Santa Rosa County Commissioners today will decide whether or not to allow vendors on county-owned commercial property on Gulf Boulevard, and some islanders are concerned the move might set a precedent.
Last October, Santa Rosa County received nearly $1.84 million in the final phase of early restoration funding resulting from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Planned projects include new beach access boardwalks and a canoe/kayak launch at Navarre Beach Marine Park.
The Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center (NBSTCC) hosts a Trash Bash each month, collecting debris found along the beach in order to protect sea turtles that nest on the beach as well as other forms of marine life.
The artificial reefs in the sound and on the Gulf side are home to more than 60 different species, and with warmer temperatures on the horizon, they’ll soon be teeming with sea life.
Artificial reef experts, fisheries scientists and reef managers from around the state and nation are discussing current issues and exchange ideas for future projects at the 2015 Florida Artificial Reef Summit which started Jan. 13 and runs through Friday in Clearwater Beach.
Residents of Navarre Beach fought throughout the year to acquire fee simple titles for their properties on Santa Rosa Island. Santa Rosa County Property Appraiser Greg Brown began levying taxes against leased property and improvements on Navarre Beach in 2001. Residents opposed the taxes as they already paid leaseholder fees and saw it as a double tax. However, the Florida Supreme Court upheld Browns’ actions even after leaseholders asked for clarification.
Navarre Beach is mostly deserted during colder months, but there’s one group of local anglers who refuse to let frigid sea breezes and bone-chilling temperatures keep them off the island.