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Double Duty Dredging (Update)
First project already delayed as second dredge closes in
DESTIN — The first full day of dredging near Norriego Point is under way, but it has been a slow process.
City Engineer Chuck Meister reported one of the dredging
company’s trucks got stuck during the operation Wednesday, and work was
already a day behind schedule when the company had hoped to begin.
“Dredging is an operation that requires a lot of cooperation and a lot of equipment,” Meister said.
Even before NF Diversified Inc. moved its equipment into place to begin dredging sand from East Pass to fortify Norriego Point, Meister said weather and equipment maintenance might cause delays.
Even with delays, the dredging crew is expected to be finished well
before the summer tourist season. A restricted channel in and out of
the Destin Harbor could have a huge negative impact on the economy.
NF Diversified will move about 2,500 cubic yards of sand from East
Pass’ navigation channel, which will allow boats to move in and out of
the Destin Harbor easier.
“We’re glad to get that channel open again,” Meister said. “It’s gotten very constricted.”
The small dredge now in operation is a welcome sight to people who’ve
been lobbying more than a year for some way to protect Norriego Point
from erosion.
“I see the dredge out there and I’m really hopeful we’re really going
to see help this time,” said Jim Breitenfeld, executive director of the
Destin Harbor Association.
Breitenfeld said it’s frustrating it has taken a year to reach a
temporary fix. However, he is resolute that something more must be done
to prevent further erosion to Norriego Point, which buffers Destin’s
boats and harborfront businesses from storms.
Meister said Destin has already hired an engineering firm to look at
ways to prevent further erosion to Norriego Point. Some ideas, such as
armoring, may cause a problem for boaters who enjoy the beach at the
point. Meister said it could end up being a tossup between totally
protecting the point and sustaining natural beauty.
The small project under way isn’t the only one that will be in
operation next week. Mike Hooks Inc., a dredging company out of West
Lake, La., hopes to be set up by April 10.
“We’re heading out there now,” said Ashley Johnson, a representative
with Mike Hooks Inc., adding that its dredging project should be
complete within about five days of its arrival.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers hired Mike Hooks Inc. to dredge East Pass about a year ago.
The company will remove 20,000 to 25,000 cubic yards of sand from the East Pass this time, Johnson said.
Pat Robbins with the Corps of Engineers said it isn’t uncommon for an
area such as the East Pass to need clearing every year or so because of
weather conditions.
“Destin’s no different from anybody else,” Robbins joked.
The cost of both projects is being funded by government appropriations
totaling $229,000. Originally, Destin had agreed to pay the Corps
$75,000, but Robbins said that is no longer necessary because of
government funding.
Sand from the second dredging project will be placed on the east side
of the pass and some will be used to build mandatory berms per the
Corps dredging permits. Robbins said Destin must acquire their own
permits, but can use the sand in beach restoration projects within the
city.
