SUBJECT
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Conservation Land Acquisition Selection Advisory Committee (CLASAC) recommendations on the following sites nominated to the Environmental Lands Program are to pursue acquisition on EL-163-26: Circle T Holdings, EL-164 -26: Lake Miriam Environmental Areas, EL-165-26: Sunray, EL-166-26: Armington Ranch, EL-167-26: Mountain Lake Corp, EL-169-26: Stuart Ranch and EL-170-26: Fx Bar Ranch. CLASAC recommends not to pursue acquisition EL-168-26 Cypress Sticks (no fiscal impact).
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DESCRIPTION
The Polk County Board of County Commissioners (“Board”) adopted Polk County Ordinance No.22-050 (“Ordinance”) calling for a bond referendum on November 8, 2022, to finance capital projects related to the acquisition, preservation, protection, management, operation, and restoration of environmental lands, water resources and important fish and wildlife habitat (“Bond Referendum”).
A majority of voters of Polk County approved of the Bond Referendum. The Ordinance provides that upon passing of the Bond Referendum, the Board shall create the Polk County Conservation Land Acquisition Advisory Committee (“CLASAC”) by resolution; and the Board in determining the acquisition of land in accordance with the Ordinance.
The Ordinance provides that each proposed site will undergo a preliminary site assessment by the County to ensure the lands meet the basic criteria of environmental lands; and provides the criteria which will be considered in evaluation lands include (A) Water Resources, (B) Natural Communities and Landscape, (C) Plants and Animals, (D) Human Values, and (E) Management.
Resolution No.2023-009 authorizes CLASAC to create subcommittees consisting of members and non-members of the CLASAC. CLASAC created a technical advisory group (TAG) to assist CLASAC in the technical fact-finding that is necessary in evaluating lands in accordance with the criteria provided in the ordinance.
The following sites have been evaluated by TAG and the recommendations made by CLASAC. These sites are now presented to the Board, for Board to determine if staff should pursue acquisition or not pursue acquisition.
EL-163-26: Circle T Holdings/ TAG 89/ CLASAC = YES to Pursue Acquisition
EL-164-26: Lake Miriam Environmental Area/ TAG 63/ CLASAC = YES to Pursue Acquisition
EL-165 -26: Sunray/ TAG 73/ CLASAC = YES to Pursue Acquisition
EL-166-26: Armington Ranch/ TAG 105/ CLASAC = YES to Pursue Acquisition
EL-167-26: Mountain Lake Corp/ TAG 68/ CLASAC = YES to Pursue Acquisition
EL-168-26: Cypress Sticks/ TAG 92/ CLASAC = NO to Pursue Acquisition
EL-169 -26: Stuart Ranch/ TAG 88/ CLASAC = YES to Pursue Acquisition
EL-170-26: Fx Bar Ranch/ TAG 100/ CLASAC = YES to Pursue Acquisition
If the Board approves staff to pursue acquisition, staff will enter discussions with the property owners, seek acquisition partners as appropriate and conduct due diligence. Then any agreement drafted will be brought back to the Board for consideration of approval for acquisition.
RECOMMENDATION
Approve Conservation Land Acquisition Advisory Committee (“CLASAC”) recommendation of the following:
1. Approve staff to pursue acquisition under the Environmental Lands Program for EL-163-26, EL164-26, EL165-26, EL-166-26, EL-167-26, EL-169-26, EL-170-26.
2. Support CLASAC recommendation not to pursue acquisition under the Environmental Lands Program for EL-168-26
FISCAL IMPACT
No Fiscal Impact.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Tabitha Biehl, Director
Parks and Natural Resources Division
(863) 534-7377
tabithabiehl@polk-county.net