USA: DEP Approves Okaloosa Island Beach Project

Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Herschel T. Vinyard issued a final order Thursday approving the permit to restore the beach on Okaloosa Island.

Vinyard’s decision gives Okaloosa County permission to complete the $12 million restoration of 2.9 miles of public beach. The controversial project would add about 913,000 cubic yards of sand dredged from the Gulf of Mexico to the beach.

County commissioners will decide Jan. 17 whether to move ahead with the project.

“This is very, very important to have,” County Administrator Jim Curry said. “This permit will be good for five years. It gives the county the ability to act very quickly.”

[mappress]

Dredging Today Staff, January 2, 2012;