EVERGLADES CITY, Fla. — A massive land purchase in the southeastern portion of Collier County has business owners in Everglades City concerned the location could become a state park.

“We were very concerned when we heard about it, that they were purchasing the land, that they were going to shut down the industry completely,” said Josh Minton of Everglades City Airboat Tours.

After years-long negotiations, the Collier family agreed to sell an 11,000-acre parcel west of State Road 29 and south of U.S. 41.

The area, dubbed the “Green Heart of the Everglades,” was purchased by the State of Florida for approximately $29 million.

“If it does go to a state park, what are the depth of the stipulations that they are going to impose on our industry? Will we still be able to operate?” questioned Minton.

Minton adds that a state park designation could add fees for airboat captains or even bar them from providing tours altogether.

“This is the lifeline to our town. We are a small town. We have about 500 residents. This industry is what puts food on the table for the other businesses. Family businesses in town as well as those who work in the airboat industry,” he said.

The project is aimed at conservation. State officials said that oil drilling will not occur at this location, and an environmental consulting group will be brought in to protect threatened species and mangroves in the area.

Thirty-seven federally registered species live in this parcel of land, besides Florida Panthers and bears.

“You have an outside source coming in trying to tell you how to manage the land properly when they haven’t grown up on the lands and don’t understand it to a T like we do,” added Minton.

There is a public meeting focused on the land acquisition coming up soon.

If you’d like to attend, it will occur on Tuesday, Oct. 17, at the Rookery Bay Environmental Center at 9:30 a.m. Public comment is encouraged.