Part of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP), IRL South aims to prevent polluted stormwater from entering the St. Lucie Waterway and Estuary through reservoirs, stormwater treatment areas (STAs), and shallow storage. Around 25,000 acres of wetland habitat remain a priority for acquisition. This zone also lies within the Florida Wildlife Corridor, supporting critical wildlife corridors that enhance genetic diversity and allow species to migrate, fostering healthier animal populations.
Target Areas
Targeted Conservation Areas in Martin County
Martin County has identified four priority conservation areas due to their environmental importance in protecting waterways, enhancing habitat, creating wildlife corridors, and providing passive recreation opportunities.
Indian River Lagoon South (IRL South)
Pal Mar
Pal Mar is focused on protecting high-quality wetlands & the western tributary to the Loxahatchee River. It serves as a key link in a greenway stretching from the Atlantic Ocean to Lake Okeechobee. Much of this area is a priority for State acquisition under the Florida Forever Program, particularly in the 9,000-acre Palm Beach Heights area.
Blueways Program
The Blueways Program focuses on protecting waterways with natural buffers and providing recreational access. These areas support rare species, offer coastal resiliency, and help sustain healthier animal populations by preserving critical habitats. Potential acquisitions, totaling about 400 acres, include key properties along the St. Lucie River, Indian River Lagoon, and the Atlantic Ocean.
Loxa-Lucie
This area is located between the South Fork of the St. Lucie River and the Loxahatchee River (the only federally designated Wild and Scenic River in Florida). Loxa-Lucie aims to create a greenway connecting Atlantic Ridge State Park and Jonathan Dickinson State Park while preserving wetlands and pine forests. Approximately 10,000 acres are identified for potential acquisition, and much of the area is also a priority for the Florida Forever Program.
GIS Story Map
GIS Story Map for Martin County Land Acquisition Program
Martin County has identified four priority conservation areas due to their environmental importance in protecting waterways, enhancing habitat, creating wildlife corridors, and providing passive recreation opportunities.
Selection Criteria
Selection Criteria for Land Acquisition
Martin County has established a set of criteria to evaluate potential properties for acquisition. These criteria help ensure that land purchases align with the county's conservation goals.
PROCESS
In February 2025, Martin County Commissioners formally created the Environmental Lands Oversight Committee per County Ordinance 1221, Section 6(1)j. ELOC is a nine-member citizen advisory board established to assess and recommend proposed conservation land acquisitions funded by the new sales tax.
A copy of the Ordinance and Resolution establishing the Environmental Lands Oversight Committee (ELOC) is available.
The County has adopted an Environmental Lands Oversight Committee Manual (ELOCM), that will be used to evaluate and review properties for potential acquisition. Click the button to access the manual.
Land Acquisition Program Process
To be considered for evaluation, a proposed acquisition requires both a nomination form and a willing seller letter. The review process begins when the County receives a Project Proposal Nomination Form.
County staff will review the proposal to confirm it falls within one of the designated acquisition zones and aligns with the intent of the Sales Tax Referendum. If it meets these criteria, the County will order an Environmental Assessment of the proposed property, conducted by the Florida Natural Areas Inventory (FNAI). FNAI will evaluate the property based on various metrics, including connectivity to other conservation lands, habitat quality, presence of listed species, and several other factors.
The Environmental Lands Oversight Committee (ELOC) will have regular meetings where they will review the environmental assessment, along with any other available information, and assign a weighted score to the property using a Project Ranking Form. The public will be able to comment on any proposed acquisitions during the ELOC meetings.
- To view a copy of the ELOC Ranking Criteria, visit the ELOC Ranking Criteria page.
- To view a copy of the Environmental Lands Oversight Committee Manual, visit the Environmental Lands Oversight Committee Manual.
Additionally, the County will provide information on nominated properties through a Story Map, which can be accessed here. This Story Map is designed to provide a transparent process, allowing the public to see how their tax dollars are being spent.
