Meeting On 10-Year Plan For Lake Stone’s Future Is Wednesday

April 8, 2019

A 10-year plan for Lake Stone is in the works, and the public will have an opportunity to learn more and comment Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Century Town Hall.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) staff will present the draft land management plan for the Lake Stone Fish Management Area.

Lake Stone is managed through a cooperative agreement between the FWC and Escambia County to conserve natural communities and use lake management techniques to maintain healthy fish habitats. The area features a man-made lake stocked with largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, black crappie and channel catfish. The impoundment, managed and maintained by FWC, was constructed in the late 1960s to provide additional freshwater fishing opportunities in an area where these opportunities are limited.

Escambia County maintains public camping facilities and a fishing pier, along with roads, trails and parking facilities in the area. In addition to fishing opportunities, the lake provides recreational opportunities such as wildlife viewing, hiking, paddling and camping. Gasoline boat motors are prohibited from use on Lake Stone; however, the use of electric trolling motors is allowed.

“This draft management plan provides conservation-based management for healthy terrestrial and aquatic habitats, cultural resources, along with fish- and wildlife-based outdoor recreation opportunities for public use,” said Dylan Imlah, FWC land conservation planner.

There is about $148,000 in the first year and an additional $428,000 over the 10-year life of the plan for capital construction.

About 15 campsites have been paved so far, and another 50 to 60 will be paved with county funding, according to Escambia County Parks and Recreation Director Michael Rhodes. The county also hopes to replace the playground and the office/caretaker trailer.

“We are also looking towards potentially building a new open pavilion, kiosk and new gate near the dam for the area, however these items have not yet been approved or vetted for funding,” said Imlah.

There are also two full-time employees in the plan.

“Currently, we have several employees from both the FWC and Escambia County assisting in managing the area. The two employees listed in the plan is based off of our proposed budget, showing that we would need at a minimum of two full time employees dedicated to the area in order to manage optimally. Currently, we have an FWC manager along with several other staff who help maintain the lake and fish populations. We also have FWC staff who monitor wildlife species and exotics that may occur on the upland areas. Additionally, the county pays a caretaker to live on the area and manage the recreational facilities. Not to mention county staff that assist in campsite reservations, facility development improvements,” Imlah told NorthEscambia.com.

There are no plans, she said, to change the public’s current use of Lake Stone, only improve access as funding allows.

Pictured: Lake Stone near Century. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Comments

4 Responses to “Meeting On 10-Year Plan For Lake Stone’s Future Is Wednesday”

  1. JB on April 9th, 2019 1:56 pm

    M in Bratt.. They are probably just putting a new gate up preventing you to drive a vehicle onto the dam.

  2. M in Bratt on April 8th, 2019 5:47 pm

    I wish somebody would explain to me how putting in an access gate on the dam side of the lake will “improve” anybody’s access. A gate would only be necessary if they are planning on starting to charge fees to get to the boat ramps, and fishing area’s on that side of the lake. If you accomplish limiting access of rif raff, the long term campers will have their own private lake and park.

  3. southerner on April 8th, 2019 10:08 am

    How can a private campground compete with a government subsidized one?

  4. EMD on April 8th, 2019 7:10 am

    So thankful for this nice place for the average person. Do not have to be wealthy to enjoy. Thanks

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under Archive