The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s (District) Governing Board approved the purchase of the C&D Ranch and Rock Bend Ranch conservation easements. The approximately 1,270-acre acquisition will provide four miles of frontage along the west side of the Peace River in DeSoto and Hardee counties.
These important property purchases are located within the Lower Peace River Corridor Project and span the lower basin of the Peace River, incorporating surrounding tributaries, connected headwaters, and floodplain swamps. This acquisition will protect rich plant life and moist soil habitats, improve water quality flowing into the Charlotte Harbor estuary, and safeguard regional water resources.
The C&D Ranch conservation easement is located in Hardee and DeSoto counties and is 623.66 acres. It consists of approximately 48% wetlands and 52% uplands. C&D Ranch is situated in the Peace River Valley, which leads to Charlotte Harbor estuary and protects 1.9 miles of river frontage on the Peace River.
The Rock Bend Ranch conservation easement is adjacent to C&D Ranch to the immediate south in DeSoto County and is 646.8 acres. It consists of approximately 60% wetlands and 40% uplands. The property has been used for agriculture and its natural communities remain in an undisturbed state. This property has approximately 2.2 miles of frontage along the west side of the Peace River.
The parcels are being purchased for a combined total of approximately $7.5 million with money from the Florida Forever Trust Fund. These acquisitions meet all four of the District’s Areas of Responsibility, which are water supply, water quality, flood control and natural systems.
The properties are located within the Florida Wildlife Corridor, and within two miles of other District and state conservation lands.