BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Agenda Item #27
Title
Camp Kulaqua Project: Purchase of a Conservation Easement on the Alachua County Forever Santa Fe River- Camp Kulaqua Project. (Amended)
Amount
$ 1,427,847.00
Description
Request for the Board to approve certain documents to purchase a conservation easement on the Alachua County Forever Santa Fe River- Camp Kulaqua Conservation Easement.
Recommendation
Approve and exercise the option to purchase the conservation easement on the Santa Fe River- Camp Kulaqua Tract; execute the conservation easement and authorize staff to execute documents as necessary to close the transaction.
Alternative(s)
The Board should not accept the Assignment of Option.
Requested By
Ramesh P. Buch 264-6804
Originating Department
Environmental Protection.
Attachment(s) Description
Exhibit 1: Assignment and Option Agreement for Camp Kulaqua. Exhibit 2: CE for Execution. Exhibit 3: Map. Exhibit 4: Property Evaluation. Exhibit 5: Cost Estimates. Exhibit 6: Presentation
Documents Requiring Action
Exhibit 1: Assignment and Option Agreement for Camp Kulaqua (2 COPIES). Exhibit 2: Conservation Easement (2 COPIES).
Executive Summary
Staff requests the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) accept the Assignment of Option (Exhibit 1) for the attached Sale and Purchase Agreement for a Conservation Easement (Exhibit 2) on the Wood Tract in the Alachua County Forever (ACF) Lochloosa Connector Project (Exhibit 3). Further, staff requests the BoCC exercise that Option to purchase this tract and add it to the County’s land conservation portfolio. If approved, this will be the twenty-third purchase by the County under this program, and the thirty-second tract on the Active Acquisition List to be conserved.
Background
The ±198 acre Camp Kulaqua property lies within the Santa Fe River project (Exhibit 4). It is located on US 441 in the town of High Springs, on the Santa Fe River. It is a part of the 309-acre Florida Conference Association of Seventh-day Adventists property -- a full service Seventh-day Adventist camp and conference center. From the outset, the landowner was only interested in a conservation easement. The property was nominated by the Alachua Audubon and the BoCC placed it on the ACF Active Acquisition List on May 25, 2004.The Camp Kulaqua project scored 9.11 of 9.44 on the Property Evaluation (Exhibit 4) and is the highest scoring project to date. Camp Kulaqua is within the number two ranked Hornsby Springs Strategic Habitat. It is described by the KBN Study as having “a first magnitude, crystal clear, artesian spring and a clear spring run of nearly one mile in length, two segments of the Santa Fe River (one about ¼ mile and the other about ½ mile in length), some magnificent, mature upland mixed forest (mesic hammock), floodplain forest, swamp forest, a unusual patch of scrub, and a number of sinkholes and sinkhole ponds, including at least two that are open to the waters of the Floridan aquifer (blue holes). This is one of the most spectacular natural areas in the County.” The developed areas of the Camp, including the Hornsby Spring boil, the zoo and camp buildings, are excluded from the conservation easement, the remaining Spring Run and the mosaic of upland and wetland natural communities are of excellent quality and are included. The site has very good wildlife habitat with good cover, browse and mast production. The Camp organizes hikes and paddle trips for campers and with permission allows some public access onto the property. Acquisition and Stewardship cost estimates are attached as Exhibit 5.
Issues
The purpose of the purchase is to protect the conservation, recreational, scenic and hydrologic values of this area. Because this is a conservation easement, public access will be limited to that permitted by the landowner. In addition to the existing trails and canoe launches, the Camp has retained the right to build primitive campsites in a designated envelope. This envelope is reflected on the survey and the baseline documentation. Very minor revisions were made to the Easement to clarify the Grantor's ability to create a canoe launch and associated trails, changing the date of the annual inspection and correcting the Seller's mailing address. The revisions have been drafted by the County and agreed to by the Seller and are acceptable to ACF staff. The revised Easement is attached as Exhibit 2.
Fiscal Recommendation
Net cost to the County for acquisition will be $1,427,847. Stewardship costs estimated to be $550 per year in recurring costs.
Fiscal Alternative(s)
No additional expenditures.
Funding Sources
Alachua County Forever Bonds.
Account Code(s)
Funds 331, 344 and 326.
Attachment: Exhibit 4 SFR7thday adventist Evaluation.pdf
Attachment: Exhibit 6 BoCC080708 ACF Camp K.pdf
Attachment: ADV June 24 Camp Kulaqua.pdf
Attachment: Exhibit 2 Camp Kalaqua Conservation Easement Deed Final.pdf
Attachment: Exhibit 1 Assignment and Option Final.pdf
Attachment: Exhibit 3 Map.pdf
Attachment: Exhibit 5 Camp K Costs.pdf