Timucuan Extension Position

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Crane Island Timucuan Extension Impact Fees Recycling Nassau County Traffic Crashes Amelia Island Association (AIA) Extension of the Timucuan Preserve to include the Amelia River basin AIA POSITION The Amelia Island Association (AIA) has taken the position that the Timucuan Preserve should be extended to include the entire Amelia River Basin. We urge both the Nassau County Commission and the Fernandina Beach City Commission to approve this extension. This Amelia River Basin extension would include:  The Amelia River, Bells River, & Jolly River and islands zoned conservation in those rivers,  Egan’s Creek and the City Greenway.  The State Parks at the north and south end of Amelia Island (Fort Clinch State Park and Amelia Island State Park). The boundary for the Timucuan preserve along the rivers would be the high tide line on both sides of a river. The Timucuan Preserve river borders would be to the high tide water line on each side. SUPPORTING REASONS 1. Extension of the Timucuan Preserve to the Amelia River Basin would complete a protected “Blue-Way” from the St. Johns River to the National Seashore Park at Cumberland Island in Georgia. 2. The connection of a National Park System provides an enhanced ability to protect the ecosystem, since the Amelia River drains into the existing Timucuan Preserve. 3. A seamless system of parks, which this extension would enable, would be a major improvement over the spot park protection that exists now for the local ecosystem. 4. This extension would enable the resources available to the Timucuan Preserve to be used in the Amelia River Basin area. This includes scientific and conservation law expertise, as well as available Federal financial resources. 5. By increasing protection for the Amelia River Basin ecosystem we protect for the fish in it. Thus protecting our sport and commercial fishing businesses. 6. By protecting our ecosystem, we also are protecting the charm that has attracted residents and tourists to the Amelia Island area. 7. By protecting our waterways we are protecting the environment that boaters enjoy – clean water for boating and fishing recreation. 8. The Timucuan Preserve approach to improving protection of the ecosystem is through comment on actions using scientific knowledge and knowledge of existing regulations, as well as though use of available federal financial resources. Timucuan does not bring new regulations to the area – only new expertise and possibly new financial resources. Timucuan is seen as a credible and knowledgeable source, and therefore their comments are usually helpful and accepted. 9. Protecting the ecosystem around Amelia Island, using existing science and existing regulations, protects the value of Amelia Island property. 10. The Timucuan Preserve is currently planning a capability for ecosystem boat tours of the Timucuan Preserve. With an extension these boat tours could also include tours of the Amelia River Basin up to Fort Clinch Fort Clinch State Park now includes Martins Island and Little Tiger Island. Ecosystem boat tourism availability would facilitate tourist access to these small islands. 11. Extension would enable establishment of an Amelia River Basin Council -- including local leaders, city government, county government, state government, and federal government on how to work together with our resources to maximize the benefit to the area. 12. If there is a plan to proceed with a project that is not consistent with science on what is best to do for the ecosystem, or a plan that violates the existing regulations, then the Timucuan may comment on that. 13. A prior effort to extend the Timucuan Preserve to the Nassau River basin, the St. Mary’s River basin, and the Amelia River basin was rejected. This rejection was primarily by those on the west side of the county; therefore this proposal is limited to the extension to only the Amelia River Basin, and does not affect the west side. Amelia Island Association, Directors December, 2008