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

CHAPTER 8The FDEP Bureau of Land Acquisition reviews all CARL and P2000 acquisitions and handles landexchanges, negotiates, and acquires lands for the department and other state agencies. Landsacquired under the CARL program are maintained as parks, recreation areas, wildlife managementareas, wilderness areas, forests, and greenways.Florida Forever ProgramEstablished in 1999 by the Florida Legislature, the Florida Forever Program is the principal landacquisition program for Florida. It provides for up to $3 billion statewide over a 10-year period toprotect and improve environmental lands, water resources, and urban green space. The allocationto SWFWMD equates to approximately 25% of total funds expected to be provided under theprogram.Hillsborough County Environmental Lands Acquisition and Protection ProgramThe HCELAPP was established by Hillsborough County in 1987 for the purpose of acquiring,preserving, and protecting endangered and environmentally sensitive lands, beaches, parks, andrecreational lands. Although resource protection is the primary purpose of acquiring sensitive landsin the county, public use that is compatible with the preservation and protection of such lands hasbeen allowed on select parcels. The program is administered through the county’s Parks andRecreation Department and is overseen by an advisory committee composed of both local citizensand public agency staff. Parcels deemed environmentally sensitive are evaluated and ranked on asite-by-site basis through an annual nomination process.HCELAPP’s land acquisition efforts for acquiring environmentally sensitive lands are often incooperation with FDEP’s CARL Program, SWFWMD, the Florida Forever Program, and TheNature Conservancy. HCELAPP has acquired core riverine areas in the Rocky Creek - BrushyCreek watershed. These acquired lands include properties adjoining the Hillsborough River StatePark and the Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Park. Only three new sites within Hillsborough Countywere nominated for acquisition in 1999.Nature ConservancyThe Nature Conservancy (TNC) is a non-profit international organization whose goals are toconserve biological diversity through habitat conservation. TNC works with the Natural HeritageInventory scientists and other researchers to set conservation priorities and acquire lands forconservation management.TNC utilizes acquisition, land exchanges, conservation easements, retained life estates, and otherarrangements to work with property owners to protect natural habitats. They also providelandowners with technical assistance on identifying and managing natural resources including rarespecies and unusual natural communities.8-43Rocky/Brushy Creek Watershed Management Plan