New residents on Mound Key in Estero Bay are digging up an historical controversy over land use rights between state and private owners.

Currently, eight Spanish goats inhabit approximately 9 acres of fenced-in property. The parcel has been owned by the McGee family since 1914 and is managed by brothers Ted, Tim and Todd, according to Todd McGee.

“We are farming our property,” replied Todd McGee when asked why his family has placed goats on their property.

The majority of Mound Key’s more than 100 acres was donated to the state by the Koreshan Unity in 1961. The state managed to purchase all but the McGee acreage in the 1990s.

Since development threatens this environmental and archaeological habitat, Lee County has taken measures to purchase the parcel in question for $500,000, almost twice the land’s appraisal worth. The McGees made a counter offer for $5 million.

“It’s outrageous,” said Bill Grace, president of Lee Trust for Historic Preservation. “Conservation 2020 (Lee County’s land acquisition agency) tried to buy the land and (the McGees) came back with an unreasonable price.”

Grace is also concerned about the clearing of native vegetation which was done before the fence was erected. The county was notified and a stop work order was issued, according to Mound House director Theresa Schober.

Further investigation determined that there had been no violation and the order was lifted. Lee County planners met with the land owners and are monitoring the situation, Schober added.

“The goats are not natural and consume huge amounts of vegetation,” said Grace. “What happens if they get loose? If (the McGees) have long-term interest in Mound Key, they should respect that.”

Spanish goats, considered very hardy animals, are able to survive under adverse agro-climatic conditions. They are brush-clearing meat goats typically not considered suitable for milk or mohair production.

Another unsettled issue is that some of the clearing may have been done on state land instead of the privately owned land. But, since there hasn’t been a recent property survey on the island, the matter is still active and under investigation, according to Lee County officials.

Schober said the state has been contacted by Lee County in regards to a possible violation on state land.

There are also concerns to preserve the historical significance of the island.

Mound Key is believed to be the ceremonial center of the Calusa Indians when the Spaniards first attempted to colonize Southwest Florida in 1566, Schober said. It is also known as the location of the first Jesuit mission in North America between 1567 and 1569.

“Mound Key is probably the most significant archaeological site in Southwest Florida,” said Schober. “It hasn’t been modified dramatically by agriculture or anything else in the past 100 years or so. It represents a tremendous opportunity to learn additional information about the past.”

But the goat farmers are not budging since a majority of their land is zoned for agricultural use.

“At this point, the land owner is utilizing their land for a perfectly valid purpose,” said Schober. “They could have the intention of attempting to develop the property, but until we know what the land owner’s intent is, it’s impossible to talk about potential impact.”