impact last week. Openings are made as the district continues its in-depth assessment of recreational access points, levees, trails and boat ramps.

The following properties have reopened, some with limited access as repairs are made.

• Black Creek Ravines Conservation Area
• Canaveral Marshes Conservation Area
• Clark Bay Conservation Area
• Deep Creek Conservation Area – Dog Branch stormwater portion only
• Dunns Creek Conservation Area and Wildlife Management Area (walk-in only)
• Emeralda Marsh Conservation Area – Area 6 (Bull Hammock parking area) is open for walk-in only. Areas 2 and 4 can be accessed by boat via Lake Griffin. Areas 3, 5 and 7 remain closed due to restoration activities.
• Gourd Island Conservation Area
• Julington-Durbin Preserve, except the Red Trail, which is closed due to high water
• Lake Apopka North Shore – Red Trail, off County Road 448A
• Lake Jesup Conservation Area – Cameron Avenue and Marl Bed Flats trailheads
• Lake Monroe Wildlife Management Area and Lake Monroe Conservation Area
• Lake Norris Conservation Area
• Longleaf Flatwoods Reserve
• Moses Creek Conservation Area
• Murphy Creek Conservation Area
• Orange Creek Restoration Area
• Pellicer Creek Conservation Area
• Seminole Ranch Conservation Area and Seminole Ranch WMA
• Stokes Landing Conservation Area
• Sunnyhill Restoration Area – North Tract
• Twelve Mile Swamp Conservation Area
• Upper St. Johns River Marsh Water Management Area (WMA), which includes Blue Cypress, Three Forks and River Lake conservation areas. Two access areas within the WMA remain closed, including the Moccasin Island tract of the Upper St. Johns River Marsh WMA (Wickham Road) and the C-54 Canal.

All other district lands remain closed. The district continues to assess damage to its lands resulting from Hurricane Irma, with a goal to reopen the properties for recreational uses as soon as it is safe to do so.

For continuing updates on district operations, visit the district’s website, www.sjrwmd.com.