Kurt Bouwhuis, Mackinac Center Intern
I recently read an article by Ronald Bailey titled “Buying Low.” The article explains how, in 2007, conservation groups had purchased over 2 million acres of land. Instead of conserving the land, however, they are selling the land to developers to make a profit. I am not against profits, but doesn’t it seem a little strange that land conservancies are buying property, only to resell to developers? It seems to defeat the purpose of conserving.
There are two specific instances brought up in the article – one in Florida and one in Minnesota. The instance in Florida was an oceanfront plot valued at $6.2 million. A conservancy purchased the land for $4.4 million, then sold it to the city of New Smyrna Beach for a public park. The park includes plans for a parking lot and bathrooms for beachgoers on the parcel.
The situation in Minnesota is very similar. The owner of a 70-acre summer camp has been offered $3.8 million by various Minnesota state agencies. Once the deal is sealed, it will be transferred to the city of Chisago for a public park.
