JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and representatives from Pinellas County will host a public meeting on the Pinellas County Beach renourishment project Wednesday, March 28 from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Indian Shores Municipal Facility.
The meeting will provide an overview of the upcoming Sand Key and Treasure Island beach renourishment project scheduled to begin mid-April. Sand placement will begin on Treasure Island beaches, and then move north to Sand Key at North Redington Beach and continue along the beaches to Clearwater. A brief presentation will be followed by a question and answer period.
Contractors will renourish critically eroded shoreline in Pinellas County using dredge material from Egmont Shoals as well as Johns Pass. The federal project, led by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in partnership with Pinellas County and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, is cost-shared between the federal government 75%, with the remaining 25% non-federal cost split by Pinellas County and the state of Florida.
Where: Sand Key – Clearwater beach to North Redington Beach
How much: 1,400,000 cubic yards of sand
Length along the shoreline: 10.5 miles
Width of the berm: Varies from 40 to 100 feet
Where: Sand Key – North Redington Beach
How much: 4,500 cubic yards of sand
Length along the shoreline: 1,800 feet
Width of the berm: varies from 0 to 10 feet.
Where: Treasure Island – Sunshine Beach and Sunset Beach
How much: 250,000 cubic yards of sand
Length along the shoreline: 2,200 feet
Width of the berm: 60 feet
Beach nourishment benefits property owners and the public by providing increased storm protection, recreational opportunities, and restoration of critical habitat for shorebird and marine turtle nesting.
The Pinellas County Shore Protection Project totals 21.8 miles of shoreline. Three constructed and authorized segments are actively maintained by the federal government in a cost share agreement with Pinellas County. These segments include Sand Key, Treasure Island, and Long Key (currently not funded). The federal government has invested nearly $120 million in restorative beach erosion control measures, including beach renourishment and the construction of groins, to date.
Project updates will be available on the web and social media, including the Jacksonville District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/JacksonvilleDistrict/ and on Twitter @JaxStrong.
-30-