2017 ELAPP annual report

Loading ...
HCConserv...
Nature
ELAPP Annual Reports
 
 
 
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FLORIDA 
 
 
REPORT TO THE 
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS 
 
 
 
 
 
Recommendations Concerning: 
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY'S 
JAN K. PLATT 
ENVIRONMENTAL LANDS ACQUISITION 
AND PROTECTION PROGRAM 
(ELAPP) 
 
2017 ANNUAL REPORT 
 
  
 
 
ELAPP Site Assessment Team 
ELAPP Site Review Team 
ELAPP Site Selection Team 
 
CONSERVATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL LANDS MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT 
REAL ESTATE AND FACILITIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT 
 April 2018 
 
2
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                  Page  
 
Staff Recommendation .......................................................................   3 
 
Executive Summary ...........................................................................   4 
 
Report .................................................................................................   7 
 
Class "A" Sites ................................................................................... 14 
 
Class "B" Sites ................................................................................... 15 
 
Class "C" Sites ................................................................................... 19 
 
Class "D" Sites ................................................................................... 20 
 
Agricultural Buffers ........................................................................... 20 
 
Pending Contracts .............................................................................. 21 
 
Acquired Parcels ................................................................................ 22  
 
Acquired/Preserved Sites ................................................................... 24 
 
Suspended Acquisition Sites .............................................................. 41 
 
Appendices ......................................................................................... 49 
 
 
ELAPP information and files are available at the main office of the Hillsborough County 
Conservation and Environmental Lands Management Department, 10940 McMullen Road, 
Riverview, FL 33569, telephone number (813) 672-7876, and the Hillsborough County Real 
Estate & Facilities Services Department located at County Center, 601 East Kennedy Boulevard, 
23rd Floor, Tampa, Florida 33602, telephone number (813) 272-5810. 
 
3
STAFF RECOMMENDATION 
 
The Conservation and Environmental Lands Management Department Staff and Parks, 
Recreation and Conservation Advisory Board recommend that the Board of County 
Commissioners accept the information presented in this 2017 Annual Report and approve the 
category listing and proposed methods for acquisition and protection.  
 
 
IMPLEMENTATION 
 
Upon approval of the Board of County Commissioners, the County's Real Estate and Facilities 
Services Department's ELAPP Acquisition Manager will proceed to protect and acquire sites 
according to the acquisition policy and available funds.  The County's Conservation and 
Environmental Lands Management Department's Environmental Lands Management Section 
manages preserved properties according to adopted Site Management Plan. 
 
4
2017 ANNUAL JAN K. PLATT ELAPP REPORT 
 
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 
 
Through ordinances approved by the Board of County Commissioners which presented 
referendums to the citizens, Hillsborough County has established the Jan K. Platt Environmental 
Lands Acquisition and Protection Program (ELAPP) to preserve environmentally significant 
properties.  On March 3, 1987, a referendum providing for the collection of a .25 mill tax for 
four years for the purchase or protection of environmentally sensitive lands, was approved by the 
voters of Hillsborough County.  A subsequent referendum in 1990 extended this tax for another 
20 years.  On November 4, 2008, the voters approved a third referendum (79%) for the issuance 
of up to $200 million in bonds.  ELAPP is a voluntary preservation program and the County will 
not use eminent domain to acquire lands for preservation through ELAPP.  Property does not 
become environmentally sensitive because it is approved for preservation through ELAPP; it is 
approved for preservation through ELAPP due to its environmental significance. 
 
Since its inception, the ELAPP Teams have completed 394 reviews and identified 130 sites as 
meeting the ELAPP criteria for protection or acquisition.  Fifty-five sites are now considered as 
acquired.  There are thirty-six sites that have been ranked as "Suspended" (not under 
consideration and/or no longer eligible for preservation) with most of them receiving this 
designation because they have been developed, though a few have this ranking because the 
owner has requested that the program not consider their property or staff was not able to 
negotiate the preservation of the "core parcel" of the project. 
 
The encroachment of residential development complicates the management of preserves, 
especially the use of prescribed fire.  In conjunction with the Less Than Fee Policy, the ELAPP 
General Committee recommended to the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) the use of 
conservation easements to preserve agricultural lands adjoining preserves, which was approved 
by the BOCC as part of the ELAPP 2008 Annual Report. 
 
As part of the ELAPP 2011 Annual Report, the BOCC also approved a new classification of sites 
to buffer existing preserves: Agricultural Buffers.  Staff has expressed concern about the 
complications of managing preserves bordering residential areas.  To help prevent the 
development of adjoining lands, the General Committee created the "Agricultural Buffers" 
classification.  Since the classification is to assist in the management of preservation lands, staff 
with the Conservation Services Section evaluated potential properties and identified five sites. 
 
For the 2017 nomination cycle, there were three nominations that qualified for a full assessment, 
though one was widthdrawn at the request of the property owner who was moving forward with 
development.   The Site Selection Team recommended adding the Fish Hawk Park Portion 
Addition and the Lake Stemper North nominations to the ELAP Program as Class 'C' sites. The 
Site Selection Team also recommended boundary modifications to the Alafia South Prong, 
Brooker Creek Buffer Preserve Addition, and the Cockroach and Piney Point Creek Sites  
 
From October 1, 2016 (the effective date of the last Annual Report) to September 30, 2017, 
approximately 55 acres was acquired with a total purchase price of just above $1,200,000.   .   
 
5
One of these acquisitions is an important in-holding in the Lake Dan Site. These negotiations 
were initiated in 2015.   
 
As of October 1, 2017, the program has acquired or participated in the preservation of about 
61,630 acres at a cost of approximately $260.7 million.  ELAPP has been very successful in 
receiving joint acquisition funding which has provided over $83.6 million (or approximately 
32.07%) toward the purchase price for these properties.  However, since the State has either not 
funded or only provided very limited funding for Florida Forever since 2008, the County has not 
been able to pursue acquisition funding from the Southwest Florida Water Management District 
or grants from Florida Communities Trust Program (FCT), both of which have provided the vast 
majority of the joint funding.   
 
The balance of the Lake Dan site that was submitted to FCT in 2011 was approved for funding in 
2016 (from unneeded funding released from higher ranked sites). During 2017 the State 
approved appraisals and the County is eligible to receive 50% of the pro-rata cost to acquire this 
property (approximately $3.3 million). Staff is working on completing the requirements of the 
grant.     
 
Between FY2000 and through FY2008, the BOCC assessed the balance of the .25 mill not 
required for debt service from the County's operating budget.  These funds were used for 
preservation of additional property through ELAPP and the management costs of sites preserved 
through the program.  Due to fiscal limitations from reduced ad valorem revenue and the 
practicality of spending operating funds for capital projects, the assessment of the balance for the 
.25 mill for ELAPP was stopped in FY2009 budget.  The management costs for ELAPP sites are 
now part of the County's General Fund.   
 
Since the 1990 referendum (where the voters approved the issuance of $100 million in bonds), 
the ELAPP Program has received a total of $135.8 million from bond proceeds and the balance 
of the .25 mill (referenced in the referendum and not required for the payment of existing debt) 
assessed as part of the County's operating budget.   
 
The $200 million referendum, presented as part of the November 4, 2008 General Election 
Ballot, passed with a 79% approval and provides the opportunity for additional capital funding.  
Unlike prior referendums, this ordinance does not have the .25 mill limitation (due to 
requirements of the bond underwriters) or the 20-year term limitation of the 1990 referendum (so 
that there is no urgency to issue the bonds until funding is needed).  In addition to land 
acquisition, the 2008 referendum also approved funding related to capital expenses, which 
include certain capital management costs and restoration. 
 
While there are still numerous preservation opportunities, the fiscal challenges that are facing the 
County have also impacted the ELAP Program.  The impact of additional operating costs 
associated with new acquisitions needs to be fully evaluated when an acquisition is pursued. 
 
As of October 1, 2017, ELAPP has approximately $2.75 million in bond proceeds available for 
acquisition (not committed to contracts).  Unallocated ad valorem funds associated with the 1990 
referendum are currently allocated for capital acquisition and management costs.     Since annual 
 
6
allocations are no longer associated with the program and staff costs are funded through general 
revenue, this report will only provide a financial summary as of the end of the fiscal year, which 
will include the available bond funds and the balance of the bond authorization that has not been 
issued. 
    
Since the last Annual Report, the Environmental Lands Management Section successfully 
applied prescribed burns to 2,472 acres, installed 2.5 miles of fencing for security, maintained 
approximately 450 miles of fire lanes, restored and monitored 2,808 acres of imperiled habitat, 
enhanced 248 acres of wetlands at the Lower Green Swamp Preserve through increased 
hydroperiods and the restoration of historic flow paths, as well as maintained 181 miles of 
hiking/equestrian/biking trails and 116 public access points, 25 of which include public parking 
areas.  The Environmental Lands Management Section also expanded parking at the Triple Creek 
Nature Preserve, broke ground on a 4-acre trailhead for the Balm-Boyette Scrub Preserve and 
began providing environmental education tours and related programming on multiple ELAPP 
sites. 
 
In recognition of the fiscal challenges facing the County regarding ongoing operating costs, 
including those for preservation lands, staff with the ELAP Program is working with the ELAPP 
General Committee to establish a Strategic Plan to guide the program into the future.  The 
objective of the Strategic Plan is to show how ELAPP can best achieve its preservation 
objectives while meeting the financial goals of the County. 
 
7
JAN K. PLATT 
ENVIRONMENTAL LANDS ACQUISITION 
AND PROTECTION PROGRAM 
(ELAPP) REPORT 
 
PURPOSE 
 
The Jan K. Platt Environmental Lands Acquisition and Protection Program (ELAPP) provides 
the funding, policies and procedures for the County to identify, acquire, and manage 
environmental significant lands for preservation and compatible recreation.  ELAPP is not a 
regulatory program and properties approved for preservation through ELAPP do not become 
environmentally sensitive by being approved for the ELAP Program; properties are in the ELAP 
Program due to their environmental significance.  ELAPP is a voluntary preservation program 
and the County will not use eminent domain to acquire lands for preservation through ELAPP.   
 
BACKGROUND 
 
In the early 1980s, certain lands within Hillsborough County were identified for preservation 
under Florida's Conservation and Recreational Lands (CARL) Program.  Due to competition for 
the limited state funds, there was not much progress on these acquisitions until the County 
offered to provide some of the funding toward the purchase of these lands. 
 
Based on the success of these projects, the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) directed 
staff to investigate the potential of an environmental preservation program for Hillsborough 
County.  Staff worked closely with volunteer citizens in reviewing options, investigated other 
local programs, and provided recommendations to the BOCC. 
 
On January 7, 1987, the BOCC approved an Environmentally Sensitive Lands Ordinance that 
took effect upon the passage of a referendum.  On March 3, 1987, the voters of Hillsborough 
County passed the Environmentally Sensitive Lands Referendum with 71% of the total votes for 
a .25 mill tax over a four-year period "for the purpose of acquiring, preserving, and protecting 
endangered and environmentally sensitive lands, beaches, parks, and recreational lands in 
Hillsborough County".  This Ordinance was used as the foundation for the Environmental Lands 
Acquisition and Protection Program (ELAPP or ELAP Program). 
 
The ELAP Program was founded on the basis of citizen involvement.  Volunteer citizens, as the 
Environmentally Sensitive Lands Committee, worked with staff to develop the nomination 
criteria (Appendix "A"), program policies, and procedures.  This group eventually became 
known as the "ELAPP General Committee", and monitors the program, provides for program 
policies, and addresses special issues or requests. 
  
In order to proceed with the implementation of ELAPP Ordinances, based on the 
recommendations of the Environmentally Sensitive Lands Committee, and to ensure citizen 
involvement through the process with limited government agency guidance, the Committee's 
 
8
structure was extended to the key program function.  Teams were established for the purpose of 
assessing nominations (Site Assessment Team). 
 
In response to the number of properties identified for preservation through ELAPP far exceeding 
the available funding, the BOCC adopted a second ordinance to present a second referendum to 
the voters.  In 1990, the voters approved another ELAPP referendum with 73% of the total votes.  
This referendum authorized the County to issue bonds up to $100 million that would be retired 
by the levy of ad valorem taxes not to exceed .25 mill in any one year for up to twenty years.  
This ordinance also designated a portion of such funding for site restoration and management 
and to permit the conveyance of such lands to other public agencies for the purpose of 
preservation, provided the proceeds were used to acquire additional lands or retire bonds.   
 
In 1993, the BOCC approved amendments to the two ELAPP ordinances to address special 
issues.  Both ordinances were amended to permit the sale of property rights not essential to the 
preservation of the land.  This allowed the sale of water rights, density credits, or other rights 
through the appropriate approval processes.  As part of some acquisitions, certain property rights 
not needed to accomplish the preservation objective were included in the purchases, such as 
easements.  The proceeds from these sales were to be returned to the ELAP Program to fund site 
management and additional acquisitions. 
 
These ordinances were also amended to permit the sale of property to a public or quasi-public 
entity for purposes other than preservation, as settlement of actual or potential litigation, 
provided there was evidence that no feasible alternative existed, that the property rights were 
essential to the project, that environmental concerns of the BOCC were sufficiently addressed, 
and that the proceeds were returned to the ELAP Program for acquisition and management.  Both 
ordinances were also amended to affirm that voters approved funding for these acquisitions in 
order to accomplish the preservation of environmentally sensitive lands for the benefit of the 
public, this being their highest public purpose.  This affirmation helps insure that these lands are 
preserved. 
 
Additionally, the ordinance for the $100 million referendum was amended to permit the sale of 
property identified as an "Acquisition of Convenience".  This permitted the County to sell 
property acquired for purposes other than preservation, provided the property was not required 
for preservation.  Eligible property was to be identified before the County acquired title and, in 
the event the property was to be sold to a private party, the ELAPP General Committee was to be 
consulted regarding any restrictions on the property after the sale.  All proceeds from the sale 
were to be returned to the ELAP Program to fund acquisition and site management activities.  
Copies of all ordinances and amendments related to this are included in Appendix "I". 
 
While the purpose of acquiring such lands will be for resource protection, all lands shall be open 
for public use and enjoyment to the extent that the County finds such use compatible with the 
preservation and protection of these lands.   
 
In an effort to stretch the local funding, the ELAP Program aggressively pursued other funding 
sources.  ELAPP was the first local government to do a joint acquisition with SWFWMD.  
Shortly before the approval of the second referendum in 1990, the state initiated Preservation 
 
9
2000, which provided $300 million annual to a variety of state preservation programs.  At the 
end of Preservation 2000, the state established the successor program, Florida Forever.  Funds 
from Preservation 2000/Florida Forever are distributed to Florida Communities Trust [FCT] 
(originally with the Department of Community Affairs and currently with the Department of 
Environmental Protection), the Southwest Florida Water Management District [SWFWMD] 
(Save Our Rivers Program), and Florida Forever, the successor program to the Conservation and 
Recreational Lands (CARL) Program, as well as several other land preservation programs. 
 
The approval of Preservation 2000 and the successor program Florida Forever proved essential 
to the success of ELAPP.  The vast majority of ELAPP acquisitions have been done with some 
type of joint funding.  Joint funding has also included mitigation from the Florida Fish and 
Wildlife Conservation Commission and wetland mitigation through preservation for the Florida 
Department of Transportation.  Unfortunately, in 2009 the State was experiencing financial 
challenges due to the severe economic downturn and since 2009, the Florida Legislature has 
either not funded, or provided very limited funding for Florida Forever related programs.  
Without funding opportunities from Florida Forever, it is doubtful that any recent or upcoming 
acquisitions will have joint funding. 
 
Through the ELAP Program, the County has also cooperated with the City of Tampa, City of 
Temple Terrace, and Plant City for funding applications on ELAPP sites.  Typically, ELAPP 
sites within these jurisdictions are also managed by the associated municipality. 
 
Except for agricultural buffers, the adopted ranking policy scores a site on fifteen factors 
(Appendix "D").  The majority of the factors are concerned with environmental characteristics of 
the site but several factors address practical aspects.  These factors include ease of acquisition, 
cost relative to size, and threat of development.  Once all factors have been assessed, the site's 
total score is determined.  The score a site receives determines its classification.  Each 
classification has a priority, but no site within that group is given priority over others within that 
group.  The policy was designed to permit multiple acquisition efforts and does not restrict 
negotiations, but provides guidelines so the program proceeds in a sensible and effective manner.  
 
Additionally, once a site has been classified, it is not re-ranked due to additional sites entering 
the program.  A site can be re-ranked due to changing conditions, new information, or other 
factors that affect the site itself.  There are currently 36 sites that have been ranked as 
"Suspended" due to the owners' unwillingness to sell, the property being developed or altered, or 
other factors as detailed in the acquisition policy.  ELAPP is strictly a voluntary program.  It has 
been formerly established that ELAPP will not use the power of eminent domain to acquire 
property. 
 
RECENT MAJOR EVENTS 
 
Between  FY2000 and  FY2008, the BOCC assessed the balance of the .25 mill not required for 
debt service from the millage available from the County's operating budget, with the funds 
available for management and acquisition of additional property under the program.  Since the 
start of the program, approximately $21 million was provided from the first referendum and 
$135.8 million was provided from the second referendum, with about $63 million coming from 
 
10
bonds and $72 million coming from the balance of the .25 mill.  A total of $ 83.6 million has 
been received through joint funding.  
 
In FY2009, the BOCC stopped assessing the balance of the .25 mill due to the fiscal limitations 
caused by a significant economic slowdown and other events, as well as the fiscal practicality of 
funding capital projects with funds from the County's operating assessments.  In an effort to 
establish an alternate funding source, the BOCC adopted an Ordinance to present a referendum 
to the voters of Hillsborough County.  This referendum was to allow for the issuance of up to 
$200 million in bonds for acquisition and management of ELAPP sites. 
 
