Natural Areas Policies

The following is an announcement regarding the natural buffer or environmentally sensitive areas that are scattered in large numbers throughout the Mira-Bay community. The natural areas, consisting of wetland preservation and conservations areas are not intended to be maintained. These areas are to be left untouched to allow for nature to take its normal course. Trees and other vegetation within or immediately adjacent to these areas that have died and appear to pose a threat of falling and damaging an abutting property owner’s property may be addressed by the property owner contacting the CDD. The CDD will then need to contact either the Hillsborough County Development Review Division or the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) to assess the threat. The goal is to prohibit or minimize disturbance to these areas. In the event that a tree does fall onto another’s property, that property owner has the right to cut back or “limb” the tree, as necessary to their individual property line. The rest of the tree is to be left alone. Removal of native vegetation within and immediately surrounding these areas is discouraged, unless absolutely necessary, and may be restricted or prohibited by Hillsborough County, and ultimately by the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) to protect the upland/wetland area or body of water. Ultimately, no one should encroach into the natural areas for any reason, from maintenance to placement of personal property of any kind including vegetation, lumber or any other debris materials.