Bulldozer on the Beach

[Lake View Too]

There has been a bulldozer scraping the beach almost every morning in the Eastern Lake area for, what seems like, over two weeks. I don't know what other parts of the beach he covers, or what days he does this, and more importantly, WHY he does this, but it's pretty annoying to have heavy machinery and their tracks on the beach for any reason. Does anyone know anything about this?

 

[DuneLaker]

I have been concerned about that too. Saw it yesterday going back and forth across the outfall. Who is it? What kind of permit do they have? Do they have a free license to go in at whatever access point along our 26 miles of beach and then travel where ever they want? Going back and forth across the slender sand outfall area ought to be a no-no, especially for a backhoe or tractor. If they have a specific house they are doing work for, they need to find a path that keeps them off the beach as much as possible and certainly not cross any coastal dune lake outfall areas. May have to call DEP or EPA.

 

[Water Boy]

tractor on the beach

I have been concerned about that too. Saw it yesterday going back and forth across the outfall. Who is it? What kind of permit do they have? Do they have a free license to go in at whatever access point along our 26 miles of beach and then travel where ever they want? Going back and forth across the slender sand outfall area ought to be a no-no, especially for a backhoe or tractor. If they have a specific house they are doing work for, they need to find a path that keeps them off the beach as much as possible and certainly not cross any coastal dune lake outfall areas. May have to call DEP or EPA.

Why didn't you stop and ask him?

 

[DuneLaker]

Why didn't you stop and ask him?

Ummm. Because I was still home in the morning in my pjs drinking coffee. Would have taken 30 minutes to get dressed and walk down there to try and catch up. Guess if I had my own personal backhoe/bulldozer to ride around on the beach, could have got down to the beach faster and caught up. Range of sight across the beach or dunelake is quite good.

 

[Red Dawg]

Call the TDC Beach maintence office at 267-4578, and find out what is going on.

 

[scooterbug44]

Or Code Enforcement or the Sheriff Dispatch.

 

[Botes]

They are putting a sea wall in at Dune Villas, and yes, they have all their permits. They should be done in a week or two. This is the closest access for them to get on the beach.

 

[DuneLaker]

Thanks for information. A review of the beach access or right of way points might be in order. There are many access points that are not developed. Rather than have to travel so far along the beach or back and forth across outfall areas, using a non-developed access should be considered. The county or TDC should have a huge book with many or most of these identified. In addition to access areas along the beach, there are also right of ways that perhaps could be used. Better to trample someones petunias or lawn or move a trash bin, rather than denigrate our sand and beaches. We should take reasonable steps to protect one of our most valuable resources. Here it is Easter weekend approaching and increasing numbers of beach goers are subjected to dodging a bulldozer hauling a swinging beam, rather dangerous and unsightly. Having to view and dodge these tall, noisy shell crushing machines on the beach does not enhance their vacation experience. This probably won't be the last time someone does work like this along the beach. Contractors and permit issuers might take a second or harder look at a way to get these mini-derrick like machines travel perimeters contained. People who have rented a gulf front condo or house don't want to have to look out at a tall tractor pacing back and forth nor have their beach nap disturbed.

 

[disco]

That is funny. I guess it was alright to denigrate the sand and the dunes when you built your house, but when someone takes steps to protect their home it suddenly become an ecological disaster.

Thanks for information. A review of the beach access or right of way points might be in order. There are many access points that are not developed. Rather than have to travel so far along the beach or back and forth across outfall areas, using a non-developed access should be considered. The county or TDC should have a huge book with many or most of these identified. In addition to access areas along the beach, there are also right of ways that perhaps could be used. Better to trample someones petunias or lawn or move a trash bin, rather than denigrate our sand and beaches. We should take reasonable steps to protect one of our most valuable resources. Here it is Easter weekend approaching and increasing numbers of beach goers are subjected to dodging a bulldozer hauling a swinging beam, rather dangerous and unsightly. Having to view and dodge these tall, noisy shell crushing machines on the beach does not enhance their vacation experience. This probably won't be the last time someone does work like this along the beach. Contractors and permit issuers might take a second or harder look at a way to get these mini-derrick like machines travel perimeters contained. People who have rented a gulf front condo or house don't want to have to look out at a tall tractor pacing back and forth nor have their beach nap disturbed.

 

[DuneLaker]

That is funny. I guess it was alright to denigrate the sand and the dunes when you built your house, but when someone takes steps to protect their home it suddenly become an ecological disaster.

Didn't build on the beach or dunes. I have to walk to get there. I can see it though. Also, you'll note I am suggesting a better way or other access points should be looked into rather than having a bulldozer travel farther than necessary on the beach. It is quite dangerous having a bulldozer with a lone driver hauling a swinging beam traveling some distance up and down a beach that has playing children and sleeping tourists. Suggesting that if you're going to do this, at least consider another or closer way. Certainly going back and forth across a coastal dune lake outfall area should be avoided. Someone else can debate with you about whether these walls are a lost cause. I was pointing out that there are lots of undeveloped access points along our beach that might be utilized for equipment access or emergency access. I said reasonable steps. I didn't start this thread. Just responding with questions and comments. It is too bad that our primary dunes have been taken away in some places. Luckily, some builders here have built back and have done a much better environmental job of development than some, certainly a few in the past. If this was an oil company drilling a well there or putting in an oil derrick, I highly doubt they'd be allowed to get away with this. Reasonable development should be expected of everyone.