5/23/1995 - Laserfiche WebLink

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M - M Chairman Macht asked who would be defending the permit, and County Attorney Vitunac explained the challenge process and advised that his office would defend the County as the permit holder. Commissioner Adams felt that we would be well-advised to seek counsel with experience in these hearings. Public Works Director Jim Davis recounted the County's successful defense in 1990 of the Boulevard Phase III 120 hearing. During that 6 -month process, the DER's legal counsel worked with the County's legal counsel and expert testimony was also involved. Commissioner Bird felt that they had asked Commissioner Adams and staff to do a job and, as far as he was concerned they couldn't have done it better. The amount of energy, effort, and persistence was phenomenal. However, in spite of their excellent efforts, he felt there are some real questions whether or not the PEP reef has the odds behind it to do what we want to maintain and, perhaps, enhance our beach. He would like to continue to pursue the permits and defend ourselves at the 120 hearing, but if we're buying ourselves additional time, he wanted to have some other options explored. He remained unconvinced, based on expert testimony, lab tests, etc., that the PEP reef was a proven procedure for protecting or enhancing the beach. With the expense involved, he would not be satisfied to merely maintain the present beach. He believed that people wanted to see the beach restored, but added that additional beach was needed for protection, recreational and tourist benefits, and a multitude of other reasons. As unpopular as it is, the most proven method to enhance the beach has been sand -pumping. He knew it has been considered before, but pointed out that it is still a viable option. He suggested going back to the State and the Federal governments to see what other options are available in restoring the beach, find out if they would permit such a thing, and determine if there any State or Federal funds still available for such a project. He also believed something needed to be done about the sand being stopped by the north jetty on the Sebastian Inlet. Commissioner Bird wanted to see Commissioner Adams or someone pursue some other options in addition to the PEP reef. Even though our conditions are not exactly the same as Palm Beach, their experience should raise a red flag before we spend the kind of money necessary on an experimental PEP reef project. Commissioner Adams responded to Commissioner Bird's remarks and suggested there was a misconception that perhaps the committee has had their head in the sand. Half a million dollars has been 49 May 23, 1995 Boa P 4U