IMPORTANT LETTER FROM COMMISSIONER YEAGER

 CONCERNING GUSTAV FEMA APPLICATION 

Many of you received one or more communications from the Coastal Community Association (CCA) concerning the status of the FEMA funding application for post-storm recovery work as a result of Hurricane Gustav. Below you’ll find a letter from Commissioner Warren Yeager on the matter which we received today. Please pay particular attention to the last paragraph of Commissioner Yeager's letter and refrain from contacting any legislators, officials, etc., at this time.

Also, we’re working on a KEY CONTACTS FOR CAPE SAN BLAS form for you to complete here on the site in the near future. Grassroots communications are far more effective when they come from constituents, personal friends, relatives, campaign contributors and the like, so we want to compile this information on our property owners, visitors, etc. Stay tuned for more information once it’s available for you to fill out. Thank you for your support of the Cape. We have come a long way, but the journey will always continue. Let’s keep focused and working together!

COMMISSIONER YEAGER’S LETTER FOLLOWS:

Paula,

As a follow–up to our recent discussions on keeping everyone informed as to the ongoing negotiations with USFWS on hurricane Gustav sand loss replacement, I wanted to give the first update as to where we are in the process.

Just to discuss a little of the history, after Gustav the County applied for and received approval for 15 million dollars from FEMA to replace sand loss that occurred during the storm. Before FEMA can release funds for the project they have to get a letter of concurrence from the USFWS. When FEMA made that request, which they believed would be a formality, USFWS sent a letter saying they did not concur based mostly on Piping Plover habitat concerns.

As probably everyone knows we recently had a conference call with USFWS, FEMA, Congressman Boyd’s Office, MRD Coastal Engineers and several of us from the County to try and identify the issues that needed to be addressed for USFWS to approve of the project. During that conference call USFWS’s argument seemed to be that they do not believe this project qualifies as an exception to a rule that says you cannot use federal money in a CRBA area, abandoning the Piping Plover argument. We believe, as does FEMA, that this project does qualify for an exception based on the language in the rule.

Our coastal engineer Michael Dombrowski has already written a response to USFWS addressing their concerns and explaining in great detail why this project should qualify as an exception. USFWS did not respond to Michael’s letter nor did we convince them on the conference call of our arguments for the exception. Our goal now is to give USFWS enough information based on the CBRA act to convince them this project qualifies for an exception. We are currently setting up meetings with everyone on our side, including FEMA, to formulate a plan prior to our next meeting involving USFWS.

I am confident that our team can work through this process and be successful in getting the funding for this project. I would request everyone’s patience while we are working with the agencies to resolve all the issues. I will continue giving up-dates on our progress to keep everyone as informed as possible.

Thanks and with Warm Regards,

Warren Yeager, County Commissioner District 5

GUIDELINES, WORKSHEET & APPLICATION FORMS

FOR  REINSTALLATION OF SAND FENCING AND WALKOVERS

     We have added forms for your review and preparation to reinstall your fencing and walkovers.  There are five documents in the library.  Click the name of each one to access the file. 

1. US. Fish and Wildlife Conditions in our Permit for Sand Fencing
2. FDEP Sand Fencing Guidelines
3. FDEP Walkover Guidelines
4. FDEP Permit Worksheet
5. FDEP Application for a Permit for Construction Seaward of the CCCL (needed for walkover)

     From the Permit Worksheet, please note that a field permit for a walkover is available at no cost.   For more information, you can contact our Field Representative, Lori Ortega.  The dispatch number is 1-877-314-1329.  Just leave a message that you wish to contact Lori Ortega concerning a walkover field permit and your contact information.

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UPDATED INFORMATION ON SAND FENCING, STAIRS AND WALKOVERS

          We've updated our blog entry from Monday on the subject of what to do to prepare your property for the beach restoration project.  The photos in the gallery have been amended to reflect the recommendations for the various properties based on the information outlined below.  Since we are not sure everyone would see this updated information, we felt it was important enough to send an eblast out.  The information below was provided by our engineer and gives you the specifics on what to do. 

Please be sure to allow enough time to get things done before the project reaches your property.  Also, if you are unsure whether your gulf-front neighbors receive these eblasts, we would appreciate it if you would share this important information with them! 

 A couple of things we would add -- REMEMBER TO REMOVE ALL SAND FENCING.   With regard to your steps, walkovers, etc., review the information below.   A good rule of thumb is consider removing steps or walkovers if they extend beyond the vegetation line.  To get the best possible result for your property, when in doubt, take it out!   Finally, please read #9 below.  Failure to prepare your property will slow down the project, which is something none of us want.  Please help keep us on schedule!

1.  The contractor was hired by the County to dredge and place sand at the specified grades -- except where described below.
2.       The contractor will not remove any dune walkovers, boardwalks, sand fencing, buildings, or other man-made structures.  This is the responsibility of the property owner.
3.       The contractor will remove tree stumps or washed up debris within the beach fill limits.
4.       The contractor will NOT bury dune walkovers, boardwalks, sand fencing, buildings, or other man-made structures -- except where described herein or described in the provided photos.
5.       Per the project specifications, if dune walkovers, boardwalks, sand fencing, or other man-made structures are not removed, the contractor will place sand up to and around these items.  SOME sand MAY be placed under walkovers and boardwalks, but there is no guarantee how much or if this will occur.  Thus, the subject property owner may not receive the maximum amount of sand they would have received without the presence of the structures and/or sand fence or other items.
6.       If these structures or other man-made items are not removed (depending on its location and how far landward of the dune), it is possible that there will be less sand placed on either side of the structure due to the grade of the placed sand.
7.       THERE IS ONE EXCEPTION:  If the bottom of the stairs are within the footprint of the beach and dune fill, only the bottom 2 to 4 feet of the stairs MAY be buried.  Otherwise sand will be placed in accordance to #5 above.
8.       Sand WILL be placed (in the form of a dune) around the homes that are located further seaward (and ON the beach) than the rest of the structures located along the project limits.
9.       Not removing the man-made items listed in #2 above will slow down the contractor thus delaying the completion of this project.