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<p> 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) 2015 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 2016 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Staff Recommendation .................................................................................. 3 Executive Summary ...................................................................................... 4 Report ............................................................................................................ 7 Class “A” Sites .............................................................................................. 13 Class “B” Sites .............................................................................................. 15 Class “C” Sites .............................................................................................. 19 Class “D” Sites .............................................................................................. 20 Agricultural Buffers ...................................................................................... 21 Acquired Parcels ............................................................................................ 22 Acquired/Preserved Sites .............................................................................. 25 Suspended Acquisition Sites ......................................................................... 41 Appendices .................................................................................................... 48 ELAPP information and files are available at the Hillsborough County Conservation and Environmental Lands Management Department, 24th floor of the County Center Building, 601 East Kennedy Boulevard, Tampa, Florida 33602, telephone number (813) 635-3500, and the Hillsborough County Real Estate and Facilities Services Department, 23rd floor of the County Center Building, 601 East Kennedy Boulevard, Tampa, Florida 33602, telephone number (813) 272-5810. 2 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 2015 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 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 acquired sites according to adopted Site Management Plans. 3 2015 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 establish 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 390 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. For the 2015 nomination cycle, there was one nomination but it did not qualify for preservation through ELAPP. There were two boundary modifications approved by the Site Selection Team adding property to the Alafia South Prong and the Balm Boyette Scrub Preserve. 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. As of October 1, 2015, the program has acquired or participated in the preservation of about 61,500 acres at a cost of approximately $258.6 million. ELAPP has been very successful in receiving joint acquisition funding which has provided over $83.6 million (or approximately 32.34%) 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 4 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 prescribe 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 that 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 FY12, 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, 2015 provides a financial summary of the current status of the program (“Where Are We Now”) and a summary of the bond issue associated with the 2008 referendum, which are provided in Appendix “E”. Since the 2013 annual report the County has acquired nearly 440 acres at a total cost of $3.31 million. These acquisitions included 11 Nearly 419 acres on SR 674 added to the Little Manatee River Corridor Site (this acquisition carefully documented that 10 acres was also acquired under that same contract with funding from Fire Rescue Services for a new fire station) Acquisition of the Big Cockroach Mound in the Cockroach Bay Islands (the County has made several attempts to acquire this property since the start of the ELAP Program The privately held parcels in the Howell Creek Site, so this Site is now ranked as “Acquired” As of October 1, 2015, the program has acquired approximately 61,500 acres with a total purchase price of approximately $258.6 million. The County has received over $83.6 million in joint funding (or 32.34%). Since the Florida Legislature has not provided any substantive funding since 2009, there are very few opportunities for joint funding of preservation sites. During FY14 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, 2015 the Legislature has not appropriated 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 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 prescribed burns to 4,270 acres, installed 3.18 miles of fencing for security, maintained approximately 450 miles of fire lanes, and restored and monitored 140 acres of imperiled habitat, as well as maintained 115 miles of hiking/equestrian/biking trails as part of providing public access. The Environmental Lands Management Section also opened a new trailhead at the Cypress Creek Preserve and plans to open a trailhead at the Rocky Creek Trails Preserve by the end of 2016. 2014 NOMINATION CYCLES For the 2014 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 but did not qualify for the program. The ELAPP Site Selection Committee approved the following boundary modifications requested by staff. 12 Alafia South Prong – added property by CR 39 and Jameson Road Balm Boyette Scrub Preserve - Changed a portion of the Balm Boyette Scrub Preserve buffer south of the TECO Easement to lands to be preserved and restored as part of this ELAPP site. Balm Boyette Scrub (Western Buffer) - At the request of the owner the portion of this buffer north of the TECO easement and west of the Balm Boyette Scrub Preserve is ranked as a suspended site is removed from the program 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 _________________. 13 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 “Recently Acquired Parcels”) 14 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. 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. 15 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. 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.) 16 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. 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. 17 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. 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”. 18 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). 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. 21 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. 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. 22 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, 2014 there were no pending contracts 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 23 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 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. 24 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. 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. 25 ACQUIRED/PRESERVED SITES RECENTLY 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. 26 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. ALDERMAN’S FORD SOUTH PRONG ADDITION +/- 950 ACRES 27 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). 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 28 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. 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. 29 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. 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. 30 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. 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 31 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. COCKROACH AND PINEY POINT CREEKS +/- 3,200 ACRES Location: On the eastern shore of Tampa Bay, just north of the Manatee County line. 32 Status: In conjunction with the Southwest Florida Water Management District, the 2,347-acre TECO Property was acquired for $3,427,144. 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. 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. 33 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 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) 34 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. The residential structure on the property will be used for site security. 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 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. 35 Status: On December 12, 2004, this property was acquired by the SWFWMD for $791,400, with 50% funding from the County. The SWIM Program plans to conduct a large-scale estuarine and coastal habitat restoration project on the 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 but was not selected for funding. 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. 36 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: This site has been merged with Fishhawk Ranch. 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 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- 37 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. 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 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. 38 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. 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</p>
