Schedule change announced for beach nourishment
Pinellas County Coastal Management has announced a schedule change to the 2018 Sand Key and Treasure Island Beach Nourishment Project.
Norfolk Dredging has informed the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that it is changing the order in which it will nourishes the beaches. The contractor now intends, after filling the Treasure Island segments, to move the dredge to Clearwater and fill the beach from north to south, ending in Redington Beach.
Norfolk Dredging was awarded the project last September and expects to start pumping sand onto the beach April 23. Sunshine and Sunset Beaches will be filled first with sand dredged from John’s Pass. After the equipment is relocated, Ultimar Condos in Clearwater will be filled with sand dredged from the Egmont Shoal Borrow area. Construction will then proceed south to Redington Beach and should be finished by the end of the year.
Beach nourishment benefits the community by providing increased storm protection for property owners and recreational opportunities for beach visitors. It also creates important habitat for shorebirds and nesting sea turtles. The project aligns with Pinellas County’s strategic goal of practicing superior environmental stewardship by preserving and managing environmental lands, beach parks and historical assets.
For more information, including a project fact sheet, PowerPoint presentation and an updated schedule, visit the link below.