The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Rural and Family Lands Protection Program (RFLPP) announces an application period beginning and deadline for receiving applications for acquisition of perpetual easements on working agricultural lands under the Rural & Family Lands Protection Program.

APPLICATION FORMS: The application period will begin on November 4, 2008, and no applications can be accepted prior to that date. Applications for projects must be made on Application Form DACS-11207; Rev. 08/08 following procedures in Rule 5I-7.004, F.A.C. Copies of the rule and application form may be obtained by visiting the RFLPP website at: http://www.fl-dof.com/forest_management/rural_family_lands_index.html or by writing to: Florida Division of Forestry, Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, 3125 Conner Boulevard, Tallahassee, FL 32399-1650.

DEADLINE: Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis starting November 4, 2008, but the deadline for receiving applications for the current review cycle shall end at 5:00 p.m. (EDT), December 19, 2008. Applications must be received in the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program’s office by the above stated deadline. Incomplete applications shall be returned to the applicant with a letter stating every deficiency, for completion and resubmission. If the supplemental information is not received by the published deadline, the entire file will be returned to the applicant. Applications received after the published deadline shall be deemed late and will not be considered in the current cycle.

ADDRESS: For mail and carrier service deliveries, the delivery address is: Division of Forestry, Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, 3125 Conner Boulevard, Tallahassee, FL 32399-1650. For hand deliveries, the delivery location is: Suite “I”, Conner Building, 3125 Conner Boulevard, Tallahassee, FL.

FUNDS AVAILABLE: Funds available for acquisition of perpetual easements on working agricultural lands will derive from Florida Forever bond proceeds. As of the date of submittal of this Notice, the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program expects that approximately $10,500,000.00 will be available annually, unless otherwise allocated by the Legislature.

MORE INFORMATION: Interested parties may obtain more information from the RFLPP website at: http://www.fl-dof.com/forest_management/rural_family_lands_index.html, calling (850)488-6611, or by writing the above stated address.