Beach restoration update

**SoWalSally** · 10-29-2006, 07:41 AM

Kriss Titus of the Walton County Tourism Development Council suggested to the BCC that the county may want to continue the western beach restoration effort without the cooperation of the City of Destin.

The two agencies had been working together until the project was delayed by excessive turtle takes in May. Titus said the company doing the work, Great Lakes Dredge and Docks, could not commit the same equipment that was utilized originally, but the TDC could move forward with smaller dredges.

Titus indicated that Destin offi cials were uncomfortable with the idea of remaining in a previous interlocal agreement with the TDC, and suggested moving forward without their approval. The BCC concurred, but Commissioner Larry Jones said termination of the agreement should be left up to Destin. If the TDC is able to secure a contract for the smaller dredge, work could be completed as early as March, 2007.

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Beach restoration project could resume this year

By David Magliano

The Walton County Tourist Development Council will begin negotiating with Great Lakes Dredge and Dock and the City of Destin to immediately continue the Western Walton County Beach Restoration Project.
The restoration project will repair 6,500 feet of beach in Walton County, and two miles of beach in Okaloosa County that eroded during Hurricane Opal in 1995 and Hurricane George in 1998. Before its halt, the project reconstructed more than 18,900 feet of Walton County beach.
Following the hurricanes, the TDC began a study on the beaches� ability to continue to act as a first defense against hurricane storm surge. The study found the beaches to be �critically eroded,� initiating the restoration project.
Beach restoration is accomplished by dredging sand from a separate site and pumping it underwater to the new site, which both lifts and widens the existing beach.
Construction began last February, but the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers stopped the project when they determined that too many turtles were killed during dredging.
Reaching nationally set limits on turtle takes can cause the shutdown of projects all along the Gulf of Mexico, not just in Walton County.
Timing of the restoration is important, said Kriss Titus, executive director of the TDC. If negotiations are quick, the project can resume in December, with construction completed by May 2007, before both the turtle nesting and hurricane seasons begin.
If an agreement cannot be reached, the county may need to use Liberty Island dredge for construction, which is not available for use until March or April of 2007.
�If we do not move quickly, Walton County is in jeopardy of available dredges being assigned to other projects,� said Titus. �We must restart the project now in order to complete construction of our beaches prior to the water warming and storm season beginning.�
The Florida Supreme Court is also preparing to hear a case brought by four property owners against the county, who feel their property rights have been violated because of the project.
The county is allowed to continue work while the case is heard, but if the court rules against the county, it will need to stop restoration.
With multiple issues looming in the summer, construction needs to begin quickly, said Brad Pickel, Director of Beach Management for the TDC.
�Based on everything, now is a perfect time,� said Pickel, �and time is of the essence.�
The $6.8 million cost to Walton County is being funded through state grants, bed taxes, and a loan against future bed taxes.

**SHELLY** · 10-29-2006, 09:50 PM

Originally Posted by SoWalSally

With multiple issues looming in the summer, construction needs to begin quickly, said Brad Pickel, Director of Beach Management for the TDC.
�Based on everything, now is a perfect time,� said Pickel, �and time is of the essence.�
The $6.8 million cost to Walton County is being funded through state grants, bed taxes, and a loan against future bed taxes.

Mr Pickel,

How is the county planning on structuring this loan? Details please.

**BPickelTDC** · 10-30-2006, 08:35 AM

Originally Posted by SHELLY

Mr Pickel,

How is the county planning on structuring this loan? Details please.

The loan has already been developed. It was structured as a 10-year loan pledged against future bed tax revenues (i.e tourist occupancy tax dollars). The initial amount was for $8 million dollars.

**southof30A** · 10-30-2006, 12:44 PM

Originally Posted by BPickelTDC

The loan has already been developed. It was structured as a 10-year loan pledged against future bed tax revenues (i.e tourist occupancy tax dollars). The initial amount was for $8 million dollars.

Any word on when we might expect some restoration action on the "forgotten 2 miles" on the eastern end of Walton Co., immediately west of Rosemary Beach? It is my understanding that restoration is planned directly east and west of this 2-mile section (which is also severly eroded...)

