The Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board Tuesday approved the purchase of a 5,484-acre parcel of land in Citrus County. This acquisition will be added to the 11,454 acres that the District either owns or holds an interest within the Flying Eagle project.
The property, commonly known as the McGregor Smith Scout Reservation,
is located south of S.R. 44 in Citrus County, approximately 6 miles east of the City of Inverness.
The land is being purchased for $13.5 million from the South Florida Council, Inc. Boy Scouts of America. The transaction is scheduled to be complete by December. Funding for this purchase comes from the Florida Forever Trust Fund.
The property is heavily wooded with native vegetation and is approximately 53 percent uplands and 47 percent wetlands, lakes and streams. The property has approximately 3.75 miles of frontage along the Withlacoochee River and has numerous Boy Scout camp improvements including a swimming pool, cabins and maintenance and service buildings.
Purchasing this parcel of land is consistent with the District’s Florida Forever Work Plan, which specifically identifies the Flying Eagle project. The newly purchased land is adjacent to the Flying Eagle project and across the Withlacoochee River from the District’s Gum Slough property and Panasoffkee Outlet property.
This purchase will provide several water management benefits including the preservation or restoration of natural ecosystems and their functions, preservation or enhancement of water quality, and protection of habitats and associated wildlife resources.