Residents press for environmental studies as town flags DEP permitting for work east of coastal control line

Several residents asked whether proposed hardscape and new structures would harm the coastal environment, the turtle nesting habitat and nearby reef areas. Anne Marie Joyce asked explicitly about ‘‘so much concrete’’ and what environmental benefit the plan offers. Eric Harrison said the plan has not yet undergone environmental studies; the team contacted the Florida Department of Environmental Protection during feasibility but has not submitted the current conceptual plan for DEP review.

Staff clarified the workshop focuses on park improvements east of the seawall; there is no plan in this project to renourish beach sand west of the wall, which would require federal/state cooperation and separate agreements with neighboring jurisdictions. "Any work east of that we're going to have to permit through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection," Harrison said.

Residents urged careful treatment of dunes and preservation of tree canopy; several asked that the town focus on native landscaping, pervious paving options to reduce runoff, and minimal structure footprints to protect the coastal hammock and reduce long-term maintenance burdens.