Emergency BCC Meeting - 8/1/05

[sarawind]

It may not take using eminent domain and the purchase of those houses to have them removed. Once the beach line moves inland such that those homes are now on "public access" beach, the owner may be responsible for removing them.

For example, in Galveston, Texas erosion of the beaches has caused the mean high tide line to move behind or under some homes. Therefore they are now on Land owned by the State of Texas. The land the homeowner's had owned when they built their homes is gone. Under Texas law, the homeowner's are responsible for removal of their homes. Florida law of course may be different.

Don't let the beaches be destroyed just to save a couple of private individuals vacation homes. It was a risk they took when they bought on the beach.

How is the beach being destroyed by private homes? Are you talking about the dark sand that is being dumped at Blue Mountain? Please explain.

 

[sarawind]

It may not take using eminent domain and the purchase of those houses to have them removed. Once the beach line moves inland such that those homes are now on "public access" beach, the owner may be responsible for removing them.

For example, in Galveston, Texas erosion of the beaches has caused the mean high tide line to move behind or under some homes. Therefore they are now on Land owned by the State of Texas. The land the homeowner's had owned when they built their homes is gone. Under Texas law, the homeowner's are responsible for removal of their homes. Florida law of course may be different.

Don't let the beaches be destroyed just to save a couple of private individuals vacation homes. It was a risk they took when they bought on the beach.

Where did you get your info on Galveston? I read that the hurricane damaged houses were built without following legal guidelines and are the only private dwellings involved. Also, when did the Texas Land Grant office make this ruling as I read the decision has been delayed.

 

[katie blue]

How is the beach being destroyed by private homes?

hi sarawind-
i'm a complete novice to this, but he may be referring to the issue that a beach is an organic thing, naturally shifting with time. And gulffront construction creates a "permanent" wall that impedes the natural regeneration of beaches and dunes, for a number of reasons. for one example, dunes are created by wind-blown sand. buildings near the dune line create a wind barrier--ie, the wind can not "blow through"--and thus the dune can not regenerate itself once damaged. erosion becomes inevitable. this can be evidenced throughout walton county. we still have dunes, but only in areas with minimal or no coastal construction.

i can't imagine gulffront owners ever willingly giving up their property though. as we're learning, money talks. however, i wonder if in the future gulffront houses could become more eco-friendly, allowing for a more aerodynamic shift of sand and wind? or perhaps mandating that gulffront house be temporary/movable structures that do not require creating immovable seawalls and foundations?

kate

 

[Smiling JOe]

How is the beach being destroyed by private homes?

hi sarawind-
i'm a complete novice to this, but he may be referring to the issue that a beach is an organic thing, naturally shifting with time. And gulffront construction creates a "permanent" wall that impedes the natural regeneration of beaches and dunes, for a number of reasons. for one example, dunes are created by wind-blown sand. buildings near the dune line create a wind barrier--ie, the wind can not "blow through"--and thus the dune can not regenerate itself once damaged. erosion becomes inevitable. this can be evidenced throughout walton county. we still have dunes, but only in areas with minimal or no coastal construction.

i can't imagine gulffront owners ever willingly giving up their property though. as we're learning, money talks. however, i wonder if in the future gulffront houses could become more eco-friendly, allowing for a more aerodynamic shift of sand and wind? or perhaps mandating that gulffront house be temporary/movable structures that do not require creating immovable seawalls and foundations?

kate

I told you she was smart. :clap_1:

 

[ShallowsNole]

I take issue to the comments in this and other threads - and to the reports - that the damaged/destroyed properties more or less brought it on themselves by building how and where they did. Speaking as a private citizen and a life-long SoWal, most of the private houses that were built on slabs and are in danger of collapsing - particularly at Blue Mountain Beach - were built long, long ago. Another thread mentions that they were sited seaward of the coastal construction line. Well, sure they are now - but when they were built, there was PLENTY of back yard between the back of the house and the bluff.

While I'm sure that most of those properties are no longer owned by the families that built them, I would not say that there was a lapse of judgment on anyone's part. I personally never envisioned that much erosion. I also guess that we are all a bit stressed.

 

[Smiling JOe]

I take issue to the comments in this and other threads - and to the reports - that the damaged/destroyed properties more or less brought it on themselves by building how and where they did. Speaking as a private citizen and a life-long SoWal, most of the private houses that were built on slabs and are in danger of collapsing - particularly at Blue Mountain Beach - were built long, long ago. Another thread mentions that they were sited seaward of the coastal construction line. Well, sure they are now - but when they were built, there was PLENTY of back yard between the back of the house and the bluff.

While I'm sure that most of those properties are no longer owned by the families that built them, I would not say that there was a lapse of judgment on anyone's part. I personally never envisioned that much erosion. I also guess that we are all a bit stressed.

If I had 100 feet of Gulf-front yard, it would not be enough for me. As I mentioned, change is inevitable. Build on or near a body of water, and you need to consider time and change and the effects they could potentially have on your property. High or low, you may get wet, or fall down. When people try to stand up eye-to-eye with Mother Nature, she is likely to slap you in the face from time to time. This is just my observation. I have seen first hand and understand the importance of barrier islands as a buffer from the mainland, and I know that I take a risk by building here. I also know the importance of primary and secondary dunes. We don't have many dunes left, just elevated land, probably backfilled by man, I don't know. In my opinion if you build or buy in front of secondary dunes you are asking for trouble, yet these homes are built on top of what at one time may have been primary dunes. I guess I will shut up now and let Mother Nature take over.

