The Work is
Mapped Out
The citizens of Florida have a unique chance to create a model wildlife corridor from the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge in Citrus County to the Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary in Pasco County. At the Gulf Coast Conservancy, we call this the Nature Coast Greenway and Wildlife Corridor.
As shown on the map, portions of the corridor have already been preserved. Placing the remaining parcels under protective management will provide a greenway with plenty of room for the natural Florida to flourish. The Nature Coast will offer residents and visitors a spectacularly beautiful
natural environment where humans and wildlife can live in harmony.
Acquisition and preservation of the properties which comprise the Nature Coast Greenway and Wildlife Corridor are underway, but there is still much work to be done. Many of the parcels needed to complete the project are still at risk. Acquisition of these sensitive natural areas is our number one priority.
The land already acquired also needs our attention. The agencies charged with managing these precious assets are developing their management plans which will determine the mix of public use and environmental protection. Our continuous involvement will be instrumental in helping to assure that a reasonable balance is achieved.
Hunting on Preserved Lands
"Dennis Dutcher (waterfowl hunters), Paul Daniel (upland bird hunters/field trialers), Jack Phethean (equestrian mounted fox hunters), and myself (big game hunters) met with Will Miller and Eric Sutton of SWFWMD today [Feb 16th] and identified the first 7 tracts we will begin to qualify for hunting opportunities in the district."
Posting from the Florida Sportsman website at http://forums.floridasportsman.com/forum/hunting/moving-forward-swfwmd
The local list includes: Chassahowitzka River & Coastal Swamp - 5,675 +/- acres and Weekiwachee - 11,200 +/- acres.
This marks a concerted and serious effort on the part of hunting advocacy groups to open preserves for hunting. While Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) allow regulated hunting on some tracts, Preserves have been off limits. GCC recognizes the popularity of hunting and the role it serves in providing, thru the sale of licenses, much needed funding for conservation activities, but we cannot support the extension of unlimited hunting into Preserves and portions of the WMA where it is not presently permitted.
Our reasons for objecting to hunting are twofold. Our first objection is that hunting poses an unnecessary risk to the critically small Chassahowitzka Black Bear population. The Weeki Wachee Preserve and Chassahowitzka River & Coastal Swamp tracts contain foraging and denning sites for the Chassahowitzka Black Bear population, the most habitat-starved of any in the state. Hunting seasons for deer and turkey overlap the period when the bears are most actively foraging to gain weight in preparation for the winter dormancy period, as well as the denning period for pregnant females. The disruption caused by hunting activity during this period will affect the bears’ ability to move above freely while foraging, and could also result in females abandoning their dens to the detriment of newborn cubs. Also, a careless and uneducated hunter shooting an encountered bear is an undeniable possibility.
Read more about the Preserve in the District's newsletter, Watter Matters.
Our second objection to hunting in the Weeki Wachee Preserve is rooted in personal safety. To limit the potential for accidental gunshot injury, it would at a minimum be necessary to close the Preserve to other forms of recreation during the period that hunting is allowed. This would deprive the fishermen, hikers, birders and cyclists who currently enjoy the Preserve of its use during the time when the local weather is most favorable for these activities. Also, no point in the Preserve is more than a mile from housing development. As stated on every box of rifle cartridges, 1 mile is the minimum recommended safe distance from an errant shot.
It is true that without some form of population control, whitetail deer and feral hogs will expand their numbers exponentially. Perhaps, so long as strict controls are in place, allowing bow hunting—without horses, dogs and vehicles—in the preserve could harvest excess deer and hogs while protecting the fragile bear population and limiting the threat to people engaged in passive recreation.
Let us know what you think. E-mail comments to gulfcoastconservancy@gmail.com
Critical Linkages
Protected or Not?
Apparently Not in Pasco
May 2010 – After two and a half years of legal wrangling, in which the GCC participated in opposition to the development, the Department of Community Affairs has removed its objections to the proposed development near the intersection of Shady Hills Road and the Suncoast Parkway.