Unlike prior referendums, there is no limitation on the millage and there is no limitation on the 
term to issue the bonds.  The millage limitation was eliminated to address the requirements of the 
bond underwriters.  The term limit was removed so that the bonds would be issued when the 
funds were needed.  Due to the term limitation in the second referendum, it was not financially 
practical to issue bonds after 2000.  There was also no limitation on the funding toward 
management or restoration.  This Ordinance acknowledged that the bond proceeds could be spent 
on capital-related costs, such as initial fencing, initial fire lane installation, and restoration.  The 
balance of the 2008 Ordinance essentially mirrored the prior ordinances as amended. 
 
The referendum from this Ordinance was presented to the voters on the November 4, 2008 
General Election Ballot and passed with the approval of nearly 79% of the voters.  This 
referendum had the highest number of voters of the three referendums and had the highest 
approval percentage.  With the passage of this referendum and the issuance of the associated 
bonds, the ELAP Program will have the funding to continue preserving lands in Hillsborough 
County for many years.  The BOCC issued a total of $59.43 million, of which a portion was 
capitalized interest, so approximately $56 million of bond proceeds were available for 
acquisition and other capital costs. 
 
On September 18, 2013, the Board voted to consider renaming ELAPP in honor of Jan K, Platt 
for her significant contributions to creating the program.  This was unanimously supported by the 
ELAPP General committee at their meeting on September 23, 2013.  On October 16, 2013, the 
Board adopted a resolution renaming ELAPP to the Jan K. Platt Environmental Lands 
Acquisition and Protection Program.   
 
In 2013, the County Administration recommended that the ELAPP General Committee review 
the current policies to see if any revisions were needed to keep them up to date, as well as to 
make sure that the program maintained its function and integrity.  As detailed in the 2013, 
ELAPP Annual Report, one of the other significant changes involved the elimination of the 
ELAPP Advisory Committee (EAC). 
 
On May 19, 2015, the SWFWMD Governing Board directed their staff to negotiate other options 
for the three Alafia River Corridor parcels before returning to the Governing Board to designate 
these properties as surplus lands and to consider options with Hillsborough County for two 
Lower Hillsborough Preserve parcels before offering them for sale. In response to this action, 
SWFWMD and the County established an agreement where SWFWMD conveyed the three 
parcels (totaling 165 acres) in the Alafia River Corridor to the County at no cost as well as two 
 
11
parcels (totaling 39 acres) across US 301 from  the Lower Hillsborough Preserve that will be 
conveyed at no cost to the County and the County would convey parcels in the Little Manatee 
River Corridor ELAPP site (totally 415.9 acres) that will be conveyed at no cost to SWFWMD 
with a Conservation Easement in favor of the County. The proposal also has SWFWMD funding 
the restoration of approximately 444 acres of uplands associated with the parcels conveyed to 
SWFWMD and adjoining lands in the Little Manatee River Corridor Site.  This proposal allowed 
lands recommended for preservation by the County to stay in public ownership while SWFWMD 
provided funding for an important restoration project on the Little Manatee River. During the 
past year, County staff has been working with SWFWMD staff on the details of this restoration 
project.  
 
In recognition of the fiscal challenges facing the County with ongoing operating costs, including 
those for preservation lands, staff with the ELAP Program is working with the ELAPP General 
Committee and executive staff to establish a Strategic Plan to guide the program into the future.  
The objective of the Strategic Plan is to show how ELAPP can best achieve its preservation 
objectives while meeting the financial goals of the County.  It is anticipated that this Strategic 
Plan will be completed in 2017.  
 
AGRICULTURAL BUFFERS 
 
The management of ELAPP sites becomes more complicated if adjoining lands are developed 
for residential purposes.  The proximity of homes can complicate or limit the use of prescribed 
fire (which is important to the management of all preserve lands). Additionally, with homes 
adjoining preserves there is the increased potential of feral animals and exotic plants, as well as 
unauthorized access.  
 
In an effort to help protect certain lands preserved, as part of the revisions to the Less Than Fee 
Policy, the ELAPP General Committee recommended to the BOCC the use of conservation 
easements for the preservation of agricultural buffers to existing preserves.  The principle is that 
for certain lands adjoining preserves, any type of agricultural use (row crop, grove, etc.) is 
preferred to residential development.  The use of agricultural buffers was approved as part of the 
Less Than Fee Policy in the ELAPP 2008 Annual Report.  
 
In accordance with the Less Than Fee Policy, County staff presented five sites to the Site 
Selection Team as part of the 2010 nomination cycle, which were approved as Agricultural 
Buffers and may be preserved as buffers to existing preserves in accordance with the Less Than 
Fee Policy. 
 
ACQUISITIONS AND FINANCIAL STATUS 
 
As indicated in   prior Annual Reports, the program essentially received ad valorem funds for 
that portion of the  mill associated with the 1990 referendum which were not required for debt 
service.  It has been recommended that most of these funds will be kept for (i) acquisitions that 
cannot be funded through bond proceeds due to the conditions associated with tax exempt bonds; 
(ii) to fund capital costs that cannot be funded with bond proceeds; and (iii) as a reserve for 
future operating costs for the management of properties preserved through ELAPP until 
 
12
additional revenues are available.  In FY2012, a portion of these funds were appropriated for the 
Lower Green Swamp Preserve (f.k.a. Cone Ranch), with approximately $2.1 million allocated 
for initial operating and staff costs, as well as $3 million allocated toward future restoration 
needs. 
 
The fiscal limitations and challenges facing the County also impacted the ELAP Program. 
Decreased revenues have mandated prudence and caution regarding fiscal issues, including the 
impact of additional operating costs associated with new acquisitions.  Currently, the primary 
focus has been targeting in-holdings and additions to existing preservation lands in an effort to 
limit increased operating costs. 
  
A Financial Status based on October 1, 2017 provides a financial summary of the current status 
of the program ("Where Are We Now") and a summary of the bonds issued associated with the 
2008 referendum, which are provided in Appendix "E".    
 
Since the 2016 annual report, there have been two parcels acquired totaling approximately 58 
acres.  These two parcels had a total purchase price of just over $1,200,000 (all contracted 
properties have closed since the effective date of this report).  One of these parcels is an 
important in-holding in the Lake Dan Site that was initiated in early 2015.  
 
As of October 1, 2017, the program has acquired approximately 61,630 acres with a total 
purchase price of approximately $260.75 million.  The County has received over $83.6 million in 
joint funding (or 32.07%).  Since the Florida Legislature has not provided any substantive 
funding since 2009, there are very few opportunities for joint funding of preservation sites. The 
balance of the Lake Dan site that was submitted to FCT in 2011 was approved for funding in 
2016 (from unneeded funding released from higher ranked sites). During 2017, FCT approved 
the appraisals so the County is eligible to receive 50% of the acquisition costs (about $3.3 
million) Staff is working on completing the requirements of thegrant. This includes an agreement 
with Tampa Bay Water to grant easements for existing facilities and terminate the original 
agreement that was used to create the wellfield. These easements will also resolve encroachment 
issues that would have prevented approval of the grant reimbursement.     
 
During FY2014, a statewide referendum was placed on the 2014 General Election Ballot to 
amend the Florida Constitution designating a portion of the documentary stamp tax revenue for 
land preservation for the next 20 years.  This amendment was approved by nearly 75% of the 
voters. While the approval of this referendum provides the potential for joint funding from the 
state for ELAPP acquisitions, as of October 1, 2017 the Legislature has appropriated limited 
funding to programs that could fund land preservation in Hillsborough County.   
 
SITE MANAGEMENT 
 
A portion of the Countywide General fund, phosphate severance taxes, lease revenues, and 
restoration grants fund an Environmental Lands Management Section consisting of thirty-six 
permanent full-time members and four permanent part-time members.  This section carries out a 
variety of land management activities that include site security, prescribed burning, exotic plant 
control, protected species recovery, and public access.  Large-scale habitat restoration projects 
 
13
are being accomplished through partnerships with other local, state, and federal agencies.  Since 
the last Annual Report, the Environmental Lands Management Section successfully applied 
prescribed burns to 2,472 acres, installed 2.5 miles of fencing for security, maintained 
approximately 450 miles of fire lanes, restored and monitored 2,808 acres of imperiled habitat, 
enhanced 248 acres of wetlands at the Lower Green Swamp Preserve through increased 
hydroperiods and the restoration of historic flow paths,  as well as maintained 181 miles of 
hiking/equestrian/biking trails and 116 public access points, 25 of which include public parking 
areas.  The Environmental Lands Management Section also expanded parking at Triple Creek 
Nature Preserve, broke ground on a 4-acre trailhead for the Balm-Boyette Scrub Preserve and 
began providing environmental education tours and related programming on multiple ELAPP 
sites. 
 
 .   
 
2017 NOMINATION CYCLES 
  
For the 2017 nomination cycle, staff proceeded in the same manner to advertise in local media 
that nominations would be accepted through December 31, 2016. While three nominated sites 
qualified for a full assessment, one property owner requested their property be removed from the 
program since they were proceeding with development.. The other two nominations, Lake 
Stemper (North) and the Fish Hawk Park Portion Addition (an undeveloped County-owned park) 
were each ranked as Class 'C' sites by the Site Selection Team. The following three boundary 
modifications were also approved by the Site Selection Team:  
 
Alafia South Prong  added about 30 acres on CR 39 north of Jameson Road. 
 
Brooker Creek Buffer Preserve Addition  added approximately 250 acres along 
Patterson Road. 
 
Cockroach and Piney Point Creeks  added approximately 345 acres south of Fulkerson 
Road.  
  
The location of the changes from these boundary modifications is shown on the map for each site 
provided in Appendix "H".  The Site Selection Team has authorized staff to make modest 
boundary modifications for parcels adjoining existing ELAPP acquisitions if these additions are 
similar to the balance of the site and staff determines that they will provide preservation benefits. 
  
SITES RECOMMENDED FOR PRESERVATION THROUGH ELAPP 
 
The following list of sites is classified according to the ranking policy.  All sites meet the 
established selection criteria and will be considered for acquisition or protection, although efforts 
will be concentrated on sites in Groups A & B.  The Parks, Recreation and Conservation 
Advisory Board reviewed and approved the recommendation at their monthly meeting on  
________________.  
 
 
14
CLASS "A" SITES 
NEW SITES 
No new sites 
 
CURRENTLY APPROVED SITES 
 
BALM SCRUB ADDITION +/- 3,845 ACRES  
 
Location:  Between Balm Wimauma Road and West Lake Drive south of the Balm 
Scrub site.  
 
Recommendation:  Negotiate protection or acquisition of the site.  (See "Acquired 
Parcels")  
 
BLACKWATER CREEK +/- 4,600 ACRES 
 
Location:  Land located in northeast Hillsborough County along Blackwater Creek and 
Hillsborough River from U.S. 301 to S.R. 39. 
 
Recommendation:  Negotiate protection or acquisition. (See "Acquired Parcels") 
 
BROOKER CREEK BUFFER ADDITION +/- 675 ACRES 
 
Location:  In Northwest Hillsborough County along Patterson Road. 
 
Recommendation:  Negotiate acquisition or protection of the site. 
 
CYPRESS CREEK PRESERVE +/- 4,300 ACRES 
 
Location:  Land on both sides of Cypress Creek, east of Livingston Road, west of 
Interstate 75, and north of C.R. 581. 
 
Recommendation:  Negotiate protection or acquisition with owners.  (See "Acquired 
Parcels") 
 
LITTLE MANATEE RIVER CORRIDOR ADDITION +/- 1,091 ACRES  
 
Location:  West of Hobbs Road, south of the Little Manatee River Corridor site and 
north of the County Line. 
 
Recommendation:  Negotiate protection or acquisition of the site.  (See " Acquired 
Parcels") 
 
 
15
SUN CITY HERITAGE PARK ADDITION +/- 106 ACRES  
 
Location:  East of US 41 and South of Sun City Heritage Park. 
 
Recommendation:  Negotiate protection or acquisition of privately held portions of the 
site and designate manageable county-owned lands to be held for preservation. (See 
"Acquired Parcels") 
 
WIMAUMA SCRUB +/- 55 ACRES 
 
Location:  Land located south of Lake Wimauma on Brigman Road and west of 
Westlake Road. 
 
Recommendation:  Negotiate acquisition or protection of the site. 
  
CLASS "B" SITES 
NEW SITES 
No new sites 
 
CURRENTLY APPROVED SITES 
 
ALAFIA NORTH PRONG +/- 4,400 ACRES (Portion of South Hillsborough Wildlife 
Corridor) 
 
Location:  Along the north prong of the Alafia River, from Alderman's Ford Park to the 
Polk County Line. 
 
Recommendation:  Negotiate protection or acquisition in conjunction with the Interlocal 
Agreement with the Southwest Florida Water Management District.  Staff is authorized 
to expand or modify site area to correspond to acquisition boundary approved by the 
District.  (See "Acquired Parcels") 
 
BAKER CREEK AND TRIBUTARIES +/- 900 ACRES 
 
Location:  Land containing portions of the floodplain of Baker Creek and several 
tributaries south of Lake Thonotosassa, including the original Lake Thonotosassa site. 
 
Recommendation:  Negotiate protection or acquisition contingent upon approved 
restoration program. 
 
 
16
CONE RANCH ADDITION +/- 3,600 ACRES 
 
Location:  Land located in the extreme northeast corner of Hillsborough County adjacent 
to the County-owned Cone Ranch.  (Note:  The area of this site has been reduced to 
reflect the property conveyed to the County as part of an exchange with C.F. Industries, 
which was not associated with the ELAP Program.) 
 
Recommendation:  Negotiate protection or acquisition.  
 
CYPRESS LAKE FLATWOODS +/- 42 ACRES 
 
Location:  South of Van Dyke Road surrounded by Van Dyke Farms subdivision.  (Note:  
1,200 acre Brooker Creek Buffer Preserve ELAPP site is located north of Van Dyke 
Road.) 
 
Recommendation:  Negotiate acquisition or protection of the site. (Since the 
development that was anticipated did not proceed, this site has been re-ranked to its prior 
classification.) 
 
DUG CREEK +/- 450 ACRES 
 
Location:  Along the Dug Creek system in south Hillsborough County, just east of 
Highway 301 and south of C. R. 674. 
 
 
Recommendation:  Negotiate protection or acquisition. 
 
EKKER ADDITION +/- 173 ACRES 
 
Location:  On the South bank of Bullfrog Creek West of the Ekker site, east of US 41 
north of Symmes Road. 
 
Recommendation:  Negotiate protection or acquisition. 
 
GEORGETOWN +/- 82 ACRES* 
 
Location:  Dredged peninsula west of the Georgetown Apartments on Westshore 
Boulevard (*it is estimated that approximately 34 acres of the site consists of submerged 
lands).   
 
Recommendation:  Negotiate protection or acquisition contingent upon approved 
restoration program. 
 
 
17
GRAY ROAD +/- 69 ACRES** 
 
Location:  Land south of Gray Road and west of S.R. 39, about one mile north of C.R. 
672. 
 
Recommendation: Negotiate protection or acquisition contingent upon available 
funding.      
** Re- ranked from a Class "C" site 
 
KNIGHTS-GRIFFIN PROPERTY +/- 270 ACRES 
 
Location:  In Plant City between Knights Griffin Road and McGee Road. 
 
Recommendation:  Negotiate acquisition or protection of the site. 
 
LAKE PARK +/- 600 ACRES 
 
Location:  Land is at the southwest corner of Van Dyke Road and Dale Mabry Highway. 
 
Recommendation:  Due to a potential sale associated with the "Governance 
Agreement," pursue acquisition of the site at such time that the owner is willing to 
consider a transaction with the County. 
 
LAKE ROGERS +/- 500 ACRES 
 
Location:  Land located south of North Mobley Road and west of Gunn Highway in 
northwest Hillsborough County. 
 
Recommendation:  Due to a potential sale associated with the "Governance 
Agreement", pursue acquisition of the site at such time that the owner is willing to 
consider a transaction with the County.  
 
 
McINTOSH/ZACK TRACT +/- 860 ACRES 
 
Location:  Land southeast of the intersection of Knights-Griffin Road and S.R. 39 and 
associated land to the southeast within the Plant City limits. 
 
Recommendation:  Negotiate protection or acquisition of the natural area as a core 
parcel.  The balance of the site may be considered separate from the core parcel only with 
an approved restoration plan.  Site has been awarded a grant from the Florida 
Communities Trust through the City of Plant City.  (See "Acquired Parcels")  
 
NYE PARK ADDITION +/- 73 ACRES  
 
Location:  Next to Nye Park north of Sunset Land and East of US 41. 
 
 
18
Recommendation:  Negotiate protection or acquisition of the site.   
 
OLD MORRIS BRIDGE ROAD +/- 117 ACRES  
 
Location:  Land is located on Old Morris Bridge Road, east of Interstate 75 and south of 
Morris Bridge Road. 
 
Recommendation:  Negotiate protection or acquisition of the site.  
(Note: This site now includes the 56-acre Gray Pines nomination.) 
 
PEMBERTON CREEK SITE +/- 200 ACRES 
 
Location:  Bordered on the west by Gallagher Road and on the south by  Interstate 4. 
 
Recommendation:  Negotiate protection or acquisition contingent upon approved 
restoration plan on "Area 1".  Negotiate protection or acquisition of "Area 2". 
 
PRINGLE BRANCH +/- 380 ACRES  
 
Location:  East of Hobson Simmons Road between Balm Boyette Scrub and the 
reservoir property along the Pringle Branch. 
 
