From WZEP AM 1460
Walton County is in the process of seeking approval to place sand on the beach, extending the beach seaward and thus creating new public beach. This means a beachfront property owner could have a new public sandy beach where there used to be Gulf water. Tuesday afternoon the Walton Commissioners met in workshop session to have questions answered about the Hurricane Storm Damage Reduction project.
Answering the questions were representatives from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the Army Corps of Engineers and Walton County staff. The first phase of the approval process has taken place and setting an Erosion Control Line is a next step. The U.S. Congress could fund the 28% federal part of the project as soon as starting next October. Walton will use $33.9 million in bed tax to pay for the project.
The Erosion Control Line or ECL, is a boundary to be established where beach land ownership will be set. This means, once set, the land seward will belong to the state and the land north will belong to the private landowner. Once set the line generally can not be crossed with work unless the private property owner gives permission. Commissioners were told the Army Corps will not place sand in the private property unless they have an agreement. Several property owners do not want the new beach sand and say this will be a taking of their property. TDC Director Bagby said he has heard from property owners who want the sand after seeing the protection the previous project gave.
Commissioners were told the next step in applying for the ECL is to pass a resolution. There will be a mean high water survey, public workshops and hearings as the application continues. Private landowners can go to the sponsoring party and ask to be removed.
The project would pipe sand from an identified offshore pit. Ten sites were investigated and found to be useful with number 4 selected. A half mile pipe will be used to place sand. The sand borrow pit identified is south of Sandestin and the sand color has been sampled to make sure it will not darken the beach and meets color standards. They will also filter out shells. The project will not impact the Coastal Dune Lake outfalls. The sand has been checked for BP oil spill contamination.
Commissioners were told there is a gain and a loss for some of the property owners. Once established, the ECL will mean accretion will no longer move seaward. If there is a storm and loss occurs, sand will be placed back to support the private beach as well as the public land.