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workshops > a.r.m. loxahatchee nwr science workshops > 2004 summary
Management Issues at A.R.M. Loxahatchee NWR Requiring Science Support
May 2005
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Background
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 [larger version]
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- Refuge established in 1951
- 144,000 ac
- Part held in fee title (2550 ac) the rest (WCA1) managed under a license agreement
- Water is managed under a water regulation schedule
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Graph showing elevation for various places within WCA1. [larger version]
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Key Refuge Resources
- T&E species (snail kite and wood stork)
- Tree islands
- Wading birds
- Apple snails
- Alligators
- Exotics
- Fire
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Three Major Challenges
- Water Quality
- Water Quantity
- Exotics
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Legal Issues That Influence Management
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- Refuge enabling legislation
- Refuge Improvement Act
- Water Regulation Schedule
- Water quality Consent Decree/EFA
- License Agreement
- LWDD water quantity Consent Decree
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Management Questions
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- How do changes in hydrology affect Refuge habitats and wildlife?
- What impact do management actions (e.g. exotic control, fire, water management) have on refuge water quality?
- How do we reach maintenance control of category I exotic species on the Refuge?
- Is the current regulation schedule the best schedule to protect Refuge resources while providing for water supply and flood protection?
- How can water quantity and water quality issues be resolved to protect Refuge resource while providing for water supply and flood protection?
- What is the status of trust resources and how are management actions affecting them?
- How do changes in inflows and outflows affect hydroperiod, depth, and timing?
- How do these changes affect key refuge resources?
- How do changes in inflows and outflows affect water quality?
- How do these changes affect P at 14 compliance stations and in other parts of the marsh?
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| Map showing A.R.M Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge [larger version] |
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Current Issues
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- What impact will STA 1 East have on Refuge resources?
- What will the effects of discharges from STA 1E be on water quality (P and conductivity) on the east side of the refuge?
- What is the extent of canal water intrusion at different times of year and under different water management operations?
- What affect will bypassing the STAs for delivery of water have on P concentrations at the 14 compliance stations at the next sampling event (<= 1 month) and at future sampling events (1+ month)?
- What will the effects be given different inflow concentrations?
- What will the effects be at different marsh and canal stages?
- What will the effects be if the water is bypassed on the east vs the west?
- How do we deal with the trade offs between water quantity and water quality in the Refuge while meeting water supply needs?
- Short term
- Temporary deviation to water regulation schedule
- Long term
- Modification to water regulation schedule
- Widening and dredging of the L-40 Canal
- East side berm
- Change in routing of water
- What affect will fire (both wildfire and prescribed burning) have on water quality?
- What affect will fire (both wildfire and prescribed burning) have on exotic plants?
- Can we use fire to help reach maintenance control of exotic plants?
- What are the most effective treatments for Lygodium?
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Map showing WCA1 Water Quality Survey-Conductivity [larger version]
Primary System Water Supply Routing Options [larger version]
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Longer Term Issues
Processes Shaping the Everglades
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- Vegetation
- Recovery of Impacted Habitats
- Flow
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