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

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.