The Destin Chamber sent this out. I don't like Crist. I am sure this is affecting Walton County as well as you guys are slotted for beach renourishment on parts of 30-A aren't you?
Please take the time to send and e-mail to the people listed below. There is a form type letter available here and you can add your personal comments to it.
http://www.destinchamber.com/docs/BeachRestorationLetter.doc
Also, I would imagine that Board of Realtors are up in arms about this as well.
_______________________________
Beach Restoration Call to Action
Dear Chamber Members:
As you know, beach restoration has been a major initiative of the Destin Area Chamber of Commerce for many years. We?ve worked hard, created beneficial partnerships, and helped implement project plans and funding to ensure that Destin?s and Okaloosa Island?s beaches are restored. It is a major issue in maintaining our economy.
Recently, the Okaloosa County Commissioners gave final approval to the upcoming beach restoration project funding mechanism, passing the Municipal Services Benefit Unit plan. In addition to this funding, a portion of the project would be paid for by the state of Florida.
However, when Governor Charlie Crist submitted his proposed budget for 2008-2009, he eliminated $10 million from the $30 million state-mandated fund for beach restoration projects. There is also a proposal to change State Chapter 201 F.S., which now requires that $30 million be put in the state budget each year for beach restoration. If the proposed change is passed, Chapter 201 F.S. would then be funded with only $20 million each year.
In addition, and because of Governor Crist?s elimination of $10 million from this portion of the budget, the Destin ? Okaloosa Island beach restoration project has now been moved from the approved list of projects and put on the alternate list of projects. This will result in NO BEACH RESTORATION for Destin ? Okaloosa Island. This is unacceptable.
The Destin Area Chamber of Commerce has passed a resolution requesting that no changes be made to the state budget or state mandate of $30 million annually for beach restoration. The resolution also requests that the DEP keep Destin on the approved project list and not place it on the alternate project list.
WE NEED YOU! Please contact Governor Charlie Crist, Speaker Designate Ray Sansom, and Senator Don Gaetz and tell them:
1) You want the Destin ? Okaloosa Island beach restoration project to remain on the approved list.
2) You want the funding mandated in Chapter 201 F.S. to remain at $30 million.
3) You want the $10 million the Governor cut from his proposed budget added back to the beach restoration fund.
The economic stability of our community is dependent on this.
LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD. We have listed their contact information below:
Speaker Designate Ray Sansom
Tallahassee: (850) 488-1170
Local Office: (850) 833-9328
Ray.sansom@myfloridahouse.gov
Senator Don Gaetz
Tallahassee: (850) 487-5009
Local Office: (850) 897-5747
gaetz.don.web@flsenate.gov
Governor Charlie Crist
(850) 488-4441
Charlie.Crist@MyFlorida.com
Replies
52Beach FanaticAuthor
Bump this up
SoWal Expert
Yes, the Board of Realtors are a bit upset. I, on the other hand really don't feel that we need to pump sand on the beach just so another storm can wash it out to sea, so that FEMA can step in and pay to do it all again. Some people just don't get it. They are probably some of the very ones *****ing about the Fed budget, deficit, and dept, being outrageous. HELLO, people! It isn't free money!
SWGB
Why is it when a Republican is CONSERVATIVE with money everyone get excited and acts shocked? 
Beach Fanatic
I have to agree with SJ on this one. And after the false email sent out by another of our neighboring CoCs recently, I am not at all sure if I want to believe this one. But if you want to email them about budget deficits maybe start with the double-dipping retirees and once the take care of that they will have enough money to fund those projects like beach restoration. Also take into account they have put this in the email ..."Destin – Okaloosa Island" and that since Eglin AFB owns Okaloosa Island that they might not WANT it to be restored. Since they recently fenced off a good portion of it.
