Freedom of Treeligion - An opinion

By Phil Griffin

October 2, 2019

Recent legal actions and statements by the Sierra Club and the Amelia Tree Conservancy do not reflect the will of the majority of hardworking citizens that live, work and pay taxes within the City limits. Recent statements by the group leaders should concern all locals that they are working to usurp the Constitutional rights of all others in the name of Tree Preservation by attempting to limit new residences and business from coming to Fernandina Beach. This is of course after they themselves have secured their own little slice of heaven. Many members of these groups do not reside in Fernandina Beach, yet they are attempting to dictate policy that will impact the quality of life and the tax rates of those of us that do live and work within the city limits.

“Treeligion” promotes a policy to put tree preservation above all other needs. While the goal of preserving heritage trees is noble, the tactics being proposed are misguided and could wreak havoc if they impose economic and financial burdens on residents and small businesses. With the exception of the beachfront houses, in order for virtually every other home to be built, it required the clearing of one or more trees.

As a bonified conservationist with a long history of tree preservation both here on Amelia Island and in Alaska, living for 6 years “off the grid” in a remote cabin, I’m offended to see a group attempt to undermine 250 years of constitutional protection of property rights by linking the concept of tree preservation with a “no new building” as public policy. Both Land Planning and Green Construction methods can be implemented to maximize heritage tree protection. We need to work together and find the right balance between a healthy economy with desirable places to live and work while still protecting the environment.

Installing puppet members on the commission for the sole purpose of stopping all development in the name of tree preservation is disingenuous at best and would do serious damage to the taxpayers and the quality of life here. How about when the puppets apply the same standard of development that was applied to Amelia Bluff subdivision and require that existing homes along Egans Creek be taken through eminent domain. Hundreds of houses from Fort Clinch to Simmons Road would need to be purchased, then bulldozed to restore the tree canopy!

Let’s get back to reality and deal sensibly with tree preservation while at the same time deal with the other pressing needs such as affordable housing, creating high paying jobs, thriving businesses, quality schools and other necessities for a quality of life. The US Constitution provides for the separation of “Treeligion and State” and the 6th Amendment bans imposing a “Treeligious” test as a prerequisite for holding public office. Let’s protect the rule of law and bark up a different tree.

Editor's Note: Phil Griffin is a licensed Real Estate Broker and Principal of Amelia Coastal Realty on Amelia Island, Florida. He has designed, developed or managed dozens of green projects on behalf of clients.

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