Okaloosa County Abolishes Island Beach Renourishment (USA)

Okaloosa County commissioners abolished the beach renourishment project, but they will maintain the county’s five year dredging permit.

The County commissioners held a public meeting Tuesday night to consider abolishing property assessed annual fees, or MSBU funding, to pay for the project.

A lot of residents showed up at the Emerald Coast Convention Center to give the County Commission their opinion about this project.

“Repeat with me, ‘No’ to Okaloosa Island restoration” stated one angry resident.

Opponents to the Okaloosa Island renourishment project say the proposed sand that is inferior and will destroy the famous “sugar-white sand”.

Some beach front property owners call on court to intervene and stop the project claiming they would not benefit from the new sand because it would belong to the state.

But the justices ruled against that argument saying it would actually help protect property owners from storms.

[mappress]

Dredging Today Staff, January 18, 2012;