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Flagler County reports progress on environmentally sensitive lands acquisitions; Peterson Tract now closed
Summary
Staff updated the board on recent conservation acquisitions, including the Peterson Tract (Big Cypress Swamp) and several pending proposals, and reported roughly $10 million remaining in ESL referendum funds plus ~$3.9 million in Florida Wildlife Corridor funds.
County staff briefed commissioners on the Environmentally Sensitive Lands (ESL) program at the May 18 workshop, reporting substantial acquisition activity and several pending proposals.
The presentation summarized nearly 30 years of purchases (about 28 properties and over 9,000 acres total) and noted roughly 4,000 acres acquired in the last three years, including the recently closed Peterson Tract (renamed Big Cypress Swamp), which was funded with state Florida Forever or Florida Wildlife Corridor appropriations. Staff said they continue due diligence on additional priority parcels such as the Somal parcel (tentative agreement pending signatures), a potential Egert tract addition and the Beulah Creek Floodplain submission for Florida Forever triage review.
Funding and process: Staff reported approximately $10 million in ESL referendum funds remaining, with an anticipated $2 million in 2027 and another $2 million in 2028 if the program continues; roughly $3.9 million remained in the Florida Wildlife Corridor appropriation. Staff noted coordinated stewardship, potential conservation easements, and ongoing discussions about access arrangements for large parcels.
Public mapping and transparency: Staff announced updates to the ESL website and added a mapping tool showing past acquisitions and active projects to improve public access to program records and priorities.
Next steps: Multiple acquisition proposals and conservation easements will return to the board for approval; staff said they will continue to work with partners and state programs to leverage funding.
