- April 23, 2024
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Flagler County will seek to have a portion of its coastline designated as a flood protection and wildlife preservation facility, a move that could ease the process of applying for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for beach dune reinforcement or repairs.
"I believe it behooves us to get our entire beach built up to protect our citizens and their homes."
—GREG HANSEN, county commissioner
County Commissioner Greg Hansen proposed the designation change during a County Commission meeting Dec. 2, adding that he would like to see the county establish an erosion control line and add additional sand to the areas that county staff has already renourished, so that they will have protection comparable to the areas that will be built up by the Army Corps of Engineers in its beach renourishment project in Flagler County.
“I believe it behooves us to get our entire beach built up to protect our citizens and their homes,” he said. “This opens the door to go to the feds. ... It opens the door to get funding before a disaster, and put sand on the beach.”
The designation would require the approval of the Legislature and the governor’s signature, he said, but would then make beach projects in the county eligible for FEMA funding under “much less onerous rules.”
The designation could be drafted such that it would not hinder residents’ beach access rights, County Attorney Al Hadeed said. The commission decided to designate $250,000 for the delineation process.
