Appendices A + B - Fernandina Beach

OHPA Strategic Master Plan
Appendix A Competing Ports
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Appendix B OHPA History and Charter
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Appendix B
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Ocean Highway and Port Authority History
Amelia Island and the City of Fernandina have a colorful past.
Known as the Isle of Eight Flags, Amelia Island has seen the ebb and flow of history through its harbor. At
the outbreak of the American Revolution, Florida remained loyal to Britain and Fort Tonyn was erected by
the English in the Port of Fernandina. During the Revolution many English from northern states fled to
Florida and, by the end of the Revolution, nearly 16,000 refugees were in Florida. In 1783, England returned
Florida to Spain. This brought about one of the largest exoduses ever to take place in the New World.
Amelia Island, having the finest natural harbor on the east coast of Florida, was the debarkation point.
In 1807, American ports were closed to foreign shipping as a provision of the Jefferson Embargo Act. Still
controlled by Spain, Fernandina was the closest “east coast free port” to the United States. As a result of
this proximity and its natural harbor, Fernandina become a haven for smugglers, pirates, slave traders, etc.
In December of 1817, the United States assumed control of Amelia Island and the rest of Florida in 1821.
In 1824, Nassau County was formed with Fernandina as the county seat and in 1845 Florida became a
state.
During the 1850’s, the cross-state railroad, which was promoted by Senator David Yulee, opened up the
central portions of the state and connected the Port Of Fernandina, on the Atlantic Coast, with Cedar Key
on the Gulf Coast. The opening of the railroad provided a steady flow of goods to the Port of Fernandina
for further shipment to northern cities. In time, extensive wharves, railroad maintenance facilities and
warehouses were built on the waterfront.
The closing of the 19th century brought with it a great deal of activity in connection with the Spanish
American War. The Port of Fernandina was a base for shipping military supplies to Cuba and this greatly
stimulated the economy of the area with increased shipments of lumber, cotton, naval stores and
phosphate. During this time, the harbor and wharves were filled with sailing ships for transporting
Fernandina’s products. This new prosperity lasted approximately 20 years and then began a steady
decline. The reason for its decline can be attributed to changes in freight rates and the opening of the
Florida East Coast Railroad by Henry Flagler. The Florida East Coast Railroad crossed the St. Johns River
at its narrowest point, Jacksonville, and this city became the new break point between rail and ship for
major growth.
December 5, 1985 was a new beginning for the Port of Fernandina. To capitalize on a new deeper entrance
channel construction by the U.S. Navy, the Ocean Highway and Port Authority issued bonds to finance
construction of a modern seaport terminal. Old, rotten wood pilings were replaced with a new, concrete
paved marshaling yard, cranes, and new warehouses. These improvements allowed the Port Authority to
bring the Port back to life as a major contributor to Nassau County’s economic development.
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Appendix B
OHPA Strategic Master Plan
Ocean Highway and Port Authority, Nassau County
Organization and Powers
The Ocean Highway and Port Authority is governed by five elected commissioners representing the five
voting districts of Nassau County. They serve staggered four year terms.
The Port Authority was originally chartered in 1941 as a body politic and corporate and a subdivision of the
State of Florida having a corporate title of Fernandina Port Authority. The name was changed in 1961 to
Ocean Highway and Port Authority. As the Port’s governing body, the Port Authority has policy-making,
budgeting and general oversight responsibilities for all port activities. The Port Authority employs Nassau
Terminals, LLC, a private port operator company, to manage, market, and administer the port under the
terms of an Operating Agreement dated December 1, 1990.
The Port Authority does not have authority to tax.
The Port Authority is also exempt from taxation by the State of Florida, or by any county, municipality or
political subdivision on those properties it owns. The Port Authority must rely on the financial viability of
each project to pay for the cost of its operations. The Port Authority may acquire property or property
interests through negotiation or condemnation; set tariffs; enter into secure agreements with governmental
entities; incur indebtedness; plan, develop or lease its properties; and regulate land use and buildings on
Port lands. The Port Authority has powers similar to those of a unit of local government and is accountable
to the electorate residing in Nassau County.
The Port Authority serves the principal public purpose to encourage economic development in Nassau
County. One way it has fulfilled this responsibility has been by renovating the deepwater port facilities to
meet the maritime shipping needs of this growing region. In so doing, the Port Authority gives appropriate
consideration to the impacts upon and relationships with surrounding communities, the economic goals of
the Sate and region and the regulatory requirements of numerous governmental agencies.
The following is the Charter of the Ocean Highway and Port Authority:
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Appendix B