Eglin Air Force Base is actively installing new fencing along the north side of Highway 98 across Okaloosa Island, stretching from the U.S. Coast Guard Station Destin to the Gulf Islands National Seashore.
- The Civil Engineer Group began installing approximately 17,000 linear feet of fencing on March 17, with completion scheduled for June 30.
According to an Eglin spokesperson, the fencing serves multiple purposes, including addressing safety concerns related to illegal parking on the highway’s right-of-way and pedestrians crossing the highway from south side parking areas. Eglin says the project also aims to protect habitats and species.
- “Fencing the entire length of that area will continue to protect Florida’s imperiled coastal habitats that support species, including the black skimmer and the least tern shore birds,” the spokesperson added.
The new fencing near the seawall specifically targets illegal driving to the shoreline, which has “significantly accelerated erosion and threatens the integrity of the Highway 98 travel corridor.”
“The intent is to prohibit public access to Eglin property on the north side of Highway 98,” the spokesperson said. “Along with the new post and cable system, warning signs will also be installed.”
There will be no public access points within the work area on the north side of Highway 98, though government-only access points and gates will remain intact.
Those seeking access to Choctawhatchee Bay can still visit through managed recreation areas including the National Park Service Gulf Islands National Seashore and Marler Park.
Eglin also maintains four other public beach access points on the island: Eglin Beach Club (for DoD card holders), the Matterhorn, Princess Beach, and Airman’s Beach. Each of these areas is available to beachgoers with a free permit from the Eglin website.
16 Responses
Thank you for this article. For once, thought is being given to the Terns. Seems like all I hear is ‘boost tourism’. Our native flora and fauna deserve respect. Again, many thanks.
All I ask is that if Eglin is going to restrict access (after all these years) and are advertising that the property is Eglin AFB property that they take measures to maintain it and keep it clean. Because right now, as I drive by and I see the signs proclaiming Eglin AFB property, I’m disappointed to see the unkept and trashing state of the property, it should be embarrassing to the Wing CC.
Tourists and locals throwing trash ️
While I agree that our Island should have better upkeep, I would task the Tourist Development Council, with this. Eglin doesn’t advertise for tourists that I know of. Eglin does not have to allow people access to the beach. Thank goodness they do.
Now that Ms. Ketchel has her pathway, along with a cement wall where there used to be dunes, I am grateful for ANY dunes left standing.
If it matters, I arrived here in 1955, and have watched the incremental destruction of the natural beauty. Still, this is home. I cherish my memories.
Tara m!!
The only way to keep it trash free is to close 98! It’s tourists and locals throwing the trash out of the window
The trashing isn’t from the Eglin AFB property, it is from the vehicle traffic on 98. I have volunteered for clean up along this roadway and can say that all the fast food trash, commercial garbage, vehicle parts, and other trash wasn’t put there by the AF.
Might have tried a few no parking no access signs first. What an eyesore a fence will be.
Like people actually obey signs, especially when they think they are entitled to access.
I support Elgin AF for their stewardship of this beautiful landscape the Base occupies! However:
The warning signs are the ugliest thing ever!
Perhaps blue background with white text saying simply:
Property of Eglin Air Force Base
No entry – Enforcement Ongoing
Not a fan, the beach is supposed to be enjoyed. This is going to be another area where we will be watching people pull up on boats only just like the jetty’s area… So ridiculous. Locals should have access too. I used to take my kids there.
The air force may “own” the land, but we the people own the air force. It’s our beach to enjoy.
So let me get this right everyone is happy about protecting the environment and saving taxpayer’s money. Than what is with the new trail they just made with a Dozer down the south side of the road and who paid for the road to nowhere. How dare you walk on the sand dunes but Dozers are Ok.
Actually I believe parking with walkovers could have solved the issue and granted us access to the wall( for those who grew up here). Too much congestion now at the parks. The wall is shallow and safe for children. Not much difference with the Officers club on the gulf side.
I think, with the fencing, the boat world gains an advantage.
My two cents, old local!
I have been here all my life! Born here raised here and never moved anywhere else! 52 years and we gave never had to do anything like this! Always had access and been allowed to go down there because we all respected the area because we had to live here! We should keep clearing land and building huge apartment complexes and and keep stuffing more idiots in here so we can’t drive to the store without it being an hour ordeal!!! We need more disrespectful, inconsiderate, idiots in here to show us how they lived in their big cities or towns they came from! I mean they all love our area so much that they just want to move here so they can make it just as bad as the place they are from!! Just sayin!!
I will continue to go there and enjoy my time on this earth. This is bs. They just allowed the county to gangrape the south side of 98, directly across from this with their stupid pet project. Hell naw
When I was A Deputy with the Sheriff’s Office I was issuing county ordinance citations to people who were parking on the right-of-way along the area of the sea wall where the erosion is currently happening. After I cited a ‘Destinite’ who felt they could do anything they want and complained to the Sheriff, I was told to stop issuing citations. If I could have continued issuing citations along with help from other Deputies on other shifts, the erosion issue may have been longer delayed in occurring. But I will never know since the good ol’ boy environment of the Sheriff’s Office along with the revenue from Destin’s contract is the priority.