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This 49 +/-
acre undeveloped site is located off Payne Creek and Hitchens Creek,
tributaries of the St. Johns River, just north of the South Moon
Fish Camp. The site is accessible only from the water. The property
abuts lands to the west owned by the St. Johns River Water
Management District. Lands to the east belong to the Florida
Division of Forestry. These lands are part of the Lake George State
Forest. In addition, Progress Energy owns property to the north of
this site, which is currently on the Volusia Forever “A” List.
Acquisition of this land will ensure that valuable river bottomland
is not developed and will assist in connecting the above
conservation lands.
The majority of the habitat found on this property is best described
as floodplain swamp. Bald cypress and blackgum dominate this area.
Minor amounts of red maple, sweetgum and wax myrtle are also
present. Groundcover is sparse, but includes lizard’s tail and royal
fern. A smaller portion of this property is considered to be hydric
hammock. Large live oaks and cabbage palms dominate the remaining
property.
A very diverse assemblage of animals is associated with floodplain
swamps and hydric hammocks. These include southern toad, cricket
frog, gray tree frog, pig frog, Southern leopard frog, alligator,
river cooter, stinkpot, mud snake, redbelly water snake, brown water
snake, cottonmouth, yellow-crowned night heron, wood duck, pileated
woodpecker, various warblers, golden mouse, black bear, raccoon, and
bobcat. |
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