Eastern Lake Management Plan Meeting and Discussion

I'm participating in the meeting remotely, as suggested. "Enforcement of Existing Regulations" and "Management of Outfall Issues" are top concerns.

About enforcement, I don't know the regulations or who is to enforce them. I think the regulations are in two plans that are being or were reconciled. Is there now one plan? As far as I know, the commissioners don't always follow the plans. Do they think it is important? Should they be held accountable? Come to think of it, I don't even know who is supposed to follow the regulations. That is how many county agencies, developers, residents, or visitors are involved? In the previous management plan meeting I attended, education was a big item, that applied to many topics. Perhaps "Information management" is a big key that precedes enforcing regulations. Could we have a big info map showing where the regulations reside, who they apply to, and who is to enforce them, all in block diagram?

At the moment, management of outfall issues seems an outgrowth of the previous. Unless we are talking about new regulations. Maybe all the old regulations need to be reconciled and updated in light of issues that have come up. How can you separate the outfall from the lake? It is like saying "neck issues" without mentioning the body and the head. But it is the crux. Can the science of lake monitoring help guide outfall issues? If so, will some people oppose it because it adds yet another bureaucratic burden to decisions made by the various agencies?

Excellent points, Caroling....I will make sure to mention these at the meeting. We will post the meeting notes this afternoon, and I will provide you with the group's answer then.....Thanks for participating.

Eastern Lake Management Meeting
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Meeting Synopsis



I. Areas of Concern


Management of Outlet *********

? Outlet has been altered from recent hurricanes and man-made impacts
? Sediment has been deposited to decrease the depth of the lake and impacts the outlet
? The higher lake level has impacted the vegetation and potentially affects private property
? County should use sand from outfall to replace dunes or put additional sand in the outfall area
? Frustration with lengthy permitting process and inconsistency with DEP
? The lake stays closed too long; this is impacting wildlife and water quality
? County needs to assume a bigger responsibility in addressing to community concerns to the DEP
? Closing of outlet decreases the salinity and oxygen levels of the lake, and may impact fisheries
? Restore the outlet to its original condition to let it function naturally
? Scrutinize old regulations in light of the new issues affecting the lake
? Lack of scientific understanding of the function of the outlets
? Worried the temperature of water maybe increasing
? Concerned about private ownership of the outlet

Codes/Regulations

? Enforcement of current codes/regulations
? Creating an easily accessible resource tool that identifies current codes/regulations
? County involvement at the initial planning phase of a development that potentially impacts the lake
? County needs to increase its role/responsibility in protecting the dune lakes
? County should create regulations that go above/beyond State rules because the state does not understand the importance of these ecosystems
? Consistency in decision made affecting the lake
? Proper management of development within the watershed
? Improper development is impacting dunes and the lake


Protection of wetlands

? Preserving the wetlands to improve water quality and potential flooding
? Protecting the headwaters of the lakes

Education/Outreach

? More education to homeowners, developers and decision makers regarding the importance of this ecosystem
? Recognizing Eastern Lake as a special destination for tourists and a cherished commodity for homeowners


Storm-water Management

? Impact of storm-water from new and existing developments
? Impact of storm-water from 30-A and Lakeview Drive


II. Potential Solutions

? Acquiring ?Outlet management? permit currently submitted to the DEP

? Ensure the current proposed project (Preble-Rish) to repair the outlet meets community concerns

? Create and support a project to repair the outlet

? Remove the sedimentation deposited near the outfall of the lake

? Encourage County to make parcels affecting the outlet conservation easements; discuss with property owners other possible alternatives to owning the outlet

? County should increase role/responsibility in management of development within Eastern Lake watershed

? Coordinating with ELNA to disseminate homeowner?s education kit on the importance of the lakes

? County Public Works/Preble-Rish Manager should meet with ELNA Lake Committee to discuss the Preble-Rish project before final comments are made for the Management Plan

? Create a more open dialogue between the Public Works, Planning/Development and the community on issues concerning the lake

? Repair the outlet to its original condition and leave it to function naturally

? Request DEP to make a public presentation about Statute 161 (Coastal Construction) to educate the public and county staff

? Define and repair storm-water runoff from the unpaved portion of Lakeview Drive

? Repair storm-water runoff from 30-A; especially near the recently repaired culvert

? Treat invasive species (reeds) near roadside

I had a few messages that wanted me to express their concerns about the stormwater runoff from the replaced culvert near 30-A and the unpaved portion of LakeView Drive. These issues were discussed at the meeting, and should be included in the list of prioritized projects to enhance the lakes. However, most people at this meeting felt that restoring the outlet to a "more original" condition was the highest priority. Any thoughts?.

