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Cocoa council authorizes request to St. Johns River Water Management District to release conservation easement, approves up to $300,000 for mitigation credits
Summary
The City of Cocoa authorized the mayor to formally request the St. Johns River Water Management District release a conservation easement on a city‑owned parcel and approved entering mitigation agreements for credits not to exceed $300,000; council emphasized credits and costs remain to be defined.
The Cocoa City Council on May 27 authorized Mayor Blake to send a formal request to the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) asking for the release of a conservation easement on parcel ID 24‑36‑17‑00509 and approved entering mitigation agreements to acquire mitigation credits for a cost not to exceed $300,000.
Economic development staff explained the request relates to a wetlands easement placed during an earlier Bracko Pond project; the city will need to purchase mitigation credits to both release the easement and secure permits to develop the site. "This is the first step," staff said, adding that the exact mitigation credits and their locations had not yet been identified and that SJRWMD rules and watershed constraints will guide the purchase.
Council discussed the unknowns: the credits must typically be within prescribed geographic constraints, and the city will likely pay mitigation costs at multiple stages. Councilman Hearn moved approval; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously. The authorization is subject to review and final approval by the city attorney.
