A long-awaited beach renourishment project will begin the week of March 23 in Destin to restore approximately 150,600 cubic yards of sand lost to erosion from Hurricane Sally in 2020.
- The $10 million project is largely funded through federal disaster recovery assistance, with $9 million coming from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and $1 million from Okaloosa County tourism beach restoration reserve funds.
Immediately following Hurricane Sally, Okaloosa County staff met with FEMA staff onsite to conduct visual estimates of beach erosion and begin the process of receiving federal restoration funds.
“We are thrilled that this project is finally beginning,” said Okaloosa County Board Chairman Trey Goodwin. “While we didn’t receive a direct hit from Hurricane Sally, the storm’s impacts were certainly felt in Okaloosa County. This is a great step toward protecting our upland structures and restoring lost sand for the enjoyment of the residents and visitors.”
The project encompasses two areas of west Destin beaches, located between the South Bay by the Gulf Condos and the jetty, with a small gap separating the two sections. Mobilization of equipment will begin the week of March 23, with actual dredging starting in April.
Work will begin in the eastern section of the project, known as Reach 2, which includes a stretch of 2,200 feet of shoreline. Crews will then move to the western portion, known as Reach 1, which covers 4,100 feet of shoreline.
Beaches will remain open during the project, with small temporary closures in areas where sand is being pumped.
The work is expected to be completed by the end of April.
Map
6 Responses
Wow…$10,000,000 for sand.
I will never understand the logic behind spending millions on adding sand that will continue to wash out with every storm and if a storm hits us this year it’s all gone again. Why not let it renourish itself in line with nature as it has been doing for hundreds of years . The coastline changes almost daily.
It brings thousands of people and millions of dollars to the Destin economy and helps support the values of numerous properties paying local ad valorem taxes.
Interesting that west of the east pass can go ignored, the survey indicates that those beaches are critically eroded also.
I thought originally they were starting on at Reach 1 then moving to Reach 2? Has this changed?
Will there be assesments for the “private Beach” owners to pony up for the refurbishment of “their” beach?