Land Opportunities

More than 116,000 acres identified on Martin County’s Land Acquisition Map.

 

71,000 acres already acquired thanks to Martin County citizens voting to tax themselves to support acquisition efforts, plus $30 million in state and federal grants.

Opportunity: secure the 46,000 remaining acres.

Target Areas

For purchase from willing sellers, there are four target areas the initiative is focusing on:

Blueways400 acres of parcels adjacent to local waterways Indian River Lagoon Watershed27,000 acres essential to the health of the Lagoon Loxa-Lucie9,800 acres essential to the health of the St. Lucie and Loxahatchee Rivers Pal-Mar8,500 acres of some of the highest quality wetlands in the County

Blueways Program

  • About 400 acres of smaller parcels adjacent to water bodies
  • Have a high probability of being developed within 5-10 years
  • Provide access to waterways, beaches and other shoreline areas
  • Protect waterways by providing natural buffers
  • Support high levels of rare and endangered species habitat
  • Improve coastal resiliency by acquiring areas in flood zones

Indian River Lagoon Watershed

  • By far the largest acquisition footprint. About 27,000 acres
  • Large areas of conservation land
  • Past acquisitions include C-44 Project and Allapattah
  • Cost per acre relatively low
  • Funding Sources: Eligible for Florida Forever grants and federal cost share

Loxa-Lucie Headwaters

  • 9,800 acres (6,500 already acquired)
  • Essential to St. Lucie River restoration & health of Loxahatchee River
  • Wildlife/recreation corridor from JD to Atlantic Ridge State Park
  • Potential trail connection between Stuart & Tequesta
  • Large tracts of privately owned, undeveloped land
  • Proximity to urban services à high probability for future development
  • Funding Sources: Some portions are eligible for Florida Forever grants and federal cost share

Pal-Mar (“Pal-Mar Program”)

  • 8,500 acres (County line, I-95/ Turnpike & Indiantown
  • 24,000 acres already acquired
  • 8,500 acres remain in private ownership
  • Contains some of the highest quality wetlands in Martin County and is a critical wildlife corridor
  • Headwaters of the Loxahatchee River
  • Regional recreational opportunities and a major trail destination
  • Facing imminent threat from off-road vehicles and poaching
  • Funding Sources: 10% of land is eligible for cost share

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