State pays $97 million to protect 38,848 acres from development

A dozen landowners have sold the conservation easements on 38,848 acres of their agricultural property to the state of Florida for $97 million. The acreage includes land in Charlotte and Polk counties. 

In exchange for selling the development rights to the properties, the state will allow the landowners to continue owning and working the land. The impetus behind the deal is to “ensure the land, wildlife and agriculture are protected forever.”

That’s according to a statement from SVN/Saunders Ralston Dantzler of Lakeland which announced the deal and brokered the sale of 18,427 of the acres. The deals totaled $45 million.