FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:    Karen Forsyth or Lynda Riley, Lee County Lands Division
                (941) 479-8505

FORT MYERS, Fla. (December 29, 2000) – Lee County closed today on the purchase of a 1,115-acre tract of environmentally sensitive land in North Fort Myers that is the largest parcel ever bought through the county’s Conservation 2020 program.

The tract, which cost $6.4 million, is located on the north side of the Caloosahatchee River just east and west of Interstate 75 and has 3.5 miles of river frontage. With this purchase secured, 2,850 acres now have been purchased through the Conservation 2020 program and set aside for long-term conservation.

The 1,115-acre tract includes a variety of native forests, several natural creeks and extensive wetland areas that are home to alligators, eagles, herons, egrets, indigo snakes, and gopher tortoises. The extensive vegetated shoreline provides water quality benefits, maintains an important scenic vista, and allows for enhanced recreational opportunities to the public.

Lee County voters approved Conservation 2020 in November 1996 through a referendum that increased property taxes for seven years by 50 cents for every $1,000 of taxable property value. The increase raises about $12 million a year to buy environmentally sensitive lands. In addition, 10 percent of the funds collected are set aside for land stewardship activities such as exotic pest plant control and provision of passive recreation facilities.

The Conservation 2020 Program is a willing seller program, which means that only properties that are nominated by landowners are considered for acquisition. The county does not pursue acquiring properties by its legal power of Eminent Domain.

The Board of Lee County Commissioners appointed a 15-member citizen advisory committee – the Lee County Conservation Land Acquisition and Stewardship Advisory Committee (CLASAC) – to recommend appropriate properties to be pursued for purchase.

The committee has been meeting nearly monthly since February 1997 to review nearly 18,300 acres of real property nominated for potential purchase by Lee County. Currently the county is negotiating purchase of a 2,440-acre tract just west of I-75 near the Charlotte County line.

A listing and map of the lands acquired to date and under review and negotiation can be viewed at the county’s web site at www.lee-county.com/countylands/Cons2020/cons2020.htm.