Ward Creek West (ILF)

Ward Creek West Mitigation Area (ILF Project) / St. Andrew Bay Watershed / Bay County / Legacy ID – UWRMP 5.4.2

Ward Creek West is a 719.30-acre tract located ¼ mile west of SR 79 in Bay Co. within the West Bay subbasin of the St. Andrew Bay watershed.  Approximately 675 acres (94%) are wetland and ~44 acres (6%) are upland.  Although surface drainage is problematic given the flatness of the landscape, the headwaters of Ward Creek, a first-order stream flowing east to West Bay, occur within this tract.  Currently, this site consists of bedded slash pine plantation (FLUCCS 441) with isolated pockets of mixed forested wetlands (FLUCCS 630).  Historic aerials suggest this area was once dominated by hydric pine flatwoods (FLUCCS 625) and hydric pine savanna (FLUCCS 626), with conversion to pine plantation occurring sometime after 1964.  Impacts to this site include ditching, bedding and other silvicultural activities.  Located within the Regional General Permit (RPG) and Ecosystem Management Area (EMA), most of the pine plantation stands in this area have according to St. Joe Co. documents been through one or more rotations.  The goal of this project is restoration of hydric pine flatwoods (FLUCCS 625) and hydric pine savanna (FLUCCS 626), and preservation and enhancement of remaining pockets of mixed forested wetlands (FLUCCS 630).  Acquired in 2008, this site will be managed in perpetuity for ecological integrity.