Fort Walton Beach Resolution — 2013-21 - East Pass Inlet Plan — reading text

RESOLUTION 2013 -21 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ENCOURAGING RESPONSIBLE AND PRODUCTIVE MANAGEMENT OF THE EAST PASS DREDGE SAND BYPASSING WITHOUT UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES THAT MAY HARM THE QUALITY OF LIFE AND ECONOMY OF THE CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE WHEREAS, the City of Fort Walton Beach lies adjacent to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world; and WHEREAS, the economy of Fort Walton Beach is in part dependent upon its ability to attract visitors with its wide, healthy, beautiful beaches of Okaloosa Island; and WHEREAS, one unique feature of Okaloosa Island' s beautiful native beaches is stunning white sand; and WHEREAS, protecting and preserving these beaches is in the best interest of the City of Fort Walton Beach residents' quality of life and businesses' economic well- being; and WHEREAS, responsible East Pass dredge sand bypassing appears to be substantially important to preserve existing beaches, structures and to ensure public safety; and WHEREAS, business owners and citizens of the Greater Fort Walton Beach area have raised concerns regarding the newly adopted 2013 East Pass Inlet Management Plan to the health of this downdrift beach; and WHEREAS, the potential loss of bypassed sand to Okaloosa Island and Eglin Air Force Base may harm the economy of Fort Walton Beach by hurting businesses and exposing visitors to a downgraded beach -going experience. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH, FLORIDA THAT: The City of Fort Walton Beach City Council encourages a sand tracer study to assist with placement of East Pass dredge sand to replicate the natural littoral drift at no cost to City residents. Passed by the City Council on this 13" day of August 2013. 01 on, Mayor Atte t: Ap rove for form, legal sy I 1Llil elen Spencer, ClIty Clerk Haywp Dykes, Jr, Cit op e G , L