9/15/20 @ 10:30 a.m. - The County's Public Information Officer recently attended a sea turtle excavation. Below is a short video about the efforts of the Amelia Island Sea Turtle Watch Association. Next turtle season, we will be working together to create an informational video about sea turtle and beach habitat protection.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

Credits: Bensound (music); Sandra Baker Hinton (thumbnail photo); Sean Kelly (video cover pic); Amelia Island Tourist Development Council (various media photos); and Amelia Island Sea Turtle Watch

8/7/20 @ 9:15 a.m. - Next Saturday, August 15th is the next Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event. That means that you only have one weekend left to get ready!

The event will be held at the Nassau County Road Department located at 86200 Gene Lassere Blvd. Participants should access the site using Eric Oliver Way (roadway to the left of Target), to Courtney Isles Way, to Gene Lassere.

The event will be held from 8am-noon (or until trucks reach capacity) and is FREE to Nassau County residents. Proof of residency is required.

See flyer for a complete list of items that will be accepted.

You are also encouraged to bring a non-perishable food to be donated to Barnabas.

If you have any questions, please contact Keep Nassau Beautiful at (904) 261-0165.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

For Immediate Release: July 27, 2020
Contact: Office of Communications, (850) 617-7737
Twitter: @FDACS & @NikkiFriedFL                      
 
FDACS Asking Floridians to Report Suspicious Seed Packets from China
                                                                                  
Tallahassee, Fla. – The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) is warning Floridians about unsolicited packages of seeds received through the mail. The seed packets, which may arrive unexpectedly in packages bearing Chinese characters, may bear the name China Post, and may be labeled as jewelry, have been reported in multiple states including Virginia, Kansas, Washington, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Utah, and others.
 
As of July 27, FDACS has received at least 160 reports from Florida residents reporting having received suspicious seed packages. The content of the seed packages is unknown at this time.
 
The introduction of plant seeds into the United States is tightly regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Seeds of unknown origin may constitute agricultural smuggling, may be invasive, may introduce pathogens, toxins, or plant and animal diseases, may pose a risk of foodborne illness, and may pose a threat to plant, animal, and human health. FDACS is working closely to receive guidance from the USDA and its Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), the lead regulatory body on this issue, in consultation with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
 
“Plant seeds from unknown sources may introduce dangerous pathogens, diseases, or invasive species into Florida, putting agriculture and our state’s plant, animal, and human health at risk,” said Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried. “Anyone receiving these suspicious seed packets should not open them, should not plant them, should limit contact with them, and should report them immediately to both our department and USDA officials.”
 
What To Do: Anyone receiving unsolicited seed packages from other countries should follow these directions:
 

• Do not open the seed packet and avoid opening outer packaging or mailing materials, if possible
• Do not plant the seeds or discard them in trash that will be landfilled
• Limit contact with the seed package until further guidance on handling, disposal, or collection is available from the USDA
• Report the seed package to the FDACS Division of Plant Industry at 1-888-397-1517 or DPIhelpline@FDACS.gov
• Report the seed package to the USDA APHIS Anti-Smuggling Hotline at 1-800-877-3835 or SITC.Mail@aphis.usda.gov

 
When reporting the seed package to FDACS and USDA/APHIS, please be prepared to provide one’s name, physical address, phone number, and email address for contact purposes.
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
 
Contact:
Sabrina Robertson
Administrative Manager, County Manager’s Office
(904) 530-6010
srobertson@nassaucountyfl.com
 
 
Public Hearing Regarding Beach Ordinance Scheduled for Tuesday, July 28, 2020
 
 
Nassau County, Florida, July 20, 2020 – On December 19, 2018, the Board of County Commissioners formed a Beach Community Working Group to review current beach related Ordinances and use of the beach. A total of sixteen (16) meetings were held in 2019.  Hundreds of individuals appeared at meetings and hundreds more sent emails expressing concerns about a myriad of issues including but not limited to, items left on the beach, horseback riding, safety issues, and littering. However, most of the concerns related to beach driving and unregulated camping.
 
After a year of meetings and thousands of testimonies, it became abundantly clear that the current Ordinances are not working and that changes need to be made to protect the citizens, environment and wildlife. The Beach Community Working Group presented their recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners at a Workshop held on January 16, 2020.
 
Following the Workshop, the Commissioners held individual meetings with the County Manager, Mike Mullin; Assistant County Manager, Taco Pope; Public Works Director, Doug Podiak; and Butch Osborne, Director of Operations for the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office. During these meetings, the Commissioners further discussed the recommendations made by the Beach Community Working Group and provided input about language they would like included in the final Ordinance.  A public hearing was initially scheduled for March 23rd, however that was postponed due to COVID-19 and the Governor’s orders to suspend in-person quorums for local government meetings.
 
The Board of County Commissioners has worked hard to find ways to address concerns that have been brought forth. While they want to maintain the customary uses of the beach that make our County unique, they also want to ensure we are being good stewards to the environment and eliminating some of the unwelcomed behavior that is threatening the safety of our residents and wildlife and impacting the quality of life for those who live nearby.
 
