FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sept. 1, 2017
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.
|