What would you spend BP money on?

[tsutcli]

Here's a picture I picked up off Facebook of a beach in one of the Carolina's. Notice the pier. Ruins what would be a beautiful sunset celebrating Nature with a man-made monstrosity. Doesn't it seem out of place? Don't do this to 30a.

 

[Bob Wells]

Not sure about the tubes, but I would agree with beach nourishment. The Walton County Hurricane and Storm Damage Reduction federal feasibility study (Federal Project Step 2) will be done later this year and we hope to start the Preliminary Engineering and Design phase (Federal Step 3) later this month. Step four would be construction, but it will take a little while to get there FY 2014-15 is the current goal. I would expect a workshop later this year once we get a little more information. We held one last year at a BCC meeting.

To date, all activities related to these studies and beach nourishment projects (since 1998) are funded through the 1% bed tax collected for beach nourishment by the TDC. Beach Nourishment is also listed on the County's priority list.

http://www.tencate.com/TenCate/Geosynthetics/documents/Geosystems/BRO_Containment0207.pdf
Here is something similar to what I thought I had seen. I especially like the part about the breakwater and the possibilities. Just didn't want you to think I was crazy.

 

[BeachSiO2]

http://www.tencate.com/TenCate/Geosynthetics/documents/Geosystems/BRO_Containment0207.pdf
Here is something similar to what I thought I had seen. I especially like the part about the breakwater and the possibilities. Just didn't want you to think I was crazy.

Oh no, I don't think you're crazy, I just am not a fan of structures in the water when you have a coastline that is fairly stable. Our problem is storm damage from hurricanes and tropical systems that make landfall and take huge chunks of dunes. These geotube-type strategies are typically employed where you have constant, ongoing erosion in multiple feet per year and you are trying to slow it. Solutions for storm-driven impacts are typically sand.

 

[miznotebook]

Would artificial reefs be considered structures in the water, and would they have any impact on sand accretion or erosion on the beach?

 

[DuneAHH]

Would artificial reefs be considered structures in the water, and would they have any impact on sand accretion or erosion on the beach?

This site http://www.reefmaker.com/ provides a wealth of information about artificial reefs... the different types of structures, combinations of those structures coupled with location & placement based on seabed characteristics offering unique and different habitat benefits... including possible wave attenuation during storms that can help mitigate beach erosion.

I believe more data on wave attenuation / coastal erosion studies exist for estuarine waters than gulf waters. Also, South Walton's coastline is completely unique in that it is the highest elevation (at Blue Mountain) anywhere along the Gulf of Mexico. Walton County's 4 existing reefs are old and located 3-7 miles offshore.

 

[30A Skunkape]

I love the idea of artificial reefs near enough shore to kayak out to and anchor for snorkeling and fishing.

 

[Leader of the Banned]

Here's a picture I picked up off Facebook of a beach in one of the Carolina's. Notice the pier. Ruins what would be a beautiful sunset celebrating Nature with a man-made monstrosity. Doesn't it seem out of place? Don't do this to 30a.

Personally I think the pier looks gorgeous in that photo. It makes the photo look more interesting. I'm all for a wooden pier. A concrete one on the other hand, no way.

 

[Jdarg]

Personally I think the pier looks gorgeous in that photo. It makes the photo look more interesting. I'm all for a wooden pier. A concrete one on the other hand, no way.

So a large amount of money is spent on the design and construction of a wooden pier, and we watch it go away in a big storm. Bye bye money. Not to mention it's proximity to a coastal dune lake.

 

[Lake View Too]

I really, really, really do not want a pier, no matter what it would be made of. Repeat this mantra: we love the natural beauty of this area...we love the natural beauty of this area...we love the natural beauty of this area... don't ya feel better now, and have wiped out all notions of construction into the Gulf...

 

[Leader of the Banned]

So a large amount of money is spent on the design and construction of a wooden pier, and we watch it go away in a big storm. Bye bye money. Not to mention it's proximity to a coastal dune lake.

I'm simply commenting on the appearance. For me, the natural beauty argument doesn't carry much weight. The money issue, yeah maybe. I think structures can enhance the natural beauty if done correctly. They are what make this area so distinctive. I like the walkovers as much as I like the dunes. I like docks and piers as much as I like bodies of water. If done correctly.