Pinellas County, Florida - Environmental activists worked hard to transform
Shell Key from "party central" into a peaceful bird paradise. Much of the barrier island off the Pinellas coast is now preserved for birds.
This is an important nesting time for birds, so a report of a helicopter last week buzzing the birds there is ruffling some feathers. "The county should never do this again," says environmental activist Lorraine Margeson.
Pinellas County did issue a permit for a Sea-Doo commercial to be shot on the public areas of Shell Key, but staff members say use of a helicopter was not included.
Margeson says an eyewitness told her that the chopper was low. "Apparently, this helicopter was so close to the ground that it was kicking up a dust cloud," said Margeson.
And later, a visitor to Shell Key found scattered and broken eggs and just a few black skimmers, where there used to be hundreds nesting. "When the parents leave, there's no protection anymore," said Margeson. "No protection from the sun, no protections from predators."
10 Connects spoke by phone with the helicopter pilot involved
Preston Ewen, but he would not answer many questions. Ewen emphasized that he violated no FAA regulations. However, he admitted to doing a "high hover" over Shell Key for about "five seconds" while he dropped a tape down to production crew members.
But even with no helicopter, Margeson says Shell Key is no place for a busy commercial production.
"There is no reason for these people to be on that island," she says. And Margeson says she'll push Pinellas to restrict similar activities there in the future.
Pinellas County Assistant Administrator Elithia Stanfield tells 10 Connects that the county is still investigating the complaints. She says the county has also notified the Federal Aviation Authority and the state Department of Environmental Protection.