1992, 1993 - Environmental Lands Management and Acquisition Ordinance Established
- Purpose: identify and evaluate land for acquisition, passive recreation, and management (R 92-149, Section 2(A))
- Establish County-wide inventory (R 92-149, Section 2(B)2.)
- Devise method to rank environmental lands to facilitate decisions for acquisition and protection (R 92-149, Section 2(B)3.)
- Create 11-member advisory committee (ELMAC) with specific backgrounds (R 93-55, Section 4(A))
2002 Important Natural Resource Lands (INRL) Project - GIS model identified lands with highest overall ranking.
Phase I - Screened for highest natural resource value using ELMAC criteria:
- Rarity of species or habitat
- Connectiveness
- Ecological quality
- Importance to water resources
Phase II - Further prioritized lands in consideration of additional benefits:
- Parcel size
- Improved and Overall Parcel Value
- Imminence of Development
- Conservation Interest (funding sources)
2003 – Update to Environmental Lands Management and Acquisition Ordinance
- Added “At-large” members for total 15 members (Ord. 03-62, Sect. 5.D.1.a.-j.).
- Established selection criteria for acquisition (rarity, quality, connectivity, water resources) (Ord. 03-62, Sect. 4.H.).
- Established general purpose of ELMAC “to advise the board on matters related to environmental land acquisition and management, and passive recreational planning and programming for acquired lands. This article shall apply to lands previously acquired by the county that are explicitly designated as governed by this article by the board and to lands and property interests acquired after the adoption of this article whether from funds designated by the board or funds approved by voter referendum. This committee will provide a forum for multiple interests and user groups to express their wishes for management of county-owned lands and passive recreational facilities.” (Ord. 03-62, Sect. 5.B.1.)
- Established procedures for acquisitions (Ord. 03-62, Sect. 7.A.1-9):
Site Nominations - citizens, public organizations, private conservation organization, consultant.
Eligibility - staff reviews and reports lands that meet criteria to ELMAC.
Prioritization - ELMAC establishes Priority List of sites that meet criteria (by grouping, not # ranking).
Willing seller - staff introduces program and determines if owner is willing participant, updates list.
Work Plan - pre-acquisition activities for sites on Priority List developed by staff.
Approval - Work Plans adopted by ELMAC go to BOCC for approval, modification, or rejection.
Implementation - due diligence, contractual negotiation.
Contract -approval by BOCC.
Evaluation - update priority list annually.
2006 - Conservation Easements for Agricultural Lands considerations added
Quality - prime, unique, locally important, or state-wide important, other
Economic viability – on site infrastructure, proximity to off-site infrastructure, adequate size
Compatibility – surrounding land use
Degree of development pressure – proximity to USB, zoning, residential development
Proximity – to other protected lands and corridors
Additional Benefits – wildlife habitat, air, water and scenic qualities, historic & cultural features
- Provided for monitoring and maintenance of agricultural conservation easements (Ord. 06-26 Sect. 3(b)1)
- Provides for annual reporting of agricultural conservation easements to BOCC (Ord. 06-26 Sect. 3(b)3)
- Report findings and recommendations at least annually to the BOCC (Ord. 03-62, Sect. 5.C.4.).2005 - 2009 – BCC implemented an environmental millage to fund $4million/yr. for conservation acquisition.
2009 - Tree Advisory Committee added to ELMAC role
Purpose of tree management program on County-owned lands (Ord. 09-67 Sec. 2(b)(3)a-d)):
- Promote awareness of tree canopy through education
- Grants for tree management programs
- Coordinate observance of Arbor Day
- Keep Manatee Beautiful seat replaced one At-Large committee member seat (Ord. 09-67 Sec. 3(d)(1)j-k))
2020 – Conservation and Parks Projects Referendum won 71% voter approval
- 0.15 millage and up to $50 million bonds maturing with 20 years (R 20-105 Sect. 3)
- “To finance the acquisition, improvement, and management of land to protect drinking water sources and water quality, preserve fish and wildlife habitat, prevent stormwater runoff pollution, and provide parks” (R 20-105 Sect. 5)
- Annual public audits (R 20-105 Sect. 5)
December 14, 2021 – Resolution 21-182 approved by BCC appointing ELMAC to implement the Referendum and establishing a BCC liaison to ELMAC.
January 25, 2022 – ELMAC Ordinance update
- Establish willing seller prior to review by ELMAC.
- Modify at-large seats so there is one ELMAC member for each County District, expanding membership to 17, not including BCC liaison.