Submitted by Susan Hardee Steger
June 22, 2014 2:00 p.m.
Condo owners and renters of the Amelia Island Surf and Racquet Club (ASRC) were hard at work on Saturday morning to restore dunes on a strip of land used as a service trail for vehicles carrying items to and from the Ritz-Carlton. According to a press release issued by the ASRC, “Work began in April of this year to stop traffic in the area and to restore it as a seamless part of the surrounding dune system.”
Mike Krueger, president of the ASRC’s association, said 600 new plants were placed by volunteers. Among the plant total are 300 sea oats, 200 east coast dune sunflowers, and 100 indian blanket flowers. The cost to the restore the dunes is approximately $10,000. Included in the cost is a sprinkler system required by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for dune restoration projects.
The press release further states, “. . . the dune system on ASRC’s property is cut in half by an old trail where vehicle traffic has pounded the dunes out of existence and left a gaping hold in the natural landscape. Residents and guests have already reported gopher tortoise sighting where trucks and ATV’s once roared across the sand.”
Photo courtesy of Josh Martin
Now the Ritz is plowing the service road in front of Carlton Dunes,
This project has been on-going for several years now. Over this time, the destruction of the dunes has increased dramatically. KUDOs to all people that have been involved in this restoration effort. Shame on those who have actively been involved in the destruction of the dunes to satisfy their corporate needs and also to those in local government who have tacitly contributed to this environmental abomination.
Very nice.
Great work, looks great. The State of Florida had budgeted for 25,000 acres for private “New” Dune Restoration. There is Amelia Surf & Racquet Club contribution.
Bill