Everything learned during our assessment of the Apalachee region emphasized the need for a coordinated, regional effort to protect key conservation areas and other natural, recreational cultural and historic sites. The region has a wealth of existing protected resources that could act as hubs in a greenway system, anchoring it and providing origins and destinations for people and wildlife moving through it. These natural hubs - the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, the Apalachicola National Forest, the Red Hills could be connected by greenways rivers, trails, canopy roads and conservation corridors. This natural system already exists, but it must be protected through the designation of greenways and recognition of a greenways system.

Recommendations

(Note: These recommendations represent overall suggestions for the region. Recommendations relating to specific areas are contained in this report's individual sections.)

Conserve the Apalachee region's river corridors and their natural, recreational, cultural and historic resources as key components of a regional greenways system.

Protecting the links that bind the region together will rest largely on conserving the natural corridors created by the region's rivers. The rivers' floodplains and wetland systems are home to some of the most important natural, recreational, cultural and historic resources in the region. Unlike many rivers in south and central Florida, the Apalachee region's river corridors are still largely undeveloped. There is a unique opportunity to formulate effective long-term strategies that will conserve these rivers and their associated resources.

Form a network of citizens across the region, called "Apalachee Advocates" to monitor environmental, land use and transportation issues as they affect their local areas and the region.

The Advocates could encourage citizens to advocate for good land use decisions that help the region grow while conserving its resources.

Provide incentives to private landowners that encourage the continued conservation of plantation and silvicultural lands that conserve important habitat areas, recreational opportunities and natural systems.

Continuing and strengthening stewardship by citizens and landowners is critical. The benefits of coordinated greenway stewardship efforts are much greater than the sum of separate conservation and planning practices, and are also an excellent mechanism for ensuring sustainable development in the region.

Design, develop and maintain trails that provide public access to the regional geenways system.

Trails such as the Florida National Scenic Trail, the Tallahassee-St. Marks Historic Railroad State Trail and the proposed G.F.& A. Rail-Trail link people with the natural environment and can foster enthusiasm for the region's natural, recreational, cultural and historic resources. Expanding and connecting trails in the region will provide a wide variety of opportunities for recreation and wellness activities, and help people bet-ter understand the region and its resources.


Retain the scenic and historic character of the region's canopy and scenic roads.

The nearly 300 miles of tree-canopied roads winding through the Red Hills area, are some of the most scenic in Georgia and Florida and to many are the regions most distinctive characteristic. Canopy roads provide opportunities for scenic drives and bicycle tours, allowing visitors to appreciate the region's natural beauty and to understand its cultural and historic roots.

Help land management agencies protect public conservation lands.


Local governments can help conserve resources on publicly-owned lands by using their comprehensive plans to control land uses and development approvals on adjacent lands.

Form a regional greenway advisory committee to work with governments to adopt greenway management and protection measures, and coordinate the activities of local, state and federal governments to conserve conservation areas and a regional system of greenways.

Greenways can serve as vehicles for improving intergovernmental cooperation and strengthening public and private partnerships. The regional system of greenways will provide a focus for federal, state, regional and local agencies to work together with landowners, businesses and visitors to retain the regions qualities which are enjoyed by all. The resulting partnerships will help focus financial, administrative and stewardship resources so they are better coordinatedand more effective.

Incorporate appropriate greenway and conservation land protective measures into the planning processes of state and federal government.


State and federal agencies should play significant roles in planning, intergovernmental coordination, provision of public infrastructure, voluntary land management agreements, regulation and land acquisition.

Each local government should incorporate greenways into its local comprehensive plan.

Existing comprehensive plans, land development regulations, coordination procedures and private and public stewardship should continue to be the primary tools with which we conserve the region's greenways system. Local comprehensive plans can help establish visibility for the greenway concept as a conservation tool while maintaining flexibility for each local government.

Identify and protect historic and archaeological resources in the region.

A comprehensive assessment of the region's historic and archaeological resources should be done, especially along the rivers and lakeshores, and the sites identified should be protected.

Improve the quality of stormwater which flows into the region's lakes and sinkholes.

The quality of the region's groundwater and the natural characteristics of its lakes can only be protected if actions are taken to improve the quality and quantity of the stormwater currently flowing into takes and sinkholes, and to prevent stormwater from new development from worsening existing problems. Limit the use of and control the siting of septic tanks and, in areas especially prone to pollution, limit land uses with high potential for water pollution.

Protect the coastal resources of Apalachee Bay through coordinated conservation efforts involving managers of the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, local and state officials, private landowners and recreational users.

The estuarine resources of Apalachee Bay and diverse habitats associated with coastal zone are of tremendous natural value to the region and support numerous recreational opportunities for residents and visitors.


Greenway Opportunities

These existing and potential greenways provide a focus for conserving the natural, recreational and cultural sites which make the region so attractive for people and wildlife (refer to the map):

Ochlockonee River
Sopchoppy River
Wakulla River
St. Marks River
Wacissa River
Aucilla River
Florida National Scenic Trail
G.F.& A. Rail-Trail
Lafayette Heritage Trail
Goose Pond Greenway
Cascade Greenway
Indian Head Greenway
Phipps-Overstreet-Maclay Greenway
Canopy and scenic roads
Tallahassee-St. Marks Historic Railroad State Trail
Abandoned railroad line from Metcalf to Perry
Cascade Chain-of-Lakes and Munson Slough uplands linking lakes Miccosukee and Iamonia
Telogia Creek
Bear Creek
Oklawaha Creek