The Suwannee River Water Management District (District) has purchased a conservation easement on 6,350 acres of land in Suwannee and Columbia counties for the protection of water resources. The easement was purchased from Chinquapin Farm, LLC on Dec. 30.
“Chinquapin Farm, LLC offered the District a purchase price that was less than the appraised value,” said District Deputy Executive Director Charlie Houder. “We consider this to be a substantial donation to the District and a commitment to resource protection.”
By keeping the property in its current natural state, the easement will protect ground water that ultimately recharges the Ichetucknee and Santa Fe rivers.
The District purchased the conservation easement for $635,000, which was paid for with proceeds from the sale of other properties.
A conservation easement is a perpetual agreement that leaves the basic ownership and management of property with the land owner but permanently restricts the use and alteration of the land. The District currently protects nearly 124,000 acres of water resource lands using this tool.