Nourishment project halted until...

[Unplugged]

October :?:

Last night's news indicated they had stopped at Whale's Tail. According to the report it may resume after nesting season. Brad was interviewed for comment, but no update on the official site (http://www.protectwaltoncountybeaches.com/) as of 9:30 this morning.

[Beachlover2]

Found this on the website - this is sad - the beaches were looking so good where they had completed. Nature has done a good job of renourishing somewhat on its own in some areas - others are looking pretty bad.

Western Walton County Beach Nourishment Project

The Information Resources for Walton County Residents

Western Walton County Beach Restoration Project Timetable
On Sunday, May 7, a second Kemp's Ridley turtle was taken by the Liberty Island dredge. This resulted in an immediate shut down pending a review of the operations by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Through consultation with the National Marine Fisheries Service, the Jacksonville District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers notified Walton County and Destin that the project has been suspended until October 1, 2006. For more information, click here.

On Friday, April 28, a court order from the First District Court of Appeal found the state permit to be invalid because "constitutionally protected rights have been deprived without just compensation for property taken." The defendant, including the Department of Environmental Protection, The Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund, City of Destin and Walton County, is currently requesting a rehearing and en banc clarification. For more information, click here.

[yippie]

There is a meeting scheduled for Wednesday. Keep your fingers crossed.

[Smiling JOe]

http://sowal.com/bb/gallery/files/2/1/6/P5100012.JPG

May 10, 2006
Seaside

I thought the equipment had to be off the beach on May 01. :idontno: Am I misinformed?

[Beachlover2]

There is a meeting scheduled for Wednesday. Keep your fingers crossed.


Please let us know the outcome.

Thanks!!!

[kurt]

This morning, notification was given by the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) that the Walton County/City of Destin Beach Restoration project will be able to restart. The restart was facilitated by Mobile District loaning a Kemp's Ridley turtle take to the Jacksonville District. Before the project can restart, representatives of the Jacksonville District will be conducting a risk assessment on the Liberty Island Dredge. From the risk assessment, USACE will determine what if any additional measures need to be in place for the project. The restart date for the project has not been determined but is expected within a week. As this news is very new, additional information will be provided as it becomes available.

[Beachlover2]

:clap_1: :clap_1: :clap_1:

[Unplugged]

Interesting site (http://el.erdc.usace.army.mil/seaturtles/project.cfm?Id=425&Code=Project) showing project status from a different perspective. The photos just break your heart :( :( :(

[kurt]

On Sunday, May 21, the Liberty Island Dredge took a second loggerhead turtle resulting in the immediate shut-down of the project. On Monday, May 22, 2006, the US Army Corps of Engineers through consultation with other federal agencies determined that the project should not continue and an immediate suspension shall go into affect until October 1, 2006.



Over the following days, Walton County and the City of Destin worked to determine if there are any additional avenues for restarting the project before October 1. On May 25, 2006 it was determined that the project would not be allowed to restart prior to October 1. The reason for the suspension was that the project resulted in four turtle takes and the US Army Corps of Engineers has determined that given the abundance of sea turtles in the area of the borrow area, as well as the sea conditions and the location of and shape of the borrow area, it is not possible using a hopper dredge to continue without undue risk of turtle takes.



To date, we have completed approximately 19,750 feet (53 %) of the total project, and about 77% of the Walton County portion. There are 17,450 feet remain to complete the project. The project has currently placed approximately 1.45 million cubic yards of sand since the project began in February. Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company, LLC has commenced demobilization. Additional meetings will be held between all parties involved to determine the next steps and information will be provided as it becomes available.