State may have nearly 25,000 acres it doesn't need

An initial review of state-owned lands has identified more than 24,000 acres that possibly could be exchanged or sold, according to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

Some legislators say the state has too much land and should sell some of it to generate revenue, raising concerns among environmentalists. But almost none of the 24,555 acres identified for possible sale was purchased for environmental conservation, Mike Long, deputy director of DEP's Division of State Lands, said Tuesday.

The Legislature in 2010 passed SB 1516, directing DEP to develop an inventory of all public lands and state-owned facilities. Some legislators last year expressed frustration with the Department of Management of Services for not being able to provide a list of state office buildings.

Read more at the Florida Tribune.