FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 16, 2001
DEP Takes Action To Accelerate
Beach Renourishment
-- Organizational
improvements also announced --
TALLAHASSEE -- The Department of Environmental
Protection unveiled a strategy to protect a significant component of Florida’s
tourism industry – its famous beaches. The Department is taking action in
three areas: 1) immediate permitting of beach restoration projects at
critically affected beaches around the state to counteract Florida’s
chronic beach erosion problem; 2) expedited state funding that builds upon
the state’s substantial commitment to beach protection; and 3) reviewing
how Florida’s commitment can deliver better and faster results.
There are 825 miles of sandy beach within Florida, 329
miles of which have been designated as critically eroded. To date, 154.9
miles have been restored, including 54.9 miles over the past five years.
The economies, as well as the environments, of coastal
communities are vulnerable to the loss of beach sand through erosion. The
Department’s strategy enhances its role of providing assistance and
cooperation with local, state and federal government as well as maximizing
the effectiveness of the private sector in completing important restoration
and protection projects.
"Government can, and should, play an important role
in addressing beach erosion," said Department of Environmental
Protection Secretary David B. Struhs. "Over the past three years, the
State of Florida has committed more than $80 million toward our beaches.
When combining this commitment with federal assistance of more than $73
million and local matching funds that exceed $90 million, our state’s
economy will receive a positive boost that goes far beyond this nearly
quarter-billion-dollar stimulus."
The strategy includes a DEP management review to
streamline project approvals and rapid funding to coastal communities. DEP
will also identify opportunities to better coordinate the work of the
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the Army Corps of
Engineers, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
The strategy will also review opportunities for expanding
private sector capacity for accelerating the completion of beach
renourishment projects.
"Not only will successful implementation of this
action plan yield more long term economic and environmental gains through
restored beaches," said Struhs, "but a short term economic
stimulus of capital infusion and job creation would result from an
accelerated project schedule. The process for shifting into high gear is
complex, but it is something that we are quite prepared to tackle."
Deputy Secretary for Regulatory Programs Allan Bedwell
also announced the merger of the Office of Beaches and Coastal Systems with
the Bureau of Submerged Lands and Environmental Resource Permitting into a
single bureau within the Division of Water Resource Management. The new
bureau will play a significant role in the implementation of the beach
renourishment plan. This merger is designed to reduce process and bring
further resources to bear on beach erosion control.
Bedwell also announced that Michael Sole will serve as
the new bureau chief effective January 1, 2002. Al Devereaux, current
director of the Office of Beaches and Coastal Systems had announced his
retirement effective at the end of the year.
"We are fortunate to have the broad background and
experience that Mike brings to the Bureau," said Bedwell. "He will
champion the management of Florida’s beaches and their significant
economic and environmental value to this state. Mike will work with our
local communities and assist them in gaining funding and fast-track approval
for protecting this vital component of Florida’s tourism industry."
Sole, 37, has experience with streamlining a complex
operation, having successfully re-tooled the state’s underground storage
tank program within DEP’s Division of Waste Management, where he has spent
most of his 12-year career with the Department. He is currently the
assistant director of the division. Prior to his waste management work, Sole
worked for five years in the Office of Beach Management, one of the programs
he will now oversee.
"I am grateful for the opportunity to serve my state
in this capacity and to continue the fine work of my predecessor," said
Sole. "My first action will be to meet with our federal partners to
examine ways to improve coordination and streamline a complicated permitting
process that affects Florida’s most recognizable asset. During my first
week, I plan to meet with local governments and communities to improve the
lines of communications between all involved. Together, I truly believe that
we can protect our beaches with less time and process."
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