public trust joins Mayport to fight cruise terminal and pollution

The Jacksonville Port Authority (Jaxport) has asked the Jacksonville City Council to pass three related ordinances which would allow Jaxport to build a cruise ship terminal on the banks of the St. Johns River in the tiny Village of Mayport.  Those ordinances include 2008-892, a land use amendment; 2008-893, a rezoning; and 2008-970, a text amendment to the comprehensive plan.  The Mayport Civic Association, along with many Mayport residents, vehemently objects to the construction of the cruise ship terminal and the Public Trust has agreed to join the fight.

To address these and other concerns, the Public Trust, on behalf of the Mayport Civic Association and several Mayport residents, entered into negotiations with Jaxport in December of 2008.  After receiving an initial proposal from Jaxport, the Public Trust consulted with the concerned parties to draft additional protective measures.  These measures were added to the initial proposal and sent back to Jaxport through a mediator.  After receiving Jaxport's reply the Mayport Civic Association and the concerned residents decided that they could not accept the proposal.  Although Jaxport made several concessions that benefitted both parties, they nevertheless failed to adequately address core concerns respecting the environment and the viability of the shrimping and fishing industry.  As a specific example, Jaxport refused to guarantee that all ships docked at the terminal would use shore power, an alternative that would have eliminated sulfur and NOx emissions. Thus at this time the Public Trust is awaiting the decision of the City Council regarding the three ordinances at issue before it pursues the next appropriate step.  In the meantime the Public Trust is looking forward to further discussions with Jaxport in the hope that an agreement can be reached that truly benefits the City of Jacksonville.

To this point the Public Trust has joined the citizens of Mayport who have worked tirelessly to achieve these goals.  This is a daunting task to be sure, as Jaxport has seemingly unlimited access to money and the politically powerful Goliaths of Jacksonville.  The Mayport citizens believe a number of irregularities have occurred within the "system" which has led to the threat of this cruise terminal's impact on the village.  The passions and hearts of these Mayport villagers inspire us to devote ourselves to fight for what is right.  And although the Public Trust is providing its legal assistance to the Mayport Civic Association and the residents of Mayport free of charge, such efforts are not cost free.  Indeed the Public Trust has already incurred considerable expenses while working to protect the interests of Mayport.  A small portion of these expenses has been offset by the generous donation of our members, but much more assistance is needed.

For this reason we ask all who wish to stand up for the rights of the Village of Mayport to join the fight and become members of the Public Trust.  Your $25.00 donation will not only grant you a one-year membership, it will also allow the Public Trust to advocate for the protection of our air, water, manatees and dolphins, landscape, even the health of our citizenry.  If you choose to become a member of the Public Trust your annual donation of only $25.00 will be tax deductible, as we are a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.  But this financial benefit to you is secondary to the knowledge that you have taken advantage of the opportunity to stand up for what you believe.  We at the Public Trust are guided by the principle that northeast Florida is blessed with beautiful and unique "special places" which deserve protection.  We hope that you agree with this principle and also wish to do your part to save the areas that we so thankfully call home.

For more information on how to become a member of the Public Trust, please click on the "Donate Now" button found in the menu above.  If you donate $25.00 or more you will automatically become a member of the Public Trust unless you indicate otherwise

joining us is voluntary,please visit savemayportvillage.net

any infomation that may suuport us in fighting this terminal can be sent also to diverdan363@yahoo.com together may we save open space and access to the public.