What’s the headline?

Omni Amelia Island Plantation intends to build a big, new commercial structure in green space along the beach, threatening endangered species, bulldozing dunes and degrading a precious barrier island. 

Is this true?

It’s true.

During the holidays, Omni quietly filed an application for the structure with the Department of Planning and Economic Development of Nassau County, Florida. The Fernandina News Leader broke the story on January 21, 2020.

How bad will this be?

Bad.

Omni’s intended 6,000 square foot property is meant to accommodate 300 people at a time, which equates to 2,100 people per week coming through what is left of the green space and dunes. The noise, music, foot traffic, trash and impact to the dunes and beach – whatever Omni has not already destroyed – would be substantial.

What species are at risk?

Omni’s own application references three important species: the American Bald Eagle (Haliaetus leucocephalus), the Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) and the Least Tern (Sternula antillarum). 

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But, aren’t more species at risk?

Yes.

Over 20 occupied Gopher Tortoise burrows have been identified on only one part of the property alone.

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, more than 350 species benefit from Gopher Tortoise burrows:

The gopher tortoise’s presence is important to more than 350 species that benefit from the burrows gopher tortoises dig. Because gopher tortoises alter their environment in a way that benefits other species, they are recognized as a keystone species.

The lights, noise and drunken patrons on the beach will put at risk each of the three sea turtle species that come to build their nests on Amelia Island – the Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas), Leatherback Sea Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) and the Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta).

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Other species at risk include the Gopher Frog (Lithobates capito), a species on the endangered management list, and the Indigo Snake (Drymarchon couperi) – a friendly animal, by the way.

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The Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus), in the news lately because of dramatically declining numbers, flies right along this part of Amelia Island in its eastern migration.

Lots of other wildlife will lose homes and vital ecosystems as the result of Omni’s building. 

In short, Omni’s own application – as bad as it is – doesn’t tell the whole story. 

And you know what’s worse? 

History shows we can’t trust Omni to act in good faith.

Why can’t we trust Omni?

Here’s why.

Back in November 2017, Omni Amelia Island decided to bulldoze part of the golf course in front of its hotel – the same area involved now – without permission or appropriate approval. 

Affected property owners sued Omni. And won.

Big.

On December 17, 2018, The Florida Times-Union reported the story:

A Nassau County circuit court judge minced no words about his view of the resort’s conduct in a scathing decision issued on Dec. 5 and filed last week against the Omni Amelia Island LLC in granting permanent injunctive relief in favor of the [property owners].

[Judge] Steven Fahlgren wrote that the resort ‘undertook to accomplish as much destruction as possible in a single day, without notice to the [property owners],’ when it began tearing down Ocean Links Golf on Nov. 12, 2017.

The court even made Omni pay for the property owners’ attorney fees:

The judge awarded court costs and attorney fees to the [property owners]. Stephen Busey [the property owners’ attorney] said his firm will file a motion this week detailing their fees.

‘The Omni’s sudden closure of the Ocean Links course was the product of Omni’s arrogance, greed and disdain for contractual obligations,’ Busey told the Times-Union. ‘Judge Fahlgren, at the [property owners’] request, rightly remedied that wrong.’

“Arrogance.” “Greed.” “Disdain for contractual obligations.”

Those words don’t inspire much trust, do they?

Think Omni would never bulldoze Gopher Tortoise homes?

Think again.

Here’s more from The Florida Times-Union story:

The resort did not notify property owners that it had begun the demolition until that day, in an email time-dated 5 p.m. By that time, the heavy construction equipment had already been at work a full day. The [property owners] filed for an emergency injunction halting the demolition, which was granted two days later.

C’mon, would Omni really engage in “misconduct” before the law?

Let Judge Fahlgren answer that:

‘Omni destroyed the Ocean Links golf course without notice and in a manner that accomplished the destruction before the [property owners] had an opportunity to obtain judicial relief. Florida law will not permit Omni to benefit from this misconduct.‘

Here’s a link to the whole story, so you can read it for yourself: “Omni Amelia given 10 months to repair, reopen Ocean Links Golf Course”

Is it too late to stop Omni from doing damage to the environment in this case?

No, we still have time to act.

And we have the power to protect Amelia Island.

Stay tuned. After Omni makes its next move (we don’t expect much advance notice because Omni seems to like ambush tactics) we will post actions you can take to protect the environment here. Thanks!