The Nonmandatory Land Reclamation Program was created by the 1982 Legislature (Chapter 378.021, Florida Statutes), which stated:
It is the intent of the Legislature to provide an economic incentive to encourage the reclamation of the maximum number of acres of eligible nonmandatory lands in the most timely and efficient manner or the donation or purchase of nonmandatory lands.
A total of 496 parcels received on-site evaluations based on the three criteria originally contained in Chapter 378, F.S., 1980. Of these 496 parcels, 347 parcels (86,858 acres) were determined to be eligible to participate in the nonmandatory reclamation program. The identification and evaluation of the parcels were reported in “Evaluation of Pre-July 1, 1975 Disturbed Phosphate Lands, September 1980, Zellars-Williams, Inc. and Conservation Consultants, Inc.”
The 2003 Legislature established a deadline of January 1, 2005, for accepting applications for funding of Nonmandatory Land Reclamation Programs. At that time, a total of 18 program applications had been received for the reclamation of 10,055 acres. These parcels have been funded in priority order as appropriations have been provided for the program by the Legislature.
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