Location
Lignumvitae Key State Botanical Site is a 280 acre island located 1 mile
west of U.S. Highway 1 between upper and lower Matecumbe Keys to the south
of Islamorada in the upper Florida Keys (see regional
map for John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park). The Lignumvitae Key
Management Area encompasses approximately 10,000 acres and borders Everglades
National Park to the west in Florida Bay and extends slightly beyond Indian
Key to the east. Seagrass meadows behind the lower end of upper Matecumbe
Key and the upper end of lower Matecumbe Key are included in the management
area. Seagrass meadows within the park consist predominantly of turtle
grass with some manatee and Cuban shoal grass in mixed species beds. Shallow
seagrass communities are separated by natural channels carved through
these systems by the action of tidally influenced currents. Boaters use
these channels extensively.
Date of
Seagrass Protection Zone Authorization:
October, 1993
Authorization:
Closing of the areas for seagrass protection occurred concurrently with
those for JPCRSP and was authorized under existing Florida state parks
legislation. Regulations establishing this authority include, 258.007
(2) F.S., and Sections 62D-2.014(8)(a), F.A.C. and 62D-2.014(16)(b), F.A.C.
The former adminstrative rule subsection stipulates that no person shall
operate a boat in waters closed by the Division of Recreation and Parks
(FDEP). The latter administrative rule subsection states that park management
has the authority to partially or entirely close an area to any use for
any time period for resource protection.
Wording
on Signs:
Signs consist of 3'x3' square metallic signs on breakaway posts that have
an orange border around the edges along with an orange circle in the center
with a reflective off-white background. Wording on the signs consists
of permit numbers (FDEP, ACOE and County), regulatory ordinance numbers
(Chapter 62D-2.011, F.A.C.) and "Area Closed to Combustible Motor
Operation".
Enforcement:
Enforcement activities are conducted by officers of the Florida Park Patrol
and the Florida Marine Patrol.
Enforcement
Action:
The enforcement strategy for this State Park is the same as that for JPCRSP
and works on a "warn then cite" basis. On the first offense,
a written warning citing Careless Operation of the Vessel (violation of
327.33(2), F.S.) and Restricted Areas/Closed (327.46(2), F.S.) is issued.
On the second offense, a citation for an infraction of the above referenced
state laws is issued. On the third offense, a second degree misdemeanor
citation for violation of Chapters 62D-2.014 (8)(a) and 62D-2.014(16)(b)
is issued.
History:
Much like the neighboring JPCRSP, seagrass communities in the Lignumvitae
Key Management Area were recognized as being extensively damaged by watercraft
operation in shallow waters in the mid- to late 1980s. Damage was recognized
as being caused by accidental groundings and by commercial and recreational
fishermen intentionally accessing these waters in pursuit of their quarry.
In 1992, the Governor and Cabinet sitting as the Board of Trustees directed
the FDEP Division of Recreation and Parks to develop an interim protection
plan to address continued seagrass community damage. State park managers
developed a plan focusing on education (brochures, informational signs,
and public service announcements), augmented marking of existing access
channels, and closure of management area waters to combustion engine powered
vessels. In all, approximately 6,000 acres of shallow water containing
abundant seagrass was closed to such watercraft on an emergency basis
in late 1992 and officially closed on a permanent basis through changes
to appropriate regulatory codes in 1993. Boaters can still access these
shallow waters in kayaks, canoes, sailing craft, with electric engines,
and by poling with engines tilted up and turned off .
Map of Lignumvitae Key Management Area Combustion Engine Exclusion Zones in Monoroe County