The crucial legal issue hinged on whether the description of the critical linkage wildlife corridors as published in the Comprehensive Plan was sufficient to detail the actual location on the ground. Another factor in DCA’s decision was the failure of Pasco County’s commissioners to enact a wildlife protection ordinance including these linkages.
A little history is required to understand the legal position. Please read the background on the issue below, and let's not let history repeat itself. Ask the County Commission to prevent future damage to the critical linkages in Pasco County.
Ten years after the County agreed to enact it, Pacso's Critical Linkage Wildlife Protection Ordinance has still not been finalized and enacted.
In 1999, Citizens for Sanity, Inc. sues Pasco County over wildlife protection deficiencies in the Comprehensive plan.
In 2000, Pasco County agrees, as part of settlement, to the “establishment of a wildlife ordinance and for the establishment of wild life corridors to connect the major well fields.” Action to institute this ordinance was to start within 45 days.
In 2002, Pasco Count accepts Assessment of Measures to Protect Wildlife Habitat in Pasco County, a study prepared by consulting firm Glatting, Jackson et al that defines critical linkage wildlife corridors between the undeveloped well fields in the county.
In 2006, Pasco County references, but does not define, these critical linkage wildlife corridors in revisions to the Comprehensive Plan. Note here that 4 years have passed since the county agreed to enact a wildlife protection ordinance and the ordinance is not yet even drafted.
In January 2008, Bell Fruit/Zelenda Partners applies for development of property east of Suncoast Parkway and north of Quail Hollow subdivision. The proposed development intrudes into the North Pasco to Starkey critical linkage wildlife corridor. County Staff recommends approval with conditions. The developer rejects conditions and threatens to sue under Burt Harris.
In March 2008, BOCC sends modified agreement to DCA for approval. In May 2008, DCA sends the Objections, Recommendations and Comments (ORC) report to the county that rejects development plan, citing, among other things, Environmental Suitability (failure to protect critical linkage wildlife corridors) as reason.
In July 2008, the first draft of the critical linkage wildlife protection ordinance is published, 6 years late. On September 6, 2008 Staff submits a re-worked development plan to County Commission. County Staff believes that disagreements have been worked out and recommends approval based on conditions that protect the integrity of the wildlife corridor. Staff’s recommendation is placed on the county website to be used by interested parties to evaluate the proposed development. On the Friday afternoon before an unusual Monday meeting of the BOCC, attorney for the developer submits revisions to the agenda item. At the BOCC meeting, Staff objects that they have not had time to review the changes. Over repeated objections by the County Administrator, County Attorney, and County Growth Management Director, Commissioner Mulieri insists that development proposal be considered with the last minute changes included. She states that the developer is a friend and he has waited long enough to get permission to develop his land. The rest of the BOCC concurs without comment and the development proposal passes unanimously.
In October 2008 GCC writes DCA to protest development plan. In November 2008 DCA sues Pasco County in Administrative Court. GCC signs on as intervenor. August 2009 sees a revised draft of the critical linkage wildlife protection ordinance published. After objections by Commissioner Cox, provisions that allow County Commissioners to reduce the width and change location of the corridors are inserted in the ordinance.
Between December 2008 and April 2010, negotiations between DCA and GCC on one side versus Pasco County and developer on the other continue. Developer’s lawyers convince DCA lawyers that, since the wildlife protection ordinance defining the critical linkages has not been implemented, the critical linkages as defined in the Comp Plan are vague and unenforceable, and therefore not binding on this development.
May 2010: A settlement agreement between DCA and Pasco County is reached that in effect allows the developer to build within the critical linkage boundaries. GCC is left with only the option of proceeding with a lawsuit against DCA, Pasco County and the developer. Sadly our resources do not permit this, and we reluctantly agree to the settlement.
What you can do.
Study our issues, read the reports and factsheets. For more detail, visit our Advocacy Resources page.
The Conservancy can use your help. To support our efforts, please consider membership. We can then keep you up to date on important events and actions.
