06/13/2025
We are in urgent need of everyone’s assistance. A permit application was recently filed with the Army Corps of Engineers by Mr. Steven Etchen and his affiliates with respect to the relocation of the Money Bayou on Indian Pass. (I will include the permit on a separate post).
As you all know, the Money Bayou is of special biological significance and includes a full range of threatened coastal habitats and species. For example, just last year, the first known leatherback turtle nesting on Indian Pass beach in April came through the Money Bayou.
As well as being important for the health of the surrounding natural systems and species of the St. Joseph Bay State Buffer Preserve, it is also a popular recreational spot for the local community and tourists. Recreational fishing, crabbing and cast-netting for bait, bird watching, picnicking and general nature observation are enjoyed here regularly.
In addition, you may not know that the Money Bayou also has historical significance as the first African-American owned beach resort. The Money Bayou’s history has been dated back for over 12,000 years.
Mr. Eitchen and his affiliates own property on the Money Bayou and developed 4 rental houses. Now he is looking for direct beach access for these properties. As set forth in the permit, he is proposing to take “ownership” of the bayou and move it without any financial responsibility for problems, issues and damages at the expense of the environment, the public as well as my neighbors and my husband and I.
The proposed project already has the sign off of a department of the DEP. As you can appreciate, the negative effects (environmentally, the communities enjoyment of the bayou (fishing, crabbing etc.), and certainly flooding of my property and that of my neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. Dupree) could be catastrophic. If the permit is granted, no longer will Port St. Joe and Gulf County residents and our visitors be able to enjoy the Money Bayou; and the threat to the environment and its endangered inhabitants including the turtles would be severe.
We have been working with our neighbors on the Money Bayou, Mr. and Mrs. Dupree, and our legal counsel and have encouraged others to voice their concerns. Urgently, we need your assistance to bring this matter to the attention of the residents and notify the Army Corps of opposition to the granting of the permit.
The Jacksonville District of the Army Corps will receive written comments on the proposed work until June 23, 2025. Comments should be submitted electronically to Tracey Wheeler at [email protected]
Please refer to the permit application number SAJ-2016-03434 in your comments.
Please forward this message to any folks that you think may be interested and willing to help. Thanks!
The Money Bayou has been part of the fabric of Port St. Joe and Gulf County for thousands of years and I hope that it remains.
