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

EXISTING NATURAL SYSTEMS CONDITIONSTrust for Public LandsThe Trust for Public Land (TPL) is a national non-profit land conservation organization that wascreated to protect land for public use and enjoyment. The principal goal of TPL is to acquire landssuitable for open space and parks, and convey them to public agencies for ownership andmanagement. TPL also provides training and technical assistance to private landowners, local landtrusts, and government agencies to enhance their land conservation goals.Wetland Reserve ProgramThe Wetland Reserve Program (WRP) is administered through the USDA Natural ResourcesConservation Service (NRCS). The WRP is a voluntary program offering landowners theopportunity to protect, restore, and enhance wetlands on their property. The NRCS providestechnical and financial support for conservation easements and wetland restoration in an effort toachieve the greatest wetland functions and values, along with optimum wildlife habitat.8.6.2 Public Lands in the Rocky/Brushy Creek WatershedA review of existing public lands within the watershed was conducted utilizing GIS metadata forconservation lands in Florida compiled by the Florida Greenways Planning Team, Department ofLandscape Architecture of the University of Florida based on:• SWFWMD GIS acquired and proposed land data• CARL, Conservation Lands 2004, and FNAI Managed areas GIS data (FGDL)• Hillsborough County ELAPP GIS data• Atlas of Outstanding Florida WatersHillsborough County Parks information provided by the Hillsborough Planning Commission wasalso reviewed and utilized for this report. An analysis of the GIS data layers was performed toapproximate proposed and acquired land area. Almost 2,416 acres have been acquired forconservation purposes (Table 8-10). Figure 8-9 shows the 2004 conservation areas identified bySWFWMD.Table 8-10Acreages of Lands for Conservation Purposeswithin the Rocky/Brushy Creek WatershedParcel NameAcresRocky Creek Preserve 279Bower Tract 1548Lake Park 589Total 2,4168-44Rocky/Brushy Creek Watershed Management Plan