[{"_1":2,"_109":-5,"_110":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6248105,"mediaKeyId","3212126-7f2ef04165211032b8b548b20bc8e45c","parentId",3212126,"title","Advisory board outlines Coastal Dune Lake Week events and updates on resilience and lake projects","audioSeconds",1692,"startMs",2242000,"endMs",3934000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3212126-7f2ef04165211032b8b548b20bc8e45c&start=2242&end=3934","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3212126-7f2ef04165211032b8b548b20bc8e45c/thumbnail_2242000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6248105/Walton-County/Florida/Advisory-board-outlines-Coastal-Dune-Lake-Week-events-and-updates-on-resilience-and-lake-projects","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6248105-b62ca81f190c190063cceb854e9f5515/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154180&Signature=AYLVKyD-CX-SBcDYRPNcniby~kiHDmfOtNlk7CvYSc9auxHCpTyxmckaPNSCviD-R9n629J~fizIHnTGP6amvqpOv4gZu8GuNIkMt7MXa6LSjiwzxYsBLWhj5AaZlb-w7TtQoUuh61sOQib7FwLd6~hKj1NtEDap~x7HBGGTJf6tuwN3QUu9oCh-S6bkH1I0STmL1LA3cjLOeouARRwGUSEwwyYIBbwi~N1UIrnRmcOmeDKZxIFxjW7lims9qctYfJ1~3~w7mtVX-XQodJ7figypgGaBYaiAhDCRe3mrYmk-Ibza8jLE0IiAZ6P6epU5psv-WAsOvzJAUegN3XbXIA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Walton County, FL","date","2025-05-01T03:26:40Z","article","Walton County's Coastal Dune Lake Advisory Board outlined a week of public events and received project updates that the board said advance lake protection and community resilience.

The board discussed plans for Coastal Dune Lake Week, scheduled \"the week of October 27 through the 30, 2025,\" Melinda, staff member, said. Confirmed activities included a Deer Lake restoration tour led by Jeff Talbert at the Atlantic Botanical Gardens, a Greatton Beach State Park tour by Laura (IFAS/Sea Grant agent), and a paddle cleanup organized with the Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance. The board intends to hold its fourth-quarter advisory meeting during that week and will prepare a formal resolution and outreach materials; staff mentioned the possibility of a logo and t-shirts tied to the event.

Resilience and infrastructure updates followed. Taylor Engineering was invited to present on resiliency and vulnerability assessment work; Melinda said the consultant will cover storm preparation, nature-based solutions for shoreline protection, and broader resilience planning. The Deer Lake restoration project was cited as a completed example of long-term restoration work.

Engineering and public-works updates include news on the Allen Loop drainage improvement: staff reported that a grant from the Department of the Treasury has been issued and the county can move forward with design, project management and procurement so construction should begin within the next year. The county purchased property west of Oyster Lake for an Oyster Lake outfall and TDC (Tourist Development Council) is in design development for a passive-access project and beach access improvements.

TDC also reported on a new pocket park and canoe/kayak access at Camp Creek Lake, and on progress for a community center and boardwalk near Western Lake; the board discussed ADA-related redesign of a boardwalk slope and ongoing construction.

Melinda summarized a multi-year culvert-to-bridge program to improve hydrologic connections and resilience: five culvert replacements have been completed over the years; Stalworth remains as a future target and Western Lake work is in process. She said replacing culverts with bridges improves fish passage, reduces beaver-dam problems and supports evacuation-route resilience.

Why it matters: the week of events is intended to educate the public and celebrate restoration work; the infrastructure and resilience projects have long-term implications for evacuation routes, hydrology and lake health.

Next steps: staff will finalize the Coastal Dune Lake Week agenda, prepare outreach materials and continue design and procurement on the Allen Loop drainage project and Oyster Lake outfall; Taylor Engineering and partner organizations will present at the advisory meeting during the week of Oct. 27-30, 2025.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Coastal Dune Lakes Advisory Board - Apr 30 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Walton County advisory board planned October Coastal Dune Lake Week (Oct. 27'30, 2025), confirmed tours of Deer Lake restoration and Greatton Beach State Park, a paddle cleanup with Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance, and heard updates on resilience planning, Allen Loop drainage grant and several public-access projects.","taxTitle","Walton County, Florida","taxId",28197,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6248113,"Volunteer-created native-plant list presented; board discusses accessibility and next steps",574,2771000,3345000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3212126-7f2ef04165211032b8b548b20bc8e45c&start=2771&end=3345","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3212126-7f2ef04165211032b8b548b20bc8e45c/thumbnail_2771000.jpg","/articles/6248113/Walton-County/Florida/Volunteer-created-native-plant-list-presented-board-discusses-accessibility-and-next-steps","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6248113-c0cca894d0d08270911ae212e98a8135/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154180&Signature=SzrYDbOPWjkoXTPDel1O2A2otFd3mtuE502nOZz94-uzz5Wr278lqqntQ86z5Ic4KmBF3F8YZOMZqrTKARx4OBdDM1Pw1WYVCPr4VhUvghNPIhH1lNyhlC2EUMCZXv5GCo9~Q6abpHV-uwMdhPq0J2TaC2MsWMXwsMrQsfaPK9a9HGiSIlJtXke9R2C5L3luwQCFRpmNOozWRTj8PcnZc8e1UcdDjZ-wRCHBPdXCDknSZwWvw0zyXIRgBzMzkOrDMdUblIfa8GqRhey5VSo8KIXyl7-jAc0knlGVN1DthgPK7Rv6bgAaYa2MNleLUbtQw9ac9SdUUbekLSXhk5H~ng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A volunteer prepared and presented a native-plant list for the Walton County Coastal Dune Lake Protection Zone, and advisory board members discussed how to make it a usable public resource.

