ELAPP 2016 Annual Report

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ELAPP Annual Reports
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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) 
 
2016 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 
 TBD 2017 
 
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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. 
 
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STAFF RECOMMENDATION 
 
The Conservation and Environmental Lands Management Department Staff and Parks, 
Recreation and Conservation Board recommend that the Board of County Commissioners accept 
the information presented in this 2016 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. 
 
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2016 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 391 reviews and identified 128 sites as 
meeting the ELAPP criteria for protection or acquisition.  Fifty-one sites are now considered as 
acquired.  There are thirty-five 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 2016 nomination cycle, there was one nomination that qualified for a full assessment.  It 
was the recommendation of the Site Selection Team to add this eighty-two acre property to the 
adjoining 1,200 Wolf Branch Site as a boundary modification.  There were three boundary 
modifications approved by the Site Selection Team adding property to the Alafia South Prong, 
Little Manatee River, and the Balm Boyette Scrub Preserve sites. 
 
From October 1, 2015 (the effective date of the last Annual Report) to September 30, 2016, 
approximately 68 acres was acquired or contracted with a total purchase price of just under 
$900,000.  All of these properties under contract have since closed after October 1, 2016.  
 
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During this time, staff finalized the contract to acquire an important in-holding in the Lake Dan 
Site from negotiations that were initiated in 2015.   
 
As of October 1, 2016, the program has acquired or participated in the preservation of about 
61,600 acres at a cost of approximately $259.5 million.  ELAPP has been very successful in 
receiving joint acquisition funding which has provided over $83.6 million (or approximately 
32.31%) 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).  Staff is working on 
completing the requirements of the $3.5 million grant.  The reimbursement that the County will 
receive is dependent upon appraisal review and other transactional requirements.   
 
In response to the Governing Board of the Southwest Florida Water Management District 
potentially designating three parcels jointly preserved with the County through ELAPP as 
“surplus,” the Board approved an exchange agreement where the County conveyed five 
inholding parcels in the Little Manatee River Corridor Site to SWFWMD and SWFWMD 
conveyed the three ELAPP parcels and two additional parcels to the County.  As part of the 
agreement, SWFWMD agreed to provide at least $1,500,000 in restoration funding for the 
parcels the County conveyed.  
 
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. 
 
 
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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, 2016, 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.  During 
FY2017, staff anticipates presenting a budget amendment that will reimburse the ad valorem 
account for capital management costs from the balance of the bond proceeds in anticipation of 
the Board approving a new bond issue.  Since annual 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 5,552 acres, installed 4 miles of fencing for security, maintained 
approximately 450 miles of fire lanes, restored and monitored 1,814 acres of imperiled habitat, 
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 
opened a new trailhead at the Rocky Creek Trails Preserve and enhanced/expanded trailheads at 
the Bell Creek and Upper Little Manatee River Preserves.   
  
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. 
 
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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 
 
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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 
 
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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 city. 
 
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  FY2009, 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 
 
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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 
 
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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.  
 
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 the three prior Annual Reports, the program essentially received ad valorem 
funds for that portion of the ¼ 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 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 
 
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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, 2016 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”.  In FY2017, staff anticipates presenting 
a budget amendment that will reimburse the ad valorem account for capital management costs 
from the balance of the bond proceeds in anticipation of the Board approving a new bond issue. 
 
Since the 2015 annual report, there have been three parcels acquired or contracted totaling 
approximately 68 acres.  These three parcels had a total purchase price of just under $900,000 
(all contracted properties have closed since the effective date of this report).  Staff finalized a 
contract on an important in-holding in the Lake Dan Site that was initiated in early 2015 (this 
acquisition has since closed).  
 
As of October 1, 2016, the program has acquired approximately 61,600 acres with a total 
purchase price of approximately $259.5 million.  The County has received over $83.6 million in 
joint funding (or 32.31%).  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).  Staff is working on 
completing the requirements of the $3.5 million grant.  The reimbursement that the County will 
receive is dependent upon appraisal review and other transactional requirements.   
 
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, 2016 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 twenty-nine 
permanent full-time members and two 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 
are being accomplished through partnerships with other local, state, and federal agencies.  Since 
the last Annual Report, the Environmental Lands Management Section successfully applied 
 
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prescribed burns to 5,552 acres, installed 4 miles of fencing for security, maintained 
approximately 450 miles of fire lanes, and restored and monitored 1,814 acres of imperiled 
habitat, 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 opened a new trailhead at the Rocky Creek Trails Preserve and enhanced/expanded 
trailheads at the Bell Creek and Upper Little Manatee River Preserves.   
 
2016 NOMINATION CYCLES 
  
For the 2016 nomination cycle, staff proceeded in the same manner to advertise in local media 
that nominations would be accepted through December 31, 2014.  One site was nominated and 
qualified for a full assessment.  As part of the review by the ELAPP Site Selection Team, since it 
was adjacent to the Wolf Branch site, it was added as a boundary modification to that site.  The 
ELAPP Site Selection Committee approved the following boundary modifications requested by 
staff.  
 
Alafia South Prong – added property on CR 39 north of  Jameson Road 
 
Balm Boyette Scrub Preserve – With the support of the Director of Public Works, County 
owned land between the Preserve and CR 672 has been approved for preservation.   
 
Little Manatee River – management of a platted park in the Sundance subdivision 
adjacent to preserved lands 
 
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 Board 
reviewed and approved the recommendation at their monthly meeting on February 24, 2017.  
 
 
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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 +/- 425 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”) 
 
 
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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 
No new sites 
 
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). 
 
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. 
 
 
20 
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 
 
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. 
 
21 
 
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, 2016 there were the following pending contracts  
 
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: 53 Acres at CR 39 and Jameson Road under contract for $12,500 per acre and 
 
expected to close before the end of 2016 
 
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; Two of three small in holdings in the southwest portion of the site are under 
 
contract and expected to close before 2017. Acquisition of all three will simplify 
 
management in this portion of the site. 
 
 
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. 
 
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 ½ 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 
 
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