FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 26, 2016
GOVERNOR, CABINET APPROVE TWO TRANSACTIONS TO BENEFIT ST. JOHNS RIVER SYSTEM
~Projects will benefit the river and surrounding
wetlands while offering
economic and public-recreation benefits ~
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Governor
Rick Scott and the Florida Cabinet today approved the acquisition of a
conservation easement and a land exchange in St. Johns and Duval counties. The
$5.9 million acquisition includes approximately 5,236 acres within the St.
Johns River Blueway Florida Forever project, creating a significant watershed
buffer for the St. Johns River. The exchange will provide the Board of Trustees
and the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) with 5 acres of
wetlands that are adjacent to the Julington-Durbin Preserve in Duval County.
"The St. Johns River is one of Florida’s most vital
waterbodies, providing important benefits to our economy, environment, wildlife
and way of life," said DEP Secretary Jon Steverson. "Acquiring these key
parcels will build on local, regional and state restoration efforts and help us
protect the river long into the future."
The St. Johns River Blueway property has been owned by the
Meldrim family since the early 1900s. The conservation easement will
permanently limit development, while allowing the landowner to continue to
sustainably harvest timber and keep important forestry jobs in the community.
The property includes four noncontiguous segments of river frontage, totaling
approximately one mile, along the St. Johns River. The property also includes frontage on the
Tocoi Creek.
"This
easement protects Watson Island State Forest, contributes to the economy by providing
130 jobs, and protects land in the northwest corner of the fastest growing
county in Florida and the seventh fastest growing in the country," said Jim McCarthy, executive director of North Florida Land Trust. "More
importantly, the Mildrim family will continue to own, work and care for the
land they have loved for more than 100 years."
"This acquisition will directly benefit the St. Johns
River, arguably one of the most important waterbodies in the state," said St.
Johns River Water Management District Executive Director Dr. Ann Shortelle. "Anytime a purchase cannot only benefit the environment but also offer recreational
benefits, it’s a big win for both residents and visitors."
"The Medrim easement protects important wetlands and wildlife
habitat along the St. Johns River while allowing the economically important
harvesting of trees to support the forest products industry," said Eric Draper, executive director of Audubon Florida.
"Audubon applauds the purchase."
The land exchange includes the trade of a 1.51-acre parcel owned jointly by the Board of Trustees and SJRWMD for 5 privately-owned acres, resulting in a net gain of 3.49 acres of environmentally sensitive wetlands along Durbin Creek for the state. The 1.51-acre parcel is needed to provide an entrance road to a proposed 20-acre commercial retail development, which includes a proposed boardwalk and canoe launch area and will provide additional public access to the Julington-Durbin Preserve.
The St. Johns River Blueway Florida Forever project is ranked
No. 9 in the Florida Forever Climate Change Lands project category and
contains a total of 26,272 acres. The Blueway runs along the eastern shore of
the St. Johns River between Green Cove Springs and Palatka and includes considerable
forested wetlands by the river and around six tributary creeks, plus mesic
flatwoods, freshwater marsh, and a portion of disturbed uplands.
| 
