During the meeting, the committee reviewed the eligibility of three properties for conservation: Henry Enterprise, Valua 44, and Cypress Ranch. The Henry Enterprise property, spanning approximately 292 acres and adjacent to the Lake George Conservation Area in Seville, was evaluated first. It received a staff score of 13 out of 19, surpassing the minimum requirement of 9. Concerns about herbicide use on the property were addressed, with assurances that best management practices ensure targeted application. The committee unanimously approved the Henry Enterprise property.

The Valua 44 property, approximately 358 acres located in the Volusia Conservation Corridor and next to the Longleaf Pine Preserve, was next. Despite not being classified as a high recharge area, its proximity to other owned lands made it part of the St. John’s Water Management five-year acquisition plan. The property received a staff score of 12 out of 21, exceeding the required score of 10, and was unanimously approved for eligibility by the committee.

The Cypress Ranch property, located in the Osteen area and spanning 86 acres, received a staff score of 10 out of 21, meeting the minimum requirement. The committee discussed the use of their new GIS mapping system to enhance visual clarity for future property evaluations. Concerns about existing inholdings within the property and the historical context of surrounding land ownership were raised, noting the complexities of conservation efforts in the area. The committee also highlighted the potential value of acquiring both Cypress Ranch and the neighboring Triple T Ranch to create a valuable corridor for wildlife conservation. The Cypress Ranch property was approved unanimously.

The committee then reviewed staff comments on developments regarding various properties under consideration. Four properties were approved by the council during the September 3rd meeting, bringing the total to 30 properties on the A-list. Active engagements are ongoing with 23 of those properties, including offers, contracts, or appraisals in progress. Key properties discussed included the Evans property, an agricultural easement bordering Deep Creek Preserve, expected to close soon, and the Steart acquisition, a 2,500-acre property in Edgewater, anticipated to close by November. The Carter Ranch property has reached a purchase price agreement, and the contract will be presented to the governor and cabinet at the next available meeting.

The Pick and Cooper property has a signed contract, and the Double Eagle Ranch contract is progressing with support from the USDA. The Tamoka Marsh property is undergoing title work and appraisals, with a commitment from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to make an offer soon. Staff emphasized their commitment to assisting property owners and streamlining applications. Updates were provided on drafting resolution language scheduled for discussion in December, with efforts to expand the Volusia Conservation Corridor.

The committee was informed of a requested additional meeting to expedite discussions on properties under pressure. Proposed dates included October 18, October 25, and November 1, with general agreement leaning toward October 25. Recent changes have made the program more nimble, eliminating fixed application cycles in favor of an open call for properties at any time, facilitating quicker appraisals and offers.

Concerns were raised about delays in the property acquisition process, with one committee member questioning whether staff was behind schedule. Staff clarified that the competitive nature of the market requires prompt appraisals and offers, which can take up to six months. The committee member expressed support for speeding up the process and suggested that the council’s approval of proposed changes would help.

Public dissatisfaction with recent developments in Edgewater and New Smyrna Beach was discussed, with one member urging staff to pursue additional conservation land in response to community concerns. The member mentioned that recent development initiatives could provide additional conservation easements, specifically referencing 400 acres associated with the northern Deering Park development.

The committee also discussed the ongoing requirement for annual inspections of the 33,000 acres currently under conservation easement. Gratitude was expressed towards developers willing to contribute land, with one member noting, “When a developer was willing to give 400, we’ll take it.” This sentiment acknowledged the challenges in securing land for conservation.

Further discussions highlighted the goal of preserving a significant percentage of land within the county. Clarity was sought regarding preservation goals, specifically whether Volusia Forever aimed to preserve 50% of the county. The response clarified that the figure included both public and private lands, with current efforts preserving around 36% of the county through state and federal partnerships.