A review of current salt marsh management issues in Florida

For the past decade, salt marsh management in Florida has been a central issue in attempts to reconcile mosquito control and natural resource interests. Progress has been made in trying to maintain effective mosquito control while protecting and enhancing salt marsh resources primarily due to: 1) efforts by the Florida Coordinating Council on Mosquito Control and its Subcommittee on Managed Marshes, which are committees comprised of agencies responsible for wetlands resources, those mandated to provide mosquito control, and research institutions; and 2) funding of research to investigate ecosystem effects of marsh management techniques. Research and management experience have demonstrated that Rotational Impoundment Management (RIM) and rotary ditching can provide ecologically sound source reduction benefits. Salt marsh ownership, management of state lands and mariculture remain controversial salt marsh management issues.