The Walton County Commission last November voted unanimously to seek a judge’s determination that its claim of customary use was valid and the county’s beaches should be publicly accessible. On Dec. 11, it filed a lawsuit seeking a declaratory judgment in the matter.
Before filing the suit, the county notified 1,194 beach property owners of their intention to take legal action. Thus far, 602 of those owners have hired lawyers to “intervene” on their behalf in the court case and resist the county’s effort.
Circuit Court Judge David Green has been assigned the customary use case and will at some point rule either for or against the county’s motion. Most people involved in the case figure Green’s ruling won’t resolve anything and that whichever side loses will appeal the case. As both sides fight in the courts for what they think is right, the millions of visitors that come to Walton County each year may continue to be left reading signs on the beach and scratching their heads.