FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 17, 2014
CONTACT: Governor's Press Office, 850.717.9282, media@eog.myflorida.com
STATE APPROVED PURCHASE OF 155 ACRES FOR CONSERVATION
~Also Approved $27 Million in Non-Conservation Land Sales~
TALLAHASSEE – Today Governor Rick Scott and the Florida
Cabinet, as the Board of Trustees, approved the purchase of more than 155 acres
of property adjacent to the Lower Wekiva River Preserve State Park in central
Florida and approved the sale of surplus, non-conservation lands totaling more
than $27 million.
Governor Scott said, “It is important that we
invest in preservation of the state’s valuable natural resources like land and
water so they are available for Florida families for generations to come. I
believe in being a good steward of state resources and believe today’s approval
of the sale of certain properties and acquisition of conservation land are both
win-win scenarios.”
“I appreciate
Governor Scott and the Board’s action today, which will result in the purchase
of valuable conservation lands,” said DEP Secretary Herschel T. Vinyard Jr. “We
will continue working to preserve high-priority conservation lands, especially
those that are crucial to protecting water resources throughout the state.”
“Audubon Florida applauds the decision by
Governor Scott to allow the sale of non-conservation lands to put the funds
into preserving the environment,” said Executive Director of Audubon Florida Eric
Draper. “The Wekiva-Ocala Greenway is a long-sought and high priority for
Florida Forever. Today’s purchase brings us one step closer to a ribbon of
green stretching between two of Florida’s largest parks. The Wekiva-Ocala
Greenway provides waterfront access for people and provides a corridor for
bears and other wildlife. We are excited that additional land acquisition
is planned for the Greenway.”
“I applaud the Cabinet’s approval of the 2014
Florida Forever workplan today that includes acquisition priorities that will
further land and water resource protection in Florida,” said Janet Bowman with
the Nature Conservancy. “We look forward to the proceeds of the sale of
non-conservation state properties approved today being used to purchase Florida
Forever conservation priorities as soon as possible.”
The Board of Trustees approved the
acquisition of more than 155 acres of property adjacent to the Lower Wekiva
River Preserve State Park. The property within the Wekiva-Ocala Greenway
protects the Little Wekiva River and St. Johns River basins by preserving
natural corridors connecting Wekiwa Springs State Park, Rock Springs Run State
Reserve, the Lower Wekiva River Preserve State Park and Hontoon Island State
Park as well as the Ocala National Forest. The springs, rivers, lakes, swamps
and uplands stretching north from Orlando to the Ocala National Forest are an
important refuge for the Florida black bear, as well as other wildlife such as
the bald eagle, swallow-tailed kite, Florida scrub jay and wading birds. The
parcel will be managed by the DEP’s Division of Recreation and Parks as an
addition to the Lower Wekiva River Preserve State Park, providing passive
recreational opportunities.
The eight parcels of land approved for sale
include four correctional institutes that are no longer in use and the acreage
they sit on. The properties approved for sale include: Broward County
Correctional Institute (66 acres), Glades Correctional Institute (211 acres),
Hendry County Correctional Facility (1,110 acres), Hillsborough County
Correctional Institution (135 acres), and other non-conservation surplus land
sales in Lee, Miami-Dade, Volusia and Monroe Counties.
The 2014-2015 Florida Legislature gave DEP
spending authority to utilize up to $40 million of the proceeds of non-
conservation land sales to acquire valuable land needed for conservation and
public recreation.
For more specifics on each parcel approved
for sale, click HERE.
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