NEWS RELEASE

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

March 1, 2000

CONTACT: Charlie Mesing (850) 487-1644

BURNS SUCCESSFUL ON MICCOSUKEE LAKE BED

Fisheries biologists and others who make up the Lake Miccosukee Burn Team have burned between 600 and 800 acres of the Miccosukee lake bottom over the last two weeks and plan to burn substantially more acreage in the next few days.

The Lake Miccosukee Burn Team is made up of representatives from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Tall Timbers Research Facility and Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Service's Division of Forestry. Landowners and managers have been supportive and helpful with creating fire lines to control the fires.

Charlie Mesing, a FWC fisheries biologist said the purpose of the burn is to improve the lake bottom for fish and wildlife habitat. "Burning removes the dried vegetation and reduces hazardous fuels which can be dangerous if a wildfire occurs," Mesing said. "Burning also helps us get rid of the woody stem tussocks which interfere with waterfowl use." Mesing said their goal is to burn approximately 2,000 acres of the lake bottom this spring.

Early on there was some concern that the prescribed burns could ignite a muck fire and ultimately create smoke problems for drivers nearby on U.S. 27, Highway 90 and even Interstate 10. That has not happened and Mesing said most of the burns have been completed in 1 - 2 hours and the smoke dissipated.

Fishing has been prohibited since the lake was drawn down last summer, except in the diked sinkhole at the northern portion of the lake. The FWC has decided that fishing will remain closed through Sept. 20 or until water levels return to normal.

There will be a Lake Miccosukee cleanup, sponsored by Jefferson County and AmeriCorp on Saturday, March 4 beginning at 8:30 a.m. at the Reaves Boat Landing. Aluminum cans and other trash will be picked up in the upper part of the lake. There will be a free lunch at 12:30 p.m. for all participants. For additional information individuals can call (850) 487-1644.