Manatee County wants to pay $3M to help Florida turn Rattlesnake Key into a state park
Manatee County will spend up to $3 million to help state officials turn an island of mangroves into a new state park along Tampa Bay.
Rattlesnake Key — about 1,000 acres of mangrove forest just south of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge on Terra Ceia Bay — has been targeted for purchase by Florida leaders. Manatee’s contribution would support the state’s purchase, which carries an estimated $30 million price tag.
“The state has signaled its intention to secure Rattlesnake Key and its associated parcels for environmental protection,” said Charlie Hunsicker, the county’s director of parks and natural resources. “This is something that the environmental community and the state have recognized as a resource valuable for protection.”
State Sen. Jim Boyd, R-Bradenton, is spearheading the state’s planned acquisition. Speaking with the Bradenton Herald, he said he looked forward to preserving the island for future generations.
“I’m not opposed to development, but the plans were for a cruise ship terminal. This would be a lot more enjoyable, especially since there’s not much of this type of coastline left,” said Boyd, referring to a proposed development plan from several years ago.
In June, residents stumbled upon an online slideshow marketing the Skyway Resort Development, boasting “endless possibilities” that included a shopping village, a resort and a cruise ship terminal. The private landowner hasn’t pursued those plans in years, but Boyd said he recently met the owner for a conversation about selling the land to the state.
“He’s interested in preserving it forever and ever,” Boyd said. “That’s what got our interest.”
Manatee agrees to $3 million request
The Manatee Board of County Commissioners met in December to approve their funding commitment. The board voted in support of paying 10% of the sales price, with a $3 million cap.
“I’m so happy to see this on the agenda because this is a really important acquisition in the Florida Forever program, just like Emerson Point was,” Commissioner Misty Servia said.
Florida’s purchase of Rattlesnake Key is already highlighted in the 2021 Florida Forever Five-Year Plan for the Terra Ceia area. The state’s report says the area would be an ideal buffer preserve, with public use available for boating, fishing, hiking and picnicking.
The island, just north of Emerson Point, will only be accessible by boat.
Rattlesnake Key is a popular destination for daytrippers and boaters. Narrow paths through the island allow for kayak trips and there are also shorelines for stopping to take a rest.
Deal could protect ‘pristine’ Rattlesnake Key
“I could not be more thankful to state Sen. Jim Boyd for his hard work and dedication. Rattlesnake Key is a pristine untouched island that will be a tremendous natural resource for the county,” said Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge, who recalled camping trips in the area as a child.
Money for the land buy is available in the proposed budget that Gov. Ron DeSantis unveiled earlier this month. If the Florida Legislature follows through with the acquisition, the park would be managed by state employees.
Rattlesnake Key is one of the properties that environmental conservation advocates promoted when they urged Manatee voters to approve a 2020 referendum to increase the tax rate in order to preserve land throughout the county. Voters approved that referendum by a 71% vote.
But county officials did not charge property owners for the environmental lands tax in 2021. Instead, the government covered the cost of the higher tax rate by cutting into budget reserves. Manatee placed $5 million in an account set aside for environmental land preservation, the same amount that would have been raised from taxpayers.
If the purchase goes through, the county will use those funds to cover its part of the purchase. Boyd said he feels confident the Florida Legislature will be able to seal the deal next year. Senate President Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby, is also in support of the purchase.
“My goal is to get it done this session, so when we get to Tallahassee in a couple of weeks, that’ll be a priority to keep this moving,” said Boyd. “We’re 100% pedal to the metal on trying to pull this off.”
