Purchase of lands in areas of critical state concern; recommendations by department and land authorities.

Within 45 days after the Administration Commission designates an area as an area of critical state concern under s. 380.05, and annually thereafter, the Department of Environmental Protection shall consider the recommendations of the state land planning agency pursuant to s. 380.05(1)(a) relating to purchase of lands within an area of critical state concern or lands outside an area of critical state concern that directly impact an area of critical state concern, which may include lands used to preserve and protect water supply, and shall make recommendations to the board with respect to the purchase of the fee or any lesser interest in any such lands that are:

(1) Environmentally endangered lands;

(2) Outdoor recreation lands;

(3) Lands that conserve sensitive habitat;

(4) Lands that protect, restore, or enhance nearshore water quality and fisheries;

(5) Lands used to protect and enhance water supply to the Florida Keys, including alternative water supplies such as reverse osmosis and reclaimed water systems; or

(6) Lands used to prevent or satisfy private property rights claims resulting from limitations imposed by the designation of an area of critical state concern if the acquisition of such lands fulfills a public purpose listed in s. 259.032(2) or if the parcel is wholly or partially, at the time of acquisition, on one of the board’s approved acquisition lists established pursuant to this chapter. For the purposes of this subsection, if a parcel is estimated to be worth $500,000 or less and the director of the Division of State Lands finds that the cost of an outside appraisal is not justified, a comparable sales analysis, an appraisal prepared by the Division of State Lands, or other reasonably prudent procedures may be used by the Division of State Lands to estimate the value of the parcel, provided the public’s interest is reasonably protected.

The department, a local government, a special district, or a land authority within an area of critical state concern may make recommendations with respect to additional purchases which were not included in the state land planning agency recommendations.