Seawall installation - behind Seagrove Villas

kurt · 10-12-2005, 03:19 PM

wetwilly · 10-12-2005, 03:26 PM

Yikes

That wall looks huge. I guess unless they tear down the "Inn" they have to fortify it somehow. But the sand that they are backfilling that with is brown dirt.

Not to wish it upon anyone....but....what happens if/when a storm comes thru and blows away the wall and then the brown muck is spread all over the beach?! Maybe there is no other option here?

Thoughts??

kathydwells · 10-12-2005, 03:33 PM

OMG, I am in shock!!!! This is where I have stayed the last 7 years I have been to SoWal. We stay in the 3rd room down from where kurt took this picture, right out the back door. I have tears rolling down my face. I can't believe they are having to do this. The sand looks awful. I have so many mixed feelings about it. I want to be able to stay there again, because we have so many memories there, and I truly love it. However, at what cost. I just don't know how I feel.

Coast is Clear · 10-12-2005, 03:53 PM

You think it looks big from this side you should see it from the beach!

We were on the beach this last weekend, and this was the tallest seawall structure by far. (Though there were many others under construction)

Pretty shocking

hi n dry · 10-12-2005, 04:18 PM

Do you think this seawall meets the requirement as being placed “as close to the structure as practical”?.

Yesterday I walked by and there was a “stop order” from the county requiring removal of the red sand.

Check out the pilings to the west of this seawall that I presume are to be used to construct another monster seawall about 30 feet out on the beach.

I also checked out the seawalls at Blue Mountain beach public access-they really intrude onto the beach.

If you have concerns about this you can contact County Commissioner Cindy Meadows at: "Cindy Meadows" <meacindy@co.walton.fl.us>

Wastin Away · 10-12-2005, 05:19 PM

Yesterday I walked by and there was a “stop order” from the county requiring removal of the red sand.

As big of an issue as this has been, beach front owners should know the color of sand that is to be brought on to the beach. IMO, there should be a mighty heafty fine imposed on those owners who are allowing this "dirt" to be placed on the beach for their wellbeing. These requirements are established for a reason and the county should not have to be going out everyday and putting a stop work notice on someones work because of the improper color of the sand. I am thankful our hard earned tax dollars are at work.

Snapper Grabber · 10-12-2005, 05:43 PM

Is it true that all seawalls have to be covered with sand and planted with vegetation?

TooFarTampa · 10-12-2005, 06:14 PM

I saw those pilings hi n dry (hi neighbor) over the weekend. Those are for seawalls? The seawalls are wood? Pardon me?

Can someone explain to me what this is all about. I know that even battered concrete seawalls can crumble and fall apart. How will this wood not rot? Covered by sand that can and will get damp? Water (rain, tides) will seep through the sand and wick right into that wood. Won't it? I just don't understand it. IT MAKES NO SENSE. Someone explain. Please.

seagrovelover · 10-12-2005, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kathydwells

OMG, I am in shock!!!! This is where I have stayed the last 7 years I have been to SoWal. We stay in the 3rd room down from where kurt took this picture, right out the back door. I have tears rolling down my face. I can't believe they are having to do this. The sand looks awful. I have so many mixed feelings about it. I want to be able to stay there again, because we have so many memories there, and I truly love it. However, at what cost. I just don't know how I feel.

I thought about you the minute I read this , remember it is still the same place that you love and you will make new and wonderful memories here. It does look bad, but that will get filled in and possibly have grass on top?? The charm of that place will surely still remain, just with the lack of sand dunes. WE CAN STILL PAR-TAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Seagrove Beach will always be that special place you enjoyed for so many years.

aquaticbiology · 10-12-2005, 07:13 PM

my favorite place place to stay in pcb (best western del coronado) got torn down for a condo parking lot - so which is a worse way for it to go, natural disaster or man-made mistake. from the look of the building, even if the seawall holds for next season, you will eventually have to look elsewhere for you new favorite place as this one appears to be having a pretty rough time.
gotta go, but I feel your pain.

TooFarTampa · 10-12-2005, 08:53 PM

hi n dry -- is this what you meant? I snapped this pic on Sunday at Seagrove. Those pilings are bizarro.

kathydwells · 10-12-2005, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aquaticbiology

my favorite place place to stay in pcb (best western del coronado) got torn down for a condo parking lot - so which is a worse way for it to go, natural disaster or man-made mistake. from the look of the building, even if the seawall holds for next season, you will eventually have to look elsewhere for you new favorite place as this one appears to be having a pretty rough time.
gotta go, but I feel your pain.

