Eglin gains 21,000 acres of buffer land Published Aug. 22, 2013 By Mike Spaits Eglin Environmental Public Affairs EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Nearly 21,000 acres of conservation land will soon be buffering Eglin's east boundary from future development, in part, due to an award from the Department of Defense 2013 Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration Program Challenge. The land purchase, approved by Governor Rick Scott and the Florida Cabinet Aug. 20, marks the largest land acquisition effort in the history of the DOD's REPI Program. The REPI Program supports cost-sharing partnerships authorized by Congress, between the military services, private conservation groups, and state and local governments to protect military test and training capabilities and conserve land. These win-win partnerships acquire easements or other interests in land from willing sellers to preserve compatible land uses and sustain wildlife habitat near installations and ranges where the military operates, tests, and trains. "Florida's conservation land program is one of the most robust in the country, and we can smartly use taxpayer dollars to improve our environment while showing that Florida is the country's most military friendly state," Gov. Scott said at the most recent Cabinet Meeting held in Miami, Fla. "We are thankful for the investments of M.C. Davis, The Trust for Public Land and the DOD as we continue to purchase land that will ensure our military can properly train to protect Florida families and our important habitats. To complete the acquisition, the state of Florida is contributing $10.2 million of Florida Forever funds, Davis has discounted the property by $7 million, the DOD contributed $1.75 million as part of the 2013 REPI Challenge and Eglin will contribute $550,000 in REPI funds to the project." According to Brig. Gen. David Harris, 96th Test Wing commander, supporting compatible growth to ensure military readiness is the ultimate goal. "The readiness of our warfighters depends upon maintaining the capabilities of our range and training spaces that are the platform for conducting daily operations, realistic training and effective weapon system testing," said Harris. While military readiness is a major interest to the DOD, all of the stakeholders in this project also recognize the tremendous benefit to conserving the land, as land development that destroys or fragments endangered species habitat pushes those species onto less developed military lands, resulting in increased restrictions on test and training. The state of Florida added the project to the Florida Forever priority list because of its groundwater recharge benefits and ability to protect 14 rare species, including the Florida black bear, gopher tortoise, Florida pine snake, Pine Barrens treefrog and eastern diamondback rattlesnake. "With the census recognizing Florida as having one of the largest population growths of any state, this 20,800 acre conservation easement will provide a critical buffer from future development for the many Department of Defense missions that Eglin's test and training range support," said Col. Shawn Moore, 96th Civil Engineer Group commander. "This is the largest REPI acquisition ever, and could not have been realized without the support of Eglin's partners, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and The Trust for Public Land." "The Seven Runs Creek conservation project is an exemplary example of success through cooperation between the DOD, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Eglin, and private land owners. This success enhances the security of our country and our environment," said Davis, responsible for selling the property at a large discount.