"Florida Ballot Amendment Seeks To Fund Land Conservation"

"Florida environmentalists are hoping voters will approve a ballot amendment on Tuesday to fund the purchase and conservation of land critical to protecting the state's water supply.

Amendment One would reserve a portion of tax money collected on real estate transactions for the next 20 years, potentially raising $648 million to buy and maintain lands in its first year, increasing to $1.27 billion by the 20th year, according to Florida’s Office of Economic and Demographic Research.

Amendment supporters hope the money can be used to buy land north of Lake Okeechobee, one of Florida’s largest fresh water sources, to help filter out pollution from the Orlando metropolitan area, as well as agricultural runoff south of the lake. "

Zachary Fagenson and David Adams report for Reuters November 4, 2014.