A public hearing to consider a new Beach Ordinance (attached) will be held on Tuesday, July 28, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. in the Commission Chambers located at 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097. The public is welcome to attend. Additional measures have been established to allow for social distancing. This includes additional seating and video monitors outside the Commission Chambers.
 
You can also participate remotely using the following options:

• Watch the meeting from home at www.nassauclerk.com/watch-meetings
• Submit comments for the record by emailing comments@nassaucountyfl.com or calling (904) 530-6009 and leaving a message.
• Request to be called during the meeting by emailing comments@nassaucountyfl.com or calling (904) 530-6009 and leaving a message. Include your name, address, phone number and the topic you wish to speak about and you will be called when that item comes up on the agenda.
• Participate live utilizing the following ZOOM Meeting link and/or dial-in information:

 
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82411146045?pwd=ZDk2L1RmZmMrOTRXcExpZGVmRS9DZz 09
Password: 987321
 
iPhone one-tap :
US: +13462487799,,82411146045#,,,,0#,,987321#  or +16465588656,,82411146045#,,,,0#,,987321#
 
Telephone:
Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
US: +1 346 248 7799  or +1 646 558 8656  or +1 669 900 9128  or +1 253 215 8782  or +1 301 715 8592  or +1 312 626 6799
   
Webinar ID: 824 1114 6045
Password: 987321
International numbers available: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/keiOjshSY8
 
The meeting agenda containing the proposed Ordinance will be published on our official website at www.nassaucountyfl.com by the close of business on Thursday, July 23rd.  
 
*********************************************************************************************************
If you have any questions, please contact the County Manager’s Office at (904) 530-6010.
 

6/4/20 @ 9:30 a.m. - The annual Waste Tire Amnesty Day will be held on Saturday, September 12th. This event allows each Nassau County household to dispose of up 15 car and truck tires at no cost, with proof of residency. Each tire should be off the rim and free of debris. No commercial loads.

WHAT: Tire Waste Amnesty Day
WHEN: Saturday, September 12th from 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (or until trailer is full... whichever comes first)
WHERE: Nassau County Convenience Recycle Center, 46026 Landfill Rd., Callahan, FL 32011

If you have any questions, please contact Nassau County Solid Waste at (904) 530-6702.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

5/14/20 @ 2:15 p.m. - The fall Household Hazardous Waste Collection and Food Drive Event has been scheduled for Saturday, August 15th. Types of items collected include:

• -Aerosol cans
• -Cooking oils
• -Fluorescent batteries
• -Motor oil, oil filters, lubricants, radiator fluid
• -Pesticides
• -Household cleaners
• -Propane tanks
• -Pool chemicals
• -Paint
• -Batteries
• -Electronics
• -and more!

Please see the attached flyer for a complete list of items that will be accepted.

Participants are also asked to bring a canned or non-perishable item to be donated to Barnabas Center.

This event is free to Nassau County Residents (proof of residency will be required).
No commercial loads without prior approval. Call in advance for pricing to 352-334-0440.

WHAT: Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event
WHEN: Saturday, August 15th from 8:00 to noon (or until truck reaches capacity)
WHERE: Nassau County Road Department, 86200 Gene Lassere Blvd., Yulee, FL 32097

If you have any questions, please contact Keep Nassau Beautiful at (904) 261-0165

3/2/20 @ 4:00 p.m. - A $1.16 million effort to enhance beach cleaning and ensure clean restroom facilities at beach parks has been approved by the Nassau County Commissioners - just ahead of the busy tourism season. Firms who submitted successful responses to Request for Proposals (RFP), were awarded three-year contracts, with the option of additional one-year extensions. Beach Rakers, LLC. and Sea Bandit, Inc. began work Sunday, March 1st and will work seven days a week with extended hours.
 
“We are excited about the enhanced program,” said Danny Leeper, Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC). “Keeping the beaches of Amelia Island pristine is critical to our success, not only as a major tourism destination, but as good stewards of the environment. The money invested on these tasks is well spent.”
 
The costs for the remainder of the fiscal year tops $231,000. Annual expenditures for both contracts top $388,500. In prior years, expenditures for beach cleaning averaged $174,000. Mr. Leeper noted that the effort is being fully funded by Tourist Development Taxes (TDT) paid by overnight visitors staying in condos, hotels, and resorts.  “Nassau residents enjoy clean and safe beaches and facilities year-round, courtesy of our tourists. No local taxes are being used on these contracts.” The TDT expenditures were unanimously recommended to the BOCC by the Tourist Development Council, which Mr. Leeper chairs.

The contract with Beach Rakers calls for beaches to be cleaned at least once a day - 365 days a year.  They will be cleaned more frequently on major holiday weekends. Despite the name, the County contract specifies the eight miles of beach will be cleaned by hand. The scope of work also includes enforcement of the “Leave No Trace” ordinance, passed in 2016. All items left on the beach overnight will be removed and destroyed. There is no option for recovery of abandoned items.
 
Sea Bandit, Inc. is a local firm awarded restroom cleaning at a cost of $64,500 annually. During tourist season, defined as March 1st through September 30th, beach parks with facilities will be cleaned at least 4 times daily between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. During the off-season, bathrooms will be cleaned daily between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m.
 
