Project Areas
Project Areas are geographic areas or properties of the county which have been ranked by the ESL and Board of County Commissioners. These areas have been identified as environmentally sensitive lands which are considered conservation priorities. Through property acquisition, conservation easements, and cooperative efforts with other entities the programs conservation goals can be achieved.
Preserve Projects
There are three preserves which are currently owned and managed by the County’s ESL program. Those include the Cypress Lakes Preserve, Fickett Hammock, and the Peck Sink Stormwater Park.
Additionally, through ESL funding the development of projects such as the Bayport Park expansion are possible. For this particular project a cooperative effort with the Hernando County Parks and Recreation Department, the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) and the ESL program was implemented, which resulted in needed improvements. SWFWMD acquired the property, the ESL program funded the development and Parks and Recreation manages the property.
Within each preserve specific, planned improvements are ongoing. These improvements will enhance each preserve and include activities such as structure restoration and addition, wildlife habitat restoration, water quality and flood management. Improvements also include trail construction, public access, educational kiosks, and do address public safety. A management plan is written based on each preserve’s unique physical characteristics and natural recreational opportunities.
Land Conservation Projects
There are currently 4 projects ranked by the Environmentally Sensitive Lands Committee for Acquisition :
Flea Masters
/ Norfleet Properties-
these properties
lie between
protected Weekiwachee
Preserve property
to the north and
south; it would
connect the properties
north and south
and would provide
a contiguous wildlife
corridor.
Little Withlacoochee Riverine Corridor - North of Ridge Manor in far eastern Hernando County, the Little Withlacoochee Riverine Corridor project involves small parcels that are already platted in Ridge Manor; a total land area of approximately 2,598 acres with 2,333 parcels. The project is in two phases; the first phase is along the River and the second phase would be along Long Lake and connecting the wetland areas through Ridge Manor to the State Forest.
Withlacoochee
State Forest Corridor
Connection -2,649
acres are located
west of U.S. 41
against the Citrus
County line.
Peck Sink Floodplain
Project - 2,986-acres
west of U.S. 41
between Wiscon Road
and State Road 50.
Peck Sink is a direct
pipeline to the
Floridan Aquifer,
and in its present
state, does nothing
to filter surface
pollution from the
groundwater.