§ 9-183. Definitions.

[The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:]

Acquisition project shall mean land approved by the board for conservation in fee or less-than-fee title, including but not limited to development rights, conservation easements, environmental easements, leases, leaseback arrangements and life estates, by the county in accordance with procedures provided for herein.

Board shall mean the Osceola County Board of County Commissioners.

Buffer areas shall mean environmentally significant land or green space that, when conserved through this or other conservation programs, will function as a buffer between the county's primary urban service areas and rural areas in order to improve growth management efforts and enhance the quality of life in the county.

Buffer land shall mean that land which is adjacent to publicly-owned environmental land, or privately held land permanently dedicated to conservation, or that land which is a private in-holding within publicly-owned environmental land, and which, if not acquired, would threaten the environmental integrity of the existing resource, or if acquired, would enhance the environmental integrity and connectivity of the resource.

Environmentally significant land shall mean that land which contains natural upland or wetland communities, or native plant communities, or rare and endangered species habitat, or a diversity of species, or significant water resources, or outstanding aesthetic or other natural features.

Green space shall mean areas of preservation, enhancement, restoration, conservation, or recreational opportunities available within the targeted land acquisition proposal.

Management shall mean the preservation, enhancement, restoration, conservation, monitoring, or maintenance of the natural resource values of environmentally significant lands, which have been acquired under the program, including provision of appropriate public access.

Passive or resource based recreation shall mean those recreational opportunities that are compatible and reasonable use within the scope of the program and would not damage or degrade the environmental integrity of the acquired property.

Screening report shall mean part of the acquisition proposal process that will satisfy all information relevant for purchase considerations including, but not limited to, the secondary screening and site scoring criteria matrix, management assessment and costs, availability of matching funds and other viable information, that is critical for site consideration and as determined by LCAB and staff.

(Ord. No. 04-28, § 3, 7-26-04; Ord. No. 06-25, § 1(B), 6-26-06)