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conservation property traded to the Corrigans. Director Lee suggested the Board pass a <br />resolution and direct it to the Governing Board of SJRWMD, the Legislative Delegation, <br />Governor Crist, and the Cabinet of the State. <br /> <br />Dr. Richard Baker <br />, Pelican Island Audubon Society, through a <br />PowerPoint presentation expressed how the proposed land exchange would be a bad deal <br />for the County taxpayers. He informed the Board that the last appraisal figures reflected <br />the Corrigan property at $7,000.00 per acre and the Berry Grove at $17,000.00 per acre <br />and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission rated it as high wildlife <br />value. Dr. Baker said this was originally purchased for conservation purposes and it is <br />just as valuable now as it was then. He voiced concerns over the Fellsmere annexations <br />and the increased densities. Dr. Baker asked St. Johns to protect its precious <br />conservation land and not give in to the Corrigans. <br /> <br />David Cox <br /> also used a PowerPoint Presentation to show that the specifics <br />of the maps do not work well in isolation from one another, and felt the best use of them <br />would be to combine multiple kinds of data sets to triangulate on properties that have the <br />highest value. He said the land does hold conservation value and that it was <br />appropriately designated as such. He did not think the surplusing of the land for the <br />purpose of settling a potential lawsuit was sound public policy. Mr. Cox encouraged the <br />Board to move forward with Mr. Lee’s recommendation, and to forward a statement to <br />the Governing Board and Governor Crist stating the County’s position. <br /> <br />Vice Chair Bowden called a recess at 3:32 p.m. and reconvened the <br />meeting at 3:43 p.m. with all members present. (Chairman Wheeler was absent). <br /> <br />Bill Kerr <br />, St. Johns Board Member and practicing Biologist, felt that the <br />Board needed to make their decisions based on the best scientific data available. He <br />ST. JOHNS RIVER WATER <br />6 <br /> <br />MANAGEMENT DISTRICT <br /> <br />June 6, 2007 <br /> <br />