STILL SEEKING ONE OR MORE BEACH ACCESS POINTS
Public access is a vital part of the FDEP state matching funds. Many people are suprised at how much funding even one access point can bring to our project -- one secondary access point equates to an additional $717,000 in matching funds based on our current state matching projections! Although our public access requirements are fairly small, we are still in need of a few additional walkover easements to get our matching funds percentage to our goal of around 43% of the total project cost. The following outlines the areas where we have a particular need and a few things that make an access easier to accept by the county. However, any offered easement will be explored, so if you are interested in helping with this critical piece of our beach restoration puzzle, please contact County Administrator Don Butler at 850-229-6111 as soon as possible. We need to try to finalize our beach access plans within the next three weeks.
WHAT ARE YOU ASKING ME TO GIVE AS AN EASEMENT?
A beach access easement is just a five-foot wide easement at the edge of your property, heading down to the beach. The walkover would be constructed and maintained by the county. The easement can be for a set time period or in perpetuity. If for a set period, a minimum of 10 years is desired. There are certain tax advantages to giving the easements. Additionally, all costs for drawing up the paperwork and recording the easement would be paid by the County.
The easiest beach accesses to construct and record easements for are ones where the property runs from Cape San Blas Road to the beach. Accesses in communities or down private roadways are not impossible to grant, however, so if individuals or homeowners associations wish to donate an easement, please contact Mr. Butler.
WHERE DO WE NEED ACCESS POINTS?
FIRST AREA: As you pass the revetment at Stump Hole, we are seeking a beach access point in that area from the location of the former Dunes Restaurant northward as far as the BP. All we are seeking from the property owner is a five-foot walkover easement. Parking is being explored with the Buffer Preserve on the bayside of Cape San Blas Road.
SECOND POSSIBLE AREA: Anywhere from the Barefoot Trace Subdivision northward to Seagrass Subdivision. This would be a potential secondary access point with parking on the roadside.
THIRD POSSIBLE AREA: Anywhere from 1/2 mile north of Dunes Drive to the entrance of the State Park. Properties off the turnoff to Barrier Dunes can also be considered. This would be another potential secondary access point with roadside parking.
If you have any questions about easements or beach access, please email info@savethecape.com or call Paula Pickett at 850-229-7800.
MINUTES POSTED FOR RECENT SJPBAC MEETINGS
CLICK HERE to view the approved minutes of the February Regular meeting.
CLICK HERE to view the approved minutes of the Special 2/20/06 meeting.
CLICK HERE to view the unapproved minutes of the March Regular meeting.