Eastern Lake Outlet Permit

Please see the attachment for the latest draft in Walton County's permitting request to streamline the outlet opening process.

Re: Eastern Lake Outlet Permit

Please see the attachment for the latest draft in Walton County's permitting request to streamline the outlet opening process.

I took notes on PDFs about Western, Alligator and Eastern Lake. So I'm lumping them all in here. They were quite similar.

"Boats don't impact Manatees." What does this have to do with dune lakes?

The rules specify that the county has to fill the trench up when the lake has gone down two feet. However, they only require monitoring once a week, so how will they know? It goes down much more quickly than that. Seems like the permitting agency does not know the characteristics of a rare coastal dune lake.

I question their ability to properly manage one. Agreed, that is not a deeply informed opinion.

They aren't monitoring for salinity, or other things Lakewatch and CBA does. What does coliform etc. have to do with it?

Why is Eastern limited to 3.5 feet where Western is 4 feet? And Alligator can be 7.5 feet high?

Why does the permit for Eastern Lake say three designated Lakewatch locations, when there are 6? Is it only the south part of the lake?

Excellent points, Caroling....

These permit applications are a work in progress. I share your concerns, and will forward them to the appropriate DEP contact. Here are a couple of answers to your questions:

Manatees-The federal/state government have to ensure certain language protecting listed species be included in all of their legal documents.

The monitoring is an excellent point; I will make sure that is submitted to the DEP.

I think the community is split on the government's ability/need to manage these lakes.

Flooding of septic systems is one of the reasons cited in applying for this outlet management permit; therefore monitoring of the bacteria is a requirement.

I will make sure they know there are more than 3 stations in the lake. Obviously, opening the outlet will have an impact on the entire lake.

They based the "popoff" levels on the height (above sea level) of the first structure (road, house, etc) that would be impacted by high water levels. These structure heights changed for the various lakes, so they set different "popoff levels"

Excellent questions....Please let me know if you have any more feedback that I can submit to the governing agencies.

My name is Stephen and my Grandparents live in one of the first houses built on Eastern Lake. It's a shame to see newcomers buy property and literaly start to take advantage of the surroundings. I'm talking about the person that had sand brought in and dumped on the beach next to his property.(white house, blue roof, end of the road closest to the inlet.) His attempt to rebuild the dunes was not only illegal but unsuccesful, as only nature can control this. I dubbed him worthless millions.

Ever since he has messed with this natural flow of sand and water, with the help of a few hurricanes, the lake has not opened naturally. Back in the day when the inlet was closed for a while we would dig it out manually and speed up the process. Letting nature take it's course the lake would open up and the cycle would start all over again. I'm sure nowadays you guys have established fines and laws against doing this. But I still think this would be the best solution for the lake. It would not only kill back the weeds growing on the bottom, but it would also help it maintain it's natural state.

(New resident's keep coming down and changing the beach to suit their needs rather than just enjoying it. If any of you remember how Eastern Lake used to be in the 70's and 80's you would agree with me.)

-Stephen

Ever since he has messed with this natural flow of sand and water, with the help of a few hurricanes, the lake has not opened naturally. Back in the day when the inlet was closed for a while we would dig it out manually and speed up the process. Letting nature take it's course the lake would open up and the cycle would start all over again.

Regardless of Worth's actions bringing in the sand, I encourage all you folks who are complaining about Eastern Lake not opening naturally, to go look at and study the other area Coastal Dune Lakes. I see the same thing happening on all but two of the Lakes, yet Worth has not dumped sand in front of them. Why do you suppose that the other Lakes have had similar occurances of not opening, and ditch weed growing over the last two years?

As for you digging trenches in the past, what is natural about that process of exchange for the Lake. You are interferring, just as you accuse Worth of doing, only in the opposite way.

