Posted on February 14, 2024
Flagler County residents began to get text messages Monday with a survey to weigh in on a beach nourishment project.
The county wants to hear from residents and business owners about how they use the beach and what they would like to see done.
This is part of an effort by county commissioners to learn from people who use the beach and what’s important to them.
Flagler Beach resident and business owner Carla Cline has lived in Flagler Beach for over 30 years, and she says the beach is her go-to place.
“I surf. I love the ocean, and I have a business here. So, yeah, this is this is my happy place,” Cline said. “The beach is what carries our county. That’s why people move here (…) And, you know, our tourism is based on the beach. So, taking care of it is something that we should make a high priority,” Cline said.
The survey asks respondents whether they are a resident or business, how do they feel about a beach nourishment program to maintain the beaches in Flagler County, and other related questions.
Flagler County Engineer Hamid Tabassian says investing in this program will benefit the county financially.
“For every dollar that is being spent by the federal, state, on the beach nourishment program, it is $8 in return either from the tourism benefits that the county gets or from basically the damage that gets avoided,” Tabassian said.
He says they want to hear from as many residents as possible.
“We need to hear from them,” Tabassian said. “We are here for if they have any questions, there’s a number for them to call, you know, to verify, make sure that, you know, this is a valid survey that we’re looking to get their comments and see how they feel about this.”
Cline says over the years she has watched the beach fall apart and disappear into the ocean. That’s why she is so concerned about its future.
“Every day when I come up and I see how high the tides are and how much erosion that we have gone through, it makes me nervous. It makes me sad,” she said.
She encourages everyone to take the survey and says it only took her a few minutes to complete.
“If you can do something about it, you should. And I feel like if people have to invest, then they’re maybe going to take more care of it or be aware. So, it’s all about education and learning about the sand dunes and where you live. And when you take care of something, you appreciate it,” she continued.
If any resident didn’t receive the text message, the survey is also available online on the Flagler County website.
County officials say the beach renourishment project will begin on July 5.