 
Recommendation: Negotiate protection or acquisition with owners. 
 
ROCKY/BRUSHY CREEK GREENWAY  +/- 224 ACRES 
 
Location:  Along the riparian corridors associated with Rocky and Brushy Creeks in 
northwest Hillsborough County. 
 
Recommendation: Negotiate protection or acquisition. (See "Acquired Parcels") 
 
SUN CITY SCRUB +/- 40 ACRES 
 
Location:  Land located in southern Hillsborough County between U.S. 41 and the 
railroad tracks south of Old Sun City. 
 
 
Recommendation: Negotiate protection or acquisition. 
 
VARN/CONE RANCH GREENWAY +/- 1,470 ACRES 
 
Location:  Located in portions of five sections, west of Highway 39, north of Knights-
Griffin Road, and south of Bruton Road, in northeast Hillsborough County. 
 
Recommendation: Negotiate acquisition and/or protection.  Use of Less Than Fee 
Techniques to comply with approved ELAPP policy.  
 
 
19
CLASS "C" SITES 
NEW SITES 
 
Fish Hawk Park Portion Addition +/- 10.4 Acres 
 
 
Location: West side of Osprey Ridge Drive south of Parkset Drive  
 
Recommendation; Subject to approval of the Director of Parks and Recreation, have 
property management responsibility transferred to the Conservation and Environmental 
Lands Management Department for management as an ELAPP site. 
 
Lake Stemper North +/- 35 Acres 
 
Location: South side of Sunset Lane and East of US 41 in Lutz to the north shore of Lake 
Stemper 
 
Recommendation: Negotiate acquisition 
 
 
 
CURRENTLY APPROVED SITES 
 
COW HOUSE CREEK +/- 120 ACRES 
 
Location:  Along Cow House Creek, between the Hillsborough River and Interstate 75, 
just north of Fowler Avenue. 
 
 
Recommendation:  Negotiate acquisition with a funded restoration plan. 
 
HOEDT ROAD +/- 188 ACRES 
 
Location:  Land east of Dale Mabry and north of Bearss Avenue in northwest 
Hillsborough County. 
 
 
Recommendation:  Negotiate protection measures for site. 
 
PENDOLA POINT +/- 280 ACRES 
 
Location:  Eastern shoreline of Hillsborough Bay between Pendola Point and Delaney 
Creek with an eastern boundary of U.S. Hwy 41. 
 
Recommendation:  If the Tampa Port Authority uses the northern 150 acre portion as a 
mitigation site, consider protection or acquisition of remaining parcel owned by Gardinier 
(130 acres). 
 
20
 
VALRICO FIRE TOWER +/- 50 ACRES 
 
Location:  Land in the location of S.R. 60 and Dover Road. 
 
 
Recommendation:  Negotiate protection or acquisition. 
 
WILLIAMS ROAD +/- 10 ACRES 
 
Location:  West of Williams Road and east of Interstate 75, south of Harney Road.  This 
has been the site for several archeological digs. 
 
Recommendation:  Pursue purchase of undeveloped areas and conservation easements 
for existing home site. 
 
CLASS "D" SITES 
NEW SITES 
No new sites 
 
CURRENTLY APPROVED SITES 
 
BULLFROG CREEK  NUNDY  +/- 29 ACRES  
 
Location:  Land between Nundy Ave and Bullfrog Creek East of US 41. 
 
Recommendation:  Negotiate protection or acquisition of the site. 
 
GOLDEN ASTER SCRUB/KITCHEN CONNECTION +/- 60 ACRES 
 
Location:  West of the CSX Railroad Line and east of U.S. Hwy 41, south of Gibsonton. 
 
 
Recommendation: Negotiate protection or acquisition. 
 
SYDNEY DOVER TRAILS ADDITIONS  +/- 186 ACRES  
 
Location:  North of SR 60 and east of Sydney Washer Road. 
 
Recommendation:  Negotiate protection or acquisition of the site. 
 
 
AGRICULTURAL BUFFERS 
NEW SITES 
No new sites 
 
 
21
CURRENTLY APPROVED SITES 
 
BALM-BOYETTE SCRUB PRESERVE (South Buffer) +/- 575 ACRES 
 
Location:  Along the south boundary of the Balm-Boyette Scrub Preserve, west of 
County-owned lands. 
 
Recommendation:  Negotiate conservation easement to maintain agricultural use as 
buffer to preserve. 
 
LITTLE MANATEE RIVER PRESERVE (NORTH AND SOUTH BUFFER) +/- 810 
ACRES 
 
Location:  Large agricultural land east of I-75 adjacent to existing preserve lands. 
 
Recommendation:  Negotiate conservation easement to maintain agricultural use as 
buffer to preserve.  
 
LITTLE MANATEE RIVER CORRIDOR PRESERVE (EAST BUFFER) +/- 820 ACRES 
 
Location:   Large agricultural lands on the east boundary of the Little Manatee Corridor 
site. 
 
Recommendation:  Negotiate conservation easement to maintain agricultural use as 
buffer to preserve.  
 
LITTLE MANATEE RIVER CORRIDOR PRESERVE (SOUTH BUFFER) +/- 1,300 
ACRES 
 
Location:   Large agricultural lands on the south boundary of the Little Manatee Corridor 
site that are not part of the Little Manatee Corridor Addition. 
 
Recommendation:  Pursue purchase of undeveloped areas and conservation easements 
for existing home site. 
 
 
PENDING CONTRACTS 
 
  As of October 1, 2017 there were no pending contracts  
 
  
 
 
 
22
ACQUIRED PARCELS 
 
RECENTLY ACQUIRED PARCELS 
No new acquired parcels.  
 
PREVIOUSLY ACQUIRED PARCELS 
 
ALAFIA NORTH PRONG +/- 4,400 ACRES (Portion of South Hillsborough Wildlife 
Corridor) 
 
Location:  Along the north prong of the Alafia River, from Alderman's Ford Park to the 
Polk County line. 
 
Status:    As part of an Interlocal Agreement between the District and the County, the 
District has acquired approximately 1,000 acres (initial preservation through a life estate 
and a conservation easement with a right to purchase within 5 years) for a total cost of 
$2,512,000. The County provided 50% of the acquisition costs.   
 
On December 7, 2006, the County acquired 764 acres from the Gooch Family Trust with 
a purchase price of $8,264,400. Due to lack of funding from Florida Forever, it is 
doubtful that joint funding from the SWFWMD will occur. 
 
At the request from representatives for Mosaic Fertilizer, the properties title with Mosaic 
Fertilizer have been removed from the site. 
 
BALM SCRUB ADDITION +/-  3,845 ACRES  
 
Location:  Between Balm Wimauma Road and West Lake Drive, south of the Balm 
Scrub site.  
 
Status:  In July 2010, the County acquired 100.16 acres from Amy Diehl for a purchase 
price of $801,280, adjoining the Balm Scrub site.  In January 2011, the County acquired 
1,018 acres from Spencer Farms, Inc., Eisenhower Properties and Mitchell Development 
for a total purchase price of $10,372,576.  
 
BLACKWATER CREEK +/- 4,600 ACRES 
 
Location:  Land located in northeast Hillsborough County along Blackwater Creek and 
the Hillsborough River from U.S. 301 to S.R. 39. 
 
Status:    The Real Estate Department completed the purchase of the 1,959-acre Weiss 
Property for $4,000,000.  Approximately 1,800 acres are within the Florida Communities 
Trust Project and the County has been reimbursed a total of $1,803,000.  Two additional 
parcels totaling 26 acres on the south side of Blackwater Creek west of S.R. 39 have been 
 
23
purchased for $93,525, with 50% funding from the Florida Communities Trust.  The 
County also has funded a 5 acre in holding for $22,000 and is acquiring a 10-acre 
landlocked parcel for $20,000.  In October 2003, the County has a 10-acre landlocked 
parcel for $20,000.  On October 13, 2013 the County completed the acquisition of the 11 
acre parcel on Patrinostro Road for $285,000 which included a residence that will be used 
for site security. 
 
CYPRESS CREEK PRESERVE +/- 4,300 ACRES 
 
Location:  Land on both sides of Cypress Creek east of Livingston Road, west of 
Interstate 75, and north of C.R. 581. 
 
Status:    In April 1996, the Real Estate Department completed the purchase of 1,200 
acres for $1,200,000 from the Diez Family.  In October 1996, the purchase of the 71 acre 
AllState Homes Tract was completed.  Of these acquisition costs, 40% were funded by 
the Florida Communities Trust.  In November 1999, the County completed the purchase 
of 827 acres from Lennar Homes for $6,500,000. 
 
In September 2000, the County completed the purchase of the 291-acre Jennings Parcel 
for $974,407.  It is located west of Interstate 275, and east of Livingston Road and the 
end of Roberson Trail. During the contract, the property was submitted as a preservation 
mitigation site.  Staff completed the necessary actions for it to be used by FDOT for 
mitigation, and the County received 100% of the acquisition funding.  On May 24, 2001, 
the 110-acre Greer Property (directly north of the Jennings Parcel) was acquired at a cost 
of $118,653 and in 2008 the ELAPP program was reimbursed 100% of the acquisition 
funding as part of the site being used for mitigation by the County's Public Works 
Department.  In July 2011, the County acquired 25 acres from Ralph and Suzanne Terrell 
for $345,151. 
 
LITTLE MANATEE RIVER CORRIDOR ADDITION +/- 1,091 ACRES  
 
Location:  West of Hobbs Road, south of the Little Manatee River Corridor site and 
north of the County line. 
 
Status:   In July 2012, the County acquired 493.1 acres from the Tropicana Property 
Land Trust for a purchase price of $1,799,705. 
 
McINTOSH/ZACK TRACT +/- 860 ACRES (Massey) 
 
Location:  Land southeast of the intersection of Knights-Griffin Road and S.R. 39 and 
associated land to the southeast within the Plant City limits. 
 
Status:    In July 1998, the City of Plant City acquired the 364 acre McIntosh parcel for 
$1,125,000 with 50% funding from the Florida Communities Trust.   The owners of the 
Zack parcel have not responded to previous offers. 
 
 
24
McKAY BAY/PALM RIVER GREENWAY +/- 67 ACRES 
 
Location:  On the south side of Palm River, between the U.S. 41 bridge and the 
SWFWMD spoil deposition area at the mouth of the river. 
 
Status:  One parcel along US 41 has been acquired by the City of Tampa with limited 
funding through ELAPP with the majority of the funding from the State Greenways and 
Trails Program. However, since the majority of the site has been developed with 
residential structures, it is no longer practical to pursue for preservation and the site is 
now re-ranked as suspended (See "Suspended Sites"). 
ROCKY/BRUSHY CREEK GREENWAY +/- 224 ACRES 
 
Location:  Along the riparian corridors associated with Rocky and Brushy Creeks in 
northwest Hillsborough County. 
 
Status: In the Manhattan portion, the County has acquired a ten acre parcel for $1.3 
million and an adjoining six-acre parcel for $710,000. The County received a 50% 
reimbursement from Florida Communities Trust. 
 
SUN CITY HERITAGE PARK ADDITION +/- 106 ACRES  
 
Location:  East of US 41 and South of Sun City Heritage Park. 
 
Status:  The County has acquired six lots that are in-holdings for the existing County 
owned lands north of Chaney Drive.  
 
 
ACQUIRED/PRESERVED SITES 
RECENTLY ACQUIRED SITES 
 
No newly acquired sites 
 
PREVIOUSLY ACQUIRED SITES 
 
 
ALAFIA SCRUB PRESERVE +/- 78 ACRES (f.k.a. Read Property) 
 
Location:  Located on the Alafia River, just east of the Interstate 75 bridge, on the 
southern shoreline. 
 
Status:    The County has purchased the entire property for $2,150,000, with 50% 
funding from the Florida Communities Trust. 
 
 
25
ALAFIA SOUTH PRONG +/- 2,700 ACRES (Portion of South Hillsborough Wildlife 
Corridor) 
 
Location:  Along the south prong of the Alafia River near the community of Welcome, 
southeast of Alderman's Ford Park. 
 
Status:    As part of an Interlocal Agreement between the Southwest Florida Water 
Management District and the County, over 2,091 acres have been preserved at a total cost 
of $6,382,844 with the County and the District each providing 50% of the acquisition 
costs. The properties are managed under a lease from the District to the County.  
 
The County acquired the 20-acre Marine Property and the 6-acre Jordan Property near 
Welcome Road.  Staff did not pursue joint funding due to the cost to comply with 
SWFWMD acquisition policies. Two adjoining 40-acre tracts have been acquired by the 
County for wetland mitigation (through preservation), which have been funded as part of 
road projects and will be managed as part of the adjoining preserve. In 2016, 53.7 acres at 
Jameson Road and CR 39 was acquired for $686,720, 
 
At the request from representatives for Mosaic Fertilizer, the properties title with Mosaic 
Fertilizer have been removed from the site. 
 
ALDERMAN'S FORD PRESERVE +/- 1,600 ACRES (f.k.a. Alderman's Ford Addition) 
 
Location:  Lands on either side of the Alafia River from Alderman's Ford Park westward 
between S.R. 39 and Lithia Pinecrest Road. 
 
Status:     In June 1990, the County acquired 541 acres of property known as the Sheldon 
Property for $1,477,200.  In June 1993, an additional 353.5 acres was purchased from the 
Joo Family for $1,396,923 (with approximately 9.5 acres designated an acquisition of 
convenience to address the future road extension through the property from the end of 
Bloomingdale Avenue to Keysville Road). An additional 76 acres was acquired from the 
West Estate in April 1995, for $237,000. 
 
The County has completed a Contract with the State for the sale of the three acquired 
parcels with a sale price of $1,532,100 (with the County retaining the Acquisition of 
Convenience).  These funds have been returned to the program for other acquisitions. 
Staff has negotiated a lease from the State for management purposes. 
 
The County will attempt to negotiate acquisition of the remainder of the site.  The 
balance of the project may be protected or acquired in conjunction with the Interlocal 
Agreement with the Southwest Florida Water Management District.  Staff is authorized 
to expand or modify site area to correspond to acquisition boundary approved by the 
District. 
 
 
26
ALDERMAN'S FORD SOUTH PRONG ADDITION +/- 950 ACRES 
 
Location:  Land stretching from the east boundary of Alderman's Ford Park along the 
South Prong of the Alafia River to C.R. 640, where it meets the South Prong Portion of 
the South Hillsborough Wildlife Corridor.  This site also includes the Van Horne site. 
 
Status:    As part of an Interlocal Agreement between the Southwest Florida Water 
Management District and the County, the District has acquired 354 acres adjacent to 
Alderman's Ford Park for $764,000.  An additional parcel containing approximately 
1,088 acres in this site and the Alafia South Prong site was acquired in 1998 for 
$3,198,720.  On both acquisitions the County has provided 50% of the acquisition cost. 
 
APOLLO BEACH +/- 63 ACRES 
 
Location:  Land on the northern tip of the Apollo Beach peninsula. 
 
Status:    The two parcels totaling 62.7 acres that comprise this site were acquired in 
early 1996 with a total purchase price of $2,066,258.  The County has received a 
reimbursement of $1,042,000, 50% of all acquisition costs, from the Florida 
Communities Trust Program.  Approximately 37 acres of the site have been restored by 
the SWIM Program to include native estuarine wetland and coastal upland habitats.  The 
balance of the site functions as a resource-based park with beach access. 
 
BAHIA BEACH COASTAL RESTORATION +/- 233.7 ACRES 
 
Location:  East of Bahia Beach and south of the County's E.G. Simmons Park. 
 
Status:    In July and August 2001, the County completed the acquisition of three parcels 
totaling 148.7 acres with a total purchase price of $656,512.  Through a Grant from the 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service through the Department of Environmental Protection, the 
County has been reimbursed 62% of the purchase price, $407,036, and $46,650 toward 
certain restoration costs.  The SWIM Program plans to restore the natural hydrology and 
habitat of the site.  
 
An additional 170 acres (more or less) of undeveloped land between the existing preserve 
and the Little Manatee River was approved but not included since the prior owner did not 
want to have it in the ELAP Program. In exchange for other County owned lands, the 
current owner has traded approximately 80 acres north of Shell Point Road to the County 
for preservation. In 2009 the owner contacted the County expressing an interest in selling 
the balance of the property between Shell Point Road and the Little Manatee River 
(negotiations have been stalled due to legal issues with the property).   
 
 
27
BALM-BOYETTE SCRUB +/- 5,260 ACRES (Portion of South Hillsborough Wildlife 
Corridor) 
 
Location:  A six-mile long site on both sides of Balm-Boyette Road and Balm Riverview 
Roads approximately  mile north of C.R. 672 and lands west of Balm Riverview Road 
and north of CR 672 
 
Status:    In March 1992, the County acquired 4,920 acres of this site from the Williams 
Acquisition Holding Company for $16,123,054.  This included the 1,300 acre portion that 
has been partially reclaimed from phosphate mining.  Approximately 3,600 acres was 
sold to the State in December, through the Preservation 2000/CARL Program for 
$6,373,000 (half of the associated purchase price) and is currently leased back to the 
County on a nominal basis until 2046.  The BOCC has approved the conveyance of 60 
acres to Tampa Electric Company (TECO) for a major transmission corridor, subject to a 
conservation easement to the County.  In addition to the $500,000 payment, the County 
has received funding toward a management plan for this site and a parcel on the Alafia 
River. 
 
Staff negotiated a 10-acre purchase on the western boundary from John Fallen for 
$44,000. The western four acres have been designated an "Acquisition of Convenience" 
and are available for sale. 
 
