Manatee County Commission opposes sale of Pine Island

MANATEE -- The Manatee County Commission voted unanimously Tuesday to oppose the proposed sale of part of Pine Island Preserve after the county natural resources chief said he would be "very concerned" at the loss of a natural island.

"Your staff has spent 10 years maintaining this property," said Charlie Hunsicker, Manatee County director of parks and natural resources, referring to the island at the mouth of the Braden River.

"It is not very often that a government employee like myself can say, 'Not in my backyard,'" he said.

The water management district, which oversees water resources in 16 Florida counties, including Manatee, is considering selling 66 acres of the property as "surplus lands."

Another piece of Manatee land is also listed: 57 acres of the Little Manatee River Corridor, Southfork Tract, according to the water district website.

Commission Chairwoman Betsy Benac said she hoped to "express our concern about this being surplus property to the (Southwest Florida Water Management District) Board, and we do not support their position in making this surplus property," she said, referring to Pine Island.

Pine Island is a passive preserve near the State Road 64 boat ramp along the Braden River.

The property, accessible only by boat, was purchased with public money in 2003 after a long fight between residents who opposed development there and a developer who wanted to build there, according to a participant.

Sara Kennedy, Herald reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7031. Follow her on Twitter@sarawrites.

This story was originally published March 24, 2015 at 4:19 PM with the headline "Manatee County Commission opposes sale of Pine Island ."