Florida Land Swap Proposal Withdrawn Amid Bipartisan Opposition

The Upland LLC has withdrawn its controversial proposal to swap 600 acres of wetlands in the Guana River Wildlife Management Area after facing bipartisan opposition and public outcry fueled by misinformation, according to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the company's lawyer. The proposed swap would have given the state 3,000 acres scattered across four counties in exchange, which The Upland LLC claimed would benefit conservation efforts without any intent for commercial development. Environmental groups had planned protests against the deal, viewing it as a threat to public lands, and a state representative has since called for the state to purchase adjacent land owned by a related company to preserve it. The withdrawal was hailed as a victory for the community and environmental conservation advocates. Despite the withdrawal, concerns remain about transparency due to the involvement of closely connected, obscure companies and unclear details about the misinformation cited. The Florida Acquisition and Restoration Council removed the swap from its agenda following the applicant's decision.