REMINDER AND FAQ TO GULF-FRONT OWNERS

CONCERNING CONSTRUCTION EASEMENT

     THANK YOU to all of the Gulf-Front property owners who have completed your construction easement document and returned it so promptly!  We've received over 30% of them back already!  However, we obviously have a long way to go to get the remainder of these forms in, so if you haven't executed and returned yours yet, please dig it out of that stack of papers or wherever else it's ended up and take care of it today!

    If you are a gulf front property owner and have not received your easement form, please contact the Tourist Development Council office IMMEDIATELY at 850.229.7800 and we will promptly get one to you.

     Also, please spread the word to other Gulf-Front owners to submit their easements as soon as possible.

DOES SIGNING THIS GIVE AWAY SOME OF MY PROPERTY TO THE STATE OR COUNTY?

    No, it does not.  Signing this document simply gives the construction contractor, dredging contractor and other professionals hired to complete our project the right to come onto your private property only when absolutely necessary to do their work.  That includes a very short time where there may be piping across your property while the sand is pumped, some time to shape the new dune system, the planting of sea oats and their maintenance, for example. 

DOES THE DRAWING OF THE EROSION CONTROL LINE (ECL) HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THIS CONSTRUCTION EASEMENT? 

    The only real correlation between the ECL and the Construction Easement is the reference to the ECL in the easement document.  This easement is for access to your private property, and particularly any of your private property that's seaward of the +12 foot contour of the beach. 

HOW DO I COMPLETE MY CONSTRUCTION EASEMENT DOCUMENT?  WHERE DO I GET IT NOTARIZED?

    CLICK HERE to see a sample of an executed signature page for the Easement.  (1) is the SIGNATURE of the grantor.  It is not necessary for all property owners to sign here.  One signature is sufficient.  (2) is the SIGNATURE and THEN THE PRINTED NAME of your witnesses.  THERE MUST BE TWO WITNESSES AND THEY MUST SIGN AT THE SAME TIME YOU DO.  (3) is the execution of the Notary Acknowledgement by the Notary Public.  THE NOTARY MUST WITNESS YOUR SIGNATURE AND COMPLETE THIS PORTION BEFORE YOU MAIL THE DOCUMENT BACK.  Don't forget to have the notary affix their notarial seal or stamp.

    Where can you get your signature notarized?  Your bank will often notarize documents for you for free.  Your attorney, your church or your insurance agent probably has a notary on staff.  You can also look up "notary public" in the yellow pages of your phone book if you are unsure where to find a notary.  If you are in Gulf County, you can come to Room 302 or Room 314 at the Robert M. Moore Administration Building in the Gulf County Courthouse Complex and you can have your document witnessed and notarized at no cost!