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Since that time they have conducted all of the modeling tests and submitted a draft test plan to Tallahassee in December, 1994. Her concern is that we are running out of time to install this project this summer. It will take weeks to construct the units, and installation will take 2 months, during the window of April to September. Ms. Mitchell recalled that we went through all of this last year when we were in the middle of the permitting process and now we are right back where -we started from. She understood from Mr. Kraft's statements that the test plan is the only thing holding us up at this point, and she would like to suggest that we get started with the permitting contingent upon completing the test plan. With regard to the Palm Beach Mid -Town Project, Ms. Mitchell explained that there seems to be no dispute that there is some wave energy dissipation going on out there. When the Beach & Shore Preservation Committee visited Palm Beach, we had 57 units in place for approximately 1 year with a 6-1/2 ft. build-up of sand at the site. There was a question as to whether or not that was caused by the reef or whether it was due to other reasons, but the fact was that there was a lot of sand built up and it was documented. The Mid -Town Project is into 17 months of the 3 -year study and over the last 6-8 months there has been some severe erosion. The sand that the Beach & Shore Preservation Committee saw on their visit has moved out of the project site. American Coastal doesn't believe that the PEP reef is causing the erosion, and they are very concerned that people are jumping to conclusions based on some survey data that may be skewed by all of the storms that have taken place. They are hoping that cool heads will prevail and that the sand will come back during the summer months and everybody will feel good again about the Mid -Town Project. If that is not the case, it is possible to adjust the reef and make a better configuration. The fact is that this is still experimental technology. Ed Lambry, general manager for the Holiday Inn Oceanside, asked the Board to support the PEP reef. He stressed that tourists come here expecting a beach for many other reasons besides swimming -- sunbathing, walking, wading, etc. -- and we have lost two more feet of beach just in the last few months. The stairs to the beach at the Holiday Inn are just five steps from the sand. The Holiday Inn has put over $5 -million into renovations, but people still expect a beach; moreover, the name of our city reflects that there is a beach here. 33 BOOK 94 PAL MARCH 28, 1995