Michelle, community volunteer, presented the list and stressed the importance of using native species specific to Walton County to protect coastal dune lake ecosystems. She told the board, \"the protection of our rare coastal dune lakes begins with planting native species in the Coastal Dune Lake Protection Zone.\"

Staff said the list is a useful reference but raised a practical concern: some species on a native list are difficult to obtain from local nurseries. Melinda, staff member, suggested staff could work with the planning department and local nurseries to make the list publicly accessible, add it to county letterhead and the county website, and consider future inclusion in the land development code as a reference. She proposed that the document remain a working list and that staff could cross-reference species with local nursery availability.

Board members supplied corrections and additions during the meeting. One board member noted, \"There's a couple non natives on here,\" identifying specific examples (Clinopodium georgianum, vitex under trees, confederate jasmine) and suggested additional native species be added (e.g., mountain azalea, pineland milkweed) to support pollinators.

Staff and board discussed partnering with the University of Florida extension and Sea Grant resources to supply accurate, regionally appropriate plant recommendations; Melinda noted extension tools and apps that allow users to query native plants by ZIP code. The board did not take formal regulatory action on the list during the meeting but asked staff to make the list readily available to the public and to pursue nursery coordination and outreach.

Next steps: staff will explore posting the list on the county's Coastal Dune Lakes resource page, add extension and Sea Grant links, and accept edits from board members and extension agents to refine the list for public use.","A volunteer presented a native-plant list intended for Walton County's Coastal Dune Lake Protection Zone; staff proposed making the list publicly available and working with nurseries and extension agents to improve availability and accuracy.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6248117,"Dark-skies presentation prompts questions about flashlights and sea-turtle protection",55,1835000,1890000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3212126-7f2ef04165211032b8b548b20bc8e45c&start=1835&end=1890","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3212126-7f2ef04165211032b8b548b20bc8e45c/thumbnail_1835000.jpg","/articles/6248117/Walton-County/Florida/Dark-skies-presentation-prompts-questions-about-flashlights-and-sea-turtle-protection","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6248117-c48acd0d03987a38d778f6b07fff957a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154180&Signature=QqZdURxwcd6ARtinq7epVREwfhxiM-zrLZFM5P2SGCxo7yJ9m4fgRkTTV3Vu3K1FpF8Gq7LpBc91b3Xe77LJAToEsMdjS5Yy7ZSK6HgX-Z8d2DE~tS5-N1Beb8hhAKP6yCX3k7StmSiZ1VL7Ragg-WaLV6Eo29QzjcDqU0gMC4wo7Qx-8MRpZ8LXn3RN5DSUCQTBfznmrd4WWmDJFUaUR3QSWmb1EqT1rSWvi8TmlO5gYC9MuC3IZUzKG2svngOmDguMhO7QR2y1nJ1yF8ftnj8pbb1hCa5LdXddtYlM97eR1PBZEw-cAF6yIOugZ8DKWT9M8Rqn49DxY0r9ePxQcw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Zoom presentation on light pollution and dark-sky practices prompted advisory-board members and residents to ask how Walton County's rules protect sea-turtle nesting from shore-based light, and whether handheld flashlights are covered.

Cassie, the meeting presenter, discussed light wavelengths and lighting design (presentation slides were not included in the meeting transcript). During public comment, Lee Patterson asked, \"I was just wondering if Walton County has an ordinance that prevents flashlights on the beach during sea turtle nesting season.\" Melinda, staff member, replied, \"No. Our ordinance does not specifically address flashlights per se. What it has in there, however, is there is a condition that basically says that there cannot be any direct or indirect light source, visible.\"

Melinda said the county's wildlife lighting ordinance covers lighting beginning at mean high water and extending 750 feet landward, overlapping areas where coastal dune lakes exist. She described county practice for enforcement and outreach: code officers conduct nighttime shifts on the beach, speak with people when they see problematic lighting, and staff provide flashlight covers and loaner flashlights at the county visitor center to reduce harmful lighting.

