- March 27, 2024
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The County decided Monday, April 11, to support Flagler Beach’s opposition of the Florida Department of Transportation’s proposed sea wall, saying a study need to be finished first.
Stretching 19 miles, the beaches in Flagler County are viewed as “major economic drivers” for the city of Flagler Beach and the county as a whole, officials said Monday, April 11, at a County Commission workshop. And, because of that, the Flagler Beach City Commission and the Flagler County Board of County Commissioners plan to do everything they can to deter the Florida Department of Transportation from constructing a sea wall spanning four miles of beach between South 13th and South 14th streets, along Scenic Highway A1A.
The purpose of the sea wall is to prevent erosion to A1A. The county has been seeking funds for years to complete a study that would determine a long-range plane for beach renourishment, and commissioners believe the study should be completed first.
At the workshop, the commissioners discussed a letter they plan to send out to state representatives.
“To have one agency jump ahead unilaterally, in advance of the completed study, with such a permanent solution, is not acceptable and wastes the millions of local, state and federal dollars that have been invested to date on the study,” the draft states.
Because the FDOT currently has set aside $6 million for the first phase of the proposed sea wall, officials are suggesting it be spent on finishing the beach renourishment study — which would take about 18 months and cost nearly $1 million, County Administrator Craig Coffey said.
“Ultimately, the study may call for the sea wall, but let everybody weigh in and don’t just use stimulus money because you have it lying around,” Coffey said.
Commission Chairman Alan Peterson said it’s important to emphasize the dual-purpose of both the study and the protection of the road, adding: “It would be the most efficient utilization of the funds if we can find a solution that solves both issues.”
Flagler Beach City Commissioner Jane Mealy said, “The inter-agency collaboration is extremely important,” referring to FDOT, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the local and state local governments.
Mealy added the biggest factor is the beach’s economic impact, adding: “The beach is our economic driver.”
County Commissioner George Hanns said the distance from Interstate-95 to the beach along State Road 100 is the shortest distance to the beach anywhere in Florida.
The County Commission will finalize a version of the letter Monday, April 18, at its regular meeting before sending it to legislative representatives.