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DuneAHH

Beach Fanatic
Update to all our Walton County reef “lovers.” We currently have FDEP authorization for 4 snorkel reefs (Miramar, Topsail, Grayton, and Inlet Beach) and 6 nearshore fish/dive (1/4 nm) reefs (Miramar, Topsail, Ft. Panic, Ed Walline, Blue Mountain, and Grayton Beach). We should receive authorization for the remaining 3 sites (Santa Clara, Deer Lake, and Inlet Beach) any day now.

Now we await US Army Corp of Engineers (USACOE) authorizations... a lengthier process as they also coordinate approvals with several other agencies.
 

DuneAHH

Beach Fanatic
Update to all our Walton County reef “lovers.” We currently have FDEP authorization for 4 snorkel reefs (Miramar, Topsail, Grayton, and Inlet Beach) and 6 nearshore fish/dive (1/4 nm) reefs (Miramar, Topsail, Ft. Panic, Ed Walline, Blue Mountain, and Grayton Beach). We should receive authorization for the remaining 3 sites (Santa Clara, Deer Lake, and Inlet Beach) any day now.

Now we await US Army Corp of Engineers (USACOE) authorizations... a lengthier process as they also coordinate approvals with several other agencies.

Update: Walton County now has FDEP permits for the following artificial reefs patches:

4 snorkel (straddling 2nd sandbar)
9 nearshore fish/dive (approx. .65mile out)
1 offshore fish/dive (approx. 3miles out)
2 fish havens

No word, as yet, from Army Corps of Engineers. Tic-Toc.
 

DuneAHH

Beach Fanatic
NOTICE of PUBLIC HEARING

NOTICE of PUBLIC HEARING WORKSHOP -
Tuesday, March 3rd, 2015
3:00 -5:00p.m.
South Walton Coastal Annex

For public input and comment on:
1) County Artificial Reefs 10year Management Plan -
plan draft pdf is available for review at http://www.waltonreefs.org

2) LAARS (Large Area Artificial Reef Site)

Public Notice.jpg
 

DuneAHH

Beach Fanatic
http://www.waltonreefs.org/pdf/SWARA_Reef_Site_Chart.pdf

Above Link to map of fully permitted artificial reef sites. Follow the legend on the bottom of the map.
Red Dots = 4 snorkel reefs straddling 2nd sandbar
Gray Hashed Squares = 9 near shore dive / fish reefs approx. 1/2 mile off beach.
Black Outline Squares = 2 fish havens

NOTE: LAARS A and LAARS B (large area artificial reef sites) permits have NOT been applied for. These site location areas for "private" deployments will be discussed at the March 3rd public workshop. Please attend if you would like to have input.
 
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DuneAHH

Beach Fanatic
Yesterday's Artificial Reef Public Workshop garnered lots of good stakeholder input from attendees. The public commenting period is extended until close of business on March 11, 2015 to encourage additional feedback on the (previously linked) County Artificial Reef Plan (CARP) and proposed Large Area Artificial Reef Site (LAARS) location and size. Please submit your comments, suggestions, questions, (and/or support) to Melinda Gates (gatmelinda@co.walton.fl.us) or SWARA (info@waltonreefs.org).

A summary and transcription of the public meeting comments will be posted here, and on SWARA's facebook page and website as soon as possible.

Thanks again to the community and interested stakeholders for your involvement, interest, and support of the artificial reef program.
 

DuneAHH

Beach Fanatic
SWARA video

SWARA is pleased to share this terrific Blue Door Video production and to extend Big Thanks to the featured Founders Club organizations whose generous early support facilitated the required permitting to "Create Living Reefs for Generations"!

[video]www.dropbox.com/s/n6gbpzghsuxbapw/Walt-Andy%20TEAM%20Edit_1_UPDATED.mp4?dl=0[/video]
 
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DuneAHH

Beach Fanatic
Lionfish Population Control Plan proposal

Our friends at Emerald Coast Reef Association have authored and submitted a comprehensive Lionfish Population Control Plan to Governor Scott and FFWC. A massive show of public support is needed to convince our state agencies to adopt this program. Please read and sign this petition www.gopetition.com/petitions/support-lionfish-population-control-and-the-search-for-eradication-methods.html

Please help spread the word by sharing!

For more information click link to PDF

View attachment 4.19.15%20Proposal%20Hand-out%20Brochure%20Lionfish%20Tri%20Fold%20Brochure.pdfLF%20Poster%20Support%20FINAL%20for%20Print.jpg
 
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DuneAHH

Beach Fanatic

DuneAHH

Beach Fanatic
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