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American Heritage Rivers |  |
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American Heritage Rivers Keystone ProjectSt. Johns River - 1Enhancement of the Eco-Heritage Corridor Project Summary The Eco-Heritage Corridor serves as a conceptual and real connection between the St. Johns River communities and all three legs of the AHRI stool: environmental, historical/cultural preservation and economic development. The Corridor project includes development of a readily available and user-friendly website to provide information to tourists about significant sites or activities along our river, and a brochure that has been placed at visitor centers and in many local businesses. These products will enhance awareness of the St. Johns River and stimulate economic development via eco-tourism and heritage tours. Finally, it is hoped that an aware citizenry will strive to protect water quality, habitat and unique areas along the river. Signs identifying points of interest, improvements to and maintenance of the website, and publication of additional specialty brochures are needed to complete the project. Project Benefit This project was selected as a Keystone because of its focus on the entire watershed. The Corridor needs greater visibility to meet expectations. Signage, a better website and new brochures that highlight travel themes-environmental, cultural/heritage-will serve to draw more tourists to the area, thus stimulating local economies. Since each of the diverse areas has a different character, this multi-media approach can serve all their interests. Current Partnerships
Project Stage/Status A website and brochure are currently available, but each needs improvement and expansion. Signage, new brochures, an improved website, publicity, media tours and other activities are needed to increase the visibility of the Corridor. Cost Estimate: $200K (over two years) Current Funding Sources Environmental Protection Agency Champion Agency: : U.S. Dept. of the Interior, National Park Service Champion Partners U.S. DOT - Federal Highway Administration River Navigator Anne E. Keller St. Johns River - 2Enhancement of the Eco-Heritage Corridor Project Summary Much of the St. Johns River watershed is comprised of rural areas or small cities with minimal industrial activity and few large employers. In many cases, colleges or local governments are the biggest employers, augmented by a variety of tourist or agricultural interests. While few areas in the upper and middle basins are interested in becoming highly industrial or urbanizing, there is interest in eco-tourism. Therefore, we propose to develop the infrastructure necessary to enhance low impact tourism in the less populated counties and small cities that comprise the southern two-thirds of the St. Johns River watershed. A local group will be asked to determine what types of eco-tourism-related development they seek. This may include fishing, bird watching, canoeing, or other nature based activities. Once the activity has been identified, appropriate facilities will be refurbished, purchased, restored, etc. These may include boat docks and other facilities to permit ferry connections and access to areas of particular interest for water-related activities, bed and breakfast facilities conducive to birding and nature tours, and waste disposal/package plants for isolated recreational areas. Several new or under-used recreational areas are available for nature-tourists, but do not have appropriate facilities to provide accommodations, meals and access to the areas of interest because land routes are not available. While communities in the southern areas of the St. Johns River basin want to maintain their rural and less developed status, they would enjoy and benefit from having increased low-impact tourism. Project Benefit Rural cities and counties in the upper basin areas of the St. Johns River, nature-oriented tourists, outfitters, bed and breakfast owners, restaurants, outdoor supply companies, fish camps, airboat drivers and the St. Johns River will benefit from this project by developing new economic potential resulting in minimal negative impact to the region. Current Partnerships In development Project Stage/Status The City of Palatka has expressed interest in this project as enhancement for its efforts to revitalize and improve the economic benefit of its waterfront. This city was a hub for riverboat/steamboat traffic in the 1800s, but lost its draw as highways were developed. Palatka is currently in the midst of purchasing a riverboat with federal and state funds to begin a ferry service, enhance nature-based tourism and serve as an educational platform. A number of cities (e.g., Pomona Park, Crescent City, Green Cove Springs) have expressed interest in similar projects, while still others suffer from below average employment that could be improved by tourism-related industries. Cost Estimate: $3M (2 yr); during the first year, an analysis of needs and preferences will be conducted. Following that, grant applications will be submitted to both federal and state agencies with the support of the Regional Planning Councils, the Florida Department of Community Affairs and the Florida Rural Development Council. Current Funding Sources None Resources Needed Technical expertise in evaluating economic needs and grant-writing, funding Champion Agency: U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration Champion Partners North East Florida Regional Planning Council River Navigator Anne E. Keller St. Johns River - 3St. Johns River Trail Project Summary Numerous cities and counties that lie within the St. Johns River watershed have begun to develop trail systems within their borders. Trails are seen as sources of recreation and environmental protection or enhancement as they form a green swath around or between roadways, neighborhoods and cities. As cities expand, it becomes ever harder to purchase riverfront properties to maintain for local citizens and tourists alike. Such is the case in a