Beaches

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Public hearing on customary use in Santa Rosa Beach Sept. 8

Public hearing to adopt a formal notice of intent to affirm the existence of recreational customary uses on private property • The Walton County Board of County Commissioners proposes to adopt a formal Notice of Intent to affirm the existence of recreational customary uses on beachfront property in Walton County, Florida. You are hereby notified that a Public Hearing on the Notice of Intent will be held on September 8, 2018, beginning at 9:00 a.m., or as soon as possible...

Wheelchairs available at five South Walton beach accesses

High tech chairs offer beach enjoyment for mobility challenged Being mobility challenged can be frustrating, especially when one wants to enjoy our beautiful beaches in South Walton. However, five South Walton Fire District Lifeguard Stations offer beach wheelchairs for public use, making access much easier. This service is offered at no charge through a partnership between South Walton Fire District (SWFD) and the Walton County Tourist Development Council. The beach wheelchairs are located at the following accesses from west to...

Gov. Scott takes executive action to protect access to Florida beaches

Gov. signs executive order calling on counties to not limit access to Beaches TALLAHASSEE, Fla. July 12, 2018 – Governor Rick Scott today issued Executive Order 18-202, which urges Florida counties to protect public beach access and directs the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to support these efforts. The executive order specifically calls on counties to not limit access to beaches. In March, Governor Scott signed HB 631, sponsored by Senator Kathleen Passidomo (R-Naples) and Representative Katie Edwards–Walpole (D-Sunrise), which passed the Florida Legislature with...

Health advisory issued for Grayton Beach

The Florida Department of Health in Walton County (DOH-Walton) conducts regularly scheduled saltwater beach water quality monitoring at seven sites through the Healthy Beaches Monitoring Program. Samples are collected from March through the end of October. The water samples are analyzed for enteric bacteria (enterococci) that normally inhabit the intestinal tract of humans and animals, which may cause human disease, infections, or rashes. The presence of enteric bacteria is an indication of fecal pollution, which may come from storm water...

Federal lawsuit could bar public from beaches and recreation areas

From the Walton County Public Information Office A federal lawsuit, filed on behalf of a beachfront homeowner, attempts to block Walton County, Florida’s efforts to legally recognize customary use, or the public’s long standing right to use the beaches for recreational purposes. This lawsuit has national implications and, if successful, could deny the public’s traditional right to use recreational sites throughout the United States. Walton County takes this threat very seriously, and is prepared to aggressively defend customary use and...

Health advisory issued for Dune Allen and Blue Mountain Beach

The Florida Department of Health in Walton County (DOH-Walton) conducts regularly scheduled saltwater beach water quality monitoring at seven sites through the Healthy Beaches Monitoring Program. Samples are collected from March through the end of October. The water samples are analyzed for enteric bacteria (enterococci) that normally inhabit the intestinal tract of humans and animals, which may cause human disease, infections, or rashes. The presence of enteric bacteria is an indication of fecal pollution, which may come from storm water...

Free admission to Grayton Beach and Topsail Hill Preserve State Parks through Labor Day

Regular day-use admission fees have been waived for public entrance to Topsail Hill Preserve State Park and Grayton Beach State Park through a reimbursement program administered by Visit South Walton (VSW). The program is in effect May 25 – September 3, 2018. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park is located at 7525 W. Scenic Highway 30A, Santa Rosa Beach, Florida 32459. For more information, call (850) 267-8330. ::MAP:: Grayton Beach State Park is located in Walton County, South of U.S. 98...

Learn about shorebirds at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park May 4

Join Topsail Hill Preserve State Park and the Audubon Society on May 4, 2018 from 10 – 11 a.m. and learn about the shorebirds that nest on and visit the beaches of the Florida Panhandle. This program is free with regular park admission. Topsail Talks is a monthly educational discovery series with presentations from organizations and government agencies from outside the park.  Future dates and topics are “Living Bear-wise” by FWCC on June 15, “Prescribed Fires and the Forest” by...