Geo tubes will save homes and dunes and make the beaches better

[EZ4144]

Hi Sowal.com- I came on here from a link someone sent me about the talk about the septic tanks on the beach which really won't be a problem anymore beecause they will be protected from high water by this geotubes system. wanted to share some photos that some of my neighbors are putting in a t gulf trace. I know a lot of other owners are also going to do the same thing all along the beaches and they have been proven to work just fine in other places. This product is a series of textile bags that can be filled with water and then any color sand for a permanent application and covered with 3 feet of sand to prevent erosion of the dune and provide a restored dune. The sand can be cheaper dirt like seen in the photos cause it isn't going to be spread by waves or anything else. This method is really infailable. Thge Dep doesn't stop it like some other things like boulders or seawalls.

 

[Smiling JOe]

Are you sure that is not a future artificial reef? Or, perhaps a dump truck of dirty sand surrounded by synthetic material just waiting to be punctured by a floating walkover? If I were a betting man, and I am not, I would put a wager out that I will see these things swept out to see or at least onto the beach, where no one will be able to drag it back before unloading all of the dirt from it, or in time before sand covers it up. Good Luck!

 

[BeachDreamer]

I'm wondering how long it would take to decompose and release the dirt held within. It doesn't look likely to last more than a few years...

 

[DBOldford]

Have to wonder how well this big raft would hold up to a sharp piece of rogue walkover lumber adrift in a storm or a piece of rusty rebar. I have a vision of it floating in a stormy Gulf or on Western Lake, leaking its "cargo" like some kind of hazmat jellyfish. I'm not at all confident.

 

[Richard]

As I noted over in the emergency meeting thread, I have no real knowledge of this system and therefore have no opinion for or against it. I am happy new potential solutions are being looked at by the county and local residents. I do know that both the DEP and U.S Fish and Wildlife say the systems do not work. The county asked the DEP about using it and were told no.

Attached is a report the DEP contracted on the protect tube in Gulf County.

Notes:
Protect tubes are designed for 5 to 10 year storms not hurricanes

At the site in Gulf County, erosion was about the same as adjacent unprotected properties.

At the site, after hurricane Ivan flanks were installed on either end and
they resulted in additional erosion

At the site, erosion was induced landward of the structure (lee side) and
a trench under the homes was created. Since this report was filed a retaining wall has been constructed landward of the protect tube.

 

[Kim Smith]

Are they allowed to do something like this without the approval of the county?

 

[Richard]

The county is not too good about enforcing their own rules and regulations. They often ignore DEP and U.S. Fish and Wildlife requirements. Enforcement is generally complaint driven. If no one complains nothing happens. They say it's easier to ask for forgiveness and than permission.

 

[JustBeachy]

Have to wonder how well this big raft would hold up to a sharp piece of rogue walkover lumber adrift in a storm or a piece of rusty rebar. I have a vision of it floating in a stormy Gulf or on Western Lake, leaking its "cargo" like some kind of hazmat jellyfish. I'm not at all confident.

Took the words right out of my head, right on down to 'hazmat jellyfish'.

 

[Smiling JOe]

I am no scientist, but I know that there is no way that this geo (makes it sound natural doesn't it?) tube will be there after the next major storm. It will go just prior to the house. My question is, how can these things be labeled so that we can later identify the owner and make them clean up there poop?

 

[Miss Kitty]

There's a new book out...."Surrounded by Idiots"....haven't read it yet, but somehow I think there will be a VOL. 2!