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Lower Expectations as DEP Prepares Final Surplus Lands List

January 6, 2014 | WMFE - In a few weeks the state Department of Environmental Protection expects to release its final list of surplus conservation lands. The department planned to sell the properties for up to $50 million and put the money toward new conservation lands. Instead the DEP is unlikely to raise that much.

After outcry from environmentalists the department reduced its list of proposed surplus lands by nearly half to 3,400 acres.

Charles Lee of Audubon of Florida described the idea of selling the lands as a flop.

"The real estate market for the type of properties that are involved is not good, and so the original idea of getting $50 million from the sale of surplus properties. I'd be surprised if they got $5 million."

Spokesman Patrick Gillespie says the DEP has done no appraisal of the lands.

He says once the list is finalized state colleges and universities can lease them, or municipalities can buy them at their appraised value.

If there's no interest the lands will go up for sale.

Gillespie expects a final list later this month.

 

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