Beach FanaticAuthor
I have to agree with SJ on this one. And after the false email sent out by another of our neighboring CoCs recently, I am not at all sure if I want to believe this one. But if you want to email them about budget deficits maybe start with the double-dipping retirees and once the take care of that they will have enough money to fund those projects like beach restoration. Also take into account they have put this in the email ..."Destin ? Okaloosa Island" and that since Eglin AFB owns Okaloosa Island that they might not WANT it to be restored. Since they recently fenced off a good portion of it.
I believe the part of Okaloosa Island referring to is not the part Eglin owns. They do you own from Santa Rosa Blvd, south where all the condos are.
Beach FanaticAuthor
Yes, the Board of Realtors are a bit upset. I, on the other hand really don't feel that we need to pump sand on the beach just so another storm can wash it out to sea, so that FEMA can step in and pay to do it all again. Some people just don't get it. They are probably some of the very ones *****ing about the Fed budget, deficit, and dept, being outrageous. HELLO, people! It isn't free money!
So, Smiling Joe, are you saying the Board of Realtors does not blame the conditions of some of the beaches in the are on part of the shape the real estate market is in?
I would think twice about purchasing a house where there is either no beach or a greatly eroded beach for two reasons. Rental income, after the first visit, renters will find other locations with bigger beaches and secondly, eroded beaches would make me wonder about any protection on my investment.
"FEMA can step in and pay to do it all again." I don't think FEMA pays for the renourishment, only emergency repairs. At least, the beaches we had renourished from Sandestin to Henderson State Park were no paid by FEMA.
Also, as we all know, it is hard enough to find insurance, seems like it would be even harded when your home is sitting 100 feet or so closer to the beach because of erosion.
Our livelihood in this entire area depends on visitors coming to the beach. Without it, the economy would not be nearly as strong as it it. In fact, what industry would we have if we didn't have the beach. Really folks, think about it.
Beach Fanatic
Also, as we all know, it is hard enough to find insurance, seems like it would be even harded when your home is sitting 100 feet or so closer to the beach because of erosion.personally...I think thats just one of the risks you take when you build your house on an notoriously unstable area like a SAND DUNE. Kinda akin to complaining because the water got in your houseboat.
SoWal Insider
I am unfamiliar with the beach in that area, and I would guess many others here are too. It doesn't sound that Destin-Okaloosa Island will never be restored, it just sounds like it will have to wait. In my very general opinion the longer you can wait to restore a beach, the better. I read recently that Miami Beach has restored its beaches so many times it is running out of sand and will probably have to import it. The more you restore the beach, the worse the sand quality is going to get.
Is there money in the budget for more dune fencing?
Is there money in the budget for more dune fencing?
SoWal Expert
I have no idea what the Board of Realtors blames the beach/housing market on. I could care less what they think. Often, I think to the contrary of that which FAR or NAR think.
As for the funds to renourish beaches, I believe that the County and State pick up the tab on the first go around and any future renourishment comes mostly from FEMA, but I'm no expert on that. Regarding a lack of beach, if people will stop building homes on the ever-changing dune system, we will always have beaches. Currently, with people erecting seawalls, which will undermine the beaches, we are going to have major beach erosion when we get major storms hit at high tide -- basic science. If you want to have beaches, rather than pumping sand onto the existing beach, start the removal of seawalls and Gulf Front homes. (I realize that this is a touchy situation, but if everyone can stand back from their own personal interest, I think it is easy to see.)
As for the funds to renourish beaches, I believe that the County and State pick up the tab on the first go around and any future renourishment comes mostly from FEMA, but I'm no expert on that. Regarding a lack of beach, if people will stop building homes on the ever-changing dune system, we will always have beaches. Currently, with people erecting seawalls, which will undermine the beaches, we are going to have major beach erosion when we get major storms hit at high tide -- basic science. If you want to have beaches, rather than pumping sand onto the existing beach, start the removal of seawalls and Gulf Front homes. (I realize that this is a touchy situation, but if everyone can stand back from their own personal interest, I think it is easy to see.)
