Destruction of Eastern Lake

[GoodWitch58]

Not everyone from north of the Bay fits into that category, SJ. There are many families from what has become known as North Walton who have for years enjoyed the paradise that has become known as South Walton--what we always called simply The Beach--who do care deeply about protecting it.

I agree that the evidence does not always point that way, and too many people do not get actively involved. But believe me, many people do care. What has happened here makes them sad too.

Brannon is on a fast track and he's looking for wealthy contributions. Unfortunately, IMO, he isn't able to see the treasure he has right in front of him.

 

[Smiling JOe]

Goodwitch58, my statement about those guys north of the Bay refers specifically to the County Commissioners, not the general public.

 

[GoodWitch58]

Okay. So, in that case, they probably don't care too much about the north part of the county either unless it somehow benefits them personally!

 

[scooterbug44]

Well, regardless of their Walton County regional affiliations and lineage, I want some political accountability and don't want giving up a public right of way to a private individual to be a solution!

 

[TreeFrog]

I've been there at high tide and seen waves washing into the outfall.....

Agreed. Me, too. But that's waves, not an full tidal flow. I'm still puzzling over how a significant amount of salt water can flow into the lake without a storm.

 

[TreeFrog]

Well, regardless of their Walton County regional affiliations and lineage, I want some political accountability and don't want giving up a public right of way to a private individual to be a solution!

Once again, I'm reminded that the total property taxes and number of votes in the hands of individual property owners FAR outweighs that of the small number of developers who exert influence disproportionate to their stake. What bugs me about politicians, great and small, is that they sell our resources (schools, property rights, health care, whatever) worth millions or billions, not to mention the lives affected, for such a small amount as the political contributions they receive. We have to make it clear to these folks that we will indeed organize and FUND an effort to turn them out of office if they ignore the public. And then follow up when they don't respond. They can ignore that warning at their own peril, as the President and the Republican party did in the last Congressional election.

 

[Smiling JOe]

In this week's issue of the Walton Sun, there are two letters from readers regarding Eastern Lake with opposing views on the health of the Lake. It is a good read for anyone interested. I tend to agree with Christian's point of view on the health of the Lakes.

 

[TreeFrog]

In this week's issue of the Walton Sun, there are two letters from readers regarding Eastern Lake with opposing views on the health of the Lake. It is a good read for anyone interested. I tend to agree with Christian's point of view on the health of the Lakes.

I just finally found this week's paper. What's interesting is that the supposedly opposing views can actually pretty much coexist. Christian states that the lake's current condition is largely to be expected given the weather for the last couple of years. It seems reasonable that the lake should move toward fresher water without a major influx of salt water from storms or tidal wash up the outflow.

Meanwhile, Tedd focuses largely on the Worth Williams situation, which is a problem regardless of the lake's condition.

Once again, thanks to the Sun for publishing informed viewpoints.

 

[Smiling JOe]

Good point TreeFrog.

I would also like to point out that many other of our coastal lakes have a similar elevation above the Gulf, as Eastern Lake, and they too, rarely open to the Gulf, and usually only do so in letting out water, not taking salt water back in. As stated earlier, Worth William's clogged the outflow by importing sand which blew into the outflow. However, Eastern Lake is not much different in its open and closing than our other coastal lakes. The only difference is there are more Lakefront homeowners on Eastern Lake than the other ones.

Tonight, at the BCC meeting, the Commissioners were considering purchasing the property to the west of the public easement for the outflow. It is not a cheap lot as it is both Lake front and Gulf Front. I surely hope they realize that the outflow will go where ever it wants to go, and the County doesn't need to purchase property to funnel it through.

The BCC did decide to request a special permit from the DEP so that they can open the outflow for "emergencies." I'm not sure what constitutes and emergency, but I think they need to leave nature alone.

 

[TreeFrog]

It's probably a safe bet that an emergency is when a lakefront homeowner gets worried about his back yard or dock disappearing under water.