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Gustav Leaves Its Mark on Cape San Blas
09/01/08 - 03:45 PM
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Megan Albright - bio

click for larger image Gulf County, Fla:

Here at home hundreds of miles away from where the eye of hurricane Gustav hit, Cape San Blas in Gulf County is feeling the affects.  Storm surge from Gustav is crashing over protective rock barriers and mixing into the bay.

County Commissioners say they’ve tried to fix this problem, but the State of Florida will not cooperate.  For nine months Gulf County officials have been trying to get the Department of Environmental Protection to replace the rocks with larger ones that would help stop the water from coming over.  It hasn’t happened yet, and commissioners say they’ll do it whether the government likes it or not.

“I’m telling you right now.  I don’t care what DEP thinks.  We’re going to do what we feel is best for the tax payers and the community and we’re going to move on with or without them,” said Commissioner Billy Traylor.

“These rocks do not have the staying power to maintain that force so they’re being blown all over the road.  Crews have been out here since about five this morning trying to keep this road open,” added Commissioner Bill Williams.

If he has to go straight to the top to get this done, Traylor says that’s just what he’ll do.

“If I have to go to Tallahassee, if I have to see the Governor myself and tell him what a nightmare this was working with DEP I will do it,” said Traylor.

This is only the tip of the iceberg.  Commissioners say the County could face a major environmental catastrophe if the road washes away.

“This area also has a main water and sewer connection line.  If that breaches and it’s broken, those contaminants will go right into the bay.  This is a major issue that we have to take control over and deal with our friends at DEP at a later time,” Williams warned.

The County opened the contract for the rock work on Monday morning and they’re ready to move forward.

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