Disposition of surplus lands; compensation of counties located within the Cross Florida Canal Navigation District.

(1) The department may identify parcels of former barge canal lands that may be sold or exchanged. In identifying said surplus lands, the department shall give priority to those lands not having high recreation or conservation values, and those having the greatest assessed valuations. Although the department shall immediately begin to identify the parcels of surplus lands to be sold, the department shall offer the lands for sale in a manner designed to maximize the amounts received over a reasonable period of time.

(2) The department is authorized to sell surplus additional former canal lands if they are determined to be unnecessary to the effective provision of the type of recreational opportunities and conservation activities for which the greenway was created.