To the editor:

In Joanne Shamp’s guest column “Opponent of Beach Project Studied, Have Alternative” in the News-Press on Saturday, July 18th, the opponents correctly criticize the fact that the Corps Project provides no solutions in dealing with erosion on our beaches.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has a horrible Florida track record. Their expertise originally changed the course of the Kissimmee River and now many years later are in the process of returning their mistake to the original flow areas at the cost of billions of dollars to the taxpayers.

Their dredging programs have also turned into multi- million dollar boondoggles (like perpetual war, only perpetual dredging).

Let’s look at the facts. Any beach dredging program is temporary at best. You lose 20 percent to 30 percent of the acquired sand in the first year with an additional 20 percent plus the second year, and usually almost 80 percent within five years. Of course, that is without a hurricane which may take it all in any given year.

Also, any dredging program destroys the natural food chain at its lowest common denominator, the micro-organisms. This is terribly detrimental to the natural eco-system and affects not only the beauty of our Gulf beaches but also fishing, boating, and tourism.

The natural alternative programs that opponents recommend like storm water drainage management, a sand management program, and vegetation planting programs are all helpful and should be the first line of defense.

Study of the impact of the inlets must also be undertaken. Experts agree that the critical issue to the balance of natural sand processes on an island will be establishing a sediment management program to control those erosive impacts, a responsibility that must be demanded of those in control of our navigation channels.

Let common sense prevail, stop defiling our beaches now. Please.

Jon Larsen Shudlick

Cape Coral

P.S. I am a five-term former mayor of Ocean Ridge, Florida, and have successfully battled the destructive influence of the Core of Engineers in Ocean Ridge. Our beaches are pristine and come and go at nature’s timetable.