How important is sand retention. Ultimately, each solution involves tradeoffs. A seawall around the entire point will give great protection for the harbor, but would prevent boaters from pulling up along the harbor side of the point, a popular recreational activity. A series of groin fields perpendicular to the point would trap sand, but could still breach. Waves from the southwest pound the spit, suspending sand in the water.
Strong currents carry the sand off.
When the spit breaches, waves from the Gulf pound boats and docks creating serious economic problems for Destin's charter fleet and other derivative businesses. Florida mandates that each inlet have a plan in place so sand moves across the pass as if the inlet didn't exist. The study makes recommendations for bi-annual dredging, to counter the effects of littoral drift which moves sand from east to west. The jetties trap sand, causing it to build in Destin, and decrete along Okaloosa Island. Norriego Point was included in the study because the eroded spit affects bypass requirements, but the state Department of Environmental Protection is now trying to foist onto Destin or Okaloosa County the onus of the feasibility study, according to frustrated city engineer Chuck Meister.