Pasco County commissioners approved C53 to acquire slightly more than 1,900 acres under the county's ELAN conservation program in partnership with the state's rural lands protection program.

Keith Wiley, director of parks, recreation and natural resources, described the parcel as a strategic corridor that connects existing preserved properties and the Cypress Creek Corridor. Wiley said the acquisition is the largest the ELAN program has processed to date and that the funding agreement in front of the board should allow closing in January. The acquisition will be a 50/50 purchase with state funding through the Family Rural Lands Protection Program, Wiley said.

Wiley told the board the purchase will protect roughly 90% of previously proposed residential entitlements on the property by purchasing a conservation easement, and that the county will also help fund an upland wildlife crossing in coordination with FDOT's planned widening of State Road 52.

Commissioners thanked the Phillips family (the willingness of the landowner was noted) and approved the funding agreement on the consent calendar.

Outcome: C53 approved; staff will proceed with closing steps and coordinate with partner agencies on funding and the wildlife crossing design.