FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 27, 2001
$20.2 Million Land Acquisitions Benefit City/State
-- Governor, Cabinet approve Pumpkin Hill, Northeast Blueway projects --
TALLAHASSEE – Governor
Jeb Bush and Cabinet members approved two items today that benefit not only
the City of Jacksonville, but the state, as well. Approval by the
Jacksonville City Council is anticipated at tonight’s Council meeting.
In two separate acquisitions, with
a combined appraisal of $20.2 million, the City of Jacksonville will
purchase the Northeast Florida Blueways Florida Forever project and the
remainder of the Pumpkin Hill Creek Florida Forever project in an effort to
protect some of the area’s last natural salt marsh and uplands habitat.
The state will reimburse the city about $9.09 million – or 45 percent of
the purchase price, and receive 100 percent of the interest acquired.
"When local and state
governments work together, their constituents can reap the rewards,"
said Department of Environmental Protection Secretary David B. Struhs.
"In this case, we will now be able to preserve species and habitat that
is unique to Duval County while maintaining the area’s water
quality."
The Northeast Florida Blueways was
added to the state’s "A" list in May 2001. Projects on this list
are considered high priority for acquisition. The $6.3 million, 7,000-acre
project is comprised of estuarine tidal marshes bordered by flatwoods and
hammocks. The salt marsh, consisting of numerous small creeks, provides an
essential nursery for aquatic species and serves as a prime feeding and
nesting area for several rare and endangered avifauna in the area. The City
of Jacksonville will manage the property.
The Pumpkin Hill Creek project is
on the state’s "B" list, which requires that the state have an
acquisition partner to be eligible for negotiation. The area is threatened
by urban development. Previous partnering with the St. Johns River Water
Management District and the City of Jacksonville allowed 3,806 acres of the
31,927 acres in the project to be purchased. The City will purchase the
remaining 28,121 acres for $13.9 million and DEP’s Office of Coastal and
Aquatic Managed Areas will manage the site. The project will help protect
the water quality in the St. Johns River Marshes Aquatic Preserve (an
Outstanding Florida Water), provide habitat for several rare species
including the manatee and federally endangered wood stork, and preserve 14
known archaeological sites, including the ruins of the early 19th
century Fitzpatrick Plantation house.
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