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118 Acres Co. September 20, 1983 Page 4 berms and flats formed by wave deposition of sand or gravel on the backshore. On the Barrier Island, the foreshore and backshore zones - the beach areas of greatest impact from land development and recreational activity - form a relatively narrow unvegetated strip along the coast. The two zones, commonly taken to be "the beach", range from less than 100 feet to more than 500 feet in width; in most places their combined width is less than '200 feet. The shape and slope of the beach commonly change with storm events. Most beach areas have a uniform, gentle slope to the water's edge; others have wave -built ridges with short, stronger slopes ranging to 15 percent or more. Beach soils are comprised of pale brown to light gray sand grains of uncoated quartz mixed with multi -colored, sand -sized shell fragments. Few to many coarser shell fragments occur in all parts of the soil. Depth to the water table ranges from 0 -to 6 feet or more. The duneland system begins at the landward edge of the beach backshore, identified as the annual highest tide mark. From the beach backshore it extends landward, generally including the active dunes, sand ridges, troughs and flats subject to active gain or loss of sand because of sea wave action and wind. Soils of the primary dune are dominated by Palm Beach fine sand and Canaveral fine sand; overwash areas landward of the primary dune are dominated by Canaveral fine sand. Characteristics of the two soils are as follows: Palm Beach Fine Sand: Excessively well drained; Rapid permeability; Very low available water capacity; Very low organic matter content and natural fertility; Surface layer - Grayish brown fine sand, approximately 8 inches thick; Underlying material - Pale brown fine sand in the upper 22 inches, light gray fine sand with multi- colored shell fragments below to a depth of 80 inches or more. Canaveral Fine Sand: Moderately well to somewhat poorly drained; Very rapid permeability; Very low available water capacity; Very low organic matter content and natural fertility; Surface layer - Dark brown fine sand approximately 6 inches thick; Underlying material - Pale brown fine sand in the upper 28 inches; Gray fine sand with many sand - size shell fragments to a depth of 80 inches or more. Three distinct vegetation communities are characteristic of the dunelands: Vine and Grass Zone: Location - Immediately landward of the beach zone, extending up the seaward face of the primary dune. 57 0kT 121983 57