Tuesday, September 20 – The City of Flagler Beach held a Town Hall meeting this evening, intended to inform the public about the current status of the significant beach erosion along the shores of Flagler County, and to allow alternative “innovative solutions” providers to strut their stuff.

Representatives from the US Army Corps of Engineers, the FL Dept. of Transport, the FL Dept. of Environmental Protection, and the FL Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission were each given 15 minutes to speak, followed by the same time for four alternatives. After a break, the public was offered 3 minutes each to comment or ask questions.

Two of the alternatives did not show up. Here are a few comments about the remaining presenters…

US Army Corps of Engineers (USACOE)

USACOE was represented by Jackie Keiser and Marty Durkin. Mr Durkin gave an overview of the project process, starting with a request to look into an issue, preparation of cost/benefit ratios, the costs of studies, etc., which must then be approved for funding. Feasibility Studies can take as long as 7 years. Most of the topic was about how they “armor” shorelines, which is the standard response to erosion from this agency. Here’s a disturbing quote from him:

AS the armor fails, DOT will fix it.

Not “IF”, but “as”, which is the same as “when”. Everything the USACOE proposes after their years of “study” ends up being a temporary solution that requires continual injections of money to fix or replace.

Another thing about locating suitable sand:

The sand we’re looking at now [to dredge for our beaches] is the greyish white sand you have now.

We say: YUK!

FL Dept. of Transport

What a refreshing presentation! Alan Hyman was open, honest and straight to the point:

We don’t care what you do to the beach, we only care about the road.

And to be fair, that’s his department’s only mission. Their responsibility stops at the dunes. Thank you for only taking 7 minutes of your allotted 15, Mr. Hayman. We appreciate that–seriously.

We DON’T really appreciate the “fix” you propose to the ugly seawall that you placed there in 2006, however. That is, to face the steel with more concrete. And what about the fact that erosion is occurring in behind the wall at each end? Oh, yes… your solution is more wall.

FL Dept. of Environmental Protection

Paden Woodruff is an example of all that is bad about government departments. Although asked to provide status updates on Flagler’s erosion issue, he spent the majority of his time trashing just about every other solution except seawalls and “renourishment” (dredging & dumping sand). Notably, Holmberg Technologies’ Undercurrent Stabilizers system was not directly attacked. He mentioned geotextile tubes, but I had the impression he was referring more to “soft covered structures” that act just like less imposing seawalls, or the “multi-purpose reefs” proposed by ASR (see below), rather than Holmberg’s system.

Here’s a worthwhile quote from his lecture:

We’re running out of cheap, easy-to-get sand [to dredge for renourishment]. We are looking at importing sand from overseas, including the Bahamas.

I wonder how the Caribbean Islanders feel about us taking away their beautiful sand? And at what cost? Where will the money for this ongoing, repetitive, futile sand replacement mentality come from?

His attitude was one of arrogance, and he went grossly over time without the courtesy of an apology, even when asked to stop twice by the moderator.

FL Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission

Dr Robin Trindall gave a nice overview of her area of responsibility, which is mainly endangered species, and more specifically, turtles. This commission must give their blessing to every erosion mitigation project, based upon minimal disruption to fish and wildlife.

ASR Limited

John Hearin presented for this company. Their solution is to submerge an artificial reef in front of the area(s) affected by erosion. Apart from the obvious navigational hazard, it was apparent that the only area of beach that might benefit from such installation is that located directly in line with the reef. We have 14 miles of coastline in Flagler county; over half of which is designated as “critically eroded”. That’s going to have to be a huge reef!

Holmberg Technologies Inc.

Dick Holmberg is passionate about the damage that is being caused to our coastlines, not just here, but all over the world. He maintains (and this was supported by two of the previous speakers) that our beach erosion is due primarily to dredging of inlets and harbors for shipping.

It is clear that Holmberg’s Undercurrent Stabilizers are the only solution that works with the forces of nature, rather than trying to resist them, in the least obtrusive manner, and at the least cost. Additional benefits are that the system requires no further management cost, and is environmentally friendly.

