JILONA

Important Request from Mayor Comerford: As you may know, the future of the JILONA (Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding Natural Area) comes before Governor Scott's Cabinet in June. Some of you have already written persuasive e-mails to the Cabinet, urging them to Support the Original Plan for JILONA. Since much of the area in the Original Plan is in JIC's jurisdiction, we have much at stake.
The Mayor would appreciate support of all JIC residents in this matter. If you have not yet shared your view, please consider sending an e-mail to the addresses below. Let them know that as a JIC resident, you . . .
Support the original JILONA Shore Stabilization and Restoration Plan and urge them to allow the Plan to go forward at the Governor's Cabinet meeting this summer.
Please E-mail your text to:
 
james.boxold@freshfromflorida.com, robert.tornillo@myfloridacfo.com, rob.johnson@myfloridalegal.com, Chris.Tanner@myfloridacfo.com, Karl.Rasmussen@DEP.State.FL.US, comerfordd@jupiterinletcolony.org
 
Include In Support of JILONA Original Plan in your e-mail header.

Send a paper copy to:
Governor Rick Scott
The Capitol
400 S. Monroe St.
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001


Update on JILONA: a red alert for JIC Residents

      A Guest Editorial in the March 8, 2012 TC Palm regarding the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding Natural Area (JILONA) is alarming for its absence of truth and inclusion of misinformation. The writer disingenuously calls for preserving a high tide patch of sand dubbed “Cato’s Beach”, yet declares stabilization of the shoreline and bluff "a reasonable goal" and bemoans “50 years of degradation.”  The writer can’t have it both ways.

     JIC residents, who have worked hard to support the preservation of the Lighthouse and dunes, and creation of an Outstanding Natural Area, deserve an update and a red alert.

      A refresher on JILONA:  Today’s JILONA was formerly a U.S. Coast Guard property surrounding the Jupiter Lighthouse.  Boat docking has long been prohibited to preserve the dunes. Boaters, however, have flaunted the law and continue to nose into the bluffs, aggravating erosion along the fragile coastline beneath the lighthouse.  Dogs, children and young adults dig caves and charge up and down the sand bank and high dive from the lip of the dunes. Cans, bottles and trash are tossed into the vegetation and left for "someone" to clean up.  Rope swings are attached to trees that eventually cascade into the water due to the undermining of the root structure.

      Why should these dunes matter?  The dunes and vegetation are considered critically important to the long-term stabilization of the Lighthouse area and to the navigability of the Indian River. When this small piece of riparian land was deemed worthy of preserving by the United States, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) was charged with creating a plan for its "restoration and preservation”. The plan was named JILONA.

      JILONA, Jupiter Inlet Outstanding Natural Area is a unique designation, one we locals should be proud of.  It will be an enduring gift to future generations — a bit of old Florida.  It will also attract eco-tourists, birders, naturalists, passive water sport enthusiasts, and history buffs to our local economy. It was created for the taxpaying citizens of our country, not just for a few local boaters who already have several nearby docking places for parties.

     Why the “red alert?” JILONA’s plan is imperiled.  A well-orchestrated campaign to “Save Cato’s Beach”, as if it were some historically important monument, is being waged at the state level, under the guise of preservation. It’s a clever twisting of facts and unless we act, the campaign will halt the efforts to stabilize the banks on the western shore of the Indian River (Lot 17). 

      There’s never been such a thing as “Cato’s Beach” until the degradation of the bluff deposited a bit of sand that could be seen at low tide. Yet a misleading campaign has prompted 1700 persons to contact state officials in support of “saving” this “beach” and stopping the BLM’s proposed plans to preserve the dunes.

Jupiter Inlet Colony Commissioners have expressed their support for the BLM plan to preserve the dunes.

      We need citizens to step up, too. Governor Scott and his Cabinet will make the final decision regarding the outcome. Send an email message to: Karl.Rasmussen@DEP.State.FL.US.

      Tell him you support BLM’s plan to preserve the dunes and wish to see the full plan for JILONA completed. It will be an asset to our region and a crown jewel in our nation’s park system. Most of all, it will provide long-term shoreline stability for our spectacular historic Jupiter Lighthouse. Don’t allow a misinformed group to derail a safeguard for our Lighthouse and a legacy for our children.

     Please go to jupiterinletcolony.org for more information on JILONA and links to representatives.