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Post by Ira Runyan on Dec 1, 2017 13:01:43 GMT -5
The St. Johns Water Management district continues to assess damage to its lands resulting from September’s Hurricane Irma as flood waters continue to recede. Our goal is to reopen the properties for recreational uses as soon as it is safe to do so. Moccasin Island tract of the Upper St. Johns River Marsh WMA (River Lakes Conservation Area) Access point at Wickham Road at the Duda Sod Farm in Viera remains closed. They have now installed a gate across N. Wickham Road (AKA 4 mile road) as seen in this photograph.
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Post by frank on Dec 1, 2017 15:38:08 GMT -5
Thanks Ira. I drove down that road last week and encountered the fence. The Duda's run cattle out in thaffected area so the access roads must be acceptably passible for vehicles. The SJRWMD website has not given any explanation regarding the specific cause for closure. Every year we hike the south trail(s) multiple times. The trails are along the river and through beautiful oak hammocks. Lets' hope the Moccasin Island Tract opens before we get back into hot weather.
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Post by Tim Abbott on Dec 4, 2017 18:07:40 GMT -5
My cousin works for Duda & said it was something to do with the main canal on your left as you drive west & they are waiting for water level to recede, they are grazing cattle where they would normally pump the water out.
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Post by frank on Dec 6, 2017 19:37:47 GMT -5
Thanks for the information Tim. I'm also wondering if the parking area is mucky from all of the rain. A few years back when we had a bunch of rain it became very muddy there and bunch of the local yokels turned it into a play area for their trucks. They really rutted and tore the parking area up so much so that it was closed to the public for a while. If you hear anything about a date when it will be re-opened please post it.
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Post by frank on Dec 6, 2017 19:41:31 GMT -5
Should have checked the SJWMD web site before my previous post ... the Mocassin Island Tract is no longer on their closed list.
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Post by Ira Runyan on Dec 6, 2017 21:58:37 GMT -5
Should have checked the SJWMD web site before my previous post ... the Mocassin Island Tract is no longer on their closed list. I was out there yesterday 12/06/17, and the road was still closed..........
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Post by frank on Dec 7, 2017 8:30:45 GMT -5
Just got off the phone with SJRWMD who said it was most definitely open. I related to them, what Ira said, that it was still found to be closed yesterday. They are checking into the situation to see why it wasn't open. They said it is possible that Duda just didn't open the gate. I am expecting a return phone call from SJRWMD and will relay any info unless Ira tells me it is open today.
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Post by Ira Runyan on Dec 7, 2017 12:09:55 GMT -5
Just got off the phone with SJRWMD who said it was most definitely open. I related to them, what Ira said, that it was still found to be closed yesterday. They are checking into the situation to see why it wasn't open. They said it is possible that Duda just didn't open the gate. I am expecting a return phone call from SJRWMD and will relay any info unless Ira tells me it is open today. The road to MIT was indeed open today. I drove out to the MIT parking lot and found no indications that there was any damage to the road. You could tell that the parking lot and surrounding area had been flooded with the high water.
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Post by frank on Dec 7, 2017 14:44:41 GMT -5
Thanks Ira. SJRWMD did call back saying that the gate was open.
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