Unfortunately, Mr Holmberg’s passion and obvious frustration with the government agencies make it difficult for him to communicate his solution clearly. But don’t let that affect your decision: he is obviously a smart man with over 50 years of erosion mitigation behind him. Let’s not throw out the baby with the bathwater when this system is judged. It deserves a try. After all, we’ve wasted millions of dollars so far… why not risk a few more to find out, once and for all?

Here’s a fact: a successful Atlantic coast trial of Undercurrent Stabilizers will put Flagler county on the global stage. The press and the scientific world will be flocking here to marvel at the achievement, and more tourists will come to enjoy the improved beaches and spend more money.

Public Comments

There was no end to citizens and visitors wanting to comment on the presentations and ask questions. The moderator had to call the meeting to an end without getting to them all. And with almost no exceptions, the overwhelming concerns were:

• the senseless waste of taxpayer monies on methods that have been proven over the years to be futile, and
• the years that have been (and continue to be) wasted, without any proposal to solve the issue.

One exception was the final commenter, County Commissioner Barbara Revels, who insisted that we must complete the Corps’ Feasibility Study to be able to qualify for federal funding. But will that be too late? All we need is a major storm to cause more damage, and then the Corps or FDOT can do what they like, without a permit. And even if the feasibility study is completed in the next couple of years, does that mean a solution other than seawalls and continual renourishment will be proposed? I think we all know the answer to that.

 

Terry Potter

 

Our Educational Seminar

If you weren’t able to make the seminar or you want to hear it again, here it is!

The seminar at which we hosted Dick Holmberg on Thursday evening, September 15, was a great success! Over 50 people turned out to hear Dick’s proposals to save our beaches, and he was well received.

The first 40-minute audio is of the speech he gave. The second one is his question & answer session. The last item is Terry speaking about costs.

Dick Holmberg, the hydrologist who invented the patented Undercurrent Stabilizer™ technology, was interviewed on WNZF Radio’s “Free For All Friday” show at 9:30am on Friday, September 9.

You can listen to the 19 minute interview here, courtesy of WNZF Radio:

 

These pictures, taken on September 2, 2011, reveal what we all know to be true: erosion is getting worse around the seawall that was supposed to “fix” things!

Yes, the road is temporarily secure. But if you look closely at the number of rocks that have been washed away, and at what’s happening around the ends of the seawall, you’ll see why the Florida Department of Transport (FDOT) wants to extend the wall to over 9 miles long.

WOULD YOU TRUST THE PEOPLE WHO “FIXED” THIS PROBLEM?

WE CANNOT LET THIS HAPPEN!

Click an image thumbnail to view full size.

August 25, 2011 – Annie Martin, Staff Writer, Daytona News-Journal

High surf from Hurricane Irene could further undermine A1A in Flagler Beach, like this section near South 14th Street.

FLAGLER BEACH — On a blazing afternoon, sunbathers and swimmers spread their towels on the sand in Flagler Beach near South 13th Street. At the edge of the sand is a rock wall lining State Road A1A.

A steel sea wall was planned for that vulnerable stretch of road but opposition killed the project. Now officials are in a holding pattern — and hoping a major storm doesn’t wash away the city’s major north-south artery.

When it seemed as if a powerful Hurricane Irene might pummel the area with high winds and pounding surf, officials said they’d just have to wait and see what happened.

In the meantime, residents and visitors are stuck with a stretch that many consider to be one of the least attractive parts of the beach in Flagler County. Just north of the deteriorating rock wall is a 140-foot sea wall that was installed in 2005 during an emergency repair.

“What I object to is what we have now, which is an exposed sea wall that’s flaking,” said Flagler Beach City Commission Chairman John Feind. “During high tide, you can’t even use that area.”

Residents will be able to discuss the issue during a town hall meeting set for 5 p.m. Sept. 20 at the Disabled American Veterans hall, 208 S. Sixth St.

Commission Vice Chairwoman Jane Mealy said she hopes to hear about some of the alternatives at the meeting, when officials and residents will hear from representatives from several agencies.

“I know I don’t like the look of the sea wall and I know the destruction the current sea wall has caused,” Mealy said.