FYI, the building itself is in great shape despite the fact that the dunes are gone. Natural disaster or man-made mistake, either are a bad way to go if it a place you love. When you get back down there go and take a look at the Villa's, they have been there a very long time, but are kept up very well. Yes, and I too feel your pain AB.

kathydwells · 10-12-2005, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seagrovelover

I thought about you the minute I read this , remember it is still the same place that you love and you will make new and wonderful memories here. It does look bad, but that will get filled in and possibly have grass on top?? The charm of that place will surely still remain, just with the lack of sand dunes. WE CAN STILL PAR-TAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Seagrove Beach will always be that special place you enjoyed for so many years.

It is still the same place that I will always love. I will continue to go as long as I can. I am sure they are doing everything they can to save it. I am very unhappy with the color of the sand as I am sure all of us are, I hope they will be able to correct that. Yes, we can still Par-tay..and I am sure I will for many years to come. And just think, even if it is never able to open up again, at least I can say I met you there the last time I stayed there!!! I try to think positive about everything!! Thanks for your thoughts!

Beach Runner · 10-12-2005, 09:20 PM

Can't wait to walk down to see Seagrove Villas' seawall tomorrow. Hope I don't forget the digital camera.

Our beach looks great, but I see they've decided to spend our tax dollars to scrape again. How pointless! It will happen naturally. Does some county official approve the scraping so his/her best bud makes money off the scraping?

sarahj · 10-12-2005, 10:49 PM

Sitting here at the computer looking at that awful dirt I am thinking, why are they allowing that to happen? If I had the responsibility of doing something about it I might take a different view. It is just so sad to see and sad to think of any of the beauty of the area being spoiled.

SHELLY · 10-13-2005, 07:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sarahj

It is just so sad to see and sad to think of any of the beauty of the area being spoiled.

Money trumps nature every time. But it kind of makes me wonder--if it looks this bad when they didn't get smacked full force by a hurricane, just how bad will it look if they do? I don't think those wood and dirt seawalls will stand up to a good solid shot from a Cat 3--and trying to remove that brown dirt from th beach will be like picking fly poop out of pepper.

aquaticbiology · 10-13-2005, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SHELLY

if it looks this bad when they didn't get smacked full force by a hurricane, just how bad will it look if they do? I don't think those wood and dirt seawalls will stand up to a good solid shot from a Cat 3--and trying to remove that brown dirt from th beach will be like picking fly poop out of pepper.

my point exactly - go make some more memories while you can! we would have gone a lot more (1 weekend once a month at least) if we had known what was in store for our place. take a lot of pictures, especially of friends there as they will be scattered at their new favorite places. I hope the seawall works and it stays forever, but nothing is permanent in this dynamic environment. that whole area of the beach will probably end up armored anyway.

kathydwells · 10-13-2005, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aquaticbiology

go make some more memories while you can!

I plan to, many, many more.

Quote:

Originally Posted by aquaticbiology

take a lot of pictures, especially of friends there as they will be scattered at their new favorite places.

We won't be scattered, we will alway's stay together somewhere!

hi n dry · 10-13-2005, 09:16 AM

TooFarTampa:
The pilings in your picture are of the preparations to rebuild a public access ramp.

The pilings I referred to are on the beach in front of the property just to the west of and adjoining Seagrove Villas.

hi n dry · 10-13-2005, 09:21 AM

the pilings to west of Seagrove villas

hi n dry · 10-13-2005, 09:36 AM

Seagrove Villas seawall from the beach.
This was taken Oct 11, 2005. This shows removal of red sand as ordered by county.
Note how far out onto the beach the seawall is-the rules state that it should be constructeed as close to the structure as practical. If they would have done that they wouldn't have had to buy so much sand to fill it in.

In addition, the farther back the seawall the less likely it would be destroyed by a storm surge. Also if they would have put it closer to the structure as they are suppose to do they could have put more sand and seaoats put in front of it to help protect it.

This seawall will just contribute to erosion (when the surf reaches the pilings/seawall it will create an eddy and suck out the sand) and in a storm will just add to the pile of debris that taxpayers will have to pay to remove.
It is also likely that it could eventually become an obstruction to beach use.

We all need to call our county commisioners.

TooFarTampa · 10-13-2005, 10:41 AM

Thanks for the clarification and pics hi n dry. I agree that this has gotten out of control.

Smiling JOe · 10-13-2005, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hi n dry

the pilings to west of Seagrove villas

Seawall installation - behind Seagrove Villas-sewlo11.jpg

Looking at your photo, if they place sand seaward of the seawall at a 2:1 slope, the sand will be in the Gulf, and there will be no beach.

ktschris · 10-13-2005, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TooFarTampa

hi n dry -- is this what you meant? I snapped this pic on Sunday at Seagrove. Those pilings are bizarro.

