Since reopening, the newly-renovated U.S. Post Office building on Fort Myers Beach has been operating with a bright new look. Too bright actually. The new lights attached to tall poles in front of the building, the parking lot and in the rear of the property violate the town’s lighting ordinance, including the sea turtle lighting ordinance. The lights have been shining throughout the night into the morning, in violation of the town’s ordinance to protect threatened sea turtles that nest and hatch on the island.
Town of Fort Myers Beach Environmental Projects Manager Chadd Chustz issued a warning letter to the property owner for the lights on June 26 though the lighting violations have continued unabated from the property during the middle of sea turtle nesting season.
The sea turtle lighting ordinance prohibits unshielded, non-amber outdoor lights from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. from the start of turtle-nesting season in May through Oct. 31. Not only do the lights outside the Post Office shine daily throughout the night and early morning, but they aren’t downward-directed, which also violates the town’s lighting ordinance for parking lots.
The town’s sea turtle lighting ordinance is in place to prevent disorientations of nesting sea turtles and sea turtle hatchlings. Bright lights visible from the beach can lead to sea turtle hatchlings crawling toward the light, resulting in their death.
The bright lights also shine directly against neighboring homes to the rear of the Post Office property and are also visible to neighbors across the street.