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Gulf County commissioners press for transfer of Eglin-held beach access, urge congressional action
Summary
After receiving a letter from Eglin explaining why a narrow stretch of beach remains closed to vehicular access, Gulf County commissioners criticized the federal response and discussed seeking an act of Congress to transfer the land to the county to preserve public driving access and address erosion concerns.
Several Gulf County commissioners sharply criticized Eglin Air Force Base's handling of a narrow public beach stretch and said the county will pursue a political solution to restore vehicular access.
"We cannot trust Eglin to keep this open to the public," an unidentified commissioner said during the Dec. 16 meeting after reading a response from Eglin to Senator Moody's office. The speaker described the letter as a "joke" and urged a congressional transfer of the property to Gulf County to protect public access and accelerate shoreline renourishment options.
Other commissioners recounted efforts to accommodate federal environmental requirements, including spending roughly $100,000 on a habitat conservation plan (HCP) and meeting with Eglin representatives in person. One commissioner said the county has "jumped through every hoop" and that the federal response indicated little intention to re-open the area to vehicle traffic.
Commissioners and staff outlined reasons they favor local ownership: they argued county stewardship and local law enforcement have historically managed beach driving elsewhere, and they said transferring the parcel would make it easier to integrate the area into proposed breakwater and sand-management plans designed to slow erosion. A commissioner noted past successful federal-to-local transfers at Beacon Hill and Salinas and said those transfers were achieved through congressional action.
No formal transfer or legal action was taken at the meeting; commissioners agreed to continue pursuing a political route, including engaging congressional offices, and to raise the topic at future meetings and the January retreat.
The board did not vote on policy changes at this meeting, but several commissioners urged staff and elected officials to press for legislation to return the property to local control.
