Coastal Community Association

Welcome to the Coastal Community Association. We have a new, energized Board of Directors and are seeking members to serve on our committees to stay on top of several critical issues affecting all of South Gulf County. Good government comes from having involved and informed citizens who stay ahead of the issues and changes that will occur in our small piece of paradise. Our Board is dedicated to keeping abreast of the issues and working to maintain our unique coastal style of living in North Florida. Please visit our Contact Info page for a list of committees and contact the committee chair if you will serve on a committee that is of particular interest to you.

A few of the issues that we have targeted are:

1.  The wetlands issue will have a huge impact from Jones Homestead to Simmons Bayou to Indian Pass. The proposed setbacks and elimination of the non jurisdictional wetlands will create major permitting and use of land problems for many property owners. In some instances around Simmons Bayou and the Indian Pass lagoon an owner may have to go through three different government agencies to use their land. Please go to the minutes of the June Annual Meeting for more information on this subject. Support Gulf County as they continue to try to fight this.

2.  Taxes and what our County Commissioners are doing with our money are always a big issue, particularly for those who own land that is not their primary residence. The state legislator has passed new laws in June dealing with the run a way tax issue in Florida. Our County Commissioners are going to have to cut back 9% from their budget for next year. They are presently attempting to do this and what and how they cut back will be posted on our website as it happens. We will also be trying to make sure what few services we have in South Gulf County are not cut back.

3.  Keeping our beaches clean, safe and friendly is a primary goal. While we support beach driving, we would like to see it done responsibly and have the present rules and ordinances enforced. We will be working with the Sheriff’s Dept to do so. There are also issues as to trash receptacles, trash pickup, beach chairs and beach paraphernalia left on the beaches for days at time; and how and where overnight camping may be appropriate that we need to have a voice in.

4.  Safety issues involve our great South Gulf County Volunteer Fire Department. They continue to be our first (and only) line of defense against fires and are our essential first responders for medical or accident emergencies. They literally are our lifeline. Please support them. The new fire truck should be arriving soon and they are still trying to obtain sites at Indian Pass and on the Cape for additional fire stations. They are seeking at least ½ acre to build on. Efforts are also under way to try to locate on a corner of Rish Park, since that would solve the safety issues for the Floridians with disabilities who use the park. Their website is sgcfire.com. The Sheriff’s Office has the beaches being patrolled during the summer. It is a nice presence to have throughout the day. Hopefully we will not lose this during the budget cutting that is going on now.

5.  Beach restoration is moving forward with a great job done by the Beach Advisory Committee and County. Their efforts have literally saved the cape. For up to the minute information on their progress they have a great website at savethecape.com. All of us at CCA support their efforts and appreciate all that they have done and continue to do.

6.  The movement of the CCCL and 30-year erosion line continues through the DEP process. We were, along with the County, successful at least in getting a 10 year credit for the Beach Restoration, which saved some properties. Thanks go to our Commissioners for their continuing efforts. Refer to the minutes for specific questions and answers that were given at the Annual meeting in June. DEP projects to have the new rule in place between August to mid September.

7.  The Stump Hole and potential wash through is high on our agenda. DOT has completed their report with two options left, but no money on the table to do anything at this time. Again see the Annual minutes. As Mr., Lovett from DOT reported it is a “when,” not “if,” conclusion that a wash through will happen. We need to be lobbying the state to get this problem on their funding agenda now, not later. Not only will a wash out strand the Cape, it will affect our St Joe Bay.

As you can see there is a lot going on. These are just a few of the issues that our Board is presently addressing.

We intend to update our Current Issues page on a monthly basis to provide you with current information on the “hot” issues in our county. Our Forum Page allows you to comment and bring up issues that someone may know the answer for. Our Associate Members are business leaders and stake holders in our coastal area who are a great asset to our organization. Please see the list of our Associates and their websites on the Membership Page and support them.

We want to be your source for information on issues affecting your property and the quality of your coastal living. If our organization is to have a strong voice on this wide variety of issues, we must have your support. Please join us and encourage others who are not CCA members to join today.

Patricia K. Hardman, PhD
President