SoWal Expert
One other note, the other day I noticed that the beach to the west of the boardwalk at Grayton Beach has increased in elevation about 2-3 ft since they planted the Sea Oats. No sand pumping needed. Nature does it's thing and we need to learn how to live in harmony with nature, rather than trying to fully manipulate nature into something else. Look no further than NOLA to see that man-made things fail when they get in the way of Mother Nature.
Beach Fanatic
SJ is absolutely correct!!
Any time you pick a fight with Mother Nature, you will almost assuredly lose!
Cooperate with her, and things will be just fine!
Any time you pick a fight with Mother Nature, you will almost assuredly lose!
Cooperate with her, and things will be just fine!
Skunky
Yes, planting sea oats is a great way to do it. If you want to compare and contrast, go to Alys Beach. When you go down the boardwalk and hit the beach, walk west and take note of the dunes. Alys planted sea oats probably a year and a half ago and they are now large and doing a great job building up the dune. Then continue to walk west and take note of the property owners who erected metal barriers. There is no active renourishment, just a bare metal shield slapped onto the dune waiting to be undercut by the next big storm. Somebody should post pics.
Beach Lover
I madea plea, and this was Senator Gaetz response:
Dear Kerri,
Thanks so much for your email and for your support of beach restoration. I couldn't agree more with you. The renourishment and restoration of our beaches is important to our economy and to the stability of our coastline.
As you may know, this year Florida faces what some have described as the worst budget predicament in 32 years. There is what amounts to a $4 billion negative swing in revenues compared to a "normal" year. The soft economy that we all know so well here is affecting economic sectors state-wide and nation-wide. Since our state budget is based on consumption (sales taxes, transaction taxes, etc), when economic activity is down, the state has less money to spend.
Our Florida Constitution requires a balanced budget. That means the Governor and Legislature must either raise taxes or reduce spending in order to bring revenues and expenses into balance. It's unlikely that raising taxes would be good for our economy. Consequently, there will be unavoidable cuts in spending affecting every part of the budget. As Chairman of the Education Committee, I'm working with the mandate to cut $1 billion from schools. As a member of the Health Appropriations Committee, I'm facing the necessity of reducing health care outlays for some of our most vulnerable citizens by at least $500 million. While I wish it were otherwise, other important priorities -- including beach restoration -- are very likely to be reduced, as well.
Regrettably, this isn't an issue that can be solved with meetings or lobbying or emails. The loss of revenues can only be resolved by economic activity. Every President since John Kennedy has used tax cuts as a way of generating economic activity and that's what our voters did by approving Amendment 1, which means that over the next five years individuals, families, and businesses will be able to keep billions of dollars that otherwise would have been taxed by government. My hope, and that of most who voted for Amendment 1, is that allowing people to have more of their own money to invest, spend, save and control will help us generate some economic activity. In reality, many economists predict not one but two more very tough budget years for Florida.
I share all of the foregoing not to bore you with economics but to let you know why the beach restoration issue can't be fixed just by all of us agreeing it should be fixed. There has to be money in the bank so the checks will cash. Right now, there isn't enough money.
Of course, I'll work closely with Representative Sansom, who is Speaker-designate of the Florida House and Chairman of the Budget and Policy Council, on behalf of Northwest Florida projects, including the important beach restoration program you and I both support. This is a top priority for our community. But it would be misleading and dishonest for me to guarantee that beach restoration in our area could somehow be unaffected by the budget realities I've tried to describe.
In my view, local leaders have worked very hard to develop a responsible beach restoration effort. I'll do all I can to encourage the Governor and the Legislature to provide as much support as soon as possible. I did want you to know how the economic environment is affecting the budget and why it is more unlikely than likely that we will get all of the funding we want.
Please feel free to contact me again about this or any other issue. I'll try to keep you informed as the budget process continues in Tallahassee. Your comments, criticisms and guidance help me be a better senator.
