On Tuesday, May 14, 2013, the Walton County Commission will consider a list of projects that they will be recommending to receive BP funding. The current #1 on the list is a two-story parking garage and a 1,500 foot concrete fishing pier to be constructed in the Gulf at Grayton Beach State Park - a $10.8 million project. For many residents, this project seems to have appeared “out of nowhere,” and little public input has been received on the ideas proposed. There has been some recent discussion on sowal forums about the pier idea, but unfortunately, comments on the forum will not reach the decision makers. If you want your voice to be heard, here is some background information and a suggestion about what you can do….
Background: Grayton Beach is a special place, and Grayton Beach State Park sits as one of the crown jewels of South Walton. For decades, concerned citizens have fought for its protection. Walton County is not like the rest of the panhandle of Florida – people come to our area because of the beautiful beaches, natural areas and the small communities that are nestled along County Road 30A.
A large concrete structure would be environmentally inconsistent with the vision of Grayton Beach State Park, which was land specifically set aside so that future generations could forever experience the wild and pristine splendor of protected dunes and an undeveloped beach. A pier will forever disrupt the iconic view from 30A looking south over Western Lake - instead of the beautiful stand of long leaf pines, we will now be treated to a view of a man-made concrete monument that looks like an interstate flyover. The increased use and activities in the Park would no doubt bring additional issues with trash and would surely disrupt the natural plant and animal communities.
What other county projects should be considered instead of the Pier? By definition the BP monies should be used for projects that restore and enhance coastal and marine resources. Such projects might include creating aquaculture opportunities, funding water quality, stormwater, and wastewater infrastructure projects (such as helping to reduce the number of septic tanks on properties abutting coastal dune lakes and the gulf), creating fishing reefs offshore, purchasing additional beach accesses, enhancing beach renourishment efforts, etc. Communities will be judged on how well they invest these precious dollars. Those counties that have long-term goals rather than short-term gratification will be the ones that will be judged favorably.
Walton County can certainly find the right projects, but the Grayton Beach Pier Project does not fit in our future.
Below are the addresses of the five Walton County Commissioners. Please voice your opinion and send them an email expressing your views that the pier project should be removed from the Walton County list submitted to the State. Remember what makes Walton County unique, and please voice your concerns in writing or in person by speaking at the meeting!
Walton County Commissioners
Bill Chapman
Commissioner. District 1
9446 Rock Hill Road
Ponce de Leon, FL 32455
chabill@co.walton.fl.us
Kenneth Pridgen
Commissioner. District 2
17400 State Highway 83 North
DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433
prikenneth@co.walton.fl.us
Bill Imfeld
Commissioner, District 3
6570 US Hwy 90 West
DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433
imfbill@co.walton.fl.us
Sara Comander
Commissioner, District 4
263 Chaffin Avenue
DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433
comsara@co.walton.fl.us
Cindy Meadows
Commissioner, District 5
70 Logan Lane
Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
meacindy@co.walton.fl.us
Background: Grayton Beach is a special place, and Grayton Beach State Park sits as one of the crown jewels of South Walton. For decades, concerned citizens have fought for its protection. Walton County is not like the rest of the panhandle of Florida – people come to our area because of the beautiful beaches, natural areas and the small communities that are nestled along County Road 30A.
A large concrete structure would be environmentally inconsistent with the vision of Grayton Beach State Park, which was land specifically set aside so that future generations could forever experience the wild and pristine splendor of protected dunes and an undeveloped beach. A pier will forever disrupt the iconic view from 30A looking south over Western Lake - instead of the beautiful stand of long leaf pines, we will now be treated to a view of a man-made concrete monument that looks like an interstate flyover. The increased use and activities in the Park would no doubt bring additional issues with trash and would surely disrupt the natural plant and animal communities.
What other county projects should be considered instead of the Pier? By definition the BP monies should be used for projects that restore and enhance coastal and marine resources. Such projects might include creating aquaculture opportunities, funding water quality, stormwater, and wastewater infrastructure projects (such as helping to reduce the number of septic tanks on properties abutting coastal dune lakes and the gulf), creating fishing reefs offshore, purchasing additional beach accesses, enhancing beach renourishment efforts, etc. Communities will be judged on how well they invest these precious dollars. Those counties that have long-term goals rather than short-term gratification will be the ones that will be judged favorably.
Walton County can certainly find the right projects, but the Grayton Beach Pier Project does not fit in our future.
Below are the addresses of the five Walton County Commissioners. Please voice your opinion and send them an email expressing your views that the pier project should be removed from the Walton County list submitted to the State. Remember what makes Walton County unique, and please voice your concerns in writing or in person by speaking at the meeting!
Walton County Commissioners
Bill Chapman
Commissioner. District 1
9446 Rock Hill Road
Ponce de Leon, FL 32455
chabill@co.walton.fl.us
Kenneth Pridgen
Commissioner. District 2
17400 State Highway 83 North
DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433
prikenneth@co.walton.fl.us
Bill Imfeld
Commissioner, District 3
6570 US Hwy 90 West
DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433
imfbill@co.walton.fl.us
Sara Comander
Commissioner, District 4
263 Chaffin Avenue
DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433
comsara@co.walton.fl.us
Cindy Meadows
Commissioner, District 5
70 Logan Lane
Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
meacindy@co.walton.fl.us