erosion control, hurricane protection, and related purposes (U.S. Army Corps 

 of Engineers 1976). The report was submitted in 1976 recommending a project 

 for the 18.5-mi reach of the Panama City beaches. Although the study was 

 authorized and initiated in the early 1970's, Hurricane Eloise (23 September 

 1975), v;hich was extremely destructive in tenms of erosion and property dam- 

 age, reinforced the need for beach control and hurricane protection. 



A beach and dune development plan was prepared as the most suitable plan 

 for implementation. Under the plan, an artificial dune system 15 ft high and 

 30 ft wide would be provided, together with a beach width of 110 ft. The dune 

 would be stabilized with vegetative cover, and the beach would need renourish- 

 ment every 10 years because of continuing erosion. The estimated total first 

 cost of the project is $19,550,000. The beneficiaries of the improvement were 

 viewed as the numerous property owners adjacent to the shorel ine and the thou- 

 sands of visitors who will use the enlarged beach. The project, together with 

 the existing beach area, "would assure continuation of beach recreation and 

 associated development and land use patterns. Continued development would 

 sustain high employment and good earnings along with projected increases in 

 local population" (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 1976). 



Construction of the beach and dune restoration project was completed in 

 1979 despite controversy concerning the cost, design, method of construction, 

 and potential environmental impacts of the project. Currently, the project 

 seems to be serving its intended purpose. 



Although beaches are vital to the economy and environment of Northwest 

 Florida, substantial erosion is taking place. Some people wonder if erosion 

 is really a problem if development and construction are kept away from the 

 shoreline. The basic conflict seems to be between development along the beach 

 for tourism (i.e., motels, hotels, condominimums, and beach houses), and main- 

 taining beaches and dunes in their natural state. Because major investments 

 already have been made along the beaches, especially at Panama City, and 

 because these investments play an important role in the economy, it is reason- 

 ably safe to assume that economic interests will predominate over environ- 

 mental interests. The adoption and enforcement of the State's coastal 

 construction control line requirements under the "Beach and Shore Preservation 

 Act" (ch. 161 F.S.) should play a major role in lessening future conflicts 

 between beach erosion and development. 



POLLUTION OF ESCAMBIA BAY 



Pensacola Bay, collectively formed by gulf waters and the drainage of the 

 Escambia, Blackwater, Yellow, and East Bay River basins, lies to the east and 

 to the south of the City of Pensacola. Perdido Bay, likewise formed by the 

 gulf waters and the contributions from the Perdido and Styz River basins, lies 

 to the west and south of Pensacola. 



Industrialization around Escambia Bay and along the Escambia River dates 

 back to 1951 with the establishment of a plant at Pensacola Bay by the Mon- 

 santo Chemical Company. The Escambia Chemical Company and American Cyanamid 

 Corporation also built plants on the bay (Carter 1974). As of 1980, there 

 were six major industrial plants on or near the Bay (Table 4), 



236 



