Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability
Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability

State Lands Program Florida Department of Environmental Protection

Report 01-07, February 2001




Report Summary

The State Lands Program handles all functions related to acquiring, administering, disposing, and managing conservation and recreation lands. Although the Department of Environmental Protection administers most state-level program activities, other state agencies, the five water management districts, and local governments perform the rest of the program's activities.

  • Although land acquisitions during the past decade have achieved positive results, it is difficult to conclude that the state bought the best lands possible. We propose a land-buying model with three components: land identification and acquisition, land management, and a performance measurement system.
  • To ensure identification of the best land to purchase, water management districts, the Acquisition and Restoration Council, and local governments when applying for Florida Communities Trust funding should employ the Florida Natural Areas Inventory's Conservation Needs Assessment methodology to establish priority land purchasing lists.
  • To ensure that appropriate land management practices are implemented, land management costs should be reported in the categories established by the Land Management Uniform Accounting Council, land management agencies should follow a standard method for identifying the priority of land management needs in immediate, intermediate, and long-term categories, and the Legislature may want to consider increasing the level of funding in the CARL Trust Fund.
  • The program should adopt a comprehensive performance measurement system and the Department of Environmental Protection should work with its Office of Inspector General to improve data collection and reporting of all performance measures.


Related Reports
  1. Progress Report: Recreation and Parks Program Implements Few Cost Saving and Revenue Recommendations
    Report 02-41 July 2002
  2. Florida Communities Trust Improves Its Timeliness; Further Actions Are Needed
    Report 02-01 January 2002
  3. Recreation and Parks Program
    Report 00-28 December 2000
  4. Follow-up Report on the Division of State Lands of the Department of Environmental Protection
    Report 96-25 December 1996
Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.
Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.
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