Country Thunder Festival Faces Beach Battle

0:00St. Pete Beach City Manager, just dropped a directive on trade winds island resort, moved that country thunder music festival off the sandy beach. The three-day country bash, set from May A through 10th, needs permits from the city and Florida Department of Environmental Protection that they ain't got yet. Set-up starts May 2nd, right at sea turtle nesting kicks off May 1st, and it could mess with shorebirds too. Those want the event shifted east of the coastal line, away from dunes and wildlife zones. Trade winds got a revamped their application, with new parking in traffic plans pronto. State agencies like FDEP and Fish and Wildlife are reviewing apps stressing no go without all approvals. Wildlife advocates are fired up, pointing to a key black skimmer colony, 400-660 birds, 6-10% of Florida's. Despite that, nests right there in late April through May. Experts like Eckerd College Proffbeth Forries say the crowd of 12,000 daily is too massive,

1:02even with mitigations. Protests chin, let them nest, move the fest, and petitions are flying. Trade winds push his back, touting turtle-friendly lights, a $5 million equal upgrade, and nightly walkway removals. They claim a March 30 survey found no nests yet, plus ticket sales fund turtle groups. But critics call that survey early and irrelevant, since nesting ramps up in May. Commissioners grilled organizers on bird take, permits, and warned of backlash. No word from trade winds on complying as a Monday, leaving the festival in limbo with sold non-refundable tickets and bookstars. Appeals could hit city commission, or they might pivot to land side spots, or even next year outside nesting season. Eyes stay glued on this beach battle. Local news, powered by AI. This is Tampa Bay News today.