FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sept. 23, 2014
CONTACT: Governor's Press Office, media@eog.myflorida.com, 850-717-9282
CABINET APPROVES TWO
CONSERVATION LAND ACQUISITIONS TO PROTECT FLORIDA’S ENVIRONMENT
TALLAHASSEE – Today, Governor Rick Scott and the Florida
Cabinet approved the acquisition of more than 1,275 acres to protect
environmentally sensitive areas in Monroe and Washington counties. This
approval is the final step before land can be purchased for these two Florida
Forever projects.
Governor
Scott said, “This more than $4-million investment will protect our springs and
environment to ensure future generations can continue to enjoy Florida’s
natural treasures.”
“Governor Scott and the Cabinet took
important steps today to protect two very different, but equally important
areas of Florida,” said DEP Secretary Herschel T. Vinyard Jr. “While each of
these projects has a different purpose, they all protect and improve water-quality in our state, which has been a major priority for this administration.”
“The purchase of these valuable conservation
lands not only offers significant water quality protection, but also benefits
birds and wildlife in the regions,” said Eric Draper, Audubon Florida executive director. "Audubon applauds the efforts of DEP for acquiring this land and
the Florida Board of Trustees for supporting these important purchases.”
“The purchase of these Florida Forever
priority lands is movement in the right direction,” said Janet Bowman with the
Nature Conservancy. “It’s encouraging to see Cabinet’s support for the purchase
of these valuable lands that offer important water-resource protection for
springs and estuaries, coastal protection and critical habitat for wildlife.”
The first acquisition is a 928.3-acre parcel
within the Florida Keys Ecosystem Florida Forever project, which will help
safeguard the Outstanding Florida Waters of the Keys. In addition, this
property will preserve hardwood hammocks and many rare plants and animals,
including the North American crocodile, Lower Keys marsh rabbit and Key deer.
This parcel, purchased for $3.6 million, will also help protect recreational and commercial
fisheries, reefs around the islands and give residents and visitors more areas
for enjoying the natural beauty of the Keys. The property will be managed by
the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission as an addition to the
Florida Keys Wildlife and Environmental Area.
The second acquisition is within the
Florida’s First Magnitude Springs Florida Forever project in Washington County
and consists of 347.6 acres from Plum Creek Land Company. The parcel, purchased
for $780,000, is adjacent to land owned by the Northwest Florida Water
Management District, which will manage this new property.
The project is located along Holmes Creek,
which is primarily a spring-fed creek containing a total of 51 springs within a
25-mile reach of the creek. The acquisition will ensure greater spring
protection, while maintaining the current public access for fishing, hunting,
canoeing, kayaking, boating and hiking. There is a boat ramp onsite, which
will remain and is currently leased and managed by Washington County.
Earlier
this month, DEP announced
the Division of State Lands surpassed the goal of selling $40 million of
non-conservation land to purchase new, valuable conservation lands. These two
acquisitions are examples of the important properties the department is seeking
to acquire with these funds.
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