I'm tending more and more to think that letting the lake be as natural as it can is best. Thanks for your insights, Smiling Joe.

Caroling, were you of a different mindset in the past, regarding letting the Lake be as natural as it can be? I've read your earlier posts, but I would like to hear your thoughts on this more recent Worth Williams incident of importing sand, and many of the homeowners in the Eastern Lake area wanting the Lake cut open. I know you monitor the Lake closely on a regular basis, and that you live in the beautiful area of Eastern Lake, so please share your thoughts with us. What do you see happening?

Most of the complaints I've been reading in the paper either address the lack of their ability to catch crabs and fish, or they say the water threatens their property. I never hear about what is good for the Lake. The chatter is always about that which is good for the people. These Coastal Dune Lakes are so very rare, and I dislike the thought of people spreading Nitrogen via lawn fertilizers, into the Lake, and all of the focus being on what is good for the yards of Eastern Lake home owners.

One thing which I notice is so un-natural about the process the County uses when cutting open the Lakes is that they dig a straight line trench to the Gulf (the cheapest way and perhaps it has the least impact on the surrounding area). However, most of the Lakes which I've seen open to the Gulf naturally, rarely follow a straight line. They typically snake back and forth, with some parts building up sand and other parts being deeper, creating different habitats for wildlife living in the outflows. This snake like path might also help filter out more goodies from the Lakes, as well as lessen the erosion on the path to the Gulf. Google Earth has examples of this, and I have plenty of photos also showing the same thing.

I went to meetings sponsored by the Eastern Lake Neighborhood Association, the South Walton Community Council, the Coastal Dune Lakes Advisory Board, the Planning Commission and the Board of County Commissioners to educate myself. I didn't go to all of them and I'm not an expert. I'm a lake lover. I grew up with lakes in Minnesota and when I came here, that's how I viewed Eastern Lake. I quickly found out that I want to treat Eastern Lake like wilderness, not farmland. In Minnesota the lakes were tamed. Here I want them wild. My view of Worth Williams is "Huh?". How can someone who has destructively broken the law, still have legal rights? I believe he should lose his property. In kindergarden, when you mess up the sandbox, there are consequences. My view of his illegal sand is to let it go. Ester, the spirit of Eastern Lake can handle it if you give her respect. When the county plows a trench, the sand seems to fall back in. You see the outlet gradually snaking its way, meandering toward the Gulf now that it has been left to its natural ways for awhile. I agree that the edge, outlet and the whole lake should be protected and not manipulated for property owners. It is not a lake, it is a rare Coastal Dune Lake and should be honored, valued, studied, and promoted. It is precious and we are the stewards. If we don't care for Eastern Lake, who will? It is up to us.

I sense your passion for the Lakes in your post, Caroling.

Seems like it's one lake where construction happened to close to the outflow for meandering to be free. When the beach was wider there it had more room to do its thing once it cleared the houses. Maybe adding sand to the beach will help in the long run.

Maybe adding sand to the beach will help in the long run.

I'm not sure I understand your statement. How do you think that adding sand to the beach will help the outflow of Eastern Lake in the long run?

I had not heard the opinion that adding sand is a good thing. It highlights the fact that we don't know conclusively what we have done and whether it is good or bad, since it is possible to look at it from different points of view.

By the way, is there a good word for the connection between lake and Gulf? Inlet works one way. Outflow, outlet, outfall etc. work the other way. But what if the connection is known to flow both ways from time to time? Is there a name for that?

By the way, is there a good word for the connection between lake and Gulf? Inlet works one way. Outflow, outlet, outfall etc. work the other way. But what if the connection is known to flow both ways from time to time? Is there a name for that?

Good question. I usually refer to them in general terms as "outflow," only because that is the typically the case when the water is moving. In the recent past, the Coastal Lakes seem to be outflowing more than inflowing. Why don't you coin a good term for it, and we'll start using it? I guess that reminds us of how rare these lakes are, since there probably isn't a word which describes the inflow/outflow. If you cannot think of a good term, perhaps we could call it the "snake" of the Lake, since they are typically snake-like in shape.

