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Posting from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection Governor and Cabinet Approve 2007 Florida Forever Lists

February 2007

TALLAHASSEE, February 2007 – Continuing Florida’s commitment to preserving the state’s natural resources and threatened habitats, Governor Charlie Crist and the Florida Cabinet approved revisions to the Florida Forever land acquisition lists on Tuesday. Proposed by the Acquisition and Restoration Council (ARC), the lists outline Florida’s priorities for land acquisition over the next year.

“Through Florida Forever, the largest program of its kind in the United States, the state has protected more than 2.3 million acres of land in perpetuity,” said DEP Secretary Michael W. Sole. “Today’s approval continues Florida Forever’s success by outlining land conservation projects that offer the best return for our investment and allow us to maximize our resources.”

Changes to the Florida Forever lists include:

Projects Completed: Babcock Ranch, completed.

Projects Moved From Group B to Group A: Atlantic Ridge Ecosystem, Baldwin Bay/St. Marys River and Ichetucknee Trace, willing sellers.

Projects Added to Group A List: BJ Bar Ranch, Florida National Scenic Trail and South Goethe.

Projects with Boundary Amendments: Bombing Range Ridge, addition of 3,189 acres; Caber Coastal Connector, addition of 1,709 acres; Flagler County Blueway, addition of 20 acres; Florida’s First magnitude Springs, addition of 305 acres; Lake Wales Ridge Ecosystem, addition of 11,444 acres; Ochlockonee River Conservation Area, addition of 1,025 acres; Osceola Pine Savannas, addition of 5,529 acres; Pumpkin Hill Creek, addition of 713 acres; Twelve Mile Swamp, deduction of 2 acres and Wekiva-Ocala Greenway, addition of 77 acres.

The 10-year, $3 billion Florida Forever program established by the Florida Legislature in 1999 conserves environmentally sensitive land, restores waterways and preserves important cultural and historical resources. For more information on each individual project, visit www.FloridaForever.org.