Re-nourishment workshop presents many viewpoints
The Estero Island Beach Restoration Workshop at the Pink Shell Resort Thursday, July 16, left a valued impression on those who attended to form their own conclusions about beach nourishment and associated property rights for the shoreline of Fort Myers Beach.
The nearly three-hour workshop began with an introduction from Moderator Joy Hazell of Florida Sea Grant and seven presentations from town, county, state and federal officials and experts on coastal processes, beach nourishment, state law, property rights and beach-side habitat. A brief panel discussion and a question-and-answer session followed.
Many views were presented for and against the proposed project which Lee County Commissioner Ray Judah -the second presenter- referred to being in its 11th hour.
Below is a brief synopsis of each speaker’s presentation:
* FMB Mayor Larry Kiker listed a few projects that were “pulled off the shelf” by his town council including beach nourishment which he stressed a decision needs to be made.
“This thing has been around for 12 to 14 years with a stop and go process,” he said. “What’s different about this process is that it is almost over. What’s most important is that when a decision is made, we all pull together. The process has been put in place. When the majority speaks, let’s make this the best beach ever.”
Kiker admitted he was originally against the project because he thought dunes and vegetation was a bad idea due to the possible spreading of the planted vegetation. He changed his mind when he learned about a management plan by the Marine Resources Task Force that controlled that spreading.
“It’s that kind of mentality and that kind of deliberation that we need to have together to make this a better project,” he said. “This is a time to gather your own information and it is our job to support you.”
* Lee County Commissioner Ray Judah applauded Pink Shell’s effort to provide “wonderful beach dunes and vegetation that separates the building from the beach itself” and the Army Corps of Engineers for the current dredging project that -even though sand wasn’t added directly to the beach due to incompatibility- will benefit the island in the long run.
“Even though sand was deposited offshore, it’s still within the system,” he said. “We will benefit with the natural sand transport process which will eventually make it onto the beach.
“This decision will be made this year. Lee County has maintained our commitment to the beach re-nourishment project and have agreed to advance the federal funding to the tune of some $3.5 million in addition to our $3.5 million and $2 million from the state and no more than $1 million from the town to be able to accomplish this project. I believe it’s that important to the community not just for what some people feel for recreational benefits but clearly to provide for protection of your property and your lives.”
* Bill Waichulis, who is the managing director of Boykin Management Company which is the owner/operator of Pink Shell, stated the current condition of the beach is eroding and results in lower visitation to the resort.
“When we were doing some marketing, we were trying to figure out why guests come to the Pink Shell,” he said. “After surveying about 2,000 guests, we found out the top three reasons was 1) beachfront location; 2) holiday; and 3) beaches. For activities, number one was going to the beach.
“We signed our easement and we have the sea grass dunes out on the beach which haven’t affected our guests in any way. In the three years that I’ve been here, the beach is probably half the size now. “
* U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Project Manager Jacqueline Keiser presented some facts through statistics to help attendees make an educated decision.
“The facts are that beach nourishment benefits include recreation, the environment and, certainly, the economy,” she said. “For every $1 spent on beach nourishment, there’s at least $4 in reduced storm damages. For that same $1 spent, there’s approximately $320 gained in tourism. In Florida, beach nourishment contributed $52 billion to the national economy in 2007. There’s no doubt the beach is the biggest part of the economy in Florida. Your biggest benefit here is hurricane and storm insurance.”
* Lee County Manager of the Division of Natural Resources Steve Boutelle gave a history of coastal management, erosion problems and an account of local towns -Gasparilla Island, Captiva, Sanibel- who have recently received beach nourishment
“The State Board of Environmental Protection believes that beach erosion is a serious menace in Florida,” he said. “This project qualified for the Army Corps of Engineers based on storm damage reduction. There is enough erosion in these locations to threaten infrastructure or wildlife habitats.
