In a 50-page report the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission detailed 51 changes that need to be made to the resort’s lights in order to come into turtle compliance. It was a report TPI CEO Tom Torgerson and State Representative Adam Botana called an overreach.
Margaritaville has not received its final Certificate of Occupancy and would need this sign-off in order to receive the final CO from the town.
FWC went through the resort with a fine toothed comb and didn’t miss any object that has the slightest chance of sending light toward the beach. From an illuminated screen on an ATM machine to exit signs to a small rectangular light on a drink machine. FWC included recommended fixes to all 51 items listed in the report.
One of the more bizarre FWC requests was telling Margaritaville they had to remove 4 TV’s that face the beach and Times Square from the License to Chill bar. They are not allowed to be on during the day and they could not simply be turned off at night during turtle season (which ends November 1st). FWC says they have to be removed. That didn’t sit too well with servers at the restaurant this past weekend who are looking forward to the College Football and NFL season to increase business.
TPI CEO Tom Torgerson says he’s protesting that demand from FWC. He says he’s offered up a compromise. “1) bagging the four TV’s during turtle season and 2) turning off the other 4 TV’s at 10 p.m. In verbal discussion with FWC they indicate they are willing to accept this, but haven’t formally said so. In the meantime we’re practicing our compromise offer and not removing the TV’s as they have ordered us to do. Believe me, there are other ridiculous over reaching demands as well.”
State Representative Adam Botana told Beach Talk Radio News that his office is currently in discussions with FWC regarding this overzealous action. “I completely understand the reasoning behind turning off the TV’s at night time during turtle season, but removing them altogether is unjust. I believe FWC will reconsider this action and come to the right conclusion.”
On Beach Talk Radio Sunday Mayor Dan Allers also said making Margaritaville remove the TV’s during the day made no sense to him either.
Here’s another example from the resort. The water fountain at the check-in area has to be changed. And, even FWC admits the lights are not visible from the beach.
Even though they were originally approved and installed correctly, these lights under the License to Chill bar must be removed because FWC says they cause “indirect glow” to the beach and it is not required for human health and safety.
Torgerson went on to say that he believes there are some people on the island who are pushing for this. “It’s important to point out, in full transparency pulling the curtain back, there are local people that have been lobbying DEP for harsher and more human habitat invasive turtle measures. I feel the voice of FMB to Tallahassee should be our MERTF Committee and Council, not individuals pursuing personal agendas. That’s why I have requested the Council appoint me to MERTF. I love the outdoors, wildlife, marine habitat, the beaches, boating, you name it. But I believe their needs to be a balance where we are very respectful of the turtles but not to the point of crossing the line of either putting human habitat at life safety risks or being ridiculous in extreme measures that really have no impact on turtles.”
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