LAMP board advances Hamilton Dowdy Trust parcel for formal scoring despite owner limits on public access

County staff presented the Hamilton Dowdy Trust property (1365 State Road 206) as a potential conservation acquisition by protective easement rather than fee simple. Ryan, the staff presenter, said the parcel lies on the west side of the Matanzas River and borders Matanzas State Forest, contains pine flatwoods, salt marsh frontage and man‑made ponds, and is accessible only by a privately maintained, unpaved roadway. He noted FEMA flood zones on part of the parcel and the presence of invasive species around the ponds.

Board members discussed invasive‑species treatment, grant funding, silviculture uses and the implications of public access. Ryan summarized the applicant’s written request: the owner seeks a protective easement allowing limited uses (timbering under tax classification, existing roads and fire lines, hunting, maintenance of existing structures) but explicitly asked for no public access and no county upgrade or maintenance of the access road. After discussion, speaker 3 moved to advance the parcel to formal scoring and speaker 6 seconded; the motion passed on a voice vote after the chair voted no. The board will include the parcel in the next stage of review and scoring for potential December recommendation to the county commission.