Many of you are aware of the South Walton Community Council through our annual Back to Nature Festival. But you may not be aware of the decades long commitment to monitoring a broad range of issues in Walton County in our ongoing effort to pursue our mission statement, “To protect, preserve and enhance the quality of life and the natural environment o South Walton County.” .
We need the involvement of the community through both memberships and volunteer efforts.
On November 12, SWCC had a general membership meeting and a recap of this year’s efforts were presented by both Anita Page, executive director, and Ella Caro, President of the board.
Anita presented the following issues, which she has been pursuing through the year:
-Proposed damning of the Little Choctawhatchee river in Alabama, which would affect the river and Bay in Walton County.
--The attempts to close Deer Lake State Park Research on proposed closing of parks state-wide and alternatives to closing. Presented info and suggestions to the State. The State determined to leave parks open..
--Trail maps for the TDC. SWCC gathered information for trails maps for a pamphlet for the TDC. Also developing maps which have trails sumperimposed on aerial photos available for downloading. .
--Turtle lighting ordinance
--Customary usage of beach issue
--Fast food restaurant proposals on 98 and 331 Research design standards for fast food restaurants in other areas.
--Storm water engineering in platted subdivisions.Researched and made suggestions to allow vegetation to be incorporated into stormwater plan as an alternative to clear, fill and grading of each lot.
--oil and gas research on industry spill history for rigs, pipelines, storage tanks, refineries, ship transport
--Comprehensive Plan amendments. SWCC has participated in content for all of the elements that will be used in rewriting the county’s Comp plan
A number of forums were held by SWCC during the year including:
- a well attended forum on Transect zoning,
-an information session with the Sheriff,
-a film following the 3,000 mile journey of a sea turtle,
-a film on the overproliferation of plastics followed by information from Walton County on local landfill issues, and
-a presentation from Nokuse plantation on the historical and current significance of the longleaf pine ecosystem.
Issues and events we expect to monitor or be involved with in the coming year include:
-Oil and gas drilling in Florida state waters (up to 10 miles from shore )
-Water issues. There is a renewal of talk to pipe water from north Florida to central and south Florida as their development has exceeded their ability to supply water.
-A turtle fest to be held in spring to kick off the turtle nesting season.
- Earthday celebration.
-Continuation of amendments to the Comprehensive Plan and subsequent amending of the Land Development Code.
Ella Caro presented the membership with information about this year’s Back to Nature event, which had more participants than ever. The membership had an opportunity to view the three films on turtle safety that were underwritten by SWCC. The 5 minute film about how to protect turtles has been requested by coastal groups throughout the United States and the Caribbean for use in educating tourists and citizens. Ella also noted that a large group of volunteers came out for the annual clean up, on July 5th , and 120 bags of trash were collected.
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South Walton Community Council - Home
And consider becoming a member of SWCC.
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