Ellen Vessels
Member of WildCumberland.org
The National Park Service recently announced that they will accept
bids for a new ferry service to Cumberland Island. Now officials and local
entrepreneurs are pushing to increase the number of daily visitors to the
island. This service would undoubtedly stimulate the economy in either
St. Marys, Fernandina Beach, or both. Yet there are more than just business interest to be considered.
When Cumberland Island was made a National Seashore, Congress directed the National Park Service that “no development of the project or plan for the convenience of visitors shall be undertaken which would be incompatible with the preservation of the unique flora and fauna” (section 5b). Increasing the number of visitors will also directly increase the human impact on the island’s already fragile ecosystems and would contradict the very purpose for which Cumberland Island was preserved as a national seashore. Furthermore, the Wilderness Act indicates that an area is set aside for wilderness when it “has outstanding opportunities for solitude” (section 2c).
Visitors cherish the increasingly rare opportunity to enjoy
solitude in undisturbed wilderness. Instead of looking to Cumberland Island and seeing dollar signs, we should appreciate what makes the island so unique: its diverse ecosystems and the opportunities it provides to commune with nature in a land untouched by the impacts of tourism and development.
Editor’s Note: According to www.wildcumberland.org, Wild Cumblerland is a grassroots group dedicated to protecting the designated wilderness, native species, and ecology of Cumberland Island.” There mission is to “restore the wilderness character of the island by ensuring that ecosystems are allowed to function naturally.” Ellen Vessel is a member of the organization, but not an official spokesperson.
March 28, 2014 3:33 p.m.
The article appears to make the assumption that there would be an increase in the number of allowed visitors over the present limit of 300. I have not seen anything that h a s suggested such an increase, only there was consideration for additional access points.
It would be nice to have access to Cumberland from Fernandina. I also would like to see the limits on visitors maintained.
One issue which has not been addressed in the news articles is the potential additional costs for the rangers who provide the briefings, the selling of tickets (Cumberland has the center for sales of tickets, along with restrooms, and a gift shop and some conservation displays. Also not addressed is the parking issue here.
Good point Len, but the McCarthy’s have a booth at the marina for their cruise tour business and could handle the ticket sales. NPS would have to make their reservation system be able to be accessed by all parties in order to keep the daily limit and avoid duplication of camping reservations. I haven’t been over in a couple of years, but the last time I was there on the ferry there were rangers that met the boat at both the Dungeness and Sea Camp dock to give the orientation and not at the St. Mary’s dock. Parking is going to be a major issue and it will be interesting to see how Kevin approaches it. I don’t think that Kevin’s pontoon boats will be sufficient unless he is going to just ask for a small portion of the overall traffic as a way to get started.
Seems as this is time to “open up” the market some. I am an avid bicyclist living 8 plus months a year on AI and would love to spend a day on Cumberland with my own bike vs. $300 day beach cruzer rental. National Parks are for all not just a very select few as has been the case on Cumberland it would seem. Why is parking always brought up to block the obvious? I’d bike to the Downtown dock as I am sure a lot of folks would or have a family member drop off. Letting the same company control the Ferry all these years results in a total lack of common sense. Securing bikes on a ferry causes a hazard? Are you kidding me it’s called a bungie cord and some straps—just like is done all over the US on ferry boats from Maine to WA. interesting…..THE SAME folks raising the safety issue own the license for the ferry???????. No conflict of interest there folks. Open up the ferry to Cumberland! Give the local folks a shot!
Ellen has it absolutely correct. One Amelia Island is enough! There are those who see and appreciate the stark contrast and want no more “improvements” to our natural heritage.