Beach Restoration Initiatives along the 30A Corridor
Updated June 2, 2009
The TDC continues permitting for a beach restoration project for the 30A Corridor. We are happy to report that a major milestone has been passed regarding permitting; however, the downturn in the economy is likely to delay the construction of the project.
As previously reported, the sand source investigation has been completed. There are two locations off the South Walton coast, which have sand that is similar in size and composition to the native sand. The sand color is slightly darker at 7/2 on the color scale (8/1 is the native sand ranking). Greg Stone, LSU professor and consulting geologist, has stated that the sand will bleach to the same color of the natural beach over time.
Step two is to obtain permits. Since receiving the Notice of Completeness in February for the Phase II Beach Restoration for the 30A Corridor permit, we have been working with the FDEP to address concerns they have regarding project areas and maintain the continuity of all four project areas. To date, the permit has not been finalized and we are continuing to dialogue with the FDEP to determine the final approved project areas.
As previously reported, we have received a letter from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Panama City Field Office stating that the review of our permit was complete and they have drafted their permit conditions. These permit conditions were expected and will not cause any exorbitant measures. As expected, they are ready to issue the permit, but are delaying the issuing of the permit until the state issues their permit for our project.
In September 2008, the County’s FY 2009 funding request was submitted to FDEP. The request is for additions to two existing grants that the TDC currently oversees for the monitoring of the Western Walton County Beach Restoration Project, and the construction phase of the Phase II 30A Corridor Beach Restoration Project. The Florida Legislature has now approved the final budgeted amounts for the FDEP and as expected, we will only receive funding for the monitoring of the Western Walton County Beach Restoration Project, and not funding for the Phase II 30A Corridor Beach Restoration Project this fiscal year. The state is beginning to prioritize their limited funds even more heavily on those projects with a federal cost share so our involvement in the federal process is even more important.
In regards to the federal shore protection process, We continue to coordinate with the Mobile District (District) on the study report. Staff and consultants participated in a meeting with the District on May 13 to determine the final milestones that need to be met in order to complete the study and gain a favorable Chief’s report. This report is necessary for the Walton County Shore Protection Project be included in the 2010 Water Resources Development Act. The meeting included representatives from the District, TDC, Taylor Engineering, Marlowe & Company and Seahaven Consulting.
In the meeting, the District outlined the remaining steps in the review process. In many cases, there are review time requirements that are out of their control. However, the District team will be pushing the project through the review steps as expeditiously as possible and we will be watching closely. The next step is review by the South Atlantic Division in Atlanta.
One item that should assist the process is in regards to involvement by the North Atlantic Division’s Coastal Center of Expertise (PCX). This group will provide a technical review of the project report to identify any possible hiccups that might occur from this point forward.
In March 2009, Walton County, through their consultants, submitted the FY 2010 federal funding request to Representatives Boyd and Miller and Senators Nelson and Martinez for the federal shore protection study. The request includes $200,000 in funding for the completion of the feasibility study and design and engineering of the Walton County Shore Protection Project. In meetings in March with Congressional staff from all offices, the importance of funding the federal shore protection study for Walton County was stressed.
In June, we received good news that once again both Senator Mel Martinez and Senator Bill Nelson have requested the Walton County Federal Shore Protection Study be funded for $200,000. This is the first step in the funding process that will take the next few months but it is critical to our success. We will continue to follow this request and report as more information becomes available.
The timeline for the permitting process is dependent on three important factors:
| 1. |
Permitting - The review by three federal agencies, and two state agencies can take up to several years. For example, it took two years to receive all permitting for the western Walton County project. Delays included administrative hearings and lawsuits filed by affected owners.
All technical information for the Phase 2 Beach Restoration for the 30A corridor was collected and analyzed from 2004-2007; the most time consuming portion of the data collection and analysis was finding offshore sand resources to place onto the beach. The technical information and sand source findings served as the design basis for the permit application that was submitted for review in July 2007. Technical permit review is ongoing; however, issues regarding project areas remain that are being negotiated. |
| |
|
| 2. |
Funding –The project is estimated to cost between $40-50 million. All funding sources for the project have not been identified at this time. In addition to bed tax revenues dedicated to beach restoration, the TDC continues to pursue state and federal grants for the project and will research all funding opportunities that are available. Unfortunately, the amount of state grant funding that has been historically available continues to be reduced as the state faces tough economic times. In the final budget, there were no state grant funds available in 2009-10.
With little to no state funding and limited TDC bed tax dollars available, the remaining balance for the project will need to be raised from local and federal funds. TDC bed taxes for beach nourishment are already pledged to secure a $10 million loan for the Western Walton County beach restoration project. Fortunately, Walton County has been pursuing federal funding since 2002 and that process continues to move forward. The federal process is longer than the state funding process but if the project is authorized by the federal government, they will be a partner for 50 years. Pursuing this funding stream remains a high priority for Walton County.
|
| |
|
| 3. |
Litigation –Although the State Supreme Court ruling has been made in favor of the FDEP and Walton County, there will still be opportunity for administrative challenges and lawsuits as the project moves forward. To date, there is no outstanding litigation affecting the project; however, the plaintiffs requested a rehearing by the State Supreme Court that was denied in December 2008 and we are waiting to see if there are any other avenues of litigation that will be pursued. |
| |
|
The TDC continues to move through the process as effectively and efficiently as possible with a likely start date no earlier than 2010. This start date is contingent on achieving all three factors positively and expeditiously.
More information will be provided as it becomes available on
www.protectwaltoncountybeaches.com.
|
|