Florida Department of Transportation employees met with residents and city officials last winter to discuss a proposed sea wall that would extend 250 feet north of South 13th Street to 140 feet south of South 14th Street. Construction was slated to begin Nov. 1, 2012. The agency expected to spend $6 million in state and federal funds to build the wall.

But some residents and officials said they feared a steel wall would ruin the beach. They protested vigorously. A couple of months later, FDOT officials announced the project was being shelved, citing negative public reaction as one of the reasons for their decision.

A sea wall might protect the road but there might not be anything that can save the beach, Feind said. And a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers study of the beach in Flagler County, which is being funded by the county, state and federal governments, could take many years to complete.

“What I think has to happen is we have to finish the study and see what has to happen as far as what options are open to us,” Feind said. “People think we’re going to stop the erosion. We’re not. You can’t stop Mother Nature. All we can do is hope to improve the status quo.”

If a big storm rakes Flagler Beach, the road may need quick attention. If a small portion of the road is damaged, FDOT may move the state road inland temporarily while repairs are made, agency spokesman Steve Olson said. If a large chunk of road washes away, it’s possible A1A would no longer be a beachside highway in Flagler Beach.

“You don’t want anything like that to happen but you have to have some realistic solutions,” Olson said. “If there is a catastrophic loss of road, you can’t justify the cost of replacing it for the amount of road there is.”

A group of residents calling themselves Save Flagler’s Beach say they want officials to consider Holmberg Technologies’ Undercurrent Stabilizer system. It’s a technique that promises to quickly replenish sand on the beach without dredging. The system consists of a series of fabric tubes filled with concrete slurry that run perpendicular to the beach.

A steel wall would destroy the beach, said Phyllis Schlemmer-Carmel, a member of the Flagler Beach group. But getting different government agencies to work together is difficult, she said.

Local officials, in particular, don’t want to make a wrong turn that could result in long-term consequences for Flagler Beach. That means some are reluctant to seriously consider new ideas, Schlemmer-Carmel said.

“I want to see some of the money that’s being spent to do the same thing over and over to be used to try new things,” she said.

Whatever the solution is, it probably won’t be cheap, said City Commissioner Steve Settle.

“One of my concerns is where would the money come from,” he said. “Some of the federal sources and the state sources seem to be drying up. I don’t think there’s a big pot of money floating above that’s going to drop down to us.”

Settle said he and other commissioners “would be letting down the taxpayers of Flagler Beach” if they didn’t at least consider alternatives to pumping in sand. Those possibilities include the Holmberg Technologies system, as well as other modern systems that might help keep the beach intact.

“What I’ve tried to say to the commission a number of times is that doing nothing, which is what I’m afraid we’re doing right now, is doing something,” Settle said, adding that “waiting for a hurricane or a storm might be too late.”

Copyright © 2011 The Daytona Beach News-Journal

MOVIE: Katrina was a man-made disaster

A new documentary movie has been released that exposes the truth about the incompetence ingrained in the Army Corps of Engineers, leading to the devastation of New Orleans by Katrina.

The movie features a whistle-blower from inside the ACoE and two eminent scientists who conducted forensic tests in the days (not months) following the Katrina debacle. The discoveries should make us all very concerned about EVERYTHING the ACoE does.

Watch the movie trailer

Click here to see the movie director being interviewed about the content and background of the movie.

More interviews

The movie is available on iTunes, Amazon, and at its own site: TheBigUneasy.com

Read the whistle-blower’s letter to President Obama

 

THIS IS THE SAME ORGANIZATION THAT WANTS TO RUIN FLAGLER’S BEACHES!
GET INFORMED!

 

During the regular meeting of the Flagler Beach City Commissioners this evening, time was allocated for discussion of a letter sent to them by resident Sherry Epley. Ms Epley’s letter asked some very relevant & pointed questions about each of the commissioner’s position on the issue of beach erosion, and specifically the Army Corps of Engineers [ACE] “feasibility study”. Read it here

Here are a few comments (as recorded by this editor) from various commissioners during the meeting (subject to correction):

John Fiend: A million dollars is needed to finish the study. Approximately $280k is available from the federal government, which the state will match. Funds were promised last year but the federal government failed to pass a budget.

