Chapter 259 — Chapter 259

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Land Conservation Program.”

The following terms and phrases when used in this chapter shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:(1) “Council” means that council established pursuant to s. 259.035.(2) “Board” means the Governor an…

(1) It is the policy of the state that the citizens of this state shall be assured public ownership of natural areas for purposes of maintaining this state’s unique natural resources; protecting air, land, and water quality; promoting water resource development to meet the needs …

If the Department of Environmental Protection has made a payment in lieu of taxes to a governmental entity and subsequently suspended such payment, the department shall reinstitute appropriate payments and continue the payments in consecutive years until the governmental entity h…

(1) There is created the Acquisition and Restoration Council.(a) The council shall be composed of 10 voting members, 4 of whom shall be appointed by the Governor. Of these four appointees, three shall be from scientific disciplines related to land, water, or environmental science…

(1) To determine whether conservation, preservation, and recreation lands titled in the name of the board are being managed for purposes that are compatible with conservation, preservation, or recreation in accordance with a land management plan adopted pursuant to s. 259.032, th…

(1) The Land Management Uniform Accounting Council (LMUAC) is created within the Department of Environmental Protection and shall consist of the director of the Division of State Lands, the director of the Division of Recreation and Parks, and the director of the Office of Coasta…

(1) For projects and acquisitions selected for purchase pursuant to ss. 259.035 and 259.105:(a) The board is given the responsibility, authority, and power to develop and execute a comprehensive, statewide 5-year plan to conserve, restore, and protect environmentally endangered l…

(1) Two or more counties, or a combination of at least one county and one or more municipalities, may establish, through an interlocal agreement, a tax increment area for conservation lands. The interlocal agreement, at a minimum, must:(a) Identify the geographic boundaries of th…

Within 45 days after the Administration Commission designates an area as an area of critical state concern under s. 380.05, and annually thereafter, the Department of Environmental Protection shall consider the recommendations of the state land planning agency pursuant to s. 380.…

(1) When land with an existing agricultural lease is acquired in fee simple pursuant to this chapter or chapter 375, the existing agricultural lease may continue in force for the actual time remaining on the lease agreement. Any entity managing lands acquired under this section m…

(1) Upon request of the board, by appropriate resolution, the Division of Bond Finance from time to time, subject to the debt limitation provided herein, may issue bonds pledging the full faith and credit of the state as shall be necessary to provide sufficient funds to achieve t…

The provisions of ss. 259.01-259.06 shall be liberally construed in a manner to accomplish the purposes thereof.

The council, before making recommendations to the board for the purchase of any land pursuant to s. 259.035, shall hold one or more public meetings on the proposed purchase of such land in areas of the state where major portions of such land are situated. At least 30 days in adva…

(1) SHORT TITLE.—This section may be cited as the “Florida Preservation 2000 Act.”(2) LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS.—The Legislature finds and declares that:(a) The alteration and development of Florida’s natural areas to accommodate its rapidly growing population have contributed to the …

(1) This section may be cited as the “Florida Forever Act.”(2)(a) The Legislature finds and declares that:1. Land acquisition programs have provided tremendous financial resources for purchasing environmentally significant lands to protect those lands from imminent development or…

(1) There is created the Florida Forever Trust Fund to carry out the purposes of ss. 259.032, 259.105, 259.1052, and 375.031. The Florida Forever Trust Fund shall be held and administered by the Department of Environmental Protection. Proceeds from the sale of bonds, except proce…

(1) The acquisition of the state’s portion of the Babcock Crescent B Ranch by the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund is a conservation acquisition under the Florida Forever program created in s. 259.105, with a goal of sustaining the ecological and economic …

(1) DEFINITIONS.—For the purpose of this section, the “citizen support organization” means an organization that is:(a) A Florida corporation not for profit incorporated under the provisions of chapter 617 and approved by the Department of State;(b) Organized and operated to condu…

(1) SHORT TITLE.—This section may be cited as the “Babcock Ranch Preserve Act.”(2) DEFINITIONS.—As used in this section, the term:(a) “Babcock Ranch Preserve” and “preserve” mean the lands and facilities acquired in the purchase of the Babcock Crescent B Ranch, as provided in s. …

(1) SHORT TITLE.—This section may be cited as the “Florida Wildlife Corridor Act.”(2) LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS.—The Legislature finds that this state’s population is growing rapidly and that lands and waters that provide this state’s green infrastructure and vital habitat for wide-ra…