Good question. I usually refer to them in general terms as "outflow," only because that is the typically the case when the water is moving. In the recent past, the Coastal Lakes seem to be outflowing more than inflowing. Why don't you coin a good term for it, and we'll start using it? I guess that reminds us of how rare these lakes are, since there probably isn't a word which describes the inflow/outflow. If you cannot think of a good term, perhaps we could call it the "snake" of the Lake, since they are typically snake-like in shape.

From a coastal engineering perspective, they are called outfall's.

From a coastal engineering perspective, they are called outfall's.

which is similar to the term I use, "outflow," but Caroling is correct, that these rare Coastal Dune Lakes flow both ways, so "outflow" or "outfall," would technically not respect the rareness of the Lakes' ability to flow both ways.

We have had a second home on the lake for a few years and are just about to move to it full time. I am concerned about the lake level, as my house is practically IN the lake, but also acknowledge that the builder likely just put the house way too close to the shore which is not the lake's fault. I certainly can understand the idea behind wanting the county to open the mouth of the lake, but when I first came to the lake (2004), it opened naturally and drained and then became tidal before closing again. This is obviously when the salt water entered. If you just let the lake fill up naturally, way beyond where it is now, then let it break through with great force, would not the force of the outflow dig its own deep channel, that over time would allow the tidal inflow condition that once existed? I certainly understand how inconvenient this high water level is, and I think the weeds certainly make living on the shore less enjoyable, but isn't it possible that you may do more harm than good my messing with the opening with machinery? So go easy on me here- I'm new to the area, the forum, and the issue, so make your replies educational if you can.

Heathernken, you wrote:
"I certainly understand how inconvenient this high water level is, and I think the weeds certainly make living on the shore less enjoyable, but isn't it possible that you may do more harm than good by messing with the opening with machinery? So go easy on me here- I'm new to the area, the forum, and the issue, so make your replies educational if you can."

I like your thinking, all of it, sounds reasonable and reasoned to me. The only think that might be educational is to review thinking of native plants as "weeds". If they are native plants (not some exotics imported from elsewhere) they keep the lake and wildlife healthy. They have many benefits, which we are only in the process of learning. So it is good that we are finding ways to live with them. You can buy other native plants that are appropriate for our lake at the Eastern Lake nursery, if you need variety. Thanks for writing and I'm glad you are moving here full time.

We have had a second home on the lake for a few years and are just about to move to it full time. I am concerned about the lake level, as my house is practically IN the lake, but also acknowledge that the builder likely just put the house way too close to the shore which is not the lake's fault. I certainly can understand the idea behind wanting the county to open the mouth of the lake, but when I first came to the lake (2004), it opened naturally and drained and then became tidal before closing again. This is obviously when the salt water entered. If you just let the lake fill up naturally, way beyond where it is now, then let it break through with great force, would not the force of the outflow dig its own deep channel, that over time would allow the tidal inflow condition that once existed? I certainly understand how inconvenient this high water level is, and I think the weeds certainly make living on the shore less enjoyable, but isn't it possible that you may do more harm than good my messing with the opening with machinery? So go easy on me here- I'm new to the area, the forum, and the issue, so make your replies educational if you can.

Thanks, Hearthernken, and welcome to the beach! Your observations and comments are all right-on! I have a master's degree in biology/coastal zone studies, have enjoyed and studied these coastal dune lakes for several years, and I recently waded into the Eastern Lake issue after a very poorly-done article about the Lake appeared on the front of The Walton Sun in early June. The article did not quote any scientists, but only angry lakeside residents who have seen the lake change to a condition they don't like, and they blame the landowner who created an artificial dune east of the outfall--a dune that was then washed away by Hurricane Dennis. I wrote a commentary that appeared in the paper the following week, and it has set-off a series of letters.

Here are some of the facts about the lake that I've reported in my commentary and subsequent communications with elected officials and others:

--all water quality testing indicates Eastern Lake is largely healthy, with only ONE area of concern: phosphorus levels have increased over time. Phosphorus is a nutrient that can cause too much plant growth, and may have contributed to the vigorous growth of widgeon grass in the lake. Phosphorus has nothing to do with the lake outfall, and comes from activities of residents and businesses around the lake--fertilizers, lack of buffer zones, runoff from streets, dirt roads, and parking lots.

