JUPITER ISLAND, FLORIDA 



The area studied covers the easterly shore of Jupiter Island 

 on the Atlantic Coast of Florida, about 90 miles north of Miamij and 

 includes the beach from a point north of St« Lucie Inlet to a point 

 south of Jupiter Inlet, a total distance of 20 miles » The beach at 

 Jupiter Island is backed by a narrow strip of land, which is separated 

 from tiie mainland by a chain of tidal ponds, lakes, and bays, inter- 

 connected by a system of tidal canals, forming part of the Atlantic 

 Intracoastal Waterwayo The central portion of Jupiter Island, 

 opposite the town of Ho be Sound, has been highly developed as a winter 

 residence area and many large and expensive homes are located near 

 the beach in that section. The northern and southern portions of the 

 island are undeveloped » 



The purpose of the Board's study was to determine the best 

 method of preventing further erosion on the easterly side of Jupiter 

 Island, The Board investigated the geology of the area, the com- 

 position of the beach, storms and their effects, winds, tides, changes 

 in shore lines and offshore depths, and littoral drift, and review- 

 ed the history of the existing protective stmctureso 



The Board found that, as the northern and southern portions are 

 undeveloped, the central developed portion is the only area for which 

 protection is needed at the present time. The shore of the developed 

 portion is privately owned landward of the high-water line. 



The Board is of the opinion \hat the most effective practicable 

 method of preventing further erosion of the shore of the developed 

 area is the construction of a continuous bulkhead fronted by a system 

 of impermeable groins. Owing to the relatively large cost of such a 

 comprehensive improvement, the Baard concluded that a practicable 

 plan for achieving in part the objectives desired by local interests 

 would provide for the extension of the existing bulkhead system in 

 stages along a bulkhead line to be established to mark the seaward 

 limit of all future building construction. 



The Board recommended that the property owners at Jupiter Island 

 adopt a coordinated plan for the protection of shore front property, 

 the principal features of which would comprise (a) establishment of 

 a bulkhead line and (b) extension of bulkhead construction along the 

 established bulkhead line in stages as necessary to protect buildings 

 threatened by erosion. 



In accordance with the requirements of law, the Baard stated 

 that adoption of a Federal project for the protection of Jupiter 

 Island is not advisable, no public interest is involved in such pro- 

 tection, and no part of the expense should be borne by the United 

 States, 



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