[FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][FONT=Arial]As you may know, the process of DEP approval for the seawalls that were built in WaltonCounty after Hurricane Dennis is still moving along. However ,State Senator Don Gaetz has been asked by some sea wall owners to draft legislation that will allow homeowners with illegal seawalls to be grandfathered and get their DEP permits. Many of these walls (about a third of them, approximately 80 walls) are so far out on the beach that they cause a ?take? of sea turtle nesting habitat and impact the function of the beach system, therefore the USFWS is requiring that the county, since it permitted these walls, get a federal Incidental Take Permit (ITP) which would address the county?s liability under the Endangered Species Act. The ITP will ensure this situation never occurs again and will also require actions to mitigate for the harm caused to the beach/dune system. The ITP process is well underway. If all these homeowners are grandfathered in and granted their pending permits there is a good possibility that the ITP process will fall apart. There will be no more incentive for the county to move forward with the Habitat Conservation Plan. [/FONT][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][FONT=Arial]If you are opposed to more of the "built it now and ask for forgiveness later" attitude and would like to see the case-by-case process of determining which walls meet the DEP requirements and which ones do not go forward without legislative interference, please contact Gaetz's office and let him know how you feel. [/FONT][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][FONT=Arial] It would be helpful if the Senator at least knows there are local residents interested in this and concerned about the walls and the need to protect the beach. Right now it appears he is only hearing from the sea wall owners and their attorneys. [/FONT][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][FONT=Arial] Why this is problematic:[/FONT][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][FONT=Arial]The USFWS and local residents with a vested interest in their beaches are not being consulted. [/FONT][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][FONT=Arial]Any legislation by Sen Gaetz will be in the form of an amendment this late in the session and not really be open to public discussion.[/FONT][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][FONT=Arial]This threatens the federal Habitat Conservation Plan process that many folks have been working on in good faith for over a year. [/FONT][/SIZE][/FONT] [B][U][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][FONT=Arial][B]Make sure to say you live Walton cty and use the local beaches and you were not consulted [/B][/FONT][/SIZE][/FONT][/U][/B][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][FONT=Arial]Phone: 850-487-5009 [/FONT][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][FONT=Arial]Email- Chris Clark -legislative assistant --- [EMAIL="clark.christopher.s04@flsenate.gov"]clark.christopher.s04@flsenate.gov[/EMAIL][/FONT][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][FONT=Arial]His Secretary- Melissa --- [EMAIL="ullery.melissa.s04@flsenate.gov"]ullery.melissa.s04@flsenate.gov[/EMAIL][/FONT][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][FONT=Arial]Senator Gaetz -- [EMAIL="gaetz.don@flsenate.gov"]gaetz.don@flsenate.gov[/EMAIL][/FONT][/SIZE][/FONT]
