Title XVIII, Public Lands and Property

(1) SI3, a mangrove island adjacent to the Intracoastal Waterway within Jupiter Sound, is designated as the “Andrew ‘Red’ Harris Spoil Island.”(2) The Department of Environmental Protection is directed to erect suitable markers designating the “Andrew ‘Red’ Harris Spoil Island” a…

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Land Conservation Program.”History.—s. 1, ch. 72-300; s. 15, ch. 2016-233.

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.History.—s. 1, ch. 72-300.

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) 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…

This chapter may be cited as the “Florida Greenways and Trails Act.”History.—s. 1, ch. 79-110; s. 7, ch. 96-389; s. 2, ch. 2005-87.

(1) In order to recognize the benefits of the outdoor areas of Florida, and in order to conserve, develop, and use the natural resources of this state for healthful and recreational purposes, it is declared to be the public policy of this state and the purpose of this chapter to …

(1)(a) A private landowner whose land is designated as part of the statewide system of greenways and trails pursuant to s. 260.016(2)(d), including a person holding a subservient interest, owes no duty of care to keep that land safe for entry or use by others or to give warning t…

As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:(1) “Board” means the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund.(2) “Department” means the Department of Environmental Protection.(3) “Designation” means the identification and inclusion of specific lan…

The Florida Greenways and Trails System shall be a statewide system of greenways and trails which shall consist of individual greenways and trails and networks of greenways and trails which may be designated as a part of the statewide system by the department. The department may …

There is established within the department the “Florida Greenways and Trails Program,” the purpose of which is to facilitate the establishment of a statewide system of greenways and trails. Planning materials, maps, data, and other information developed or used in the program sha…

(1) There is created within the department the Florida Greenways and Trails Council which shall advise the department in the execution of the department’s powers and duties under this chapter. The council shall be composed of 21 members, consisting of:(a)1. Six members appointed …

The department may enter into a concession agreement with a not-for-profit entity or private sector business or entity for commercial sponsorship to be displayed on state greenway and trail facilities or property specified in this section. The department may establish the cost fo…

(1) The department is authorized to acquire by gift or purchase the fee simple absolute title or any lesser interest in land, including easements, for the purposes of this chapter pursuant to the provisions of chapter 375, except that:(a) The department’s power of eminent domain …

(1) The department may:(a) Publish and distribute appropriate maps of designated greenways and trails.(b) Adopt appropriate rules to implement or interpret this chapter and portions of chapter 253 relating to greenways and trails, which may include, but are not limited to, rules …

(1) Upon the request of the department, the Department of Transportation shall provide information to the department on abandoned and to-be-abandoned railroad rights-of-way.(2) The Department of Transportation and the department shall coordinate their evaluations of potential acq…

(1) The Florida Circumnavigation Saltwater Paddling Trail is hereby created as part of the Florida Greenways and Trails Program.(2) The department shall establish the initial starting and ending points by latitude and longitude for the trail segments described in subsection (3) w…

The Florida Wildlife Federation, Audubon Florida, and Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, in partnership with the phosphate industry and other mining companies, are encouraged to continue the operation of the nonprofit corporation, Florida Mining-Recreation, Inc., for the purpose of wor…

This chapter may be cited as the “T. Mark Schmidt Off-Highway Vehicle Safety and Recreation Act.”History.—s. 53, ch. 2002-295.

(1) The Legislature finds that off-highway vehicles are becoming increasingly popular in this state and that the use of these vehicles should be controlled and managed to minimize negative effects on the environment, wildlife habitats, native wildlife, and native flora and fauna.…

As used in this chapter, the term:(1) “Advisory committee” means the Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Advisory Committee created by s. 261.04.(2) “ATV” means any motorized off-highway or all-terrain vehicle 55 inches or less in width which has a dry weight of 1,500 pounds or less, …

(1) The Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Advisory Committee is created within the Florida Forest Service and consists of nine members, all of whom are appointed by the Commissioner of Agriculture. The appointees shall include one representative of the Department of Agriculture and …

(1) The advisory committee shall establish policies to guide the department regarding the Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Program and the system of off-highway vehicle recreation areas and trails.(2) The advisory committee shall make recommendations to the department regarding off…

The following are functions, duties, and responsibilities of the department through the Florida Forest Service:(1) Coordination of the planning, development, conservation, and rehabilitation of state lands in and for the system.(2) Coordination of the management, maintenance, adm…

In consultation with the advisory committee, the department shall publish a guidebook that includes the text of this chapter, other laws and regulations relating to the program, and maps of areas and trails of the system. The guidebook may include other public areas, trails, and …

(1) The protection of public safety, the appropriate use of lands in the system, and the conservation of the environment, wildlife habitats, native wildlife, and native flora and fauna in the system are of the highest priority in the management of the system. Accordingly, the pub…

The public land managing agency may contract with private persons or entities and enter into cooperative agreements with other public agencies for the care and maintenance of lands in the system, including contracts for law enforcement services with public agencies having law enf…

(1) Publicly owned or operated off-highway vehicle recreation areas and trails shall be designated and maintained for recreational travel by off-highway vehicles. These areas and trails need not be generally suitable or maintained for normal travel by conventional two-wheel-drive…

No off-highway vehicle may be operated upon the public roads, streets, or highways of this state, except as otherwise permitted by the managing local, state, or federal agency. A violation of this section is a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as provided in chapter 318.…

(1) The designated off-highway vehicle funds of the trust fund shall consist of deposits from the following sources:(a) Fees paid to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles for the titling of off-highway vehicles.(b) Revenues and income from any other sources required…