Environmentalists are concerned Gov. Rick Scott’s efforts to save taxpayer money might hinder land conversation efforts in the state.
This year, more than four million Floridians voted in favor of a measure that sets aside money for the state to purchase environmentally sensitive lands.
But, Scott said he wants Florida to pay only 90 percent of the appraised value for these lands.
Eric Draper with Audubon Florida said that might backfire.
“It just doesn’t make sense to me,” Draper said. “We shouldn’t be asking people who are willing to sell land for parks to state to have to sell it at a discount. No one in their right mind would want to do that. It’s not a good way to treat Floridians. It also means a lot of land that we need for parks or for wildlife or protecting water won’t be available to us because the only land the state wants to buy can be bought on the cheap.”
In a statement, a spokeswoman for Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection said “Florida is committed to buying high-value conservation lands.”
“We always work to get the best deal for tax payers,” DEP officials said in an emailed statement.
Cabinet members voted against the governor several days ago on one land deal. They didn’t agree the state should pass on a sale in hopes of a lower price.
Draper said he hopes to work with the governor on coming up with a plan that would be good for the state.