“This is the first step in improving and protecting our beaches,” said Mr. Leeper. “Over the past year, the BOCC has received suggestions from hundreds and hundreds of constituents. Clean beaches were a priority we’ve addressed. We will continue to address concerns and make changes to improve the beach experience for all.”
 
For further information, please contact Mike Mullin, County Manager, 904-530-6100.

3/21/2020 PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT THIS EVENT IS BEING POSTPONED DUE TO THE COVID-19 HEALTH CRISIS


2/22/20 @ 11:30 a.m. - It's that time of year again! Begin your spring cleaning and bring all unwanted hazardous items to the Annual Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event.

Date: Saturday, April 18, 2020
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.or until the truck is full (whichever comes first)
Location: Nassau County Convenience and Recycling Center, 46026 Landfill Road, Callahan, FL 32011

This is a FREE service for all Nassau County residents. Types of items that will be collected include:

• Pesticides, insecticides, and fertilizers
• Paints and paint thinners
• Oil filters, used oil, and lubricants
• Pool chemicals
• Fluorescent lamps
• Electronics
• Batteries
• Household cleaners
• Corrosives
• Propane tanks
• Aerosol cans
• Used cooking oil

Please see the attached flyer for more details.

No items from commercial businesses will be accepted without prior approval. Please call (352) 334-0440 in advance for pricing.

A food drive for Barnabas will also be held in conjunction with this event. Please consider bringing non-perishable canned food items for donation.

If you have any questions, please contact Nassau County Solid Waste at (904) 530-6700 or Keep Nassau Beautiful at (904) 261-0165.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

UPDATED 3/16/20 - DUE TO THE CDC RECOMMENDATION TO LIMIT PUBLIC EVENTS, THIS EVENT IS BEING POSTPONED TO A LATER DATE


2/26/20 @ 1:50 p.m. - The Annual Waste Tire Amnesty Day will be held on Saturday, April 4th. This event allows NASSAU COUNTY residents to dispose of up to 15 car or truck tires, free of charge, with proof of residency.

Tires must be off the rim and free of debris. No commercial loads with be accepted.

What: Waste Tire Amnesty Day

When: Saturday, April 4, 2020 from 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (or until the tire trailer is full... whichever comes first!)

Where: Nassau County Convenience Recycle Center, 46026 Landfill Road, Callahan, FL 32011

For more information, please contact the Recycle Center directly at (904) 530-6702 or email bdiden@nassaucountyfl.com.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

2/24/20 @ 4:50 p.m. - Please see the below information from the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) regarding bat maternity season which begins on April 15th.

For immediate release: February 13, 2020
Media contacts: Jamie Rager, 850-404-6104; Carli Segelson, 772-215-9459 

It’s bat time again: Check your home before maternity season

Bat maternity season is almost here, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is reminding the public to check their homes and other structures for bats and seal potential entry points. Are there cracks in your chimney or holes in your siding? Bats and other small mammals can fit into these small spaces, and now is the best time to inspect your home!
Maternity season is the time during which bats gather to give birth and raise their young. Removal of bat colonies must be completed before the season starts on April 15. Bat exclusions are illegal during the maternity season, which runs through August 15. That protects young bats that are not yet able to fly, and it prevents bigger problems for homeowners.

“Maternity season is a critical time for bats,” said Terry Doonan, an FWC biologist and mammal conservation coordinator. “If they are excluded from a place where they are roosting during this time, their flightless young can become trapped inside and die.”

Florida is home to 13 resident bat species, including threatened species such as the Florida bonneted bat. Some bat species roost in artificial structures, including houses and other buildings. It is illegal to harm or kill bats in Florida, so guidelines have been developed to ensure bats are removed safely and effectively outside of the maternity season.

Exclusion guidelines on how to remove bats from buildings can be found at MyFWC.com/Bats. Materials and methods used to exclude bats can affect the success of that process. For more information on how to conduct a bat exclusion, watch this YouTube video: How to Get Bats Out of a Building. Further details on how to conduct a legal bat exclusion can be found at Bat Conservation International.

Bats are beneficial to people and are an important part of the ecosystem. Florida’s native bats help keep insect populations under control, with the average bat eating hundreds of insects a night. In addition to the benefit of keeping mosquitoes and other insects at bay for residents enjoying the outdoors, the value of insect suppression by bats to U.S. agriculture has been estimated to be in the billions of dollars.
There are several ways that Florida residents and visitors can help bats:

• Preserve natural roost sites, including trees with cavities and peeling bark. Dead fronds left on palms can also provide roosting spots for bats.
• Put up a bat house.
• Report unusual bat behavior, or sick or dead bats to: MyFWC.com/BatMortality.

Avoid handling or touching bats, or any wild animals, especially if they are not acting normally. Bats, like any other wild animals, may bite to defend themselves if handled, and they can carry rabies. For more information about rabies, visit the Florida Department of Health website at FloridaHealth.gov. 
If you have questions or need assistance, contact your closest FWC Regional Office to speak with a regional wildlife assistance biologist for more information.