FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 16, 2003
CONTACT: Kathalyn Gaither, (850) 245-2112
Governor/Cabinet Expand the Cross Florida Greenway
-- Parcel links 9,000 acres in Putnam
County--
PALATKA– Governor Jeb Bush and the Florida Cabinet
voted today to add 251 acres to the Cross Florida Greenway.
Stretching from the St. Johns River to the Gulf of Mexico,
the 110-mile greenway covers more than 94,500 acres with
close to 200 miles of trails.
“This is another important step toward preserving the
environmental value of Putnam County,” said Department of
Environmental Protection (DEP) Secretary David B. Struhs.
“Every piece of land added to the Greenway conserves habitat
for rare wildlife and offers more opportunity to outdoor
enthusiasts.”
The State has now acquired nearly 28,000 acres of the
Florida Forever project, close to half the total lands needed
to complete the greenway. Today’s acquisition provides a
critical connection to the Ocala National Forest and
preserves habitat for the Florida black bear and other rare
wildlife, including the fox squirrel, gopher tortoise, scrub
jay and the federally listed Etoniah rosemary. Purchase of
the 251-acre parcel, part of the Deep Creek floodplain, also
protects water quality in the Ocklawaha River.
“The Cross Florida Greenway is the crown jewel in our
statewide greenways and trails system,” said DEP Greenways
and Trails director Jena B. Brooks. “Whether exploring by
land or water, the Greenway is a gateway to nature’s
secrets.”
The Etoniah parcel will be managed by DEP’s Office of
Greenways and Trails as an addition to the Marjorie Harris
Carr Cross Florida Greenway, which includes America’s first
land bridge. Trailheads provide opportunities to hike, bike,
horseback ride, off-road cycle and canoe through four
counties -- Citrus, Levy, Marion and Putnam.
The 10-year, $3 billion Florida Forever program
established by Governor Jeb Bush conserves environmentally
sensitive land, restores water resources and preserves
cultural and historical resources.
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Press Office
