Property owners and fellow island enthusiasts,
In 1953, by special act of the Florida Legislature, the Okaloosa Island Authority was created as an instrumentality of the County and vested with administrative authority over the portion of the Santa Rosa Island owned by the County.
Two years later on Nov 21 st , 1955 the Island Authority adopted Okaloosa Island’s Protective Covenants. These covenants called for the creation of OILA whose stated purpose is to coordinate affairs between property owners/leaseholders and the Okaloosa County government.
Within OILA, the Architectural Review Committee (ARC) advises and assists Okaloosa County in affairs of the Protective Covenants and Restrictions that affect leaseholders and landowners.
Since 1955, OILA has been dedicated to preserving the Island’s Protective Covenants and Restrictions and our unparalleled way of life on the Emerald Coast by safeguarding against threats to your property.
These threats include:
• Beach Erosion—According to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Okaloosa Island Beaches have been considered “Critically Eroded” for several years following a series of destructive hurricanes. As plans are developed for restoration of our dunes, OILA stands watch to ensure that our beaches are kept in pristine condition.
• Destruction of natural areas that are potential habitat for endangered species such as the Gulf Coast Solitary Bee, which feeds only on the Coastal Plain Honeycombhead flower that exists in all of our northside beach freeways, as well as the endangered Florida Perforate Reindeer Lichen. We are also witnessing a major reduction in the population of Monarch Butterflies on the Island.
• Short-term rentals in the quiet single-family home zones north of Santa Rosa Blvd. These actions commercialize our quiet, family neighborhoods as vacationing transients turn them into just another Florida party destination--similar to Navarre Beach or Destin.
When united against prior threats, property owners have prevailed. Join the Okaloosa Island Leaseholders Association (OILA) to get involved, to stay informed, to make your voice louder, and to protect your property value and enjoyment of the island.
OILA—We’re Stronger Together
Erosion Concerns
Army Corp of Engineers (Mobile District) Study
Okaloosa County, Florida Coastal Storm Risk Management Study Main Report Appendix A - Engineering Appendix B – Economics Appendix C - Environmental Appendix D – Real EstateCritical Eroded Beach Study
This document, which is updated annually, provides a listing of Florida’s beaches that are designated critically erodedOkaloosa County There are three critically eroded beach areas (6.5 miles) and one critically eroded inlet shoreline area (0.8 mile) in Okaloosa County (Figure 17). The 2.8 miles of developed Santa Rosa Island, known as Okaloosa Island (R1 – R15) near Fort Walton Beach, is critically eroded. Dune restoration projects were constructed after the hurricanes of 1995, 1998, 2004 and 2012. The east shoreline of East Pass along Norriego Point is experiencing critical inlet shoreline erosion threatening development and recreational interests. This area has bulkheads and retaining walls in front of private development, and a seawall and boulder mound T-groins along the undeveloped segment to the north. The western 1.6 miles of Destin (R17 – R25.5) is designated critically eroded following the severe impact of the 2005 hurricane season and on-going erosion conditions. The western portion on Holiday Isles (R17.2 – R19.8) received emergency nourishment in 2010, and the entire beach restoration project was completed in 2013. The eastern 2.1 miles of Destin (R39 – R50) is designated critically eroded, threatening development and the coastal road. This area is a beach restoration project constructed in 2007.
