As nesting season begins May 1 for black skimmer and sea turtles along St. Pete Beach, environmental advocates are raising concerns about a planned music festival that could threaten protected nesting season.
Country Thunder Music Festival is scheduled to take place May 8-10 at the TradeWinds Resort, just days after nesting season begins. Advocacy groups argue that both the timing and scale of the event could harm nesting birds and turtles.
The Coastal Wildlife Advocacy Group is organizing a protest, urging the TradeWinds to reconsider hosting the event during peak nesting season and asking the city to not approve the Special Event Permit.
Lisa Reich, CEO and Founder of Coastal Wildlife Advocacy Group, said if the musical festival takes place it will be detrimental for both species.
“It’s a total disregard for everything that is in place. All the protections that the city of St. Pete Beach has in place and you know, ignorance does not excuse anybody. You got to do your due diligence and that’s kind of the stance that I’ve been taking,” Reich said.
Reich submitted a letter outlining reasons Coastal Wildlife believes the city should deny special event permits for the festival. Their concerns include conflicts with the city’s Land Development Code, Marine Turtle Protection Ordinance and Comprehensive Plan and incomplete applications.
She also said the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission agreed to reschedule the event outside of nesting reasons. Reich also said the organizers are advertising and selling non-refundable tickets before receiving final approval.
According to the city’s website, interfering with sea turtles or their nests is illegal under state law. Beachgoers are advised to avoid marked nesting areas, keep their distance, refrain from flash photography and do not shine bright lights because it interferes with their sense of direction while returning to the ocean.
Reich said the two week construction leading up to the festival, along with large crowds, multiple stages and heavy equipment could disturb nesting sites.
“There is a nesting season issue, but then there’s just the scale issue. I just don't think that St. Pete Beach and the physical beach itself can handle the scale of what they’re proposing on the beach.” said Beth Forys, PhD. professor of environmental studies and biology at Eckerd College and president of St. Petersburg Audubon.
Forys said smaller events have been successful at TradeWinds but said she is concerned about increased use of heavy equipment on the sand. She submitted a letter to city officials outlining similar objections as Reich.
City of St. Pete Beach Communication Manager Marc Portugal said the special event application remains under review and has neither been approved nor denied. He said that no permits have been issued by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection or by the city.
“There are multiple stakeholders involved with this event applications including the TradeWinds (as the applicant), Country Thunder, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the Florida Fish and WIldlife Conservation Commission, as well as local organization such as the Sea turtle Trackers and the Audubon society,” Portugal said.
He said the city’s review of TradeWinds’ permit application is heavily focused on environmental factors, like nesting season, traffic, transportation, parking and public safety.
“Careful consideration must be given to all aspects of the event,” Portugal said
The Coastal Wildlife Advocacy Group plans to hold a peaceful protest from 10 a.m. to noon April 4. Demonstrators are asked to meet at a nearby Publix parking lot where organizers will provide parking instructions, signs and educational material before gathering on the sidewalk near the TradeWinds resort.
TradeWinds Resort and Country Thunder did not respond to requests for comment.