Respectfully,
Senator Don Gaetz
Dear Kerri,
Thanks so much for your email and for your support of beach restoration. I couldn't agree more with you. The renourishment and restoration of our beaches is important to our economy and to the stability of our coastline.
As you may know, this year Florida faces what some have described as the worst budget predicament in 32 years. There is what amounts to a $4 billion negative swing in revenues compared to a "normal" year. The soft economy that we all know so well here is affecting economic sectors state-wide and nation-wide. Since our state budget is based on consumption (sales taxes, transaction taxes, etc), when economic activity is down, the state has less money to spend.
Our Florida Constitution requires a balanced budget. That means the Governor and Legislature must either raise taxes or reduce spending in order to bring revenues and expenses into balance. It's unlikely that raising taxes would be good for our economy. Consequently, there will be unavoidable cuts in spending affecting every part of the budget. As Chairman of the Education Committee, I'm working with the mandate to cut $1 billion from schools. As a member of the Health Appropriations Committee, I'm facing the necessity of reducing health care outlays for some of our most vulnerable citizens by at least $500 million. While I wish it were otherwise, other important priorities -- including beach restoration -- are very likely to be reduced, as well.
Regrettably, this isn't an issue that can be solved with meetings or lobbying or emails. The loss of revenues can only be resolved by economic activity. Every President since John Kennedy has used tax cuts as a way of generating economic activity and that's what our voters did by approving Amendment 1, which means that over the next five years individuals, families, and businesses will be able to keep billions of dollars that otherwise would have been taxed by government. My hope, and that of most who voted for Amendment 1, is that allowing people to have more of their own money to invest, spend, save and control will help us generate some economic activity. In reality, many economists predict not one but two more very tough budget years for Florida.
I share all of the foregoing not to bore you with economics but to let you know why the beach restoration issue can't be fixed just by all of us agreeing it should be fixed. There has to be money in the bank so the checks will cash. Right now, there isn't enough money.
Of course, I'll work closely with Representative Sansom, who is Speaker-designate of the Florida House and Chairman of the Budget and Policy Council, on behalf of Northwest Florida projects, including the important beach restoration program you and I both support. This is a top priority for our community. But it would be misleading and dishonest for me to guarantee that beach restoration in our area could somehow be unaffected by the budget realities I've tried to describe.
In my view, local leaders have worked very hard to develop a responsible beach restoration effort. I'll do all I can to encourage the Governor and the Legislature to provide as much support as soon as possible. I did want you to know how the economic environment is affecting the budget and why it is more unlikely than likely that we will get all of the funding we want.
Please feel free to contact me again about this or any other issue. I'll try to keep you informed as the budget process continues in Tallahassee. Your comments, criticisms and guidance help me be a better senator.
Respectfully,
Senator Don Gaetz
Beach Fanatic
For the Miramar/Sandestin renourishment project, Brad Pickel was fortunate enough to find an area of sand that was close to, if not a perfect match to what was there before.
However, for those who have seen the renourishment projects at Pensacola Beach and PCB, the sand is not even close to the original sand in that area. It's darker, bigger grains, etc.
If they cannot find a perfect match to the sand that currently covers the Walton County beaches, then I'd say don't do it.
Besides (and like others have said above), beaches will ultimately renourish themselves if patience and time are allowed.
Beach renourishment = yet another example of our fast food/quick fix/instant gratification society.
However, for those who have seen the renourishment projects at Pensacola Beach and PCB, the sand is not even close to the original sand in that area. It's darker, bigger grains, etc.
If they cannot find a perfect match to the sand that currently covers the Walton County beaches, then I'd say don't do it.
Besides (and like others have said above), beaches will ultimately renourish themselves if patience and time are allowed.
Beach renourishment = yet another example of our fast food/quick fix/instant gratification society.
Beach FanaticAuthor
Here, take a look at these photos.
http://www.thewiredagent.com/jettyeast.html
That is Holiday Isle.
