Getting back to nature; restoring the MacDill environment

  • Published
  • By Nick Stubbs
  • Thunderbolt Editor
Where there's smoke, there's fire, but at MacDill, smoke signals
mean something else significant: habitat improvements. 

Those who may have seen smoke at the south end of the base Wednesday were witnessing a controlled burn, not a wildfire. In fact, the burn helps prevent brushfires by removing dead and undesirable growth, said Jason Kilpatrick, 6th Civil Engineer Squadron environmental projects manager. 

But aside from the safety benefit of removing fuel for wildfires, the burn is one of several steps that aim to return a 30 acre remote section near the FamCamp to its natural glory as native Florida pine flatwoods. 

Over the years, the area has been invaded by exotic species, like Brazilian pepper and various weeds. The growth now burned, the soil will be turned in preparation
for planting some 10,000 pine threes, wax myrtle, native saw palmetto and perhaps even a section of wildflowers, said Mr. Kirkpatrick, who has made restoration of MacDill habitat one of his main priorities. 

"It used to be really nice out there at one time," he said. "But over the years, it has gotten away from what it was naturally." While this restoration will return the area dry highlands, another project in the works for the south portion of the base around the Lewis Lake area will target wetlands for restoration and improvement. 

Mr. Kirkpatrick is working now to secure grant money that would restore a tidal creek and lowlands surrounding it to a natural mangrove estuary. Like many areas on base, Brazilian pepper plants have taken over, and must be eradicated and replaced
with mangroves. Many mosquito ditches dug in the area in years past will be filled in and flow into the creek and wetlands from Tampa Bay tidal activity will be improved to ensure adequate flushing. 

Mr. Kirkpatrick predicts it will be summer before plans are finalized, and perhaps 2009 before work starts. The Southwest Florida Water Management District has committed to the project and other agencies may be involved, as well. He estimates the work at about $1.2 million. MacDill will supply some labor, equipment and will maintain the area once restored, said Mr. Kirkpatrick. 

"It's a good deal for us, because we are not having to cover the cost," he said.
As part of the work, Lewis Lake could be converted into a saltwater estuary by opening up a creek to Tampa Bay. The idea has appeal to environmental agencies, which are always trying to make up for such natural wetlands lost to development around Tampa Bay, he said. 

"Overall it adds to the net of estuaries around the bay, which is a desirable thing," said Mr. Kirkpatrick, who added the project likely would take three years to complete. 

Another option would be to divide the lake, creating a saltwater and freshwater portion. In either case, Lewis Lake would remain a collector and retention area for rainwater drainage, said Mr. Kirkpatrick.