 The Sarasota County Regional
Environmental Mitigation Program oversees the acquisition,
design and construction of Regional Offsite Mitigation Areas (ROMAs)
throughout the county. The intent of the Regional Environmental
Mitigation Program is to provide meaningful, ecologically sound
mitigation for unavoidable environmental impacts associated with
county infrastructure projects such as road and sidewalk
construction. Since its inception in 2001, the Regional
Environmental Mitigation Program has acquired more than 400
acres of habitat to be restored and enhanced to provide greater
wetland function and improved wildlife habitat. The Regional Environmental Mitigation Program team, works
with the Southwest Florida Water Management District and the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to permit and design regional
mitigation areas that will enhance critical habitat for wildlife
and preserve unique environmental areas for future generations.
Fox Creek
Regional Mitigation Area
The Fox Creek Regional Offsite Mitigation Area (ROMA) consists
of a 140-acre parcel located in west-central Sarasota County,
between Fox Creek and Cow Pen Slough.
 The
Fox Creek ROMA was purchased by Sarasota County Public Works in
2003 to provide regional mitigation for impacts associated with
Sarasota County Capital Improvement Projects including roadway
and stormwater projects. The multiphase Fox Creek project will
include the creation, enhancement and/or restoration of native
habitats found on this unique parcel. Additionally, the Fox
Creek ROMA project includes potential habitat restoration
initiatives to restore the remnant scrub habitat found on the
site that would benefit listed species such as the Florida scrub
jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens) and gopher tortoise (Gopherus
polyphemus).
A master land management plan has been developed for the Fox
Creek ROMA to insure ecologically sound management of the site
in perpetuity. Upon completion of the restoration and
enhancement efforts, it is the intent to open the Fox Creek ROMA
to passive recreation including hiking, bird watching and public
education and outreach events that showcase the unique habitats
found on the Fox Creek site.
Curry Creek
Regional Mitigation Area
The Curry Creek Regional
Offsite Mitigation Area (ROMA) includes 20 acres of preserve
located in Nokomis off Albee Farm Road and Colonia Lane. The
Curry Creek ROMA features a unique tidal creek restoration area
that provides enhanced habitat for wading birds and many
important fish species. The site, previously dominated by exotic
plant species, has been restored to a lush saltwater marsh and
tidal area lined with mangroves, leather fern and native grass
and rush species.
Myakka
Regional Mitigation Area
The Myakka Regional Mitigation
Area (ROMA), located adjacent to the Jelks Preserve along River
Road, comprises 72 acres of habitat that will be enhanced and
preserved to mitigate for county Infrastructure projects. The
Myakka ROMA will preserve important riverfront habitat along the
Myakka River as well as other habitats critical to wildlife. The
Myakka ROMA contains a mosaic of upland and wetland habitats,
including mature hardwood hammock, pine flatwoods, wet prairie
and forested wetland. Upon completion of wetland restoration
activities and enhancement efforts, this parcel will be opened
to the public for passive recreation, including hiking and bird
watching.
 New Regional
Mitigation Area
In October 2007, the Regional
Mitigation Program acquired a new Regional Mitigation Area as
part of a land exchange. The new parcel is located adjacent to
Gottfried Creek in Englewood. The new ROMA contains habitats
critical to listed wildlife species including the Florida scrub
jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens) and the gopher tortoise (Gopherus
polyphemus). The parcel and its unique habitat types will be
preserved in perpetuity.
Additional
Regional Mitigation Program Projects
The
Regional Mitigation Program has partnered with other county
departments and agencies in a cooperative effort to restore and
enhance many areas in Sarasota County.
Some of these additional cooperative projects include:
- Lemon
Bay Preserve
- Deer
Prairie Creek Restoration
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