The National Park Service (NPS) more than doubled the daily ferry visitor limit at Cumberland Island National Seashore from 300 to 700, a change that took effect Aug. 28.

The agency is also negotiating land swaps with private owners that could allow new homes on the Georgia barrier island, about 30 miles north of Amelia Island. A public comment period on the land exchange closes Friday, Oct. 16.

Cumberland Island, Georgia's largest barrier island, was acquired by the federal government in 1972 and designated a National Seashore. More than two-thirds of the island is federally designated wilderness, and it accounts for 30 percent of Georgia's loggerhead sea turtle nests, according to the Center for Biological Diversity.

The new Visitor Use Management Plan drew more than 3,000 public comments before adoption, with critics saying those comments were dismissed, according to a commentary in the Fernandina Observer by April L. Bogle, a communications consultant who moved to Amelia Island five years ago. The plan is meant to "reduce the barriers to visiting," the NPS said.

Current daily ferry ridership from St. Marys averages about 165 passengers, roughly half the old 300-person cap, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.

The NPS's own 2014 Foundation Document lists the island's "uncrowded setting" as a fundamental value. That same document flagged "demand for increase in visitor access" as a threat.

Land swaps could bring private homes

Separately, the NPS is negotiating voluntary land exchanges with Carnegie and Candler family heirs who hold private parcels on the island. Preliminary agreements have been signed.

Under one proposed Carnegie exchange, the NPS would transfer marsh-side federal acres where up to six single-family homes could be built. A neighboring parcel offered to another Carnegie family member would allow two more homes.

The proposed footprint limit is 15,000 square feet per property, with a 35-foot height cap. In return, the federal government would acquire private parcels crossed by hiking trails or next to wilderness areas and the beach.

Accounts differ on the total scope. Hoodline reported that the Savannah Morning News describes up to four homes on 12 acres in one exchange, while the Center for Biological Diversity says the draft assessment allows eight homes with 15,000-square-foot footprints. The discrepancy has not been resolved.

NPS Superintendent Melissa Trenchik held a public meeting in St. Marys the week of Tuesday, Sept. 22, presenting a 20-minute slide show to more than 100 attendees. After her presentation, Trenchik declined to open the floor to questions, instead directing people to information stations staffed by NPS employees.

Trenchik told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that some proposed private development "could force rerouting or closure of hiking trails or alter the primitive feel along a stretch of the beach frequented by visitors."

The Camden County Commission declined in March to sign a letter supporting the land exchanges, citing a lack of transparency, according to Atlanta News First. That decision complicates the park service's ability to use Land and Water Conservation Fund money to help finance the deal.

Ruckdeschel speaks out at 85

Carol Ruckdeschel, who has lived on Cumberland Island for 50 years studying sea turtles and wildlife, spoke to hundreds of supporters at her 85th birthday celebration at St. Marys Waterfront Park on Saturday, Sept. 26.

"Any step toward development like that is very unlikely to be undone," Ruckdeschel said. "That's the real tragedy here."

Ruckdeschel has amassed more than 50 years of field data on Cumberland's sea turtles. Her work helped establish the Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network, now run by NOAA, according to the Savannah Morning News.

A conservation coalition called Wild Cumberland, which lists a Fernandina Beach address, has formed to oppose the visitor plan.

How to comment

The NPS public comment period on the land exchange environmental assessment runs through Oct. 16 at 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time. Comments can be submitted online through the NPS planning portal or by mail to Cumberland Island National Seashore, Attn: Proposed Lands Exchange EA, 101 Wheeler St., St. Marys, GA 31558.

After the comment period, the NPS must obtain county and state letters of support and complete environmental compliance reviews. The final step requires approval by the U.S. Congress.

Upcoming: NPS land exchange comment period closes Friday, Oct. 16.