It has already been determined that even if the ACE study recommends dredging (which it will almost certainly do), no sand is available in state waters, and the search for sand continues.

Steve Settle: The ACE has 5 or 6 options in its feasibility study, all of which involve renourishment (Ed. note: meaning dredging). We need to get more input and look at alternatives. When the ACE feasibility study is completed [target date 2015] then another study begins: the “Pre Engineering Design” [PED]. All of this depends on further Federal appropriations. We should be looking at how we can fund the project within our jurisdiction.

We need to do more

Jane Mealy: We did that already (referring to Settle’s comment about looking at alternatives).

We don’t have the money. Our main concern is to save the road, not the beach

John Fiend: We don’t have the money and we can’t raise it without raising taxes. The ACE has already ruled out Holmberg as not feasible. (Ed. note: this is not a true statement. Read the ENTIRE truth here).

There is no solution

Kim Carney: I want ACE & FDOT to explain the details of the study and the timeline for solutions, and how much more money is required to finish the report.

Steve Settle: We need to define what we all mean by “save the beach”. If at any time a major storm hits, FDOT could use “emergency” powers to build more seawall.

All options in the ACE feasibility study involve continual renourishment

The purpose of the feasibility study is to qualify for federal funds [to address the erosion problem]. If [ultimately] there will be no funds available, then there is no need to continue the study.

John Fiend: While there is hope of [federal & state] funds we must continue the study.

Kim Carney: We must be seen to be doing something.

We may be able to raise money ourselves.
Ed: That’s a better attitude!

Jane Mealy: Suggested a workshop where all parties can be heard and the public would be invited for input.

Marshall Shupe: I don’t want to hear the same things over again.

Mayor Alice Baker: Was, as usual, silent.

So the decision was to set a date for a public workshop where all interested parties can present. The City Manager will set a date.

A few members of the public gave very impassioned calls to the commissioners to be more positive about alternatives to ACE recommendations, which ALWAYS result in dredging. They pointed out that they had traveled to various locations within, and outside Florida, and talked to many people about alternatives to dredging, and implored the commissioners to be more open and positive.

 

Dear Mayor, Commissioners and City Manager:

As a follow up to my letter of March 26, I first want to thank you all for your efforts in opposing the Florida Department of Transportation’s plans for a sea wall along our coastline.  It seems obvious to me that your opposition was instrumental in the FDOT’s decision to put off (for now) their construction plans.

At this point, I would like to respectfully ask how you plan to proceed in solving the problem of our eroding coastline.  You are our elected city LEADERS.  We rely on you to lead the way in developing and implementing a strategy to replace the FDOT’s sea wall solution.  If action is not taken soon, there is no doubt that the FDOT will continue to armor our shoreline in a piece mill fashion with “emergency” sea walls to support highway A1A.  It is reasonable to assume that FDOT will proceed in this fashion, against the will of our citizens, and without permits, as they did with the current hazardous, deteriorating sea wall at the intersection of 13th street and A1A, in 2006.  With no dune re-nourishment at all,  beach erosion has obviously accelerated in that area. The sharp rusty steel shards, flaking into the sand, from that wall pose an imminent liability threat to our city.

Considering your recent planning meeting, more specifically:

1.  What immediate actions will be taken to mitigate our city’s liability for the current hazardous sea wall?
2.  Where is solving the problem of our eroding coastline on your list of goals for 2011?
3.  Which commissioner is the “point person” for accomplishing the goal of saving our city by saving our dunes and beaches?
4.  What is the action plan for exploring other options in dune restoration?
5.  Who, among our scientists, has been contacted for their advice and assistance in solving this problem?
6.  Who, among our legislators, has been contacted for their assistance in identifying/making available the funds needed?
7.  Who, among our community association leaders, has been contacted for their support?
8.  What other governmental agencies/entities have been invited to join our forces in this endeavor?
9.  What can we do, as individual citizens, to assist you in saving our town?

I look forward to your responses in the very near future.

