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$18-million state deal protects 18,000 acres

TALLAHASSEE - Gov. Jeb Bush and the Cabinet on Tuesday approved an $18-million deal that will bar development on more than 18,000 acres in the Panhandle, keeping it clear for wildlife habitat and military training.

The vote to purchase a perpetual conservation easement means landowner M.C. Davis and his heirs cannot sell or develop the land, and only certain low-impact uses are permitted.

The land's appraised value is $60-million. Officials say if Davis had chosen to sell it in parcels to developers, he could have gotten much more.

Davis, a real estate speculator and conservationist, said he wants to preserve the land for wildlife habitat.

It is also part of a massive tract officials are trying to keep undeveloped to avoid interference with military training and testing, particularly by units at nearby Eglin Air Force Base.

The plan to keep the "Nokuse Plantation," near Freeport in Walton County, out of development is one of the first parts of a planned 1,000-square-mile no-development zone in the Panhandle, envisioned to stretch from Eglin, near Fort Walton Beach, east and then south to the Gulf of Mexico.

The undeveloped land spanning six counties would be kept in its natural state, protecting several endangered species living there, but also allowing the military to continue using airspace without worrying about disrupting people.

The project was partly made possible by new federal authority allowing the military to join states and nonprofits to create such buffers. The federal government chipped in $1-million of the cost of the easement.

"This project will play a critical role in protecting Eglin's mission," said Col. Robert Nolan, commander of the 46th Test Wing at the base.

[Last modified February 2, 2005, 00:31:09]