| Dave Siebert: Interview with the RiverKeeper |
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| Saturday, 05 August 2006 | |
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Dave Siebert interviews Neil Armingeon, the St. Johns Riverkeeper.
Prior to his work in with the Foundation, Neil was Project Director for the North Carolina Coastal Federation, one of the state's largest environmental groups, where he directed advocacy and hands-on regulatory education programs. Neil has a bachelor of science degree from North Carolina State University and a master's degree in Environmental Management from Duke University.
For more information on the St. Johns Riverkeeper and how you can help, go to: http://www.stjohnsriverkeeper.net/
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August 12, 2006, 9:36 am
scary
I watched this guy speak at the hearing on Black Hammock Island. His facts were wrong. It scares me when someone who has become the \"go to\" person on issues facing the enviroment gets up and gives out incorrect facts.
September 22, 2006, 11:30 am
Riverkeeper responds
I take issue with the comments of Lysander. I am not really sure what facts they are talking about. We stand by the statements made by the Riverkeeper before the Council, and we continue to oppose this development project b/c of its potential impact on water quality in the Nassau River/St. Johns River Marshes Aquatic Preserve (the most pristine waters in Duval County)and because of the dangerous precendence that this could establish.
As you may recall, the developer and the property owner requested a land use change and rezoning from Agriculture to PUD for 358 acres on Black Hammock Island.
This would increase the density from 1 home per 40 acres to allow 143 homes to be built.
The Planning Department indicated that this is an "intensification factor 16 times the present allowable density" and that "this increase would be inconsistent with the requirements of FLUE Policy 1.1.7".
According to the Conservation/Coastal Management Element of the 2010 Comprehensive Plan, "development within saltwater marshes is limited to one (1) dwelling unit per five (5) acres."
Although the Planning Commission and the Planning Department recommended denial because "this proposed rezoning to Planned Unit Development is inconsistent with the 2010 Comprehensive Plan", the City Council approved the changes. To make matters worse, the Council refused to accept over $140,000 from the developer to help mitigate the impacts, indicating the the developer had done enough.
This proposed development is located in the midst of the Timucuan National Preserve, flanked by the magnificent Tiger Point Preserve, one of the true jewels of the Jacksonville’s Preservation Project. The tract is surrounded by State Parks and Nature Conservancy Preserves, and is located in the middle of the Nassau River/St. Johns River Marshes Aquatic Preserve. This land is located adjacent to the most pristine and environmentally sensitive land and waters in our city.
Riverkeeper continues to have concerns about the potential impacts to water quality from stormwater runoff and septic tanks, and we believe that this project is incompatible with the rural character of the area and the density is inappropriate for such an environmentally sensitive aquatic preserve. The Planning Department noted that "the applicant has not provided development plan which satisfactorily addresses the sensitive environmental quality of the area and support the extensive public investment in the area for preservation and recreational use."
Believe me- I don't just say this because I work for Riverkeeper - but we are fortunate to have an organization like Riverkeeper that is passionate about the health of our waterways, that always strives to represent the best interests of the river and our community, and is not influenced by politics or money. We have no agenda besides a cleaner river and own quality of life.
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