Tallahassee 10-08-02 - Governor Jeb Bush and the Florida Cabinet today approved the purchase of 2,852 acres of land for $10,302,000 from the St. Joe Timber Company on Bald Point in Franklin County as part of the state's Forever Florida land acquisition program. The property will be managed by the Department of Environmental Protection as an addition to Bald Point State Park.

The purchase arrangement was done through a multiparty agreement, with The Nature Conservancy, Inc. (TNC), the Division of State Lands and St. Joe Timber Company. TNC obtained an option to purchase the property from St. Joe and will receive $100,000 of the purchase price from the state for overhead expenses associated with acquiring the option.

The property, stretching from Ocklockonee Bay to Alligator Harbor, has considerable frontage along both of these estuarine bodies that connect to the Gulf of Mexico. The tract is composed of a mosaic of high quality upland and wetland natural communities that provide magnificent vistas along highly developable water frontage in an area that is experiencing rapid growth.

"This is the best thing that could happen to this property, "said Roy DuVerger, President of the Apalachee Ecological Conservancy (APECO) , a nonprofit environmental organization based out of Alligator Point. "We are delighted that St. Joe and the state were able to come to terms on preserving this "special coastal place".

High quality examples of upland communities, including scrubby and mesic flatwoods, coastal scrub and xeric hammocks, as well as excellent quality tidal marsh are found on the property. Numerous wetland ponds and tidal creeks, especially Big Chairs Creek and Tucker Lake, support numerous fish species, such as redfish, mullet and trout. These estuarine-influenced waterbodies also provide important habitat for a variety of waterfowl. Migratory birds also depend on this coastal location to rest before and after their flight across the Gulf of Mexico. Of special interest, the property provides a foraging habitat and corridor for the wide-ranging Florida Black Bear, that migrate back and forth from the coast to upland swamps north of the property on St. James Island. At least one active bald eagle's nest is also located on the site.

During the Governor & Cabinet proceedings, The St. Joe Company expressed an interest in linking existing and future St. James Island communities with Bald Point State Park by-way-of trail and greenway connections. The DEP agreed to work with St. Joe Company during the development of the Bald Point Park management plan to link the existing park into a regional park and greenway concept with future area developments. Not included in the purchase are about one-half mile strips of property along Highway 98... St. Joe will also retain easement along two existing dirt roads within the property, for management purposes, for a period of four years.

"We also look forward to working with the state and St. Joe on establishing these greenway and wildlife corridors throughout St. James Island," said Roy DuVerger. "Properly placed and configured, these green-ways can provide people and wildlife a corridor to the coast and other wild places so they may both live better in harmony with the environment."

The St. Joe Company is one of the largest landowners in Florida and own approximately 56,000 acres on St. James Island above the Bald Point area. APECO is a citizen based organization whose mission is "seeking a balance between responsible growth and protection of our environment through research, education and volunteerism."

Contact: Roy DuVerger (850) 349-9747 or Paul Johnson (850) 926-7439 for additional information and comment.