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Record Group Number: 000500
Series/Collection Number: .S 1976
Creator: Florida. Dept. of Natural Resources.
Title, Dates: Cross Florida Barge Canal land acquisition records, 1960-1995.
Amount: 10.0 cubic ft.
Medium Included:
Organization/Arrangement: Numeric.
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Terms Governing Use:
Biographical/Historical:     In 1933 the Canal Authority of the State of Florida was created to construct a sea-level ship canal across Florida.  Initial construction began but was suspended when federal funds were depleted.  During World War II plans were developed to construct a Cross Florida Barge Canal; however Congress did not fund the project.  In the early 1960s, funds were appropriated and construction began.  The planned canal would connect the Gulf of Mexico to the Saint Johns River and would pass through Citrus, Levy, Marion and Putnam Counties.  The entrance on the Gulf of Mexico site would be at Yankeetown and the canal would pass through the Oklawaha and Withlacoochee River Valleys eventually connecting to the Saint Johns River.
    In 1970 various environmental groups organized opposition to the canal project.  President Nixon in 1971 signed an executive order halting the construction of the canal.  In 1991 the Cross Florida Barge Canal project was officially deauthorized.  The canal lands became the Cross Florida Greenway State Recreation Area.  In 1998 the Greenway was officially renamed the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway, in honor of ecologist Marjorie Harris Carr, who helped to lead the opposition to the canal project.
Summary:     This series contains records including the appraisal report, parcel summary worksheets, photographs, maps, sketches,  correspondence, and other miscellaneous materials from the Cross Florida Barge Canal project.  The land acquired included areas of Citrus, Levy, Marion, and Putnam Counties. 

    The appraisal report is the most comprehensive document contained in each file.  The appraisal report generally includes the purpose of the appraisal; background, county, and neighborhood data; site and improvement data; market activity and trends; effect of the taking; sales discussions; the value of the taking; and the final value conclusion.  The report may also include photographs of the land and any improvements, maps, and site sketches.  Typical improvements would include houses, trailers, barns, out-buildings, irrigation equipment, and fences. 

    Some of the more extensive site folders also contain correspondence, especially when there was some type of controversy or disagreement regarding the appraisal.  In a few instances there are court cases and legal documents.  The more extensive sites may also contain additional information about tourism and land development projects which may have proposed for that given site. 

    The files also contain a summary sheet which includes the name of the landowner, parcel number, case/parcel number, the section/township/range number, and comments.
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Electronic Records Access:
Subject Access Fields: Florida. Dept. of Natural Resources.
Canal Authority of the State of Florida.
Surveying Public lands
Surveyors Florida
Canals Florida
Water resources development Florida
Land surveys. aat
Surveys. aat
Field notes. aat
Cross Florida Barge Canal (Fla.)
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