State Acquires Land in Bay County for Base Buffering of Naval Support Activity Panama City

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sept. 1, 2017

CONTACT: DEP Press Office, 850.245.2112, DEPNews@dep.state.fl.us

State Acquires Land in Bay County for Base Buffering of Naval Support Activity Panama City

~Newly acquired land to benefit Florida military base~

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection recently finalized the purchase of 8.4-acres for base buffering of the Naval Support Activity (NSA) Panama City for $1.67 million dollars. 

“The acquisition of this property will prevent further incompatible development adjacent to NSA Panama City and prevent potential major interruptions to their military mission,” said David Clark, DEP's Division of State Lands director. “It will provide additional security and a buffer to one of the more sensitive areas on the installation.”

The subject parcel is designated as a Tier 1 priority parcel in the Department of Economic Opportunity/Florida Defense Support Task Force’s Military Base Protection Program. This program allows the state of Florida to acquire property, in fee or less-than-fee, around Florida’s military bases. The program originated during the 2012 Legislative session and was funded in 2014-2015. It was created to assist Florida’s military bases with any potential encroachment challenges from incompatible development that may require the bases to alter their mission. 

"Aboard Naval Support Activity Panama City, we are grateful for all the hard work done by the State of Florida and Bay County for the purchase of "Barefoot Palms" to protect our installation from encroachment," said Cmdr. Jay Sego, commanding officer of Naval Support Activity Panama City. "As development continues to increase in the community, this acquisition not only protects our military mission, but it also ensures the safety and security of our military and civilian employees."

NSA Panama City employs approximately 3,000 military and civilian personnel, with a payroll of more than $330 million. It supports 19 tenant commands with a wide range of military missions with an annual economic impact of approximately $600 million to the local area.