Rocky Brushy Creek Watershed Mgmt. Plan (2007) -- Part 2

EXISTING NATURAL SYSTEMS CONDITIONS8.6 Conservation and Preservation ProgramsConservation and preservation programs are critical instruments in the protection of naturalcommunities. These programs promote and protect biological diversity which are supported byinternational treaties, federal regulations, state legislation, local comprehensive managementplans, and local ordinances which are discussed in detail in Section 8.7.Local governments in Florida may use two instruments of preservation: conservation easement assupported by 704 F.S. and 193 F.S. and land acquisition. These Florida Statutes support thefollowing methods of preservation:• full fee acquisition;• less than fee acquisition;• 193 F.S. easement;• transfer of development rights; and• purchase of development rights.8.6.1 Land Acquisition Conservation and Preservation ProgramsThere are several land acquisition conservation and preservation programs in Florida available tolocal governments that have jurisdiction over the Rocky/Brushy Creek watershed. These programsare briefly described in the following sections.Conservation and Recreation Lands ProgramThe Conservation and Recreational Lands (CARL) program was established in 1979 by the FloridaLegislature which expanded the 1972 Environmentally Endangered Lands Program to includeresource conservation measures for other types of lands. It is one of Florida’s environmental landacquisition programs for the protection and conservation of unique natural areas, endangeredspecies, unusual geologic features, wetlands, and significant archaeological and historical areas.Mineral-extraction severance taxes and documentary stamp fees funded the CARL program untilthe recent creation of the Preservation 2000 (P2000) program. The CARL program receivesapproximately $105 million annually from the sale of bonds. Future funding from the sale of bondsis dependent on legislative action, but the Florida Forever program is scheduled to continue until2010. The Land Acquisition and Restoration Council (ARC) was established by Section 259.035(1) F.S., and selects and ranks projects on the CARL acquisition list each year. Nine members ofARC represent the following state agencies: Department of Community Affairs, DEP, Division ofForestry of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs, FWC, Division of HistoricalResources of the Department of State, and four appointees of the Governor with backgrounds fromscientific disciplines related to land, water, or environmental science.8-42Rocky/Brushy Creek Watershed Management Plan