And to set a few things straight, Brad Pickle did not find the sand right outside the Destin East Pass. Destin did and shared it with Walton County when they combined the 6 mile project. The project goes from Sandestin all the way through Crystal Beach to Hendeson State Park.
The area in the most troubleis Holiday Isle as you can see from the photos. The condo IN the water is Jetty East. AND as you can see, there are many places if you planted sea oats, they would wash away overnight.
Now, I don't mean to sound testy, but, I think a lot of people are missing the point. Maybe no one should mess with mother nature and I agree, would love to see no buildings ON the beach. BTW, my house is not built in the dunes. When I bought it, it was about 1500 feet away from the Gulf, a block off the beach. It is closer now and no water "gets in my basement".
My point that everyone seems to be missing is tourist come here and spend money to play on a beautiful pristine beach. If there is no beach to come to, then they will go elsewhere. Maybe some of you think that they will come back if and when mother nature renourishes the beach, however, get your head out of the sand. Some will, but many won't.
This entire area is based on tourist dollars, so no matter how much you agree or disagree on the current building practices, I think part of our responsibility is to insure tourist have a great time, enjoy our beaches, what little are left, and plan to return. I am far from independently wealthy and still need to make a living. Tourist are indirectly responsible for my paycheck and the paychecks I write others.
Sorry if I made everyone mad, but facts are facts.
http://www.thewiredagent.com/jettyeast.html
That is Holiday Isle.
And to set a few things straight, Brad Pickle did not find the sand right outside the Destin East Pass. Destin did and shared it with Walton County when they combined the 6 mile project. The project goes from Sandestin all the way through Crystal Beach to Hendeson State Park.
The area in the most troubleis Holiday Isle as you can see from the photos. The condo IN the water is Jetty East. AND as you can see, there are many places if you planted sea oats, they would wash away overnight.
Now, I don't mean to sound testy, but, I think a lot of people are missing the point. Maybe no one should mess with mother nature and I agree, would love to see no buildings ON the beach. BTW, my house is not built in the dunes. When I bought it, it was about 1500 feet away from the Gulf, a block off the beach. It is closer now and no water "gets in my basement".
My point that everyone seems to be missing is tourist come here and spend money to play on a beautiful pristine beach. If there is no beach to come to, then they will go elsewhere. Maybe some of you think that they will come back if and when mother nature renourishes the beach, however, get your head out of the sand. Some will, but many won't.
This entire area is based on tourist dollars, so no matter how much you agree or disagree on the current building practices, I think part of our responsibility is to insure tourist have a great time, enjoy our beaches, what little are left, and plan to return. I am far from independently wealthy and still need to make a living. Tourist are indirectly responsible for my paycheck and the paychecks I write others.
Sorry if I made everyone mad, but facts are facts.
SoWal Expert
Yippie, you are not making me mad. I can understand why people want the beach restoration. I just happen to oppose it. I also rely on the tourist dollar, but I think sometimes, there are things much more important than dollars. For me, this is one. Again, no hard feelings toward you. I just disagree about what I think should happen.
Beach FanaticAuthor
Thanks Smiling Joe. I guess I am in the boat with so many other business owners in a panic hoping and praying our businesses will survive this mess we are now in.
Please, no hard feelings with anyone else.
If it were up to me, I, too, would knock down all beachfront buildings. This place has changed so drastically since i moved here and in many ways, not for the best. I miss seeing the beach when I drive down the beach road. I miss going to a deserted beach where there are no boomboxes and no garbage everywhere.
I miss the little quaint beach town I choose to build my life in.
Please, no hard feelings with anyone else.
If it were up to me, I, too, would knock down all beachfront buildings. This place has changed so drastically since i moved here and in many ways, not for the best. I miss seeing the beach when I drive down the beach road. I miss going to a deserted beach where there are no boomboxes and no garbage everywhere.
I miss the little quaint beach town I choose to build my life in.
