Pasco Taxpayers Now Own 188 Acres Of Coastal Wetlands

NEW PORT RICHEY, FL -- Merry Christmas, Pasco County taxpayers. You've just become the owners of 188 acres of environmentally sensitive coastal property.

The Environmental Lands Acquisition and Management Program of Pasco County’s Natural Resources Division has purchased 188 acres along the Gulf coast in New Port Richey for conservation. The property partially abuts the county-owned Eagle Point Park.

Tidal creeks run through both the north and south sides of the property, cutting through red and white mangroves and leading to the Gulf of Mexico. It is positioned within the Coastal Marshes Ecological Planning Unit and supports several conservation objectives including the protection of water quality and buffering impacts to wetlands.

ELAMP was created in July 2004 to purchase environmentally sensitive lands throughout Pasco County. ELAMP ensures those lands protect the natural community, connect natural tracts of land, conserve native plant and animal populations, enhance recreational opportunities and expand environmental education.

Funding is provided through a portion of the Penny for Pasco surtax. To learn more about Pasco County's ELAMP, including a list of properties on the acquisition list, click here.

Image via Pasco County

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