Boot Key Boundary AmendmentProposed by

The City of Marathon

Acquisition and Restoration CouncilDecember 9 and 10, 2010

Presented by Muller and Associates, Inc.

Boot Key Highlights

• Renowned fall raptor migration site – average single-day counts of almost 800 raptors– FWC Wildlife Viewing Area– Important Bird Area

• Habitat for at least 21 imperiled species (3 state-listed animals, 12 state-listed plants)

• Tropical hardwood hammock (rockland hammock), coastal berm/beach dune (S2 rank)

Boot Key Highlights

• Adjacent to Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

• Complements conservation/education/ historical facilities

• Adjacent to Florida Keys Overseas Paddling Trail

• Potential side-trip for the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail

Boundary Amendment

• Will allow 100% conservation ownership and management of island, after purchase of critical ownership (Yampol)

• Provide gateway to island for public access (essential since bridge was removed)

• City of Marathon will manage the island, in cooperation with FWC

CELCP NOAA Funding

• 50/50 cost share federal/state and local funding - Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program (CELCP), administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

• Boot Key ranked sixth in the nation on the preliminary priority list of projects eligible for CELCP funding, well within the anticipated funding

CELCP NOAA Funding

• Florida’s guidelines - projects proposed for CELCP must be on the Florida Forever/Board of Trustees acquisition list.

• The City of Marathon worked with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection Coastal Management Program to prepare the Boot Key application.

State/Keys Cooperative Agreement

• >>date, agreement, amt Marathon committed