BALM SCRUB +/- 2,100 ACRES (f.k.a. Balm Road Scrub) 
 
Location:  Land south of Balm Road (C.R. 672), east of U.S. Hwy 301, and west of the 
old CSX Railroad grade in south Hillsborough County. 
 
Status:    In January 1999, the County completed the purchase of 1,592 acres for 
$3,183,740. The SWIM Program completed a 30-acre wetland restoration/stormwater 
treatment project on the site in 2004. 
 
BELL CREEK PRESERVE +/- 490 ACRES (f.k.a. Sterling Downs and Sterling Downs 
Addition, a.k.a. Sterling Down Greenway for FCT) 
 
Location:  Corridor north of Shadow Run from McMullen Loop Road to Bell Creek. 
 
Status:    The County acquired 60 acres of this site for $810,000 in May 1990.  In 
November 1995, the County completed the purchase of an additional 363 acres for 
$1,438,117 from McRiley Homes.  The County has conveyed a portion of the site 
(mostly altered land) to the School Board for a middle school that will adjoin a facilities-
based park.  In September 1997, the Real Estate Department completed the acquisition of 
142.7 acres from Murlin and Myra Hansen for $1,350,000.  The County received a grant 
of $1,290,058 from the Florida Communities Trust for 50% of the cost of the remainder 
of the McRiley Homes tract and the Hansen Property. 
 
 
28
BLACKWATER HAMMOCK +/- 9 ACRES 
 
Location:  Land on the Hillsborough River Reservoir within the Tampa City limits.  It is 
bordered on the east by the river, on the south by several residential lots, and on the west 
and north by a public golf course. 
 
Status:    The City of Tampa has completed the purchase of this site for $200,000, with 
40% of the acquisition costs being funded by Florida Communities Trust and the balance 
provided by ELAPP.  This site will be managed by the City of Tampa in accordance with 
a management plan approved by the County's Parks, Recreation and Conservation 
Department and Florida Communities Trust. 
 
BOY SCOUT PORTION +/- 800 ACRES (Portion of South Hillsborough Wildlife 
Corridor) 
 
Location:  An area northeast of the intersection of Lithia Pinecrest Road and Lithia 
Springs Road, along the Alafia River. 
 
Status:    In December 1991, the County acquired 195 acres of the River Hills 
Development from the Arvida/JMB Partners for $700,000 and 195 acres from FishHawk 
Ranch for $1,290,000.  An additional 40 acres was acquired through a tax deed auction 
for $16,000.  With the exception of a few parcels, a portion of the site is protected 
through regulatory requirements associated with the River Hills development and a large 
tract in the site is being used as a Boy Scout Camp (is felt that the nature of their use 
should not have a substantial impact on the wildlife corridor).  An additional parcel 
(approximately 26 acres of wetlands) has been conveyed to the County as part of the 
settlement with TECO regarding the Balm Boyette Scrub.  A 30-acre parcel was acquired 
for $24,000 and an 8.9-acre tract was acquired for back taxes of $11,700 (though this 
amount may be reduced by Board action).  The balance of the project may be protected or 
acquired in conjunction with the Interlocal Agreement with the Southwest Florida Water 
Management District.  Staff is authorized to expand or modify site area to correspond to 
acquisition boundary approved by the District. 
 
On August 5, 2004, the County acquired a conservation easement from the Gulf Ridge 
Council, Boy Scouts of America, Inc., as part of an exchange not associated with the 
ELAP Program.  This property was included in an application to Florida Communities 
Trust on a much larger project and was awarded a grant. While not funded through 
ELAPP, the proceeds from the grant were designated for recreational improvements and 
management of the FCT nomination. Forty acres that were previously under a 
conservation easement were acquired with Public Works funding so it could meet the 
requirements for mitigation. On December 17, 2012, the County acquired the 3 acre 
Chadwick Parcel next to Lithia Springs Park. The associated residence will either be: 1) 
used for site security; or 2) demolished and the site restored to native habitat.  
 
 
29
BROOKER CREEK BUFFER PRESERVE +/- 500 ACRES (f.k.a. Clearwater Property) 
 
Location:  Land located in northwest Hillsborough County south of Tarpon Springs-
Lake Fern Road, west of Patterson Road, directly east and adjacent to the Pinellas County 
line. 
 
Status:    In May 1994, the Real Estate Department completed the purchase of the 390 
acres owned by the City of Clearwater for $1.2 million.  As part of the transaction, the 
City of Clearwater provided $200,000 from the sale to the County for the purposes of 
restoring the site.  Additional acquisitions are being considered.  Tampa Electric 
Company has been authorized to conduct restoration as mitigation for off-site wetland 
impacts estimated at a value of $156,000.  Four 1-acre lots were acquired in February 
2000, at a total cost of $146,050. The 66- acre DiBerardino Property was acquired in 
December 2008. On September 30, 2009, the County completed an agreement with the 
Southwest Florida Water Management District to use the property for wetland mitigation 
through preservation and fully reimbursed the County for the acquisition of this property. 
 
BROOKER CREEK HEADWATERS +/- 1,730 ACRES 
 
Location:  Land in northwest Hillsborough County north of Van Dyke Road south of 
Lutz-Lake Fern Road, west of Carlton Arms Apartments and the Cheval subdivision. 
 
Status:    In March 1994, the Southwest Florida Water Management District completed 
the acquisition of the 944-acre Cypress Bend Tract from the Federal Deposit Insurance 
Corporation for $3.5 million, which included capacity fees for water and wastewater 
service (as well as 38 acres of platted right-of-way).  The District provided approximately 
$1.6 million, with the County reimbursing $1.9 million.  The County has received the 
rights to the capacity fees that have been transferred to Public Utilities with a $450,000 
reimbursement to the ELAP Program.  The District has acquired an additional 130 acres, 
including a residence that is being used for site security, for a total cost of approximately 
$750,000 and additional acquisitions are planned.  All acquired areas will be leased to the 
County. 
 
In 1998, the Southwest Florida Water Management District  dropped this site from their 
Five Year plan.  Any further acquisitions will need to be funded solely by the County.  
The County completed the acquisition of the 31-acre Hope Property near the corner of 
Gunn Highway and Van Dyke Road for $461,000.  The 4-acre corner was excluded since 
it was not essential to the preservation of the site and high cost due to its commercial 
potential. 
 
BULLFROG CREEK SCRUB +/- 2,163 ACRES 
 
Location:  Land along Bullfrog Creek between U.S. 301 and Interstate 75 in south 
Hillsborough County. 
 
 
30
Status:   In February 1996, the County completed the purchase of the entire 1,620 acre 
site for $4,750,000. Through an agreement with the Florida Fish and Wildlife 
Conservation Commission (FFWCC, formerly the Game and Freshwater Fish 
Commission), the western half of this site has been used as a regional gopher tortoise 
mitigation bank.  The County has received in excess of $2.4 million through permits 
issued for the FFWCC for their portion of the project. The eastern half will be used by 
Hillsborough County as a mitigation bank as part of the County's Upland Wildlife 
Habitat Ordinance.  Over time it is planned that the entire purchase price will be refunded 
to the ELAP Program from the payments associated with these mitigation credits. 
 
 
COCKROACH BAY +/- 1,363 ACRES (combined former Cockroach Bay Addition site 
[formerly Leisey Shell Pits] and Isles of Cockroach Bay)  
 
Location:  Majority of the land west of Gulf City Road and north of Cockroach Bay, 
adjacent to the Cockroach Bay Aquatic Preserve and two ELAPP sites (Cockroach Bay 
Islands and Piney Point/Cockroach Bay), and the islands from the Little Manatee River to 
Cockroach Bay and approximately two miles of mangrove shoreline. 
 
Status:    The County acquired the majority of islands from the Whitaker Family in 
August of 1989 for $950,000.  The County has received a reimbursement of $604,000 
from the State's Conservation and Recreational Lands (CARL) Program.  This site will 
be managed as part of the Cockroach Bay Aquatic Preserve.  Owners of the remaining 
island are reluctant to sell.  The County has acquired approximately 875 acres for about 
$2.1 million.  A multi-agency effort with the Surface Water Improvement and 
Management Program (SWIM), Department of Environmental Protection, and the 
Environmental Protection Commission is in the process of restoring the site into a 
preserve and resource- based park. In 2006, ELAPP facilitated the donation of the 43-
acre Lost River Fish Farm in the northern portion of the site. In 2007, the County 
acquired two in-holdings (about 3 acres and another 10 acres) on the north shore of 
Cockroach Bay. On April 7, 2014, the County completed the acquisition of the Big 
Cockroach Mound for $100,000. 
 
COCKROACH CREEK GREENWAY +/- 1,000 ACRES (f.k.a. Valroy Road) 
 
Location:  Original site (Valroy Road) included land south of Valroy Road, west of 
Interstate 75, and north of the Manatee County Line in southern Hillsborough County.  
The project boundary was modified in 1999 to include natural habitat greenways along 
creek systems and other areas connecting the original site to the wetlands of Cockroach 
Bay. 
 
Status:    On October 10, 2001, the County completed the acquisition of 549 acres with a 
purchase price of $1,346,349.  While much of the balance of the site is preserved through 
the regulatory process, ELAPP will pursue additional acquisitions to provide sufficient 
buffers. 
 
 
31
COCKROACH AND PINEY POINT CREEKS +/- 3,5,50 ACRES 
 
Location:  On the eastern shore of Tampa Bay, just north of the Manatee County line. 
 
Status:   In conjunction with the Southwest Florida Water Management District, the 
2,347-acre TECO Property was acquired for $3,427,144. In 2016, SWFWMD, as part of 
the SWIM Program, completed a large-scale estuarine and coastal habitat restoration 
project on the site and the adjoining Fulkerson Road site. Staff is pursuing the other 
properties in this project with willing owners. 
 
CYPRESS STREET +/- 55 ACRES 
 
Location:  Land located at the west end of Cypress Street on Old Tampa Bay in the 
Westshore district.  Immediately north of the Diamond Back Tract. 
 
Status:    On September 30, 1996, the County completed the purchase of approximately 
42 acres of this site.  The three contracts totaling $3,956,000 needed to close 
simultaneously.  Approximately 38% of the acquisition costs were paid by the Florida 
Communities Trust.  This site is titled with the City of Tampa, who will restore the site, 
create wetlands to treat stormwater, and develop a beach access park through SWIM and 
a Pollution Recovery Trust Fund Grant. 
 
In June 1998, the County acquired the 1.2-acre Blank Property for $75,000, the last 
remaining vacant tract north of the Lemon Street Canal.  There was no FCT funding since 
the grant was retired.  The Blank Property was deeded to the City with restrictive 
covenants to assure that the site is held for preservation.  The remaining ownership south 
of the canal may be considered if there are willing sellers. 
 
DAIRY FARM +/- 372 ACRES 
 
Location:  East of the Hillsborough River, west of Hwy 301, south of the Hillsborough 
River State Park, and north of Wilderness Park. 
 
Status:    On January 30, 1989, the Real Estate Department completed the acquisition of 
this site with a total purchase price of $1,735,050.  The Real Estate Department, working 
with the Parks and Recreation Department, prepared and the Board approved a lease of 
the site to the State as an addition to the Hillsborough River State Park.  They will be 
responsible for managing the site and they are formulating plans for planting and 
restoration efforts.  A portion of the site has been restored by West Coast Regional Water 
Supply Authority for mitigation of off site wetland impacts associated with pipeline 
construction. 
 
DELANEY CREEK  +/- 22 ACRES 
 
Location:  Land located on the south side of  Delaney Creek, north of Hartford Street 
and east of the CSX Railroad. 
 
32
 
Status:    The Real Estate Department completed the purchase of the Richards and Wise 
parcels.  A third tract was conveyed to the County to correct a hiatus in the project.  The 
Stormwater Section of Engineering and Construction Services has completed a 
restoration project.  While there are additional parcels in this site, there are no further 
acquisitions currently planned for this project. 
 
DIAMONDBACK PRESERVE +/- 10.4 ACRES (f.k.a. Brackins Tract) 
 
Location:  Just north of the Howard Frankland Bridge on the east shore of Tampa Bay. 
 
Status:    Acquired site for $400,000 with agreement for pending joint funding from the 
Aviation Authority. 
 
ECOPALMS +/- 1,036 ACRES 
 
Location:  Land within the City of Tampa, between Bruce B. Downs Boulevard and 
Interstate 75, to the east and west; and Tampa Palms development and the University of 
South Florida's Ecological Research Area to the north and south. 
 
Status:    The site is effectively preserved through the development process according to 
the City of Tampa.  The County will consider the purchase of the remaining property 
rights if half of the purchase price is funded by another agency who will manage the 
property or if it can be acquired at a substantial discount from appraised value and 
managed by another agency. 
 
EKKER PRESERVE +/- 84.3 ACRES (f.k.a. Lower Bullfrog Creek Restoration Site)  
 
Location:  Located on the south shore of Bull Frog Creek, on the north side of Symmes 
Road, west of Interstate 75 in Gibsonton. 
 
Status:    In April 2001, the Southwest Florida Water Management District completed 
the purchase of 84.3 acres of this site at a cost of $736,351.  The County provided 50% of 
the acquisition cost.  An adjoining parcel has been added to the boundary of this project. 
The SWIM Program will restore the site to improve the water quality of Bull Frog Creek. 
 
ENGLISH CREEK +/- 636 ACRES 
 
Location:  North of S.R. 60, southeast of Plant City, on English Creek and Howell 
Branch. 
 
Status:    The County acquired a 123-acre tract in September 1989, for $255,000 and a 
133-acre tract in 1990 for $1,100,000, which provides a manageable unit.  A lease with 
Hillsborough Community College has been approved to allow the site to be used for 
environmental studies for the public.  The site has been expanded to reflect recently 
nominated adjoining lands.  Additional acquisitions will be considered in the future.  The 
 
33
County's Stormwater Section and the SWIM Program are jointly funding the design and 
construction of a wetland restoration/stormwater treatment system on the site. 
 
FISHHAWK RANCH +/- 3,540 ACRES (Portion of South Hillsborough Wildlife Corridor) 
 
Location:  Southeast County, south of the Alafia River, north of Boyette-Bell Shoals 
Road between Fish Hawk and Little Fish Creeks and west of Lithia-Pinecrest Road. 
 
Status:    In 1991, the County completed two acquisitions totaling 300 acres adjacent to 
Fish Hawk and Little Fish Hawk Creeks, with a total cost of $2,880,000.   
 
On December 15, 2003, the County completed the purchase of 1,421 acres for $9.6 
million from FishHawk Communities.  Effectively half of this acquisition was conveyed 
to the SWFWMD for $4.8 million and the County received a grant for $2.4 million from 
FCT so that a total of $7.2 million (or 75% of the purchase price) was provided by other 
agencies. 
 
On June 15, 2005, the County acquired 1,085 acres along the Alafia River from Pulte 
Home Corporation (who had just acquired slightly over 2,000 acres from entities held by 
the Thomas Family).  Of the $11.2 million purchase price, slightly more than 70% was 
funded through two grants with the Florida Communities Trust.  The County also 
acquired ten acres next to the FishHawk Communities parcel from the Karlsons for 
$307,400, with 60% funded from FCT.  Portions of the site have been preserved by 
Tampa Bay Water as part of the reservoir project (no funding from ELAPP was provided 
for those purchases). Due to the size of the Lithia Springs Preserve site and the adjoining 
acquisitions in this site, Lithia Springs Preserve has been merged into the Fishhawk 
Ranch site. 
 
On October 26. 2012, the County acquired 4.9 acres from the Estate of Catherine C. 
Clark.  On March 9, 2016 the County acquired fifteen acres from members of the Casady 
and Dispennette families.  
 
FLORIDA COLLEGE +/- 140 ACRES 
 
Location:  East bank of the Hillsborough River upstream of Riverhills Park in Temple 
Terrace. 
 
Status:    On March 20, 1989, the Real Estate Department completed the purchase of a 
portion of the Florida College site, a 65-acre tract owned by Edward and Ramona 
Bolding.  The site was purchased for $900,000, which was $425,000 below the appraised 
value. 
 
On August 31, 1995, the City of Temple Terrace completed the purchase of the parcel by 
Florida College, known as the Temple Terrace Riverfront Park, for $1,800,000.  This 54-
acre parcel (plus additional riverine wetlands) was acquired as part of a 50% grant from 
the Florida Communities Trust and a cooperative agreement between the City of Temple 
 
34
Terrace and the County, using ELAPP funds as the local match (approximately 
$900,000).  This site is managed by the City of Temple Terrace as a nature park. 
 
FULKERSON ROAD +/- 154 ACRES 
 
Location:  Land on the southeast edge of Cockroach Bay, adjacent to the Hillsborough 
Community College Environmental Studies Center. 
 
Status:  On December 12, 2004, this property was acquired by the SWFWMD for 
$791,400, with 50% funding from the County.  In 2016, SWFWMD, as part of the SWIM 
Program, completed a large-scale estuarine and coastal habitat restoration project on the 
site and the adjoining Cockroach and Piney Point Creeks site. 
 
GOLDEN ASTER SCRUB +/- 1,236 ACRES (revised from original 400 acre site) 
 
Location:  Undeveloped area west of Interstate 75, north of Big Bend Road behind the 
road maintenance complex. 
 
Status:    In May 1995, the Real Estate Department completed the purchase of 1,235 
acres for $3,088,000.  The County has completed the sale of 1,178 acres for $1,450,000 
(50% of $2,900,000) to the State through the Preservation 2000/CARL Program.  This 
property is being leased back to the County.  In July 1998, the County received the 
donation of .9 acres that improves access to the site. 
 
HOWELL CREEK BRANCH +/- 14 ACRES** 
 
Location:  North and east of Bealsville Park on Nesmith Road next to Howell Branch 
(formerly part of the English Creek site). 
 
