Do seawalls have to be covered with Sand in South Walton?

After discussing this topic with a reader I made numerous phone calls to discover exactly what the laws on the seawalls in Walton County were.  I knew that there was a law stating that the seawalls had to be covered with sand, but I wanted to find out what the law stated and where it was located.  I spoke with Gary Demear in the building department, and he was able to answer all of my questions. 

Walton County has a comprehensive land use plan that determines how every parcel of land can be used.  You have probably seen many acronyms for this plan, for example VMU (village mixed use), or SFR (single family residential).  The comprehensive land use plan is in place to protect the community from overdevelopment/bad development, to protect the environment, and is the law recognized by the state.  In Walton County’s comprehensive land use plan it states that NO ONE can do anything on the coast that causes erosion.  County officials felt that seawalls increased the erosion of surrounding properties, which would make them illegal.  In order to clarify the point a specialist in beach erosion was hired from FSU to study Walton County.  This scientist presented before the BCC (Board of County Commissioners) his findings.  He stated that seawalls increase beach erosion especially to adjacent properties.  According to the comprehensive land use plan, this would make seawalls illegal.  This is where a great deal of debate between gulf front property owners and the county began.  The erosion specialist stated that covering seawalls with sand, AND KEEPING THEM COVERED would greatly reduce the effects of erosion.  The county is currently having another study done that will become part of the new HCP (Habitat Conservation Plan).  This study will continue over the next year.  Once the HCP is complete it will state clearly and precisely the codes and ordinances for seawalls if they are allowed.  Gary told me that seawalls will have to be covered with sand under this plan.  At this point no seawalls have been approved by the DEP (Department of Environmental Protection), and until they are they can not be considered permanent.  Gary also told me that if the DEP approves any seawalls they will have to remain covered with sand.  As I stated in a previous post, residents can and should keep an eye on all the seawalls along the coast.  Any seawall that is not covered, will have to be covered.  Gulf front property owners have the county tied up in the legalities of the wording of the Land Use Plan right now, but this will be cleared up in the next year to a year and a half.  

I just want to say that this issue is not about attacking gulf front property owners.  It is about gulf front property owners respecting the beauty and health of our home, and anything less than a covered seawall is disrespect. 

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Qualitative Growth

Is growth inevitable or is it something we can and should control?  Is the concept of smart growth in accord with biodiversity conservation?  There are those amongst us working to control development or at least steer it in a more condensed direction.  Sometimes this is fraught with much contention and anxiety.  Other times, concessions are made, plans are revised and all parties walk away with some sense of half satisfactory compromise.  Developers pitted against environmentalists, county officials pitted against taxpayers, locals pitted against second home owners, these relationships are inherently incongruous.  Theirs is a struggle that can’t be “won” or even compromised because the real struggle is something of an entirely different nature.  We are a part of the natural environment and in fact, inextricably connected to its successful continued operation, whether we choose to acknowledge this or not.  The struggle is in choosing to act upon this acknowledgment.

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S.W.E.L.L.

Thursday, June 21st marks the summer solstice and the first official day of summer.  To mark the occassion and continue our efforts to lead South Walton toward a greener future, we’ll be hosting another Green Meets that evening at Pizza By the Sea, 6:00 pm.  Please join us for an evening of great food, drink and conversation.  As part of the evening, Arix Zalace & Jen Kuntz will give a brief presentation of the new Blue Bag program that is well under way in SoWal.

Previously we’ve called this gathering of people, the South Walton Green Meet.  In light of the saturated, butchered and watered down usage of the words “green” and “sustainable”, we’ve decided to try out a new name S.W.E.L.L., South Walton Environmental and Low-impact Living.  Hmmm…that could be swell, as in “We had a swell time at the beach”, or think waves, or a growing gathering of people.  Only time will tell if it will stick.

If you find yourself interested in the following things, join us:
• Sustainable land development and construction
• Harmonious living with the earth and others
• Creation and preservation of beauty
• Socially conscious action
• Fascinating conversation
• Excellent food and drink

Pizza By The Sea, Thursday June 21, 6:00 pm
County H’way 395
Seagrove Beach, FL
(next to Watercolor Publix)

Drinks and food available for purchase.

We will have the S.W.E.L.L. gathering once a month at different locations in South Walton to appreciate each others’ company and provide a place for a conversation about living eco-consciously.
Hope to see you there.
• Janice Hatfield
• Chandra hartman

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The Mark of a New Era in SoWal

Last month marked the end of one chapter and the beginning of another.  The graduation of the child and reuniting of all the various step, grand and parental “units” (as my sister likes to call the respective mother / father and their marital partner) went without a hitch.  Well, except the little one involving me making party arrangements at the wrong clubhouse.  Sorry Beachside Villas.  Oops.  Anyhow, there have been graduations and weddings to attend over the last month, papers to write, books to read and projects to complete (still completing).

Among the projects is a Neighborhood Cooperative I’m constructing, loosely following a business plan model, with the intent of reuniting humans with nature and their communal roots.  More later, as this develops.  The Blue Bag program is finally under way and there are talks of a CSA or community garden or farmers market???  I say “or” because it’s in the works and the specifics haven’t been revealed yet.  I’m probably saying too much, though it is exciting and well, no one knows who the players are at this point, so what’s the harm?  The Green Meets is attracting the attention of a sponsor, no specifics on this development yet either.  Again, check back later for the facts.

This weekend marked a culmination of these small events that represent a growing body of local, energetic, powerful, eco-conscious individuals.  The fringes of South Walton County are starting to infiltrate and with some hope and momentum this small corner of the coast may just prove itself in the green department.

Today a group of 14 of us came together for a potluck luncheon featuring local and regional foods.  The tables were set outside in the southern heat, under a canopy of pines, bound together with prayer flags.  The tables were covered with Sari’s and adorned with pickle jars filled with magnolias, produce props and beautifully mix-matched napkins, chairs, plates and glasses.  The representation of food was incredible: Gulf shrimp & fish ceviche, venison burgers, inkberry tea, blueberry-peach chutney over Mahi Mahi, watermelon water, spinach & duck egg quiche, pepper jelly, lima beans, pasta w/ local veggies, peach & basil tea, black bean & soy bean salsas, lemon balm & kaffir lime tea, zucchini bread,and cantelope & cucumber salad.  There were other samplings, though these were the staples.  Great food, great conversation with the majority of food coming from local gardens, farms, the Gulf, Alabama and Georgia.

The point of all this is to raise awareness about the natural food amongst us in the environment and available at local markets.  Also, it is a way to re-connect with other humans.  Eating locally grown food is one of the most beneficial things we can do to restore local economies, build communities, reduce greenhouse gases and use of non-renewables.  It is at the core of what the re-localization movement is about.  Eating local in South Walton County takes a little effort, though it’s not impossible.  Among resources are the local health food store, For the Health of It, Cotton’s produce and Toni’s Perennials & Natives.  We have an abundant food supply right in the Gulf and the bay, just be sure to harvest fish and other creatures that are not endangered.  Try looking around your neighborhood.  Wild blueberries are in season now and blackberries just finished up.  These are just a few examples of what’s available.  More to follow…       

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