14th & Lime project before the Army Corps of Engineers for permitting

Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm

Reporter - News Analyst

June 22, 2017 3:51 p.m.

At the June 20, 2017 Regular Meeting of the Fernandina Beach City Commission (FBCC),  resident Dr. Ronald J. “Chip” Ross informed commissioners and the community of a pending application before the Army Corps of Engineers (ACE) for a proposed mixed use (residential and commercial)  project located at 14^th and Lime Streets in Fernandina Beach. The Fernandina Observer has covered this project extensively during many public meetings and mediation which ultimately led to the Fernandina Beach City Commission’s approval of the project.

Property at 14th and Lime

The project which has been submitted for approval by Spurgeon Richardson on behalf of Liberty Development must also be permitted by the Army Corps of Engineers. Public notice is provided below:

More details on the application may be obtained by visiting http://www.saj.usace.army.mil/Missions/Regulatory/Public-Notices/Article/1216796/saj-1995-03715-sp-mre/

According to the website, the decision whether to issue a permit will be based on an evaluation of the probable impact including cumulative impacts of the proposed activity on the public interest. That decision will reflect the national concern for both protection and utilization of important resources. The benefits, which reasonably may be expected to accrue from the proposal, must be balanced against its reasonably foreseeable detriments. All factors which may be relevant to the proposal will be considered including cumulative impacts thereof; among these are conservation, economics, esthetics, general environmental concerns, wetlands, historical properties, fish and wildlife values, flood hazards, floodplain values, land use, navigation, shoreline erosion and accretion, recreation, water supply and conservation, water quality, energy needs, safety, food, and fiber production, mineral needs, considerations of property ownership, and in general, the needs and welfare of the people. Evaluation of the impact of the activity on the public interest will also include application of the guidelines promulgated by the Administrator, EPA, under authority of Section 404(b) of the Clean Water Act or the criteria established under authority of Section 102(a) of the Marine Protection Research and Sanctuaries Act of 1972. A permit will be granted unless its issuance is found to be contrary to the public interest.

The US Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) is soliciting comments from the public; Federal, State, and local agencies and officials; Indian Tribes; and other Interested parties in order to consider and evaluate the impacts of this proposed activity. Any comments received will be considered by the Corps to determine whether to issue, modify, condition, or deny a permit for this proposal. To make this determination, comments are used to assess impacts to endangered species, historic properties, water quality, general environmental effects, and the other public interest factors listed above. Comments are also used to determine the need for a public hearing and to determine the overall public interest of the proposed activity.

Questions or comments concerning this application may be directed to the project manager, Mark R. Evans at the Jacksonville Permits Section via email to mark.r.evans@usace.army.mil, fax (904)232‐1940, or telephone(904)232‐2028. You may also mail input to him at the ACE Permits Section, Post Office Box 4970, Jacksonville,Florida 32232.

The public comment period remains open until July 17, 2017.

Editor's Note: Suanne Z. Thamm is a native of Chautauqua County, NY, who moved to Fernandina Beach from Alexandria,VA, in 1994. As a long time city resident and city watcher, she provides interesting insight into the many issues that impact our city. We are grateful for Suanne's many contributions to the Fernandina Observer.