considerable recreational benefits to local residents. The problem is that 



many of the beaches have been badly eroded by either natural or manmade 



causes. The situation could be worse if there is no restoration or stabiliza- 

 tion. 



Erosion is one of the dynamic natural processes associated with beaches, 

 but the imposition of manmade structures can cause critical economic losses. 

 Urban development often aggravates beach erosion. In recognition of the beach 

 erosion problem, the Coastal Construction Setback Line Law of 1970 (ch. 161 

 F.S.) was enacted. The legislature made the following pronouncements in con- 

 junction with that law (Florida Department of Administration 1978). 



The attraction of Florida 'a beautiful beaches and shores accounts 

 for a substantial portion of the State's annual tourist trade. 



Beach and shore erosion is a serious menace to the economy and 

 general welfare of the people of this State. 



Unguided development of these beaches and shores coupled with 

 uncontrolled erosive forces is destroying or substantially damag- 

 ing many miles of our valuable beaches each year. 



If construction or excavation is allowed to encroach upon the line 

 of mean high water too closely, erosive processes are initiated or 

 accelerated both at the site involved and on neighboring beach and 

 shore properties as well. 



The greater public interests compel that certain enforceable 

 restrictions be placed upon the location of coastal contruction 

 and excavation even though such construction or excavation is 

 located on private lands. 



Beach erosion is a pressing problem along much of the gulf coast of 

 Northwest Florida. Hurricanes, of course, have the most devastating effect 

 upon the shoreline. Since 1711, more than 70 hurricanes have crossed the 

 Northwest Florida coast or passed close enough to cause damage. The Panama 

 City area is central to the region and has been substantially affected by 12 

 hurricanes since 1856 (U.S. Amy Corps of Engineers 1980). In addition to 

 hurricanes, strong winter storms frequently produce serious erosion. On the 

 average, 15 to 20 such stonns occur each winter. 



According to a study by the U.S. Anny Corps of Engineers there are 

 44.6 mi of gulf shoreline along Bay County, 21.5 mi are subject to critical 

 erosion, 17.3 mi to noncritical erosion, and only 5.8 mi are noneroding. Of 

 the 27.9 mi in private ownership, 16.6 mi are for private recreational use. 

 It is here that there is strong pressure for dealing with shoreline erosion. 

 Critical erosion is defined in the study as "...those areas where erosion pre- 

 sents a serious problem because the rate of erosion considered in conjunction 

 with economic, industrial, recreation, agricultural, navigational, demo- 

 graphic, ecological, or other relevant factors, (indicates) that action to 

 halt such erosion may be (imperative)." 



Following adoption of a 1970 resolution by the U.S. Senate Committee on 

 Public Works, the Corps of Engineers prepared a report on the need for beach 



284 



