The Polk County Board of County Commissioners approved moving forward with evaluating and pursuing 11 environmentally sensitive sites for potential land acquisition or conservation easements.
The decision follows recommendations from the Conservation Land Acquisition Selection Advisory Committee (CLASAC), a citizen advisory group appointed by county commissioners. CLASAC reviewed 13 nominated properties during its September meeting and recommended 11 for pursuit through Polk County’s Environmental Lands Program.
Key Highlights & Notable Sites
- Stoneridge Property (1,366 acres): Located near Lake Wales, this parcel was previously annexed and slated for a massive mixed-use development with nearly 3,000 homes. Its addition to the conservation list marks a significant potential pivot toward permanent preservation.
- Crooked to Tiger Connection (6,303 acres): The largest parcel on the list, located in eastern Polk County, offering massive connectivity potential for regional wildlife.
- Ridge Corridor Connection (1,528 acres): Another large eastern Polk tract aimed at protecting wildlife corridors and sensitive upland habitats.
- Lake L (1,266 acres): Located in southern Polk County, scoring exceptionally high on technical evaluation metrics for natural resource value.
- 3K’s Family LLLP (1,018 acres): A significant parcel in southeastern Polk County.
Other Recommended Sites Included in the Pursuit List
- Thompson Ranch – ~53 acres in northern Polk County
- Fussell Ranch – ~131 acres in northeast Polk County
- Indian Lake Estates – ~86 acres east of Lake Wales
- Whipperwill Woods – ~18 acres in eastern Polk County
- GF Laurent-Altman Piece – ~199 acres in southern Polk County
- Lake Buffum Scrub – ~25 acres east of Fort Meade
Funding & Program Context
- Voter-Approved Funding: Funding for these potential purchases and conservation easements comes from the environmental lands tax assessment reapproved by 58.4% of Polk County voters in November 2022. The tax is projected to generate roughly $312 million over 20 years.
- Focus on Corridors & Water Protection: Program priorities center on safeguarding regional water resources (such as the Peace River watershed) and maintaining vital links within the Florida Wildlife Corridor.
- Next Steps: Greenlighting the list allows county staff to begin formal negotiations, appraisals, boundary surveys, and environmental assessments with willing property owners.
(Visited 53 times, 53 visits today)