Status:   On June 18, 2014, staff completed the purchase of the 14 acres in this site at a 
cost of $117,000. 
 
LAKE DAN +/- 1,219 ACRES 
 
Location:  Northwest corner of Hillsborough County.  To the west is Pinellas County's 
Brooker Creek Preserve, managed by the County.  Pasco County is on the site's northern 
boundary. 
 
Status:  On April 24, 2008, the County has completed the acquisition of the 1,047-acre 
Wilde Family Trust Property with a purchase price of $17,755,469. Since that purchase, 
the County has contracted or purchased approximately 30 acres in four parcels at a total 
purchase price of $1,310,500 to facilitate public access and management of the property. 
On September 4, 2008, the Governing Board selected a nomination of most of the 
property to receive a 50% grant not to exceed $6,300,000. In 2011 the balance of this site 
was submitted to FCT and in 2016 the County entered into the Grant Contract with FCT 
for the funding requested in this applications. The reimbursement will depend upon the 
appraisal review by the state.  
 
35
 
LAKE FRANCES PRESERVE (F.K.A. BROOKER CREEK CORRIDOR PRESERVE) 
+/- 1,800 ACRES 
 
Location:  Land located in northwest Hillsborough County, east of the Lake Dan site. 
 
Status:  The County purchased the 1,673-acre Kay O'Rourke Property in December 
2009 for $20,141,000. 
 
LITHIA SPRINGS PRESERVE +/- 54 ACRES (f.k.a. Lithia Springs Addition) 
 
Location:  Three sites on the north bank of the Alafia River bordering the Lithia Springs 
Park site, currently leased by Hillsborough County and previously identified as a 
nominated site. 
 
Status:    The western portion of this site  has been merged with Fishhawk Ranch and the 
eastern portion of this site has been merged with Boy Scout Portion/SHWC. 
 
LITTLE MANATEE RIVER +/- 2,800 ACRES 
 
Location:  The section of the Little Manatee River west of Hwy 301 and east of Hwy 41. 
 
Status:    The Real Estate Department has completed the purchase of approximately 
1,360 acres of the site comprised of eight tracts with a total acquisition cost of around 
$6.6 million.  Approximately 1,100 acres has been transferred to the Southwest Florida 
Water Management District through the Save Our Rivers Program.  The basis for this 
joint effort was established through an Interlocal Agreement between the County and 
SWFWMD. Two recent acquisitions include 27.7 acres next to Camp Bayou for 
$1,200,000 and 28 acres on Hayes Bayou at the end of River Bend Drive for $460,000. 
 
Three additional parcels totaling 754 acres with a total purchase price of $1,486,000 have 
been acquired. These properties, which border the Little Manatee River State Recreation 
Area, were acquired through a joint preservation effort with the State's Parks Inholdings 
and Additions Program, which is funded through Preservation 2000, as additions to the 
Park.  All parcels have been conveyed to the State. 
 
LITTLE MANATEE RIVER CORRIDOR +/- 5,039 ACRES 
 
Location:  Land in southern Hillsborough County along the Little Manatee River 
Corridor from C.R. 579 upstream as far as Grange Hall Loop Road. 
 
Status:    On April 8, 1997, the Real Estate and Facilities Services Department completed 
the purchase of 2,611 acres for $5,793,000.  The seller has provided $450,000 toward 
restoration of the site.  On February 26, 1999, the County completed the purchase of an 
additional 803 acres for $2,578,700.  The site is part of an Interlocal Agreement with the 
Southwest Florida Water Management District and the County has been reimbursed $3.8 
 
36
million for the acquisition costs on 3,200 acres that has been transferred to the District 
and leased back to the County. On May 23, 2007, the County completed the purchase of 
the Dent Ranch Parcel located at the south end of Leonard Lee Road. This 85-acre parcel 
was acquired at a cost of $1,360,000. On March 30, 2014, the County completed the 
acquisition of nearly 419 acres for $2.93 million ($7,400 per acre) on SR 674. This does 
not include 10 acres at CR 579 and CR 674 that was funded by Fire Rescue Services for a 
Fire Station. Once the station design is completed that are not required for the fire station 
will be transferred to ELAPP and Fire Rescue Services will be reimbursed for the pro-
rata acreage transferred to ELAPP in accordance with the agenda item approving the 
contract. 
 
LOWER GREEN SWAMP PRESERVE (F.K.A. CONE RANCH PRESERVE) +/- 12,800 
ACRES 
 
Location:  The extreme northeast corner of Hillsborough County, east of S.R. 39.  
Blackwater Creek traverses the site latitudinally, from east to west, and the 
Itchepackesassa Creek flows from south to north through the site.  
 
Status:  On February 17, 2010, the Board of County Commissioners approved the 
transfer of the entire County ownership from the Utility Enterprise Fund to ELAPP at a 
cost of $11,800,000. 
 
Two of three small in holdings in the southwest portion have been acquired with the 
contract for the third parcel being finalized. Acquisition of all three will simplify 
management in this portion of the site. 
 
 
McKAY BAY +/- 52 ACRES 
 
Location:  On the shoreline of McKay Bay, in the extreme northeast section of 
Hillsborough Bay. 
 
Status:    The County acquired this 52-acre site in February 1990 for $142,000.  A 
portion of the site has been restored through the SWIM Program to improve water quality 
of the bay. 
 
MORRIS BRIDGE ROAD 70 ACRES +/- 70 ACRES 
 
Location:  Land located on Morris Bridge Road approximately one mile east of Interstate 
75. 
 
Status:   The County acquired the site July 7, 2004, for athletic fields to address the 
needs of this area.  After further analysis, public concern about the impact to adjoining 
preserve lands, and the acquisition of other sites that would help address this need, the 
property was transferred to the ELAP Program.  The property has been conveyed to the 
SWFWMD for management as part of the Lower Hillsborough Flood Detention Area and 
 
37
the ELAP Program has been reimbursed for 50% of the purchase price and 50% of the 
approved acquisition costs.   
 
NEW TAMPA FLATWOODS +/- 149 ACRES 
 
Location:  The east side of Interstate 75 south of the City of Tampa Water Treatment 
Plant, adjacent to the Morris Bridge Wellfield. 
 
Status:    On July 26, 2001, the City completed the purchase of this site with a purchase 
price of $3,000,000.  The County provided 60% of the funding and Florida Communities 
Trust provided 40%.  This property will be managed by the City in accordance with the 
Interlocal Agreement between the County and the City and the Grant Award Agreement 
with Florida Communities Trust. 
 
OAKRIDGE +/- 921 ACRES 
 
Location:  The east side of Morris Bridge Road one mile south of Pasco County.  
Borders Wilderness Park and the Hillsborough River State Park. 
 
Status:    Acquisition was completed and the property was conveyed to the Southwest 
Florida Water Management District for preservation through the Save Our Rivers 
Program.  This conveyance returned $1,163,600, as 50% of the $2.3 million purchase 
price and transaction costs to the program to preserve additional lands. 
 
PAM CALLAHAN PRESERVE +/- 97 ACRES (f.k.a. Peppermound Creek)  
 
Location:  Between Sweetwater Creek and Woods Creek, at the mouth of Peppermound 
Creek, north of the Courtney Campbell Causeway. 
 
Status:    In November 1993, the purchase of the undeveloped 90 acres of this site was 
completed for $1,075,000.  An additional 60 acres (more or less), including 6 acres of 
uplands not under environmental jurisdiction, was transferred to the County as part of the 
regulatory approvals. 
 
PORT TAMPA RESTORATION +/- 320 ACRES 
 
Location:  This site is located in the Port Tampa/Interbay part of town, on the shoreline 
of Old Tampa Bay, west of MacDill Air Force Base. 
 
Status:    On December 31, 1998, the City of Tampa completed the purchase of the 23.9-
acre "Chavers Property," with a purchase price of $1,100,000.  On August 29, 2003, the 
City completed the acquisition of the 220-acre parcel owned by CSX.  Both parcels 
preserved with restrictive covenants that are controlled by the County. 
 
 
38
RHODINE SCRUB +/- 640 ACRES (f.k.a. Rhodine Road) 
 
Location:  North of Rhodine Road approximately one mile east of Balm Riverview 
Road, adjacent to Stephen J. Wortham County Park. 
 
Status:    The County completed acquisition of 406.5 acres of this tract in August 1991.  
A 3-acre tract that was previously excluded to address minor contamination concerns has 
been acquired after it was determined that it was not contaminated.  The County recently 
acquired a 5-acre inholding for $70,000. 
 
RIVERCREST PARK ADDITION +/- 6 ACRES 
 
Location:  East bank of the Hillsborough River, upstream of the bridge at MLK 
Boulevard south of Rivercrest Park. 
 
Status:    The City has completed the purchase of the 5.1 acre parcel that was owned by 
the Reeds for $744,500.  This property is titled with the City and has restrictive covenants 
for the benefit of the County to assure that it is managed in accordance with the 
requirements of the ELAP Program. 
 
RIVERHILLS PARK ADDITION +/- 37.4 ACRES 
 
Location:  North bank of Hillsborough River upstream of Riverhills Park in Temple 
Terrace. 
 
Status:    This property was acquired in 1995 for $800,000 as part of a grant from the 
Florida Communities Trust and a cooperative agreement between the City of Temple 
Terrace and the County, using ELAPP funds as the local match (approximately 
$400,000).  This site will be managed by the City of Temple Terrace as a nature park. 
 
In September 2000, a series of 18 single-family lots were acquired at a cost of $742,500.  
In June 2000, these lots were submitted as a project to the Florida Communities Trust. It 
was selected for funding in September 2001, and in July 2002, the County received 90% 
of the acquisition costs ($688,325.00). 
 
ROCKY CREEK COASTAL PRESERVE +/- 370 ACRES (f.k.a. Troydale Road) 
 
Location:  The east bank of Rocky Creek, west of Troydale Road and south of 
Hillsborough Avenue.  The site adjoins the eastern boundary of the Bower Tract. 
 
Status:    In April 1992, the FDIC completed the donation of 256 acres to the County.  
As a requirement of the donation, the County paid the associated expenses of $35,000.  In 
July 1992, the County acquired an adjoining 23 acres from C&S Bank for $75,000 (55% 
of average appraised value). 
 
 
39
FRED & IDA SCHULTZ PRESERVE +/- 120 ACRES (f.k.a. Port Redwing) 
 
Location:  Land west of U.S. Highway 41 South, at the end of Kracker Avenue, 
encompassing the north half of a man-made peninsula, south of Whiskey Stump Key and 
north of the Big Bend Power Plant on Tampa Bay. 
 
Status:    On October 30, 1995, the Southwest Florida Water Management District 
completed the purchase of the northern half of this peninsula (containing approximately 
120 acres) for $750,000, with 50% of the acquisition costs being funded by the ELAP 
Program.  This area has been fully restored by the SWIM Program to create estuarine 
wetland and upland habitat with beach access at the western end.  The southern portion of 
this site was sold to the Tampa Port Authority, who will eventually develop the property 
as a deepwater port.  A Pollution Recovery Trust Fund Grant in the amount of $225,000 
was awarded to SWIM to assist with restoration. 
 
SOUTH MacDILL 48 +/- 48 ACRES 
 
Location:  Interbay region of Tampa, an undeveloped parcel north of Napoleon Avenue, 
west of MacDill Avenue, south of Interbay Boulevard, and east of Himes Avenue. 
 
Status:    In April 1992, after lengthy negotiations, the County acquired this site for 
$700,000.  The County and City of Tampa recently entered into an Interlocal Agreement 
for the City to submit this to FCT. The property was selected for funding in October 2003 
and the County received $923,675 in July 2004. The City will now manage the property 
as a resource-based park in accordance with a plan reviewed by the County. 
 
THE KITCHEN +/- 629 ACRES (f.k.a. Bullfrog Creek/The Kitchen/Gibson Land) 
 
Location:  The shoreline of Hillsborough Bay from the mouth of the Alafia River south 
to the man-made peninsula on the south side of Whiskey Stump Key. 
 
Status:    The County acquired approximately 26.7 acres for $90,000 in September 1991.  
An approximately 328-acre parcel was purchased in July 1997, for $264,000.  A 
Pollution Recovery Trust Fund Agreement in the amount of $200,000 was awarded to the 
County for restoration.  On  March 28, 2012, the County acquired 24.6 acres on Kracker 
Avenue from Berton Raden Thomas et al. for $340,000. 
 
TOWER RESTORATION +/- 13 ACRES 
 
Location:  Adjacent to the existing Sulphur Springs Park, located on the north bank of 
the Hillsborough River and west of the Interstate 75 bridge. 
 
Status:   In conjunction with an Interlocal Agreement between the County and the City 
of Tampa, the City completed the purchase of 12.8 acres at a total cost of $2,850,000.  
The County only funded $2,070,000 (highest approved appraised value) and the City 
fully funded the balance of the purchase price.  Under the original Interlocal Agreement, 
this was to be the City's priority application in the 2002 FCT application cycle.  At the 
 
40
request of the City, this agreement was amended to permit the City to postpone this 
application to the subsequent FCT application cycle so they could pursue an additional 
project.  As part of this postponement, the City will also submit the South MacDill 48 
site.  This site was selected by FCT for funding in October 2003, and in June 2004, the 
County received $996,303.  The City will now manage the property as a resource-based 
park in accordance with a plan reviewed by the County. 
 
TOWN 'N COUNTRY PRESERVE +/- 304 ACRES 
 
Location:  Native land north of Old Memorial Highway and west of Dick Creek, 
adjacent to the Countryway Subdivision, due north of the Bower Tract but separated by a 
2,000-foot-wide strip of undeveloped land and S.R. 580. 
 
Status:    On December 10, 1999, the County completed the purchase of the 150 acre 
native portion of the Pistol Range parcel of this site.  This transaction represented the 
joint participation of the City of Tampa, School Board, and the County.  The portion 
acquired by the School Board will be used for a high school.  This acquisition included 
the purchase of the remaining interest in Channel "A" drainage easement, which will 
include a portion of the Upper Tampa Bay Trail.  The ELAP Program has been 
reimbursed for the cost of the land associated with Montague Street. 
 
The acquired areas remaining after road right-of-way were in a project funded by FCT 
and the County was reimbursed $1.1 million. 
 
TRIPLE CREEK RANCH +/- 2,000 ACRES 
 
Location:  Land located along Bell Creek between Fish Hawk Ranch and Balm-Boyette 
Scrub. 
 
Status:    The County has acquired two properties totaling 57 acres north of Rhodine 
Road and south of the Thomas Girl Scout Camp for $355,297.  These tracts adjoin Bell 
Creek and the Rhodine Scrub site.   
 
In September 2000, the County completed the purchase of the 751-acre Edwards property 
for $2,254,200.  This property is north of the Balm Boyette Scrub property and west of 
Balm Boyette Road.  A portion of the site north of the proposed Big Bend Road 
extension that was used as a dairy farm was designated an "Acquisition of Convenience."  
The County submitted the entire Edwards acquisition to FCT for funding and recently 
received a $1.18 million grant. 
 
On February 16, 2006, the County completed the acquisition of the 225-acre Transcend 
Development parcel for $8.5 million.  This property was submitted to the Florida 
Communities Trust for joint funding and the County was reimbursed $4.25 million (50% 
of the acquisition cost). 
 
 
41
UPPER LITTLE MANATEE RIVER +/- 1,978 ACRES (f.k.a. Saffold Portion of South 
Hillsborough Wildlife Corridor) 
  
Location:  Along the Little Manatee River, upstream of U.S. Highway 301, just north of 
the Manatee County line and back into the County to S.R. 579. 
Status:    The Real Estate Department has completed the purchase of seven parcels 
containing 1,380 acres (665 in the original Upper Little Manatee River and 715 acres in 
the Saffold site) with a total purchase price of $2,986,148.  The Southwest Florida Water 
Management District has completed the purchase of the Staley property, which included 
39 acres in Hillsborough County and 100 acres in Manatee County.  The County has 
provided $25,000 toward the purchase of the property in Hillsborough County.  The 
County has been reimbursed $1 million on 929 acres that have been conveyed to the 
District and leased back to the County.  
 
VIOLET CURY PRESERVE +/- 161 ACRES (f.k.a. Flynn Lake) 
 
Location:  North side of Sinclair Hills Road east of Interstate 275 and west of Livingston 
Road. 
 
Status:    The Real Estate Department completed the purchase of this property for 
$1,846,783 on October 12, 1995.  The County has been reimbursed for 50% of the 
acquisition costs through a grant from the Florida Communities Trust 
 
WOLF BRANCH +/- 1,200 ACRES 
 
Location:  The shoreline of Tampa Bay between E.G. Simmons Park and Apollo Beach, 
and the drainage basin of Wolf Branch from its mouth upstream to Leisey Road. 
 
Status:    In July 1993, the County completed the acquisition of approximately 1079.50 
acres within the Apollo Beach DRI for $1.8 million.  In 1999 the Real Estate Department 
completed the purchase of 47 acres of mangroves for $9,500.  The Surface Water 
Improvement and Management (SWIM) Program has completed a full-scale wetland and 
upland restoration project on the site. As part of the 2016 nominations, approximately 80 
acres along 19th Avenue Northwest was added to the site as a boundary modification.  
 
SUSPENDED ACQUISITIONS 
NEW SITES 
 
EXISTING SITES 
 
22nd STREET HAMMOCK +/- 24 ACRES 
 
Location:  Bordered on the west by 22nd Street, on the north by a City of Tampa-owned 
ball field, a railroad along the east, and by a large TECO maintenance yard to the south. 
 
