PLACEMENT: Departmental
TITLE:
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MARTIN COUNTY LAND ACQUISITION FUNDING
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
executive summary
Staff will provide an update on Martin County Land Acquisition efforts and give the Board of County Commissioners the opportunity to set the future direction of the program.
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DEPARTMENT: Public Works
PREPARED BY: Name: John Maehl and Mike Yustin
Title: ERM Division Manager and Project Manager
REQUESTED BY: Martin County Board of County Commissioners
PRESET:
PROCEDURES: None
BACKGROUND/RELATED STRATEGIC GOAL:
During the March 9, 2021 Board of County Commissioners Meeting, a motion was made for staff to return with an agenda item discussing options to fund a land acquisition program. Based on that direction staff completed an evaluation of conservation lands within Martin County.
Over the last 30+ years Martin County has been a leader in terms of protecting environmentally sensitive lands. The County, working in partnership with the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) and the State of Florida, have been able to acquire over 100,000-acres of land. By acquiring these properties, the County has done its part to help clean up and restore our river systems, save and protect wetlands, act as a safe haven for wildlife, attract tourism from all over the world and provide countless recreational opportunities. Furthermore, these conservation lands are a top priority for the citizens of Martin County. On several occasions Martin County citizens have voted to tax themselves to generate funds for conservation land acquisition. In 2016 the Parks and Recreation Department completed a Master Plan that asked the public about their top recreational priorities. More trails and access to conservation areas came back as being one of their top priorities. These conservation areas play a big role in making Martin County unique and special.
Despite the success of these past acquisition programs, the job of protecting our envi...
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