Environmentally Endangered Lands Program
Miami-Dade County’s Endangered Lands Program’s (EEL) focus is the purchase and conservation of environmentally endangered lands.
Concerned about the continuing loss of pinelands and other natural areas, Miami-Dade County voters approved a two-year property tax in 1990 to fund the acquisition, protection and maintenance of environmentally endangered lands. The EEL Program identifies and secures these lands for preservation.
The EEL Program and its partners have brought more than 18,350 acres of Environmentally Endangered Lands into public ownership since 1990. Additionally, the EEL Program manages nearly 3,000 acres of natural lands within Miami-Dade County Parks, for a total of more than 21,000 acres protected.
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Read about five of the more significant purchases as part of the EEL Program.
- Biscayne Coastal Wetlands
- Castellow Hammock
- Oleta River Corridor
- Rockdale Pineland
- South Dade Wetlands
Types of purchased lands
The purchase and conservation of these lands ensure that they are shielded from development and will continue to thrive as natural habitats:
- 631 acres of rockridge pineland
- 272 acres of tropical hardwood hammock
- 16,809 acres of freshwater wetlands
- 620 acres of coastal wetlands
- 19 acres of scrub habitat
Annually, the EEL program considers proposed acquisition sites by the public. Proposals by government agencies are reviewed semiannually. Each site is inspected by county staff and citizen volunteers who are members of the Land Acquisition Selection Committee (LASC). Following a public hearing, LASC recommends sites for purchase to the Board of County Commissioners.
Once approved for acquisition, a purchase is negotiated with the owner. The EEL Program works only with willing sellers to purchase land. To stretch available funds, EEL seeks matching funds and partners. EEL acquisitions are available for matching grants, joint acquisition agreements, and donations. The State of Florida’s Preservation 2000 program and Florida Forever have also been important sources of matching funds for EEL.
Any relatively undisturbed natural forest site, such as pinelands and hardwood hammocks, especially those in danger of being developed, can qualify for an environmentally endangered lands tax exemption.Back to Top
Volunteer workdays help protect and restore natural areas as part of our Endangered Lands Program.
Environmental Considerations GIS
Search the Environmental Considerations GIS Map to find out if a property may have any environmental features associated with it.
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