I guess neither of us has any specific knowledge of the Ocala NF. I prefer that national forests of the mountainous west, so I will remain that way.

About vacation homes. Many years ago, the Forest Service offered long term leases on lots where vacation homes could be built. This practice was halted (around 1970 or so) and the leases are no longer available, hence no vacation homes are being built.

I suspect that the land incorporated into the NF was ederal land - public domain - and very little purchasing was involved. That is certainly the usual case.

Swamplands actually are useful - they are an integral part of ecosystems which sustain our planet and its life forms. But that discussion is for another thread.