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March 12, 2003Read more:MAIN STORY: Deed completes South Fox swap TIMELINE: From 1867 to last Friday ISLAND FACTS: Location, topography, area TRIBE'S REACTION: GT Band attorney says fight not resolved yet Johnson: It was an amazing experienceDeveloper came under fire for political tiesBy BILL O'BRIENRecord-Eagle staff writer TRAVERSE CITY - David V. Johnson has been involved in all sorts of business deals throughout the state. But none has been as difficult as his just-completed swap with the state Department of Natural Resources for land on South Fox Island, he says.
The Bay Harbor resort developer has come under fire for his political connections with former Gov. John Engler and other high-ranking Republicans in Michigan, which some critics believe helped move ahead the land exchange despite the public opposition that exists. "This exchange reflects the profit over public interest views of the (Engler) administration," said Lana Pollack, president of the Michigan Environmental Council. Critics of the trade believed the state was trading away globally rare dunes and other property for less valuable land. Johnson, however, said there was a "relentless effort" by the DNR to ensure that the lands being exchanged are similar in value. He said the swap will double the amount of contiguous public land - including shoreline - on the island. Johnson said the exchange does not increase his development options for South Fox. He also said has proven to be an environmentally responsible owner of both North and South Fox islands during the past decade. "I've never heard anybody say I haven't been a good steward of the island," he said.
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