Special Projects

Special projects can be classified as "other projects as assigned". Two of the most critical duties are the application process to obtain grant funds for environmental lands or projects and the environmental assessment of properties offered to the County for purchase or for free (usually for the reduction of tax burden). Application for grant funds can be critical in determining whether a project can be constructed.

Matching grants can cover significant portions of the cost of needed projects and land purchases. Occasionally a grant can cover the full cost, but that is rare. The Environmental Support Services Section has been instrumental in obtaining State, Federal and private grants totaling over $3.6 million dollars for the County and over $3 million dollars for the City of Oldsmar. Several of these grants were awarded to reestablish the historical circulation patterns around Mullet Key in Ft. DeSoto Park to improve water quality and habitat health by the construction of a series of bridges on the entrance road and maintenance access. This project likely would not have come to fruition without these grants. Frequently land is offered to the County through either sale or through donation.

Other requests come through to vacate County controlled land such as easements. In all circumstances, the land must be assessed to its environmental importance so informed decisions can be rendered. The Section visits the sites and summarizes its findings to report to the interested party.