Destin leaders ask Okaloosa County to back protection of Norriego Point shorebirds

Mayor Bobby Wagner of Destin asked the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday to join the city and state in protecting shorebird nesting habitat at Norriego Point, saying the site now hosts an expanding colony and has been identified by Florida Fish and Wildlife as an active, tier‑one nesting area.

Wagner told the board the state recently acquired nearly four acres adjacent to Norriego Point to be held for conservation and that Florida Audubon and the state’s regional shorebird biologist are active on the site. “This is not abstract,” Wagner said, urging the county to adopt a resolution and to finalize an interlocal agreement so the city can take on management and conservation responsibilities for the parcel.

Councilwoman Teresa Hiber, speaking for the Destin City Council, asked the county to draft and adopt a supporting resolution to help the city protect the newly nesting birds. Rob Vallaton, a board member of the Holiday Isle Improvement Association representing about 1,900 properties, said the property was purchased with conservation funds, that protected species are nesting there now, and that commercial development would be inconsistent with the parcel’s intended public purpose.

Speakers noted prior county correspondence that recommended conservation and warned that the state purchase would prevent a planned nine‑story condominium at the site. Destin leaders also described specific mitigation steps already taken — such as switching fireworks to drones for shows — and emphasized the fiscal and environmental benefits of conservation.

The board did not take formal action on the request during the meeting; Wagner asked that county staff work with the city and state on a path forward, including consideration of an interlocal agreement to align management with the state purchase and local conservation goals.

The next step, according to the speakers, would be drafting a county resolution and discussing the terms of an interlocal agreement to formalize shared management and protections for the newly acquired acreage at Norriego Point.