Proposed Everglades Headwaters National Wildlife Refuge and Conservation Area

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1 Proposed Everglades Headwaters National Wildlife Refuge and Conservation Area CFRPC Keenan Adams October 11, 2011 George Willson

2 National Wildlife Refuge System First refuge Pelican Island Established by Teddy Roosevelt in 1903 Today: 554 National Wildlife Refuges 150 million acres Manage for wildlife first for us and future generations

3 What you need to know about this proposal This program is voluntary This is not a regulatory program The conservation footprint is 150,000 acres This is primarily a conservation easement program This program will compliment existing conservation programs

4 Why is Service Interested? Headwaters of Everglades Endangered species habitat Connectivity with conservation lands Global climate change Recreation and education Working with partners to achieve larger conservation footprint

5 Threats to Landscape Habitat fragmentation and urban development Water quality Global climate change Erosion of ranching heritage

6 What is the proposal document? Draft Land Protection Plan Land acquisition strategy defined Environmental Assessment NEPA document Three alternatives described Appendecies include a conceptual management plan, species lists, and description of scientific methods

7 Alternative C Partnership Approach 150,000 acres 100k easements Up to 50k fee Representative priority habitats Connectivity Water quality

8 Key components of proposal Conservation Partnership Area Easements and cooperative efforts Conservation Focal Area Easement and only area of Fee No Wilderness designation Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) No condemnation

9 Examples of Conservation Focal Areas

10 How do I know if I am included in a Focal Area? Each parcel owner within Focal Area identified and contacted Maps cross referenced to table in Land Protection Plan

11 How did the Service rank parcels? Science-based Priority habitats for T & E species Wetlands Connectivity Landowner interest as filter Best professional judgment

12 How will we decide which parcel to purchase first? Initially require landowner interest Priority established by scientific methodology Available funds Best professional judgment Ability to reach agreement with willing landowner

13 Where s the Money? Land and Water Conservation Fund From royalties of sale of offshore gas and oil leases, not taxes Specifically dedicated to conservation purchases Use must be authorized by Congress Could amount to $900 million annually

14 What s the economic benefit 30% of beef cattle industry is located within project area Every refuge dollar spent returns four to the local economy ($7million in FL returned $30 million) (CARE Report 2011, FWS data 2011) Sportsman spend $2,300 annual/pp (FWS 2006) Wildlife Obs spend $6,400 annual/pp (FWS 2006) 80 fishing guides at Merritt Island NWR generates $2.8 million revenue (FWS 2011)

15 What about loss of tax revenue? The federal government does not pay county taxes. Does pay revenue sharing payments In rural areas, revenue sharing generally exceeds tax revenues Three ranch average tax: $2/acre Lake Wales Ridge NWR RSP: $13.5/acre

16 Planning Timeline Public scoping period complete Draft LPP and EA release Sept 8 Comment period 45 days (Oct 24) Finalize documents Winter 2011 Approval/authorized Winter 2011 Establishment with first acquisition or donation

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