 
42
Status:    This property was donated to the City.  Since no County funding was required 
to complete the transaction, there are no ELAPP related restrictive covenants on the 
property. 
 
ALAFIA RIVER/LITTLE MANATEE RIVER CORRIDOR CONNECTION  +/- 12,605 
ACRES 
 
Location:  Expanse of land between the eastern edge of the Little Manatee River 
Corridor site and the Alafia South Prong site north and south of CR 674. 
 
Status: Representatives of Mosaic presented a request have all properties owned by 
Mosaic removed from consideration through ELAPP. Since nearly all of this site is 
owned by Mosaic this site is no longer eligible until the owner expresses an interest in 
having their property preserved through ELAPP   
 
BALM-BOYETTE SCRUB PRESERVE (WEST BUFFER) +/- 904 ACRES 
 
Location:  Western boundary of the Balm Boyette Scrub Preserve  
 
Status:  At the request of the owner, the portion north of the TECO right-of-way has 
been placed in the Suspended Acquisitions category and is not eligible for acquisition 
The balance of this site south of the TECO right of way is now approved for preservation 
as an addition to the Balm Boyette Scrub Preserve.  
 
BLOOMINGDALE/BUCKHORN CREEK +/- 34 ACRES 
 
Location:  Land South of Bloomingdale Avenue along Buckhorn Creek. North of the 
Buckhorn Creek Site 
 
Status:   The  the long-term protection of the adjoining Buckhorn Springs site (which is 
in the Suspended Acquisitions status) was required for consideration of this site. This site 
has subsequently been developed and is no longer eligible for preservation. 
 
BUCKHORN CREEK +/- 146 ACRES 
 
Location: South of Bloomingdale Avenue, east of Hwy 301, and west of Bell Shoals 
Road.  
 
Status:   Negotiate protection or acquisition.  While this is an important project in the 
ELAP Program, a prior owner, Cargill Fertilizer, has indicated that they are not interested 
in selling the property. The current owner, Mosaic Fertilizer, has recently indicated that 
they do not want their properties in the ELAP Program.  If prior to the next annual report 
the owner indicates a willingness to have the site permanently preserved, staff is 
authorized to treat this project on the same basis as its prior ranking (Class "B") prior to 
the next annual report. 
 
 
43
CSX/DELANEY CREEK POP-OFF +/- 70 ACRES 
 
Location:  Land east of U.S. 41, between U.S. 41 and "Old 41A," south of Madison 
Avenue. 
 
Status:    The owner of the property, Cargill, has placed a conservation easement on 
portions of the property to address mitigation required under a permit. 
 
DeSOTO PARK ADDITION +/- 19 ACRES 
 
Location:  East of DeSoto Park on the north shore of McKay Bay. 
 
Status:    During the acquisition process of this property, it was determined that the site 
may be contaminated with hazardous wastes from neighboring industrial uses.  Research 
indicated that there were adverse soil conditions that would impact the value of the 
property.    
 
DICK CREEK +/- 60 ACRES 
 
Location:  North of Old Memorial Highway, west of Sheldon Road, along the east and 
west shoreline of Dick Creek in northwest Hillsborough County. 
 
Status:   The surrounding upland areas have been developed and are no longer available.  
The wetlands associated with the Dick Creek and setback area have been preserved 
through the development process. 
 
EAST MEADOWS +/- 45 ACRES 
 
Location:  Northern Hillsborough County surrounded on three sides by the property 
known as East Meadows. 
 
Status:    The property has been developed and it is not feasible to consider acquisition. 
 
GERACI PROPERTY +/- 600 ACRES 
 
Location:  Land located at the northeast corner of the VanDyke/Dale Mabry intersection 
in northwest Hillsborough County. 
 
Status:  Due to subdivision and development, preservation of this site is not feasible at 
this time. 
 
GIBSONTON FISH FARM +/- 20 ACRES 
 
Location:  Land east of U.S. 41 and west of the CSX Rail Line just north and across the 
highway from the acquired Gibson Lands ELAPP site. 
 
 
44
Status:  The site has been developed with a residential subdivision and it is no longer 
practical to pursue for preservation. 
 
GREENWOOD TRACT +/- 47 ACRES 
 
Location:  The south end of Greenwood Avenue in Tampa, on the shores of the 
Hillsborough River Reservoir, just south of the City of Tampa's Temple Crest Park. 
 
Status:  Research determined that the vast majority of the site was donated to the City 
and most of the other City Lands are being held for flood protection and reservoir 
purpose, so there is no basis for ELAPP to acquire this property.  The privately held 
portion may be considered where the City formally affirms through resolution that the 
property will be preserved.  
 
HAMNER TOWER +/- 60 ACRES 
 
Location:  Land located at the northwest corner of the intersection of North Boulevard 
and Fletcher Avenue. 
 
Status:  The County completed the acquisition of an 8.7 acre portion of the 60 acre 
designated site from the Department of Agriculture in October 1993 under the condition 
that the remaining 50+ acre "core parcel" be acquired and preserved within a few years.  
Staff has attempted to acquire the "core parcel" of the site for several years but was never 
able to reach an agreement.  Pursuant to representations in the agenda item to the Board 
when the 8.7 acre portion was acquired, ELAPP has been reimbursed the acquisition cost 
of the site ($468,626.00).  The property has been reclassified as a non-programmed open 
space County park and is now shown as "other public land" on the ELAPP map for this 
site. This status should have been reflected in the 2007 Annual Report. The core parcel 
has recently been subdivided for residential purposes and this site can no longer be 
considered through ELAPP.    
 
JAMAICA LAKE GREENWAY +/- 51 ACRES 
 
Location:  An area near the Tampa Bay Business Park and St. Joseph's Hospital, north 
side of west Martin Luther King Blvd., and north of the Tampa Bay Center Mall. 
 
 
Status:   Nearly all of the upland areas have been developed. 
 
LAKE RUTH RANCH +/- 1,200 ACRES 
 
Location:  Land on the north side of Lutz-Lake Fern Road, south of the Pasco County 
line, and west of Dale Mabry Highway, in northwest Hillsborough County. 
 
Status:  Pursuant to the original recommendation, due to development on this site it can 
no longer be considered. 
 
 
45
LAKE WEEKS +/- ACRES 
 
Location:  Along the northern shoreline of Lake Weeks and adjacent to the County's 
Lake Weeks Park on the southwest corner. 
 
Status:   The property has been developed and it is not feasible to consider acquisition. 
 
LITHIA SPRINGS +/- 160 ACRES 
 
Location:  At the west end of Lithia Springs Road, two miles off C.R. 640. 
 
Status:  Negotiate protection or acquisition. While this is an important project in the 
ELAP Program and is currently utilized as a popular recreational area, a prior owner, 
Cargill Fertilizer, has indicated that they are not interested in selling or providing a long 
term lease on the property. The current owner, Mosaic Fertilizer, has recently indicated 
that they do not want their properties in the ELAP Program. If prior to the next annual 
report the owner indicates a willingness to have the site permanently preserved, staff is 
authorized to treat this project on the same basis as its prior ranking (Class "A") prior to 
the next annual report. 
 
LITTLE BULLFROG CREEK SCRUB +/- 400 ACRES 
 
Location:  South of the Summerfield development and east of U.S. 301. 
 
Status:  The majority of the natural habitat on the site has been developed and it is not 
feasible to consider acquisition. 
 
LIVE OAK RANCH +/- 1,270 ACRES 
 
Location:  Land bordered on the west by Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, on the north by 
County Line Road, on the south by the Cross Creek development, and on the east by K-
Bar Ranch. 
 
Status:  At the request of the property owner, this site has been placed in the Suspended 
Acquisitions category and has been developed. 
 
MADISON AVENUE +/- 570 ACRES 
 
Location:  Land located in the Gibsonton area, north and south of Madison Avenue east 
of CSX Railroad and west of a residential area. 
 
Status: Most of the uplands have been developed and it is not feasible to consider 
acquisition. 
 
 
46
McKAY BAY CAUSEWAY +/- 45 ACRES 
 
Location:  Land on the southeast corner of McKay Bay, north of the 22nd Street 
Causeway, within the Tampa city limits. 
 
Status:    The City attempted to negotiate a purchase, but the owner had a substantially 
higher value perspective.  The City has surrendered the grant from the Florida 
Communities Trust. 
 
McKAY BAY/PALM RIVER GREENWAY +/- 67 ACRES 
 
Location:  On the south side of Palm River, between the U.S. 41 bridge and the 
SWFWMD spoil deposition area at the mouth of the river. 
 
Status:  While one parcel has been acquired by the City of Tampa with limited funding 
through ELAPP (See "Acquired Parcels"), the majority of the site has been developed 
with residential structures and is no longer practical to pursue for preservation. 
 
MARINA POINT +/- 60 ACRES 
 
Location:  Land located in western Hillsborough County along Channel "A" south of 
Hillsborough Avenue and adjacent to the Bower Tract Preserve. 
 
Status:  Site has been developed as an apartment community and is no longer available 
for preservation. 
 
MOBBLY BAY +/- 30 ACRES 
 
Location:  Land located on Mobbly Bay on the east side of the Pinellas/Hillsborough 
County line at the end of Race Track Road. 
 
Status:  The property has been developed with a subdivision. 
 
NEWMAN BRANCH +/- 380 ACRES 
 
Location:  East of the Apollo Beach peninsula south of the Big Bend power plant. 
 
Status:  Property currently proposed for an environmental studies center. 
 
RACE TRACK ROAD +/- 800 ACRES 
 
Location:  Land north of Race Track Road west of Nine Eagles Drive, along western 
Hillsborough/Pinellas County line. 
 
Status:  Though attempts were made to negotiate for the acquisition of a portion of the 
property, the developer did not want to entertain reasonable negotiations. The property 
has since been developed and it is not feasible to consider acquisition. 
 
47
 
RACE TRACK ROAD ADDITION +/- 322 ACRES 
 
Location:  Adjacent to and east of the existing, unacquired Race Track Road ELAPP site 
which is north of Race Track Road and west of Nine Eagles Drive, in northwest 
Hillsborough County along the Pinellas County line. 
 
Status:  The property has been developed and it is not feasible to consider acquisition.   
 
RIVER CROSSINGS ESTATES +/- 59 ACRES 
 
Location: Land within the Bloomingdale subdivision, approximately  mile east of Bell 
Shoals Road, along the north shore of the Alafia River. 
 
Status:  The owner has proposed a condition requiring purchase of the entire tract, which 
is not feasible for the program to consider due to limited future utility.  The Real Estate 
Department presented offers in 1992 and negotiations have been idle since 1993.  This 
property has been developed and it is not feasible to consider acquisition 
 
SEVER-PACKARD +/- 18 ACRES 
 
Location:  Southeast corner of intersection of Fowler Avenue and the Hillsborough 
River. 
 
Status:  The majority of this property has been developed and it is not feasible to 
consider acquisition.   
 
SIMMONS TRACT +/- 80 ACRES 
 
Location:  Land located adjacent to the Boyette Tract on Pringle Branch, a tributary of 
the Fish Hawk Creek. 
 
Status:  The Real Estate Department has presented offers to the owners who have 
rejected them based upon their estimation of value.  This parcel is now combined with 
adjoining lands as the "Pringle Branch".    
 
SWEETWATER CREEK RESTORATION +/- 54 ACRES 
 
Location:  Just south of West Hillsborough Avenue and north of a County-owned park, 
Sweetwater Park. 
 
Status:  Nearly entire site has been developed and it is not feasible to consider 
acquisition.  
 
 
48
TROUT AND CYPRESS CREEKS CORRIDOR +/- 2,400 ACRES 
 
Location:  Land between Interstate 75 and C.R. 581 in northern Hillsborough County, 
which includes a section of Trout Creek, adjacent to SWFWMD's Wilderness Park, and 
connects with the Cypress Creek ELAPP site.  Portions of the original nomination have 
been developed or are proposed for development at this time.    
 
Status:  The majority of this site has been developed. The undeveloped area in the 
western portion is added to the Cypress Creek site. 
 
TUCKER JONES +/- 186 ACRES 
 
Location:  West of Highway 301 on both the north and south sides of Tucker Jones 
Road. 
 
Status:  At the request of the owner of the core parcel, his property was removed from 
consideration.  Since it is not feasible to acquire the other parcels without the core parcel, 
it is not practical to pursue this project.   
 
WOODBURY SITE +/- 121 ACRES 
 
Location:  Southwest corner of Woodbury and Lakewood Road, north of Hwy. 60 and 
the Seaboard Coastline Railroad in Brandon. 
 
Status:  Prior to the nomination, this site was under contract and has since been 
developed.   
 
WOOLLEY TRACT +/- 670 ACRES 
 
Location:  Land located west of Interstate 75, east of 78th Street, north of Riverview 
Road, and south of Madison Avenue. 
 
Status:  At the time of nomination the site was in advanced stages to modify existing 
regulatory approvals and has since been developed. 
 
ZINDLER +/- 25 ACRES 
 
Location:  Land located on the Little Manatee River adjacent to and across the river from 
the Little Manatee River State Recreation Area.  The boundary of this site has been 
modified to address the "Crenshaw" nomination. 
 
Status:    The acquisition of this site required a contract on the Zindler and Crenshaw 
parcels contingent upon each other.  The owner of the Zindler parcel presented a position 
of value that was not supported by the current potential of the property. 
 
NOTE:  
For the approval of this report by the Parks and Recreation advisory 
Board and the Board of County Commissioners we are providing the Appendices 
and ELAPP Site Maps that have changed since the 2016 Report.   
 
 
 
LIST OF APPENDICES 
 
 
 
  
APPENDIX   "B" ELAPP Teams and Committee 
 APPENDIX   "D" Site Evaluation Form 
APPENDIX   "E" 
Financial Status 
APPENDIX   "F" Registry of ELAPP Acquisitions 
APPENDIX   "G" Expenditures & Joint Funding 
APPENDIX   "H" ELAPP Site Location Maps (only sites with changes) 
  
 
 
APPENDIX "B" 
 
ELAPP TEAMS AND COMMITTEE 
 
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY JAN K. PLATT ENVIRONMENTAL  
LANDS ACQUISITON AND PROTECTION PROGRAM (ELAPP)  
COMMITTEE MEMBERS 
 
SITE SELECTION TEAM 
 
Jack Berlin, Chairman, Hillsborough County Parks, Recreation and Conservation 
Department's Advisory Board 
 
Fred Webb, Citizen 
 
Pete Johnson, Citizen 
 
Tom Ries, Citizen 
 
Jan Smith, Citizen 
 
Sally Thompson, Citizen 
 
Debbie Butts, Citizen 
 
Mariella Smith, Citizen 
 
Peter Fowler, Citizen 
 
 
SITE ASSESSMENT TEAM 
 
Rob Heath, Wildlife Fellowship, Inc. 
 
Ross Dickerson, Section Manager  Environmental Lands Management, Conservation 
and Environmental Lands Management Department 
 
Sheryl Bowman, Environmental Lands Management Coordinator, Conservation and 
Environmental Lands Management Department 
 
Jason Chilson, Section Manager  Conservation Parks, Conservation and Environmental 
Lands Management Department 
 
Kathy Beck, City of Tampa 
 
Jack Holland, City of Plant City 
 
Brandt Henningsen, Southwest Florida Water Management District 
 
Ryan Bose, Sierra Club 
 
Dana Carver, City of Temple Terrace 
 
Curtis Brown, Citizen at Large 
 
 
Janet Dougherty  Executive Director, Environmental Protection Commission of 
  
 
Hillsborough County 
 
Rob Northrop  Hillsborough County Extension Service 
 
 
SITE REVIEW TEAM 
 
John "Forest" Turbiville, Director, Conservation and Environmental Lands Management 
Department 
 
Ross Dickerson, Staff Representative 
 
Michael Williams, Division Director, Transportation Planning Development  
 
Daniel Lombardi, Staff Representative  need to update 
 
Adam Gormley, Director Development Services 
 
Joe Gross, Staff Representative 
 
Melissa Zornitta Executive Director, Hillsborough County/City County Planning 
Commission 
 
Shawn College, Staff Representative 
 
Joshua Bellotti, Director, Real Estate and Facilities Services Department 
 
Kurt Gremley, Staff Representative 
 
Simon Bollin, Manager, Agriculture Industry Development 
 
Randy Goers, City of Tampa Transportation Planning Department 
 
Cori Collins Director, City of Temple Terrace Parks Department 
 
Dana Carver, Staff Representative 
 
Jack Holland, City of Plant City Parks and Recreation Department 
 
Salvatore Territo City Attorney 
 
 
Greg Bayor, Director, City of Tampa Parks Department 
 
Karla Price, Staff Representative 
 
John Fernandez, Supervisor, City of Tampa Real Estate Department 
 
Monica Ammann Real Estate Mgr., Staff Representative 
 
Chip Fletcher, County Attorney 
 
Susan Fernandez, Staff Representative 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
APPENDIX "D" 
 
SITE EVALUATION FORM 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 APPENDIX "E" 
 
FINANCIAL STATUS 
WHERE ARE WE THIS FY FINANCIALLY WITH ELAPP?
($ in thousand's)
TOTAL
FUNDING
 
($ in thousand's)
AVAILABLE BOND FUND PROCEEDS (OCTOBER 1, 2017)
$2,750  
AD VALOREM FUND BALANCE (OCTOBER 1, 2017)^
$0
 
 
 
2008 VOTER AUTHORIZED BOND REFERENDUM
$200,000
 
2009 BOND ISSUE
$59,430
 
 
AUTHORIZATION AVAILABLE FOR FUTURE ISSUANCE
$140,570
 
 
 
 
^All ad valorem funds are currently committed to existing projects
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 APPENDIX "F"  
 
