Not sure about the tubes, but I would agree with beach nourishment. The Walton County Hurricane and Storm Damage Reduction federal feasibility study (Federal Project Step 2) will be done later this year and we hope to start the Preliminary Engineering and Design phase (Federal Step 3) later this month. Step four would be construction, but it will take a little while to get there FY 2014-15 is the current goal. I would expect a workshop later this year once we get a little more information. We held one last year at a BCC meeting.
To date, all activities related to these studies and beach nourishment projects (since 1998) are funded through the 1% bed tax collected for beach nourishment by the TDC. Beach Nourishment is also listed on the County's priority list.
http://www.tencate.com/TenCate/Geosynthetics/documents/Geosystems/BRO_Containment0207.pdf
Here is something similar to what I thought I had seen. I especially like the part about the breakwater and the possibilities. Just didn't want you to think I was crazy.
Would artificial reefs be considered structures in the water, and would they have any impact on sand accretion or erosion on the beach?
Here's a picture I picked up off Facebook of a beach in one of the Carolina's. Notice the pier. Ruins what would be a beautiful sunset celebrating Nature with a man-made monstrosity. Doesn't it seem out of place? Don't do this to 30a.
Personally I think the pier looks gorgeous in that photo. It makes the photo look more interesting. I'm all for a wooden pier. A concrete one on the other hand, no way.
So a large amount of money is spent on the design and construction of a wooden pier, and we watch it go away in a big storm. Bye bye money. Not to mention it's proximity to a coastal dune lake.