Largest Oak Tree In Nassau County

The results are in for the Largest Oak Tree In Nassau County.

After three months of searching and hundreds of calls. The largest in Nassau County is located on Marsh Hen Lane:
(98.1" diameter)
(308.2" circumference)
(Latitude 30° 38' 08.1")
(Longitude 81° 31' 06.7").

The largest oak tree on Amelia Island is on Old Bluff Road near Amelia City:
(86.1" diameter)
(270.5" circumference)
(Latitude 30° 35' 17.2")
(Longitude 81° 27' 49.7").

See Photo Gallery on this web site for pictures and a list of the top 50.

Here is a link to an article run in the Newsleader.

Flood Elevation Certificates

The recently revised FEMA Flood Elevation Certificate has been in effect since October 2009. The main changes to the certificate are:

• Type of structure diagrams (two have been added).
• If vents are engineered.
• Lowest adjacent grade at lowest elevation of deck, stairs or structural support.

Engineered vents are becoming quite popular since they allow for less venting. Typically there needs to be one square inch of venting for each square foot of crawl space below the living area. An 8"x16" opening (128 sq. inches) can be replaced with the same size engineered flood vent to net 200 sq. inches. They can also be helpful in bringing a building up to code and reducing insurance rates by having to install less vents. Visit www.smartvent.com for more information and a short video.

Professional Surveyor Magazine featured an article on engineered flood vents in their July 2007 edition. The following link elaborates on the important role the flood elevation certificate plays in the purchase of flood insurance. Note that it states up to 80% of the flood elevation certificates on file with FEMA are in error and could be driving your insurance rates higher. It may be wise to have your flood elevation certificate updated and obtain a new quote from your insurance company. (Smart Move as featured in Professional Surveyor Magazine)

GIS Department News

The Manzie & Drake Geographic Information System (GIS) Department has been busy working on its in-house GIS database by entering records for over 100,000 property surveys, benchmarks and horzontal controls dating back to the 1930's. Eventually these surveys will also be scanned and added to our GIS with hyperlinks for quick viewing and printing for reference. This information will assist in performing future surveys and allow for an electronic archive of all our records. These maps, along with current CADD drawings, will be associated with the parcel map for Nassau County.

Our GIS knowledge, together with the latest technology, is used to ensure that data collection is compatible with GIS programs and database networks. Our field crews work closely with the GIS department in performing field locations. We utilize Sokkia and Trimble GPS equipment, Trimble Robotics, Trimble Pathfinder Office, ESRI ArcView and ArcPad for various projects phases of municiple GIS needs such as wetland locations, the establishment of vertical and horizontal controls and for utility locations.

Professional Liability Insurance (Make Sure Your Survey Is Covered)

We carry professional liability insurance... but not all firms do. This added insurance covers us should we make a mistake. This insurance also protects you, the consumer, by guaranteeing that the money is there if mistakes are made. When considering the cost of a survey, don't be surprised if we are 10% higher than the other guy because of the added cost of this insurance. Another reason we may be more expensive than the other surveying companies may be because our firm offers employees benefits such as health insurance and paid vacations.