Beach funding washes away in current economy

Walton County received news in March that appropriations from the Omnibus 2009 Bill, in the amount of $565,000, were awarded to the county for its beach nourishment project.

However, those funds are earmarked for the U. S Army Corps of Engineers, according to Sonny Mares, director of the Walton County Tourist Development Council.

For the past seven years the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers has been responsible for conducting the feasibility study funded by Congress of the "critically" eroded beaches in South Walton.

"Completion of the study is necessary for a permit to be issued," said Mares.

Even with a permit in place funding may not be available for several years, according to Mares.

The total cost for the study, which began in 2004, stands at $1.9 million from federal funding and matching funds from Walton County and the state for a total of $3.9 million.

In 2007 a bond (loan) in the amount of $10 million was issued for the nourishment project of seven miles of beaches in western Walton County. It is to be repaid in equal installments over 10 years, based on future revenue from bed taxes.

"Because of that, if we had a permit today, we would not be able to pledge any room tax revenues," said Mares. "We have to find other funding sources to continue with beach re-nourishment."

Mares estimates the total cost of the project, which will include 20 miles of beach in South Walton, will run between $40 million and $60 million.

Walton County has 26 miles of beach and the proposed project would bring sand to the toe of existing dunes to provide additional protection from storm surge and natural erosion.

Beaches from Dune Allen Beach to Inlet Beach on County Road 30A, with the exception of state park beaches and the seven miles already completed in western Walton County, are slated for the nourishment project.

The downturn in the economy has had a major impact on funding. According to Mares, all shore protection funding has been halted at the federal level.

Mares spent two days in Washington, D. C., last week talking with congressional committees to find avenues for future funding and keeping the nourishment regarded as a federal project.

Mares said no explanation was given for freezes in funding for the Shore Protection Act.

At the state and county levels the slow down in real estate plays a critical role in the amount of money committed from doc stamps, taxes collected by the state on every sale of real estate for beach protection. Mares said he isn't sure how much the state will be able to commit to future funding.

"The reason we're working so hard in deeming this a federal project is the federal government will fund 50 percent of the cost and partner with us on the project for 50 years, taking much of the burden off the county," he said.

With everything yet to be determined, both with the feasibility study and finding money, nourishment of the beaches in South Walton may not begin until 2012, or after, according to Mares.

Those who wish to track the project's progress may do so at www.protectwaltoncountybeaches.com.