Posted on August 27, 2018
An area along the coast is disappearing and is in desperate need of sand to be rebuilt. While another area is filling up with sand and potentially blocking boats from passing through the harbor.
A project that would potentially fix the problem has been proposed but, keeps getting postponed.
As the East Pass fills with sand, parts of Holiday Isle are eroding and washing away.
The proposed dredging of the East Pass in Destin would kill two birds with one stone. The problem is, some residents say the sand doesn’t belong on holiday isle.
“This favoritism to the inaccessible private beaches over Okaloosa Islands’ public beaches, needs to end,” said Dave Sherry, Okaloosa County Resident.
“On the east side, it is critically eroded and on the west side, it is apparently not. So, to me it’s pretty simple,” explained Kelly Windes, Okaloosa County Commissioner.
Part one of the dredging project is to use a third party to assess what area needs the dredged sand most. However, it would cost more than $400,000 to complete the study. A few commissioners are concerned that they will be over paying for this service. There is an overlap with another study that is also being completed.
“I have to trust the engineers. I’m not one. So, they say that within the Inlet Management Plan, which plainly states, the sand should go where it is most needed,” said Windes.
Okaloosa County Commissioners decided to table the discussion and wait for more details on the scope of the studies but, postponing the project discussions puts the situation in the East Pass at a higher risk.
“The stalling is not good for anybody in my view. We need to get on with it. We have entertained this dredging project for the last six months. We have been working towards funding and resolution and, here we go another two weeks,” warned Windes.
At the next meeting on September 4 in Crestview, the Okaloosa Commissioners will address the projects and determine what will happen next.
Source: myPANHANDLE