During the question-and-answer period a resident asked about bulb color and Kelvin ratings; the presenter (Cassie) acknowledged that Kelvin relates to color temperature and that color can affect light impacts on wildlife but that she \"should have included\" that information on her slides. Board members also asked whether LEDs are preferable to incandescent bulbs; the presenter discussed trade-offs but the transcript does not include a definitive technical prescription.

Why it matters: light from shore can disorient nesting sea turtles and hatchlings. The advisory board and staff emphasized outreach to visitors and property owners, public education programs, and availability of physical mitigation (lens covers) rather than a prohibition on handheld flashlights.

Next steps and context: staff said the wildlife lighting ordinance and ongoing outreach overlap with coastal-dune-lake protections and that the county uses education and enforcement to reduce harmful lighting. The board thanked the presenter and did not take formal action on the issue during the meeting.","A presenter on light pollution briefed the Walton County Coastal Dune Lake Advisory Board on dark-sky concepts; staff said the county's wildlife lighting ordinance bars direct or indirect visible light but does not explicitly mention handheld flashlights, and staff described outreach and mitigation practices.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":91,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":94,"_51":105,"_53":106,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":107,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":108,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6248122,"Coastal dune lake advisory board asks BCC to approve $100,000 for invasive-plant control",1715,3550000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3212126-7f2ef04165211032b8b548b20bc8e45c&start=1835&end=3550","/articles/6248122/Walton-County/Florida/Coastal-dune-lake-advisory-board-asks-BCC-to-approve-100000-for-invasive-plant-control","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6248122-b8eeac55848ec7e682d7ec5bb4decb13/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154180&Signature=ekF-bFC3qBeYY~k-Z1KeZkDDeZgDvTnAEXX3R3FcTPtMPzQXLf2QY9iXRFHbv2stU3yDoXgfPcOb154beIurLwwTYa7YprCqE8msZA~5Zmeuh6o6PvNarS4Xc1i3kv2-BW13RrgKzKbXeVjFMhh~lebKD-ah~z6ujOGcpUeq597mego3OxpLwGo9KdfoGOwQJVlG8FqDUUXIKn0tFTe3bVg3O9zxfcgRSI9IwWUHk7eROgWFRzifCOIYGwowoqRYqhgsRKqldaARXL6yEN3wJKV8Hf9vWaDeKS2jhSS1soxFall~~4egLN1ElPEbYr3zXGCuwHeDFRgB3nQ224z6Og__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Walton County Coastal Dune Lake Advisory Board voted to recommend that the Board of County Commissioners use $100,000 from the county's Coastal Dune Lake fund to restart a program to control invasive exotic plants, including phragmites, around multiple coastal dune lakes.

The recommendation followed a staff explanation that prior RESTORE grant funding for treatments has ended and that county funds previously set aside remain available for projects. Melinda, staff member, said, \"I would like to request through the Board of County Commissioners to utilize a hundred thousand dollars to do up this program.\" She described the amount as likely sufficient for one to two years of treatment based on earlier projects.

The request was moved and passed by the advisory board: after discussion, the chair asked, \"All in favor? Alright. Any opposed? Passes.\" The board did not record an individual tally in the meeting transcript.

Why it matters: phragmites and other aggressive species can expand rapidly and alter vegetation, hydrology and wildlife habitat in the county's coastal dune lakes. The advisory board said earlier RESTORE-funded work treated at least 13 lakes and that management, rather than eradication, is the expected outcome.

Staff clarified funding context. Melinda said the county receives $100,000 annually to the Coastal Dune Lake fund and has been permitted to let those allocations accumulate when projects were not active; she said the account had previously approached about $500,000 but that large past projects (including a 2018 environmental assessment) used significant sums. She also noted the fund has been used for outreach such as mailers; a recent mail-out program typically involved more than 1,500 mailings and printing costs.

Discussion items the board raised included the duration of control efforts, the inevitability of continued maintenance, and the need to identify additional funding sources. A board member noted the upcoming 6 Rivers CISMA meeting would include discussion of phragmites control.

Next steps: staff said they would move the recommendation forward to the Board of County Commissioners for formal consideration and procurement if the BCC approves. The advisory board recorded the recommendation as an approved action and the staff will \"get that moving through the process in the system,\" Melinda said.

The advisory board also discussed making outreach and educational materials available to support any program, and noted potential partnerships with organizations such as the Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance for on-the-ground work.","Walton County Coastal Dune Lake Advisory Board voted to recommend the Board of County Commissioners allocate $100,000 to resume a multi-year program to manage invasive plants (notably phragmites) across the county's coastal dune lakes.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Advisory board outlines Coastal Dune Lake Week events and updates on resilience and lake projects

Volunteer-created native-plant list presented; board discusses accessibility and next steps

Dark-skies presentation prompts questions about flashlights and sea-turtle protection

Coastal dune lake advisory board asks BCC to approve $100,000 for invasive-plant control