Posted on July 21, 2025
GULF COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – There are over 1,000 homes on Cape San Blas. However, erosion over the years has caused two homes to be condemned, and put 30 more at imminent risk.
The erosion is not just hurting homeowners.
“We’re losing a lot of turtle eggs, losing dunes. We’re losing habitat for all the species that live in this area, and we’re losing properties and losing tourism interest and coming to the area because of the nature of how the beach looks in many of the areas with the erosion, there’s exposed stumps and debris,” Cape San Blas homeowner Maria Thomas said.
In past renourishment projects, they have just added sand back to the beach. They’ve found a more permanent solution, they will be adding breakwater structures to the Gulf.
They are submerged rock structures that will absorb the impact of waves. The total project is expected to cost $34.5 million.
The county is providing $24 million, and residents pushed the state legislature for the other $10 million. They recently found out that the funding was approved by Governor Ron DeSantis.
The coastal community association wanted to thank Representative Jason Shoaf for his help in getting the project to the finish line.
They named Shoaf their “Superman”.
Shoaf wasn’t able to attend the meeting in person, but he spoke to residents on a phone call,
News 13 spoke to Shoaf last week about the project.
“Now that this money has been approved, and once the county has this structure installed, now we can bring in sand, we can save the homes on Cape San Blas. Unfortunately, we’ve already lost too many homes. And so now I think it will protect folks’ investment. It’ll help secure our future with tourism in this community and make this area even a better place to live,” State Representative Jason Shoaf said.
Now that they have received funding, beach restoration is in the near future. But the “Save the Cape” battle isn’t over yet.
The last thing they need is a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Before they supply the permit, the Army Corps consults with U.S. Fish and Wildlife and the National Marine Fisheries Service, who give them information about the project.
Residents say one of them is taking longer than expected.
“The consult from National Fishery Services has been going on for basically almost three years. And so it seems like we often get word that maybe they’re kind of close to completing their consult, but then it just never kind of crosses the finish line. So that’s the one last piece that we’re really hopeful can move forward,” Shoaf added.
Companies had the chance to make a bid request to work on the project.
At Tuesday’s Gulf County Commission meeting, they will open the sealed bids to see the proposed cost of the project.
