The Southwest Florida Water Management District agreed this week to purchase a conservation easement over a 771-acre private ranch in Hardee County.
The Frederick Ranch contains 2.5 miles of frontage along the river south of Wauchula. Aerial photos posted on Swiftmud’s website show a substantial amount of the property is in its natural state. The staff report said a substantial amount of the property lies in the floodplain of the river, which bisects the property.
The purchase price for the permanent conservation easement was $3,705,000.
This is the latest in a series of purchases along the Peace River or its tributaries that has occurred in recent years.
Last year state officials agreed to purchase a conservation easement over 11,458 acres in Hardee and DeSoto counties along Horse Creek, one of the Peace’s main tributaries.
Meanwhile, Polk County officials are moving forward with a consultant study to examine needed restoration work along the section of the Peace River in Polk County, which has been impacted by phosphate mining and development.
An update on the plan will be the subject of the May 11 Ancient Islands meeting at 7p.m. at Circle B Bar Reserve.