News Release

New wildlife management areas discussed at public meeting

October 5, 2007
Contact: John Ault (386) 758-0525

A meeting to inform the public of the proposed establishment of two wildlife management areas (WMAs) and the expansion of a third on lands managed by the Florida Division of Forestry (DOF) will be held Oct. 15.

The meeting will be from 6-8 p.m. (EDT) at DOF’s Jacksonville district headquarters located in Cary State Forest at 7247 Big Oaks Road, Bryceville, approximately 11 miles southwest of Callahan on U.S. 301.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will provide information regarding the establishment of the Belmore State Forest in Clay County on 8,737 acres and the Four Creeks State Forest in Nassau County on 13,147 acres as WMAs, and the expansion of the Cary Wildlife Management Area, in Nassau and Duval counties, from 3,414 acres to 6,975 acres.

“Personnel from FWC and DOF will attend the meeting to answer questions concerning the establishment of these areas as WMAs,” said John Ault, the FWC’s North Central Regional public hunting areas biologist. “We encourage anyone who would like to learn more about the changes to attend the meeting.”

The proposed rules to manage the areas, as well as public comments, will be considered at the Commission meeting on Dec. 5-6 at Key Largo. Rule proposals will be considered for adoption at the Feb. 6-7, 2008 Commission meeting scheduled for Panama City.  If adopted, the areas will be established as WMAs, and the rules would take effect for the 2008–2009 hunting season.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations to participate in the meeting should contact the FWC at least five calendar days prior to the meeting by calling (386) 757-0525.