REGISTRY OF ELAPP ACQUISITIONS 
PROJECT NAMEPARCEL NAME / OWNERORIG. RANKINGPURCH. PRICE ACRESJOINT FUNDING AGENCYJOINT FUNDING AMT.ASSESSED VALUE AT TIME OF SALEJUST VALUE AT TIME OF SALEACQ. DATEColumn1Column2Column3Column4Column5Column6Column7Column8Column9Column10Alafia North ProngC. L. Knight (SWFWMD)B$2,512,500923.4SWFWMD$1,256,250 $221,152  $2,361,483 12/15/1994Alafia North ProngGooch TrustB$8,264,400766.2$3,064,440$5,332,21912/07/2006Alafia Scrub PreserveWilliam A. ReadB$2,150,00077.8FCT$1,075,000$1,324,805$1,324,80509/22/1998Alafia South ProngDr. Pruit (SWFWMD)B$3,958,7001,277.0SWFWMD$1,979,350$417,946$5,515,00011/03/94Alafia South ProngHopewell Land Partners (SWFWMD)B$1,697,144570.0SWFWMD$848,572$178,413$2,304,20408/26/1998Alafia South ProngJameson (SWFWMD)B$580,000211.8SWFWMD$290,000$1,076,00008/20/1999Alafia South ProngLane (SWFWMD)B$147,00032.6SWFWMD$73,500$6,544$6,54401/09/1998Alafia South ProngMarnie B$20,00020.0$10,000$10,00001/13/2006Alafia South ProngJordan B$96,0006.0$5,400$5,40005/01/2008Alafia South ProngPruittB$686,72053.7$341,332$11,86512/15/2017Alderman's Ford Preserve (FKA Alderman's Ford Addition)Joo Property  (State)A$1,396,923353.5CARL$675,600$81,303$1,850,90007/02/1993Alderman's Ford Preserve (FKA Alderman's Ford Addition)West Property  (State)A$237,00076.4CARL$118,500$12,575$300,73004/10/1995Alderman's Ford Preserve (FKA Alderman's Ford Addition)Sheldon Property (State)A$1,477,200541.0CARL$738,600$37,229$3,024,87207/19/1990Alderman's Ford South Prong AdditionHopewell Land Partners (SWFWMD)A$1,445,716499.0SWFWMD$722,858$151,982$1,962,84108/26/1998Alderman's Ford South Prong AdditionMcDonald Construction, Inc. (SWFWMD)A$763,250354.0SWFWMD$381,625$61,550$1,013,00010/28/1994Apollo Beach ParkRobert E. Lee and Co.B$1,565,00046.8FCT$782,500$1,150,088$1,150,08804/11/1996Apollo Beach ParkWilliam T. HiggsB$501,25816.0FCT$250,624$1,038,456$1,038,45605/23/1996Bahia Beach RestorationChapman PropertyB$104,27235.8DEP$64,648$55,790$55,79008/09/2001Bahia Beach RestorationTillett Groves PropertyB$297,40076.0DEP$184,388$201,115$457,69007/17/2001Bahia Beach RestorationTillett Farms PropertyB$254,84036.9DEP$158,000$135,501$432,74307/17/2001Balm Boyette ScrubCharles H. Fallen, IIIA$44,00010.0$39,000$39,00007/15/2002Balm Boyette ScrubWilliams Acquistion (State)A$16,123,0544,923.1CARL$6,370,000$1,762,645$19,509,11203/06/1992Balm Scrub (FKA Balm Road Scrub)Emma S. Summner TrustB$3,183,7401,592.1$796,750$8,545,22301/07/1999Balm Scrub AdditionAmy DiehlA$801,280100.2$1,126,400$1,126,40008/04/2010Balm Scrub AdditionSpencer Farms, IncA$7,546,331740.9 $971,071$5,855,06201/18/2011Balm Scrub AdditionEisenhower PropertiesA$1,352,456132.8$45,451$1,237,64101/18/2011Balm Scrub AdditionMitchel DevelopmentA$1,473,789144.7$271,130$1,416,71101/18/2011Bell Creek Preserve (FKA Sterling Downs)Summertime Lakes, Inc.B$810,00060.0 $1,119$440,544$440,54405/11/1990Bell Creek Preserve (FKA Sterling Downs)MacRiley Homes, Inc.B$1,195,317275.2FCT$615,000$1,743,087$1,790,57511/22/1995Bell Creek Preserve (FKA Sterling Downs)Murlin HansenB$1,350,000142.7FCT$704,000$992,885$992,88509/30/1997Blackwater Creek PreserveEndre & Georgia KovacsA$66,80022.0FCT$33,400$44,409$44,40910/05/1998Blackwater Creek PreserveJeffrey Alan RobisonA$26,7255.2FCT$13,362$2,344$20,05610/05/1998Blackwater Creek PreserveArthur D. and Janice WeissA$4,000,0001,951.0FCT$1,803,000$438,896$5,499,71106/10/1997Blackwater Creek PreserveHahn ParcelA$21,0005.0$20,000$20,00009/27/1999Blackwater Creek PreserveKovatchA$20,00010.0$22,500$22,50010/30/2003Blackwater Creek PreservePatrinostro, et alA$285,00011.0$98,040$79,24010/15/2013Blackwater HammockSt. Joseph's Hospital of Tampa Foundation, Inc. (City of Tampa)B$200,0009.0FCT$80,000$166,088$166,08808/30/1997Boy Scout PortionFish Hawk Inv. Fund, Ltd.A$1,441,357195.0$93,198$4,044,18012/05/1991Boy Scout PortionARVIDAA$700,000195.0$63,200$1,482,19512/19/1991Boy Scout PortionMcPhillips (Tax Deed Sale)A$16,00040.0$20,000$20,00006/26/1995Boy Scout PortionGeorge (Tax Deed Sale)A$11,6598.9$59,280$59,28003/31/1999Boy Scout PortionHuskeyA$23,69630.1$15,050$15,05003/22/1999                                                        REGISTRY OF ELAPP ACQUISITIONS
PROJECT NAMEPARCEL NAME / OWNERORIG. RANKINGPURCH. PRICE ACRESJOINT FUNDING AGENCYJOINT FUNDING AMT.ASSESSED VALUE AT TIME OF SALEJUST VALUE AT TIME OF SALEACQ. DATEColumn1Column2Column3Column4Column5Column6Column7Column8Column9Column10                                                        REGISTRY OF ELAPP ACQUISITIONSBoy Scout PortionChadwickA$342,0003.0$134,741$84,24112/17/2013Brooker Creek Buffer Preserve (FKA Clearwater)Fanny D'AgostinoB$38,1501.0$19,357$19,35702/24/2000Brooker Creek Buffer Preserve (FKA Clearwater)The City of ClearwaterB$1,258,790410.8$0$2,380,30006/02/1995Brooker Creek Buffer Preserve (FKA Clearwater)Elvira D'AgostinoB$39,5501.0$21,762$21,76202/24/2000Brooker Creek Buffer Preserve (FKA Clearwater)Theresa D'AndreaB$35,0001.0$25,120$25,12002/24/2000Brooker Creek Buffer Preserve (FKA Clearwater)Anthony D'AndreaB$35,3501.0$20,769$20,76902/24/2000Brooker Creek Buffer Preserve (FKA Clearwater)Pete SarantosB$129,7508.9$122,000$122,00009/02/2004Brooker Creek Buffer Preserve (FKA Clearwater)DiBerardinoB$1,200,00066.3FDOT$1,200,00012/17/2008Brooker Creek HeadwatersCypress Bend/FDIC (SWFWMD)A$3,500,000944.9SWFWMD$1,750,000$5,819,033$5,819,03309/20/1993Brooker Creek HeadwatersJames Roberts (SWFWMD)A$170,0009.1SWFWMD$85,000$99,454$99,45406/14/1994Brooker Creek HeadwatersLutheran Church Ext. Fund Missouri Synod (SWFWMD)A$191,50025.8SWFWMD$95,750$177,080$177,08006/12/1995Brooker Creek HeadwatersCindy Roberts (SWFWMD)A$28,5002.9SWFWMD$14,250$20,072$20,07209/22/1994Brooker Creek HeadwatersAgnes B. Falzerano (SWFWMD)A$52,6359.6SWFWMD$26,317$60,800$60,80006/14/1994Brooker Creek HeadwatersJoseph G. and Reta M. Hanson (SWFWMD)A$117,48847.5SWFWMD$58,744$191,310$191,31003/14/1996Brooker Creek HeadwatersThomas G. Earle as Trustee of  T. G. Earle Living Trust (SWFWMD)A$189,07040.0SWFWMD$94,535$8,200$340,80003/14/1996Brooker Creek HeadwatersRichard and Ardeth HopeA$461,28031.6$11,325$290,95003/05/1999Bullfrog Creek ScrubSumner Family TrustB$2,281,653841.7GFWFC/HC$935,000$121,540$2,416,44002/23/1996Bullfrog Creek ScrubEmma S. Summner TrustB$2,467,469778.2GFWFC/HC$970,000$278,217$4,239,38702/23/1996Cockroach & Piney Point CreeksTECO Property (SWFWMD)A$3,427,1442,347.1SWFWMD$1,713,572$1,506,695$4,298,88912/11/2004Cockroach BayKrebsA$31,0003.0$1,500$1,50008/28/2007Cockroach BayMilamA$650,00030.0$345,508$345,50811/20/2007Cockroach BaySymmesA$100,0004.0$5,625$5,62504/04/2014Cockroach Bay (FKA Cockroach Bay Addition)Leisey Shell PitsA$525,000484.0$596,541$596,54106/05/1991Cockroach Bay (FKA Cockroach Bay Addition)Simmons/ClaproodA$1,585,000391.0$126,318$1,914,55006/21/1991Cockroach Bay (FKA Cockroach Bay Addition)Boy ScoutsA$10,00010.0$0$008/27/2004Cockroach Bay (FKA Cockroach Bay Addition)Lost River PreserveA$043.0$200,068$200,06804/13/2006Cockroach Bay IslandsWhitaker (State)A$950,000151.9CARL$602,300$34,325$34,32508/23/1989Cockroach Creek GreenwayLowrey/Keene/HardinA$1,346,348549.5$91,306$1,096,48110/10/2001Cypress Creek  Preserve Phase IDiez TractA$1,200,0001,247.4FCT$468,000$289,757$10,000,62104/26/1996Cypress Creek PreserveLennar HomesA$6,500,000827.0FCT$2,200,000$3,428,129$10,184,38811/30/1998Cypress Creek Preserve - WestWayne & Edna JenningsA$974,407290.8FDOT$974,407$74,132$3,032,92009/19/2000Cypress Creek Preserve - WestWilliam R. & Esther GreerA$118,653111.0PW$118,653$22,099$218,21505/23/2001Cypress Creek Preserve -WestRalph and Suzanne TerrellA$345,15125.4$361,290$361,29007/22/2011
PROJECT NAMEPARCEL NAME / OWNERORIG. RANKINGPURCH. PRICE ACRESJOINT FUNDING AGENCYJOINT FUNDING AMT.ASSESSED VALUE AT TIME OF SALEJUST VALUE AT TIME OF SALEACQ. DATEColumn1Column2Column3Column4Column5Column6Column7Column8Column9Column10                                                        REGISTRY OF ELAPP ACQUISITIONSCypress Creek Preserve-Phase IAll State Homes Inc.A$827,00071.1FCT$322,530$16,738$215,62810/16/1996Cypress Street Restoration ParkBlank, Jr., Hanlon, and BolingA$75,0001.2$68,227$68,22705/15/1998Cypress Street Restoration ParkParagon, Inc. (City of Tampa)A$2,006,00026.4FCT$761,589$1,334,423$1,334,42309/30/1996Cypress Street Restoration ParkSheldon (City of Tampa)A$1,875,00014.8FCT$678,231$1,321,828$1,321,82809/30/1996Dairy Farm301 Ranch PartnershipB$1,735,050372.0$143,617$751,76209/23/1988Delaney CreekDoug RichardsC$150,0009.7$108,762$108,76212/03/1993Delaney CreekDonald WiseC$4,0000.6$13,338$13,33812/28/1993Delaney CreekFenneran Estate (Donation)C0.3$0$010/23/1995Diamond Back (FKA Brackins Tract)Brackins TractB$400,00010.4HAA$200,000$36,000$36,00009/14/1990Ekker Preserve (f/k/a Lower Bullfrog Creek Restoration)Marie Carrie Mae Ekker Revocable Trust (SWFWMD)B$571,35169.5SWFWMD$285,675$101,104$686,27107/18/2003Ekker Preserve (f/k/a Lower Bullfrog Creek Restoration)Kushmer Property (SWFWMD)B$165,00014.8SWFWMD$82,500$88,035$322,79306/19/2000English CreekMildred FasanoB$247,600123.8$24,581$24,58109/29/1989English CreekHerman LevinB$980,000136.7$790,532$790,53203/13/1990Fish HawkFish Hawk Invest. Fund, Ltd.A$2,721,870270.0$100,123$5,440,00008/28/1991Fish HawkFish Hawk CommunitiesA$4,800,000715.0FCT $2,400,000$1,411,696$9,234,40511/15/2002Fish HawkFish Hawk CommunitiesA$4,800,000715.0SWFWMD$4,800,000$1,411,696$9,234,40511/15/2002Fish HawkPulte HomesA$11,200,0001,085.0FCT$7,885,900$660,000$12,257,58506/10/2005Fish HawkKarlsonA$307,40010FCT$153,700$165,000$165,00010/06/2005Fish HawkNguyenA$150,00010$251,479$251,47903/30/2009Fish HawkBarnesA$5,6254.5$3,375$3,37507/19/2011Fish HawkCkarkA$150,0004.9 $121,977$121,97710/26/2012Fish HawkCasady/DispennetteA$225,00015.0$163,250$163,25003/09/2016Fish Hawk fka Lithia Spr. Pr.James HackworthB$110,00039.4$26,800$299,70007/17/1991Florida CollegeFlorida College (T. T. Riverfront Park/City of Temple Terrace)B$1,800,00053.3FCT$900,000$1,597,500$1,597,50008/31/1995Florida CollegeEdward and Ramona BoldingB$900,00064.9$150,623$150,62303/17/1989Fulkerson RoadGoedicke, IncB$791,400154.0SWFWMD$395,700$208,209$208,20912/07/2004Golden Aster ScrubEmil C. Marquardt, as TrusteeB$7170.9$4,250$4,25005/26/1995Golden Aster ScrubEmil C. Marquardt, as Trustee (State)B$3,088,7351,234.9CARL$1,450,000$306,684$7,504,76010/20/1993Howell CreekJoe GayC$117,00014.2  $129,600$129,60006/17/2014Lake DanWildeB$17,755,4691,048.0FCT$5,640,000$269,850$19,077,02804/24/2008Lake DanMalfaB$700,00010.0FCT$350,000$706,406$706,40606/27/2008Lake DanPalm of Bermuda(Zummo)B$390,50010.0FCT$195,250$180,975$180,97509/16/2008Lake DanBCF (Forman)B$220,00010.0FCT$110,000$141,875$141,87510/09/2008Lake DabAmick\WeltonB$1,135,00054.0$433,386$4,65001/11/2017Lake Francis fka Brooker Creek CorridorKay D. O'RourkeA$20,141,0001,673.0$528,942$26,626,65212/18/2009Little Manatee RiverArtesian Farms-Dickman (SWFWMD)A$3,236,115536.2SWFWMD$1,618,057$155,082$1,462,48308/19/1991Little Manatee RiverEllsberry Bros. (SWFWMD)A$655,520151.5SWFWMD$327,760$53,638$689,62508/14/1992Little Manatee RiverWynns Bros. (SWFWMD)A$370,00084.6SWFWMD$145,000$145,000$482,29010/01/1992Little Manatee RiverStone/Nobles (SWFWMD)A$922,400388.8SWFWMD$461,200$534,645$1,644,05712/21/1989Little Manatee RiverEdward CarrA$1,60025.0$35,575$35,75705/17/1991Little Manatee RiverFirst Florida Bank, N.A.A$72,50014.8$88,980$88,98012/28/1990Little Manatee RiverWilliam LinebergerA$785,000118.5$848,815$848,81512/06/1991Little Manatee RiverEric and Joyce NodlandA$110,00010.0 $33,480$33,57809/29/1994
PROJECT NAMEPARCEL NAME / OWNERORIG. RANKINGPURCH. PRICE ACRESJOINT FUNDING AGENCYJOINT FUNDING AMT.ASSESSED VALUE AT TIME OF SALEJUST VALUE AT TIME OF SALEACQ. DATEColumn1Column2Column3Column4Column5Column6Column7Column8Column9Column10                                                        REGISTRY OF ELAPP ACQUISITIONSLittle Manatee RiverRTC/301 Commonwealth Savings (State Park P-2000)A$217,655228.0PIA$108,827$1,241,135$1,241,13512/29/1994Little Manatee RiverMoorehead/Lightfoot Farms (State Park P-2000)A$573,877144.3PIA$335,145$76,944$783,30611/09/1995Little Manatee RiverJanes/Bonar PropertyA$87,0009.0$64,888$64,88810/11/2001Little Manatee RiverSandra R. CouncilA$257,50022.0$109,786$109,78612/29/1995Little Manatee RiverFinn Caspersen 1995 Charitable Tr. (State Park P-2000)A$695,068382.3PIA$347,534$280,566$1,187,50010/04/1997Little Manatee RiverMixonA$8,0001.0PIA$4,000$6,386$8,00002/25/1999Little Manatee RiverCarol Fagot TrustA$1,200,00027.7$220,977$515,37712/31/2007Little Manatee RiverRSSJM (McDonald)A$460,00028.0$510,873$510,87304/17/2008Little Manatee RiverREDUSA$925,00040.0$1,088,689$1,088,68602/18/2013Little Manatee River CorridorCardanell Farms (SWFWMD)A$2,578,700803.4SWFWMD$1,260,000$446,436$2,836,99004/08/1997Little Manatee River CorridorRood/Hilton (SWFWMD)A$5,793,0002,610.9SWFWMD$2,654,500$1,131,106$8,934,02412/31/1998Little Manatee River CorridorIMC 184 (SWFWMD)A$368,340184.0SWFWMD$184,000$72,389$460,55208/23/1999Little Manatee River CorridorIMC Donation (SWFWMD)A588.0$2,107,588$2,107,58810/29/1999Little Manatee River CorridorIMC 60 (SWFWMD)A$126,57753.6SWFWMD$63,280$94,263$1,093,94704/12/2001Little Manatee River CorridorDent RanchA$1,360,00085.1$430,152$2,340,77705/22/2007Little Manatee River Corridor6503, LLCA$3,099,342418.8Little Manatee River Corridor AdditionDavid Clabuesch, TrusteeA$1,799,705493.1 $178,107$1,826,94507/31/2012Lower Green Swamp Preserve                     (fka Cone Ranch)Hillsborough County/Public UtilitiesA$11,800,00012,800.0$0$002/17/2010Lower Green Swamp Preserve                     (fka Cone Ranch)Davis\CarlisleA$80,0001.5$52,709$53,70912/15/2016Lower Green Swamp Preserve                     (fka Cone Ranch)HamptonA$10,0000.1$4,427$4,42712/14/2016Massie/Zack (McIntosh)Violet Massey and Fern Leitner (City of Plant City)B$1,125,000365.4FCT$562,500$222,018$2,311,82207/26/2001McKay BayLykes Brothers, Inc.B$142,00062.0$443,871$443,87107/23/1998McKay Bay Palm River GreenwayJames H. and Rose Mary Turley (City of Tampa)B$350,2552.6GW&T$315,000$111,532$118,82202/14/1990Morris Bridge RoadGurrard, et alA$3,500,00070.0SWFWMD$1,750,000$163,248$655,33707/07/2004New Tampa FlatwoodsCollins Center Trust Fund (City of Tampa)B$3,000,000121.7FCT$1,200,000$488,867$488,86707/23/1990OakridgeMelitta Canada, Inc. (SWFWMD)A$2,315,000921.0SWFWMD$1,163,000$262,960$4,276,20010/25/1993Pam Callahan (FKA Peppermound Creek)M.F.C., Inc./F.D.I.C.B$1,075,00096.6$1,836,331$1,836,33110/30/1995Port Tampa RestorationL.C. Chavers (City of Tampa)A$1,100,00023.9$102,800$102,80001/20/1999Port Tampa RestorationAtlantic Land and Improvement (City of Tampa)A$220,000220.0  09/04/2003Rhodine Scrub (FKA Rhodine Road)Sylvan Properties, Inc.A$1,200,000406.5$2,107,588$2,107,58805/12/1997Rhodine Scrub (FKA Rhodine Road)Grady SweatA$70,0065.0$12,000$12,00008/31/2000Rivercrest Park AdditionWilliam S. & Kathryn ReedB$744,5005.1$531,702$531,70206/29/1995Riverhills Park AdditionFlorida College (City of Temple Terrace)C$800,00032.0FCT$400,000$0$1,422,00008/08/2000Riverhills Park Addition-Phase IILawrence Kessler, et al  (City of Temple Terrace)C$742,5005.4FCT$665,000$877,028$877,02808/20/2000Rocky Brushy Creeks-Manhattan Portion (aka Rocky Creek Trails)Otero\OliverB$1,300,00010.0FCT$650,000$22,500$22,50012/17/2004
PROJECT NAMEPARCEL NAME / OWNERORIG. RANKINGPURCH. PRICE ACRESJOINT FUNDING AGENCYJOINT FUNDING AMT.ASSESSED VALUE AT TIME OF SALEJUST VALUE AT TIME OF SALEACQ. DATEColumn1Column2Column3Column4Column5Column6Column7Column8Column9Column10                                                        REGISTRY OF ELAPP ACQUISITIONSRocky Brushy Creeks-Manhattan Portion (aka Rocky Creek Trails)WhitehurstB$710,0006.0FCT$355,000$275,400$275,40006/27/1905Rocky Creek Coastal Preserve (FKA Troydale Road)C & S National Bank of FloridaA$75,00023.2$46,528$46,52804/01/1992Rocky Creek Coastal Preserve (FKA Troydale Road)F.D.I.C.A$21,295256.0$299,020$299,02012/10/1999Schultz Preserve (f.k.a.Port Redwing)Barnett Bank of Highlands County (SWFWMD)B$750,000119.9SWFWMD$375,000$1,749,000$1,749,00012/31/1998South MacDillMontecello Industries, Inc.B$700,00047.8FCT$923,675$884,231$884,23109/24/1991Sun City Herigate Park AdditionNethers TrustA$30,0000.3$11,067$11,06707/15/2009Sun City Herigate Park AdditionSolieA$13,0000.2$3,200$3,20007/29/2011Sun City Heritage Park AdditionSmithersA$18,0000.4 $10,100$10,100The Kitchen (FKA Bullfrog/Kitchen/Gibson)Gibson ParcelB$90,00026.7$105,304$105,30408/06/1997The Kitchen (FKA Bullfrog/Kitchen/Gibson)Jim Davis/Lillian MossB$264,900357.2$69,472$69,47203/29/2002The Kitchen (FKA Bullfrog/Kitchen/Gibson)Berton Thomas, et al.B$340,00024.6$429,815$429,81503/28/2012The Kitchen (FKA Bullfrog/Kitchen/Gibson)HoughtonB$2,3002.0$11,50206/28/1931Tower RestorationMcDill Columbus Corporation  (City of Tampa)~B$780,000 COT$780,000  03/26/1998Tower RestorationMcDill Columbus Corporation  (City of Tampa)~B$2,070,00012.8FCT$996,303$1,760,537$1,760,53903/26/1998Town 'N Country Pres. (fka Sheldon Rd Pistol Range)City of TampaC$2,187,978150.0FCT$1,103,073$5,759,442$5,759,44203/06/1992Triple CreekCarl and Jeannette DurranceB$290,55746.1$123,969$123,96903/26/1998Triple CreekSiu LinganB$64,74010.0$20,400$20,40008/30/2000Triple CreekCharles Doyle EdwardsB$2,254,200744.0FCT$1,139,403$1,254,108$2,309,68103/15/1996Triple CreekTranscend DevelopmentB$8,500,000228.0FCT$4,250,000$2,382,63002/16/2006Upper Little Manatee RiverSarasota Co. Land & Title Co.A$735,160357.0SWFWMD$367,580$118,098$1,136,27005/06/1996Upper Little Manatee RiverSpanjers Property (SWFWMD)A$419,659196.8SWFWMD$209,829$27,733$460,99403/11/1996Upper Little Manatee RiverFred Pippin & Assoc. (SWFWMD)A$85,0009.8SWFWMD$42,500$38,627$38,62708/06/1997Upper Little Manatee RiverBoris Stanley (SWFWMD)A$136,70058.0SWFWMD$68,100$104,560$104,56005/02/2003Upper Little Manatee RiverCecil Buzbee\BassingerA$104,50043.0$5,575$105,00002/05/1993Upper Little Manatee RiverSmithA$1,2000.4$1,400$1,40005/07/2006Upper Little Manatee River (FKA Saffold Site)Helen M. Saffold Estate (SWFWMD)A$679,360308.8SWFWMD$339,680$122,884$925,81505/09/1997Upper Little Manatee River (FKA Saffold Site)A. E. Staley Corp. (SWFWMD)A$24,56939.0SWFWMD$12,235$140,784$143,13605/01/1997Upper Little Manatee River (FKA Saffold Site)State of Florida Department of Corrections (SWFWMD)A$800,000367.0SWFWMD$400,000$951,397$951,39710/12/1995Violet Cury Nature Preserve (FKA Flynn Lake Nature Park)Bruce & Elaine Cury Repr. of Violet Cury EstateB$1,846,783106.7FCT$923,391$1,346,704$1,346,70407/30/1993Wolf BranchFrandorson Prop. - Corr Family & CafikB$1,778,9631079.5$351,137$2,248,50202/18/1998Wolf BranchCatherine Church & Patricia SellasB$9,46047.3$10,000$5,28302/18/1995 TOTAL ACQUIRED $260,754,61661,630.4$83,638,071$77,968,466$296,465,103 NO CONTRACTS PENDING       $260,754,61661,630.4$83,638,071$77,968,466$296,465,103NOTES:JOINT FUNDING AGENCY:TOTAL ACQUIRED AND PENDING
PROJECT NAMEPARCEL NAME / OWNERORIG. RANKINGPURCH. PRICE ACRESJOINT FUNDING AGENCYJOINT FUNDING AMT.ASSESSED VALUE AT TIME OF SALEJUST VALUE AT TIME OF SALEACQ. DATEColumn1Column2Column3Column4Column5Column6Column7Column8Column9Column10                                                        REGISTRY OF ELAPP ACQUISITIONSCARL - Conservation and Recreation LandsDEP - Department of Environmental Protection  FCT - Florida Communities TrustFFWCC/HC - Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation  Commission/Hillsborough County GW&T - Greenways & TrailsHAA - Hillsborough Aviation AuthorityPIA - Parks Inholdings and Additions, State of Florida SWFWMD - Southwest Florida Water Management District October 1, 2017 COT - City of Tampa/funding aboved appraised valuePW-Public Works (Preservation Mitigation)FDOT-Florida Department of Transportation (Preservation Mitigation)> Acquisition divided to show multi agency participation. See report for more detail.> Purchase price and joint funding amounts do not include transactional costs.> The (  ) under parcel name owner indicates properties titled with other agencies. 
                                            EXPENDITURE BY CLASSIFICATION
AMOUNT
PERCENT
CLASS "A"
160,513,655.00
$    
62%
 
