Last updated 1/17/06 2:21 p.m.

What is the Western Walton County/Destin Beach Restoration Project?

When is the project scheduled to begin?

Project mobilization will begin January 23, and sand placement is scheduled to begin January 30, 2006. The project is slated for a 150 day construction deadline.

Who paid for this project?

The total project cost is $23 million. The five miles of beaches in Walton County will cost approximately $16 million. Walton County bed tax collections will cover $3 million, state grants will cover $5 million, and the Walton County TDC has secured an $8 million loan that is pledged against future bed tax revenue. Bed tax is paid solely by the visitors to South Walton County. No monies have been derived from Walton County Ad Valorem taxes.

What is the difference between beach nourishment/renourishment/restoration?

The beach is first restored, this is known as restoration. Restoration projects include dredging and pumping sand onto the beach. As the years progress the beach will be nourished (nourishment) with vegetation, sea oats, sand fencing, and most likely more sand. There is no such thing as renourishment.

Why not wait until after the next storm and let FEMA pay for the recovery?

In a disaster, FEMA will pay for up to 75 percent of recovery efforts for the restoration of an engineered beach. After the completion of the restoration project, it will be an engineered beach. On non-engineered beaches only emergency protection is eligible for FEMA reimbursement. Emergency protection is less than 10 percent of sand placed in a beach restoration project.

Logistics

Who will be working on the project for Walton County?

Brad Pickel, Walton County director of beach management, will be project manager for the county. Taylor Engineering, Walton County’s coastal engineering consultants will be the project engineers. Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company, selected through an request for bid (RFB) with the County, will be the contractor constructing the project.

How is the beach replenished?

The method involves dredging sand from an underwater borrow site approximately one mile south of East Pass and pumping it onto the beach through a submerged pipeline. The sand is used to elevate the existing beach, construct a dune and widen the beach.

How will the project proceed?

Specified within the project bid, the contractor has 150 days to complete the project. In order for Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company to meet this requirement, it must proceed as efficiently as possible. This means the project will be underway 24-hours a day, 7-days a week and will move from east to west, beginning with the farthest beaches from the borrow site. The project will begin at Four Mile Village in Walton County and end at Henderson State Park in Destin. Due to permitting restrictions protecting the Gulf Sturgeon, a threatened species of fish that migrate annually from the Choctawhatchee Bay and River into the Gulf of Mexico from winter through pring, a 3-hour wait is required between each dredging event at the borrow site. To ensure maximum productivity during the 3-hour delays, the Liberty Island, a large dredge that can hold more than 4,200 cubic yards of sand, will be used.

The time it takes Liberty Island to sail to the project area in Western Walton County, pump sand and return to the borrow site will ensure that upon Liberty Island’s return dredging can begin again. If the larger dredge was used on the western end of the project, it would require the contractor to enact a 20-minute wait time per cycle in which no work could be done. This occurs because the distance to the project area is shorter and the cycle takes less time.

The construction schedule presented by Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company outlines project work to begin on Jan. 23 and be completed by June 22, 2006.

Where can we find specific information on how the project is proceeding?

By visiting www.protectwaltoncountybeaches.com . This website was specifically created as an informational tool regarding beach updates. At protectwaltoncountybeaches.com you will be able to access a visual guide and interactive maps detailing the project. Continual weekly updates will begin Jan. 23.

How will the maintenance dredging of East Pass by the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers affect the project?

The location of the maintenance dredging is within the Gulf Sturgeon migration area, as is our borrow site. Therefore, we will have to coordinate the two endeavors to meet permitting requirements.

Why has this project taken so long?

The nourishment project has taken six years to complete. The project was delayed by research studies, a year-long lawsuit, and the permitting process, which ended this November. Since this time, the project has been steadily proceeding through the holiday season.

Environmental Concerns

What are Gulf Sturgeon?

Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi

A federally listed threatened species of fish that migrate annually from the Choctawhatchee Bay and River into the Gulf of Mexico during the winter months and return back to the bay and rivers beginning in March.

Why do we need to protect them?

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) designated the Gulf sturgeon to be a threatened subspecies, pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA). The listing became official on September 30, 1991.

Implications

How will the project effect spring/summer tourism?

As currently scheduled, the project should have minimal impact tourism. Since pumping will move quickly, only 500 feet of beach will be closed to the public each day. Once an area is completed the beach will be open for use. Visitors staying at resorts in impacted areas will receive extensive information regarding the project prior to and during their visit. Those staying at a property while its beach is being nourished will be directed to a nearby public beach area.

What can visitors expect during restoration?

Visitors can expect minimal disruptions, mainly just some noise in and around the construction area. The 500 feet of construction area will be roped off daily for public safety reasons. This roped off area will be the only portion of the beach that can not be used. Visitors, however, can lounge on the newly restored beach at a nearby public beach area.

What will the beach look like after it is nourished?

The beach will be about 75-100 feet wider. For the first month or so, the sand will look a shade darker than the native sand because it has been underwater. Once it is exposed to Last updated 1/17/06 2:21 p.m. the sun, rain and wind, the new sand will lighten and match the color of the native sugarwhite sand.

Will the sand feel the same when I walk on it?

Yes. The sand from East Pass was chosen based on its compatibility with native sand already on the beach. The grain composition, size and color are very similar, and once the new sand is exposed to the natural elements it will feel the same.

How is the placement of the new dune line determined?

The new dunes will be built in front of the existing dunes. In areas where no dune exists, the new dune will be built as far landward as possible. The dunes will be constructed to replicate the natural dune system and then shaped to provide additional habitat and storm protection.

What is an ECL?

It is the erosion control line. An erosion control line is established in beach nourishment projects to identify the upland limits of state ownership as required by Florida State Statute. Since the state of Florida holds all lands below Mean High Water in public trust for all to use, the location of the ECL is based on the location of the mean (or average) high water elevation. In western Walton County, the Mean High Water elevation is +1.06ft.

Will the beach remain private after nourishment?

All land owned landward of the ECL that is privately owned before the project will remain privately-owned. Any new sand that is placed offshore (seaward of the ECL) will belong to the State of Florida as that offshore area is currently state-owned. The state and county have no plans to encourage new vending along this stretch of beach; the project is strictly for property protection. Additionally, an ordinance was passed by the Walton County Board of County Commissioners that restricts vending on the newly constructed beach in front of existing private property. The ordinance restricts vending on public beaches unless there is written permission from the county and any private property owner whose property is landward and adjacent to the proposed vending location.

Have other beaches implemented similar projects with success?

Yes. Beach nourishment is a common environmental management practice used to restore beaches throughout the country. Successful projects have been completed throughout the state on beaches in Panama City, Miami, Brevard County, Pinellas County and Pensacola.

Why are we nourishing the beach when it will just wash away?

The purpose of the project is storm protection. We realize that storms will have an impact of the restored beach; however, the project will serve as the first line of defense against storm surge and waves that would lead to more damages.

Why are we paying for a beach that the public can’t access?

In Western Walton County there are parking and public beach access areas at the following locations; Seascape, Miramar Beach and three neighborhood beach accesses, including: Open Gulf, Sand Trap Road and Norwood Drive.