Recommendations to the Board
After reviewing and scoring proposals, the ELOC will make recommendations for land acquisition to the Martin County Board of County Commissioners.
Public Transparency
To maintain transparency, agendas, meeting minutes, and video recordings of ELOC meetings will be made available online, allowing the public to stay informed about the Committee's activities.
This flowchart illustrates the process used to evaluate properties nominated for acquisition.
Nomination Form submitted to Environmental Resource Division
Proposal reviewed by County Staff for concurrence with Ordinance #1221
Nonconforming proposals removed from consideration
Staff presents proposal with support information to ELOC for review and ranking
Project brought before BOCC review and vote on whether to proceed with acquisition
Staff due diligence and negotiations
Proposed acquisition brought before BOCC for final approval
Acquired Land
Three key projects have already been acquired through the Martin County Land Acquisition Sales Tax:
| Property | Description | Acres | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bar B Ranch | A conservation easement securing $12 million in state funding matched by $5 million from Martin County's sales tax program. This landmark project protects vital working lands and natural habitat. | 1,700 | IRL South |
| Pal Mar Settlement | Vast mosaic of wetlands, uplands, and wildlife corridors is a long-term county conservation priority. | 387 | Pal Mar |
| Perry Beach Addition | A small but significant oceanfront parcel on Hutchinson Island that would expand the Perry Beach Preserve. | 1 | Blueways |
Approved by BOCC
The following properties were evaluated and ranked by the Environmental Land Oversight Committee (ELOC) on September 5 and approved to move forward as potential acquisitions by the Martin County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) at its October 21 meeting. They are listed below in rank order.
| Property | Description | Acres | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whitworth Farms | A large corridor linking Cove Road to the county line, offering critical connectivity to existing conservation lands. | 2,262 | Loxa-Lucie |
| Elise J. Property | Located within the Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) footprint, this property would advance state and federal restoration goals. | 322 | Pal Mar |
| Thall Family Partnership | Could attract Florida Forever and Ducks Unlimited partnerships, with potential recreational uses such as hunting, fishing, hiking, and biking. | 1,400 | Pal Mar |
| Palm Beach Heights | A large, platted subdivision that has long been on conservation lists. Its fragmented ownership makes acquisition challenging but highly valuable if achieved. | 3,500 | Pal Mar |
| Kresser Parcel | A South Fork of the St. Lucie River property adjacent to Oxbow Preserve, enhancing the Blueways system and offering opportunities for passive recreation. | 3 | Blueways |
| Burstein/Hixon Parcel | Small property on the South Fork with potential for a kayak launch and picnic area. | 3 | Blueways |
| Jane Wild Parcel | A wetland tract along the South Fork that would protect shoreline habitats. | 6.5 | Blueways |
| SS Farms | A working ranch eligible for an agricultural easement through the Rural and Family Lands program, preserving agriculture without county management responsibilities. | 53 | Pal Mar |
| Leonard Property | Near Bridge Road, this parcel could be conserved through purchase or easement, with potential for state cost-sharing. | 229 | Loxa-Lucie |
| JR Stuart Land | A former mitigation bank that could expand the Hungryland preserve system and create recreational opportunities. | 642 | Pal Mar |
| Turnpike Dairy | Ranchland adjacent to Allapattah Flats and within the CERP footprint, considered for an agricultural easement to keep it in ranching while protecting natural resources. | 488 | IRL South |
| Rogers Atlantic Ridge Property | A small parcel that could provide access to Atlantic Ridge State Park. | 3 | Loxa-Lucie |
| Poinciana Gardens | A platted subdivision with as many as 800 potential residences. Conservation would prevent dense development in a sensitive area. | 225 | Loxa-Lucie |
| Pettway Property | A property along Kitchen Creek that supports flowway restoration and could serve as state park staff housing. | 20 | Loxa-Lucie |
| Rodgers - The Conservation Fund Property | A connector parcel linking Jonathan Dickinson and Atlantic Ridge state parks, improving greenway connectivity and water flows. | 15 | Loxa-Lucie |
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