This photo was taken of the exact spot where we set up every day for our vacation. I thought it would have started to look better since June, but I think it looks worse. Is the walk over from the Beacons condos gone?

TooFarTampa · 10-13-2005, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ktschris

This photo was taken of the exact spot where we set up every day for our vacation. I thought it would have started to look better since June, but I think it looks worse. Is the walk over from the Beacons condos gone?

Ktschris I don't know. I did notice a number of walkovers had not been rebuilt, but I don't know the landscape that well so I could not tell you which one. It might be worse than June (were you there post-Arlene?) but is probably better since Dennis. I was kind of immune to it since I had seen so many photos here, but my husband was surprised. I was happy that the beach seemed pretty wide and there was some nice white squeaky sand. The dunes of course remain a mess.

ktschris · 10-13-2005, 01:15 PM

TFT - I know what you mean. I've been looking at those photos too. But most of the time when I see one, I kind of recognize the area, but that is the first photo I've seen that actually showed the place we stayed. In June we had 2 houses on Periwinkle - 7 condos in the Beacons and 1 house on the other side of the Beacons.

TooFarTampa · 10-13-2005, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smiling JOe

Looking at your photo, if they place sand seaward of the seawall at a 2:1 slope, the sand will be in the Gulf, and there will be no beach.

SJ that totally makes sense. The sand will do what it will do, and it will naturally slope at that 30 degree angle. So in order to keep the wall covered the the new "dune" will go WAY out there. Seriously, that's ridiculous. It's as if they are trying to reclaim the land but the coastline has changed so it is imposssible. Can this be stopped and the wall moved back? Please tell me it can.

hi n dry · 10-13-2005, 02:27 PM

Who you can contact regarding your concerns about seawalls:
CONTACT NUMBERS *

DEP: ***************Tony McNeal- Permitting officer *************850-921-7745
USF&W: ***********Janet Mizzi-Deputy Field Supervisor ******850-769-0552 *ext. 247
FF&WCC: *********Kipp Frohlich ***************************************850-922-4330

County Commissioners contact information:

District 1: Commissioner Scott Brannon *
19367 U.S. Hwy 331S
Freeport, FL 32439
Tel: (850) 835-4860
Fax: (850) 835-4836
E-mail:* brascott@co.walton.fl.us

District 2: Commissioner Kenneth Pridgen *
17400 State Highway 83 North
DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433
Phone: (850) 834-6328
Fax: (850) 834-6385
Email: prikenneth@co.walton.fl.us

*3. Commissioner Larry Jones
Donna Walsinkham, District 3*Executive Assistant
1483 County Highway 1087
DeFuniak Springs, FL. 32435
Phone: (850) 892-8474
Fax: (850)892-8475
e-mail: jonlarry@co.walton.fl.us

4. Commissioner Ro Cuchens
Commissioner Cuchens can be reached at (850) 835-4834.
His office is located at 417 Highway 20 East in Freeport.
Email: cucro@co.walton.fl.us

5. Commissioner Cindy Meadows
90 Spires Lane, Unit 7-A
Santa Rosa Beach, FL. 32459
Phone: (850) 622-3059
Fax: (850) 622-3067
e-mail:* meacindy@co.walton.fl.us

Snapper Grabber · 10-13-2005, 02:35 PM

It almost seems as if no one is in charge to make sure nothing inappropriate is built on the beach. Those in the positions of authority and local government need to have what is best for the beach and the environment as their number one priority,

katie blue · 10-13-2005, 02:45 PM

I'm on the east end of 30a, in Scott Brannon's district. I've written and called him on several occasions with opinions or to ask questions, and without exception, I've never received a response of any kind from him. Doesn't make you feel terribly "empowered."

hi n dry · 10-13-2005, 04:57 PM

County Commissioner Cindy Meadows has acted on my concerns.

Smiling JOe · 10-13-2005, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hi n dry

County Commissioner Cindy Meadows has acted on my concerns.

Rita · 10-13-2005, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katie blue

I'm on the east end of 30a, in Scott Brannon's district. I've written and called him on several occasions with opinions or to ask questions, and without exception, I've never received a response of any kind from him. Doesn't make you feel terribly "empowered."

That just plain stinks!

Paula · 10-14-2005, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hi n dry

Do you think this seawall meets the requirement as being placed “as close to the structure as practical”?.

Yesterday I walked by and there was a “stop order” from the county requiring removal of the red sand.

Check out the pilings to the west of this seawall that I presume are to be used to construct another monster seawall about 30 feet out on the beach.

I also checked out the seawalls at Blue Mountain beach public access-they really intrude onto the beach.

