Northwest Florida has begun to experience the type of coastal development so 

 common to south Florida. 



Population Growth 



The population of Florida grew from 55,000 in 1845 to almost 10 million 

 in 1980. It continued to increase statewide at an average rate of about 7,000 

 people per week. A major part of this growth can be attributed to migration 

 from other States. Because of this growth sand dunes have been leveled, bays 

 have been polluted, estuaries have been dredged and filled, rivers have been 

 channelized, and the State has increasingly had to cope with the multiple-use 

 problems of development. A recent feature article in Sports Illustrated (Jan- 

 uary 1981) has gained some notoriety in Tallahassee and the rest of the State. 

 The title of the article "There's Trouble in Paradise," gives an indication of 

 its tone. According to the authors "in no state is the environment being 

 wrecked faster and on a larger scale" (Boyle and Mechem 1981). Although the 

 article is largely an editorial statement and subject to dispute, it does em- 

 phasize the problems confronting Florida as a result of development and illus- 

 trates many types of multiple-use conflicts that are associated with develop- 

 ment, particularly those related to population growth. 



Egl in Air Force Base 



A number of major developments have taken place in Northwest Florida over 

 the past several decades. By far, the largest development was the Egl in Air 

 Force Base. The base was started in 1935 with the establishment of the Val- 

 paraiso Gunnery Range on 55 ha (137 acres) of land. Today, Egl in is one of 

 the world's largest military bases with 187,800 ha (725 mi2) of land spread 

 over Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and Walton Counties. It employs about 7,000 De- 

 partment of Defense (DOD) personnel and about 3,300 non-DOD personnel. The 

 base is the single largest employer in the region (Dames and Moore, Inc. 

 1980). 



Panama City 



One of the most apparent coastal developments in Northwest Florida is the 

 growth of Panama City as a major tourist center. Numerous motels and hotels 

 have sprung up along the beach in recent years, together with condominiums, 

 restaurants, recreation facilities, and other tourist attractions. While 

 attempting to appeal to the tourist trade, the area has undergone substantial 

 beach erosion and is the site of a major beach nourishment project by the 

 Corps of Engineers. 



Principal Concerns 



Industry, especially in Escambia County, plays an important economic role 

 in the region, much of it in conflict with the environment. For example, many 

 industrial plants in the Escambia River and Bay are causing severe water qual- 

 ity problems (which are discussed later in this chapter). The St. Joe Paper 

 Company in Gulf County has been the source of considerable air and water pol- 

 lution. 



In all, the greatest land development problems currently concern residen- 

 tial development in coastal areas such as on St. George Island and in the 



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