Posted on April 24, 2018
Through out the years, the Destin pass has shrunk causing safety concerns for boaters.
“When the pass itself, or the bar I should say, is compromised by being shallow and not having enough depth, any sea out of the south quadrant and wind out of the south creates a dangerous situation,” District 5 Okaloosa County Commissioner Kelly Windes said. “You could hit bottom, you can broach, you can capsize. All of which has happened over the years so that’s what we’re trying to avoid.”
In early April, Congressman Matt Gaetz requested emergency funding to bring the pass back up to standard.
The city of Destin received National Resource Damage Assessment money for the initial dredging phase north of the Destin bridge.
Now, commissioners are looking for a long term solution.
“It’s certainly an urgency. Destin’s east pass is typically in rough weather, can get dangerous. The dredging has not been up to par in the last couple of years. Our neighbors on the east and west have got more dredging than we have. Our pass desperately need help,” Windes said.
At Tuesday’s meeting, the board selected a business to start negotiating another dredging, but the company won’t be able to start until September.
“We had hoped to incorporate further work out in the channel and the east pass, but the dredge capability and timing didn’t work out for us. This is kinda plan B. I for one think its the right move and we’ll be better off for it,” Windes said.
County officials said the company selected has a larger dredge than the others, and expects to complete the work in three weeks, depending on the weather.
Officials also said waiting until after summer gives them time to apply for more funding assistance.
“We want it to be safe and truly navigable,” Windes added.
The first offer came in at $2.4 million, which they say they plan to negotiate.
Source: WJHG.com