**SHELLY** · 10-30-2006, 04:13 PM

Originally Posted by BPickelTDC

The loan has already been developed. It was structured as a 10-year loan pledged against future bed tax revenues (i.e tourist occupancy tax dollars). The initial amount was for $8 million dollars.

Mr Pickel,

Why was the loan for $8 million when the cost was stated as $6.8 million?
The article also stated the restoration cost was going to be divided up between the loan <borrowed against future bed tax>, past bed tax revenue and a state grant?

How much <other than the $8-million loan> is being provided by the state grant and how much is coming from current bed tax? What is the total amount of all three that is going toward beach restoration?

Can you please provide a link which outlines details of this loan?

**BPickelTDC** · 10-31-2006, 01:19 PM

Originally Posted by SHELLY

Mr Pickel,

Why was the loan for $8 million when the cost was stated as $6.8 million?
The article also stated the restoration cost was going to be divided up between the loan <borrowed against future bed tax>, past bed tax revenue and a state grant?

How much <other than the $8-million loan> is being provided by the state grant and how much is coming from current bed tax? What is the total amount of all three that is going toward beach restoration?

Can you please provide a link which outlines details of this loan?

Sorry but that quote is a little confusing... The overall project amount for Walton County is going to be about $21.1 million if we have to construct it alone. Of that the state is paying about $4.2 million leaving WC $16.9 million. Of the $16.9 million amount, we currently have a loan amount of $8 million. The Beach Nourishment bed tax will cover the remaining amounts, and the loan amount may have to be increased.

There is no loan website link. It is a 10-year, $8 million dollar loan from SunTrust secured by bed taxes. The annual debt service is $842,249.28.

Shelly:

Now I have a question for you. Do you live in Blue Mountain?

**BlueMtnBeachVagrant** · 10-31-2006, 02:09 PM

Originally Posted by BPickelTDC

.....Shelly:

Now I have a question for you. Do you live in Blue Mountain?

Brad, what did I miss here?

**SHELLY** · 10-31-2006, 06:05 PM

Originally Posted by BPickelTDC

Shelly:

Now I have a question for you. Do you live in Blue Mountain?

No...I'm just an interested Walton citizen who pays taxes to the U.S. and Walton County

(< 1% interest??

)

**Miss Kitty** · 11-06-2006, 06:35 PM

Originally Posted by full time

Brad - if there are any funds remaining from the loan after renourishment, please pay yourself for answering Shelly's endless dribble.

**BPickelTDC** · 11-07-2006, 08:22 AM

Originally Posted by full time

Brad - if there are any funds remaining from the loan after renourishment, please pay yourself for answering Shelly's endless dribble.

Although I appreciate your support, it's a great dialogue that leads to opportunities for education. So, everyone play nice

**BlueMtnBeachVagrant** · 11-08-2006, 11:01 AM

Brad,

Thanks for your very thoughtful reply.

One comment you made caught my eye..."After the sand source analysis is completed and presented at the next workshop, we will have a better understanding regarding if the community and owners even want the project to move forward."

Here's hoping this resource is not that finite.

**BPickelTDC** · 11-08-2006, 11:24 AM

Originally Posted by BlueMtnBeachVagrant

Brad,

Thanks for your very thoughtful reply.

One comment you made caught my eye..."After the sand source analysis is completed and presented at the next workshop, we will have a better understanding regarding if the community and owners even want the project to move forward."

Here's hoping this resource is not that finite.

By the way all, the website www.protectwaltoncountybeaches.com has been updated with information for both beach areas:

"Western Walton County Project-under Weekly Update", and "Future Beach Initatives (for 30A communities)."

Brad

**BlueMtnBeachVagrant** · 11-08-2006, 11:44 AM

Originally Posted by BPickelTDC

By the way all, the website www.protectwaltoncountybeaches.com has been updated with information for both beach areas:

"Western Walton County Project-under Weekly Update", and "Future Beach Initatives (for 30A communities)."

Brad

From the above website.... "Currently, two areas are being developed for possible use. One is offshore between Seascape and Sandestin Resort, and the other one is near Blue Mountain."

That sand at Blue Mountain is ours. We paid for it after IVAN and lost it to Dennis. I could have saved TDC a lot of time and told them it was out there.

Seriously, Thanks!