General Comments:

This area encompasses some of the most valuable wildlife habitats in the MINWR. Parts of the NIRLMA are also in close proximity to human activity in the Kennedy Space Center. As with other impoundments in the MINWR, management flexibility is extremely important so that the refuge mission can be achieved while maintaining as much linkage between marshes and the lagoon as possible. To achieve the above goal, many water control structures (culverts and pumps) are needed in this area. Exotic control is also of high-priority in some of these marshes.

Impoundments Shiloh-1N, 1S, 3, 5 - Water management within the Shiloh impoundments will alternate between drawdown and pump-up, but every effort should be made to leave them open as much as possible. These impoundments fall within an approved hunting area so water levels between September and mid-January may have to be maintained between 1.0 and 1.5 ft NGVD, at least in some of the cells. They can be flooded using portable pumps, but a permanent electric pump at Shiloh 5 is desirable to allow water level manipulations at all cells. Exotics are basically under control at cells 3 and 5, but additional control is needed in the others.

Impoundment T-21 - This impoundment is also in a hunting area and is presently closed and managed independently from the Shilohs. The area is being encroached by cattails. Connection to the Shilohs with 6 culverts is advisable, and would solve the exotic problem. Should be managed like the Shilohs, but no pump is needed.

Impoundment T-9 - This impoundment is partially breached, but water movement is inadequate. Total dike removal is recommended and is currently under way.

Impoundments T-18A, B - These impoundments require diligent mosquito control as they are in the vicinity of the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) and launch pads at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC). Initially, water levels need to be maintained up for at least one year (with periodic flushing) for exotic control. After that, the impoundments could be managed under RIM. Two culverts are needed 18B and four at 18A. With these modifications, both cells can be pumped through Impoundment 16.

Impoundment T-17 - This impoundment is similar to the above, but requires 9 additional culverts for effective water management. Exotic control is needed initially.

Impoundment T-16 - MINWR Management Strategy in concert with T- 24D. Nine more culverts are needed at this site.

Impoundment C-20A, B, C - These impoundments are in a high waterfowl usage area, but also near high human use areas of the KSC, they should eventually be managed under RIM or under MINWR Management Strategy. The area needs one to two years of flooding with periodic flushing for exotic control. Culverts are needed at all three cells to increase flushing and circulation as follows: C- 20A, 18 culverts; C-20B, 8 culverts; C-20C, 11 culverts.

Impoundments C-15B to C15-E, and Moore Creek - This area is similar to the above (high waterfowl use, near human activity). This is a large area with a serious exotic problem. Water circulation is wind driven and it receives high fertilizer inputs from nearby groves. A large (4 x 32 ft) box culvert is needed at the mouth of Moore Creek (north end). Installation of additional culverts will allow more flexible water management so that fertilizer loads can be retained or flushed as needed and blooms of undesirable vegetation can be prevented. The C impoundments should be externally connected to Moore Creek and internally with each other. With these modifications, the impoundments could be managed for retention or flushing with no need for pumping anticipated. Culvert needs are as follows: C-15B, 7; C-15C, 24-30; C-15D, 14; C- 15E, 10. Control of Brazilian Pepper is a high priority at C-15C and C-15D as this exotic species is rapidly proliferating at these sites.

Impoundment C-15CB - This impoundment needs external culverts, and culverts connecting the area east of the south end of Moore Creek and south of C-15E to the marsh and to Moore Creek. To be managed as part of the above block.

ImpoundmentS T-1, 3, 4 (Scottsmoor) - This is a high fisheries use area, particularly the North cell, where thousands of juvenile tarpon and other species are often observed. However, this cell is privately owned as is used as a for-profit hunting area. Purchase of this area is of very high priority. Exotic control is on target and is almost 90% complete in some areas. A cyclical management plan has been prepared for these impoundments by the Brevard Mosquito Control District (BMCD). It would be very beneficial if funding could be allocated to conduct a study evaluating the results of this plan upon physical conditions at the site, and upon mosquito production and non-target flora and fauna.

Impoundment T-24D - This is the largest single impoundment in the MINWR, covering approximately 3,000 acres (1,215 ha). The marsh is under severe invasion by cattails and some form of control is urgently needed. The marsh is relatively high, and may be left open except during the hunting season. Fourteen culverts were installed duirng 1995, but because of the high elevation, regular burns may have to be scheduled for exotic control.

Impoundment C-21:36 - This area is heavily used by waterfowl and management should continue under MINWR Management Strategy together with C-20B and C-20C. The area is under heavy cattail invasion. It needs re-connection to the Lagoon with nine culverts after a one to two year flooded period (with flushing) for exotic control.

Impoundments T-34 & T-35 - These impoundments are also in close proximity to KSC launch pads and the VAB. It should remain under RIM after a one to two year high water period with flushing for exotic control. Two additional culverts are needed at each impoundment to improve flushing and circulation.

Impoundment T-37A to T-37C - These impoundments are managed by NASA. T-37A is used for filtering pre-treated wastewater from the VAB and as a result, cattails are taking over. Reconnection to the Lagoon is not advisable, but it may be beneficial to periodically pump water in from Banana Creek and let it evaporate on site for exotic control. T-37B and C receive runoff from KSC roads and pads and should remain closed. A strategy similar to the above for exotic control may also be advisable at these sites, but a small pump is needed if the area is to be flooded.

Impoundments T-10A to T-10M and T-24A to T24C - There are 3,882 acres (1,572 ha) of impounded marshes in this impoundment block representing some of the most valuable habitat on the MINWR. Included are some of the impoundments in the high visibility Black Point Wildlife Drive. Management plans for this block call for the installation of 107 culverts of which 62 are external and 45 are internal. An important feature of this impoundment block is a reservoir system west of SR 406 that retains freshwater runoff, but may also be pumped. Pump stations exist at T-24D, at T-10B,C (Titusville), and at the northwest corner of T-10M (Dummitt). A permanent diesel pump station has recently been installed at T- 10J,K. Construction of two small levies (100' x 20' x 6') between T-10K and T-10I and between T-10I and T-10G has also recenly been completed and will allow more efficient water management as described below.

Specific water management goals for this block will be decided on a yearly basis. The modifications summarized above, however, will improve interchange with the Lagoon and enhance water management capabilities for waterfowl, wading birds and mosquito control. Additionally, the improved control over water levels will allow management for restoration of marsh vegetation, will allow for more frequent drawdowns, will improve stormwater runoff filtration and will permit more accurate control of salinity throughout the area.

With the proposed modifications, all pumps will be capable of contributing to flooding the entire system, including the reservoir. By manipulating pumps and culverts, water levels and salinity can be managed efficiently and water of the desired salinity may be pulsed through the entire system. Under ideal conditions, a net flow-through can be achieved.