If you have concerns about this you can contact County Commissioner Cindy Meadows at: "Cindy Meadows" <meacindy@co.walton.fl.us>

Here's a question. If the owners technically own to the high water mark only, what if the high water mark changes over time and goes beyond the seawall. Will they have to take down the seawall since they no longer "own" that property or do they get grandfathered in? I don't know if high water marks change, but if so, then it makes sense to plan ahead for this happening.

Paula · 10-14-2005, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katie blue

I'm on the east end of 30a, in Scott Brannon's district. I've written and called him on several occasions with opinions or to ask questions, and without exception, I've never received a response of any kind from him. Doesn't make you feel terribly "empowered."

Hi katie blue:

Are any seawalls/geotubes going up in our area of the beach (Seacrest area)? I know some new dunes were created by owners, but are there artificial structures under these dunes. I'll be there Nov. 10 - 15 to see for myself... Hope to see you around.

seagrovelover · 10-14-2005, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TooFarTampa

hi n dry -- is this what you meant? I snapped this pic on Sunday at Seagrove. Those pilings are bizarro.

This is right in front of where we have stayed for five years, what in the world??????

seagrovelover · 10-14-2005, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ktschris

This photo was taken of the exact spot where we set up every day for our vacation. I thought it would have started to look better since June, but I think it looks worse. Is the walk over from the Beacons condos gone?

Kath, looks like the san juan public walk is gone too!!!!! this is our spot

hi n dry · 10-14-2005, 10:34 AM

Those pilings are for the public access ramp, not a seawall.

katie blue · 10-14-2005, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paula

Are any seawalls/geotubes going up in our area of the beach (Seacrest area)? I know some new dunes were created by owners, but are there artificial structures under these dunes.

Well, as you might have seen, there's that house just to the east of us that has a huge (old) concrete foundation and staircase in front of the dune line that was uncovered by Ivan and Dennis. He just throws sand on it, rather than removing it. He's the one who always has a big new dune one week after the storms. When I was there last month, he was indeed building a new seawall too. not sure if it's permanent, but as I said earlier, I can't believe that any of these homeowners are going to spend add'l funds to have them removed once built. A local told me he's "bulletproof" because he's tied in with the county somehow. I'll take some pix next week when I'm down there.

kskeown · 10-14-2005, 02:07 PM

We won't be scattered, we will alway's stay together somewhere![/QUOTE]

You said it Kathy!!!
We have been vacationing together for 25 years and not even a hurricane can split us all up!!!! I don't know where exactly we will stay but you can count on the Keowns to be in Seagrove next summer !!!

kathydwells · 10-14-2005, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kskeown

We won't be scattered, we will alway's stay together somewhere!

You said it Kathy!!!
We have been vacationing together for 25 years and not even a hurricane can split us all up!!!! I don't know where exactly we will stay but you can count on the Keowns to be in Seagrove next summer !!!

[/QUOTE]

Hey Kathy!!!! You got it. We will be together somewhere!!!!!

Miss Kitty · 10-14-2005, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kathydwells

You said it Kathy!!!
We have been vacationing together for 25 years and not even a hurricane can split us all up!!!! I don't know where exactly we will stay but you can count on the Keowns to be in Seagrove next summer !!!

Hey Kathy!!!! You got it. We will be together somewhere!!!!![/QUOTE]

that's my pal, kathyd!! Sunnyside up as usual...she loves the beach and the beach loves her!!! Hey girl!!

Paula · 10-15-2005, 05:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katie blue

Well, as you might have seen, there's that house just to the east of us that has a huge (old) concrete foundation and staircase in front of the dune line that was uncovered by Ivan and Dennis. He just throws sand on it, rather than removing it. He's the one who always has a big new dune one week after the storms. When I was there last month, he was indeed building a new seawall too. not sure if it's permanent, but as I said earlier, I can't believe that any of these homeowners are going to spend add'l funds to have them removed once built. A local told me he's "bulletproof" because he's tied in with the county somehow. I'll take some pix next week when I'm down there.

Thanks for the information. I know the one you're talking about. I didn't know the seawall being built, but I've seen the new dunes in front of that property after every storm. I figured you have to have a LOT of money to keep rebuilding the dune and to do so immediately. I hope the rest of our area doesn't use seawalls. When I was there after Ivan last year in February, the beach was looking very nice again (relatively speaking of course) with the dunes being rebuilt by the county. They had a long way to go, but the sand was getting quite fluffy and the dune area had some slope. I'll be there Nov. 10 to see for myself. Hope the weather stays beautiful because I miss my tea and scones on the beach in the early mornings.

katie blue · 10-15-2005, 05:03 PM

Luckily, even with a few seawalls and dune damage, I think our seacrest beaches are going to look so much better next season than they did this year. We have a head start on the sand replacement, thanks to Katrina.

Looking forward to that sunlight over the water...wont be long now..