Florida's Pinellas County approves beach nourishment project without federal funds

The Pinellas County Commission in Florida approved a $125.7 million emergency beach nourishment project on June 17 to replace sand lost during last year’s hurricanes.

The project will proceed without federal assistance after years of policy disagreements with the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) over property easements. The county will use local hotel bed tax revenue and state grants to fund the work.

Previously, such projects benefited from a 65 per cent federal cost-share, but eligibility requires contiguous property easements which the county was unable to secure.

As a result, the project will leave gaps where sand will not be placed on private property along Sand Key, Treasure Island, and Upham Beach.

County officials stated that even a less restrictive temporary construction easement was rejected by numerous property owners.

“A healthy beach offers protection to property and infrastructure against storm surge, and it’s vital to tourism. But our residents should know we won’t be able to continue to do these projects without the full buy-in of our coastal communities.” said commission chair Brian Scott.

The county noted that while this one-time project is funded, future nourishment efforts, required at least every six years, will need other funding sources without the federal partnership.