Study on Geotubes in Texas

... Research points to the answer. Hell, a beach chair left at surf line overnight points to the answer.

That's what I like about you thumper... your command of the undisputable facts that take in the TOTAL climate of our predicament (ok a little dose of sarcasm here). ;-)

This is why I said earlier that this question was off topic. More accurately, it's what they call a "red herring." (It's akin to saying, in 1910, not to blame those new automobiles for air pollution, since coal, after all, is the major cause of pollution.)

The question you refer to is one I previously asked a couple of times regarding "What is the major cause of erosion in Florida's beaches?".

I believe you're just insulted that John R actually took the time to do some research (when the question was originally directed to you) and see for himself that there are possibly more things to consider in the TOTAL PICTURE when it comes to ersosion and retaining walls.

I don't really understand how you can think what DEP considers "the major cause of erosion on Florida's beaches" is "off topic". EROSION is the root cause of all these threads that are discussing retaining walls and geotubes and the like. DEP has their idea.

Sometimes these threads do evolve by somewhat drifting from topic.

We have to think forward. Do we take a painful (necessary) financial hit now to set up a system that research shows preserves and protects our shorelines for posterity, or do we use that money now to put out temporary solutions that, if we're lucky, might only benefit one or two generations?

By this, would it be logical to assume that you own gulf front property and that you are willing to "take a painful (necessary) financial hit"

OR

Would it be logical to assume that you and everyone else are willing to pay ALL gulf front property owners fair market value for our property?

Somehow, I sense the first part is not true but the second is more of what I think you had in mind. If you can swing this, I'll step up and be one of the first to sell.

There's your mission... Good Luck ! No sarcasm here. Go out there and "JUST DO IT"!

BMBV, I sincerely hope you will address this question. (Sans vitriol or sarcasm.) This is a genuine concern. Thank you.

I hope I did (a little sarcasm excluded in the first paragragh 😀 ). Did you notice that there was no mention of polluting cars or coal in my reply? ;-)

Regards,
BMBV

I don't really understand how you can think what DEP considers "the major cause of erosion on Florida's beaches" is "off topic".

Because I was under the impression the topic was how walls will (or will not) exacerbate our critically eroded areas. Yes, we have erosion already. It's my opinion that it's important to seriously explore the solutions that won't accelerate the situation.

I believe that our tax dollars should fund a study of possible solutions, with projections. IF historical and scientific data show that the best long term course to preserve beaches for future generations is a moratorium on rebuilding in certain areas, I would never support legislation that didn't compensate with fair market value for those homes.

As the long termers have seen, I like to chime in with an opinion every now and then, to put one man's thoughts on the record. With this post, I am back to lurking. Continue on, fellows.

Sorry I have not read all 3 pages of posts - all I can say is, if in the area, come to the N Greenwood walkover here in Seagrove - which has not been re-opened for quite some time - and look at the black dirt they are filling these tubes with - I am appalled that they would allow anything like this on our beaches.

I did not buy beach front but my property values do have a relation to the color of the sand and this is dirt that they are filling the tuges with. I have been told they have to be through by May 1 - this will be interesting!!!

Because I was under the impression the topic was how walls will (or will not) exacerbate our critically eroded areas. Yes, we have erosion already. It's my opinion that it's important to seriously explore the solutions that won't accelerate the situation.

Hi Thumper,

Not really meaning to split hairs here... but the title of this particular is geotubes not retaining walls 😀 ;-) . We've all gone off-topic here (some sooner and more drastically than others if you check towards the beginning of this thread). Just curious... do you or would you classify geotubes the same as retaining walls? I'm not sure what the answer is (either factually or just my opinion). In other words, how do you feel about the "negative" results of geotubes vs. retaining walls, such as increased erosion, negative effects on turtle nesting, etc.?

I actually did learn something here on SoWal 😀 regarding the very dark sand piled next to geotubes that someone posted a picture of recently. I, like some others, thought it was sub-standard trucked in sand (just from a casual observation). Now, from what I understand, it's all the dark subsurface soil that was dug up in order to "lay in" the geotubes. I assume they will use this dark sand to fill the tubes with.

For what it's worth, I too have a problem with that. Geotubes must be continually "cared for" in order that they be successful, long term. I'm not convinced that after the "panic" mode subsides, that those GF owners will "continually" shell out the money to keep the tubes covered with sand as is necessary to protect them for the long term each time a bad storm passes by. It's expensive enough the first go-round. That and many other reasons are why I decided to go with a normal retaining wall (maintenance free composite in our case).

Here's a question... maybe someone else can also "chime" in... that is, what percentage of the projects that are using geotubes are protecting CONFORMING vs NON-CONFORMING structures? In other words are some owners electing to go with geotubes who have a "newer" home because they feel that if the sh-t hits the fan regarding DEP permitting, that they might be dealt with less severly than if the owner put a retaining retaining wall like we did (qualified by the way)?

Just food for thought.

I believe that our tax dollars should fund a study of possible solutions, with projections. IF historical and scientific data show that the best long term course to preserve beaches for future generations is a moratorium on rebuilding in certain areas, I would never support legislation that didn't compensate with fair market value for those homes.

Fair enough !!! 😀

In all likelyhood, our government, and rightly so, will probably just let the GF owners figure it out and foot the bill in the meantime via armoring and dune restoration in front of the wall (when theoretically allowed). History will ultimately determine the success or failure of armoring, dune restoration (and hopefully beach renourishment) in our, again, unique area of high bluffs. And it may very well turn out that in the long term, something like beach renoursihment is the only real affordable on-going solution. 20 years from now, maybe we'll all give up, govt will buy up all beach side properties within, let's say, 500 feet of the current CCCL and hope that the entire effort does not have to repeated in the next hundred years.

Again renourishment will probably win out in our area! OR if DEP is right about the "major cause of beach erosion", we'll just have to blow up the Panama City shipping inlet to let the sand continue its natural flow to us!!... then dredge it up at the Destin Pass and bring it back to us :lol: Oh yea, we're doing the second part (dredging Destin Pass) as we speak. ;-)

As the long termers have seen, I like to chime in with an opinion every now and then, to put one man's thoughts on the record. With this post, I am back to lurking. Continue on, fellows.

Thanks. I DO appreciate the chance to logically converse and share views. Chime away, my friend! 😀

BMBV