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Environmental Lands Management and Acquisition Advisory Committee (ELMAC)

Debra Woithe

Environmental Lands Division Manager

1112 Manatee Avenue West, Bradenton, FL 34205

(941) 748-4501 ext:6052

Purpose

ELMAC was established in 1993 to advise the Board of County Commissioners on environmental land acquisition, environmental land management, and recreational programming. The Committee has worked with staff to establish methods to identify, evaluate and prioritize land for conservation acquisition. The roles of the Committee have expanded over the years to include:

Natural Resource Value Criteria:

  • Ecological Quality – quality of species or habitat, degree of alteration or degradation, level of restoration required
  • Rarity of Species or Habitat – uniqueness, number of threatened, endangered or species of special concern supported by the property
  • Importance to Water Resources – protection of or degradation to portable water supply or aquatic environment
  • Connectivity – proximity to existing conservation lands or planned corridor, size of connection

Conservation Easements for Agricultural Land:

In addition to the natural resource value criteria, considerations for acquisition of easements for agricultural land include:

  • Land quality for agricultural use - prime, unique, local or state-wide importance
  • Economic viability - size, on-site farm infrastructure, proximity to off-site farm infrastructure
  • Compatibility of surrounding uses
  • Degree of development pressure - proximity to the urban service boundary, zoning, residential development
  • Proximity to other protected agricultural, environmental lands or wildlife corridors/greenways
  • Enhancement or preservation of wildlife habitat, air or water quality, hydrology, ground water recharge, scenic, historic, or other cultural features

Tree Advisory Board

The role of Tree Advisory Board was added to ELMAC's role in 2009:

  • Develop a tree management program for trees on county property
  • Promote awareness of the county's tree canopy through educational programs
  • Review grant requirements and prepare proposals to fund tree management programs
  • Coordinate the county's observance of Arbor Day each year
Manatee County has conducted ongoing conservation plantings since 1988 and has been a part of the Tree City/County USA Program since 2009. A thriving urban forest offers many advantages to communities. Here are just a few benefits identified by the Arbor Day Foundation:
  • Trees absorb the sounds of traffic in urban areas by 40%.
  • Neighborhoods with trees are 7 to 9 degrees cooler than those without.
  • Trees reduce energy costs up to 25% by shading buildings and protecting them from winter winds.
  • Homes with trees have higher property values.
  • Green space plays a major role in improving mental and physical health.
  • Trees absorbs carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, mitigating the effects of climate change.

Implementation of Conservation and Parks Project Referendum

The referendum, approved by Manatee County voters in 2020, established a 0.15 mill ad valorem tax and issuance of up to $50,000,000 in bonds to finances the acquisition, improvement, and management of land to protect water resources, preserve fish and wildlife habitat, and provide parks.

More About the Implementation of the Referendum

History

1992, 1993 - Environmental Lands Management and Acquisition Ordinance Established

  • Purpose: identify and evaluate land for acquisition, passive recreation, and management (R 92-149, Section 2(A))
  • Establish County-wide inventory (R 92-149, Section 2(B)2.)
  • Devise method to rank environmental lands to facilitate decisions for acquisition and protection (R 92-149, Section 2(B)3.)
  • Create 11-member advisory committee (ELMAC) with specific backgrounds (R 93-55, Section 4(A)) 

2002 Important Natural Resource Lands (INRL) Project - GIS model identified lands with highest overall ranking.

     Phase I - Screened for highest natural resource value using ELMAC criteria:

  • Rarity of species or habitat
  • Connectiveness
  • Ecological quality
  • Importance to water resources

     Phase II - Further prioritized lands in consideration of additional benefits:

  • Parcel size
  • Improved and Overall Parcel Value
  • Imminence of Development
  • Conservation Interest (funding sources)

2003 – Update to Environmental Lands Management and Acquisition Ordinance

  • Added “At-large” members for total 15 members (Ord. 03-62, Sect. 5.D.1.a.-j.).
  • Established selection criteria for acquisition (rarity, quality, connectivity, water resources) (Ord. 03-62, Sect. 4.H.).
  • Established general purpose of ELMAC “to advise the board on matters related to environmental land acquisition and management, and passive recreational planning and programming for acquired lands. This article shall apply to lands previously acquired by the county that are explicitly designated as governed by this article by the board and to lands and property interests acquired after the adoption of this article whether from funds designated by the board or funds approved by voter referendum. This committee will provide a forum for multiple interests and user groups to express their wishes for management of county-owned lands and passive recreational facilities.” (Ord. 03-62, Sect. 5.B.1.)
  • Established procedures for acquisitions (Ord. 03-62, Sect. 7.A.1-9):

    Site Nominations - citizens, public organizations, private conservation organization, consultant.

