Atlantic Beach Coal Ash Resolution

Passed  RESOLUTION No. 21-82 

On December 13, 2021 the City of Atlantic Beach passed Resolution No. 21-82 to support actions to stop the shipping of coal ash on the St. John's River and into Jacksonville Ports.  Watch it here. We gave testimony here . 

The First Coast Surfrider began a city of Jacksonville campaign to stop these shipments after a barge accident in 2021 resulted in the release of thousands of tons of imported coal ash into the ocean with our coalition partners St.John's Riverkeeper and NFL Sierra Club. This ash was in the water for an extended period and was directly in the most popular surf break in the Northeast Florida area of the Mayport “Poles"in Atlantic Beach, Florida. 

Coal ash spills in the Jacksonville waterways can also cause substantial harm to the wildlife, economy and businesses that rely on tourism and clean, safe waterways. This same coal ash was banned in the Dominican Republic in 2007, Puerto Rico in 2017. In 2019, Osceola County, Florida refused to continue to  receive coal ash in their port.  If they don't want it, why would we? 

Sampling after the barge spill wasn't done until 2 weeks after the spill, something we strongly have issue with in this case.  The safety protocols in place at the time of the spill need to be addressed, as well as proper notification of the public by government and state authorities. 

We further support the EPA reclassifying coal ash as a toxin which damages the health of our most marginalized communities the most. 

The First Coast Surfrider Chapter began a petition here to protect Jacksonville's River and Beaches from coal ash. Surfrider Foundation and coalition partners as well as the Mayor of the City of Atlantic Beach have testified in strong support of restrictions importing coal ash into our waterways including at the Jacksonville Waterways Commission meetings and comments to the city as well as the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. 

This spill puts the health, recreationists, seafood, economy, and wildlife of the First Coast waterways at risk!

You can watch some of the meeting here. 

Atlantic Beach Resolves to stop the receiving of coal ash in First Coast Ports!