A call to action as Fernandina Beach City Commission considers Land Development Code Amendment - An opinion

Submitted by Chip Ross

June 12, 2015 7:00 a.m.

The Ocean Highway Port Authority oversees the Port of Fernandina. A subsidiary of Kinder Morgan Terminals manages the Port of Fernandina. Either in the Ocean Highway’s proposed Master Plan, Charter, or by the recent application for a coal transfer permit the following have been proposed for the Port of Fernandina:

• Coal Transfer Facility
• Petroleum Refinery
• Phosphate shipping terminal
• Fruit & Vegetable Fumigation Facilities
• Phosphate shipping terminal; and / or
• Ship Passenger Terminals Servicing greater than 500 passengers.

If you are a resident or business owner on Amelia Island, you may believe that these types of facilities have not directly affected you, therefore none of them ever will.

Let’s keep it that way.

On Tuesday June 16th at 6 PM a proposed Land Development Code amendment comes before the City Commissioners. The proposed amendments would define and prohibit the above facilities in the City of Fernandina Beach. The details can be found on the Fernandina Beach City website.

The prohibition of a coal transfer facility would prevent a facility which imports or exports coal by ship into the City of Fernandina Beach. This would not prevent the coal trains that currently supply coal to one of the mills. The coal dust from a transfer facility in our community, no matter how careful or regulated the facility, will get into our water and our air.

The only question is how much. “Coal pollutants affect all major body organ systems and contribute to four of the five leading causes of mortality in the U.S.: heart disease, cancer, stroke, and chronic lower respiratory diseases.” [Physicians for Social Responsibity.org]

“In Louisiana, Kinder Morgan’s terminal spills coal directly into the Mississippi River and nearby wetlands. The pollution is so heavy that satellite photos show coal-polluted water spreading from the facility in black plumes. The same site generates so much wind-blown coal dust that nearby residents won a class action lawsuit because their homes and belongings are so often covered in coal dust.”[Sightline.org]

“The Comprehensive Plan sets the general direction for most of the City’s

legislative action.” “The Land

Development Code is intended to “establish comprehensive regulations,

procedures, and standards for review and approval of the development of land

based on the comprehensive plan”. [Land Development Code – Purpose and Intent]

Policy 1.07.11(g) of the City of Fernandina Beach’s Comprehensive Plan states “heavymetal fabrication, batch plants, salvage yards, chemical or petroleum manufacturing or refining, rubber or plastics manufacturing, or other uses generating potentially harmful environmental or nuisance impacts shall be prohibited” in the City of Fernandina Beach.

The comprehensive plan currently prohibits a petroleum refinery.

The proposed Land Development Code amendments will implement this policy and make this prohibition an enforceable law.

A coal transfer facility, fruit and vegetable fumigation facility, phosphate

shipping terminal and cruise ship terminal for greater than 500 passengers

generate potentially harmful environmental or nuisance impacts and therefore are prohibited by the comprehensive plan.

The proposed Land Development Code amendments will implement this policy and make this prohibition an enforceable law.

If you believe that the above facilities are detrimental to the health, welfare or safety of the City of Fernandina Beach and will detract from residential and commercial property values, come to the meeting and voice your support. If you are unable to appear in person send an e-mail to your City Commissioners. [Click here to email commissioners]

“We always hear about the rights of democracy, but the major

responsibility of it is participation.”

Additional Comment from Chip Ross:

● Coal Transfer Facility means a facility comprised of one or more berths, slips, piers, wharves, loading and / or unloading areas, warehouses, storage silos and / or storage yards used for the import or export of coal by ship and / or barge. This does not impact in anyway the current situation of RockTenn transporting coal by train or truck to their facility. A prohibition of this type of facility would prevent RockTenn, Kinder Morgan, the Port, or anyone else from building on their own property in the City a facility or using a facility built on the Port property from importing cheap coal by ship or barge from South America or anywhere else to be used by RockTenn or others or exporting coal brought in by train or truck.

Editor's Note:  Chip Ross lived and practiced Internal and Emergency Medicine in Southern Maryland for more than 30 years. Now living in the Historic District, Chip continues to practice Emergency Medicine. In his spare time he plays Petanque, cooks and works in his garden.