It doesn't get much better than this when it comes to land preservation in Florida. The state Cabinet approved a $350-million purchase of 73,000 acres of environmentally and historically significant Babcock Ranch, which stretches across Charlotte and Lee counties and is home to Florida panthers, the Telegraph Swamp and a working cattle ranch.
Not only did Gov. Bush and the three other Cabinet members approve the purchase, they also discussed a responsible way to pay for it. The Legislature must come up with $300-million (while Lee County and two state agencies contribute the balance). If that entire amount were taken out of the Florida Forever conservation fund, it would leave the state with little money for other land purchases. So the Cabinet recommended that lawmakers pay in cash, using surplus tax revenues and avoiding borrowing costs.
As with any complex deal of this kind in fast-growing Florida, there was a need to compromise. Final approval is contingent on developer Syd Kitson purchasing the entire ranch and winning approval to build on the remaining 18,000 acres. Two potential deal-killers have already been avoided. Kitson agreed to give up his claim of water rights on the state portion, and Charlotte County won permission to seek state approval to tap the aquifer for its drinking-water needs.
When the benefits and liabilities are balanced, however, this is a win for Florida residents. While there will be a new city that covers 28 square miles, there will also be a vital piece added to Southwest Florida's environmental puzzle. The Babcock Ranch purchase would assure a land corridor for the panther and other wildlife from Lake Okeechobee to Charlotte Harbor, and retain an irreplaceable piece of natural Florida for recreation and environmental research.
Development pressure is unlikely to relent in Florida. Preservation of our quality of life will rely on more aggressive growth management and land purchases such as this one - the only certain way to retain the state's unique natural beauty for future generations.
While there are still some final details to work out - including settling on a way to raise the money without bankrupting the state's environmental land-buying program - there is now reason to believe it will happen.
