Nassau County adopts consolidated beach code and protected‑species management plan, tightens vehicle and horse hours

The Nassau County Board of County Commissioners on Aug. 11 adopted a package of beach code changes that move existing rules into a single chapter of the county code, revise hours for motorized vehicles and horses during sea‑turtle season, and adopt a county protected‑species management plan intended to guide signage, buffers and enforcement.

The actions — ordinances to relocate and revise beach regulations and a resolution adopting the Nassau County Beaches Protected Species Management Plan — passed unanimously, 5-0. County Attorney Denise May presented the ordinances and the resolution on behalf of staff and the county’s contracted expert; commissioners said staff will continue to refine language based on the public input received at the hearing.

The ordinances consolidate the county’s beach rules by repealing former section 5‑6 and re‑adopting it under chapter 23½, article 2, and by adding clarifying definitions and enforcement provisions. May told the board the measures “consolidate the beach regulations into one chapter of the code” and that the changes being adopted are intended to reflect recommendations from the county’s contracted biologist and conservation specialists.

Key provisions adopted

- Hours: Motorized vehicle hours on beaches will be adjusted seasonally based on the county’s biologist recommendations. Between May 1 and Nov. 1 (the county’s identified turtle season) vehicles will be prohibited from 7:30 p.m. to 7:30 a.m.; between Nov. 1 and April 30 the closure periods will be 9 p.m. to 7 a.m.

- Horses: Horseback riding will be restricted during the same hours as motorized vehicles in the May 1–Nov. 1 season (the ordinance text as adopted references the same closure window recommended by county specialists).

- Protected‑species plan and buffers: The board adopted a protected‑species management plan by resolution. The plan requires a 10‑foot enhanced buffer around identified sea‑turtle nests, enhanced signage near nests and conservation zones, coordination with the Amelia Island Sea Turtle Watch on marking and monitoring, and a county removal program that is triggered at 45 days of incubation notification from the watch.

- Enforcement and parking: The ordinance clarifies enforcement authority, adds towing/removal as an enforcement option and makes owners responsible for towing charges; it also clarifies that beachfront parking areas are intended for public recreational users.

Public comment highlighted American Beach concerns

More than a dozen residents, many from the historic American Beach neighborhood, spoke during the legislative public hearing. Speakers praised the intent to protect turtles but asked the county for clearer language, more thorough plans and better on‑the‑ground enforcement.

Mark Dawkins, an American Beach resident, told commissioners that signs marking where driving is prohibited are “in the wrong place” and asked the board to move them back to the South End beach access so local residents could use an area they believe is currently closed in error. Dawkins also criticized the length of the county’s management plan, saying the county’s plan was 12 pages while plans he provided from other counties ran several hundred pages: “You have not done your due diligence,” he said.

Mark Johnson, who lives on American Beach, urged clearer, measurable language about the “line of permanent vegetation” and argued the code should specify where personal property may be stored relative to a permanent residential structure. “Why can we not have that here?” Johnson asked, urging a 10‑foot rule similar to nest buffers.

Horseback operators urged flexibility. Robin Allen, owner of Amelia Island Horseback Riding, said sunrise and sunset rides are important to her business and asked commissioners to reconsider restrictions that would shorten riding windows. Stan Potter, who also operates guided rides, said horseback access attracts thousands of visitors and argued hooves do not have the same impact as motor‑vehicle tire ruts.

Several speakers raised enforcement and public‑safety concerns at Boerne Park, including reports of a recent alleged assault and repeated trash, camping and homeless‑camp cleanups. Residents asked the county to define how often patrols will occur and to use precise hours (for example, 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.) rather than phrases such as “sunrise.”

County staff responses and next steps

May and other staff said the 12‑page management plan focuses on the county’s chosen management measures while more detailed habitat conservation plans used elsewhere contain larger bodies of federal data and analysis. May said the county’s expert reviewed and endorsed the plan and that the 12‑page plan is intended to describe what the county will manage rather than reproduce the full federal‑style analysis.

Commissioners said the board will accept public input and ask staff to return with any needed clarifications or redrafts. Commissioner McCullough noted the board will continue to “wordsmith” language in follow‑up meetings; the board indicated it will consider technical edits and enforcement details in subsequent meetings rather than delaying the consolidation vote.

Votes at a glance (other board actions at the Aug. 11 meeting)

- Ordinance 2025‑036 (move and re‑codify former section 5‑6 to chapter 23½): Motion to approve by Commissioner Martin; second Commissioner Farmer. Roll call 5‑0 (Commissioners McCullough, Gray, Farmer, Martin and Chair Huttman voted yes). Outcome: approved.

- Ordinance 2025‑037 (amend chapter 23½, article 2 — beaches, definitions, hours, enforcement, parking, horses, management plan adoption language): Motion to approve by Commissioner McCullough; second Commissioner Martin. Roll call 5‑0. Outcome: approved.

- Resolution 2025‑132 (adopt Nassau County Beaches Protected Species Management Plan): Motion to approve by Commissioner Martin; second Commissioner Farmer. Roll call 5‑0. Outcome: approved (staff noted an editorial correction to change “sea turtle” to “sea turtle nest” in the plan, which was accepted).

- Tab D: Second amendment to contract CM3815 with JAX Utilities Management Inc., increasing the not‑to‑exceed compensation by $1,500,000 for additional work tied to storm‑related projects: Motion to approve by Commissioner Martin; second by Commissioner McCullough. Outcome: approved (voice vote).

- Tab P: Acceptance of county acquisition and maintenance for real property at 43111 Freedom Drive, Callahan (contract CM3771), part of the Thomas Creek implementation and acquisition program: Motion to approve by Commissioner Farmer; second Commissioner McCullough. Outcome: approved (voice vote). Staff said this is the fourth property acquired under the Thomas Creek program since it began.

- Tab Q: Contract M3949 for traffic control on private roads (Villages of Woodbridge Master Association, Nassau County and the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office): Motion to approve by Commissioner McCullough; second Commissioner Martin. Outcome: approved (voice vote).

- County manager business: Board directed staff to send a response letter to the Nassau County Chamber of Commerce regarding a June 13 editorial; motion by Commissioner Martin; second Commissioner McCullough. Outcome: approved (voice vote).

What the ordinances do and what they do not

The adopted ordinances reorganize and codify existing beach rules, add or clarify definitions, set seasonal hours for vehicles and horses, require a protected‑species plan to be adopted and enforced, and provide towing and removal as enforcement options. The board and staff told speakers they expect additional technical edits and clarified that some enforcement details (for example, signage placement and daily patrol frequency) will be refined with staff and the county’s conservation contractor.

A number of residents asked the board to delay action until more detailed documents or longer habitat conservation plans could be produced; the board approved consolidation and the management plan while leaving the record open to amendments and staff follow‑up.