Florida will buy 403 acres in St. Lucie County to protect the Indian River Lagoon and infuse the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution with research money under a $24-million deal approved Wednesday by Gov. Charlie Crist and the Florida Cabinet.

The deal secures another piece of the 26,380-acre Indian River Lagoon Blueway project that is a priority for the state’s premier land conservation program, Florida Forever. The state has purchased more than 4,000 acres for the project.

The money from the deal, which had an appraised value of $37 million, will support Harbor Branch, which merged with Florida Atlantic University in Jupiter in 2007.

“There was an actual plan to develop it,” FAU President Frank Brogan said. “This allows it to stay off those rolls and become part of the state enterprise.”

The deal includes about 300,000 square feet of buildings, including warehouses, homes and office space.

The deal will also extend the county’s Indrio Greenway, an 880-acre preserve, and reconnect the tidal swap to the lagoon. It also calls for recreational improvements, including a wildlife observation platform, canoe launch, fishing pier and nature trails.

MORE:

5/12/09: FAU wins $22.5 million grant to explore, protect ocean habitats

5/22/09: EDITORIAL: Harbor Branch grant to tap ocean of potential

Tags: FAU, Florida Cabinet, Harbor Branch

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