Causey, Philip D., May 1995 - THE DEVELOPMENT OF A CULTURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE DISNEY WILDERNESS PRESERVE KISSIMMEE, FLORIDA Abstract: The Disney Wilderness Preserve, through a creative effort by the Walt Disney Corporation, federal, regional, and state regulatory agencies, and The Nature Conservancy, has become a unique off-site area to mitigate impacts to wetlands and endangered species habitat. This new concept required a management plan and wetland mitigation program that could preserve and maximize the diversity and natural and cultural resources of the area in perpetuity. A cultural resource management plan is considered essential in the long-term management of the preserve. This thesis develops cultural resource management recommendations that can be used to manage the cultural resources contained within the current preserve and future additions. Data are drawn from previous research on the preserve, in the region, and elsewhere, as well as from interviews and field investigations. Special concern and research emphasis is placed on the effects of fire and inundation on cultural resources. This is due to the fact that prescribed fire is used extensively as a tool to manage vegetative communities on the preserve and to reinstate this critical natural process back onto the landscape. Additionally, it is expected that water levels on parts of the preserve may rise as a result of the proposed raising of the water level of Lake Hatchineha in association with the Kissimmee River restoration programs. Data suggest that potential conflicts between fire management requirements, wetland rehydration processes, strategies and proposals, and cultural resources can be resolved in the best interests of the various resources. If negative impacts cannot be controlled or avoided, then certain preservation techniques may need to be employed. .