Lucky L Mitigation Bank
The Lucky L Mitigation Bank is a 1,191.88 acre mitigation bank in Osceola County. The mitigation bank consists of environmentally sensitive lands under a conservation easement and implementation of hydraulic improvements consisting of ditch blocks, weirs and removing or plugging existing pipes that will improve the wetland hydrology, resulting in wetland restoration to their historical condition. Issuance of this permit constitutes certification of compliance with state water quality standards in accordance with Rule 62-330.062 Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.)
Lucky L Ranch Mitigation Bank (LLMB) is approximately 4 miles west of Kenansville on County Road 523 (Canoe Creek Road). The site is contiguous with the Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area to the west, a cattle ranch to the east, the Turnpike to the north and CR 523 to the south. The site is less than a mile north of Lake Marian in Osceola County.
The site straddles the boundaries of the South Florida and St. Johns River Water Management Districts.
The LLMB management plan will provide significant functional benefits to the wetlands and other important resources in the region, including fish and wildlife. The plan includes the elimination of artificial drainage (blocking or filling of manmade ditches), silviculture and agricultural activities that eliminated the vast majority of vegetative species that were endemic to the project site in the historic condition and enhancement activities that foster the re-establishment of healthy endemic habitats.
The existing improved pasture will be eliminated and replaced with historic condition that consisted of pine flatwoods and wet prairie. The condition of remnant endemic habitats will be improved through enhancement methods, including the restoration of normal hydroperiods and plant compositions.
Hydrological connections will be restored, artificial drainage will be eliminated, and normal hydroperiods will be restored in the on-site wetland systems. These efforts will foster the re -emergence of those habitats that are unique and rare (e.g., old-growth cypress, mature pine flatwoods, wet prairie, etc.). These improvements will also enhance the locational qualities of the on-site and surrounding areas, including the Osceola Pine Savannas Project, the Three-Lakes Wildlife Management Area, Lake Marion and other areas throughout the regional watershed. These improvements will restore historic wildlife corridors and critical habitats and enhance and extend other wildlife corridors of the region.