large number of counties along the St. Johns River, e.g., Duval, St. Johns, Brevard, Volusia. The counties within the St. Johns AHRI plan to meet in late October 2002, in collaboration with the Florida Office of Greenways and Trails (FDEP), the North East Florida Regional Planning Council, the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council and the National Park Service, to discuss the development of a St. Johns River Trail. This would consist of local trails--some in development, others in the planning stage--connected into a regional trail that would traverse the watershed in many directions, some within sight of the St. Johns River, others not. This collaboration would stimulate the development of new trails needed to connect the current system, as well as plans for counties that have not yet developed a trails master plan. Following the October meeting primarily of planners and local agency staff, a watershed-wide St. Johns River Summit will be held in January 2003 to further develop the plan and to get public response/support. Project Benefit A system of interconnected trails throughout the St. Johns River watershed would enhance recreational opportunities; stimulate more interaction between various municipal, county, state and federal agencies; protect and improve water quality in reaches of the St. Johns River; provide environmental enhancement; support resource conservation; and promote nature-based tourism. Current Partnerships
Project Stage/Status Many of the pieces needed to develop an inter-connected system of trails are already developed. Some counties and cities have completed their trails master plans. Others are just beginning. Funding is available for a portion of property that would be needed to complete a St. Johns River Trail, through both local and state funds (Florida Forever). However, more funding is needed to purchase new parcels, as well as to develop and maintain the trails. Once the October 2002 and January 2003 meetings have been completed, additional property purchases will be identified and development/management plans will be written. Cost Estimate: $8M (5 yr); during the first year, a specific plan will be developed and property identified for purchase and development; following years will require funds for purchase and enhancement, as well as maintenance of trails. Current Funding Sources County taxes Resources Needed Funding to purchase, develop and maintain trails Champion Agency: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service Champion Partners 11 Counties River Navigator Anne E. Keller St. Johns River - 4An Integrated Educational Network and Associated River-Centered Curriculum Project Summary A number of educational programs focusing on the St. Johns River have been developed over the past 15 years. At one time, the SJRWMD invested considerable energy in training teachers and providing educational materials for students. Several colleges and other facilities have summer environmental classes for K-12 students that include activities centered on the river. However, many areas do not have the resources in terms of funds or volunteers to develop and implement curricula. Many parties supporting the St. Johns AHRI are interested in having access to a river-centered curriculum for use in classrooms, and would also like to be able to call on appropriate experts to lead the learning. Training teachers would be a goal of the project since that is the most efficient method by which to disseminate information to students. The development of a curriculum highlighting general environmental concepts, specific information about the St. Johns River, local history and culture is of widespread interest. Project Benefit Educators in today's classrooms are overloaded with large classes, ever-increasing paperwork, less prep time and fewer support persons that allow the teacher time to develop innovative lesson plans. Science or environmental classes are very limited in elementary school, and higher grades would benefit from having new teaching materials. Such a curriculum could consist of multi-media information on the St. Johns River, its culture, history, biology, ecology and water tailored for different grade levels. From a more global perspective, instilling a concern for the "world" in their own neighborhood is the first step in preparing students for their role as citizens. By learning about the St. Johns River in all its aspects, today's youths will be more aware of issues about which they must help make decisions in the future, e.g., water use, natural resource conservation, preservation of historical sites, and better prepared to make the best choices. Current Partnerships In development Project Stage/Status Discussions between a number of local partners and the River Navigator have begun to outline an approach to this project. As noted above, a number of agencies and groups have developed information and curriculum materials related to the St. Johns River in the past 10 years. Much of this has dealt with water quality and aquatic organisms, less with culture and historical aspects of the area. The plan is to continue general discussions over the next month or two, then hold a series of meetings to gather, discuss and evaluate currently available materials beginning in early 2003. Once those meetings have been completed, it is expected that representatives from a group of institutions and agencies will collaborate to develop new curricula as desired to fill in existing gaps or to enhance those already present. Cost Estimate: $50K (for each of two years); used for support of meetings, development of curriculum and publication of materials. Current Funding Sources An environmental education grant was submitted by the North East Florida Regional Planning Council to the EPA last summer. It is still in the evaluation stage. Champion Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Champion Partners U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service River Navigator Anne E. Keller
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