 

[Wildernester]

Many of us have built our houses on sand. In doing so, we should accept the risk along with the reward. The fact that there is sand is an indication that water and wind have been there before. It's a pretty good bet that Mother Nature, or whatever you choose to call that cosmic force, will send it there again, regardless of what we do.

Let's direct our efforts to keeping whatever Mother gives us as pristine as possible, so that while it is here, we and others can enjoy it. As I sit on the beach at sunset and see beer cans, cigarette butts and candy wrappers, I wonder if we deserve whatever beach we are given. And while my vehicle bears a beach drivng permit, I am having second thoughts. Without warning, it, too, could deposit the contents of its crankcase on the beach.

 

[Kurt]

Many of us have built our houses on sand. In doing so, we should accept the risk along with the reward. The fact that there is sand is an indication that water and wind have been there before. It's a pretty good bet that Mother Nature, or whatever you choose to call that cosmic force, will send it there again, regardless of what we do.

Let's direct our efforts to keeping whatever Mother gives us as pristine as possible, so that while it is here, we and others can enjoy it. As I sit on the beach at sunset and see beer cans, cigarette butts and candy wrappers, I wonder if we deserve whatever beach we are given. And while my vehicle bears a beach drivng permit, I am having second thoughts. Without warning, it, too, could deposit the contents of its crankcase on the beach.

Just like a good dog owner, you would clean up your vehicle's poop. ;-)

I am trying to focus on the "smaller" things I know I can get done or help get done - education, sand fencing, litter cleanup, dune protection, debris removal, lake protection, etc.

 

[sarawind]

If I had 100 feet of Gulf-front yard, it would not be enough for me. As I mentioned, change is inevitable. Build on or near a body of water, and you need to consider time and change and the effects they could potentially have on your property. High or low, you may get wet, or fall down. When people try to stand up eye-to-eye with Mother Nature, she is likely to slap you in the face from time to time. This is just my observation. I have seen first hand and understand the importance of barrier islands as a buffer from the mainland, and I know that I take a risk by building here. I also know the importance of primary and secondary dunes. We don't have many dunes left, just elevated land, probably backfilled by man, I don't know. In my opinion if you build or buy in front of secondary dunes you are asking for trouble, yet these homes are built on top of what at one time may have been primary dunes. I guess I will shut up now and let Mother Nature take over.

I also take issue with the comments that the damage was done by homeowners - the damage was done by storms. My gulf front property was built along guidelines set up by the government and followed to a 't'. These guidelines change from time to time and will continue as circumstances change. Maybe the " let's blame the homeowners crowd" are folks pea green with envy.
I have seen so much damage done here by tourists that it's sickening. Sliding down dunes on
plastic garbage bags, boogie boards, etc. I've seem them throw garbage on dunes and beach, let their dogs poop and just keep on walking. No one takes them to task or even considers educating them. I've seen them dig big pits for fires at night and leave them, I've picked up enough trash on the beach to build a mountain. As a homeowner here who loves this area and it's people I deeply resent being blamed for all the wrongs that storms have wrought. The suggestion that beach front homes be taken from homeowners is beyond the pale. If my home can be 'taken' from me, then I ask, is your home safe?

 

[Kurt]

Maybe the " let's blame the homeowners crowd" are folks pea green with envy.

I know all gulf front homeowners don't look down on beachgoers with disgust, that would be so sad if true. On the flip side there are probably some beachgoers who look up at homeowners not with envy, but disgust.

Maybe you're right. Maybe it is just a "have" vs. a "have not" issue. But realize, and accept without resentment, that the general public believes there would be no crisis, or restoration issues, if there existed no development too close to the water. The fear is that attempting to "correct" the beach environment will harm it, which has happened here and elsewhere. It is a fear of development and the destruction of nature, which of course many gulf front homeowners also fear.

I understand how you might take some posts on this board personally. But on the bright side, hopefully other information and perspectives can help by adding insight to your predicament and even possible help and solutions. I see all sides represented here. There are more people that don't own gulf front than do, so expect more posts from those that don't. I'd like to see more input from gulf front owners, but I know many are busy taking care of business and property.

I have seen so much damage done here by tourists that it's sickening. Sliding down dunes on plastic garbage bags, boogie boards, etc. I've seem them throw garbage on dunes and beach, let their dogs poop and just keep on walking. No one takes them to task or even considers educating them. I've seen them dig big pits for fires at night and leave them, I've picked up enough trash on the beach to build a mountain. As a homeowner here who loves this area and it's people I deeply resent being blamed for all the wrongs that storms have wrought. The suggestion that beach front homes be taken from homeowners is beyond the pale. If my home can be 'taken' from me, then I ask, is your home safe?

A lot of which you speak is discussed on this forum often. a lot of education goes on right here. As well as ways to spread the word and help our community. If you check out some of the other threads and posts (over 13,000 now) you will see that. It is one of the main reasons I keep the forum going. To be part of the solution and not the problem.