October 8, 2001
I have just been informed by the Forever Florida group in the Division of State Lands of DEP that they are in the process of trying to get St. Joe Corporation back to the table so that the purchase of the Bald Point property can be purchased by the state for the Bald Point State Park. The state admits that there has been a problem related to the choice of appraiser by the state. They are hopeful that they can get the land acquisition back on track so that the purchase can be made. St. Joe Corporation wants to sell this land to the state but time is running out. There is a danger that the funding could be lost in December.
I was also told that the Hidden Harbor property on Alligator Point is also on the land acquisition list and that the state made an offer in 1999, which was turned down by the owner. Forever Florida would like to reappraise the Hidden Harbor property and make another offer to purchase it. They have recommended that we continue to give public input to encourage all parties to come to the table so that these purchases can be made.
Below is contact information and another letter that you can use to contact the Governor and the Secretary of the Dept of Environmental Protection. Please feel free to edit it any way you please, or even better, compose your own letter.
Thanks again for all of your help!
Vicki Barnett
1292 Bayview Dr.
Alligator Point, Florida 32346
(850) 349-2677
CONTACT NOW!!
Secretary David Struhs
Dept of Environmental Protection
3900 Commonwealth Blvd.
Tallahassee, FL 32399
850 488-1554
FAX 850 488-7093
EMAIL: david.struhs@dep.state.fl.us
GOVERNOR JEB BUSH
The Capital
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001
850 488-4441
FAX 850 487-0801
Bob Ballard, Deputy Sec. State Lands and Rec & Parks
Bob.Ballard@dep.state.fl.us
Bob.Ballard@dep.state.fl.us
Wendy Spencer, Division director for Rec & Parks
MODEL LETTER
Dear _________________
It has come to my attention that the process for purchasing the lands on the Dickerson Bay/Bald Point CARL land acquisition, which is listed as GROUP A FULL FEE has stalled. I would like to encourage the state to go forward with the purchase of this property for the good of the state, the environment and the people who live in this community. I have been told that St. Joe wants to sell this property, but both sides need to work on settling this. Time is running out. There is a danger of losing the funding in December. I request that you please do what is necessary to get the parties involved back to the table and the acquisition process back on track and complete this process before the funding runs out.
I also understand that the Hidden Harbor property on Alligator Point is also part of this CARL Land Acquisition Project. An offer was made to purchase this land in 1999 and the offer was turned down by the owner. I was told by The Division of State Lands that they would like to reappraise that property and make another offer to purchase it for preservation. Can you tell me what can be done to expedite this process? The state needs to recognize that property prices on Alligator Point are escalating rapidly and it is in the state's best interest to reappraise and make an offer on the Hidden Harbor property as soon as possible. The vast majority of the Hidden Harbor property is wetlands and development of that property could have a devastating effect on the Alligator Harbor Aquatic Preserve. The Alligator Harbor Aquatic Preserve is a feeding area for Kemp's Ridleys and Loggerheads and the site of clam aquaculture farming as well as commercial crabbing. It is imperative that this offer be made soon. From and economic and environmental perspective, it is vital that the State of Florida act promptly to acquire these lands for preservation.
Please give this every consideration and save what little "Wild Florida" we have left.
Sincerely,
