Florida Forever Funding Approved Unanimously
TALLAHASSEE, Florida, May 5, 2008 (ENS) – Environmental groups throughout the state are delighted with the approval of funding for the land acquisition and protection program Florida Forever – or at least for the next 10 years.
Although the Florida budget is tight this year, the Florida House of Representatives passed the bill unanimously today, and the Senate passed it unanimously on April 23.
Governor Charlie Crist is expected to sign the bill, which authorizes expenditures of $300 million a year to protect Florida’s remaining natural areas.
The 160 member Florida Forever Coalition had hoped for an increase but in the end were pleased to hold on to their usual funding level.
Endangered whooping cranes feed in
Florida. (Photo courtesy EHP)
“The Florida Forever Coalition applauds the vision and the leadership of the Florida Senate and House in continuing our state’s investment in Florida Forever,” the coalition said in a statement praising the vote.
“Florida Forever protects the most special places in Florida, the rivers, lakes, parks, and quiet natural areas that will be known, used, and loved by our children and grandchildren.”
Members of the coalition include Audubon of Florida, The Nature Conservancy, the Florida Wildlife Federation, 1000 Friends of Florida, Defenders of Wildlife and Trust for Public Land.
The measure extends Florida Forever for 10 years, and it adds funding for the protection of working ranch and timber lands and of working waterfronts.
The annual sale of bonds to pay for the program is authorized and the bond ceiling is raised to $5.3 billion.
Since it began in July 2001 through December 2006, the Florida Forever land acquisition program has protected over 535,643 acres of land with $1.8 billion.
The acquisitions have protected the habitat of over 580 listed species – 98 of those species are listed as endangered by the state, 41 are listed as threatened, and 17 are classed as species of special concern.
The lion’s share of Florida Forever funds are directed to the Division of State Lands an agency of the Department of Environmental Protection, DEP. The division has a new director as of March 25.
Governor Charlie Crist and the Florida Cabinet then confirmed the appointment of Deborah Poppell as DEP’s director of the Division of State Lands.
“Deborah is an asset to our agency and a compelling environmental steward,” said DEP Secretary Michael Sole. “Her strong experience in real estate is a valuable resource as we continue to preserve environmentally-sensitive land, especially with Florida Forever, the largest and most successful land-buying initiative in the nation.”
Poppell has served as acting director of the Division of State Lands for DEP since January 2007. She served in several different roles with the agency for nearly 11 years. Prior to joining DEP, Poppell was a realtor for more than a decade and is involved in the Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce.
