For a lot of people here the beach drives their soul, not their pocketbook.
EXACTLY correct.
For me, fighting customary use is much more about resisting the blatant overreach of the Walton County Commissioners and run-away government in general. And the antics of "carnival barkers" made it even more of an issue for BFOs. I'd (and I assume most BFOs) would much rather be left alone with our souls than be compensated by the government for taking private property. So you see, it's not for the "pocketbook" as you suggest. NOBODY likes the idea of being told who is allowed on one's private property. But of course and understandably, that's what you're disagreeing with because it's not your private property.
There are plenty of ways to find your soul on public beaches and state parks. It just might not be as convenient in your particular situation as it would be to confiscate private property to minimize your walk in search of your soul.
But if soul searching is what you're truly seeking, there's no question a state park is the place, away from the crushing public and beach vendors during high season. Customary use will just make it worse with run-away development and still not address the lack of county facilities including parking. And for the low season (75% of the year), there is no issue.
Regarding pocketbooks, since you brought it up, trust me, there is a TON more money to be made by developing this area than any measly compensation the county might offer BFOs.
And private beach is the only thing standing in the way of the county in their desire to change Walton County into a Bay or Okaloosa County and lose the unique charm of what we've come to know as 30A. I'll also throw in the 50 foot building height restriction as a deterrent to crazy growth but we know the commissioners could eliminate that with just one vote (as is allowed in Bay and Okaloosa) and there would be little to no recourse to that action. And please don't say that will never happen.