Florida forestry official questioned DeSantis-backed swap of state forest to golf company
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Environmental experts and local residents want answers about why the state has pursued the deal. Just to the east of the protected Withlacoochee State Forest is Cabot Citrus Farms, a luxury Brooksville golf resort. The Florida Cabinet on June 12 quietly approved giving this state forest land to Cabot Citrus in exchange for timberland in Cedar Key. Environmental experts say the state forest land is necessary for conservation, which contrasts the statements made by Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Since the Tampa Bay Times first reported the land swap Aug. 26, experts have raised legal questions about its validity. Floridians have demanded answers at local government meetings. The pushback has come from inside state government, too. At least one high-ranking state forestry official disagreed with the land swap, email records show.