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Swiftmud Spells Out Development Plans

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By ERIC SUTTON

Special to the Tribune

Published: February 22, 2009

Over the years, the Southwest Florida Water Management District has protected more than 11,000 acres of ecosystems in the Gulf Coast area of Hernando and Pasco counties. Known as the Weekiwachee Preserve, these and other public lands in the region provide a vast network of invaluable protection to our water resources, water quality and habitat for many Florida species, including black bears.

As originally proposed, the SunWest Harbourtowne Development of Regional Impact, or DRI, would isolate 90 acres of district-owned land between Aripeka Road (State Road 550) to the north and the development to the south. The proposed development would also develop land that adjoins 1,102 acres of district-owned land farther south.

District staff developed a contingency plan that would exchange the 90-acre tract for approximately 396 acres that adjoin district land to the south and an additional 849 acres of valuable coastal habitat west of the development. This exchange would eliminate the fragmentation to the southern parcel, provide for a more contiguous land holding along the coast and ultimately result in a more manageable tract of land.

The 396-acre property being offered in exchange provides greater overall ecosystem protection and wildlife benefits. The undeveloped uplands and wetlands provide a vital habitat to a number of rare and endangered species, including black rail, diamondback terrapin, Florida scrub jay, Gulf Coast salt marsh snake, Marian's marsh wren, Scott's seaside sparrow and gopher tortoises.

The exchange agreement that was approved by the district's Coastal Rivers Basin Board and will be presented to the governing board is only valid if the DRI is ultimately approved. The DRI is subject to approval by a number of agencies, including Pasco County and the state Department of Community Affairs.

The writer is the land resources director of the Southwest Florida Water Management District.

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