--Julie Terrell (she holds a master's in limnology--the study of lakes) of the Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance presented at the June dune lakes advisory board meeting, and reported there and was quoted in the Northwest Florida Daily News that lake salinity has dropped, but this is a natural process due with no relationship to sand dumped near the lake outfall. Dune lakes vary over time and are sometimes more fresh, sometimes more saline, but can be healthy in either state.

--I have spoken with five scientists and counting at Florida DEP and elsewhere, and all believe the lake is undergoing a natural cycle and the lake outfall does not need to be dredged. All agreed that two years of drought following 2005 hurricanes have kept lake levels low, reduced exchanges with the Gulf, caused salinities to drop, and caused water clarity to increase greatly--which has helped the widgeon grass to take-off, since it needs light for photosynthesis--light that is often minimal in dune lakes because of the brown coloration of the water caused by natural tannins. Again, all part of the natural variability of dune lakes.

--I have reviewed data collected on all of the lakes over the past several years and it shows that six other lakes are undergoing the same trend as Eastern Lake--a significant drop in salinity since the hurricanes of 2005. So this situation is not unique to Eastern Lake, and is simply part of the natural variation of coastal dune lakes. This would preclude any thought that the lake is in a special condition that justifies dredging.

--There has been no evidence presented that the sand dumped in 2005 has had any affect on the lake or its current conditions. The amount of sand dumped was tiny in comparison to the amount of sand nature is constantly moving in and around the outfall.

--the Eastern Lake outfall was dredged open three times by the County following Hurricane Dennis, and according to logs kept by longtime lake resident Earl Day, the lake has opened about a dozen times on it's own since Dec., 2005. The exchanges may not be deep exchanges because lake levels are low due to extreme drought--nothing wrong with that--again, all part of a natural cycle.

--yes, the saltwater fish are less prevalent in the lake, which is just part of the natural cycle. Right now the lake is more fresh, and thus species like bass and sunfish are thriving. Go down and look in the widgeon grass and you'll see hundreds of little fish. The saltwater fish are all still available a few feet away in the Gulf.

--the widgeon grass thriving in the lake is a native species of grass, it has likely always occured in the lake (a 2000 plant survey by FL Lakewatch found it was the second most common plant in the lake), and it can offer incredible ecological benefits

--Florida DEP is about to issue a permit to the County allowing dredging anytime homes are threatened with flooding. This will eliminate any threat to public health and safety due to higher lake levels that might occur in rainier times.

--there have been no reports of fish kills or any toxic or dangerous conditions in the lake

--by all accounts the conditions in Eastern Lake have CHANGED, but the lake is certianly not dying. Residents have become used to certain conditions that they like, but just because those conditions change does not create a crisis. Change is part of the natural order of coastal dune lakes and all natural systems, and that's part of what makes them so beautiful and fascinating. Just because we don't like the change is not license to go in and change them back to a condition that we favor.


We must rely on the science to guide us in this issue and others involving our natural environment. So far the science clearly shows us that Eastern Lake does not need to be manipulated by man through an expensive dredging project. I encourage everyone to do their own research, talk to qualified scientists, and speak-out in favor of keeping our coastal dune lakes as natural lakes that are free to ebb and flow on their own.

I have access to monthly data for many years (including things such as surface temps, bottom temps, salinity levels, dissolved oxygen levels, turbidity, water clarity as measure via Secchi disc, etc.)
which is kept by the University of Florida for all of our rare Coastal Dune Lakes, if anyone needs specifics for any of our Lakes in order to conduct their own research and analysis.

Great post Christian!

And to add to Smiling Joe, you can get coastal dune lakes data and learn more about them by speaking with the good folks at the Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance (they oversee the water quality monitoring on the lakes):

www.basinalliance.org

and you can also get the data and lake information from the folks at Florida Lakewatch, the University of FL program that actually runs the tests on the water samples collected by CBA volunteers:

http://lakewatch.ifas.ufl.edu/

Like Joe, I also have some of the data that I would be happy to e-mail to anybody who'd like to have it.

It's really a wonderful thing that volunteers have collected this data for so many years, and we should all be hugely thankful to them. Because of their hard work we have technical information that allows scientists, citizens, and policymakers to make well-informed decisions--in the case of Eastern Lake that means not dredging the lake outfall and instead working to reduce stormwater runoff (which carries phosphorus) into the lake.