Public hearing on Welaka State Forest management plan scheduled for April 2, 2026.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Florida Forest Service (FFS) and the Welaka State Forest Management Plan Advisory Group announce a public hearing and an advis01y group meeting to which all persons are invited. DATE & TIME: Public Meeting/Hearing- Welaka State Forest Management Plan Advisory Group; April 2, 2026, at 9:30 A.M. PLACE: Putnam County Agricultural Center 111 Yelvington Road, East Palatka, FL 3213l PURPOSE: To solicit comments on management of the Welaka State Forest. Comments may be presented orally or in writing at the hearing. Written comments may also be submitted to the FFS Welaka State Forest at P.O. Box 174, Welaka, FL 32193 to the attention of Aaron Levine and should be mailed so as to arrive at the office prior to the date of the public hearing. AGENDA: 1. Call to Order, Introductions and Remarks 2. Summary of Draft Ten-Year Land Management Plan 3. Question / Answer on Plan Content 4. Public Comment 5. Process Summation and Adjournment DATE & TIME: Workshop Public Meeting- Welaka State Forest Management Plan Advisory Group; April 2, 2026, at 12:00 P.M. PLACE: Putnam County Agricultural Center 11 I Yelvington Road, East Palatka, FL 32131 PURPOSE: To allow the Welaka State Forest Management Plan Adviso1y Group to review comments from the public hearing and provide recommendations to the FPS to help in preparation of a management plan for the Welaka State Forest. Copies of a working draft of the plan and the management prospectus are available before the date of the public hearing on line at https://www.fdacs.gov/News-Events/Event-Calendar; by contacting the Welaka State Forest at P.O. Box l 74, Welaka, FL 32193; or by contacting Aaron Levine at (386) 292-2348. Special accommodations for persons with a disabling condition should be requested in writing to the FFS's Welaka State Forest at the above listed address at least 72 hours in advance of these proceedings. Any request for special accommodations can be made by writing to the Welaka State Forest at the above listed address. You are hereby notified in accordance with Chapter 286.0 I 05, Florida Statutes, should you decide to appeal any decision made as a result of, or take exception to any findings of fact with respect to any matter considered at the hearing and meeting referred to above, you may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made. Such record shall include the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based. Proceedings of the public hearing and the public meeting will be recorded. Legal No. 00116187 02/05/26