Thousands of Acres in Pasco May Be Purchased from Pinellas for Preservation

More than two years ago, the effort to protect 12,500 acres in central Pasco County got a big boost when state officials added the property to Florida's priority list for preservation. But the money to buy the land from Pinellas County never rolled in.

Now officials are trying again. Pasco County Administrator John Gallagher met recently with Pinellas County Administrator Bob LaSala and state legislators Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, and Rep. Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel.

The upshot of the meeting: Pinellas County will put up some asking prices--and Pasco and state officials will decide whether the purchase is worth pursuing with a possible combination of county sales tax revenue, state trust fund dollars and water district acquisition funds.