Conservation land deal set

The site where 200 homes once were to be built is being preserved for $4.35-million.

By CHUIN-WEI YAP, Times Staff Writer
Published August 3, 2007

ARIPEKA - A rare grasp at preserving 210 acres of Florida black bear habitat in northwestern Hudson is within Pasco County's reach.

The county's Environmental Lands Acquisition and Management Program, or ELAMP, signed a $4.35-million contract July 25 with a subsidiary of the Tampa developer, Landbuilder.

Landbuilder had planned to raise more than 200 homes on the property, called Aripeka Heights, but had a change of heart after Pasco's conservationists began their courtship.

The story of how Aripeka Heights became a piece of conservation is a tale of ELAMP's history itself.

"A lot of people wanted for a long time to have the property preserved," said Rene Wiesner Brown, the program's manager.

It was the first piece of property the 2-year-old county program nominated for purchase, in 2005.

But at the time, it was already slated for development by Steve Thompson of Dunedin. The landowner, Sonny Berdeaux, declined the conservationists.

"He said he had already signed the contract," Brown said. "He wasn't interested."

But when the development contract changed hands in August 2006, the county conservationists renewed their campaign.

This time, it worked.

Brown said the housing slowdown may have played a part in persuading Landbuilder to change its mind. Landbuilder partner John Buehler could not be reached Thursday for comment.

Apart from its value as a refuge for the threatened Florida black bear, the property is also valuable as sandhill uplands and for its longleaf pines, xeric oak, freshwater marshes and hardwood forest, Brown said.

Brown said many environmentalists had urged her to get Aripeka Heights, including Laurie Mcdonald, state director of Defenders of Wildlife.

"We would have put ourselves on the map for getting black bear habitat," said Jennifer Seney of Pascowildlife.

The County Commission is expected to sign off on the contract Aug. 21, followed by due diligence work and closing on the contract, Brown said.

Chuin-Wei Yap can be reached at 813 909-4613 or cyap@sptimes.com

[Last modified August 3, 2007, 08:41:08]