Approve Conveyance of a Deed of Conservation Easement to Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) for the Stewart Middle Magnet School Shoreline Restoration Project

On February 10, 2009, the School Board of Hillsborough County approved a Cooperative Funding Agreement with SWFWMD and Ecosphere Restoration Institute, Inc. to restore five hundred feet of shoreline located between Stewart Middle Magnet School, Just Elementary School and Blake High School.  The project consisted of removal/recycling of all non-native vegetation, restoration/enhancement of the river bank by grading, adding rip rap, and installing native plant material.  Students have been able to observe and participate in the restoration by planting and studying conditions of the river habitat and the ecosystem.  The project resulted in shoreline enhancement by creating upland habitats for this area of the Hillsborough River.

As part of the terms of the Cooperative Funding Agreement, the School Board agreed to convey a perpetual conservation easement for the project site to SWFWMD.  The easement intends for the project site to serve as a nature preserve for the wildlife of Tampa Bay.  Approval of the attached Conservation Easement will fulfill the terms of the agreement by the School Board.

The approval of the Conservation Easement at Stewart Middle Magnet School to the Southwest Florida Wastewater Management District will not have a financial impact to the School Board of Hillsborough County.