“All of those projects that have been constructed have included vegetation. This is a necessary component of a healthy beach system. Unlike some of the other projects, this project is virtually all paid for out of a larger pool of public funds. If the (funds) don’t go here, they will go somewhere else. Every engineer that has evaluated this project consistently has come to the conclusion that this project is at least more appropriate to the duress on this island.”
* Town of Fort Myers Beach Environmental Sciences Coordinator Keith Laakkonen is the author of the Beach Nourishment Project Vegetation Management Plan.
“This concept of the vegetation management plan has never been done in the state of Florida,” he said. “The goals of this plan is to serve as a vegetation plan. It implements the objectives of the Town Comprehensive Plan and the Land Development Code. It’s an incentive for property owners. It’s also going to encourage a community stewardship to the beach. And, in my opinion, it will potentially increase property aesthetics.
If the project is a go, Laakkonen said an assembled team will meet with every property owner to determine what set of dunes and vegetation and location for them is best suited.
“We’re going to line these up between properties and scout out which works fine,” he said. “What exists naturally will be protection for the beach. The key part is if you have enough vegetation there that meets that criteria, you might not have to plant much or any at all.”
Laakkonen listed what property owners can control through the management system including where to plant; sand spurs; trimming sea oats and other vegetation; raking within two feet of managed beach zone; rope and ballards.
“This plan has been sculpted to give you more control and more ability to have control over the future of your beach then you’ve ever had before,” he concluded.
* Florida Department of Environmental Protection Administrator Lucy Blair explained about what happens to property lines when a beach is re-nourished.
“Our rules are based to create a balance between the use of the criterion owners along the beach or along any other shoreline and the use of the general public for recreational purposes like boating and fishing,” she said. “Right now, upland parcels that are held under private ownership, that ownership ends at the mean-tide water line, Below the mean-tide water lines, those lands are owned by the state of Florida held in trust for the general public. When beach re-nourishment occurs, an erosion control line is set at the location of the mean-tide water line.
“From that day forward, those lands after beach re-nourishment that are created waterward of the mean-tide water line are still owned by the state of Florida. Those lands that are landward of the mean-tide water line, now called the erosion control line, are still in private ownership. The state doesn’t change ownership because of this beach re-nourishment.”
* Beach resident and FMB Civic Association Director Frank Schilling offered some opposing views to beach nourishment. He centered on the erosion part.
“There are only two eroded areas on this beach,” he said. “All the other areas on the beach are stable or accrued. The beach at Red Coconut RV Park and Bowditch Pointe Park is growing.
“After 10 years of easement collection failure, taxpayers want solutions and there are solutions out there on managing the sand. We need to learn how to manage our beach. This is not an erosion-based project.”
* Beach resident and Land Planning Agency Board Member Joanne Shamp is the author of “SANDMAN: A Comprehensive Sand Management Program. She expressed the feelings of those who are opposed to the project.
“Structures erode the beach,” she said. “There is no doubt the location of structures can not be compensated by eight current re-nourishments at this point. Our town streets illegally drain and erode our beach. Our pools drain illegally on the beach. We compact the sand excessively for our recreation, creating erosion.
“The real problem is that we have no comprehensive sand management plan in our town. Despite our activities that create these great impacts, our beach is still stable from engineering reports. The Corps artificial beach projects provides absolutely no solutions for these problems. The town needs to solve structure issues near the pier; fund our storm water drainage system; raking policies for sand building and voluntary design options to help those properties that have sea walls exposed. We should consider new technology.”
The question-and-answer session focused on many topics ranging from drop-dead dates before expiration of easement permits; could funds be allocated for other projects and will taxes be raised.
Two similar questions combined into one caused raised eyebrows: Who will pay in the event of a big storm comes through and damages the beach and shoreline area if we do not re-nourish?
“It sounds like a special improvement taxing district, Mr. Mayor, because I don’t see the support from the state, the feds or the county,” said Judah. “I’m just saying out loud, but I believe it’s going to be the way it will play out if you give up this opportunity.”