Subject:
Title
Board Direction: Transfer of Parcels (IDs 26-36-02-00-500, 26-36-02-00-502 and 26-36-11-00-6) to the Environmentally Endangered Lands Program (EEL) (District 4)
End
Fiscal Impact:
No impact to the General Fund
Dept/Office:
District 4
Requested Action:
Recommendation
It is requested that the Board of County Commissioners direct the EEL Program to evaluate the potential transfer and long-term management of the Hundred Acre Hollows property as part of the EEL Program sanctuary network.
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Summary Explanation and Background:
On July 8, 2014, the Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) authorized the transfer of $57,270 from the General Fund to the Utility Service Department for the conveyance of three parcels (IDs 26-36-02-00-500, 26-36-02-00-502 and 26-36-11-00-6). These parcels, collectively referred to as the Hundred Acre Hollows, total approximately 114 acres. On July 7, 2015, the BoCC declined to sell the parcels due to issues regarding access and environmental impacts to numerous gopher tortoises and other species.
A task force, Green Space Environmental Activists Task Force (GREAT!) was formed in 2015 to determine the best use of the land. On October 4, 2016, GREAT! presented its findings to the County Commission, recommending the land be used for conservation and STEM education. The county agreed, but with the condition a nonprofit be formed to manage it. On November 15, 2016, the BoCC authorized a lease with Hundred Acre Hollows, Inc. (a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit use as a wildlife and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education Center and conservation area. This lease has been managed through Natural Resources Management Office (NRMO).
The intent of this request is to ensure the long-term preservation of the property for future generations, expand the limited amount of conservation lands in District 4 and improve the habitat quality for native species. Additionally, this transfer would align with the purpose of the Envi...
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