Loading
FORT MYERS — Lee County commissioners unanimously approved a proposal to obtain three appraisals for about 4,000 acres in southeast Lee County for consideration as a Conservation 20/20 preservation purchase.
County commissioners have made preserving the site, known as Edison Farms, a top legislative priority for the past two years, according to a statement. If the site is purchased, it would be the second-largest single parcel acquisition approved by commissioners since the purchase of Bob Janes Preserve, which is 5,620 acres. Lee County paid $41.5 million for the Bob Janes Preserve in 2006.
The Conservation Land Acquisition and Stewardship Advisory Committee last reviewed the Edison Farms parcel in 2010-2011 and voted to move forward. But negotiations failed to reach an agreement on price, the release states.
Edison Farms is adjacent to Hidden Cypress Preserve, a Conservation 20/20 preserve, and lands maintained by the Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed. The land includes habitat for listed species such as the Florida panther and the woodstork, say county officials.
Conservation 20/20, Lee County's environmental acquisition and management program, has preserved about 25,000 acres since its inception. About $89 million is in the program's acquisition fund.
Your free article limit has been reached this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited digital access to our award-winning business news.
Join thousands of executives who rely on us for insights spanning Tampa Bay to Naples.
