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Deadman's Project in jeopardy
Couple's objection letter threatens DEP permitting the project
A Gulf Breeze couple has filed an objection letter to the Department of Environmental Protection concerning its permitting of three aspects of the Deadman's Island Restoration project. Nathan and Cynthia Cope, who own waterfront property on Highpoint Drive near Deadman's Island, are concerned that these three aspects of the project would threaten their riparian/littoral rights. In a letter to DEP, the Copes' lawyer, Tom Brady, outlines the three aspects as the "location of the oyster basket reef, the proposed fill operation and the proposed planting operations." "It's detrimental to the project," said Heather Reed, project manager. "We were about to be permitted, and I hope that this is a misunderstanding." The Copes entered an agreement with the City of Gulf Breeze in July of 2008, after a quarrel over the location of the oyster reef breakwater structure. On July 31, 2008, Gulf Breeze News reported that the quarrel was over, but it now appears that isn't the case. The small island is located in Pensacola Bay, just northwest of Highpoint Drive in Gulf Breeze Proper. The island is the victim of constant erosion. Gulf Breeze city officials worked closely with state environment officials and Ecological Consulting Services, Inc. to draft a restoration project designed to stabilize the island and prevent it from disappearing. The permit to move forward with the restoration project appeared to be a sure thing until the latest objections. In addition to permitting, this objection could cause the project to lose a substantial amount of funding. "We have an opportunity to get $1.6 million of Coastal Restoration Stimulus funding to complete all seven tasks of the Project," Reed said. "This project alone will stimulate over 100 temporary jobs for people to get back on their feet. "Without the permits, everyone loses." |
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