Spread the word... and the Sand please

Notice of Special Meeting

The Walton County Board of Commissioners and the Tourist Development Council will hold a Special Meeting on Thursday, November 3, 2005 beginning at 10:00 AM at the South Walton Courthouse Annex located at 31 Coastal Centre Blvd, Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. A representative from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service will be present.

The purpose of this meeting will be to discuss long term beach re-nourishment.

The public is invited to attend.


Beachfront Armoring and Beach Re-nourishment.
As of today, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has indicated that the county has issued "in excess of 200" permits for seawalls on the beaches.
DEP will soon be addressing an issue that has arisen with beach re-nourishment.

Walls vs. Beach Re-nourishment. The Florida law states:

(F.A.C. 62B-33.0051 (1) (a)(3)(b)) "... where a beach re-nourishment, beach restoration, sand transfer, or other project which would provide protection for the vulnerable structure is scheduled for construction within 9 months ...no permit for armoring shall be issued". The county is currently requiring all applicants for a seawall to sign a statement that reads: "Neither permanent retaining walls, nor beach armoring is allowed in the Walton county beach re-nourishment area (west side of Four Mile Village to the west county line-4.8 miles."

Currently, a number of large seawalls are being constructed in the Miramar Beach area scheduled for beach re-nourishment late this year or the first of next year.

If you live in the area scheduled for beach re-nourishment, you may want to be sure to attend the meeting on November 3rd. There may be some clarification on how DEP intends to address this issue.


Sincerely,

Anita Page
SWCC Executive Director