Navy's Whiting Field buffer grows

MILTON, Fla. -- With more than 1,300 acres acquired around Naval Air Station Whiting Field since 2001, Santa Rosa County has no plans to slow down its quest for land to protect operations at the base. The county on Thursday approved adding about 330 acres of conservation easements adjacent to the base. It includes a $650,000, 249-acre parcel and a $200,000, 80-acre parcel, funded through Florida Defense Infrastructure Grants. Another 2,000 acres are also being sought pending talks with landowners. Whiting Field, where naval aviators recieve training, has a $1.1. billion annual economic impact. (Source: Pensacola News Journal, 04/10/15)