The Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board approved the purchase of a 153-acre parcel of land in Hillsborough County. This acquisition will be added to the 4,367 acres that the District owns within the Tampa Bay Estuarine Ecosystem project.
The property, commonly known as the Fulkerson Road shell pit, is located about one mile north of the Hillsborough/Manatee County line and just west of U.S. Hwy. 41.
The property is being purchased for $828,000 from Goedicke Incorporated of America owner. The transaction is scheduled to close by the end of December. District funding comes from the Florida Forever Trust Fund.
The Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners has approved an agreement for a 50-50 partnership for this acquisition through its Environmental Lands and Acquisition and Protection Program (ELAPP).
This property is part of the Surface Water Improvement and Management (SWIM) plan and the acquisition will provide an opportunity for both estuarine and freshwater habitat restoration.
The Florida Legislature established theSWIMAct in 1987, requiring the five water management districts to maintain a priority list of water bodies of regional or statewide significance. The districts develop plans and programs for the improvement of these water bodies. Tampa Bay is aSWIM priority. The land may also be used to provide opportunities for natural resource-based public recreational and educational opportunities.
Purchasing this parcel of land is consistent with the District’s current Land Acquisition Five-Year Plan, which specifically identifies the Tampa Bay Estuarine Ecosystem project.