Land Use in Brooker Creek Preserve:

1990-1998 : The question of what should and should not be allowed within Brooker Creek Preserve was first asked in 1998. Until then, nobody knew – the Preserve staff, the Friends, the citizens of Pinellas County – that Pinellas County Utilities purchased 40% (3,623 acres) of the preserve. We were told at that time that Utilities could do whatever they wanted with their portion of the property. We were shocked. This information surprised not only us, but also the county staff employed as caretakers of the preserve.

It is important to first understand the history prior to 1998. Utilities began buying up property in the East Lake area in the 1980’s with revenue from user fees. They used it for potable water production wells until the early 1990’s when saltwater intrusion required the wells to be closed. After that, they viewed the land as valuable for protecting public potable ground water sources outside the preserve.

Purchasing this land was a good thing, as ALL of it was slated for further East Lake housing developments. The county followed suit, purchasing contiguous property as green space in the 1990’s with money from Penny for Pinellas and state grants. Neither the county nor Utilities wanted the land developed, and all of it was put under the umbrella of “Brooker Creek Preserve.”

Biologists were hired to manage the land, The Friends of Brooker Creek Preserve was established in 1994 as a watchdog group, truckloads of trash were removed, a huge toxic dump was cleaned and restored, hiking trails were mapped out and built, exotic plants and animals were eradicated. Then we were told in 1998 that Utilities had some non-preserve plans for their portion of the preserve. “What do you mean their portion?” we asked. And the trouble started.

1999 : In September 1999, the Board of County Commissioners of Pinellas County unanimously voted to adopt Resolution 99-196 , reestablishing the board’s commitment to protection and management of Brooker Creek Preserve. The resolution states “that all activities, needs and construction projects affecting Brooker Creek Preserve that might impact either the ability to provide a dependable potable water supply or the preservation and management of the Preserve’s unique natural resources, be planned with open communication and cooperation in order that potential issues impacting the goals and management of Brooker Creek Preserve or the wellfield may be satisfactorily resolved”.

2000-2004 : A portion of the preserve is designated for construction of an Environmental Education Center to allow the public to learn more about this unique piece of natural Florida.

2005 : The Friends of Brooker Creek Preserve formed a land use committee when we learned of some new “non-preserve” land uses that were being considered. The Friends are not screaming, outrageous, tree-huggers. We do battle carefully, quietly, and deliberately. We research all the facts. We hire legal help. We survey all the options and choose, by committee, the best path. We successfully have won conflicts over potential preserve projects including a private horse facility, pumping water for a private golf course, and the location of ball fields.

2006-2009 : The most recent battle has been over the revision of county documents regarding land use in Brooker Creek Preserve. Our Land Use Committee has been involved in this throughout the lengthy process. Our strong commitment to having a seat at the table and having our input heard required us to become familiar with all the documents, consult with county officials and staff, as well as our own board of directors and lawyer.

The end result is that Pinellas County Utilities will indeed be able to use portions of Brooker Creek Preserve for specific types of water-related projects. The much-debated 260 acres north of Keystone Road that is designated for future Utilities vertical structures, if needed, is confined to a very specific area, rather than the original plan for any Utilities purchased acres in the entire Preserve.

The Friends of Brooker Creek Preserve have given our OK for this. In doing so we have said we made a deal with the devil, but we did not sell our souls. To the contrary, we feel we made the right decisions for the wildlife, the people, the Preserve staff, the Pinellas County Commission, and Utilities. These decisions were made through years and years of negotiations. Utilities knew back in the 1980’s when they first began purchasing the property that there would be utilities-type needs over time. They didn’t know what those needs were then – they couldn’t predict the future – nor do they know their future needs now. Will they ever need a 5-story building? A reservoir? They don’t know.

If they do, however, they can build it:

1. only on their apportioned 260 acres in the extreme northeastern corner of the Preserve
2. only if it is a water-related project and the water is intended for human consumption only
3. only after an additional layer of public review for any vertical structure
4. provided it is located in the site that is least detrimental to the environment.

Until then, the land remains open space for wildlife. The rest of the preserve, all 8,000 + acres, will remain intact forever, including those lands that utilities purchased, as well as the land north of Keystone Road the county recently purchased from the Wilde family, adding another 700+ acres to Brooker Creek Preserve. The Friends view this as another battle won.

A glass can be viewed as half full or half empty. The Friends firmly believe the Brooker Creek glass is about 97% full. We are thankful and appreciative that Pinellas County, including the Utilities Department, rescued this land from its destined, planned urban sprawl. We are sorely disappointed that Utilities gets to use 260 acres, but they have given up 3,363 acres, a huge win for the environment. The Land Use Committee will continue to be vigilant and aware of any land use issues that arise in the future.

GOLF COURSE IRRIGATION

EAST LAKE YOUTH SPORTS EXPANSION

THERAPEUTIC HORSE RIDING FACILITY

WATER BLENDING FACILITY ON TRINITY BLVD You may have noticed some changes taking place in the Preserve along the south side of Trinity Blvd. A blending facility is being built by Pinellas County Utilities as specified by Tampa Bay Water .

FOUR LAKES HAMMOCK AT BROOKER CREEK PRESERVE - POSITION STATEMENT