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TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is
actively evaluating impacts to the state’s Atlantic Ocean shoreline from the
combined effects of Tropical Storm Noel and a high-pressure system off of
Northeast Florida. DEP staff have been on the ground this week in counties along
the eastern shore, between Nassau County and Miami-Dade County, to assess
damages and potential needs for those affected areas.
“Significant storm events can impact our dynamic shorelines,” said DEP
Secretary Michael W. Sole. “By working in the field proactively with property
owners and local governments, DEP is working on how to expedite permitting to
allow communities to recover and protect property.”
Over the past week, both the persistent high-pressure system and Tropical
Storm Noel generated excessive wave energy and corresponding beach and dune
erosion, which has the potential to threaten upland habitable structures and
public infrastructure. DEP has staff available to expedite permits for
activities to quickly alleviate short-term erosion stresses.
Through field surveys, DEP identified several erosion areas that may need
accelerated permitting assistance, including:
- St. Johns County (segments of South Ponte Vedra Beach);
- Brevard County (segments of Satellite Melbourne and Floridana Beaches);
- Martin County (Bathtub Beach/Sailfish Point area);
- Palm Beach County (portions of the beach south of Jupiter Inlet,
segments of Singer Island, Town of Palm Beach, Town of South Palm Beach, and
Lantana Public Beach); and,
- Broward County (portions of Hillsboro Beach).
DEP staff has been working with impacted properties that need expedited
permitting and coordinating with property owners, consultants, and local
governments on possible activities such as dune restoration and sand placement.
Please contact DEP’s Bureau of Beaches and Coastal Systems with any questions,
or for help with expedited permitting, at (850) 488-7708. For more information,
visit
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/beaches/. |