    Eligibility - staff reviews and reports lands that meet criteria to ELMAC.
    Prioritization     - ELMAC establishes Priority List of sites that meet criteria (by grouping, not # ranking).
    Willing seller     - staff introduces program and determines if owner is willing participant, updates list.
    Work Plan     - pre-acquisition activities for sites on Priority List developed by staff.
    Approval     - Work Plans adopted by ELMAC go to BOCC for approval, modification, or rejection.
    Implementation     - due diligence, contractual negotiation.
    Contract     -approval by BOCC.
    Evaluation     - update priority list annually.

2006 - Conservation Easements for Agricultural Lands considerations added

Established Criteria (Ord. 06-26 Sect. 3(a)1-6):
Quality - prime, unique, locally important, or state-wide important, other
Economic viability – on site infrastructure, proximity to off-site infrastructure, adequate size
Compatibility – surrounding land use
Degree of development pressure – proximity to USB, zoning, residential development
Proximity – to other protected lands and corridors
Additional Benefits – wildlife habitat, air, water and scenic qualities, historic & cultural features

  • Provided for monitoring and maintenance of agricultural conservation easements (Ord. 06-26 Sect. 3(b)1)
  • Provides for annual reporting of agricultural conservation easements to BOCC (Ord. 06-26 Sect. 3(b)3)
  •  Report findings and recommendations at least annually to the BOCC (Ord. 03-62, Sect. 5.C.4.).2005 - 2009 – BCC implemented an environmental millage to fund $4million/yr. for conservation acquisition.

2009 - Tree Advisory Committee added to ELMAC role

Purpose of tree management program on County-owned lands (Ord. 09-67 Sec. 2(b)(3)a-d)):

  • Promote awareness of tree canopy through education
  • Grants for tree management programs
  • Coordinate observance of Arbor Day
  • Keep Manatee Beautiful seat replaced one At-Large committee member seat (Ord. 09-67 Sec. 3(d)(1)j-k))

2020 – Conservation and Parks Projects Referendum won 71% voter approval

  • 0.15 millage and up to $50 million bonds maturing with 20 years (R 20-105 Sect. 3)
  • “To finance the acquisition, improvement, and management of land to protect drinking water sources and water quality, preserve fish and wildlife habitat, prevent stormwater runoff pollution, and provide parks” (R 20-105 Sect. 5)
  • Annual public audits (R 20-105 Sect. 5)

December 14, 2021 – Resolution 21-182 approved by BCC appointing ELMAC to implement the Referendum and establishing a BCC liaison to ELMAC.

January 25, 2022 – ELMAC Ordinance update

  • Establish willing seller prior to review by ELMAC.
  • Modify at-large seats so there is one ELMAC member for each County District, expanding membership to 17, not including BCC liaison.

Last updated January 25, 2022, the full details of the "Manatee County Environmental Land Management and Acquisition Ordinance" can be found in Municode.  The work of ELMAC is carried out in the Environmental Protection Division.

Application

Advisory Board positions are advertised as openings become available. 

To apply for an opening, fill out the online Advisory Board Application. 

If you have questions about the application process, please call the Advisory Board liaison for that specific board.

Meeting Info

Bimonthly meetings are generally held on the first Monday of the odd numbered months at 6:00 p.m. However, the January and September meetings will be held the second Monday due to holidays.  The ELMAC meeting schedule is maintained in the online  County WebCalendar.  On occasion, the meeting location, date, or time may change, so please check the calendar prior to attending.  Special meetings may be scheduled as needed.

2025 ELMAC meetings are scheduled for the dates below, in the Manatee Room, on the 5th floor of the Administration Building downtown (1112 Manatee Avenue West, Bradenton, FL 34205).

January 6
*February 3 
March 3
*April 7 
May 5
July 14
September 8
*October 6
November 3

*Tentative Meeting Date: These meetings are tentative. If no items need ELMAC consideration, tentative meeting may be deemed unnecessary. Staff will notify ELMAC members and the public (via webpage and web calendar) if tentative meeting will be held or cancelled at least one week in advance of a tentative meeting date. 

Members