Holiday Isle 2008

We%26#39;ve been coming to Destin every May for the last 10 years and have always stayed at the Oceania, that is except for this year. In %26#39;06, the first week of our two-week stay was interrupted by dump trucks hauling sand up and down the beach (all day long for 6 days) building a temporary berm at Sandpiper Cove. Because of that and the uncertainty of when beach restoration was going to start, we tried Navarre Beach in %26#39;07, which was very nice and about half the price as Destin, but it was too far of a drive for what we like to do.

We want to come back to the Oceania in May %26#39;08 but want to make sure that the beach restoration is not beginning or in progress while we are there as laying on the beach doing nothing is what we really look forward to doing. I realize that the dump truck thing was unique and there is no way to predict that occurrence, but does anybody have any insight as to when the beach restoration may start? I%26#39;ve Googled beach restoration and searched the City of Destin, etc but can%26#39;t get comfortable with when/if the process will begin.

Holiday Isle 2008

Check your private mail. I sent something to you that was rather long that I found on the website for the Holiday Isle Improvement Association. It says that a fully funded beach restoration is scheduled for late 2008 but I am not sure if that is firm or not - you read it yourself - but that suggests after May 2008. Also, it did state something about placing dredged sand from the Pass on beaches at Holiday Surf %26amp; Racquet Club, Jetty East, and Destin Pointe - don%26#39;t know if that specifically excludes Oceania and does not specify when.

Holiday Isle 2008

I own a condo on Holiday Isle, so I have followed the beach restoration issue closely. You will have nothing to worry about in May 2008 (unless a hurricane in 2007 takes away what little beach we have!). The most optimistic scenario would have the beach restoration occurring in late 2008. There are still many permitting and funding issues to be taken care of, so I%26#39;d be surprised if the restoration actually starts anytime in 2008. I hope it does because we really need it.

Late 2008 is the best hope Holiday Isle has. The permitting process is VERY long and there are several government agencies involved.

There is currently no schedule for beach renourishment on Holiday Isle.

It took almost 7 years to get the renourishment project for the Sandestin to Crystal Beach area over all the hurdles. Then with all the shut downs from Turtle Kills, it took almost 18 months for it to finish.

Thanks to all for your replies. That settles it. it%26#39;s the Oceania in 2008. This is something we look forward to and plan for almost a year and would hate to show up and have construction equipment %26#39;disturbing the peace%26#39;.

I just have to say this . Looking at the condition of the Beaches on Holiday Isle . Especially Jetty East and Destin Pointe . I cannot believe they dont consider that an emergency situation . One more good storm and that will be it !!! And based on their time line there WILL be another bad storm . What will theses geniuses do then ???

Can you tell ? I am sick over it and I dont even live there !

Just so I dont look like a nut . I dont live there but I do spend a lot of time there and just love it !

The local authorities do consider it a critical situation. That is why Jetty East got permission to put up the temporary sea wall. They are also trying to get the OK to take the sand they dredge from the harbor that usually goes on Okaloosa Island and place it on Holiday Isle.

Unless you live here, you really can never get a grasp at the red tape.

The comment Semco makes about the red tape...... it must be bad as the beaches are the area%26#39;s lifeblood so you would think that it would be priority number one. But I also understand how the political process of dealing with multiple governmental agencies can delay, stall, and in some cases derail an entire project. Each agency/politician has their own agenda with backers that have their own agenda etc etc.

When we were there a couple weeks ago, I asked our fishing guide why there was such a delay on the Holiday Isle beach restoration. Both he and the captain said the homeowners there don%26#39;t want it restored because they want to keep their beach small so as to discourage others from using it. Now, mind you...I%26#39;m not saying that is accurate or inaccurate, just reporting what they told me.

I quizzed them on it pretty hard saying I couldn%26#39;t imagine anyone with a multimillion dollar beach home being so concerned about ';tourists'; and ';local beach users'; ';tresspassing'; that they would put their property in such a precarious situation. Some of the houses will have water lapping at their door if any more significant erosion occurs.

Again...not saying this is true or not true...just reporting what these two particular locals told me.

lilfeat - by the way... noticed you are from OP. I%26#39;m from Gardner. Do you happen to work in Telecom? :)