Renzo Downey
Florida will invest $8.5 million in conservation easements after Gov. Ron DeSantis and the state Cabinet approved the measures Tuesday.
Two proposals, signed-off during the Cabinet meeting, approve the money for 10,000 acres of land conservation in Dixie and DeSoto counties. The projects comprise establishing a conservation easement in lower Suwannee River area and purchasing the Tiger Bay Ranch and placing it into an easement.
The Cabinet approved a $6.5 million deal for the 3,891-acre Tiger Bay Ranch property in DeSoto County, owned by the Circuit Court Judge Don Hall‘s family. But $2.9 million of the state’s purchase may be reimbursed through Agricultural Conservation Easement Program grant from U.S. Department of Agriculture, according to state forestry officials.
The Agriculture Conservation Easement Program, provided through the department’s Natural Resource Conservation Service, helps governments and nongovernmental organizations create easements. Conservation easements allow landowners to prevent further development on the property while still using the land.
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, a member of the Cabinet, said that the Tiger Bay project’s proximity to other Florida Forever projects made it a crucial to protecting the state’s rivers and lands.
“The Hall’s Tiger Bay Ranch Conservation Easement provide for pertinent and much-needed protection at critical habitats for threatened and endangered species like the Florida panther and to the snake, gopher, tortoise and many others,” Fried said.
“Our state’s farmers are crucial allies to protecting our natural resources and the Rural and Family Lands program helps make us work with the partnerships to promote stewardship of our lands and waterways.”
Florida’s Rural and Family Lands Protection Program allow landowners to protect their land under easements through the state’s Department of Agriculture.
The Lower Suwannee River and Gulf Watershed Florida Forever project in Dixie County will also spend $2 million to preserve the 5,785-acre timberland owned by the Lyme Cross City Forest Company. The protection is intended to enhance water quality and management practices in the tree farm.
DeSantis and the Cabinet did not discuss the forestry deal in Tuesday’s meeting unanimously approved both proposals.
Last year, former Gov. Rick Scott and the Cabinet approved a 19,225-acre easement in the area.
