STUART – The Martin County Commission voted unanimously Aug. 26 to begin negotiating a conservation easement on the 1,941-acre Bar-B Ranch, the first potential purchase under the new half-cent sales tax voters approved last year to preserve environmentally sensitive lands.
Senior Project Manager Michael Yustin told commissioners the property was recommended by the Environmental Lands Oversight Committee after meeting criteria for water quality, habitat protection and connectivity to other conservation areas.
“The ranch is composed of high-quality pine forests, marshes and pastures,” Yustin said. “It sits within the Indian River Lagoon South boundary and will help capture stormwater affecting the St. Lucie Estuary.”…