Sherry Epley
Flagler Beach

It’s Not Enough to Say No to a Seawall in Flagler Beach: An Action Plan Past Opposition

Flagler Live, April 18, 2011 — The Flagler Beach City Commission opposes a Florida Department of Transportation plan to extend a seawall from South 13th to South 14th Street in Flagler Beach. The plan is to preserve State Road A1A, which is threatened by erosion. The transportation department announced last week that, as it did in 2005, it was pulling back plans to build that seawall for now. But postponement is not elimination. As Flagler Beach officials recognize, their city depends on the beach and the road. Sherry Epley, a resident of Flagler Beach, sent a six-point action plan to each city commissioner late last month that, regardless of the transportation department’s timetable, would give the initiative on saving beach and road to Flagler Beach. The plan follows.

By Sherry Epley

To enforce our will of “no seawall,” our Flagler Beach city commissioners need to develop a strong, comprehensive strategy to oppose the plans of the Florida Deparrtment of Transportation, and require that they implement an environmentally acceptable solution to the restoration of our badly eroded coastline and the preservation of State Road A1A. Chances are that we will need to mount a campaign that involves several tactics:

1. Education. I was astonished and disappointed to see that not one commissioner encouraged the dog owners to stay for the “stop the seawall” portion of the March 24th meeting. It was the perfect opportunity to continue educating our citizens on the seriousness of the situation with the plans for a seawall. We need to teach all who enjoy our beaches about the harsh reality of how seawalls speed erosion and therefore destroy dunes and beaches that dogs, as well as humans enjoy.

2. Circle the wagons. We need to develop the campaign from a public relations perspective, in addition to closely involving our civic organizations in opposing the FDOT plan. It is amazing to me that the Chamber of Commerce isn’t up in arms about this situation. Our town is unique in that its lifeblood is derived from the natural beauty of our environment. While often the Chambers of Commerce is in political opposition to the environmentalists and the Environmental Protection Agency, this circumstance provides an extraordinary opportunity for those two forces to unite in a campaign for the common good. The solution that saves our environment will also save the tourist- and resident- serving businesses of Flagler Beach.

3. Use the environmental protection laws to our advantage. The wonderful sea turtles and right whales are protected under the endangered species laws. Any solution proposed by the FDOT/Army Corps of Engineers that is proven to harm those species or their habitat is subject to regulations. We may need to consider the possibility of implementing a lawsuit against the FDOT/Corps of Engineers to protect those species.

4. Clearly define what options may be acceptable to our community. The FDOT has a responsibility to preserve A1A. Doing nothing to stop the erosion of the dune that supports the road is not acceptable for anyone. Since the FDOT remains entrenched in armor and dredge methods, which we oppose, we should create a task force to actively seek out scientists and engineers who may be able suggest or create viable options for restoring the dune structure. Once those ideas and options are presented to the FDOT, we must stand strong and require that the FDOT fully investigate the feasibility of using one or more of the solutions presented instead of rejecting them immediately, as they have done in the past.

5. Organize a committee to create fluid communications between residents, civic organizations, city government and relevant state and federal agencies. If our citizens are going to be successful in opposing such well organized, professionally run organization as FDOT, we need to create a modern communications structure that easily keeps our community abreast of the latest news, developments and meetings, in addition to providing a convenient way for them to sign petitions, email and call state and federal representatives, and volunteer to actively participate in the campaign. We should utilize public records such as lists of email addresses to communicate with our citizens in order to educate them on this subject and encourage them to participate, according to their abilities and talents.

6. Fund-raising. Costs would involve such things as fliers, signs, web site development, professional studies, meetings and possibly public relations professionals, and attorneys, etc. Quite possibly there may be a need to raise funds beyond our tax structure to roll out a successful project of this magnitude.

In closing, I would like to suggest that since saving our dunes and beach equals saving our town, this issue should be escalated to be the number one priority of our city’s leaders. In my opinion, this campaign needs a chairperson who is passionate about the issue, courageous enough to oppose governmental agencies, and charismatic enough to excite and involve the citizens who can make the campaign successful for us all. My impression, from the March 24 commission meeting, is that City Commission Chairman John Feind is not the champion we need to lead us to victory. I would encourage the commission membership to select a commission chairperson who will devote the vast time and energy needed to be successful in heading up such a vital project.

Sherry Epley is a resident of Flagler Beach