Study on Geotubes in Texas

[BlueMtnBeachVagrant]

I also find myself fighting the urge to post pictures of the worst cases. But that is what interests people and the worst photos are nonetheless valid and are pictures of reality.

Kurt,

The urge "to post worst pictures of the worst cases" because "that is what interests people" is COMPLETELY understood by me coming from a person like you. You operate a "for profit" business. No problem... I believe in capitalism. The more readership, the more business... plain and simple. I have no problem with anything that you post yourself personally.

The conditions of that day, while rough, are not all that uncommon. Just high surf which we have many days of they year, nowhere near the storm conditions which we have seen too much of. If nothing else the pic is an example of what we will see a lot of in the coming days. Very minor storm event in the near furure will cause boardwalks to be damaged and seawalls to be uncovered in narrow or normal stretches of beach. Not only because of natural erosion but of what is proving to be unwise lowering of beach levels by "scraping".

I beg to differ about that particular day. It was somewhat unusual. But that's more academic than the meat of the current matter. BTW very little beach scraping was done after Dennis as I think you're aware...a lot of scraping after Opal (which recovered nicely) and some after Ivan.

Ecopal is a self serving alarmist. Sorry, I know I'm not suppose to call anyone names, but if the shoe fits.....

His post (#19) on this thread was a VERY slanted attempt to support is ill conceived perception that all gulf front owners are at fault for every problem that (HE perceives) exists on the beach.

You know, although Smiling Joe and I disagree on some of these issues, he does appear to possess a sense of reasoning. On one of his previous posts he said something to the effect about "looking in the mirror" when generating his thoughts on these message boards. I applaud him for that as it certainly appears there are others who think that their sh-t doesn't stink.

Kurt, ecopal picks his own battles. Let him fight them assuming you think he is incapable of defending anything he does. If so, I understand why you jumped in the middle with the post you created above.

Kurt, for what it's worth, you have a great web site. I have web site envy. But I won't slam you just because of that as opposed to some others regarding gulf front porperty owners as it would seem.

 

[John R]

bmbv, i believe you're right with regards to the renourishment issue. it has been sidelined here due to all the discussion regarding the walls and the geotubes. i hope that the renourishment to the west will hang around through sept-nov.

i spent my summers in cape may nj, where the original(kneejerk, maybe) response to erosion was the fabrication of extremely long boulder jetty's. history has shown that jetty's will create eddies and move the sand entirely from where is was supposed to be captured. in cape may's case, to wildwood crest.

cape may has since utilized the dredge and fill method. while creating awesomely deep beaches, the sand is completely different from what we all grew up with. i think in the seawall thread, kurt(or someone) mentioned that the only suitable replacement sand is from the cut. as i'm sure we've all figured out, there's only so much down there. i'm thinking we should resign ourself to the possibility that if/when we renouresh, the sand will not be the same. could we lose our 'emerald coast' status if the new sand does not reflect the same below the water, as the current sand does?

no science here, just personal knowledge ;-)

thoughts?

 

[katie blue]

BMBV, with all due respect, I think it's safe to assume that most of us are not envious of gulf front owners-- we are simply concerned for the future of our beach, as I wrote in the Seawalls thread. That's all. It's our common commodity. We want to be assured that the decision to build these walls will not drastically accelerate the loss of the beach, as some evidence seems to show. If you can allay our fears, by all means do. I for one could use some peace of mind, and I'm open to hearing all sides.

And yes, I will admit I do envy your incredible gulf view. ;-) However I'll never envy the maintenance involved in keeping up a GF property. My little one story cottage across the street is very close, low stress, and easy to replace if blown away. That's my idea of beachin' it, but to each his own. Let's keep the positive dialogue flowing, it's all educational.

 

[pgurney]

It looks like we might know about the quantities of good sand available soon...and the areas the state is looking to approve.

A workshop will be held in late March or early April to discuss sand availability, state-designated ?critically eroded? areas, and recommended project areas.

Protect Walton County Beaches

 

[Rita]

.........................
Since you started this thread, I had suggested to others (this thread or the other?) that renourishment is the only real practical solution. I acknowledge that a few others did say they supported beach renourishment but the "intensity" of the discussion of this VERY important soultion is a little wanting..........................
Respectfully,
BMBV

If there is $$$ and agreement to continue east with beach renourishment, what are the chances of homeowners removing their temporary "seawall" structures and letting the renourishment protect their properties?

If the beaches were to be renourished in front of the walls, would that be a waste? By this, I am asking if the renourished area might wash and erode away in front of the walls ..... what would be the benefit then?

 

[Kurt]

If there is $$$ and agreement to continue east with beach renourishment, what are the chances of homeowners removing their temporary "seawall" structures and letting the renourishment protect their properties?

If the beaches were to be renourished in front of the walls, would that be a waste? By this, I am asking if the renourished area might wash and erode away in front of the walls ..... what would be the benefit then?

I don't know the answers but there is a a fear that some homeowners will sue the county to prevent dredge and fill (nourishment) as they did in the west end project going on now. This delayed the project many years. This is another reason that a free-for-all rush to armor might prove harmful, rather than a concerted and unified effort to do what is best for all.

I can't imagine any wall being removed voluntarily.

 

[John R]

if the renourshment was on a large enough scale, and the beaches made deep enough, wouldn't the walls be under so much sand to be rendered moot?

jr

 

[Smiling JOe]

I recently asked Brad Pickle what is next if we do renourish all of Walton Co beaches, or even just the critically eroded beaches in Walton County. He said that they would look for more sand.

Right now, they are looking for more sand. If renourishment takes place even as soon as next year, and we have storms which wash it away the following year, what next. Renourishment sounds like a decent short-term plan, but it is pointless unless done on a regular basis.

Currently, there is sand north of the Bay, but at today's costs, it is too expensive to renourish the "critically eroded" beaches. I don't think the prices will go down in the future. If renourishment continues, the County will have to lower the color standards for sand being placed on the beach, or, the TDC will have to impose greater bed taxes, or, heaven forbid, we the property owners of Walton County will be taxed for the temporary solution.

There is a long-term problem with seawalls as well as the cost of renourishment. Just my opinion. Feedback?

 

[Kurt]

Trucking in sand only happens in relatively small amounts and is very expensive. The large dredge and fill (nourishment) is massive in scale compared to trucking in sand. It is a process that presumably would have to be repeated again and again to protect gulf front homes. No matter how much sand is added to the beaches it can be washed away to reveal walls and/or destroy structures.

 

[Smiling JOe]

Trucking in sand only happens in relatively small amounts and is very expensive. The large dredge and fill (nourishment) is massive in scale compared to trucking in sand. It is a process that presumably would have to be repeated again and again to protect gulf front homes. No matter how much sand is added to the beaches it can be washed away to reveal walls and/or destroy structures.

It should also be noted that much of the sand under the water is not the white color that we use to see on the beach. They have yet to locate enough supply, matching the color specs, in close proximity to make it feasible