Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet next week will consider proposals to spend $19 million to help prevent development on a little more than 5,000 acres of land in four counties.
DeSantis, Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis and Attorney General Ashley Moody are slated to consider purchasing separate conservation easements on land in Hendry and DeSoto counties and a conservation easement on land in Highlands and Glades counties.
Conservation easements prevent development, while allowing landowners, such as ranchers and farmers, to continue operations. DeSantis and the Cabinet will take up the proposals on Dec. 19.
The largest proposal, which is tied to the state’s Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, would lead to the state paying $8.195 million for an easement on 2,101.5 acres of Syfrett Ranch in Highlands and Glades counties.
More than 3,000 acres of the ranch were first pitched for an easement in 2015. Since then, owners have sold nearly 1,000 acres of the site, which is within the planned Florida Wildlife Corridor and is part of the Lake Okeechobee watershed. DeSantis and the Cabinet also will consider paying $5.243 million for an easement on 1,425.5 acres of cattle-ranch land from Ferguson-House Farms, Inc. in Hendry County.
A description by state staff members said the land includes habitat for Florida panthers. The third proposal involves spending $5.586 million for 1,531 acres of the 4L’s Ranch LLC in west-central DeSoto County. Staff members have recommended approval of all three deals.
Android Users, Click To Download The Free Press App And Never Miss A Story. Follow Us On Facebook and Twitter. Sign up for our free newsletter.
We can’t do this without your help. Visit our GiveSendGo page and donate any dollar amount; every penny helps.