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Regardmg the Lier Groves property. the FWS has purchased one of two Lier tracts targeted for acquisition.. The remaining (western) Lier tract (-31.60 acres) is under an option contract for purchase by TCF (see attached map). If TCF exercises its option. TCF will then sell the property to the FWS. The option purchase price is —52.3 million (-573.000 per acre). The FWS has requested that the County participate as a cost -share partner in the acquisition of the western Lier tract. The western Lier tract consists of coastal mangrove wetlands (west of Jungle Trail) and citrus grove (east of Jungle Trail). A —3.98 acre archaeological site, disturbed by grove operations. exists on the property near Jungle Trail. The archaeological site. known as "The Pregnant Turtle Site," is documented in the Florida Master Site File (see attached site form). The wetland portion of the property (--1.34 acres) is within the County Land Acquisition Advisory Committee's (LAAC's) PfNWR Buffer acquisition project. TCF has postponed its closing of the western Lier tract pending County consideration whether or not to participate as a cost -share partner. The FWS is requesting that the County participate as a cost -share partner in a similar way the County did in 1995 when the "Kenned- Tract Buffer" LAAC site was purchased. The County participated in the Kennedy Tract Buffer purchase by acquiring a conservation easement over the wetland portion of the site (--24 acres) for a rounded sum of 5100.000. LAAC Recommendation On April 4, 2001, the LAAC held a special meeting to consider the cost -share participation request. After considering a number of alternatives presented by staff (described herein), the LAAC voted unanimoush to recommend that the Board of County Commissioners agree to participate as a cost -share partner by expending 575.000 of county land acquisition bond funds to acquire a conservation easement over —1.34 acres of wetlands and a 30 foot wide upland edge buffer on the western Lier tract. ANAi.YC The PINWR Buffer LAAC site is ranked fifth on the current LAAC acquisition list. (The site is ranked fourth if third -ranked Round Island South. which has been purchased, is excluded ). TCF's acquisition of the western Lier tract is imminent, regardless of the County's cost -share participation. Notwithstanding, the FWS is requesting that the Counry cost -share in some way, since the cost -share partnership will help the FXVS in its pursuit of competitive grant funding for further acquisitions and restoration within the refuge. Environmental land bond funds are authorized for use by the County to acquire environmentally significant lands. The Land Acquisition Guide defines "environnrenrallr significant lands" as follows: 1 "Lands with natural features thar warrant conservation and protection in the public interest. The term includes those lands defined herein as "environmentally endangered. " "environmental!, imporianr" and "environmentally sensitive " "En vironmeniallysign iticant lands" also include. native plant communities which are not necessarily endangered but are pristine and representative of the community n pe. alrered ecosystems t. with reasonable potential for restoration to correct environmental damage that has occurred; and lands with significant archaeological resources " APRIL 10, 2001 ST4s X61