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Mr. Tabar continued that the County's coast is 22 miles long and 13 of those miles, or 60% of the total, are critically eroded. In answer to questions from the Board, he explained that "natural beach policy" would encompass monitoring the area every 2 years. The entire Plan is estimated to cost 20 million dollars over the next 11 years and it is anticipated that the State will contribute 50% of those funds. Local contributions are estimated to be 8 million out of the 20 million which would come from local county and municipal funding. Commissioner Adams commended Mr. Tabar and Director Davis for their efforts and thanked the Beach and Shore Preservation Advisory Committee for their input. She asked everyone to remember that the Plan is very fluid and has been set up so that the process will pick up "hot spots" as they occur. Commissioner Macht questioned whether the Sebastian Inlet Tax District will share a part of the cost of the Plan and whether they would replace the sand lost as a result of the Inlet. Mr. Tabar noted that the Inlet causes a loss of approximately 70,000 cubic yards of sand per year which does not take into account any historical loss. Mr. Tabar did not believe the District has any intention of doing anything about the historical loss of sand. Commissioner Macht felt the citizens of Vero Beach and the County should note that tourists come here for the beach and we are already losing a certain number of these visitors due to the alarming loss of beach in the County. He noted that a true analysis of the tourism contribution to the County has never been made. However, if we lose our attractions for tourists, our tax situation will not be pretty. Every resident has a big stake in beach protection. Chairman Tippin wished everyone could remember how the beaches looked before. They used to have football games in front of the Ocean Grille and you could walk out to the reefs at low tide. The beaches are as important to the economy of the whole County as citrus and this affects everyone. He offered his compliments on the Plan to staff. Commissioner Ginn congratulated staff for breaking the project down into "doable" sections and for their fine presentation. She emphasized that the South Beach Property Owners' Association overwhelmingly approved the updated Plan. She then expressed her concern that nothing will be done in Sector 7 until the year 2002. MAY 59 1998 -58-