Residents urge CLAM committee to protect Thomas Creek watershed and island parcels

During the public-comment portion of the July 17 meeting, residents Myra Jones and Margaret Kirkland urged the CLAM committee to reconsider nominations tied to the Thomas Creek watershed and to act quickly to conserve parcels on Amelia Island.

Myra Jones said she submitted a nomination in November 2024 for the Crawford Diamond railroad conservation easement (also called Callahan Woodlands). Jones told the committee the nomination was placed on the CLAM suggested eligible group but later was dropped from the eligible list. She asked the committee to place her previously nominated properties (named in the meeting as Watco, Rayonier and Radiant properties) under the CLAM project identified as Thomas Creek (committee list number referenced in the meeting). Jones cited hydrological risks: she said the Florida aquifer lies less than 500 feet below the surface in the nominated area, described average recharge rates and quoted a county water-management withdrawal estimate; she argued that wetlands in the Thomas Creek watershed act as sponges that reduce downstream flood risk and help aquifer recharge.

Margaret Kirkland, identified as chair of ConservNassau, said she supported the Crawford Diamond nomination and raised concerns about the Azalea Point planned unit development (PUD). Kirkland said three commercial parcels in Azalea Point are in play: one is actively for sale, two are under development and one south-side parcel (parcel number cited in public remarks) has a realtor reportedly receptive to conservation. She said the area is on a county scenic highway and on a bike path, and that preserving parcels along the corridor would protect stormwater management, tree cover and scenic character.

Both speakers asked the committee to be proactive and to place the nominated properties under existing priority projects rather than react after development proceeds. No committee action was taken immediately on the specific nominations during public comment; staff and committee members said they would call speakers back if follow-up questions arose.

Statements and data quoted by the speakers (as presented in public comment): Jones referenced a water-management district recharge rate (15-20 inches per year) and an earlier district estimate of groundwater withdrawals in the range of 31 to 55 million gallons per day; she used the county's projected population number discussed in the comment to illustrate future water demand. Kirkland identified a parcel on the south side of Spring Blossom Lane with a recently-lowered asking price (she cited roughly $435,000) and said the property was fully forested.

Those interested in the nominations can expect staff to follow up; the committee did not make a formal decision on the items during public comment.