Real Estate
Why Buy and Manage Land
Land is a key component in most efforts to restore and/or healthfully manage ecosystems from central Florida to the Florida Keys. Restoration efforts where land plays an essential role include the Kissimmee River, Lake Okeechobee, the Loxahatchee River, the Everglades and the Big Cypress Preserve, Florida Bay, the St. Lucie River and Indian River Lagoon and the Caloosahatchee River.
Sometimes, this means that the South Florida Water Management District or other state, local or federal government entities need to buy lands and retain ownership or access on behalf of the public. As part of the SFWMD's land acquisition activities, the agency handles negotiations for acquisitions, appraisals, environmental assessments, geographic information system (GIS) mapping, land surveying, property title searches and closings.
Environmental Assessment for the Transfer of Grant Encumbrance
Bird Drive Restoration Area and Pennsuco Wetlands
The District has prepared a draft Environmental Assessment (EA) based on the proposed interim change in land use on tracts that have specific grant-funded restrictions, all located within the Bird Drive Restoration Area and Pennsuco Wetlands projects in Miami-Dade County. The draft EA is available for review at DOI Notice.
Land Leasing Program
The South Florida Water Management District's leasing program assists the agency in managing lands acquired for water management purposes or for ecosystem restoration prior to project implementation. In addition, lease holders temporarily keep public lands in production, pay taxes and local assessments, control exotic vegetation and implement best management practices for nutrient management and other water quality improvements. Revenues generated by the leases are used to support land management activities throughout the District.
In April 2016 and February 2017, the SFWMD Governing Board approved revisions to the agency's leasing policy. The policy amendments incorporated feedback provided by lessees and other stakeholders during a public process.
Searchable Leased Lands Database
To improve the transparency of the land leasing program, the District developed a convenient, searchable database of its leased lands. The database enables users to find a variety of information about each property, including the lessee's name, the lease amount, the size of the property and the term of the lease. For each entry, a map is available that pinpoints the location of the property.
Available Leasing Opportunities
If you are interested in leasing District property, please visit our Current Solicitations/Contract Opportunities web page for a list of current leasing opportunities. If you have any questions, please contact Dawn West by email or call 561.682.6957.
Sign up for updates: Receive email notifications on land leasing opportunities. For individuals interested in placing bees on District property, email LandUse@fsbabee.org.
Other Real Estate Activities
Canal reservations that have been reserved by the Everglades Drainage District (EDD) and Trustees of the Internal Improvement Fund (TIIF) may be released. The property owner must complete and submit the District's "Application for Release of Mineral, Canal, and Road Reservations Reserved" (Form #0108). In the case of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund (TIITF) canal reservations, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection requires this agency's approval prior to submitting its application requesting release. Staff will review, on parcels of any size, if present or future right-of-way requirements have been or can be readily determined. The South Florida Water Management District seeks the concurrence of the agency concerned with local or secondary water control prior to releasing Mineral, Canal and Road reservations.
Please contact Marcy Zehnder, by calling 561-682-6694 or by emailing ReleaseApplications@sfwmd.gov for an application or inquiries.
In addition to the lands listed as available for surplus, other land interests owned by the District may be available, including easements and canal rights-of-way.
Private landowners and commercial entities that reside adjacent to District canals – who wish for more intense use of public land for their personal benefit; or whose property is encumbered by a District interest, may wish to apply for the surplus or release of that specific interest.
If you are interested in learning if a particular property interest may be available for surplus, contact Robert Schaeffer, by calling: 561-682-2985 or by email: rschaef@sfwmd.gov
Additional information on this process is in this Sale or Exchange of Surplus Lands Information Packet [PDF].
Independent appraisal professionals are contracted for most appraisal and some appraisal review needs related to the acquisition of land interests by the District. Qualified appraisers are matched to each appraisal assignment, and they prepare the appraisals in recognition that the vast majority of land acquisitions are accomplished by voluntary means. The judgment or opinion of these appraisers is governed by uniform legal standards.
The review appraiser plays an important role in the acquisition process and is charged with assuring the quality and consistency of the appraisal process is maintained. An appraisal review is completed for all appraisal reports of real property to be acquired. The qualified review appraiser determines if the estimate of market value is reasonably supported by an acceptable appraisal.
The in-house review appraiser for South Florida Water Management District is Wayne B. Lewis, MAI. The approved appraiser list used by SFWMD is maintained by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP).
Application for approved appraiser status should be made directly to FDEP. For any further questions please contact Wayne B. Lewis, MAI directly by calling 561.682.6689 or emailing wlewis@sfwmd.gov
Appraiser Standards
- Appraisal Foundation Website
- Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal Land Acquisitions [PDF]
- Supplemental Standards for Less than Fee Acquisitions [PDF]