The "Southwest Florida Water Management District":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/ (District) has approved a contract for the purchase of 410.74 acres that is a connector between the Tsala Apopka/Two-Mile Prairie projects situated at the northern end of the Lake Tsala Apopka system in Citrus County. The property is generally situated between State Road 200 and the Tsala Apopka Outfall Canal.
The Tsala Apopka/Two-Mile Prairie project is an environmentally sensitive piece of property that provides significant benefit to each of the Districts four areas of responsibility: water supply, flood protection, water quality and natural systems. This property is critical to get excess water from the lakes system to Two-Mile Prairie to take advantage of the recharge characteristics and natural flood control.
This property is adjacent to the District's and State of Florida's jointly owned Two-Mile Prairie lands (2,981 acres) to the northwest and within proximity to the District's Potts Preserve property (9378 acres) to the southeast. Acquisition of this property is consistent with the District's Florida Forever Work Plan, which specifically identifies the Connector project for acquisition. The majority of the Two-Mile Prairie Tract is managed by the Florida Forest Service as the part of the Withlacoochee State Forest.
This property contains a mosaic of uplands and wetlands, including areas of pine flatwoods, xeric oak and freshwater marsh. The property consists of approximately 60 percent uplands and 40 percent wetlands. One of the primary purposes for acquisition of the property is its ability to provide significant water recharge and natural flood control. The District completed a hydrologic restoration project that allows excess waters from the Hernando Pool to be moved to storage and recharge areas in the Two Mile Prairie marsh system. Of particular interest is the mosaic of sandhill and xeric hammock/scrub communities and cypress swamps, which are quality habitat for a variety of wildlife.
During the due diligence process, approximately 25 acres of the property was identified as potential surplus to reduce management risks and improve boundary configuration. The surplus of this property would not impact the connectivity of the water system or to other conservation lands. After review it was determined that this area should be considered for designation as surplus concurrent with the acquisition. Purchase of this 25-acre portion of the subject property is required as a condition of the overall acquisition.
The total purchase price is $1,300,000 ($3,165 per gross acre) with the conservation lands being purchased using Florida Forever Funds. The potential surplus lands that are not being acquired for conservation or needed for District purposes will be acquired with District ad valorem funds.
The Tsala Apopka/Two-Mile Prairie project is an environmentally sensitive piece of property that provides significant benefit to each of the Districts four areas of responsibility: water supply, flood protection, water quality and natural systems. This property is critical to get excess water from the lakes system to Two-Mile Prairie to take advantage of the recharge characteristics and natural flood control.
This property is adjacent to the District's and State of Florida's jointly owned Two-Mile Prairie lands (2,981 acres) to the northwest and within proximity to the District's Potts Preserve property (9378 acres) to the southeast. Acquisition of this property is consistent with the District's Florida Forever Work Plan, which specifically identifies the Connector project for acquisition. The majority of the Two-Mile Prairie Tract is managed by the Florida Forest Service as the part of the Withlacoochee State Forest.
This property contains a mosaic of uplands and wetlands, including areas of pine flatwoods, xeric oak and freshwater marsh. The property consists of approximately 60 percent uplands and 40 percent wetlands. One of the primary purposes for acquisition of the property is its ability to provide significant water recharge and natural flood control. The District completed a hydrologic restoration project that allows excess waters from the Hernando Pool to be moved to storage and recharge areas in the Two Mile Prairie marsh system. Of particular interest is the mosaic of sandhill and xeric hammock/scrub communities and cypress swamps, which are quality habitat for a variety of wildlife.
During the due diligence process, approximately 25 acres of the property was identified as potential surplus to reduce management risks and improve boundary configuration. The surplus of this property would not impact the connectivity of the water system or to other conservation lands. After review it was determined that this area should be considered for designation as surplus concurrent with the acquisition. Purchase of this 25-acre portion of the subject property is required as a condition of the overall acquisition.
The total purchase price is $1,300,000 ($3,165 per gross acre) with the conservation lands being purchased using Florida Forever Funds. The potential surplus lands that are not being acquired for conservation or needed for District purposes will be acquired with District ad valorem funds.