Beach Fanatic
Yippie, I will admit the photos you linked are disturbing. However, if the beach had not been overdeveloped to begin with, no one would have even noticed the erosion.
Of course the problem is bad on the west end of Holiday Isle. There is a freaking PASS TO THE GULF a few feet down the beach. Naturally, the erosion down there is going to be more severe.
Of course the problem is bad on the west end of Holiday Isle. There is a freaking PASS TO THE GULF a few feet down the beach. Naturally, the erosion down there is going to be more severe.
Beach Fanatic
This entire area is based on tourist dollars, so no matter how much you agree or disagree on the current building practices, I think part of our responsibility is to insure tourist have a great time, enjoy our beaches, what little are left, and plan to return. I am far from independently wealthy and still need to make a living. Tourist are indirectly responsible for my paycheck and the paychecks I write others.
Sorry if I made everyone mad, but facts are facts.
Then maybe we should figure out how to grow our economy in another direction. These type of projects are no different than farm subsidies in theory. If we had not allowed so much to be built down there, we would haveplenty of pristine places to play no matter what the beach did. And, with sea levels rising at alarming rates, it is all going to be underwater anyway.
Beach FanaticAuthor
Yippie, I will admit the photos you linked are disturbing. However, if the beach had not been overdeveloped to begin with, no one would have even noticed the erosion.
Of course the problem is bad on the west end of Holiday Isle. There is a freaking PASS TO THE GULF a few feet down the beach. Naturally, the erosion down there is going to be more severe.
Jetty East has been there for 25 years and you are right, maybe it never should have been built.
Another food for thought. East Pass is not a natural pass. It is a man made pass that I believe was done in the 30's after a hurricane. The natural pass is now a drainage area and also causes problems for the Harbor.
Yes, it would be nice to have another source of income in the area, however, look at St. Joe. We don't want a paper plant or something like that to stink up the area and cause more pollution. There are always good and bad to everything.
I admire many aspects of Walton County. As maddening as it can be to get permits, etc, at least they are making an effort to control development instead of letting it go completely out of control as it has in Okaloosa.
Beach Fanatic
I admire many aspects of Walton County. As maddening as it can be to get permits, etc, at least they are making an effort to control development instead of letting it go completely out of control as it has in Okaloosa.
Remember when they were selling prisons as clean industry?
Beach Fanatic
Remember when they were selling prisons as clean industry?And a growing one at that:
Just in.....
"NEW YORK - For the first time in U.S. history, more than one of every 100 adults is in jail or prison, according to a new report documenting America's rank as the world's No. 1 incarcerator. It urges states to curtail corrections spending by placing fewer low-risk offenders behind bars."
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080229/ap_on_re_us/prison_population_11
Beach Fanatic
And a growing one at that:
Just in.....
"NEW YORK - For the first time in U.S. history, more than one of every 100 adults is in jail or prison, according to a new report documenting America's rank as the world's No. 1 incarcerator. It urges states to curtail corrections spending by placing fewer low-risk offenders behind bars."
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080229/ap_on_re_us/prison_population_11
If we could keep these people out of prison look at the work force we would have. And keep the teenagers from having babies so they could also work. And with some universal health care, that would keep everyone well so they could work. And if everyone is working there would be no jobs for immigrants to have.
Maybe there is a solution on the horizon.
Beach Fanatic
And, with sea levels rising at alarming rates, it is all going to be underwater anyway.
What alarming rates are we talking about. In the past century, sea level rise in the Panhandle has increased by 1 ft. If you look at the MOST aggressive rates published in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change we would be looking at less than .7 meters per 100 years (or 2 feet). So I don't believe that is going to put any beaches in South Walton underwater for at least for 250 years or so. Not to mention the Bruun Rule and how beaches actually respond to sea level rise.
Beach Fanatic
Why is it when a Republican is CONSERVATIVE with money everyone get excited and acts shocked?Said tongue in cheek?
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