MANASOTA & PEACE RIVER BBDs Meeting Notebook 10-21-09.docx

S030
RV Griffin Reserve
Project Type SOR
AOR(s)
Water Supply, Flood Protection, Water Quality, Natural Systems
Basin(s) Peace River, Manasota
Cooperator(s)
Project Manager LANE, CHUCK
Peace River/Manasota Regional Water Supply Auth.
Task Manager(s) NELSON, BRIAN, LANE, CHUCK, HAGBERG, JEFFREY, MILLER, WILL, GREEN, STEPHANIE,
ELLIOTT, PAUL
Status Ongoing
Description
In 1991 the Governing Board authorized staff to pursue acquisition of 8,568 acres in DeSoto County, now referred to
as the RV Griffin Reserve project. In 1996, the Governing Board increased the project size to 31,667 acres, with a
majority of the additional lands lying in Sarasota County. The project includes lands supporting and surrounding the
existing facilities at the Peace River/Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority treatment plant. Lands in the project
area include mixed hardwood forests along the river; however, the majority of the lands in DeSoto County consist of
pine flatwoods, rangelands, pastures, and pine plantations. The project lands support and protect present potable
water supplies. To date, some 5,917 acres have been acquired in fee simple, and a conservation easement over
another 3,804 acres known as the Lewis Longino Preserve. An additional 9,034acres have been approved for
acquisition in fee simple, and 12,616 acres have been approved for acquisition using less-than-fee simple techniques.
Benefits
Pursuant to Section 373.1391(1)(a), Florida Statutes, lands within the project are managed and maintained in such a
way as to ensure a balance between public access, general public recreational purposes, and restoration and
protection of their natural state and condition.
Costs
FY2009 - The Land Resources Department Peace River Basin budget consists of salaries and central garage for
prescribed burning, resource monitoring, land maintenance, fence repair and recreational monitoring. The budget also
includes contractual services for security. Recreation improvements include an entrance sign, kiosk, improved parking
area and trail signs. Field Operations has budgeted for salaries, rental equipment, central garage charges, parts,
supplies, and land maintenance materials to support Land Management's requirements. The Aquatic Plant
Management Section has budgeted funds for salaries, central garage charges and herbicides to treat infestations of
invasive plant species. Monies in the Manasota Basin budget consist of salaries and central garage for conservation
easement monitoring. FY2010 - The Land Resources Department Peace River Basin budget consists of salaries and
central garage for monitoring the land management arrangement between the District and the Peace River/Manasota
Regional Water Supply Activity and monitoring the conservation easement over the Lewis Longino Preserve in the
Manasota Basin. Costs for these activities are 100 percent reimbursed through the State's Water Management Lands
Trust Fund.
FY 2009 FY2010
Funding Funding
District Budgeted - Outside Revenue
(SOR)
010 General Fund (Districtwide) 0
0
020 Peace River Basin 89,134 12,799
021 Manasota Basin 1,481 1,535
Status As Of: December 31, 2008
The Peace River/Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority has taken over management of the property and
construction of the new reservoir is ongoing.
020 - Peace River Basin 16