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Conservation director: UTV/ATV trial in county parks pending Corps approval; Bridgeport boat-ramp permitting progressing
Summary
Jackson County conservation staff reported progress on UTV/ATV access in county parks subject to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers approval, Bridgeport ramp permitting and contractor scheduling, and submitted grant applications including a $25,000 AARP request. Staff warned of a likely shortfall on a Spruce Creek grant and possible budget amendment.
Jackson County conservation staff reported to the Board of Supervisors on March 4 that a one-year trial allowing UTVs and ATVs in county parks is likely to proceed once the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers grants or permits the change.
The conservation director told supervisors the plan is to permit recreational off-highway vehicles for a one-year trial and to use signage (not a wholesale ordinance change) to authorize the trial, subject to the Corps’ permission. Staff said the trial is intended to test whether park users and other impacts arise that require future policy changes.
The director also updated the board on Bridgeport boat-ramp permitting and related construction scheduling. Corps and state floodplain questions remain: the state flagged the possibility that some fill would be required even though the project mostly involves material removal, and asked for additional floodplain permitting details. The county requested a permit extension and said it will not advertise the construction contract until permits are certain; staff said the contract has a mid-May completion date written into it and the contractor hoped to start in mid-March if permits allow.
Spruce Creek was discussed as a separate issue. Staff said the department is likely to be short on grant funding for Spruce Creek and anticipates using reserve funds or proposing a future budget amendment unless additional grant sources are identified. The department has been exploring fundraising options including an online fishing tournament and other small revenue efforts.
Staff reported they submitted an AARP grant application for $25,000 the prior week to support Prairie Creek work. The conservation director said other grant applications are in process.
Other operational notes: county staff are building docks in the county shop, preparing for early-season prescribed burns, and considering subleasing or other arrangements for the Spruce Creek area pending zoning and property-code constraints. The director told the board that some Corps discussions (related to Duck Creek and other sites) have stalled due to requests for environmental assessments and questions about property coding that could trigger public comment periods.
Supervisors asked staff to schedule follow-up as needed and indicated the county may need to consider a budget amendment if grant funding is not found.
No formal board action was required on the conservation updates during the meeting.