CLASS "B"
96,239,483.00
$      
37%
 
CLASS "C"
4,001,478.00
$        
2%
 
CLASS "D"
-
$                       
0%
 
TOTAL PURCHASE PRICE
260,754,616
$        
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
             REIMBURSEMENTS FROM JOINT PRESERVATION EFFORTS
Conservation and Recreationa Lands 
(CARL) Program
9,955,000
$             
11.9%
City of Tampa (COT)(Tower site)
780,000
$                
0.9%
Department of Environmental Protection 
(DEP) (Bahia Beach Coastal Restoration)
407,036
$                
0.5%
Florida Commmunities Trust (FCT)
39,515,431
$           
47.2%
Florida Department of Transportation/ 
Mitigation/SWFWMD
3,374,407
$             
4.0%
Florida  Fish and Wildlife Conservation 
Commission (FFWCC) (Bullfrog Creek 
Scrub)
1,905,000
$             
2.3%
Greenways and Trails (GW&T) (McKay Bay 
Palm River)
315,000
$                
0.4%
Hillsborough Aviation Authority (HAA) 
(Diamond Back Tract)
200,000
$                
0.2%
State Parks Inholdings and Additions (PIA)
795,506
$                
1.0%
Southwest Florida Water Management 
District (SWFWMD)
26,395,919
$           
31.6%
TOTAL JOINT  FUNDING
83,643,299
$  
 
 
~   FFWCC (formerly known as Game and Freshwater Fish Commission)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
APPENDIX H 
 
ELAPP SITE LOCATION MAPS 
 
ELAPP Site Location Maps 
 
For the purposes of the agenda item for the approval of the 2017 Jan K. Platt ELAPP Annual 
Report, only the Site Maps that are provided are for those sites where these was a change in 
ranking (such as through Acquisition), a boundary modification, or where there was an 
acquisition since the last annual report, as well as any new sites. The following is a listing of the 
maps included in this agenda item 
The following are the new sites recommended for approval 
 
 
Fish Hawk  Park Portion Addition (Class C) 
 
 
Lake Stemper (Class C) 
The following sites have boundary modifications and/or parcels acquired 
 Alafia South Prong  Acquisition and Boundary Modification 
Brooker Creek Buffer Preserve Addition  Boundary Modification 
Cockroach and Piney Point Creeks  Boundary Modification 
Lower Green Swamp Preserve 
The balance of the sites location maps will be available when the complete report is posted on 
the County Web Page.  
  
 
 
 
29
32
33
28
Location Map
NOTE: Location boundaries and acreages are approximate.
For more detailed information contract the E.L.A.P.P. program
JAN K. PLATT

Neighboring ELAPP Sites
10.29 Acres
Approximate Site Area
10.29 Acres
0 Acres
Purchase Price
$0
 
Real Estate Department
Survey Division
GI S SECTION
601 E. Kennedy Blvd.
Tampa, Fl. 33601-1110
Fish Hawk - Park Portion Addition
Date: 04/06/2018
Other Preservation
Other Public Land
Area Approved
Area Acquired
Other Preservation
Other Public Land
Area Acquired
ENVIRONMENTAL LANDS ACQUISITION and  PROTECTION PROGRAM (ELAPP)
14
18
12
7
11
13
NUSHIGHWAY41SUNSET LN
Location Map
NOTE: Location boundaries and acreages are approximate.
For more detailed information contract the E.L.A.P.P. program
JAN K. PLATT

Neighboring ELAPP Sites
36 Acres
Approximate Site Area
36 Acres
0 Acres
Purchase Price
$0
 
Real Estate Department
Survey Division
GI S SECTION
601 E. Kennedy Blvd.
Tampa, Fl. 33601-1110
Lake Stemper
Date: 04/06/2018
Other Preservation
Other Public Land
Area Approved
Area Acquired
Other Preservation
Other Public Land
Area Acquired
ENVIRONMENTAL LANDS ACQUISITION and  PROTECTION PROGRAM (ELAPP)
1
18
26
33
13
30
10
17
15
25
22
4
24
6
27
11
19
23
7
34
21
8
3
9
12
36
2
28
20
35
16
5
31
32
29
14
SCOUNTYROAD39WALTER HUNTER RDJAMESON RD
LITHIA PINECREST RD
Location Map
NOTE: Location boundaries and acreages are approximate.
For more detailed information contract the E.L.A.P.P. program
JAN K. PLATT
Acquired Site

Neighboring ELAPP Sites
Purchase Price
$6,498,844
 
Real Estate Department
Survey Division
GI S SECTION
601 E. Kennedy Blvd.
Tampa, Fl. 33601-1110
Alafia South Prong
Date: 04/05/2018
Other Preservation
Other Public Land
Area Acquired
ENVIRONMENTAL LANDS ACQUISITION and  PROTECTION PROGRAM (ELAPP)
Other Public Land
Other Preservation
Boundary Modification
1075 Acres
Area Approved
2,146 Acres
Area Acquired
3,454 Acres
Approximate Site Area
17
20
30
21
29
18
16
19
28
PATTERSONRDLocation Map
NOTE: Location boundaries and acreages are approximate.
For more detailed information contract the E.L.A.P.P. program

Neighboring ELAPP Sites
Purchase Price
0
 
Real Estate Department
Survey Division
GI S SECTION
601 E. Kennedy Blvd.
Tampa, Fl. 33601-1110
Date: 04/05/2018
Other Preservation
Other Public Land
Area Acquired
Other Public Land
Other Preservation
Boundary Modification
675 Acres
Area Approved
0 Acres
Area Acquired
675 Acres
Approximate Site Area
JAN K. PLATT
Brooker Creek Buffer Addition
ENVIRONMENTAL LANDS ACQUISITION and  PROTECTION PROGRAM (ELAPP)
14
35
32
28
22
27
20
26
34
21
31
29
23
17
15
16
36
33
30
COCKROACH BAY RD
VALROY RD
MANATEE
COUNTY
Location Map
NOTE: Location boundaries and acreages are approximate.
For more detailed information contract the E.L.A.P.P. program
JAN K. PLATT
Acquired Site

Neighboring ELAPP Sites
Purchase Price
$3,427,144
 
Real Estate Department
Survey Division
GI S SECTION
601 E. Kennedy Blvd.
Tampa, Fl. 33601-1110
Cockroach & Piney Point Creek
Date: 04/05/2018
Other Preservation
Other Public Land
Area Acquired
ENVIRONMENTAL LANDS ACQUISITION and  PROTECTION PROGRAM (ELAPP)
Other Public Land
Other Preservation
Boundary Modification
415 Acres
Area Approved
2,347 Acres
Area Acquired
3,200Acres
Approximate Site Area
13
1
21
36
20
5
2
14
1
30
33
8
3
12
12
4
16
28
17
34
18
27
24
19
11
6
4
10
26
32
25
23
25
1
15
2
35
29
22
13
31
6
9
5
7
1
3
24
36
E KNIGHTS GRIFFIN RD
PAUL BUCHMAN HWYPASCO
COUNTY
Location Map
NOTE: Location boundaries and acreages are approximate.
For more detailed information contract the E.L.A.P.P. program
JAN K. PLATT
Acquired Site

Neighboring ELAPP Sites
13,100 Acres
Approximate Site Area
297 Acres
12,803 Acres
Purchase Price
$11,890,000
 
Real Estate Department
Survey Division
GI S SECTION
601 E. Kennedy Blvd.
Tampa, Fl. 33601-1110
Lower Green Swamp Preserve
Date: 04/09/2018
Other Preservation
Other Public Land
Area Approved
Area Acquired
Other Preservation
Other Public Land
Area Acquired
ENVIRONMENTAL LANDS ACQUISITION and  PROTECTION PROGRAM (ELAPP)